Final Film - The Devil Inside Him

Preliminary

This is my preliminary task, we had to complete this task at the beginning of our course, in order to play with the equipment and try different camera angles. I enjoyed this task because it was a mini insight into what we could do. Looking back at this know I can see what a development I have made over the year! I'm really pleased with my progress. 

Evaluation 7

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

These screen grabs of my preliminary, which was a a test at the beginning of the course. the main aspects of the task was to capture a person walking through the door and meeting someone else, whilst incorporating the 180 degree rule. 
The point of the task was to experiment with new camera angles that we hadn't used before. We were encouraged to try out new angles and play with the camera settings. 
When we were set the task, we were supplied with Cannon 7D cameras. This was top of the rage equipment, however I knew very little about it and how to use it. After completing my prelim I wasn't aware of all the features of the camera, for example, I didn't know about depth of field, aperture, or shutter speed. However after the years course, I was able to incorporate all these factors when I was shooting my final film. 


Also when I chose the sound track for my prelim, I only imported a song from Itunes, however when I chose the sound for my final film, I built up sound effects using Sound Track Pro. When adding the song over the original sound, I used Imovie, as I wasn't confident enough to use Sound track Pro at that early stage. Therefore showing my development from september till now!
I was then introduced to Final Cut Pro, this programme improved the quality of my preliminary and also my final film later in the year. The preliminary task really helped me because it gave me a taster into what my final film would entail, for example I was able to see what the process involved, when using Final Cut Pro to edit my film clips.  

Evaluation 6

Evaluation 5

Evaluation 4

4. Who would be the audience for your media product?

Because my film holds the typical conventions of a Thriller, it appeals to a wider ranged audience. Therefore after interviewing numerous friends and relatives I was able to come to the conclusion that my film is suitable for a large target audience, therefore younger and older viewers could enjoy my film.

My film may appeal to an older audience because the hidden themes maybe easy for a person of that age to relate to, for example the reason behind the male characters motive maybe because of a previous redundancy or midlife incident that would be revealed later on in the film.  
From the answers that I received from my two participants, it appears that my film will appeal to my target audience like intended.  

Evaluation 3

3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Evaluation 2

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Evaluation 1

I find that my media product develops as well as challenges some of the typical conventions. First of all the title of my film opening does obey the conventions of a typical thriller, with the title “The Devil Inside Him”, my title gives a clear indication of what the film could entail, and gives away the basic plot, similar to films such as ‘The Nightmare on Elm Street’ and the ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’. 

Again to ensure that my film was relevant to the thriller conventions I created a font that could be applied suitably. In Adobe After Effects I was able to create a warped, flickering font, that sort of resembled the beating of a pulse. I got my inspiration from the film ‘Se7en’, as you can see from the image no. 9 my font is similar to that of image no. 3 from Se7en. I believe that after conducting my research that a elegant, and tidy font wouldn’t have been in keeping with the genre of the film. 

I did rebel against the typical conventions of a thriller in one way, because in most films the film title, appears with the first 30 seconds of the opening sequence, however I chose to place my title at the very end of the opening sequence. Personally I though it made a larger impact if the audience had to wait for the films Identity to be exposed, therefore creating intrigue and suspense. 

Dissimilar to Se7en I have incorporated a character, were as the audience is only susceptible to the characters hand, throughout the opening of Se7en. 

Without showing my characters i feel that the opening to my film wouldn’t have been as exciting, it also wouldn’t have applied to the key attribute of the thriller genre, because the audience wouldn’t have been hooked or intrigued to watch more. I believe that the first 5 minutes of a film are the most important. If a film isn’t interesting then the viewers won’t want to watch more. However if the opening is thrilling and creates suspense then the viewers are likely to continue watching and I believe that my film has the qualities to ensure high view figures.

Another feature of my film that I believe agrees with the typical thriller conventions is that I have left black spaces for my titles. Similar to that in Se7en. I feel that the negative space around the titles allows time for the audience to take in each of the characters and other roles. 

