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

What does a production company do?
A production company creates everything from pre production to post production to create a product. They are also responsible for the financial side of the film but then pass it onto the distributor for the advertising side. Some roles which the production company carry out are, fundraising for the product, casting actors, scheduling, scripting, filming and editing,.

What is your idea of a film distributor?
A film distributor is a company who deal with the marketing and distributing of the product. They release the films to the public through the theatre or through home viewing on DVDs, Download etc.


Who might be the distributor for your film and why?
A distributor for my film could be Entertainment Film Distributors as they distribute low budget films. They are the top UK film distributors which could take on our low budget independent film. Youtube could also be our distributor as it lets people from all over the world to watch our film, freely, they could watch a trailer or the opening to the film.

Where would the money come from for a film such as yours?
Universal could invest in it after we have pitched the film, they could do this as they have taken on other romantic comedy such as love actually. The profits which are made, they would take a cut so overall they wouldn't have lost out on any money which they invested in. Universal, who produced Love actually would have needed to know if the film had a big potentional to create a profit before they invested in it as they couldn't afford to loose reputation for their company.

Why have the various people been named in your titles? which jobs appear in your titles and in what order and how have you reflected this?
In our titles we decided to name the three characters mostly seen in our sequence, along with the director, the screen play writer and the producer. We put it in order of the most important to the least important which was producer, director, screenplay, the main actor and support actors. We put it in this order as we thought that it was important to give credit to the most important people involved in the production process.



How is your film similar 'institutionally' to others? Name some films which would be released in a similar way.
Our film is similar institutionally to other low budget romantic comedies who dont have sufficient funds to advertise on a large scale and it has a conventional romantic comedy story line but it still has a mix of things which make it different from what's been released previously. Love actually was produced by Universal and this shows that this production company takes on romantic comedies and hoping if we did a detailed and professionally enough pitch, they would consider investment.

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

 From my preliminary task I feel that my knowledge of media has widened. The understanding and knowledge of different film genres and the conventions with them genres has improved and I applied this into the making of the opening sequence. Along with that knowledge, I feel that my camera work improved. When creating the preliminary task, we didn't use a tripod at times where we wanted the camera to be still to the footage is wobbly and isn't of a professional standard whereas in the opening sequence of my final piece, we used a tripod which held the camera in a position which would be still and not moving. When we was filming our preliminary task, we didn't take into consideration lighting, in one of the shots we filmed the lighting for each of the characters was different and when we did split screen and put the shots together, they didn't match and gave a very bad effect off. We decided not to use this shot but to keep it in mind for the final task and we did this successfully. I feel that my camera work has improved as I know which different shots and angles work best in which genres and how to create these shots and angles using the cameras and tripods. We used match on action in our final sequence along with using it in our preliminary task, we used a better angle which got more of the action in the clip. We wasn't able to use shot reverse shot in the same way as we did in our prelim task as we didn't have any dialogue between characters but we didn't change shots between two of our characters. We also wasn't able to use the 180 degree rule between two characters as there wasn't any dialogue shared.

I feel that my editing skills on the mac have improved largely as I wasn't confident with the software. In our preliminary task, we used iMovie but in our opening sequence we used Final cut which was more challenging  and took longer to understand and become confident with but I am now able to add overlay sound, cut and remove parts of a clip, change the sound for pieces of sound, add a voice over, add fades and effects between shots. I am also able to speed up footage and import titles from live type. In iMovie, we used titles which were embedded in that software whereas we decided to use a more challenging software and import them in to add a more professional look with the entrances and exits of the titles.

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

To complete my product I used a variety of technologies, this technology allowed me to keep in touch with people, show my progression throughout the project, create the actual piece of media and publish the piece of media.

I used safari as an internet browser so I could access the websites which I used in this project. From safari I accessed Blogger and Youtube. Blogger allowed me to show my progress throughout the project, adding blog posts which gave details of what I achieved each lesson, the planning and research I carried out.  I posted questionnaire results, focus groups and interviews up which helped our group come to a conclusion on the target audience of our media. Using Blogger enabled us not to ever loose our work, it was being saved as drafts and was always accessible.











Safari allowed me to access YouTube which I used to look at opening sequences from produced films of the same genre as inspiration for my opening sequence. When my product was complete, I uploaded it to YouTube so it was published and I could use the link and post it around as publicising.





This is final cut, I used this piece of software to edit the footage and add any effects such as speeding clips up or changing the colouring. I have learnt alot from using final cut as I hadn't used it before so as I was using it, I was also learning. 



This is iMovie, we used iMovie to edit our prelim task, throughout using iMovie I learnt how to add transitions, adding text, editing clips and using other effects. I also used iMovie to create the voice over for the evaluation question in which I saved and exported and put over the product in final cut as a directors commentary.

This is garage band, we used this to record the voice over for our product. We used Lucy to record into garage band and then we exported it into Final cut. 



