Production: Final Product

This is our final film opening:

 

Evaluation: Question 7

Evaluation: Question 6

Technologies from AidanJC

Evaluation: Question 5

Evaluation: Question 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

The BBFC (The British Board of Film Classification) is an independent organisation which runs without the aid of the government. The main goal of the BBFC is to rate each film and DVD/Video for the appropriate audiences.
The classification system they have includes 7 categories: Universal (U), Parental Guidance (PG), 12, 12A, 15, 18 and R18. As the categories increase, the content becomes more mature, in content such as violence, discrimination and sexual scenes.

Our audience
Our audience would be audiences that enjoy drama and deep storylines in film, which is typical of an older, more developed audience. This is because they can grasp the storyline better and have a better understanding of the world around them. As our film is also in the sub-genre of motorsport, we feel the audience would typically be male, yet the lack of action and use of drama may entise a wider audience to the film.
Due to the deep emotion in the storyline of our film, we feel that our film should be rated a 15. This is because the main plotline includes the decline and rise in mental state, when can be upsetting to audiences. These scenes would include a large amount of profanity and, due to the crash, some detail of injury would be included in the film. However, as there is no mallicious over use of these scenes, we feel it should not be rated an 18. 

Evaluation: Question 3

Media institutions from AidanJC

Evaluation: Question 2

Evaluation: Question 1

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

Titles:
When it came to research on titles within film openings, I specifically researched how the title sequences appear, in terms of order and style, along a timeline in the film opening. This timeline was based on a generic order throughout the film '2012', which is not of the same sub-genre. However, I felt the title sequence would not differ a significant amount due to this.
We named our film 'Driven'. We called our piece this as the title has a double meaning, where on one hand, the main character was driven to succeed in his career and, on the other hand, he is now driven to return to his old self. As our plot line would be based off his mental and physical recovery, we felt that this title suited the film, as it is the moral of the film. The theme behind the title, which is a relation to actions and feelings we associate with motorsport, is a common trend in the sub-genre of motorsport. Titles such as 'Rush' and 'Need for Speed' show how this theme is used. With our title reflecting our plot, which is about our main character being driven to recover, we have also followed patterns of some other films, such as 'Need for Speed', where the title reflects on the dominant theme within the film. Our title 'Driven' appears on a black screen at the end of the opening, where it is accompanied by the end of the voice over, which has the final word 'driven'. It also co-incides with the end of the soundtrack, which is faded slightly to put focus on the title. The soundtrack is not typical of a motorsport film as these films are usually a sub-genre of action, where the soundtrack is fast paced, chaotic.

Credits:
When researching the timeline of events for a film opening, I came across a generic structure for the opening credits of a film. The order in which credits appeared on screen went:

• Distribution company
• Production company[ies] 
• '[Distributor] presents...'
• Production companies separately
• Main Cast (lead through to main stock characters)
• Title
• Any other actors in the film  

Our credits followed this layout, as it is the same across most films. Our credits are all the same font, are only white an not bold colours and are of similar size. This is different to the typical opening credits of this sub-genre, as the fonts are typically bold and full of colour. We chose to avoid this as we felt the look of the credits would take away from the drama of the storyline, however we kept a font which we and the target audience felt could still represent the sub-genre. We stayed with this ethos when it came to transitions as a fast transition, which is common with motorsport films, would clash with the pace of the opening.

Characters:
Our film opening only contains the protagonist and a few extras (the fans in the flashback), which is again unusual of a motorsport film as there is more characters traditionally introduced, such as an antagonist or stock characters like a love interest or friend. The lack of secondary characters helped us establish the narrative better, as we are representing a disabled individual, who is typically attached to feelings of lonliness, which could only be created if he was the only character in shot. Within the motorsport genre, this representation isn't prevelent, with films such as 'Rush', 'Need For Speed' and 'Fast and Furious' focusing on fame and teamwork. This menas our product has a high contrast in plot to others.

Settings/Locations:
For Motorsport based films, stock settings include garages and races at tracks or on the road. Within the films 'Torque', 'Rush' and 'Need for Speed', all three of these settings are included. Because of this, we decided we should include both settings within our film opening, as it encodes the sub-genre of motorsport. Due to limited access to the circuit on the day of filming, we could not film in the desired locations, which were in the pits and out in the pit lane itself. However, with the locations we could use, we feel we have encoded the sub-genre as best as possible.




Costumes:
In the motorsport sub-genre, the protagonist is usually the driver, and would be seen in a racing suit or can be seen in rough clothes in a garage, such as in 'Need for Speed'. Stock characters can then include friends within the team, so would also be in rough clothes or in race suits. Love interests or female characters in general are in glam costumes, as this is a stereotype of this genre. Our character, as stated earlier, is disabled so our costume had to encode this. We used the race suit in the flashbacks to show how he was a successful racer, however is now alone. The ripped jeans and the jumper sohw how our character olacks care for his appearance, a common stereotype of disabld characters in the media.

