Evaluation Question 7

Evaluation Question 6

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

Before I started this process I had very basic knowledge of technology required to produce something of this sort. I learnt many skills throughout this process including ken burns, trim and blade tools, how to effectively use a range of transitions and shot types. I also discovered what specific shot types and camera angles worked effectively in different scenarios. For example the use of high and low angled shots could symbolise a character as inferior or in fact superior. Also, I am now knowledgeable of tools such as opacity and the use of sound within a clip. I have grown regarding my knowledge of cameras, specific skills used in order to create the most effective shot through the use of tripods etc. This process has allowed me to gain an insight into what it is like to produce your own short film of sorts. This opening sequence has taught me skills that I wouldn’t have known without the production of it, my editing skills have improved and I am on my way to successfully editing project to a standard as professional as possible.

Within my opening sequence I gained knowledge on the blade and crop tools in order to allow myself to only use the best clips throughout. I also used the transition effects in order to create the flashback for example. This allowed for a more professional feel to the sequence and therefore a more successful attempt at recreating a horror film.

I also used sound within my opening sequence which I got from SoundBible.com in order to create the necessary effect. Also I used artificial lighting when filming in order to create the look I aimed for, however when I came to the editing process I realised that it wasn't dark enough which is when I used the opacity tool in order to successfully achieve this.

Evaluation Question 5

Evaluation Question 4

Evaluation Question 4: Who would be the audience for your media product?

The audience for my media product would specifically be teenagers and young adults - potentially around the age 0f 15-20 - who enjoy horror genre, specifically supernatural. They enjoy the suspense that the horror genre brings about. Some say that horror films are predictable however; it has become apparent throughout my previous research that this specific audience enjoys the thrill-factor associated with this genre; therefore I aimed to provide this within my media product. The audience I have chosen seeks intrigue and mystery which is exactly what this genre brings about 

Audience Profile:

Name: Harry

Age: 17

Gender: Male

Interests and hobbies: He enjoys to watch multiple genres of film as he is extremely invested in the film industry and particularly intrigued towards the camera aspect, including: shot types and what effect they have on the development and understanding on the piece. Harry studies Media Studies, Photography and Art and would love to eventually make something out of these qualifications at a higher level. He is extremely creative and enjoys anything that reflects this. His favourite genres are horror and comedy; he enjoys comedies as they are entertaining and an easy watch. However, he enjoys to watch horrors as they create intense moments of suspense as well as the fact that they display a wide range of camera angles and shot types therefore he likes to depict the effect that has and why it has succeeded in that sense. This therefore aids his studies and intrigues him greatly.

Evaluation Question 3

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

There are many institutions that would have potential to distribute my media product. Each distributor likely specifies in certain genres of film or experiments with many to support diversification of film types and audiences. I focused on distributors including: Blumhouse, Lionsgate and Hammer Films. Each of these distributors are associated with horror films in some aspects.

Blumhouse Productions was founded by Jason Blum, it has produced multiple comedies, science fiction films as well as several horror films. Although they do in fact specialise in low budget films, Blumhouse has become well-known worldwide for the 2009 success of Paranormal Activity.

Hammer Films is also known for multiple horror films, however; they didn’t originally begin making horror movies. However, the company had a 1955 success with The Quatemess Experiment, they went on to produce many Gothic monster films. Some films distributed by this company include: The Woman In Black, The Resident and Let Me In.

Also, Lionsgate are associated with horrors such as The Last Exorcism, The Cabin in the Woods and Acts of Death. They do not however specify in horror films as they also had an immense success with The Hunger Games. 

Evaluation Question 2

Evaluation Question 1

Opening Sequence: 'Our House'

Final Opening Sequence Development

As a group we came to a final decision on our opening sequence, we had finally completed the editing process and were happy with our outcome. However, we then discussed any final changes that could be made to improve it even more. We received peer feedback and it was suggested that we change the font on the credits which we gladly took on board and used to develop our sequence. We now believe that the updated font seen in the following post is more fitting to our theme. The feedback and reflection on our editing process helped for us to create the best possible and most successful product.

Copyright for Music used

We decided to use eerie music throughout the duration of the opening sequence and the only place we could locate an exact or similar ideology for what we wished to achieve was YouTube. Therefore, for copyright reasons we ensured that we sent an email stating who we were and what we were using the piece of music for.

