YES!!! It is over.

I am exceedingly happy with my thriller opening, my blogs and the course work in general.
However, If I encountered this kind of coursework again, I know that I will do better than this because there is room for improvement.

Acknowledgement

Thanks Group 23 members, for your cooperation, dedication and motivation. You guys are the BOMB!!!

Thanks to the Technical Department for providing and trusting me with expensive equipments. You guys are the best!!!

Thanks Dan for your support and help. You are great!!!

Thanks Mary for being never tired of answering questions ( sometimes silly). You are Wonderful!!!

Evaluation Q8a; Editing and Shot framing

Honestly, The first time I handled the camera and I was to film the prelim, I knew I was so rubbish but knew I had no choice but to do it. For example, in the beginning of the prelim, the shot were shaky and really unstable. It reeked of 'amateur camera person'. Also, while trying to focus on the window of an house, it was blurry and we had to adjust it, making it more 'amateurish'. Looking back at some of the scenes, I know that something should be done and some should be removed.

However, while I was filming during the Final film, I was more steady with my use of the camera and the framings were much more better. Focussing on an object was much more better. The opening of the movie is clear enough. Just as a thriller opening should be, I did not reveal a lot of information in the beginning because I want the audience to watch on. While editing, I made use of match cuts and jump cuts.After gaining, researching  and learning about effective and relevant shots, I included a wider variety of shots in the final film. For example, screen shots below show the kitchen scene and the same action but in variety of shots.

Normal shot while walking into the kitchen

close up on opening the tap

Close up on the running tap

High angle of washing hands

Close up on water going down the drain

Mid shot of washing hands

Mid shot of wiping hands

extreme close up of drain

Evaluation Q7; Importance of Media technology

Media technology is a generic term that refers to various topics because the term "media" is generic.
In regards to Digital media which refers to any storage device that holds digital data. I have immensely improved in my use of it. Digital items include hard drive and the SD cards. After being taught how to use them, I built on this knowledge by using these items.

Digital media could also refer to any type of information stored in the computer, including data, voice and video. Storing the scenes, the making of the film, rough cut of films and intended sounds to use in storage devices, I have been able to develop this skills and get acquainted with using the skill.

Q8bProgression from prelim film to final film (Planning and Organisation skills and teamwork)

Planning is an important stage for success.

 As the adage goes that 'failing to plan is planning to fail'

Team work

 Once the groups were announced and tasks were given out, I knew how important teamwork, planning, research and organisational skills were. Lucky enough, I was grouped with such a wonderful, cooperative and dedicated team with motivation to ensure the task was a success. For example, someone in my group is an excellent artist, so when we had to create a story board for the film, she came in real handy. We all cooperated and everyone performed their tasks excellently well. I can say we did a good job.

Research and Planning

In terms of research, during the prelim, the research was of very low quality. We did very little research. But, during the final film, extensive research was done. I remembered some films that I had watched that could be inspirational and watched them again. 

Internet sites that revealed information about thriller and other important aspects were consulted. I believe that the level of research that we did was satisfactory and worthy enough.

Organisational skills

The period of time from the making of the prelim film into the making of the final film, I can confidently say that my organisational skills have been improved. Having to joggle researching a topic with making the film, with posting blogs and other necessary actions during the making of the final film, made me realise the need for a more developed organisational skills. And to evaluate myself, I will say that was a success.

Evaluation; Q8c Progression from prelim film to final film. (Sound)

During the prelim film, No sound was included in the film. It was just the diegetic sounds that were included.

However, during the final film, Both non diegetic and diegetic sounds were included. More knowledge about using Soundtrack pro had been acquired. The sound we included gave the film a more thrilling nature. It was far more interesting and entertaining than the prelim. In my opinion, I can confidently say interms of Sound, I have immensley improved.

Evaluation: Q8dProgression from Prelim film to Final film (Mise en Scene)

In terms of mise en scene, During the prelim, We included very few mise en scene. If I were to grade myself in terms of mise en scene in the Prelim film, It will not be very good.

However, while making the Final film, In my group, we made sure that reasonable, essential, and needed mise en scene were included in the film.

The blood and scar in the face of the victim (did not cost that much) came really handy. They added a realistic atmosphere into the movie. 

The materials in the bag i.e the knife, hammer and screw driver were used to make the fim more thrilling. Actually, we were advised to use a 'Thriller knife' which we used.

The directory (intertexuality from the Terminator) is an essential part of mise en scene, as it conveys hidden meaning. The audience may be unclear at first about the directory but later on, they will understand.

The black shoes, eyeglasses and Black boots portrays evil, which concurs with the intended qualities of the killer. 

Evaluation : Progression from prelim to final film Q8

 In our prelim, there was some shots of feet/legs but the door in the way ruined the shot as we could not see what was going on. The angle was too long, with the floor occupying most of the frame and the feet were too far back. The reflection on the floor made it look unprofessional.






