Evaluation question 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in your progression from it to the full task?

Top: Final product
Bottom: Preliminary task

Looking at the two films, it is clear to see how our film making abilities improved throughout the process. There is a significant improvement in our ability to spot and rectify continuity errors as there are not as many evidnt in our main task as there were in our prelim. We also became better at positioning a camera in order to get the best effect form as scene and we became much better at framing shots so that all relevant characters could be seen clearly and that the audience got a sense of how they are supposed to be feeling. Our editing ability also improved as the finished product was much more slick and professional than the prelim, with the editing being less noticeable and seeming more natural dues to smoother cuts and our ability to use fades effectively. We also improved our script writing, achieving more believable dialogue in our main task than we did in our prelim. It is visible from watching our work that there was an overall improvement in our use of filming, editing, sound, effects, script writing and narrative from our prelim to our main task.

Evaluation question 6: What have you learn't about technoligies during the making of your movie?

When we made our movie 'I do?' we used the program 'Sony vegas'. This software is a more advanced ersion of most basic movie makers. At first it was very confusing but once you get used to it its very simple and does make editing movies a much more achieveable experience as you can edit into so much depth.

After it was complete we uploaded our film to Youtube. This was fairly simple once the film was converted to the right format as all of us have had previous experience of using Youtube.

Blogger - We used Blogger in order to keep an online record of our planning in the progress we were making with the production of our film. We also posted our film on Blogger as well as Youtube.

 

Evaluation question 5:How did you attract and address your audience?

Our film attracts and addresses male audiences by presenting characters which they can relate to. We also attemped to make the humour and 'banter' realistic as male audiences will be able to relate this also if they have their own group of friends similar to the one presented in the film. For example we used in a scene in which one of the characters is grooming himself in front of a mirror, this would be humorous to male audiences who may have done this before as it is not a stereotypically masculine thing to do.
Male audiences would also recognise the character types which are presented in our film as they may have friends that are similar to those presented in real life. This would make the film enjoyable for male audiences as they can see themselves in the characters. Audiences may also be able to relate to the situations shown in our film.

We challenged stereotypes of men in order to give a more real view of what a group of male friends is like. This would appeal to a male audience as they like to see things which they can undertand through everyday life and may feel that the traditional media representation of males in unrealistic.
We hope to attract and address a female audience through the more conventional aspects of our film and the elements of romance which are more likely to appeal to women rather than men. Female audiences may also enjoy seeing this different side of men that is not often represented in the media.

Evaluation question 4: What would be the audience for your media product?

The audience for my media product all depends on what they are looking for. We would say that 15-22 year olds would watch it for the comedy aspects and the night life. They will get a kick out of our characters getting into lots of trouble (like in the hangover). But if the audience are looking for the drama and the feelings that the characters must have then the audience will range from 22-28 year olds.

When it comes to gender normally rom-coms would appeal to
the female audience but our film only uses extracts from rom-coms and it moves more forward to lads banter sort of comedy (the hangover).

Evaluation question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

There are loads of ways that we can promote our film. The internet plays a major part in promoting british independent films. Social networking site like Facebook and Twitter use advertising pop ups which is easy to use and get recognised. Youtube also uses these types of advertising techniques as well as actual video promotions since it is a video streaming webstie. Optimum releasing is a great example to use for distributing british independent movies. They distributed "Submarine". A british independent film directed by Richard Ayoade which became a smash hit. They also distributed "Four Lions" which was directed by Christopher Morris. It was also very succesful. We have named our distributor "Horizon pictures" and it will have the same sort of attributes as "Optimum" beacuse it promotes british independent movies.

Evaluation question 2:How does your meida product represent particular social groups?

Our film represents social groups through stereo types. It does this in a humerous way by making fun of the characters but not in a harsh way just mainly in a lads banter sort of way. Our social group is white working middle class. You can tell that all four characters are fairly smart due to them wearing shirt, ties and trousers. The charatcers also have nice houses and modern cars which suggests wealth. Our film promotes a side to men which isnt normally shown. We made sure that they show their emotions (in a comedy way) and made them become ridiculed for it. It makes the characters seem less middle class which is funny because the film promotes them for someone else. Even though they are middle class they are also shown to be light hearted and carefree unlike looking like hard working middle class people. The characters are stronger when they are together which shows their friendship.

Evaluation question 1: In What Ways Does Your Media Product Use, Develop Or Challenge Forms And Conventions Of Real Media Products?

