Evaluation: Question 4

"HOW DID YOU USE MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION, RESEARCH AND PLANNING AND EVALUATION STAGES?"

CONSTRUCTION

Final Cut Pro And iMovie

When constructing our teaser trailer, our main source of technology for our teaser trailer compilation was iMovie where our actual trailer was exported into being a singular video. Our main editing base for adding effects to make our trailer stand out was Final Cut Pro. Here we were able to adjust:

• Hue
• Speed
• Credits
• Sound

We were also able to add:

• Effects such as quick flashes fading in to introduce new clips

• 'Prism' effect to create a sense of disorientation to conform with our psychological drama genre

• Glitches to conform to the technological aspect and genre of our teaser.

As we created a teaser trailer this year, it was essential for it to be visually attractive due to its short duration, so by putting in assorted effects it hopefully made our work stand out. 

Photoshop

When creating the poster we used mainly Photoshop and this enabled us to manipulate the design, contrast and layout of our poster so that it coordinated well. We also ensured that there was continuity within our products so we used a blue/green washed out filter and places lines across the chosen images to create an electronic glow to conform to one of the genres of our trailer which was technology. This was hugely inspired by the Catfish poster as was the entire theme and plot of our teaser trailer which was inspired by Catfish- The Movie.

Myfonts

This was the website in which we obtained our typography(hyperlink) from. On myfonts.com we were able to search for a font similar to the one used for the Facebook logo and typed in the name of our film, 'Alternet.'(hyperlink perhaps film title) By doing this we added our own twist on something that is publicly used and made it personal and original, but at the same time it conformed to the genre of computerisation(hyperlink the ring BP) within our film. Once our typography was made, we printscreened the Facebook navigation bar and placed our made typography. Myfonts enabled us to manipulate our title appearance to make it suit our liking.

Wix

Wix.com aided us in creating our website. We took advantage of the new media technologies available so we chose a layout that was the most user friendly so our would be audience would find it easy to navigate. This efficiency was looked into by some deconstructions(hyperlink a website deco) of websites hence we altered the colours to conform with our poster and trailer keeping the Facebook theme by making the font blue. The image was edited with an effect on the website and then it was placed against a black background to stand out.

RESEARCH AND PLANNING 

Deconstructions

Deconstructing trailers, posters and websites was our initial research before planning our media productions. Once we had decided to do a trailer based around the psychological drama genre, we could research film productions sharing the same conventions and begin planning. ‘Catfish’ and ‘Hard Candy’ stood out to us as a main source of information for our media productions.

Youtube

All our researched trailers could be found on YouTube, which also allowed us to find related trailers and build a better foundation of research. We could also use IMDB to find recommended trailers consisting of similar conventions.

We also used YouTube to research and plan the soundtrack for our trailer. There were a variety of unsigned artists and non-copyrighted soundtracks we could use. We then used YouTube converter to download the audio we chose as an MP3 to place in our Trailer.

Survey Monkey

We used a website called ‘SurveyMonkey.com’ to perform a survey that would get the audiences opinion on what elements we should include in our trailer. This public feedback helped us ensure the most pleasing outcome for our trailer. To gain more results, we used Facebook to share our survey.

'SurveyMonkey.com' - Our survey.

Test Shots

Test Shots - YouTube Video

Test Shots - YouTube Video

It was important to plan shots that could be a challenge to set up when filming, therefore, we did test shots. We did a test shot of Matt’s room to experiment with lighting, mise en scene and camera angles. We also put some of the footage on YouTube, which we embedded in our blog so we could see the outcome to its full potential, as opposed to just photos. This also allowed us to experiment with filters on the camera setting and tamper with the colour of our shot.

Test Shots - Incandescent Photo

Test Shots - YouTube Video

SoundCloud

Before using YouTube, we researched suitable soundtracks on SoundCloud as it allows you to search for music of a specific genre that has been created by many unsigned artists. We found several tracks that could have been suitable however, decided on downloading one from YouTube.

Blogger

We used blogger to refine and finalise all our research and planning. It is where all our work is documented, and a database for us to look back via specific labels and remind ourselves of certain elements of research of planning we may need to work from.

EVALUATION

Facebook/YouTube

Considering our focal theme was 'Internet' and 'Social networking' we used Facebook as a method of evaluation and a platform to showcase our main media product and to welcome first hand feedback and response from our target audience. The interest, views, comments and likes we received on Facebook and YouTube were all positive and reassuring of the fact, our promotional package indeed appeals to our chosen audience.

(Snippet of the response of our uploaded Trailer to Facebook/YouTube)

Evaluation: Question 1

"IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PORUCT USE, DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?"

