Unresolved final film

Main evaluation question 1

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

While writing the script, I brainstormed a number of different shots that I could possibly use. These included over the shoulder shots, extreme close shots, medium shots, POV shots and dramatic establishing shots. In the end I only used a few of these, like the over the shoulder shot and the extreme close shot. This was a decision I made based upon the actual script itself, and the best way to convey the speech within the medium of the film. The shot's I did use were typical conventions of movies in general, for example the over the shoulder shot being used for dramatic effect during the interrogation scene.

The times at which music is used in the movie opening are times where the audience are meant to feel tense and on edge, due to the action unfolding on screen. This is another convention of films.

However, there are some aspects of the opening that challenge typical movie conventions. For example the fact that the face of one of the two central characters within the opening clip is never revealed. This is not usually something that would be done in movies, even in horror and thriller movies specifically. This is because the aim of a film opening is often to establish characters and/or plot, and so not revealing the features of a certain character may confuse certain audience members. However I feel this adds to the mysterious effect of the media.
(As seen below, the protagonist wears the hooded jacket throughout, which adds to the mysterious effect of the opening.) 

Another convention I challenged was a typical thriller movie convention, which is to start the opening scene off as pleasant and seemingly normal, before descending into violence. My film opening does not do this, and immediately starts with a very dark tone, telling the audience who "Edward Stevens," is and how he murdered a father and son 40 years ago. I decided to do this as I only had a time frame of two minutes for my film opening, and I wanted to make the opening as dark as possible. I had a lot of information to give for the plot, and so there was no time to make the opening "positive." I feel this is effective however, and is a good way of immediately gripping my target audience.

Main evaluation question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My media opening has two central characters. One is a detective who is investigating a murder, who is interrogating someone who was a work colleague of one of the victims. "Rob Fisher," is the latter. While devising the script, I tried to make the dialogue between the two characters seem as realistic as possible. I asked myself questions such as "What would a detective ask in this situation?", "How much detail would he give about the crimes?," and "What would the response of the psychopath be?"

I feel that the questions the detective asks are the kind of questions that would be asked in a real interrogation, and therefore he is representative of detectives in general.

I also wanted to exploit the psychopath "stereotype," as much as I could. I made the "Rob Fisher," character seem very quiet and aggressive, only answering the questions with one word to reveal as little about his identity as possible. I tried as hard as I could to make his character seem shady and mysterious. This was partly because this is how the "bad guys," in movies are often portrayed, and is representative of their "social group," if you will.

Visually, I made the detective character wear a black jacket and hat, complete with a badge. This is to further exploit the detective stereotype, as this what the average person would probably expect a detective in the same position to wear. I decided for the "Rob Fisher," character to wear a hooded jacket, mainly to conceal his identity, but also because this adds an air of mystery to the character, which could be seen as being representative of "bad guys," within films.

(The below pictures represent the two characters in "Unresolved," one being the stereotypical detective and the other being the mysterious villain who we understand little about.)

Main evaluation question 3

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

If my media product were a real form of media it would be distributed by a film company, specifically one that focuses on low budget horror/thriller movies. This would ideally be a movie studio that distributes independent films.

While I was doing my research into thriller/horror movies I noticed that a lot of the films do not have a big budget, and are very story driven rather than the emphasis being put on big set pieces. I believe this is because thriller movies often have, or at least attempt to have, a "grainy," feel to them, and the low budget can often add to the horror effect. As I was going for this sort of atmosphere with "Unresolved," I believe that a small independent film company would be the best platform for this film, if it were a real media product.

Main evaluation question 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

As I stated in my synopsis for the film opening, the age range for "Unresolved," would be around 15-40 years. This is because the film could potentially be unsuitable for people under the age of 15 due to it's dark nature. People over the age of 40 however may find the film boring and immature, and market research has dictated that older people tend not to enjoy horror/thriller movies as much as the younger generations do. This is probably due to the fact that younger people are up for more of a thrill, and relish adrenaline fueled experiences such as watching scary movies.

If my media product were a real thing, it would probably be given a 15 certificate by the BBFC. This is the rating that is usually given to unsettling thriller movies if they are not of a sexual nature or do not contain scenes of extreme violence (which "Unresolved" would not.)

