Nearly There

My media blog and coursework is nearly done. I just have my film trailer to be completed and my film editing teacher has given me the deadline for Friday. I am nearly finished and will be uploading it very shortly.

To filter through my blogs you have to scroll down to the bottom of this page and there is a blog archive with all the posts and their dates.

Thank you! :)

Media Evaluation (Excluding Film Trailer)

In my Media Evaluation I used Microsoft Power Point to display my evaluation. As you can not upload a document onto Blogger I have taken screen shots and saved them as jpegs and uploaded the pictures. If you click on the individual picture it will enlarge and you can scroll along the next images too.

Music Used in my Trailer

Mysterious Surroundings - 2:04 mins

I found this soundtrack on freeplaymusic.com. It was the perfect length and built up the right atmosphere I was hoping for.

This is just an audio file attached with a picture to make a video so I could upload. Therefore if you could please press the bottom left play button to play it thank you.

Final Product - Ancillary Texts

Magazine Front Cover:

My Film Poster:

Audience Feedback

I have asked three different members of my family to critic my print coursework. The first comments is from my mother. I did not ask her any questions just what she liked and didn't like about it. My mum was only commenting on my magazine front cover when it looked like this:

My mum here is W magazine's target audience she is of similar age and also of similar wealth. I noticed that my mum did not pick up on the genre of the film or the film for that matter. I thought this is a problem seen as the whole point of the coursework is about the film trailer I am producing currently. She also mentions that the content on the front was unsuitable and implies its a bit too immature and young. I took this into account and have changed the content. However she did say that the cover was eye catching which means I have improved since my Peer Evaluation. She also said that the magazines styling was classy and similar to Vogue and Cosmo magazines which is W magazines rivals. All in all I am pleased with this feedback but concerned about genre being conveyed.

The next two audience feedback's are from the younger side of the target audience. I had changed the magazine front cover since and these two were also looking at the film poster. At the time they both looked like this:

I had given these two questions to answer. These questions were; Does the product look professional? If yes why and if no what can be done? What appeals to you? and finally Did you understand the genre?

Curt here is my target audience for the film poster only. The magazine cover is aimed at women but his opinion is valued about genre and about if it looks professional. In summary Curt's opinions of the film poster was that it looked professional, this means that I have followed the conventions of a film poster effectively, however he did not pick up well on the genre so my codes need to be reviewed. Curt's opinion on the magazine front cover was fairly positive he liked the content and the image was eye catching he also picked up on the genre of the film. The only criticism was that the magazine front cover was too empty however W magazines covers are fairly empty in comparison to others, but I will take this into account as I too agree that the magazine cover is a little too "simple" and extra detail needs to be added.

Here is Dee's opinion:

Dee is my target audience for both pieces of media, therefore her opinion is quite important. She said very similar things to Curt about the film poster, she didn't like the chosen image and thought it was a little "too young". One positive is that she did get the genre unprompted but believed it would be more dominant with a different image. Her thoughts on the magazine cover were all positive, she said it was eye catching and was even branding the image she also liked the content down the side. 

In conclusion of my audience feedback my update of the magazine was successful but could do with some refining such as little details to make the front cover stand out and seem more "alive". However my poster needs a new main image and needs more work.  The bottom half of the poster and stay untouched and this follows the codes and conventions of film posters. I will also revise the slogan at the top of the page in order to make it less young like Deeana said.

Front Cover of a Magazine - Draft

This is my first official draft of my adaptation of W magazine. As you can see I have rearranged and made part of the text bigger. This is because due to the image I have chosen my model takes up the centre and the far left. Therefore the text was positioned on the right hand side to fill gaps and to be more easily readable.

I have chosen this image in particular as it creates enigma.You can only see half of the models face, this is because the article that would be featured in the magazine if it were real would be able the new and up coming star. Therefore as an audience member looking upon it you are intrigued by who this new woman is. The pose being used is also to show genre of being a bit "crazy" which also brings the connection to the main heading. 

I have also added in a bar code that was missing previously. On my research I discovered that W magazine has their barcode in the bottom left hand corner of the front cover. On my research I have found no evidence of price being on the front or a website address as seen on many other magazines. I will continue to look and if I do find these I shall include them but for now I am sticking to my findings already into W magazine.

The actual skills involved in cropping out the model from her background was difficult and time consuming. I have used the Polygonal Lasso tool on Photoshop to crop out most of the model. It has taken me about three tries in cutting away all the background. I have also used the magic wand tool. This tool is very amateur, however around the hair is very short and fine and I could not manage to cut away around it myself. The edges on the model are still rough and I intend to finalise the magazine but softening out the edges.

