‘The Boy’Evaluation by

Matthew McNally

The task:I wanted to make a 1920’s slapstick comedy film similar to the Charlie Chaplin and Lorril and Hardy films.However, I gave my film a modern twist by setting it in amongst a modern mise en secen.

In what ways does your film develop or

challenge conventions of real

films?

Analysis of Short films: ‘Breaking IN’§ A range of shot types are used

throughout the film, eg: point of view shots, long shots, mid shots and close up shots.

§ There is also a use of non-diegetic sound used to mirror the plot developments

§ Caption slides§ Having a single main character. § Non Diegetic piano music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEQ-6ux_6S4 To watch:

Analysis of Short films: ‘El Tonto!’

http://vimeo.com/63545297

§ Using a very small number of main characters

§ Using stereotypical characters to explain to the audience who the character is quickly

§  Using an almost arching story line

§ Using a relatively simple plot line.

To watch:

Analysis of Short films: ‘Ristorante’§ The film is of a similar genre

§ Slapstick type expressions§ Was set in monochrome. § This narrative did follow

Todorov’s theory as we started at an equilibrium, a problem occurred and then by the end everything returned to normality.

§ Conventional use of non diegetic piano music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exhJ7v4Y4QA To watch:

These are the main conventions of 5 minute films I found from these films. For more detail please look at my post from 2/7/13 to 7/7/13 on my blog:http://wdfmediamatthewmcnallyadvanced.blogspot.co.uk

Or by clicking on the link below:http://wdfmediamatthewmcnallyadvanced.blogspot.co.uk/2013_07_01_archive.html

How I used these conventions§I only used one protagonist/ main character§I focused on using physical comedy for humour§I had a range of different shot types §I coupled non diegetic piano music to reflect the mood/feeling in the scene§Kept the plot simple and easy to follow

Analysis of Feature length films:‘Mr Bean’s holiday’

§ Humour is not created by what Mr Bean’s dialogue, but the way in which he physically reacts tot eh world around him.

§ A modern day take on a silent film§ The humour is made by using full and close

up shots in order to convey the unusual actions and reactions of Mr Bean to the world around him.

§ the humour becomes international as a language barrier is not created.

§ the comedy created is simplistic in style and understandable to both domestic viewers as well as a wider global audience.

§ Non-diegetic music used in the film.

Analysis of Feature length films: ‘The Artist’§ Has a late 1920’s feel to the film.

§ Wipe transitions are used to shift between certain scenes whilst adding to the classical feel of the film.

§ the mise en scene which consists of 1920’s furniture and clothes is used to set the scene effectively

§ There are relatively few cuts to word captions used in the film, as a large portion of the story is suited to non-verbal expression. For example a word caption of 'Bang!' is used to create tension as it’s the only visual for several seconds which lead the viewer to wonder what has happened to the character.

§ Sound is used in the form of instrumental music, which adds to scenes creating tension or other emotions.

§ Monochrome effect used throughout film until, ending scene.

§ Diegetic sound used to highlight characters unrest.

Analysis of Feature length films:’Shindler’s List’

§ Black and white film§ there is only one object within the

film that has colour, (the red coat)§ Use of colour clearly, highlights this

characters journey § The various shot types in the film,

including full shots with a lot of head room.

§ Juxta-position of scary and tense moments with calm music to create emotion.

Again, these are the main conventions & features of these films I found from these films. For more detail please look at my post from 19/6/13 to 21/6/13 on my blog:

http://wdfmediamatthewmcnallyadvanced.blogspot.co.uk

Or by clicking on the link below:http://wdfmediamatthewmcnallyadvanced.blogspot.co.uk/2013_06_01_archive.html

How I used these conventions

§I used many close up shots of the boy to clearly show his reactions.§I applied a monochrome effect to my film to give it a older, classic feel§I used different transitions, not just straight cuts but also a reverse iris effect§I also used piano music as the non diegetic backing of my film.§I tried to make the music match the visuals accurately by changing it in different scenes. §Use of captions as dialogue.

Synergy

My double page spread My

poster

My film

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

My poster and film

Both the poster and film feature black and white as it is a generic specific convention that I followed in production and post production

of my products. I also used the same style of front & colour on the film title across both products as this clearly links them. In the poster I

added more colour to connote the fact that this character is stuck in a silent and slapstick world, but the film is set in modern day.