In our final, we made sure there were no obstacles so we could get a clear, clean shots of her feet/legs. The legs/feet walked towards the camera so we could get a closer look.

 Our establishing shot of the buildings was quite unfocused and looked a bit blurry. We zoomed in and out on the building which to me seems basic and unprofessional.

 Changing the way, we wanted for our establishing shot, we panned left to right. The lighting was fantastic (as it was ambient lighting) and there were no people on that road during the time we were filming.

Her face was not completely in line with the framing as you can see her chin was not included.

We made sure her whole face was seen, focusing on her face rather than any other body part.

Evaluation; Progression from prelim film to final film (Location)

In terms of location, during the prelim, it was done in the college premises. I  was not yet quite acquainted with the camera,  It was the first time I had to go through planning a film and  it was entirely wierd acting it out.

However, During the final film, I had had several encounters in handling the camera, I had sufficient time in planning out the film and was really eager to act. Not only because it was educating, entertaining, and interesting, but because it determines my grades. Lucky enough, I was grouped with someone who is ready and willing for the group to use her house. It was convinient and provided a suitable and inviting environment for the film.

Evaluation: Media Institution Q4 & 5

This student Thriller film which I stumbled across on YouTube called "Asleep".  Sharing the same sub-genre of a suspense thriller, this short film has been able to attract a wide audience via YouTube, where it was originally posted. Since its release it has a had 11, 355 hits but for the creator of this films to receive such hits, the Internet has helped his movie launch to a wide audience. Some reasons why:

• YouTube is one of the worlds largest video sharing and wesites, and such videos can receive such views in such a short time.  They can e featured alongside other films, and that is where online users can see the film.
• People can leave comments below, which can be used for improvements next time or just to compliment the short film.
• They have links with iTunes, as they have used the sound "Don't Blow it" by Solaris.  If a viewer likes this song, they would be particulary enjoy the thriller.

In comparison, our fim differs from this student thriller film

•  An independent, budget student movie, set in london.
• The company "Kade pictures" is not an established, recognised company.
• It will be relased through social networking sites such as blogger and vimeo and possibly YouTube.
•  We have already had a private screening at the cinema "Screem on the Green" and later there will DVD's issued for each student.

Evaluation: Representations Q2

We are able to read a  character, simply by how they are represented in a film.   Stereotypes also help us tell how the characters will turn out to be because of pre-judged ideas for example a character darkly dressed behind a shadow connotes that she/he will be mysterious.The representation of the characters is obviously constructed, as the team working behind the filming would have decide how the characters will viewed, by aspects of mise en scene, camera & editing and sound.   However, in our short opening, we played around with the roles of our characters so that our audience will have varied interpretations of them.

Gender:

Urma Thurman, Kill Bill : Vol II

Like the many Thriller films that we have watched, males were predominately the villains as it seems to be the heavy duty job and needs strength, masculinity and courage (as these are some of the qualities of males)  Although there are some females who have played the role of seeking vengeance, like Urma Thurman in Kill Bill, it is quite rare to see a protagonist as a women carrying out roles that include killing. You would have least expectations of The bride (Thurman) of not taking her role seriously.  By looking at her image, she would be sterootyped as a 'dumb' blonde who is there to look hot and attractive all the time, but our expextationd would be switched around after we see her carrying out  tircks and drawing out swords and guns.

In our Thriller opening, our protogonist is a female instead of a male to carry out the hitman role, or in this case the 'The hitwoman' to shock our audience that a female is doing this.

Mise en scene - Clothing

When choosing what colour particular mise en scene should be, it is very imporatant. For our Killer, she has been dressed in Black which connotes her sercecry, evilness and darkness within her and her reddish dyed hair gives a tint of energy and strenghth. Although, she is supposed to have this tough image, we want her to be stylish at the same time, like most females would like to. So that when she goes outside, she looks like anyother girl.

•  Classic Ray-Ban 'Wayfarers'
• Used to conceal her identity as she prepares to leave the home and face the public.
• Gives a sense of 'coolness' and she would think of herself as an agent or a spy instead of a hitwoman.

• British footwear, Dr.Marten boot
• Protective and comforable, and because its black, the bloodstains can be easily wiped off and not visable.
• Product placement used to show that not only they are used for heavy duty jobs but also fashionable and stylish at the same time.
• Popularly worn, especially by women of all ages.

•  Black trench coat popularized by Burberry and Mackintosh.
• Black covered with components such as a belt, zips and studs to toughen up her image.
• There are pockets on the side, for her to retreive the 'Blood list' and keep it safe.

• Black skinny jeans.
• Worn in everyday use, no matter what environment.
• Easily can be tucked into her boot.