Media Coursework

AS Title Sequence Evaluation

Our brief was to research and produce a title sequence based on a specific genre in which includes typical and maybe none typical codes and conventions for a new film. The title of our film is ‘Ronald: Grade A killer’ We felt the title had to be very convenient towards the characters importance but also represent the humour this dark comedy with a sub genre of horror will involve. We came up with many titles but after doing some audience research through a questionnaire this appeared to be the most successful. Our title sequence begins with a boy hiding in a cupboard watching a teacher role play a scene with another student but this is unfamiliar to the audience and Ronald and both automatically thinks the boy is being abused. A freeze frame is used as Ronald’s exits to the cupboard and strikes the teacher with a lamp which creates humour due to the random object, a voice-over is then used and we are taken back to the beginning of Ronald’s day from the moment he wakes up. Showing Ronald’s life we experience his every day morning and walk to school which helps develop his character throughout the title sequence. The title sequence ends with Ronald entering the classroom he started off in at the beginning of the sequence ready for the life changing attack to take place.

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

As the genre of my title sequence is dark comedy I was able to carefully follow the codes and conventions from a comedy and in some ways horror genre film and how they could be communicated within my title sequence, this consisted of red iconography and typography, many close up to leave enigmas and a upbeat soundtrack to keep the audience amused and create a sense of humour. I combined some of the typical title sequence conventions that are included in various title sequences (not all) such as, typography of cast, crew & title, sound, some form of clip and including the main character with the horror and comedy conventions to produce a final and most successful title sequence. Also included within our title sequence is fast cuts to combine with the music so everything is moving fast which symbolises escape as typical to almost every other horror film, there is a killer on the loose. We decided to keep these conventions as it would help to communicate the genre of the film to the audience and make it recognisable and meet their expectations and to also avoid disappointment.

Featured in our title sequence was the typical horror location of a frightening place in which looked ordinary but was far from it, the chosen place was a current and local secondary school and this is due to the narrative. The school is featured at the beginning and end of the title sequence and this therefore creates a loop in the title sequence as the audience finish where they started; this states the importance of the location but also portrays the plot to the audience as death has been foreshadowed so the audience are aware of what is going to happen. After watching ‘Hot Fuzz’ a film which is mainly a comedy but has manipulated murder, the title sequence also features the location at the start of the film; the location is not key to the narrative but key to the character as he is a police officer and it shows his commitment within his career. ‘Hot Fuzz’ title sequence is also very fast paced featuring up beat music so this was one of the inspirations that lead me to my final sequence. We challenged the codes and conventions of a title sequence by including a clip of the film before the actual title sequence began, due to the duration of it unfortunately this had to be removed but a short clip has been kept and cut down too still establish the narrative to the audience.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Featured in our title sequence is a stereotypical teenage geek named Ronald. The stereotype was constructed and portrayed to the audience through the use of Mise en scene and costuming, Ronalds outfit consisted of a tucked in shirt, blazer too big and a long tie. Even though these props were an over exaggeration, it helped to establish the character and his personality. Ronald’s accent was also taken into consideration when voice over’s were used, a stereotypical British posh voice was featured to make him sound well spoken and brought up within a wealthy home. The stereotype has been manipulated throughout the narrative of the film as the innocence of a ‘geek’ is no more after several murders are committed. Due to this manipulation it leaves the audience wondering whether he still is the boy they met at the beginning or has these accidental murders really changed who he is. Ronald is a representation of all the stereotypical geeks in secondary school that are tormented, abused and bullied throughout what’s meant to be the best days of their lives. Many of the audience will be able to emotionally communicate with Ronald due to previous experiences of bullying but can look at the manipulation of the stereotype and fine the humour behind it as it is his personality that keeps him unknown of being the murderer.

What kind of media institution might distribute your product and why?

Considering the similarities between our title sequence and ‘Hot Fuzz’ we decided Working Title would be our most successful distributor. Both genres film are in some way relevant to each other as the narrative are almost the same and typical to the horror genre. Due to the similarities we feel working title will be our best choice as they will be experienced in how to sell a film such as this to an audience. They are also a recognisable British company and therefore will definitely meet our pitch.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

We decided out target audience would be 15-23 year old boys. We decided on this particular age group as this allowed the film to communicate with the audience as they will either be going through their teenage days or old enough to nearly forget them and would be reminded of social events/ particular memories that may have happened. A specific audience this would be aimed at is victims of bullying. It helps victims of bullying to discover the humour behind their stereotype and how they can use this film as a way of ignoring the insults and making them not worth it. Our target audience has also been chosen due to the violence featured in the film as boy are stereotyped to be the tougher and more aggressive gender and therefore can handle the brutal murders and thrilling moments.

How did you attract/address your audience?

We addressed our audience throughout our title sequence as they were put in the perspective of Ronald’s everyday life. They are able to relate to Ronald’s walk to school and the things he comes across during that walk, they can also begin to imagine and realise how a ordinary day can be changed into something completely bazaar. We managed to involve our audience also on the production side of the title sequence by creating a questionnaire for which would be our most successful and favourite typography and we also had many screening of our title sequence as improvements had been made to get our final feedback in order to have the most successful title sequence possible. A common and popular comment that was made from our audience focused on the sound of our title sequence and how the volume needed to be adjusted as different moments were louder than others, We took this feedback into consideration to give our audience what they really deserve, a perfect quality title sequence.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

During this process I have learnt some new techniques through the practise of editing and cinematography. Using Final cut pro I found this programme very challenging and therefore never participated that often but I did learn the skills of being able to cut down certain parts of a clip and amend them in places they needed to be. Also I managed to improve my cinematography skills very well as I was able to focus on how different shoots can create meaning as it can shows someone’s authority/class and I put these in place using low angle shots when the walk to school took place. A final thing i learnt was how music is very key within a title sequence and how it can affect the mood/tone of the film. After trying many horrific songs we realised horror was being represented too much within the sequence as this was only a sub genre. We then decided to spice the sequence up a little bit by adding a upbeat, fast pace soundtrack as I said before this combined well with the short cuts.

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Since the preliminary task I have gained and produced many different skills that I had not came across before. I now realise and understand how a storyboard is so important and determines the exact shots you would like to produce but is also a guideline to help you get the best quality shot. Another filming technique I have improved on is my choice of location, different to the preliminary task the location is key and had to stand out from an ordinary cliché school location. The weather had to be right and the location had to be confirmed with permission was need to film so therefore planning which is another key filming process had to be carefully considered. A final thing I learnt through this process is that acting had to be key. An actor can either make or break a short film/Sequence so therefore the standard had to be a quality in order for the title sequence to be interesting to watch and most effective.

Thursday, 29 March 2012

Audience Feedback

Monday, 5 March 2012

Title Sequence Evaluation

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

28/02/12

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

21/02/12

Thursday, 9 February 2012

02/02/12

Thursday, 2 February 2012

24/01/12

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Music Options