In all I am pleased with my first attempt. After my first evaluation with my class mates that said it does not show genre. As previously the background was white and the text was pink. I still have a fair bit of work to do on the cover but it total I am pleased.

Thoughts and comments about this cover from other people will be uploaded shortly.

Risk Assessment

I completed this risk assessment before filming at each location to ensure safety of all involved. I did a risk assessment separate for each location.

Location #1

Risks:

• Slip and trips from anything on the floor. 
• Spilling on hot drinks that are used in film, this could result in someone being burned. 
• Electrocution from faulty appliances; this is probably unlikely but all equipment should be checked before being used.
• Anything being knocked off of surfaces could harm someone

Who Could be Harmed?

Actors

Extras

Director

What is Being Done to Lessen These Risks?

• Make sure all the floor areas are clear from objects and that all the people involved are wearing footwear.
• Do no fill the hot liquids up to the top and show actors how to hold it probably to minimise the risk of it spilling.
• Check all appliances are working properly and being used appropriately before being used.
• Ensure all objects are centre of the surface or are removed entirely and make sure that everyone is acting maturely and being sensible around these objects.  

Location #2

Risks:

• Slip and trips from anything on the floor.
• Fingers could be caught in the door.
• Tripping over the step into the hallway.
• Mirror could be knocked and smashed where the glass would provoke a risk.
• Stairs are a risk, someone could fall down if they are not clear.
• Electrocution from faulty appliances; this is probably unlikely but all equipment should be checked before being used.

Who Could be Harmed?

• Actors
• Director

What is Being Done to Lessen These Risks?

• Make sure all the floor areas are clear from objects and that all the people involved are wearing footwear.
• Do not slam the door. Make sure no one is around the door when shutting it.
• Let everyone know there is a step there and remind them to be careful and look where they are going.
• Walk on the other side of the mirror. Make sure everyone is wearing footwear and if the glass does smash have the equipment to clear it up quickly.
• Ensure the stairs are clear of anything. 
• Check all appliances are working properly and being used appropriately before being used.

Location #3

Risks:

• Could slip on wet soil.
• Could fall onto concrete.
• Trip up the step.
• Car could speed around the corner and hurt someone.
• Neighbours cats and dogs could cause a problem if anyone is allergic.
• Electrocution from faulty appliances; this is probably unlikely but all equipment should be checked before being used.

Who Could be Harmed?

• Members of the public
• Actors
• Director

What is Being Done to Lesson These Risks?

• Make sure everyone is wearing shoes with grip and try to film on drier ground.
• Film away from any concrete. If concrete is in shot ensure actor is wearing gripped footwear and is aware of the risk and act safely.
• Inform everyone of the step an be aware at all times.
• Stay far away from the road as possible. If crossing is necessary check the road is clear, listen to see if the road is clear, check again and cross safely.
• Check if anyone is allergic or has a phobia of the animals. If they do then kindly ask the neighbours to ensure their pets are safely indoors at the time of filming.
• Check all appliances are working properly and being used appropriately before being used.

Location #4

Risks:

• Could slip on wet soil.
• Could fall onto concrete.
• Cars on a main road nearby.
• Basketball and football courts nearby.
• Electrocution from faulty appliances; this is probably unlikely but all equipment should be checked before being used.

Who Could be Harmed?

• Members of the public.
• Actors
• Extras
• Director

What is Being Done to Lessen These Risks?

• Make sure everyone is wearing shoes with grip and try to film on drier ground.
• Film away from any concrete. If concrete is in shot ensure actor is wearing gripped footwear and is aware of the risk and act safely.
• Stay far away from the road as possible. If crossing is necessary check the road is clear, listen to see if the road is clear, check again and cross safely.
• Check to see if courts are clear, if not then come back to film when they are clear. If filming is necessary stay far away from the courts as possible and have someone keep an eye out for any oncoming danger. 
• Check all appliances are working properly and being used appropriately before being used.

Location #5

Risks:

• Prop knife could hurt someone.
• All items in the room could fall of the shelving.
• Spinning chair could break or be broken.
• Electrocution from faulty appliances; this is probably unlikely but all equipment should be checked before being used.

Who Could be Harmed?

• Actors
• Director

What is Being Done to Lessen These Risks?

• When knife is not in use have it a protective casing. When it is being used ensure that when walking around the knife is not pointed outwards or easily knocked out of the carriers hands.
• Ensure all items are secure, any lose looking items should be removed out of the room and placed somewhere safe.
• Check the chair before hand, if it seems wobbly or is broken replace it. 
• Check all appliances are working properly and being used appropriately before being used.