TRAILER

Conventions of a Teaser Trailer

Before researching genre, we needed to understand the conventions of a teaser trailer itself. We did this when deconstructing trailers and noticing common conventions that consistently appeared in most trailers:

• Fast paced
• Short
• Less information than a theatrical trailer
• Less dialogue
• Credits

Our choice of music allowed us to add pace to our trailer and differentiate equilibrium and disequilibrium.

The footage was condensed to one minute and eight seconds keeping it short and fast paced, giving away little information and instead documenting a montage of images from the potential film.

We involved little dialogue in our trailer, however, a voice over commonly appears in trailers, therefore this is something we chose to experiment with. As we felt it didn't fit with our trailer due do the soundtrack we had chosen and the pace of our shots, we decided not to use it in the final production.

Conventions of Genre

We decided to make our trailer a psychological drama therefore researched films of the same genre or consisting of similar conventions. There were themes of technology (social networking, the internet and anonymous identity) as well as homosexuality.

Due to our combination of genres, we looked at a range of films with different conventions. For psychological we looked mainly at the character of Donnie Darko, as we structure the character of Matt around him.

'Donnie Darko'

‘Hard Candy’ and ‘Catfish’ stood out to us for their conventions of social networking and identity. ‘Chatroom’ also fitted in with both our psychological and drama theme. ‘Catfish’ was a documentary, however, the style in which is documented facebook information through the use of extreme close ups was inspiration for our trailer. All three of these films linked in with the idea of anonymity and identity on the internet.

'Hard Candy' - extreme close up of computer showing social networking.

'Catfish' - extreme close up of computer showing social networking.

We looked at ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and ‘Shelter’ which helped us to understand conventions and seek inspiration on how to represent an intimate friendship involving elements of homosexuality through filming and editing etc.

'Brokeback Mountain' - Close up showing intimate connection between characters.

'Shelter' - Lighting seeting a refreshing, happy atmosphere.

The typography portrayed conventions of our trailer due to the editing and effects we added to it. After using PowerPoint and Photoshop to add computer generated style effects, we added further animation in Final Cut Pro. It showed similarities to conventions of the typography's we had previously researched and films we had deconstructed.

'Untraceable' Typography - Research that inspired our typography style.

'Alternet' - Final trailer typography.

POSTER

Conventions of a Poster

Before specifying genre, we needed to understand the conventions of a film poster in general. This meant picking out important elements that commonly appeared on a poster such as:

• Images
• Credits – highlighting actors and directors (possibly specifying other films they have made)
• Typography
• Quotes/ratings
• Catch phrase
• Links – Facebook, Twitter, film website
• Productions company logo

We included all these things in our final poster highlighting conventions of our film genre.

'Alternet' - Final poster design.

Conventions of Genre

As our trailer was a psychological drama genre, this needed to be portrayed through the conventional elements of the poster. The ‘Catfish’ poster strongly inspired us as it fitted in well with the conventions of technology and social networking through its use of editing (computerized images, typography etc.)

'Catfish' - Poster 1

'Catfish' - Poster 2

We edited the images to fit with the idea of being computer generated or displayed on a computer screen by using effects such as pixelate, scan lines and blue tints.

Editing poster images using iPiccy.com

Editing poster images using iPiccy.com

The typography we used for our final poster was inspired by the 'Catfish' Poster. We used a Facebook banner which tied in immediately with conventions of our film genre and social link due to its clear representation of social networking.

'Alternet' - typography and catch phrase used for both poster and website.

WEBSITE

Conventions of a Film Website

After deconstruction several websites, we could establish an understanding of common elements and conventions that were consistently appearing such as

• Typography
• Images
• Trailer (usually plays immediately)
• Action Buttons
• Links - Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Youtube, Tumblr
• Release date and where to buy/download the film or purchase tickets to see it.
• Quotes/ratings
• Production company logos
• Animation
• Catchphrase

We tried to include as many of these elements as we could when creating our website using an online website creator called Wix.com. However, animation, for example, was complicated to create using Wix.

Conventions of Genre

We did deconstructions of both the 'Catfish' and 'Black Swan' websites.

'Catfish' - Website laid out like a Mac desktop.

'Black Swan' - Website portraying psychological drama.

'Black Swan' was a psychological drama therefore shared similar conventions to our teaser trailer.

The documentary film 'Catfish' had a very interesting website which was a source of inspiration for our final design. As it was laid out as if using a Mac desktop, this linked well with the conventions of social networking and technology. We wished to add elements of a Facebook profile to our website to make this direct connection.

'Alternet' - Final website design.

ALTERNET TYPOGRAPHY

Our typography needed to fit with our psychological drama, showing a clear representation of technology and/or social networking. I designed several based on other typography’s that shared the same conventions as our film.

