Final Media Evaluation

I have attempted to produce a film trailer of the Thriller genre that is aimed to set up the narrative, several enigma codes and capture a large audience for the actual film should it be produced. This was attempted using a variety of techniques.

To achieve the effects we gave in our pitch we developed known media conventions of thriller by developing the three codes; Technical, Symbolic and Written. We used Technical codes to add depth to our film; we used the technical codes from our influences, such as Alfred Hitchcock, that suited our genre. Our use of camera techniques developed the Enigma code of our piece, by not showing the face of the person following the young girl. The Enigma codes were enhanced by the use of symbolic codes, such as the tension that was created between the two actors as the hooded figure walks into the room slowly. This also created suspense as the target was also approached slowly. To Incorporate Technical codes we also used tracking, with a dolly, on a floor with a repetitive design. This was to create a rhythm within the piece in the way the music sounded and the soft sound of the shoes on the floor. To challenge the conventions of a modern thriller, we used a slightly shakier camera work. This was to subvert the common ideals of a thriller; that it should be slick. The shakier camera work also reflected the mental state of the young girl being chased and juxtaposed the idea of calm within the ‘chaser’. Symbolic codes were also included to create enigma codes and tension. To create symbolic codes we used darker clothing for the ‘chaser’ and brighter clothing for the girl, this allowed us to saturate the film and get further distinction of the characters. We also made use of body language between the two characters, such as when the actor with the coat enters the room and places the hand on the shoulder of the girl at the piano, she tenses her back.
This gives a representation of a minority within society, the people that are noticed less and given less thought to, and ignored: As they are hidden away by society, therefore by showing a small portion of society we do not create an archetypal subject matter. This means the audience cannot connect directly with the subject matter, allowing them to form their own opinions on the subject, not those that are preconceived creating a subject matter that applies more to an active audience; who develop their own ideas about the narrative and the relationship of enigma codes within the media text. Through allowing them to have an insight into the life of someone who has been socially outcast and how their past affects the way they live their life more strongly than those who are not mentally disabled.
The Range of topics and enigma codes used within the piece allows them to appeal to a wider audience, set as a film this gives it an institution from which it can be sold. However to not associate our work with a global company, and create expectations for our film that fulfill that institutions ideas and also the audiences expectations. We would prefer for it to be produced independently of an institution such as the BBC or Channel 4. This also allows our film to be free of expected plot twist, used in an institutionalized film. Which ensures that the film has a fresh feeling, and is more of a psychological thriller as well, and is not stereotyped , showing a lack of conformity. Our genre although a hybrid in the majority denotes our audience, who in terms of a demographic, would be a wide range ageing from young adult , 18 to the older adult, 60 or potentially older. Although there is a certainty about our type of audience, the audience most regularly associated with a psychological thriller is an active audience. Within any piece of media there are codes and conventions that relate to the type of audience, those mostly associated with the genre and audience of a psychological thriller is the hermeneutic code. This code relies more on questions raised by the audience and how the audience is unsatisfied with the narrative until the answers are revealed. Causing the type of audience that will be attracted to our movie a more active audience that understands the hermeneutic code, and the way in which our narrative makes use of plot hints and enigma codes and how they link to this theory. Our piece of film is also similar to a trailer of a film. Therefore through the use of the various enigma codes found in a well publicized trailer allows the film to be received by a wider audience, consequently attracting a larger audience.
During the creation of our film we made use of the Mac facilities within school. Since the Macs have software for editing sound and cutting film, they are more practical to use instead of windows. This process and also the use of Macs were new to us, so we made the most of our time when making our preliminary and ‘finding our feet’ more then than in our actual project. From cutting the scenes we wanted we began to add in individual transitions to make the film our own. We also imported two sound tracks that are used over our opening, this is in addition to the few we used from the software’s own database.As we used the Macs for a long time when reworking from our initial to newer plan for the plot, it gave us more experience with them as we became familiar with the software. However we did have some problems such as exporting the film so that it was in a format that we could use on YouTube. These problems also occurred with making sure the format was compatible over Mac’s and Windows PC’s as well.
In progression from our preliminary to our main task, and the production of our final product, we have found that the process of working on the Mac's initially and for our preliminary task, enabled us to use the Mac's more competently. Thus achieving our final goals with reference to the narrative and effect the piece has on the audience. When producing the final piece we were also able to look into, why directors use certain shots and how they cut for effect, then employing these techniques on our own film. Such as including varying shot type and it’s relation to the mise en scene. These techniques gave us a deeper insight into the film industry and specific terminology that is used that can be then transferred into our final exam. Overall I feel we have achieved our main goals and although there were some improvements made at a later date, in response to feedback. Our aims were achieved in giving the audience an Artaudian and surreal depiction of mental illness and segregation.