Main evaluation question 5

How did you attract/address your audience? 

There are a number of specific things that I included within the film opening to attract the core audience. Firstly, the dark lighting that I used. Each shot in the opening is quite dark and dank looking. This is most noticeable in the climax where the detective is shot dead by Rob Fisher. This immediately tells the audience the kind of genre that "Unresolved," belongs to, which is thriller. Therefore the target audience is more likely to be interested. I also aim to serve this purpose with the music, which begins instantly at the opening and should be easy to identity by most as "thriller" music. This again serves to attract the target audience straight away.

Picking out methods used to attract and address your audience is surely very similar to picking out genre specific conventions that you used in your film. This is because your audience are the people you have concluded to enjoy that specific genre on the whole. The genre specific conventions that I used were the lighting and music (as previously talked about), the costumes, the locations and the camera angles.

Costume wise, the characters may not be able to be identified straight away as being in a thriller movie. For example you could find a detective in a comedy movie, or a hooded figure in a documentary. However I believe the lighting, mixed with the actual dialogue that is taking place between the two characters, more than makes up for this possible confusion. On the other hand I think the locations can definitely be identified as belonging to the thriller genre. We have the dark, claustrophobic interrogation room to start with, followed by the mysterious space in which the detective is being held hostage before being murdered, which is dark and narrow.

For camera angles, I believe the over the shoulder shot, and the shot of the detective's hand's fidgeting anxiously, help build tension, and therefore create a thriller movie atmosphere. Also the two shot (as seen below) helps create tension as we see the detectives reactions and the hooded figure to his right, of whom we know little about. 

Overall I think I did a pretty good job at addressing my audience and reaching out to them through the genre specific conventions.

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Main evaluation question 6

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

After finishing this task, I feel I now know more about technology since when I did my preliminary task.

Firstly, I now have a much better idea on how to use Premier Pro, the editing software that I used. Before, I only really knew how to use Windows Movie Maker and iMovie. However for this task I wanted to use something more advanced, and now feel that I can edit properly and to a higher standard.

Camera-wise, I now feel more competent at directing camera shot's, and positioning the camera ready for the shoot. I now know how I can improve my film making skills in the future, and know the importance of keeping the camera in exactly the same position for multiple shot's at the same angle. This is something I found difficult during the production of "Unresolved," as the camera noticeably changed position in the first edit of "Unresolved," when the camera was meant to stay in exactly the same place. This is something I addressed by replacing certain clips, deleting lines and using cross-fade techniques so the takes fit together more smoothly.

Main evaluation question 7

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

As mentioned previously, I have learnt more about editing and the use of the camera, specifically giving directions on where the camera should be positioned. I also now have a better idea on sound and when it should and shouldn't be used. Overall I feel my technology skills have improved and I now know how to apply my skills in order for the final product to be successful.

I feel I am now more confident in giving instructions, both on where the camera should be positioned and on what the actors should be doing within the shots.

On the contrary I feel I am better now at taking instructions. The person operating the camera had to tell me whether I was in frame or not, and I had to adjust my position accordingly. This is something I faced both in the preliminary task and in the main task, however I feel that during the main task I was able to adapt faster to the changes that were required. This links with the acting that I did. I wouldn't say my acting got better during the progression of the product, however I do feel I was able to deliver my lines with more ease during the real thing, due to the previous practice I had had.

Finally I have learnt more about using genre specific conventions, and how they can be used successfully within film. While doing my preliminary task I did not know as much about genre specific conventions and how they can be used. After doing some more research I learnt more about the importance of various camera angles for the genre that you are doing, the importance of music and the importance of lighting. I feel I was able to convey using genre specific skills with more confidence during my main task.

(Preliminary Task)

(Main Task)

Transition from first draft to final film

Transition from first draft to final film

The original "Unresolved," varied a lot to the final film. This includes the shot's that were used, the dialogue, and the story elements that are revealed. 

