Question 4

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

Internet.Before we created our film, we used the internet in order to research the genre of our film, such as its conventions. By using search engines like Google, we were able to find aspects of horror films that could influence ours. An example of this is the ‘twisted nerve’ whistle that we found during our research. We also found films with similar narratives to ours, such as ‘Prom Night’, which features an obsessive stalker killer.As well as this we were able to find out the classifications of films, such as what aspects of a film makes it a certain age certificate. We were able to discover different distributers, such as ‘Entertainment’, which we used as our distributer.

BloggerBy using the internet, we were able to access a blogging site, ‘Blogger’. This allowed use to post all of our work relating to our film, such as research into the horror genre. It also allowed us to keep track of where we were in the process of creating out film; allowing us to make comments on how we feel the process is going and what could be improved.

Internet (cont.)

Google DocsWe used Google Docs in order to gain audience feedback. During the planning process, we used the site in order to gain feedback on our idea for the film. This process was repeated again once the rough draft was uploaded to YouTube and again once our final version was uploaded. The site allowed us to access peoples opinions more easily as it was on the internet, this meant that more people could take part in the questionnaire.

YouTubeYouTube allowed us to upload our productions on to the internet. This meant that the public was able to view our film and radio trailer.It also allowed us to access other short films, enabling us to research further into the genre. As well as letting us be influenced by other films and title sequences. For example, I was able to look and analyse the title sequence from ‘American Horror Story’, after looking at this I was influenced by the high contrast blood and incorporated this into the film poster. Through being able to look at this use of the horror genre, we were able to find the twisted nerve whistle which we later included in our film.

Internet (cont.)IMDBIMBD (Internet Movie Database) played an important part while planning our film as it allowed us to look at similar films of the same genre. This allowed me to get information when researching into similar films, such as ‘M’ and ‘Prom Night’.Without using this site we wouldn’t have been able to find films of a similar nature; this would’ve caused us great difficulty.

VimeoDue to having problems with YouTube early on in production, we used Vimeo for our ‘Vox pop questionnaire’ and Journey editing.This website enabled us to upload videos in a similar way to YouTube.

Photoshop We used Photoshop Elements to create the film poster. This was used because it was convenient for us and would allow the final product to appear professional.For the film poster, we used the collage of pictures which the stalker, Ben, has of the girls. This was done to mirror posters for romantic films such as Love Actually and (500) days of Summer. I thought that this would give it an ironic feel because the characters aren't in love, they are being stalked. I attempted to make it look slightly like the titles are pinned on so that it fits in with the rest of the poster. I think that this worked well. Using the 'burn' and 'dodge' tool, I created shadows and darkness on the poster to showthat it was a horror film. I also changed the contrast so that it looked odd.

Using the 'burn' and 'dodge' tool, I created shadows and darkness on the poster to show that it was a horror film. I also changed the contrast so that it looked odd. This is used in many horror film posters and films as it makes the colours look more defined.In order to make sure that the film poster fit the genre, I created and added a blood effect. This was done so by creating the blood in block red colour, I then used the dodge and burn tools in order to make it look more like liquid. I then used the addition effect and reduced the transparency in order to make it look more like blood. I think that this made the poster look more authentic and made it look like it was for a horror film. The final poster, this includes all the necessary aspects of a film poster such as the age certificates, the Title and the credits in the Steel Tongs font.

CameraSony HDV 1000 Digital CameraThis was the main camera used in our film. We used this camera during some exercises before the main film, this allowed us to get used to the camera.We used the Sony HDV camera in order to get high quality shots to use it the film. This allowed the film to look more professional

Sony CX280 This Camera was used during for the hand held shots. The character, Ales, carries the camera around during the film. Using this HD camera, we were able to develop the story. The camera allowed us to film difficult shots with ease. An example of this is when we filmed in the car, it was difficult to use the big camera due to us being in a small space, so the CX280 came in handy.

Final Cut ExpressWe used Final Cut Express on the Mac computers in order to edit our film. Due to using the same software during our AS project, we were able to use various techniques in our film. This made our film look more professional.

Through Final Cut, we were able to use sound bridges in order to make the sound run smoothly. For example, there is a transition from diegetic to non diegetic music at the end of the film. To do this, we used a cross fade when the music changed from diegetic (which was quieter and had a reverberation effect on it) to non-diegetic (which was a lot louder).

We were also able to add effects such as the ‘Bad TV’ effect, which we used for the transitions between hand held shots, and for the ending.Another thing we were able to do through Final Cut Express, was adding overlays. This was important with the hand held shots. Without the overlays the shots looked unprofessional and badly shot, the audience found it difficult to tell which were hand held shots.

Celtex

We used Celtex in order to create our script. The software allows you to create professional film scripts with ease, due to the template set up of a script.

Zoom RecorderA zoom recorder is another technology we used during our production. We used this when creating our Radio Trailer, as it allowed us to record our voices in high quality without any background noises.