This is live type, I used this software to create the titles for our piece. Firstly, we used this and had to estimate where about to place each text so it would be in the correct place when we exported it, then we found out that you could put a clip as the background and use the clip to help place the text. This helped and meant that I was able to create titles which went with the voice over and the music along with the actions of the characters. Once the titles were created, we then exported them and imported them into Final cut to put into our product.

This is photo booth, our group used this mainly to provide evidence of each other editing and record us when we was creating videos explaining what we had achieved each lesson and further plans for our project. I was also able to take images of our storyboards and upload them in a blog post.

This is open office, I used open office to produce the questions for our interviews and focus groups. I also used the drawing option in open office to create an image for the first evaluation question.

This is iTunes, I used this software to upload our music on to so we was able to import it to our opening sequence. I often use iTunes so using this software and importing and exporting music was quite easy.

This is a tripod which we used to hold the camera steady. We was able to place the camera into places we may not have been able to get to and let it record whilst it wasn't moving. Using this also let us move the camera from left to right and right to left in a continuous line whereas if we was recording it free handed, the footage would have been wobbly.

This is the camera which we used to film our footage. From this camera we could also look at previous clips we have recorded to look back and see if there was any clips missing. From this camera we was able to upload it onto the macs to import it to final cut.

I used my phone to communicate with the rest if my group and make reminders for myself on any blog posts I needed to create. My phone was used mainly to keep in contact with the group members but during filming, we wanted a alarm clock sound and I used one which was on my phone. Although we didn't use the final clip in our product, it was still recorded.

This is the mac in which I used to edit our sequence. Most of the software that was used in this project is on the macs which meant that I couldn't edit anywhere else. Our group had an individual log in so we could all get onto the mac if any of us was absent. I have learnt alot from using the mac as I am not familiar with it, every time I used it, I experienced something new which extended my skills and knowledge.

4. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

 The character which I am going to compare is Ellie, I have chosen to compare her to Josie from Never been kissed. In our opening sequence we have portrayed Ellie as quite a childish person, in'unfashionable, childish' clothes which will allow for the audience to understand her personality. In the shots to the right, we see Ellie as being humorous by her costume and props, we are preparing the audience for when she speaks and wondering how her actions are going to accompany her. Below is a shot of Josie from never been kissed. In this image she is wearing unfashionable clothes and has previously been the centre of humour from her peers at school. Her facial expressions allow the audience to get some comedy and her actions make her clumsy and quite dopey which is similar to Ellie. Some differences between the characters I have chosen is that in other shots, Josie is dressed in a suit and is being quite mature and serious whereas in our opening sequence we haven't shown Ellie in this way.

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

1. The title of the film
The title of the film was suggested by Katie who took part in the focus group we conduced. Katie fitted in with our target audience and her coming up with this idea, rather than '2 can play that game' like we first suggested, made it feel like our film was getting involved and catching the target audiences' eye just by the name. We agreed that fitted our story line and it was quite catchy and allowed us to be creative with it when producing the titles.


2. Setting/location
We used many different settings within our opening sequence. Firstly we used Becky's bedroom for the character of Ellie as it has a single bed with comical duvets which could connote that our character is still living at home, and is quite childish still. This is the kind of character we was trying to portray when we decided on location. This could challenge the conventions of the opening sequence of a romantic comedy as they mostly open with a tidy, mature well developed character which can set a mature atmosphere for the rest of the film.

Another setting we choose was a more mature bedroom, with a double bed, tidy room, which connoted that Jessica was more of a mature adult compared to Ellie. Although it was very mature, it still allowed the audience to reflect and become aware of Jessicas personality due to the pink decor. We made the difference between the 2 characters go against the conventions of a romantic comedy as usually in films like ours, the characters have very similar personality's and lead different lives, where we have made them be very different and also lead very different lives.

In the screen shot, the image I have chosen shows the location in which Ellie works. It shows that she is dedicated to her work and by the looks of the colourful room, she is a very happy person. The children in the classroom and their actions show the stress which she has to go through during her work days. This goes with the conventions of a Romantic comedy as we are letting the audience have a insight to the life of the character rather than just focusing on their social life and the romance side.


3. Costume and props
From the two images, there is a clear distinction from the characters costumes showing their differences. Ellie is waking up from her sleep wearing novelty Disney pyjamas, novelty slippers, in a sponge bob bed quilt holding a teddy. When she decides to get dressed she dresses in a casual way wearing dungarees, leggings, converse and a coat although she is going to work. On the other hand Jessica is wearing a skirt and blouse, tights and heels. The use of the novelty props and costume for Ellie shows her childish personality, we chose these as we wanted to create humour from the start of the sequence. We decided to dress Jessica in the way we did as we wanted a lot of controversy between the two as the shots change between them. 