A good media product that relates to our media film is "Four weddings and a funeral". This is due to the opening of our film being very similar to the opening of "Four weddings".The conventions used are represented through the characters. In our film there are four charcters and they all have differnet types and personalities. The four types here are the reliable one (played by Jonothan Cloke), the irrisponsible one (played by Jonny Sollo), the dominant one (played by Sam dixon) and the stupid one (played by Arron North). This is  used in the film "Four Weddings and a Funeral" as different character types (including some of these) are established in the opening.
Our opening also features aspects of comedy and romance which is compulsory in a Rom-Com. Beacuse the main cast are mainly women in rom-coms it challenges the aspects of our film being an actual rom-com. We used "The Hangover" for our relations towards a rom-com. "The hangover isnt a rom-com but does have certain elements of one. This is how we address our film to being slightly rom-com orientated. Our production is also set in a small and not well recognised location. Other Rom-Coms use well recognised places such as London or New York whereas our film features in Hastings.
Our Production also develops the conventions and forms of Rom-Coms. This is because the main character is one of the male characters. In most cases in Rom-Coms, it is traditionally the woman who is the main focus point and is seem preparing for a wedding or specific event. However in our film, a male is the centre of attention and therefore is starting to develop the Rom-Com genre.

My Media film (not finished)

Possible film titles

Here are some possibilities for my as media film:
Ready, Steady, No
I do?

Production companys of other films

 

• 4 Weddings And A Funeral - Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Channel Four Films, Working Title Films
• Bridget Jones's Diary - Miramax Films, Universal Pictures, Studio canal, Working Title Films, Little Bird
• When Harry Met Sally - Castle Rock Entertainment, Nelson Entertainment
• Pretty Woman - Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV
• Theres Something About Mary - Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
• Maid In Manhattan - Revolution Studios, Red Om Films, Hughes Entertainment, Shoelace Productions
• 50 First Dates - Columbia Pictures Corporation, Happy Madison Productions, Anonymous Content, Flower Films (II)
• The Break-Up - Universal Pictures, Mosiac Media Group, Wild West Picture Show Productions
• Love Actually - Universal Pictures, Studio Canal, Working Title Films, DNA Films
• The Holiday - Columbia Pictures, Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Waverly Films

Romantic Comedy

Romantic Comedy

Romantic Comedy is a hybrid genre of comedy films and romance films. They are often popular with female audiences and films such as Notting Hill (1999) and Love Actually (2003) have become huge box office successes. Some 'rom coms' may also include elements of 'screwball' or 'stoner' comedies in order to appeal to both men and women such as Wedding Crashers (2005) or There's Something About Mary (1998).

Most romantic comedies are based around a romantic plotline, usually involving male and female characters who are shown to be perfect for each other and yet are kept apart by factors such as class difference, parental interferance, ex or current boyfriends/girlfriends. Practically all romantic comedies have a happy ending in which the twio main characters are finally united.

My film classification

Film Classification

After researching the criteria for film classificatiuon using the British Board of Film Classification website, I have determined that my film would be rated 15. This would mainly be due to strong language used within the film and possible sexual activity that may be necessary given the subject matter of the film and its genre (Rom Com).

Films rated 15 often contain elements such as:

• Drug Use: Drugs may be included in the film provided the film does not represent drug use as positive.
• Horror: Strong horror scenes are permitted provided they are not sadistic or sexualised.
• Dangerous Behaviour: For example self harm or attempted suicide. This is acceptable provided the film doesn't dwell on it.
• Language: Strong language is permitted provided it is not repeated or aggressive.
• Nudity is permitted in a sexual context provided there is no strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual context.
• Sex: Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. Strong verbal references to sexual behaviour are acceptable as long as justified by context.
• Violence: Strong violence is permitted as long as it does not dwell on the infliction of pain. Strong sexualised or sadistic violence in unlikely to be acceptable.

Other film influences

The Hangover: This is due to the fact that in the Hangover someone goes missing and its up to this persons friends to find him in time (before his wedding). Same as in my film one person goes missing and three freinds have to find him just like the Hangover.

Films that my media film is like

Due to budget and genre:

• Coming to America (1988)
• When Harry Met Sally (1989)
• Pretty Woman (1990)
• Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
• As Good as It Gets (1997)
• My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
• There's Something About Mary (1998)
• You've Got Mail (1998)
• Runaway Bride (1999)
• Notting Hill (1999)
• What Women Want (2000)
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
• Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
• Bringing Down the House (2003)
• Love Actually (2003)
• Hitch (2005)
• Knocked Up (2007)
• Sex and the City (2008)
• 27 Dresses (2008)
• Mamma Mia! (2008)
• The Proposal (2009)
• Sex and the City 2 (2010)
• Just Go with It (2011)
• Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

Synopsis of my media film

Arron is getting married. He should be happy but something is wrong. On the day of his rehearsal he goes missing and its up to his friends Sam, and the two Johnnies to find him.