Throughout my film I used many effects, which in turn added to my film opening, and also encouraged my film to move deeper into the thriller genre.  by working in Adobe After Effects and Final Cut Pro, I was able to create unique effects like the triple and in some places quadruple layering have really boosted my films intensity. These effects really require the audience to concentrate and I feel that this factor really stimulates intrigue, and a desire to watch.  

Construction Post

Here is a short video that I put together of me being filmed whilst filming some parts of my film.

The Races

The picture above shows the day that Kelsey, Holly and I filmed at the races. On April the 9th, Holy filmed each of the starts of the races, Kelsey filmed the horses walking round the paddock and I filmed the establishing shots for the entirety of each race. I found this filming really useful as it gave me a different experience of filming.

Production Company

I have decided to create my own production company, under the name of Lustrous. 

I have created a recognisable identity, using the programme After Effects. This will appear at the start of each of my films that I will go on to make. 

First and Second Draft

Now I have taken my movie into After Effects and added the 'Day to Night' preset, because a lot of my filming was done during the day, and the film was set at night therefore it doesn't look realistic.

Personally I am not a big fan of this effect as it makes it quite difficult to see what is happening, and I also liked the red colors in the first part. 

I have completed my first draft, however I haven't added the titles or the sound yet as, I just wanted get the editing right firstly and then I'll tackle the other tasks. I have had some feedback from the class, the majority suggested that I got rid of the first part of the film, where the audience see the time lapse and the part when Joel walks up the stairs. They said that it was too difficult to understand what was going on, and that it was too jumpy. My teacher suggested, replacing those parts with filming a nice shot of my house and then the lights going out suggesting that the girl is now vulnerable, in the dark and also filming an over the should shot if the male watching the house. Then a little later, introduce a section where the male is filmed shutting a van door and racing off. This then would help the audience to understand the concept of the film, and not get confused, as to what's happening. 

Target Audience Interview

   

Ical Update

This is just an update of my work. It's just to show that I'm working on a time scale and meeting deadline. 

Equipment Test

Today I did a quick trail, I used the dolly and the crane to just make sure that I knew how to use them, so that I don't have any problems when I'm out on location.

I filmed whilst using the equipment, then uploaded into IMovie to edit them.

The Filming Began...

On Saturday the 21st of January I began Filming my Media Coursework. I began at 1 o'clock and finished filming for the day at 5 o'clock. We got to work straight away and filmed each scene at least twice.

On the Monday at school I looked at each of the clips filmed and deleted the bad ones and saved the good ones. I also made a short video on Final Cut Pro, of all the funny parts of the day, the out-takes.

Change of Characters

Sadly there was a problem that occurred, forcing me to change my female actor. However I was able to over come this problem quite quickly as I got Joel's friend to agree to do it!

New Female Actor: Joëlle Agathangelou

Video Co-Pilot

I looked at a website called Video Co-Pilot, which houses VFX and Motion Graphics, free Tutorials and Presets. I looked through the site and came across a tutorial called '3D Light Casting'.
I had to use the programme After Effects to complete the task, which I had experience using.
I took me about 3 hours to complete, however I think that it looks really professional and I am pleased that I was patient enough to complete it!

I have taken son screen grabs, whilst using the After Effects programme.

 This was the starting point of the task, to draw the lines that would make the basis of the 3D ball.

 This is about half way through the task, where I had to curve the lines and then add more layers to help create the final effect.

 This is the almost final product. After adding the light specks and actual ball in the centre.

Found My Location!

I have finally found my location, I have chosen to use my old house as the derelict location, where the male character will take the girl. My old house is on an old, run down farm, making it the perfect location. The old granite and worn-away woodwork really helps to set the scene. I can't wait to film here!

The Derelict Location.

Where the male character would walk around, carrying the body.

Another out Building that I could incorporate.

Time Lapse Testing No. 1

One Sunday Morning I decided to strap the Canon 7D to my dash board and drive from my house to Greve De Lecq. I used a shutter speed remote to manage to time between each photo, so I was able to drive, without worrying. However I did set the apature when I was leaving my house and sadly when I got near Greve De Lecq the sun was too bright, therefore making the images white.