4. Camera work and editing
To make sure we got across the two different personality's to our audience in the opening sequence we used editing to cross cut our shots alternating between the two characters. It was also hard to choose an image which would show the best use of camera work and editing in our piece. When Ellie was choosing clothes in the wardrobe, we filmed the shot from inside the wardrobe and outside of the wardrobe to show the audience what was happening along with using a variety of different shot types and angles. When we are filming outside of the wardrobe it allows the viewer to see the setting which she is in and also the clothes which she has taken to wear. When we filmed Ellie in the bathroom we filmed her looking into the camera which we felt would give some communication to the audience by adding some humour. We filmed her after brushing her teeth with toothpaste round her mouth looking into the camera as if it was a mirror, this goes against the conventions of a Romantic Comedy as there are mid shots and establishing shots which help develop the characters.
We also used editing to speed up a clip of the clothes being chucked onto the bed. We sped this up along with changing the colour of the clip to match and fit in with the other clips rather than showing a big jump in the colour. This clip gives the audience an idea of the type of style Ellie has which could represent her personality.


5. Title font and style
We challenged the Romantic Comedy genre with the title font & style which we chose. We decided to choose the colours and style based on the personalities of our characters. We used 3 different font styles, the first which says 'two' represents Jessicas personality and the word 'Game' was written in a colourful happy way representing Ellie. In other romantic comedies like Love actually there are the same continuous font styles throughout the title whereas we used a range of different ones in different colours.

6. Story and how the opening sets it up
Our opening sets up our story by alternating between the characters giving the audience an insight to their lives before the main story line and the male character is introduced. The relationship between the two main female characters challenges the conventions of a Romantic Comedy as we usually see the relationship between the Male and the Female.

7.Genre and how the opening suggests it
Throughout our opening sequence there are alot of moments where humour is being introduced. The actions of Ellie is mainly what introduces comedy through her having toothpaste round her mouth, falling out of bed and tripping up the duvet, falling down the stairs, dropping her keys, the children chucking things at her and the girl running on crutches. All of these give little hints to the audience making them aware of the genre. Although there isn't a huge romance element revealed by a male and a female character, the voice over indicates a relationship between the two best friends.


8.How characters are introduced
We decided to show the characters as they have just woken up so that the audience can relate to them in the morning. We first see Ellie as being very childish identified through the costume and props and then we see Jess with her cup of coffee, putting it down and making her bed nice and tidy. It reveals through the voice over that they are best friends but they have had their differences for a long time as they have grown up together. The use of the different costume and settings connotes that the characters both have very different lives.

9.Special effects
There wasn't a lot of special effects which we used in our opening sequence. We sped up many clips to make them fit in with the time limit but making sure that it didn't ruin the effect we was going for. One example of this is when Jessica is sitting down in her office and we sped part of the clip up and slowed part of it down so that the typing still looked real and it fitted with the music. This went against conventions of a Romantic Comedy as there isn't usually alot of sped up clips but we used them in a way it still was effective.

2. How did we address our audience?

1. Who would be the audience for your media product?

Bio
Charlotte is a 17 year old college student who is currently in her first year of studying hair and beauty. Along with this she currently has a part time job in River Island which takes up her weekend and some hours during the evenings in the week. She enjoys this job as its a bit of income that she can use to socialise with her friends, by going shopping in her favourite high street shops such as H&M, TopShop & Primark. She likes to go to the cinema mainly on a Wednesday as she gets '241 Orange Wednesdays'. She prefers to watch Romantic Comedy's but when she goes with her boyfriend, he isn't that interested in this genre so they watch the most recent released film. With her friends she also likes going to parties and spends quite alot of her time on social network sites such as Facebook & Twitter accessing them either on her laptop or via her Blackberry. She is interested in music and mainly listens to the music that's in the charts but her favourite band are One Direction. She recently went to their concert and has booked up tickets to see them again next year. She reads magazines such as OK, Heat & Hello in her own time for celebrity gossip and to know the latest fashion trends.

The interests and hobbies which Charlotte has, as a potentional audience member for our media product, could allow us to advertise in certain ways to gain attention from more audience members like Charlotte. One example of this is the use of social networking which Charlotte uses, such as Facebook and make a advertisement banner for the advertisement bar which runs down the side of the website. By creating a banner which advertises the product, the attention from other 17-year-olds like Charlotte, who enjoy romantic comedy's could be gained which will increase the knowledge of the product. This could also be done on ticket master or other ticket websites, as she uses them to purchase tickets for her favourite band and YouTube. On YouTube, a trailer for my media product could be uploaded which will give more information to the target audience on what's included which will bring them to watch the actual piece.The use of twitter to connect with the potentional audience could be through creating an account for the product which will gain followers and then images, information, trailers etc could be posted for the followers to see.

As Charlotte often goes to the cinema using her Orange Wednesday perk from her phone contract, others of the same age range with similar interests to Charlotte could potentially do the same. The use of a trailer for the product could advertise before a film starts at the cinema.

As we know that our intended audience read gossip magazines, this could be a good space to advertise and gain the attention of our audience members. Using interviews of the top actors in the product and putting them into these magazines will help promotion as we know the audience will be reading so making sure that the interview is interesting will make them want to read/see more. There could also be picture advertisements within magazines specific to our target audience.

We know that Charlotte is interested in fashion and the latest trends, and likes to buy new outfits for parties often, we could use retail as a way of promoting which will gain publicity. Using shops like H&M, Top Shop and Primark will help as we know that our target audience shop their.