When I made my first draft, I asked my teacher if he could watch it and tell me where I need to improve. He commented on how the camera moves position a lot between takes, where it's meant to stay in exactly the same position. He also told me he thought the story was not clear enough, and that he found it confusing. Taking these comments into consideration, I went back to the drawing board. I focused on how I could change my script, to make the story less confusing. I decided to design two news paper articles which explains a bit about the back story of "Edward Stevens." In other words, who he is. 

I also re-filmed quite a few scenes, replacing the predominant two-shot that I used with shot's of the detectives hands and eyes. This lack of camera angles is another thing my teacher commented on. He did like the acting however. 

I got rid of lines of dialogue, simply to make the film opening shorter as it was 30 seconds over the recommended 2 minute mark. I also changed the lighting, making it darker in the climax where the detective is shot dead and brighter during the interrogation scene. With my new opening (with the newspaper articles) I added a soundtrack, to immediately make the film opening more interesting and entertaining for my audience. For the soundtrack in the climax to the video, I changed the music. I preferred the music I had in the final film, and felt it captured the mood of the action better.  This is why I decided to change it. 

I feel the transition from the first draft to the final film was successful and that I incorporated the comments made on how to improve it not just from the teacher, but from other students and my own change of heart. Something I did find difficult was keeping close to the two minute mark, and feel I could have added shots to make the final film even more interesting/clear if I could have. However all the shots I had were shots I needed and could not get rid of, and so I did the best I could with what I had and believe I have yielded a successful media product.  

Updated script

 Updated script for “Unresolved.”

(This script reflects the changes I made during the editing process, which I felt were necessary in order to improve what I had. It also takes into consideration the changes from the original script that were different due to filming conditions.) 

Piece of paper with details on an individual named as "Edward Stevens," (attached with a photograph.) The writing clearly says, "Edward Stevens, jailed for murdering a 45 year old man and his 10 year old son with a butcher's knife in Blackpool. He is to spend 40 years behind bars. Further details are given about how Edward had no ties to his victims, and the murders were random acts of cruelty. Edward has been proven legally sane by the court of law.

Black screen with text "40 years later."
Piece of paper, explaining how Edward Stevens is now free and is living with a new identity. However he still insists on referring to himself as "Edward," to any friends he may meet. Unconfirmed sources state that he is residing to the west midlands metropolitan area. 

INT. Detective’s questioning room. Day time.

Rob Fisher enters the questioning room. His face is not shown, and only the back of him is revealed. He gingerly takes a seat opposite the detective, who wears a badge identifying him as Thomas James Smith.

Detective

Good morning, you must be Rob Fisher. Please have a seat.

Rob sits down cautiously.

Detective

(Clearing his throat) Rob, do you know why I have arranged this meeting this morning?

Rob Fisher

(In a quiet tone), I could have a pretty good guess.

Detective

You probably could. Now you’re no doubt aware of the tragic murders that took place this time last week, on the other side of Wolverhampton. In case you’re not, two individuals, a mother and her child, were both found dead in their apartment one week ago. They had both received multiple stab wounds, and likely cause of death was concluded to have been severe blood loss. At this present time there are no clear motives, and we have no understanding as to why someone would want to kill Rachel. We are starting to believe that this could have been a random act of savagery. It should be worth mentioning that the case bears many resemblances to the slaughter of the father and son in Blackpool 40 years ago. May I proceed to ask a few questions?

Rob Fisher

(In same quiet tone and letting out a sigh), Yep.

Detective

I understand you were a work colleague of Rachel, the woman who was murdered. Was there any sort of relationship between the two of you?

Rob Fisher

(Sighing again), Nope.

Detective

And did you notice any change in behaviour from Rachel immediately prior to the murder?

Rob Fisher

(After a five second pause and another sigh), Nope.

Detective
(Looking slightly anxious) (After a two second pause.) Well… I believe I have one more question. Do you happen to know an individual named Edward Stevens?

Rob Fisher

(Now sounding irritated and anxious), Excuse me?

Detective

(Slightly louder) (Hesitates before speaking), Do you happen to know an individual named Edward Stevens?

Rob Fisher

(Sounding very angry), You… you… you arsehole.

Detective

(Sounding bewildered), Sir, I don’t understand. Do you want me to repeat the question? Is… is there something wrong?

Suddenly Rob jumps up out of his seat, grabbing the detective’s neck from across the table and slamming him down onto the desk, knocking him unconscious.

