How we plan to use existing productions to better our Final Production

I have learnt a lot from the films that we have watched in Media, and from the past films that we have made. Our initial filming in year 12 Media Studies was a rather poor example of our abilities, and it was merely a show that we could use the camera. It was a very linear exercise, based around using a mobile phone, and re-enacting a phonecall between two people. We did not have much freedom during this piece, but it did secure our knowledge of camera angles and shots from the year before. We were able to cut between shots effectively, and we learn not to zoom in unless it was absolutely necessarily, as the effect is often jerky motion that does not compliment the film.

The second piece that we made we had much greater freedom over, and I perhaps prefer it to our Preliminary Task. We were asked to advertise something, to design a TV advert to express a particular need to buy or witness the product within. We as a group, (Ian, Ellis, John and myself) put our all into this production, and we made the product Internet Paedophilia, and how not to be a victim of it. We used all of the camera angles that we were asked to, yet gave the piece our own unique flair by using posters dotted around the classroom as the reaction shots to what was going on. We created a mock MSN Messenger conversation, with the Paedophile represented by Ian, who has become one of the main actors within our productions. From this piece, we learnt what we could achieve with the camera and with freedom to go our own way with what we made. We learn that music could make or break a film, and that we have to choose the right sound effects at the right time to make a production worth having.

The Preliminary task has been spoken of already, and we learn from our last-but-one piece that we could incorporate good humour within our filming, if it was done tastefully. We keep to the briefs, but expand upon them, trying to incorporate our own unique take on things to make the narrative flow well. We tightened up our camera angles and shots from the previous piece, with more variety over what we could accomplish. We utilised over-the-shoulder shots, reverse angle shots, and even a low-angle shot when I leave the room. As well as profile shots and medium shots used throughout, mainly focusing on Ian, slightly off centre, we managed to create our best production yet, even if the idea of the advert I myself prefered. However, in terms of mastery, we have learnt much since our initial piece.

From the Bourne Ultamatum, we have decided to use flashbacks in our final product. I enjoyed the fast-paced look of this film, though we have decided that our thriller opening will be slower and require more thought. How it plays out at the moment is not yet clarified, but we will try and keep to the low-key lighting incorporated in the Bourne Ultamatum, and the gritty realism established to create an almost Film Noir set-up.

From Double Indemnity, we will focus ona monologue in our final production. We have learnt a lot from this film, and will base a lot of our final piece over conventions used within Double Indemnity. The main point that we will express here is that for much of the opening of the film, there is no speech, and merely actions being shown. We will incorporate this into our final piece, with little to no talking during the beginning parts, leading into conversation after the credits show, to make our final piece an opening rather than a trailer. From I Walked with a Zombie, we will recognise a need for a good soundtrack, with diegetic sound taking control of the atmosphere of our production. Anything from heavy breathing, to footsteps walking, to doors closing, we will add over the top of the soundtrack if needs be, to make a chilling sense of disturbance for the audience.

We will use the information that we have gathered from the films we have seen, in conjuction to the work that we have done in terms of production, in order to make a collaboration of all techniques learnt during our final production. At this point in time, we are just looking forward to getting out there and filming it!