THE PITCH- TECHNOLOGY SKILLS by Kara

Blogger.com
The first piece of technology that I was introduced t was Blogger, blogger has become an important part of our coursework and learning how to create and produce a successful blogpost. I am still learning to stay on top of my blog posts and make them interesting. Seeing blogposts that are most successful include more than just text, images and videos are also an asset.

I don't have any editing software at home there for software such as after effects and premiere pro were very confusing to me especially during the first time using them.
I am still getting the hang of after effects as I've only recently understood how to use it. But I am confident enough using premiere pro that I feel I would be able to show and explain how to use it to someone else. 

When making the story board for our pitch I used storyboardthat.com , this in my opinion would be the most easiest technology software that I've learnt so far. 

And last but not least the camera, the most important piece of equipment necessary for my coursework. I've never used a camera other than the one on my phone so learning features such as zoom, focus and shot types was a new skill for me but I feel I picked it up quite quickly. 

Blogging Heath Check 

BLOG 40 - FINAL PITCH

BLOG 41 - THE PITCH - FEEDBACK

FEEDBACK

After presenting our pitch, we gathered feedback from the class which helped us see where we can improve in some areas of our pitch. Overall the feedback we got was good with comments stating that we had a "good example of what type of title sequence they want to make" and having an "excellent risk assessment" as well as being "detailed and organised" , "visuals to give a clearer overview", also sating that "the location slide was well talked about" and there was good confidence in what we were talking about as it was organised.

On the other hand, we were left comments, where there is room for improvement such as "talking abit more loud", "speak towards the audience more" and questions regarding our storyboard to be more detailed to showing all shots, as in the pitch the shots were condensed. In conclusion we ranked 8/10 for our whole pitch.

THE PITCH - TECHNOLOGY SKILLS by Nicolette

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

Ever since we have started this media course, I have learnt how to use different types of media with regard to complete the course.

One of the first types of media I was taught to use was blogger, although we initially started off using weebly as a trial to getting used to blogger. I am now confident in using blogger as it is quite simplistic use, even though I may not always be on top of how many blogs should be up.

Furthermore, I have also learnt how to use other online soft wares such as Camtasia which I used for sound analogy, I have only used this one as for why I am not that confident yet, however, my results were successful. Additionally, when editing, I managed to also use after effects to edit our title sequence remake, which I believe was also successful. In addition, I have caught the hang of using prezi, which was used in a very few of my blog post, especially as I work better interactively.

On the other hand, other than technology online, I have also learnt how to use the technology such as the camera and other props such as setting up the tripod when recording, throughout this course, I hope to develop my skills with the technology or even learn from new types of online sources.

THE PITCH - TECHNOLOGY SKILLS by Alannah

After Effects

To date I have learnt how to use after effects during editing lessons. Especially when producing our Preliminary film our group began to become familiar with the tools and function as we each had a share in editing some aspect of the preliminary film. Whether that was cutting footage that we no longer needed or adding different bits of footage together in order to create the film.

Camtasia

I also now know how to use Camtasia in order to add annotation to footage.  By learning to add annotation to footage it makes analysing films, especially film openings much easier and effective.  I used Camtasia in order to complete a blog post on analysing sound in film openings. I choose the Fast and Furious 6 opening title sequence in order to analyse the sound within the sequence and then embedded the video into a blog post.

Blogger

I have also become familiar with Blogger.  This is due to the fact that this is the place where we post all of our coursework for Media.  I now know how to add text, a title, insert an image, embed a video, and change the font. Along with that I know how to add labels to a post, publish it and go back into it and edit it, if I need to after it has already been published.  Along with learning how to compose blog posts I also know how to view the blog in presentation mode in order to see how my blog looks to other people who view it.

THE PITCH - INSTITUTIONAL DETAIL by Kara

Institutional Detail

When deciding the production company for a film the question of Mainstream or independent was a simple option.

Pros of Mainstream 
-Associated with commercial success
-Bigger investment but bigger money outcome Mainstream films make the most money
-Mass Audience
-Is shown at multiplex cinemas
-Higher production value
Where as Independent films 
-Limited Distribution
-Rarely shown at Multiplex cinemas
-Lower production value
-Intended to inform and educate
Spectre 
The latest of the James bond films was released in the UK on the 26th of October 2015. Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer and Columbia Pictures. The budget for the film was $245 million and as of November 22nd it has grossed over $677 million worldwide. This film unlike ours has a high budget, but this is proof that films produced by mainstream productions receive high  profit.