TYPOGRAPHY ONE

All editing was done using Microsoft Publisher.

• After researching the name of the font used for the facebook logo, I found it on MyFonts.com and used it for our film title. I made the text white (as it would be on Facebook) and the background a darker colour. This meant when editing it,  could make the background transparent.
• I used a print screen of my facebook for the image behind the text.
• I ensured I had a friend request and typed our catch phrase into the search bar. This means every element of our typography fits in entirely with the facebook theme, linking it directly to social networking.
• The friend request is a strong image within our media products as it is where the plot all begins. We have also placed footage of a friend request at the beginning of our trailer.
• This links in with our cultural link and the idea of an anonymous identity on the internet.
• I replaced the ‘facebook’ home button with ‘alternet’, by covering the original word with blue box (the same shade used for Facebook) and placing our film title over it. This pulled the whole typography together.
• 
  

Long Banner (suitable for website)

Long Banner (without home, settings and privacy options)

Short Banner (suitable for poster)

This typography would be very effective on our website, imitating a facebook banner, and also across our poster, however, would not blend in well over footage within our trailer and appear unprofessional.

TYPOGRAPHY TWO

All editing was done using Microsoft PowerPoint, Photoshop and Final Cut Pro.

• After finding a minimalistic font on MyFonts.com, I inserted it as an image on PowerPoint.

• I softened the edges slightly and added a light blue glow effect to link in with the idea of technology.

• I then imported this edited version into Photoshop where I used the smudge tool to drag across sections of the letters and imitate a glitch like effect.
• I adjusted the contrast and saturation slightly, before the image was ready to edit in Final Cut Pro.
• We overlaid the text onto a mid shot of our character standing against a blank, white wall, adding a fade in and ‘bad TV’ effect only to the text. This further added to idea of the text glitching.
• After tweaking the colour of the whole clip, making it appear more bold and higher in contrast, we exported it and placed it into iMovie at the end of our Trailer.

Typography 2

This typography is suitable for our trailer due to its interesting effects/animation. However, would have to be still if used on our poster or website.

TYPOGRAPHY THREE

All editing was done using iPiccy.com

• After generating another minimalistic font using MyFonts.com, with white text against a black background, i imported the image onto iPiccy.com to edit.

• I added a 'Scanlines' and 'Pixelate' effect to make it look more like it was an image of a computer screen displaying the typography. I also added a slight blue dint to make it appear more electronic.
• These effects helped link in with the conventions of our trailer such as technology.

Typography 3

This last typography would be suitable for all our productions, however I feel it could be mistaken for sci-fi or thriller, depending on how each production is constructed.

CATFISH WEBSITE

• This is the first view you get when visiting the 'Catfish' website.
• The trailer pops up immediately and the option to skip it is in the top right hand corner.

• When the trailer is clear from the screen, this is the initial view of the website.
• A large mouse cursor, similar to the one seen on the 'Catfish' typography, replaces your original cursor. This makes your experience more relevant to the film.
• The Typography is the main image in the middle of the the screen, and no other images are show on the web page.
• The lack of imagery along with the catch phrase keep a sense of mystery about the film. "Don't let anyone tell you what it is." gives nothing away but also links in with the idea that the film is about the unknown dangers of the internet and identity.
• Logos of companies linked to the film and age restriction details are placed in the bottom corners of the page as they do not need to stand out on the page.
• The facebook and twitter link is visible at the bottom of the page to take you to their other sites.
• Quotes appear in the top corner one after another in an animated cycle, giving them some variety.
• The text above the twitter links stands out and informs us of what the film is available on.
• The background and "Enter Nev's World" button are animated in a glitch like fashion to give the impression of technology.
• The colour scheme could imply the film could be a horror as the red has connotations of blood and danger, although the effects and animations imply the theme of technology in the film.
• The white texts helps make the important elements of the page stand out against the blue, electronic background.

• When "entering Nev's world", it is made to appear as if we have logged on the Nev's Mac.
• The page is layed out like an Apple Mac desktop with a variety of icons we can click on.
• Each icon is similar to that of an actual programe you would find on a Mac, although, as opposed to carrying out its actual purpose, it gives us information about the film. For example, we can open Nev's photos and videos which shows us images and clips that are relevant to / from the film.
• This adds a greater sense of realism of the idea behind the film and helps get the point across more effectively.
• Through logging onto Nev's Mac, you are put into his position and can relate more to the danger behind the message in the film.
• Extra elements are added through laying the website out like this, making it a more enjoyable experience.  For example you can see messages Nev and his internet friend have exchange in a chat window and watching videos from/about the film.