Scene suddenly changes to a dark, indoor environment. The detective is handcuffed to a cupboard, and is sitting against a car roof box. Rob Fisher is depicted as walking slowly towards him, holding a photograph.

Detective

What the hell are you doing? What… what’s going on? Untie me. Untie me now! Untie me! Who… what are you doing? Please give me something for my head, I’m in agony here!

(Rob show’s detective the photograph. Detective reacts with horror. What the photograph shows is not revealed.)

Rob Fisher

I’m gonna have to kill you. It’s the only way forward. (Put’s his hand on Detective’s shoulder, almost in a reassuring manner.)

(Rob Fisher draws a gun out of his pocket with his other hand, and coldly shoots the detective in the head. There is then a ten second pause, before the scene cuts to black.)

Unresolved first edit

Iconography mood board 

Genre: Thriller. 

This iconography mood board shows films, which in my opinion, represent the horror and thriller genres. A few of the movies that are in the mood board are ones that I have looked at previously in my blog, like "Zodiac" and "American Psycho."
There are some classic horrors on the board as well, for example "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." I feel the movies and their respective openings are fairly similar to the opening of "Unresolved." This is because the openings all try and create suspense to add to their genre, and all contain a certain unsettling atmosphere that can be found in the opening to "Unresolved." The films all belong to the genre that I am basing my movie opening on, and use similar conventions in order to achieve their aim of scaring the audience. These conventions include eerie music, dark environments and strong protagonist and antagonist roles. 

Call sheet

Call sheet

Date of filming:

6th of January 2016 

Name	Filming location	Filming time
James Thompson	Milton, Banbury	4:15
Toby Oliver	Milton, Banbury	4:15
Cameron Aris	Milton, Banbury	4:15

Health and Safety

Health and Safety for the filming of "Unresolved."

Risk assessment 

Risk	How likely? (1-5, 1 being very unlikely and 5 being very likely.)	How dangerous? (1-5, 1 being relatively dangerous and 5 being very dangerous.)	Overall risk (1-10, 1 being a very small risk and 10 being a very high risk.)	How to avoid risk
Tripping on camera leg	3	2	5	Watch where you walk when walking about on set
Dropping camera and hitting someone/yourself	2	2	4	When operating camera, take extra care to keep it secure
Cutting yourself on handcuffs (the prop)	2	2	4	When using the handcuffs, make sure to use them with care and don't be rough when applying the handcuffs
Choking on the small props such as key to handcuffs and toy gun	2	4	6	Do not put the small props near mouth

Unresolved- the editing process

Unresolved- the editing process 

During the editing process of "Unresolved," I faced a number of difficulties. The first difficulty I faced was putting the various shots together, to create a conversation that flows naturally. At the end of some of the shots there were bloopers, for example the actors losing concentration or the camera operator not knowing when to cut. This affected the editing process as these shots obviously needed to be cut down. There were quite a lot of shots that didn't work at all, and so these shot's needed to be carefully selected from all the shots I had taken on the camera, and placed into the final edit of the video. This in itself was challenging, as there were a lot of shot's that had been taken.

The music was more straightforward. I already had a pretty good idea on the kind of music that I wanted. This was music that reflected the genre (thriller) and complemented the on screen action. I decided to only use music in the opening and in the climax to keep the audience from being distracted, as the dialogue between the two central characters in "Unresolved," is very important. The music I chose was dark and dramatic, and enters the short film abruptly. I did this to take the audience by surprise. The opening music is mysterious and creepy, and serves to tell the audience that what they are watching is a thriller within the first few seconds.

As the individual who was originally working with me dropped Media Studies, and editing is not my strong point, I had help and guidance during the editing process. The individuals who helped me helped to put the shot's together, and showed me how to export what was on the camera onto my laptop. This was something I found difficult, as me and my parents were unable to locate the slot for the memory card on my laptop.

Overall I think the editing process for "Unresolved" went quite smoothly, and I was able to take my footage and create something which I believe is quite cinematic. If I were to do it again I would make sure to pay closer attention to detail, and make sure that I knew how to export/use the camera correctly before the actual filming day.