Camera Work: 
Our camera work is of big contrast within the opening as we are representing two different society stereotypes. When we focus on the character in the present time, the camera movement when panning is very slow and still. This is done to show a slow pace of life for the character. This representation is also present in the film 'Need for Speed' when, at the beginning of the opening, the camera tracks slowly above a city before tracking down slowly to the garage. Thsi shows how the life of the characters inside is slow and not filled with action.
In the flashback scenes in our opening, the camera movement is fast and the camera is also hand held. This is done to make the scene seem frantic, and show the contrast in the characters life from then until now.  Though handheld shots are not nicluded in the films i've analysed, the general fast movement of shots and close-ups included within these are common throughoutthe sub-genre, especially in the film 'Torque', when the camera tracks the racers as they drive.





Editing: 
The flashback scenes include cuts within shots, which give the audience the impression that the characters memory is not clear after his incident. It also gives the scenes a faster pace, to show how action packed his life was. This use of fast cuts in action packed scenes is prevelen in the film 'Rush',when the race begins. It is done as it creates a feeling of chaos and action within the scene. 
Compare this to the present scenes again, and the takes are longer and, between establishing shots, we have a cross dissolve transition which lasts for 2 seconds. This encodes the theme of a slow pace of life, as the pace of editing is slow. 

 

Production: Final Draft

Below is the final draft for our film opening:

Production: Final Audience Testing

For our final draft, we audience tested the edits to sound and the speed of certain shots, as well as the title sequence and the tone of the film opening. These were all issues that were touhed upon throughout the audience testing which, at the time, did not need immediate attention. From the questionnaire we gathered that the target audience all understood the narative through the voice-over and most would watch the rest of the film. We are pleased with these results as they were mostly positive. Below is a picture of one of the questionnaires that we used, long with one individuals opinions:

Production: 1st March 2016

On this date we started our third draft. On the weekend between the media lessons, I had recorded a voice memo which had the voice over for the film. Once this had been imported onto Gaby's laptop, we put it onto our film opening. We then edited the voice over to cut in and out when we felt it fit with the film opening. Along with this, we used the audio from the single seater we used on the day and placed it over the take of the car driving away. This is a good way of making the flashback scenes seem faster and more action-packed, emphasising his loss in the present scenes.

Production: Audience Testing (2nd Draft)

We had filmed audience testing for our second draft, however the audio on the video means you cannot hear what is being said. Since then we have made a third draft.

Conclusions drawn from audience testing (2nd draft):

• The titles: The focus group felt that the font sizes for the titles were too small, so the title of the film wasn,t obvious and was uncharacteristic of the action/adventure genre. 
• Sound: At this point, there is no voice over or sound effects. Just a soundtrack with no editing has been added to the film. The focus group said that the lack of other sounds in the second draft means the film lacks some meaning. We then stated that the voice over will be added at a later date.

Production: Script Editing

The picture to the left shows our original draft script, with our edits an ideas written in green. There were details we felt were useless in the script, including the numerical details, as they add no depth to the story. We have also added a line at the end of the script which should run alongside the title, and could leave the plot of the film open to interpretation for the audience. Here is the full script now:

Aidan: '2 years ago my life changed. I loved racing, it was my life. I was at Silverstone, it was a big race for me. I remember the car slipping, I can't remember much after that.'

***

'3 months later, I woke up. [long pause] It's taken a long time for me to get to where I am today. I'm not the same person anymore...'

***

'Isn't it [a] cliché that bad things happen to good people? I often come back and just sit here, waiting for something to change... but, for that to happen, I need to be driven [in time with the title]'

Production: Second Draft

Below is our second draft for our film opening. in this draft, we have added the title sequence (including idents etc.) and we have added the soundtrack. However we are yet to edit the transistions and speeds that we noticed in our first draft.

For our third draft, we will add in a voice over, which will explain the plot of the film better and will be a minimal, so we can focus on the main points in the voice over. Before this, we will audience test this second draft, and that will be uploaded soon.

Production: 24th February 2016

On this date, we started to add in our title sequences and our soundtrack. From audience testing, we have added the font chosen for our titles and the soundtrack ('Tomorrow'). The target audience felt these options suited the films mood. We plan to audience test the draft, once the new elements have been incorporated, to weather the target audience still feel as if the choices fit the film opening when applied. This is planned to be done by the end of the week.

Production: Audience Testing (Titles)

For the audience testing of our titles, we gave random people a questionnaire which included questions about 3 chosen fonts. Some questions included 'Which font do you think encodes the genre of motorsport best?' and 'Do you think the font is important in creating the right impression?'. From our questionnaire we can see that font 2 is the font that our audience feel encodes the genre of motorsport action the best, by 4 votes to 2 (font 1). We also found that the colour of the text is something that is divided in opinion. 3 people felt that the text would work in colour, however 3 believed that it would more effective for us to have the text as black and/or white. For this, we will decide on what we feel works in keeping the tone of the film opening.