Set it off 
Set it off was created in 1996 and was distributed by New line cinema. It is one of the main inspirations of our film due to its powerful feminine characters and similar story line. The film had a budget of $9 million and received $41 million

New line cinemas was created in 1967 as a small independent film company, but after "Set It off" it merged with Warner bros and is now a mainstream distribution company. If our film were to have a mainstream company distribute our film, such as new line or Columbia Pictures. Our title sequence would be different to how we originally pictured it, as we would have to reference them for legal reasons. For example title credits would include the distribution company name and our film would open with their ident.

THE PITCH - PRODUCTION SCHEDULE by Nicolette

This production schedule presents a brief summary of the days where we will be doing something , along with the time, the shots we are going record and the location of where we are, this will help locate exactly where we are at what time and what we're doing and hopefully stick to the production schedule.

THE PITCH -TYPE OF TITLE SEQUENCE by Kara

Our film opening title sequence would be a discrete title sequence. I feel making it as we feel that it would help set the scene and get the audience into the mood for the rest of the film.

A film title sequence that has inspired our own sequence that is outside of our chosen genre would be 'Seven'. 

The quick shots and dramatic background noises creates suspense as well as creating the ability for the audience to gather an understanding of the film as well as the character. 

Kara Abraham

THE PITCH - TITLE CREDITS by Nicolette

TITLE CREDITS

Our movie £ARLY is predominantly in the colour theme/scheme of black and blue,as the use of the colour blue enhances a more masculine colour however in our aspect we are using it as a feminine content which sort of mocks the masculinity. 

Within our title credits, the font we will be using is Courier New which gives the look of a handwritten piece of text and this therefore relates back to the idea of it all being planned out. Furthermore, each name presented will be bold and we are hoping to use aftereffect to use to present the credits by the names being typed out. 

E.G:

STARRING 

                N I C O L E T T E  A R G O N E S 

Productions 

£arly

- Actor 1 –Nicolette Argones

-Actor 2- James King

-Actor 3- Christina Angelo

Actor 4 – Tevin Campbelle

-Casting- Kyle Johnson, Dwayne Fall

-Costume- Anne Sky, Reena Walters

-Music By- Laurence Adams, Nicole Sanders

-Edited By– Roxanne Martin, Micheal Lance

-Production Designer – Denise Williams

- Director of Photography  Alannah Kelly Forbes

-Executive Producers- Dean Whittingan, Jasmine Slater

-Written By – Jordan Eaves

- Director Kara Abraham 

THE PITCH - SOUND DESIGN by Kara

Sound in Action films are very important as it plays a large part in the audiences enjoyment of the film. The sound contributes to the drama of the film as it helps to build suspense. At the beginning of the film the sound will set the atmosphere for the rest of the film.

As a group we understand the importance of sound. Therefore as well  as using film for dramatic effect we know it also has the purpose of adding to the character and audiences understanding of the storyline. 

Our opening title sequence would focus on the use of digetic sounds as it would contribute to establishing the surrounding in which the character is in, but also use of non digetic sound will help to exaggerate the characters emotions and current situation. 

An example of our sounds that we wish to you use are


Police sirens                                This is so that the audience can understand the story line more clearly and the serenity of the crime that the main character has just commit

Female heavy breathing                To express how far she has to run to try and escape the future consequences


Heartbeat                                    Will be played during the same time as the heavy breathing to exaggerate the characters emotion


Running Footsteps                        To exaggerate her movements

THE PITCH - GENRE by Nicolette

GENRE

The genre we have decided to take on is Action, by choosing this genre, we wanted to capture the role of female power taking a leading role in an action movie. Usually, it is typical in an action film to see a male taking the leading role for example; James Bond. However, in this case we have been inspired by female characters in action movies.

Example 1;
Snow White and the Huntsman
When viewing this title sequence, this inspired us to come to the idea of using extreme close up and close up shots of things that make up and really show female power, for example on this title sequence, the close up of Snow White's red sequenced dress engages the audience of her femininity.

http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/snow-white-and-the-huntsman/

Example 2;
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
This title sequence had given us the thought of tracing the journey of our character, in this title sequence, it had chased the journey of the fuse being lit, this then cut in to different scenes and shots. As for our title sequence, we will be tracing the journey of the female who is on the run, as she runs, it will cut in to different shots. Furthermore, Mission Impossible had also used aspects of plans and technology, this gave us the inspiration of taking still shots of blueprints.

http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol/#

THE PITCH- MISE-EN-SCENE (Props, costumes, makeup etc) by Alannah

Props:

The two props that will be used in the title sequence are a duffle bag and a black mask.



