Evaluation - Question 4

4. How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

The start of the coursework began with the research and planning stage where i had to find out as much information on the products that I will be creating. I looked at different trailers from some of the main genres to help decide in which genre i prefer the most and then once decided, I concentrated on my chosen gene. I also looked up and analysed the similar products of the ancillary tasks which helped in getting a bit better insight of what I need to do. This was all research found mainly on the internet however I also looked at some magazines and posters that I found lying around the house too.

The filming and editing part of the project was much easier and simpler this time round as I was already experienced with it. Though we did try to research up on the different location spots and settings on the internet, it was important for us to actually go to these places ourselves so that we could see if it would fit our criteria. Clothing and props were all researched up on the internet as well as real life experience. As youngsters ourselves, we also know what the audience would prefer the most and which factors attract them more. We used different program mes on the Mac to create the various features on the products such as Photoshop when creating and manipulating the images.

Evaluation was mostly based on the audience feedback and my own opinion and experience of the whole project.I had to personally gather round my audience and get them to write what they liked and disliked. I then analysed and made a final comment on the overall feedback.

Evaluation - Question 3

3. What have you learned from your audience feedback?

Audience feedback was an important task to do because it help me in knowing whether or not I  succeeded in being able to carry out and produce the products to the effect that I wanted. This also helped in knowing whether I had progressed over the last year in the skills that I picked up last year.

I gathered around a few people from my target audience and put in front of them the products that I produced. I then asked them to write comments down on what they thought about the products. It was quite interesting to see how people's opinions varied between the products. Some preferred the one product better than the other even though the similarities between them were recognizable from afar. However its certain features that attract different people with some saying they liked the colors and some liking the images

In general, the feedback I got was positive and it also helped me in knowing where I have been able to grow with my techniques and what knowledge I have been able to gain this year.

Evaluation - Question 2

2. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary task?

The combination between my main product and the ancillary tasks is quite distinctive and unique. While creating all three products, we had to ensure there are certain recognizable features that link them all together and make sense when put together. The main product is the trailer which in the end turned out to be intense, chilling and overall quite spooky which is the effect that we wanted to create so that the audience knows the genre of the film. To link the trailer to the ancillary tasks, we had to create the same effect in the two tasks to bring out the same effect but also so that the audience know they are one piece. The same effects in the tasks such as the font of the title and the color schemes are also shown in the trailer. The effect of it creepy and intense needs to be portrayed in all three products and so using the same recognizable features does that not only to link them but highlighting the danger, the suspense and the overall mood of the atmosphere.

The three tasks together look quite good and is a great combination between them. This is because the first task is a poster which emphasizes on the movie through visual effects with the color scheme and the title of the film. It then leads on to the second task which is a magazine cover which has more writing and talks and hints things not only about the film but other factors which is inside the magazine. Finally onto the trailer which is not only being shown but we can hear it as well in front of us in a video. Each task has the same colors used, the font title and background image. However each time a little more is added to create more suspense and to bring forward the spooky scary impact a little bit closer each time.

Evaluation - Question 1

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

In the start of my trailer, I started with the shots of the location so that my audience can get to know the area of where the action will be taking place and as its a significant part of the trailer and its necessary for it to be put into the audience's mind. Other trailers use this technique as well such as Wrong Turn which as soon as the trailer starts, its in the main location of the film e.g. the woods. I also wanted to use this technique ion my trailer so that the audience get a feel of the atmosphere from the start.

The way the characters are introduced is always significant so that the audience is mentally able to decide who plays what role in the film which helps them get closer to them mentally. In nearly most of the trailers, the main actor is introduced straight away so the audience know who the film is about. This technique is also shown in the trailer of Scream 4 when the main actresses voice is the first to be heard and her been shown herself.

The title of the film was important that it matches the mood of the overall trailer. Our title is in a sort of cracked up font where it seems to be falling apart and old. This effect is quite spooky and highlights the whole scary, dim and chilling-ness of the trailer. We chose to put it at the end of the trailer and in a sudden way so that it blows up in front of the audience's eyes and sticks in their mind. Many other trailers also do this as its a perfect way to stick it into the audience's mind. The overall image of it tells a bit about the trailer as the color of it is pure white and it stands on a black background which is very common as this attracting.

Many horror films edit their trailers to start off with a calm pace and then suddenly go into a quick, fast cuts sequence with little time to take in everything before the next scene starts. this builds up adrenaline and encourages the audience to get into it. This is the same effect we wanted to create and therefore we also did the same by adding fast cut scenes running at a quick pace however we wanted our audience to intercept whats happening therefore didn't rush it too much.

The music was one of our best features which we got from Royalty Free Music sites. It was intense and quite chilling which is the effect we wanted to create.

Hood in Da Wood - Trailer

Audience Feedback - Trailer

Below are some comments from the audience and their ratings.

Abdullah Afsar 

"The trailer is quite effective and is intense. It builds suspense which I really like as its not putting to much detail on what the film is about. I prefer films to be like that as that way its leave mystery behind and encourages me to watch it. I would give it a 8/10."

Wahida Ali

"Was quite scared for a bit. It doesn't show gory and blood which i prefer so I would go with my friends to watch it as it seems quite interesting. 7/10"

Shazia Akther

"I really like horror films and this trailer is different from the usual ones you see which is quite persuasive. If the trailer is good, I find that most of the time, the actual film is great as well and I would definitely give this film a go. Its not got much bloodshed which is something I think stands out in horror films but what I've seen, I would watch it in the cinemas. 8/10"

Waseem Aziz 

"Not enough blood and scary scenes for me but its quite intense. Wouldn't go cinema to watch it but would watching if it came on t.v. 6/10."

Audience Feedback - Magazine Cover

Below are some of the comments that I've put down from the feedback we got from our target audience.

Aziza Ali 

"Though I don't usually read film magazines, if I walked past Gore-Mania I would most likely look back and give it a second look to it as stands out a lot. I personally if I did read them magazines, I wouldn't buy it but i would give it a quick read through in the shops. This is because I'm not a horror film fanatic."

Abdullah Afsar

"I read a lot of film magazines because I like what in them and the different stories and reviews on the films which are quite interesting. This magazine cover stands out for me and though I am a loyal customer to the magazine that I currently buy, I would buy this magazine as it seems different and quite eye catching. The overall magazine looks really cool and the color scheme is what brought my attention to it as to me it looks wicked."

Amirah Begum 

"I'm not really into film magazines nor the horror genre but looking at the cover i was quite impressed as it stood out to me and did catch my attention. I would think that this is perfect for those who love horror films. I would recommend it to my friends who like these sort of films."

Ajaz Alaf

"SICK!! WICKED!! GREAT!! WOULD DEFO READ IT!!"

Wahida Ali 

"This magazine does look real and stands out a lot. I think overall it looks fantastic and would encourage me to flip through it."