Location #6

Risks:

• All items in the room could fall of the shelving.
• Mirror in corner of the room could smash.
• Electrocution from faulty appliances; this is probably unlikely but all equipment should be checked before being used.

Who Could be Harmed?

• Actors
• Director

What is Being Done to Lessen These Risks?

• Ensure all items are secure, any lose looking items should be removed out of the room and placed somewhere safe.
• Make sure the mirror is moved to a save place and properly secured.
• Check all appliances are working properly and being used appropriately before being used.

Location Reports

I have taken a while to upload the location reports. Sorry about the delay.

Location #1 My Living Room

Address:


25 Swallow Dale
Kingswood
Basildon
Essex
SS165JF

Electricity:


Several AC outlets in the corners of the room

Audio:


Any ambient noise?

No audio noise can be heard from outside or through the neighbours wall. Only noise is through the house such as creaking floor boards and whistling wind.

Lighting:


Two main lights as visable in the picture. Each light has a dimming switch.
Available Light: Day light, very bright in room.
Portable Light: Not needed.

Set:


Background: Two large brown settees. Wide side table and large brown lamp rested on top. Single brown armchair. Wooden dining table and six matching chairs. Wooden side board and display cabinet. Glass desk and black leather desk chair.
Rearrange Furniture: Not needed.
Arrangement for door access: Not needed doors are used in shots.

Logistics:


How long to get there: No time at all.
Parking: Drive way and various areas to park.


Location #2 Hallway

Address:


25 Swallow Dale
Kingswood
Basildon
Essex
SS165JF

Electricity:


One double socket AC unit

Audio:


Any ambient noise?

No audio noise can be heard from outside or through the neighbours wall. Only noise is through the house such as creaking floor boards and whistling wind.

Lighting:


One main light that isn't very bright.
Available Light: Day light, however it is a dim room.
Portable Light: Not needed.

Set:


Background: Stairs. Main front door. Green Carpet.
Rearrange Furniture: Not needed.
Arrangement for door access: Not needed doors are used in shots.

Logistics:


How long to get there: No time at all.
Parking: Drive way and various areas to park.


Location #3 Outside Location #1

Address:


25 Swallow Dale
Kingswood
Basildon
Essex
SS165JF

Electricity:


No electricity.

Audio:


Any ambient noise?

Any outside noise such as cars, birds and wind.

Lighting:
.
Available Light: Day light.
Portable Light: Not needed.

Set:


Background: Brick house.
Rearrange Furniture: Not needed.
Arrangement for door access: Not needed doors are used in shots.

Logistics:


How long to get there: No time at all.
Parking: Drive way and various areas to park.


Location #4 The Park


Address:


Kingswood Local Park
Kingswood
Basildon
Essex

Electricity:


No electricity.

Audio:


Any ambient noise?

Any outside noise such as cars, birds and wind.

Lighting:
.
Available Light: Day light.
Portable Light: Not needed.

Set:


Background: Playground with swings and a slide. Basketball court with two nets, court markings and a grey brick wall. Green grass, trees and plants. Main road in the background.
Rearrange Furniture: Not needed.
Arrangement for door access: No Doors

Logistics:


How long to get there: 5 minutes walking.
Parking: Small car park to the left of park.


Location #5 "Dark Room"



Address:


25 Swallow Dale
Kingswood
Basildon
Essex
SS165JF

Electricity:


Multi socket AC outlet

Audio:


Any ambient noise?

No noise from neighbours, just usual house noises can be heard such as floor boards and whistling wind.

Lighting:
.
Available Light: Day light. Room needs to be dark however so curtains were drawn.
Portable Light: Not needed.

Set:


Background: Room is dark. Can only see mirror in the background and black spinning chair.
Rearrange Furniture: Chair moved into centre of the room.
Arrangement for door access: Not needed doors are used in shots.

Logistics:


How long to get there: No time at all.
Parking: Drive way and various areas to park.


Location #6 Natalie's House



Address:


32 Collingwood Road
Basildon
Essex

Electricity:


Multi socket AC outlet

Audio:


Any ambient noise?

No noise from neighbours, just usual house noises can be heard such as floor boards and whistling wind.

Lighting:
.
Available Light: Day light.
Portable Light: Not needed.

Set:


Background: The room is white with red accessories all over. Teddy bears are lined up on the bed and the room is hygienically clean looking.

Logistics:


How long to get there: 5 minute walk away
Parking: Road Parking only