Black and white useSame title effects &

fonts

Similarities

Differences Use of colour in

background and foreground Only colour used in

film

My double page spread and film

The most tangible link across these to products is the screen shot from the film. However, the double page spread does constantly link back to the film and gives the reader an in depth view of the

film; outlined by inserts, images and interviews.

Similarities

Differences

Use of monochrome, through screen shot

More text

Use of inserts

Subjective over view of film

My double page spread and front cover

Both of the products of the ancillary task give my target audience an insight into the film. The poster is more visual and creates meaning through the use of

semiotics, however it makes it more open to interpretation, whereas, the article page is direct information about he film through interviews and the

review.

Similarities

Differences

Gives my demographic an impression of the

film

Text use Colour use

More visual & open to semiotic

analysis

What have you learned from your

audience feedback?

Audience feed back

I used a qualitative data survey to ask a representative cross sample of my demographic about their opinions on my completed film after production, and a quantitive survey pre-production

My survey pre-productionThis survey was to obtain a

better understanding of the feature my key demographic wanted in my film.

The quantitive data allowed me to analyse the results easily and focus on adding the required elements to my production in order to increase it’s appeal to the audience.

Audience survey post-production: Negatives“The start of the

film is very slow...”

“I would of preferred to see a wider range of shots used...” “"You should have set it in the 1920’s...”

On re-watching my film I can see why people may think that the starting scenes are at a slower pace, but I had intentionally tried to make the following scenes look faster by compressing the time usage of the shots.I also see why some people may argue that I needed a larger range of shot types, but I wasn’t able too include them due time restraints. Again, I don’t think I would of been able to do this because of time constraints as it would of been difficult getting all the mise en scene to look like it was from the 1920’s.

Examples of feedback:

Audience feed back post-production: Positives “The music complemented

the visuals well...”“I thought plot was easy to follow...”

“I could relate to the character...”

This was one of my priorities when making the film as it was such an important genre specific convention. An essential feature of short films is a simplistic plot line that allows you to create a narrative quickly, so I glad that I was able to accomplish this,

Examples of feedback:

Character development can also be hard to create in a short film so I relayed on stereotypical base characters e.g. the characters wearing hoodies coupled with a slow zoom in to crate tension/danger.So, I am also glad that I was able to make the protagonist distinguished enough to gain sympathy from the audience.

Audience feed backIf I where to make another short film of the same genre then I would try to improve my time management and increase the amount of time I had available to shot and edit my

film. I would also try to incorporate a wider

plethora of shot types to make my film look more conventional and professional.

However, I do think that I had integrated aspects from my first survey into my film

successfully.

How did you use new media technologies in

the construction, research, planning and

evaluation stages?

Planning: Blocking I was able to use a

portable stills camera to get an idea of what my shots would look like in those setting and see if it was a viable area to shoot in.

This helped me to choose where to shoot my film.

Filming § I was able to use the

rule of threes § I didn’t have any

restrictions on how much I could film.

§ The camera was easily portable

§ The tripod made it easier to shot angled shots as well.

Editing: The clips in Adobe premier

§ I was able to use Abobe film editor to apply a black & white effect onto my film.

§ I also was able to move and cut scenes by using the scissor tool

§ I could add transitions as well

Editing: The clips in Adobe premier§ I also added a

black and white effect to my shots throughout the film.

§ This coheres to the conventions of silent films and is a feature that my target audience requested.

Editing: Adding captions in Adobe premier§ With the text tool I

could add my captions at different pints in the film

§ I could also create a bolder title by applying effects to the text.

§ This allowed me to make a animated company logo.

This is also my only use of colour in the film.

Editing: Sound in Adobe premier§ I had to take out all of

the recorded sound from my clips and position non-diegetic music over the scenes.

§ I also had to work out how lower and raise the sound in order to create a smooth transition between scenes.

The Poster

I had gained a lot of experience with Photoshop by the time I came to make my film poster. I had wanted to change the colour of my poster so that the audience could see how it would be a black & white film set in modern day. So I made a duplicate layer of my feature image, and removed the colour, then used the eraser tool to remove the black & white layer to add colour to the background but leave my model in monochrome.

The PosterAlso on my poster, I changed the opacity on the top layers of text on my poster. I did this in order to create an almost 3D effect to my poster and highlight the actors and the music composers.

Double page spread

Again this part of the task is was easier to make as I used the knowledge and skill

that I developed during AS media.

FinMatthew McNally

Candidate Number: 8200Centre number: 16353