Final Product

After all the planning and construction our film opening is finally finished.

Evaluation 7

Within this Emaze presentation I have evaluated everything done within the preliminary task and the film opening and discussed my progression in order to answer evaluation question seven.

Evaluation 6

Within this presentation I have evaluated the technologies that I have used throughout the different stages of production. This has allowed me to be able to answer evaluation question 6.

Evaluation 5

Question 5- How did you attract/address your audience?

When we began on making our film we decided to make a psychological horror film. However, we needed to gain some information on what our target audience wanted from a film of this genre, we decided to do some focus groups and interviews of the target audience to be able to compose a film correct for our audience.

We asked them a range of questions including:
1 Do you like horror films?
2.What is your favourite horror film and why?
3. What do you want to see more of in horror films and why?
4. Are there any aspects of horror films you don't like and why?
5. Would you like to see more horror films in the cinema and why?
6. Do you have a favourite subgenre, if so what is it and why?
7. What was the last horror film you watched and what did you like and dislike about it?

These allowed us to gather a range of information about the genre we wanted to produce and what the audience were hopeful to see. We also found that we were needing an enigmatic film will little to no blood and gore included for the audience to want to watch it and then therefore our film to be able to produce a wide spread audience. Also, we found that the audience would like a film that was able to play mind games to keep them wanting to watch it for longer.

Knowing all this we went on to pitch an idea that was suitable for our target audience choices to a large sample of people included within the target audience. In order to get feedback on the idea that we have used and all of the elements that we were planning on including within our film. In order to attract our audience we have to think about the technical choices, film content, casting, titles and genre.

Technical Choices
The audience said that that they would like our film to be enigmatic from the very start in order to catch their attention. So with this in mind we were able to include music from the very first establishing shot which created an uneasy atmosphere which would also create enigma as to which it was included.

Also, at the end of the film opening have some eerie music to again add to the enigma and make the atmosphere more uneasy.

We got this music from bensound and we chose it as it added to the enigma and also it suited our sad storyline. Also, we used editing techniques which often appear in horror films which are quite popular in order to be able to gather a wider audience.  For example, the use of dissolves to increase the pace of the editing which is what is used to add tension and create a mind game for the audience as to why the pace has sped up and what is going to happen. As this is all what the target audience said they wanted in their interviews As well as the editing elements we included enigmatic camera techniques too. For example, they usage of point of view shots of the murder to make the audience feel uneasy but also play a mind game into wondering what he is thinking and what he is going to do.

We also used these to put us in the murders shoes which will add to the uneasiness of the piece. Hand held point of view shots were also used as it makes the audience feel as if they are actually there and therefore that will make them feel how the murder is feeling. As well as the camera shot creating unease we also made the shots restricted. This meant that the audience to look around and search for clues with what is going to happen. Which will again add to the enigma within the film opening. Within editing we also included some close up shots to allow the audience to capture the emotions of the characters involved.

This also allow them to get hooked on the film straight away which is also another aspect that the target audience said in the interviews that they would like to happen. Mise-en-scene was also an important aspect of the film opening that added to the enigma and added subtle connotations of the fact that he is a murder and Bonnie is actually dead. For example, we used referential signs using the clothing colour to show signs of being a murder. The dark coloured clothing connotes that he is a murder and dangerous. Also, Bonnie's clothing is pale coloured to show that she is innocent and that she is an angel as that will also show that she has died. Looking at these references if the audience is a big horror watcher will be able to tell what character they are. However, if they don't watch horror films it also helps with adding to a mind game in helping the audience be able to help them realise the characters. Also, the clothing adds to the enigma as to why they are wearing that colour and they have to watch the whole film to be able to tell which they are dressed like that and what kind of character they are. The different lighting within the film opening also adds to enigma. For example, the first time that we see Bonnie the lighting is low key which connotes a false sense of danger. However, for the rest of the opening the lighting is natural to connote a true story as this will also help to add enigma to the storyline. Which is again what the audience wanted to see. The actors are also used for the target audience as if the actors play a realistic role within the film opening then the target audience will want to keep watching the film and therefore it will achieve a higher target audience. Also, as they are father and daughter they were able to play the role correctly which again intrigues the target audience. No makeup was used within the piece as it allows a realistic view from the audience of the film which again will want them to continue to watch the opening as it doesn't look fake and made up. Props used at the very beginning were used to be able to show the storyline better and also help the audience be able to understand why Joel is why he is. This will make the audience want to continue to watch the film as they have from the very beginning a little bit of knowledge about what is happening which makes them want to continue to watch.

Also, we used a noose at the end of the film opening which pulled in the audience due to enigma. When it was first shown on the camera it causes the audience to be full of questions that don't get answered until the very end. This makes the audience want to watch it so that they are able to have their questions answered.  The setting was used to meet typical conventions to attract our audience. We used an abandoned building to show that it is a horror film and to make the audience feel uneasy from the beginning of the opening.