The duffle bag will be portrayed as carrying the money which the character would have used during the bank robbery.
 








Costumes:

In order to portray our main character as a spy or someone who was trying to remain undetected we decided to have her wear all black. A black

hoody and tracksuit.

Makeup:

In order to emphasize the femininity of the character we decided to keep her main makeup simple however she will have a dramatic winged eyeliner this will be seen through her mask and immediately tell the audience that she is female.

                  

                                              

THE PITCH - CINEMATIC DETAILS by Kara

Full Story Board 

We have decided to create an Action film, based on female empowerment. The basic idea of our film is the aftermath of a bank robbery and the robbers escape. The use of dramatic sound and quick shot changes will be an important factor in terms of the production of the film.

The first  of our shots do not include any sound;

Shot 1 
Our first shot would be of a local bank in Angel. it would be a quick discovery shot with a wide camera angle facing straight on.

Our 2nd shot would be at the same location but it would be focus on another angel, instead of facing forward we will take a short clip of a
side view and this will be a traveling shot as from the right side of the bank to the left side, establishing the whole building and the are surrounding it.
Quick shots are an important element to our film , used to create more of a dramatic effect on the beginning of our opening sequence. We've decided that our first quick shot will be off a bank. This shot is used for the audience to only identify the location of the film but also a little bit of what the story is based on.

Shot 3

Our next shot would be of a blue print. This is also used to allow the audience to gather an understanding of the theme of the film and to create a sense of suspension for what's to come.
I

will be a short clip of a police station. The clip will be short but will have an element of slow motion to exaggerate its importance.

Shot 4 would be a short clip of a busy main road, which we've chosen to be in Angel. This is a discovery shot so that the audience can get an idea of where the film is based. The first four shots of our sequence will not include non digestic sounds. We want it to start of calmly so that suspension can be built. Therefore we will be only using the natural sounds of the environment that we are in , in these shots. 

Shot 5 will be the first time that the audience is introduced to our main character. She will be running down the busy main road. Carrying a duffle bag and wearing all black clothing and a mask. Although this is an introduction to our main character we don't want it to be made completely obvious that she is female as of yet. The audience will have a full understanding or idea of the film from the first five shots as they all give good clues as to what to come. The fact that she's running gives away that she is escaping from the crime. This shot will also be the first time that we use Non digetic sounds. We wish to blend it in with the natural background noise therefore we will exaggerate her panting by adding a sound like this to make it sound a lot more dramatic...












Shot 6 will include a continuation of the main character running. But this time she'll approach a dead end. The theme of escape is present as she'll need to find a new escape route to get away. Non digestic sound of heavy breathing still present. 


















Shot seven will give us the opportunity to express our camera techniques. In this shot we will see the main character come across a CCTV camera at a corporate building. This shot will include a close up shot of her staring into the cctv camera lense.















She will then continue to run down an alley way. Introduction of non diegetic sound is added . A police siren.

This shot will be in complete silence. The character will take of her face mask and reveal herself. The use of make up such as eyeliner will help audience identify her femininity.



In this final shot. We will see her slowly approach the door and attempt to enter. The screen then turns black.













Kara Abraham

THE PITCH- MISE-EN-SCENE (Location and Setting) by Alannah

Location and Setting

For our film we decided to have flash shots of a bank, a blue print and a busy street at the beginning of our title sequence in order to provide the audience with a back story as to what has happened in the film already.
Our location of our filming will be in Angel a few roads from the college. We decided to do this as the college was a central place where we could all meet outside of lessons and on weekends in order to complete any filming which we are unable to do in lessons.

The main story in terms of location is that the main character will run along a busy road and then turn down quieter roads that are more secluded in order to avoid being caught.

We will have a wide shot of the busy street that the main character is running down and then we will zoom in on her to focus the audiences attention.

This is a photograph of the busy street which the character will run down. She will start from the tree and then run towards the camera.

Once the character has reached to where the camera is she will turn down a road with a dead end. This will help add to the storyline of the film as the character would want to prevent anyone chasing her from being able to catch up with her. Therefore the dead end would prevent police cars from being able to continue to follow her.
 Opposite is where the character will decide to turn right. Underneath that picture is what the audience will see once she makes that turn.

In order to add to this atmosphere of trying to escape and avoid being caught, we decided to have our main character run past a CCTV camera as later on this could be used to try to help the authorities find out her identity- this again is helping the audience to understand and connect with the storyline.
In the picture below you can see the camera which is specifically aimed at the street the the main character will run down.