Production: Title Selection

On the 22nd of February 2016, our group began to discuss our titles. For our titles, we need to discuss what order they should go in, where they should be placed in the film opening and what font we are going to use. We have decided to introduce the opening of the film with the name of our group production team 'AGAA Productions'. After this, we have so far decided that we will have the opening credits over the film itself, instead of cross dissolving to a black/white screen. This helps us maintain slow and fast pace where neede, and doesn't interfere with the story. The title of our film is 'Driven' and this will be displayed at the end of the opening.

We are currently collecting results for a questionnaire, which asks our target audience for theiropinions on fonts for the title sequence. Below are the three options for fonts (results will be uploaded soon):

Film Planning: Classification

This post is a research task into the BBFC. It will include the history of the company and I will highlight how each film is rated, from PG all the way up to R18 ratings. From this we will be able to rate our own film, based on what we want our film to include.

The BBFC (The British Board of Film Classification) is an independent organisation which runs without the aid of the government. The main goal of the BBFC is to rate each film and DVD/Video for the appropriate audiences. The BBFC has been classifying films since 1912 and DVDs/Videos since 1984.
The BBFC believes that they are an organisation, and therefore should not be a profitable organisaton. The company gains money from a set price of each DVD/Video or film ticket based on the length of the film. All the money that is gained by this is used to cover all costs of the company and extend budgets of each sector if any excess money is made.

The Universal (U) rating is used for films that are appropriate for the ages of 4 and above. For a film to qualify for a Universal rating the language must be mild with subtle/mild references to certain sexual activity (kissing etc.). Any behaviour considered bad or violet must be disapproved of.

The Parental Guidance (PG) rating is used for films that are suitable for most if not all ages, however some scenes may be too disturbing or inappropriate for children under the age of 8. Qualifications are much the same as a Universal film, however, violent behaviour can be highlighted more often, as long as it it not promoting any violent behaviour to younger audiences.

 12A rated films are films deemed to be suitable for an audience of 12 and above, however anyone under this age must be accompanied by an adult. Within 12As (and 12s), moderate sexual, violent and discriminative scenes can be included, as long as detail is not dwelled on.

 A 15 rated film is one which is recommended for audiences of 15 and above. A 15 film has no restrictions to what the theme can be, just as long as the content is deemed suitable. Sexual, violent and discriminative behaviour can be explored more in this film, meaning 'sex scenes' and gore can be included, as long as it is not excessive.

An 18 rated film is one which is available to viewers of 18 or above. An 18 is the highest age rating for a film which can be released in cinemas. Crude, explicit and offensive scenes can be shown in an 18 rated production. Only scenes wich breach criminal law and sexual scenes which can't be justified by context (pornography) are restricted from 18 rated films.




Our group feels that our film should be rated as a 15. This is because our film would include a plot line which sees the main character spiral from high to low in his life. Scenes to show this may include drug and alchol use, violence and sexual scenes; The latter would show how his life was at a high point. The fall of the driver may include sensitive topics which could offend or affect some of our audience, meaning a more mature audience would be our target.

Production: Rough Draft

This is the first, rough draft of our film opening.

Evaluation
When we reviewed our first rough draft, we found elements that we like and elements we felt could either be removed or re-ordered. Elements of the opening that we felt worked included the difference in speed between the flashbacks and the present. We needed to create different paces in these separate times to show how his life has gone from busy/action packed to slow/lonely, and we felt we have created this feeling. We are also happy with the framing and movement of the camera on the shots we have included.

To improve, we feel that some of the pans and takes for establishing shots are too quick and too short respectively. We can slow down the shots to resolve this issue so the issue isn't difficult to overcome. Some of the cross-dissolves between establishing shots we feel are too quick also, so they can be slowed to accentuate the slow paced of life for the disabled character.

Titles and sound are to be added for the second draft along with improvements to the rough cut.

Production: Sound

In our meeting for sound, we were given a list of copyright free music websites, where we could get soundtracks and sound effects if needed. We browsed multiple websites before finding 3 soundtracks that we felt could fit with our rough draft. To capture the sombre mood of our film we felt we needed to test which of these soundtracks best suits what we have. Below is the two of the three songs that we shortlisted for our film opening:

The website that we used for copyright free music was www.bensound.com, and the link for the page we used is here: http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music/cinematic.

Production: Audience Testing (Sound)

In this video, we showed a small group of people our rough draft, without sound, before expalining the plot of our film. We then gave the group three separate music clips and asked for their opinion on them. From this we can make a decision on music, based on what our target audience prefers.