Storyline

By using the storyline we were also able to attract the target audience into wanting to watch our film. This is because within the interviews they told us that they wanted a storyline that created an enigmatic atmosphere and to also keep them guessing. So we based our storyline on being able to do that. We decided to begin our film opening by seeing Joel in the corner of the room which instantly makes the audience feel as if they are within an enigmatic atmosphere. Also, we have him saying "I'm sorry, I've let you down" which makes the audience be involved with the mind game and try and guess who he has let down and what he did to let them down. Which is only revealed near the end of the opening if you are able to catch on to the subtle hints. This then fit to what the target audience want which is what we have to do to be able to attract our audience.

Gratification Theory

We thought about the gratification theory when decided on the storyline and everything that we included within our film opening. The gratification theory involves entertainment, social interaction, escapism, inform/educate and identify. Including an element of this within any genre of film allows the audience to be attracted to the film and want to watch it until the end. We included the use of inform/educate to educate people about mental ability of people when they are grieving. This is represented when we show the newspaper articles on the wall and then cut to seeing Joel grieving on the floor. This is educating people by showing them what could happen when you are grieving if you aren't willing to move on. However, we also have entertainment aspects for horror film watchers. Our film opening is entertaining because it includes enigma and tension which is what horror film watchers use to entertain themselves within the film.

Setting

We used the setting of a forest and an abandoned building to follow typical horror film conventions and therefore be able to appeal to a wider target audience. The abandoned building was used to be able to create more enigma for the audience to wonder why he is there and what is going to happen to him. The forest was used as a typical horror film convention and to also create enigma with the audience. Also, when we enter the forest parts within the film the editing speeds up as the two characters are running through the forest so it is used to create tension.

 

Titles

We used different titles throughout the film opening to follow typical horror film conventions. The first logo was the studio logo to help the studio get advertised. We began with using our logo without making if fitting for our genre. However, we decided to become more creative and make it fitting for our genre. This appealed to the target audience because it allows them to straightaway see the genre of the film and therefore decide to watch it.

Then we included the directors and the camera operators. We did this to again follow typical conventions which will draw in the target audience instantly. But it is also used to show the audience who has produced it and if the name is a regular director and well heard off they will be wanting to instantly watch it if it is a director they like.

 We decided not to include the actors names as it already creates enigma for the audience in trying to guess who the actors are. Which then accentuates the genre of the film. The final logo we used was the film title as we needed it to obviously show the audience what the film is called. We made it with the black background for the juxtaposition with the white writing. This title was also included to create enigma through the font used and the name used for the film.

 

Casting

We decided to cast my uncle as the role of Joel. This was because we needed someone of age to be able to have a wife and a child so he can represent adults but also because he was someone that was able to represent the social class that we required him to do by his acting. He was representing the under class and he was able to achieve this through his acting as sat rocking in an abandoned building as he was homeless which is what a under class person is usually represented to be. The importance of the looks of actors within a horror film is that they look like a usual person by not being too muscly or too attractive as it is shown to be staged. As having the actors as 'normal' looking people then it makes it look more realistic and it will gather more of our target audience by containing actors that appear like them.

 

We then casted my uncle's daughter as the role of Bonnie. This is because she has blonde hair and was able to use that to represent an innocent character. Also, with her being his actual daughter they were able to represent the father daughter relationship that we were trying to show within the film. However, we never included her face as it was used to create more enigma to the audience making them want to watch it more to see if they can actually see her face.

Genre 

We conducted a range of research into films that are already produced as psychological horror films. This was used to be able to look at conventions of the films and including them within our film that we made in order to be able to appeal to our target audience. We also then did the target audience interviews and focus groups and asking them the questions previously mentioned. This means that due to their answers we will included what they are wanting us to include. Which includes mind games why gets the audience thinking and as f they are involved with the film. However, the majority of people within the interviews said they didn't want to see much blood and gore which is why we decided not to include it. As this will make the film fit for the viewing of the majority of our target audience.

Marketing

We want our film to be marketed by an independent distributor as it isn't a mainstream hybrid of genres and there aren't many films made like ours. This means that with it being independent then more money will be made from the film. Also, if I use an independent distributor than has also produced horror films then I will again be able to make even more money.

Conclusion

We managed to appeal and attract our target audience by mainly following typical horror film conventions. But also being creative in the way that they are presented. For example, the titles were presented which allows our film to follow typical conventions but it was presented differently which made them creative as we included them within the newspapers. Also, we were able to appeal to the target audience by including the mind games which they suggested within the target audience interviews and focus groups.



Evaluation 4

This shows who the audience for our film would include using a range of different sources which shows this in order to be able to answer question 4.

Evaluation 4 from Rhiannon99

Evaluation 3

Within this Powtoon I have evaluated the distributors of films and what distributor my film will fall within in order to answer evaluation question 3.

Evaluation 2

Shown within this powerpoint is how my media product represents particular social groups. I have discussed and evaluated my film opening to be able to consider the issues involved.

Evaluation question 2 from Rhiannon99