Evaluation 7

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

Looking at the two films, it is clear to see how our film making abilities improved throughout the process. There is a significant improvement in our ability to spot and rectify continuity errors as there are not as many evidnt in our main task as there were in our prelim. We also became better at positioning a camera in order to get the best effect form as scene and we became much better at framing shots so that all relevant characters could be seen clearly and that the audience got a sense of how they are supposed to be feeling. Our editing ability also improved as the finished product was much more slick and professional than the prelim, with the editing being less noticeable and seeming more natural dues to smoother cuts and our ability to use fades effectively. We also improved our script writing, achieving more believable dialogue in our main task than we did in our prelim. It is visible from watching our work that there was an overall improvement in our use of filming, editing, sound, effects, script writing and narrative from our prelim to our main task.

Evaluation 6

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

In creating our media product, we used a range of different software and hardware, some of which we were familiar with using and some of which we had to teach ourselves how to use for the first time. These included:

• Youtube - After it was complete we uploaded our film to Youtube. This was fairly simple once the film was converted to the right format as all of us have had previous experience of using Youtube.
• Lumix Camera by Panasonic - We filmed our product using a Lumix series Panasonic digital camera. This was fairly straightforward to use and most of us had a basic knowledge of this type of camera. We became more proficient in using some of the camera's more technical features throughout the process of making our film. For example we became proficient at using the camera's zoom setting wihout triggering the auto-focus built into the camera. However this is not visible in our film as we cut the shots using this technique.
• Sony Vegas Editing Software (screenshot shown) - We had to teach ourselves to use the editing software in order to bring together the final edit of our film after filming had been completed. The software was fairly simple to use, working mainly on a drap and drop principle which is extremly common in alot of modern computer software. We were able to change the order of the shots, cut them down to the right length, add in effects such as fades and add music over the top of the film. Instead of using external software in order to add the music, we used the features built into Sony Vegas designed specifically for sound and were able to get fairly successful results. Vegas then allowed us to renser the footage and convert it into a suitable foormat for uploading to the internet.
• Blogger - We used Blogger in order to keep an online record of our planning in the progress we were making with the production of our film. We also posted our film on Blogger as well as Youtube.

Evaluation 5

How did you attract/adress your' audience?

• Our film attracts and addresses male audiences by presenting characters which they can relate to. We also attemped to make the humour and 'banter' realistic as male audiences will be able to relate this also if they have their own group of friends similar to the one presented in the film. For example we used in a scene in which one of the characters is grooming himself in front of a mirror, this would be humorous to male audiences who may have done this before as it is not a stereotypically masculine thing to do.
• Male audiences would also recognise the character types which are presented in our film as they may have friends that are similar to those presented in real life. This would make the film enjoyable for male audiences as they can see themselves in the characters. Audiences may also be able to relate to the situations shown in our film.
• We challenged stereotypes of men in order to give a more real view of what a group of male friends is like. This would appeal to a male audience as they like to see things which they can undertand through everyday life and may feel that the traditional media representation of males in unrealistic.
• We hope to attract and address a female audience through the more conventional aspects of our film and the elements of romance which are more likely to appeal to women rather than men. Female audiences may also enjoy seeing this different side of men that is not often represented in the media.

Evaluation 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

• The audience for our media product would not be a typical rom-com audience. The genre tends to focus on targeting the female audience aged between 20 and 35 however, our film is different as it it is focused more specifically on a group of male friends meaning that the film would appeal more to males. However it could also appeal to women who would like the different portrayal of men that is represented and to see the mistakes that they make in romantic situations.
• The film may also appeal to young people between 16 and 20 because of the humour used and the way that the characters often ridicule eachother.
• We showed the opening of our film to 6th Form students aged 16 to 18. Males appeared to prefer the film as they could realte to the 'banter' that occurs between male friendship groups in certain situations and many of those we asked said they would be interested to see the rest of the film. The female audience that we asked were not as keen on the film as they said it was unrelatable for them as it focused mor on the experiences of males however they did also say they would be interested to see more of the film.
• We also asked two married couples in order to see how a more adult audience would percieve the film. Both said that they enjoyed it with the males saying they enjoyed the relatable characters and the females enjoyed seeing men making mistakes.

Evaluation 3

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

• Cinemas - Our film would be distributed to cinemas independently due to its low budget and unknown actors and directors. It would be unlikely to be distributed to major cinemas such as Odeon and Cineworld and if it was, would only have a limited run due the lack of appeal of unknown actors to pull in a large mainstream audience. However it may be popular with smaller, independent cinemas.
• Online - One way our film could be distributed to a larger audience would be on the internet via online streaming. Although this is usually free for the viewer, this is beneficial to the film-makers as it may help to gain the film more publicity and become more popular. Also people may not be willing to pay to see a film starring unknown actors and made by a first-time director. People could also obtain the film through downloading it. Our film could also be distributed online through social networking sites which would advertise the film to its specific audience.
• DVD - Our film would be released on DVD and sold in bigger high street stores such as HMV. It would probably only be placed in their larger stores and in a section with other independent films for a relatively low price. The film could also be distributed through DVD rentals. This is an unlikely means of distribution seeing as rental shops are going out of business due to films now being available online, however it could be rented through popular rental sites such as Love Film or NetFlix.  

Evaluation 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

• Our film shows a representation of white middle class people living in an ordianry suburban setting. We get the sense that they are middle class through what they are wearing and what their surroundings are like. For example, most of the characters are dressed in smart clothes and are shown to live in fairly nice houses. This gives a sense of wealth although they are not shown to be overly wealthy. This along with the cars that they drive and other aspects of the mise-en-scene, present stereotypes of middle class people that we might expect to see. However is does not present all of the characters as being particularly hard working and does therefore not keep entirely to stereotypes that audiences may have towards the middle classes.
• Our film also presents a representation of men and how they interact within a group of friends. They are shown to act in a different way to how men are ususally portrayed in the media, for example Arron's character is shown to be nervous and worried about his wedding which contrasts with the stereotypical representation of males which shows a more dominant or 'laddish' side. However this stereotype is shown in our film through the other character's ridiculing of him which is more in line with how audiences would expect men to act.
• The film shows the closeness of a group of friends and how they interact together. They are shown to be friendly and light hearted, implying that men also just like to have fun, a stereotype often associated with women through media representation.

Evaluation 1

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

• Our film uses the conventions of rom coms as there are several recognisable character types. Most of these character types are common in the rom com genre. For example it includes the irresponsible slacker (played by Jonny Sollo) who is shown to be lazy and unorganised (this character is influenced by the character of Spike in Notting Hill, played by Rhys Ifans). Sam's character is the dominant one who is shown to be the learder of the group of friends, Arron is the slightly stupid character (and the one who is getting married) and Jonny plays the sensible, reliable one who keeps all of the others in line.
• All these characters are introduced in the opening scene, much like the characters in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
• It also develops the conventions as it is centered on the experiences of the male character and his group of friends rather than the female like in films such as Briget Jones' Diary. This means that it can appeal to bothe male and female audineces as females would like the romantic aspect and seeing the mistakes that men make in romantic situations whereas male audiences would relate to the portrayal of relationships from a male perspective.
• It challenges the conventions through its use of setting. Many existing romantic comedies are set in urban settings such as New York and London. Ours is set in an un-named seaside town in which life is shown to fairly bleak and uneventful which gives our film an element of realism which is almost never seen in romantic comedies.