From this test we have concluded that Soundtrack 1, named 'Tomorrow', is the track that is preferred for the opening by both the target audience and by our group. This soundtrack will be played throughout the film opening along with a voice over and sound effects (fans and engine noises).

Genre: Poster Analysis

For most, if not all Action/Advetnure films, advertisement includes similar conventions and iconography. These conventions have altered little over time, shown by the posters below:

Conventions shown:

• Colour: Both posters incorporate traditional action/adventure colours. The colours synonymous with action/adventure are usually warm colours, such as red/orange/yellow, as they can represent iconography of this genre. This includes fire and blood, or can be related to evil or to violent themes.  
• Characters: The protagonist in each poster is highlighted by a contrasting colour (in both cases, blue), to show that this character is the one would should support in the film.The stock characters is each film (love interests/ allies) are all in similar colours which do not stand out against the backdrop or the protagonist/antagonist. This means that they are acknowledged as characters, however do not hold the same importance as others characters. The Antagonist in the 'Captain America' has a big influence on the poster as, whilst he blends with the warm colours, he has a large presence, showing his importance to the film.
• Props: Though this is not evident in the African Queen poster, weaponary is a common prop to be shown in action/adventure film posters. Weapons, such as guns and/or swords and knifes, are common in these films, so encodes the genre of action/adventure before people have seen the film. Captain America's shield can also encode the genre as it is protection and, for fans of the comic series, it is also used as a weapon. This means that the audience can anticipate what will be in the film. 

Genre: Introduction

Defining Genre
'Genre' is a french word with the meaning 'type'. Different genres of film then are different types of film, set on a repitition of characteristics. Steve Neale stated that 'genres are instances of repitition and differnce', meaning they all have the same fundamental traits (plots, characters etc.), however contain subtle differences. Film genres include romance or action/adventure, with hybrid genres such as rom-com.

Use of genre for audiences
Genres are useful for audiences in multiple ways. Different genres suit different audiences, so being able to identify between separate genres is vital to consumers, as they know what to expect from a film. Audiences will also stick to a particular genre, as they are akin to the familiar. Anticipation, expectation and prediction are what audiences seek in a film. They are attracted to being able to predict what the outcome of a film, and know what to expect during the film.

Use of genre for Institutions
Genres are useful for instutions as they help identify marketing materials (advertisement), so that it is easy for consumers to identify the genre of the film. Genres allhave their own set of conventions when it comes to imagery/plot/characters etc. The conventions help the industry predict audience expectation.

'Repertoire of elements'
Each genre has a fixed set of elements, all based around narratives, characters and iconography. For an example I will highlight the typical conventions of different films:

• Narrative Structure and Themes

A romance film would typically include a heterosexual couple falling in love, before a dilemma keeps them apart. This dilemma can include some sort of ex-lover, problem within friends or family, or one of the two lovers could develop an illness. This dilemma is usually resolved by the end of the film, and the couple live 'happily ever after'.

• Characters

Any film would usually include two main characters, the protagonist and the antagonist. This means the good and the bad character respectively. These characters can be identified by things such as contrasts in costume (light is good, dark is bad) etc. Then we have stock characters which include people such as friends, love interests and so on.

• Iconography

Iconography is a group term for traditions in certain films within locations, costumes and props. For example, a western film will typically be shot in the desert, or in any small town in a dry landscape. Traditional costumes include the stetson hats and cowboy boots. Props will also include shotguns or any sort of gun, along with horses (if these can be classed as props). Those are the conventions of a Western film's iconography.

Production: 1st Group Meeting

Our first group meeting was held on the 1st of February 2016. In this meeting we began to create a rough cut of our film opening. The rough cut we have created so far does not include some footage, that will be filmed at a later date, and it also misses the title sequence. This part of the rough must be completed at a different date to the rough cut we are currently developing.

In this meeting we also planned what we would complete over the coming week. We have decided that, by the end of the week, we must complete our focus group meeting, which involves us filming their reaction to the rough cut and asking them specific questions about it. Finally, in thsi meeting we decided to create a Google Drive, in which we can share documents, such as clips and music, incase we cannot edit on Gaby's laptop.

Production: Filming Day

Our media filming day was scheduled for the 19th of January 2016, where we were out on the Copse Runway for the majority of the school hours. Timing for shooting in this day was key as we had allotted times with a still car and a professional driver. It was essential that we filmed all we needed and filmed backup takes incase framing was wrong or there was unnecessary camera movement. During the day, our group was able to get all the shots we needed with time to spare, which we used to film more establishing shots of Silverstone.

Due to issues with the full day of filming and others timetables, Charlie was not able to act in our film, meaning that I was cast as the main actor. As you can see in the picture on the left, we used a wheelchair in our production. This was collected from the medical centre in the centre of the circuit. The collection and drop-off of this was a smooth task and did not hinder our filming process.