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

From my preliminary task, to our final opening sequence, I think I have developed in a lot of skills.

When I re-watch my preliminary task, I notice that the framing of the shot wasn't very good. It was very aesthetically pleasing to watch. When filming for Safe-Zone X, I focused more on the framing of the shot, by using the rule of thirds, as well as using a much bigger variety of angles and shots to make it more interesting to watch.

When filming for Safe-Zone X, I experimented much more with the use of handheld shots, and those filmed with a tripod. In my preliminary task, it was mostly shot handheld, but it meant that the footage was often overly shaky, which became distracting to watch. I practised filming handheld, so there was less movement of the camera, but it still maintained the immersive atmosphere.

I think I have most improved my skills when editing. I improved my cutting skills so that the transitions from one shot to another were more fluid and smooth. I noticed that during my preliminary task, there is often a moment too long at the beginning of the shot, so that the acting no longer seemed like an instinctual movement, but clearly acted out. And the cuts were very slow, which broke up the action. In Safe-Zone X, the cutting and the transitions were much cleaner, and we spend a lot of time making sure it was right. This was especially important during match on action, which I first practised in the preliminary task. I also learnt how to use other elements of editing effectively, including using text and changing the colour balance of the footage. I also learnt how to add and contort music and sound in iMovie, by adjusting the sound levels, adding additional sound effects and making the music complement the on screen footage, by cutting the sound to fit it.

Who would be the audience for your media product, and how did you attract and address them?

I created a Prezi presentation to show how we appealed to our target audience.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Technology

During this unit, I have learnt a lot about different media mediums and technologies.

The first thing I've learnt about is blogging. Prior to this unit I have never used a blog before. I found that "Blogger" was a great site to use as it was very simple to set up and generally easy to use. I learnt how to change the appearance of my blog; creating different pages and changing the theme and style of my blog. I found out how to add labels to each of my posts in order to make my blog easy to navigate around. This is definitely a website I would used again because it is very simple to use, and it is free to use, but it allows you to adapt the site for your needs.

I also think that I have developed my skills in camera work and editing. Before starting Media Studies, I had experience in photography but not in filming. After finding out how to film on a camera, from Google, I experimented with different shots, including how to change focus when filming. I learnt that lighting is very important when filming, in order for the quality of footage to be good. I also learnt how important it is to film before and after the moment you are planning to use. This is because it allows you, when editing, to achieve a smooth transition, and if needed, you can use the footage at another point in the sequence. When filming, we tried out both handheld shots, and those filmed with a tripod. I found that when filming handheld, you have to be very careful that the footage isn't too shaking, because it can become very distracting, as well as distorting the quality of the footage.


Before the start of this unit, I had very little experience with editing, and even less with iMovie. I have learnt how to cut footage effectively in order to achieve smooth transitions, especially with match-on-action shots. I have developed my ability to contort sound on iMovie, changing the different levels of sound so that they are balanced throughout the opening sequence. I also learnt how to edit the music on iMovie in order for the music to create suspense, or other desired effects, and compliment the action on screen. Freesound is the main website we downloaded any additional sound we needed from. By using it, I learnt how to download sound, add them and then edit them on iMovie.TEXT, COLOUR BALANCE


Other things I learnt how to use were websites including dafont, Prezi, Voki and Freesound. Using dafont, I found how to download and use different fonts onto the computer so we could use them in our opening sequence. Unfortunately, the format of our desired font for our title meant it couldn't be used in iMovie. Instead, I created an image on Photoshop, of our title screen, and added it onto iMovie as a picture.



Prezi, Voki and Wix are websites which allow you to create and share interesting presentations online, which can include other medias, such as photos or videos. I found these to be great and useful websites to display my work.

 

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

I created a wix website describing how our opening sequence used, developed and challenged conventions of real media products. 

Please click on the photo to take you to the website.

Final Edit

This is our final edit of Safe-Zone x. I hope you enjoy it!

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product?

In order to show what institution we thought would be best for Safe-Zone X, I created a mock interview with Vertigo Films.

Organising the Cast

I mostly contacted the cast over Facebook on a group chat. This way everyone was able to see what was being organised clearly.

There were some complications when organising this shoot. Two of our original actresses were unable to film, and because we had already booked the location we had to find other people. We decided that when Ella couldn't film, that it would be easier and more suitable to only have 4 main characters in our film opening. So we only needed to find one other person to play Kira. Freya was able to shoot, and suited the role, so she played Kira.

Shot List

Props, Location and Risk Assessment

Props

• Candles (10-15)
• Backpacks (2)
• Cans of food/soup (2)
• Papers - Newspaper and Letters etc. (2 newspapers, 3 letters/flyers)
• Map - Large (south west of England, near to filming site)
• Radio (old fashioned with a screen and dial on it)
• Medical Supplies - Bandages, Plasters etc. (1 of each loose)
• Camping Mat/Sleeping Bag (1 or the other, rolled up)
• Torch (1 big torch)
• Matches (1 box with matches in)
• Lighter (1)
• Barrels (2)

Location

Keeva found the location as it is owned by a family friend. When she visited the location she took the following photos.

Our location is a small horse-barn that we have been allowed to film in by the owners, it is on the outskirts of Hillesley and is easy to get access to. It meets all of our needs in terms of what we want for filming however a few things have been changed in our planning of how we are going to film because of the location (specified in risk assessment)

Risk Assessment