Royalty Free Soundtrack

The track that we used in the background of the entirety of the opening sequence was taken from YouTube. This is an example of Royalty Free music. To summarise Royalty Free refers to a type of music licensing that allows the purchaser to pay for the music license once and to use the music for as long as desired. YouTube in this case allows for music to be used within projects such as this therefore, we found it best to use this as we were unsuccessful in finding a suitable track from the Final Cut Pro music collection or SoundBible.

Editing: Transitions and Flashbacks

During our editing we decided to experiment with transitions in order to ensure that the story flows and looks as professional as possible as an AS student. We used the flashback in order to create the juxtaposition between the girl whilst she was alive and then whilst she is dead; it creates an eerie and mysterious effect in order for the audience to become intrigued and therefore become invested in the film. 

Editing Journal

Like the filming journal I also kept notes as we went along in order to ensure I was aware of what we had done and when we had done it. Then once again I presented it in the same way.

Flashbacks: Why are they effective?

Flashbacks are used throughout a range of films and specific genres. This example comes from Harry Potter and shows Snape's memories in order to inform the audience of the story and past events in order to consolidate their understanding and further their predictions or ideas surrounding the plot. 

I believe that we have challenged the stereotypical layout of a psychological horror as it has taken the form of a non-linear narrative that throughout my research I have discovered isn't present within many psychological horror films. 

Throughout the research process we found that flashbacks would be effective therefore, we decided to incorporate them somehow within our opening sequence. This is the first initial point where we decided to incorporate this idea:

We decided that flashbacks would be an effective way to experiment with a non-linear narrative. This clip shows the antagonist (played by Danielle) whilst she was alive, before the supernatural threat overtook her. The innocence of the character within this clip contrasts with her behaviors whilst she is dead - therefore emphasising her initial innocence. The flashback allows further information about the character and informs the audience further in order to allow them to follow the storyline closely.

Filming Journal

During the filming process I kept a simple notebook of information surrounding what we were doing and when. I also discussed the complications we came across and how we resolved them. Once we had completed the filming process I converted this into a scrapbook in order to present the information in a simple yet effective way.

How was filming a success?

Whilst we were filming we ensured that we referred back to our storyboard which allowed us to depict what we had done and therefore, what needed to be done. We made sure that we used a range of shot types and angles and also experimented with lighting; which we then made further changes to during the editing process. Throughout the process we investigated different ways in which we could incorporate the antagonist, portrayed by Danielle. This is why we decided to use the flashback in order to juxtapose the dead with the living.

Title sequences: Research

Within the opening sequence titles are important, whether it is to inform the audience of the name of the film or the actors within it. As the actor/ actress that plays a specific character comes on the screen their name will show up. This is an easy way to inform the audience. This either comes in the form of specific clips dedicated to showing the actor/actress, or potentially an artistic spin on the programme/ film to relate to it in some way and inform the audience. Usually within films it is common for the names to appear as they appear on screen rather than as a television programme would. However, an opening title sequence can help to set the mood of the film - specifically in horror films as ours is. We are able to take inspiration from this and incorporate it into our own product.

Filming Preparation: Character and Costume

Filming: Production Plan

Before we began filming it was necessary for us to plan our time effectively in order to ensure each clip was filmed to the best possible standard. We decided to plan our time effectively by filming over the duration of three days with specific clips being filmed within each scheduled day. I found this extremely effective as it allowed us to know exactly what was required of each of us when, where and what role each of us had to take on. It also allowed us to schedule when we required the actor and what props we would need at what given time.  

Focus Group Evaluation: How was it useful to our research?

The focus group allowed us to consolidate our ideas and ensure that the ideas we were proposing were allowing our work to be effective based upon our target audience. There was a discussion on our points made and we have taken that into consideration throughout the planning and filming process. This process has enabled us to make a final decision on the ideas that we had initially voiced and agreed upon as a group.


We analysed the information that we had received from the focus group as well as the previous research of the questionnaire. This allowed us to understand our target audience a lot more closely which enabled us to witness what this group of people desires first hand. The sole purpose of a film ideally is to entertain or inform a specific audience which in our case is young adults. Our film needs to appeal to this audience in order for our film to be a success, therefore we need to ensure that each aspect is strategically placed in order to achieve the success desired for the completed project.

Focus Group