Agent X or Nicolette will then turn down another road called "Hermit Street" Which we will then have the camera zoom into the street sign after or whilst she runs past it.


After that she will run down a ramp and some steps to which she will briefly pause in order to hide behind a brick wall. We will film this and her facial expressions as she does so to again add to this storyline of being chased trying to avoid getting caught.

These photographs show two different angels as to how we will show our character hiding behind this wall.


Our final location where we will film will be outside a door which will be portrayed as the building that the agent will go into, almost like her headquarters or offices. Looking at the door and the surrounding area it be likely to have a spy headquarters behind their, however that's exactly why we choose it because often in action films the places where these headquarters or officers are, often look like normal buildings to the everyday person.







THE PITCH - REPRESENTATION by Alannah

Representation:

In our film title sequence the main focus will be on the main character who will be known to the audience as "Agent X" who will be played by Nicolette Argones. We will not be introducing the audience to any other characters in our title sequence as we want the main focus to be on Nicolette and her character to strongly support our main inspirational idea for the film being female action heroes.
The social groups that will be evident in our opening will be women or the female gender.
Stereotypically in action films the main characters or protagonists are male, however we are challenging this stereotype by having a female as the lead in our action film. The fact that our film is called "Agent X" causes the audience initially to doubt who the main character is as they are not given the characters name. We are also showing diversity as our main character will be of a Filipino ethnicity, rather than the leads that are common of action films being "White, English" or "White, American"
As a result of changing the conventions of an action film we will expect our target audience to change. When conducting our target audience research previously for other action films we discovered that the it was mainly middle aged males. However with our film we will predict we will have a target audience which is predominantly females that are between the ages of 12- 45.  This is likely due to the fact that our main character is female and falls within that age bracket. We extended the target audience to 45 as they are likely to be mothers who are accompanying their children to the cinema to watch the film.
We would also like our film to almost have a "girl power" message behind it and this will be strongly put across through the title sequence as feminine aspects of the action hero will be focused on. For example her eyeliner and makeup.

THE PITCH - RISK ASSESSMENT by Nicolette

RISK ASSESSMENT

When filming our title sequence, we may come across some risks in relation to where we are travelling/filming. 

Some risks we may across across could be; 

• Weather Conditions

This may be a risk as if it rains,this could damage equipment as many of our shots are taken outside, as well as damaged equipment, this may also be difficult as the rain may make the road slippery. This can then cause an incident as the main character is running,therefore she may slip in wet conditions.

To overcome this risk from occurring, it would be ideal to check the weather on the day we have scheduled to record, just in case it does rain, we could always reschedule.

• Danger

We are recording some shots in back roads on Hermit Street, this could be a risk as for example there could be an incident of us getting stolen from due to the equipment we will be carrying out. In order to prevent this, we will always make sure that people are aware of our whereabouts in order to make sure we're safe.

Furthermore, we will also be recording on a busy road for one of the shots, a risk we may face could be getting hit by a car, to overcome and prevent this, someone should always be on look-out.

THE PITCH - FILM by Alannah

The Film 

The title of our film is Agent X

Brief Outline: 

The film Agent X is based on the theme of the 90's black female film "Set it off" We decided to stick to the the idea of a bank robbery, but instead of focusing on the bank robbery itself we are focusing on the aftermath. Through our film we are hoping to express empowerment of femininity, along with challenging the usual conventions of action films by having a female action hero as the star. 

The main idea of the title sequence is to show the main female character escaping shortly after she has robbed a bank. The lead will be dressed in all black, wearing a mask and have a duffle bag as a prop. Quick shots the bank, a blueprint and busy road. The female lead will then run down the busy road, and then turns down a road with a dead end to delay the police.She then runs pas a cctv camera and turns down a street called Hermit Street

This will be the main street that the female lead will run down.

It is at this point when the main character will get to a turning where she will turn right.

 Once she turns right down the road this is what she will see.

At the side of the road is a cctv camera which she will run past.

 She will then proceed down Hermit Road

Once on Hermit road she will see this ramp which she will run down and the steps that follow shortly after it.

 This will be the brick wall that she will hide behind.

This door is where the character will take of her mask and proceed to look like she is entering the building. 

Blogging Health Check

10th November 2015
So far i am behind on my blog posts, i have saved quiet a few as drafts therefore all i need to do is publish them.
I need to use my 4 hours of study more wisely and be a lot more productive so that i can catch up. When creating my blog posts i need to add more detailed explanations.