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7) Looking back to preliminary tasks, what do you feel you have learned from the progression form it to the full product

Our First preliminary task was to create a short a thriller movie using a deck of cards. In this task we began to adapt and develop the reverse style editing of the movie Memento. We were heavily influenced by this movie. We didn't have much choice of where to set the card game as space and time was limited and we had to film in college so we didn't really pay attention to mise en scene. We attempted to make the room dark so that the mood would be thrilling. We used over close ups to show facial expressions and emotion and we used over the shoulder shots to demonstrate atmosphere and to get the characters point of view. As this was our first task there were somethings that went wrong. While editing we found that the room was too dark that it was very difficult to see anything also, there are a couple of continuity errors; when the cards are being dealt from the over the shoulder shot you can see one player has cards and the other doesn't where as in other shots she does have cards. Also, there is a continuity error with lighting. We then took this in consideration for our next task.

For our next preliminary task we were to create a match cut sequence, this was very basic as we had limited time and space, the story was very basic for this exact reason and we wanted to concentrate on the match cuts more than the story. We took in consideration the faults we had made and though we didn't have much of a choice of where to go to film as other groups were doing the same activity at the same time we did first of all try some where but then it was too dark so we moved and made the best of what we had. This task gave us a chance to practise our editing skills. After these two tasks we took away the mistakes we had made so we could improve on them. We also learnt that we have had lack of mise en scene but for our film we would add things as we didn't have time to think about the mise en scene before.

The reverse editing was a very important factor in our sequence as it emphasises and adds to the story of our character. The match cut task allowed us to perfect our editing skills and learn how to do create a match cut right.

In our finished sequence we used the time well and we created mise en scene that add to the protagonists character, which tells us about her and what she's been doing. In the mise en scene we added things such as books to hint at what is going on before Alice speaks. The use of the mirror was very important as in the mirror is a true reflection so with this in mind we based the whole thing around the mirror. We have learnt that every aspect of the filming is important that no stone should be left unturned to make sure everything is how it should turn out. In this case, we didn't have extensive time to film and then edit and then film again or however many times we needed to. Though this was our final product there are somethings which even now I feel could be improved on if we had the chance. For example, a few of the camera pans stick which might not be a very big deal but it doesn't exactly flow very well as the movement is a bit like a robot. Also after going to edit we would see that some of the shots that we have could be filmed again like the pressing of the ipod and the final pan down.

5) Who would be your audience for your media product?

This is Leah she's 18 and has lived in London her whole life. Leah loves photography, music, fashion and books. She enjoys cult films and thrillers such as Fight Club, Donnie Darko, Requiem for a Dream and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Leah loves watching psychological films as she finds them very interesting.

In Leah's bag is

3 & 4) What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and Why? How will you attract/address your audience?

Our film would be distributed by a well known British distributor Film Four. Film Four distributes independent movies, which is what our movie would be. The Film Four website allows viewers to see movies that Film Four distribute and this is where we would imagine our movie would be alongside all these others. As well as being on the film four website we would have a a few billboards advertising film such as the one's below

As these billboards would create attention people would become interested in the movie once the trailer is released I have created a twitter page so that fans can stay up dated with information about the movie and can get the latest information on what the stars of the film are up to.

as our film is only a small budgeted film it wouldn't be expected that we get that much attention, but many independent films gain a lot of attention as people like the concept as they've never been done before.
Independent films aren't generally played at chain cinemas like the Vue or Odeon but shown in indepent cinemas like the sceen on the green

2) How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Our protagonist represents both sides of stereotypical girl. Alice's real self is a stereotype of a bad girl, being into hard drugs, drink and prostitution while her alter ego is a stereotype of a typical girl next door essentially being a generic perfect girl the opposite of her real self.

The idea partly comes from The film I Know Who Killed Me. I Know Who Killed Me stars Lindsay Lohan, in the movie Lohan's character has a twin who fake were separated at birth, the two girls are complete opposite of each other. This is similar our character Alice, even though Alice has no twin and it is all in her head.

Lohan's good girl character (below) shows similar characteristics as our good girl simple make up and she is writing what looks like the beginning of a story, this shows that she is intelligent. With our character on her table there are books, and throughout the sequence there are books on the dresser where she plays her music from in the edge of the scene.

Lohan's bad girl character (below) also has similar characteristics of our bad girl. Here the bad girl is shown in a mirror and the mirror is cracked this shows that the girl is vain. She is surrounded by money and bright lights and she is also wearing heavy make up which could suggest she was paid for some kind of sexual services. Our bad girl is also shown in a mirror and is also wearing heavy make up. Though she isn't surrounded by money, while walking to her makeup table there are condoms and used condoms everywhere and a book called "the new joy of sex" this insinuates that sex has taken place.

EVALUATION 1) In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Displayed below is a gif. file of part of our opening sequence

We decided to use these shots as they are in reverse, the initial idea comes from the movie Memento, In first watching the opening sequence of Memento we as a group didn't really understand until the last few moments of the opening where what has just been played in reverse comes to an end and everything is then put together.
Below is a gif of Memento.

Our opening sequence challenges forms and conventions as parts of the sequence are in reverse. We were inspired by Memento's opening sequence, there aren't many films in which parts of the opening are played in reverse. Like in Memento the movie title is on black background near the end of the opening. This makes the title of the film stand out as it's rather significant as is the title of Memento. Memento meaning, "a reminder of past events". When one has watched this film, the context of the title becomes a lot clearer.

"Alice", the title of our film, for many people their first thoughts when hearing something called Alice makes people think of the film "Alice in Wonderland". We chose this name on purpose to relate to this as when in context with the opening sequence where Alice says "to follow the white rabbit" is a direct reference to the Alice In Wonderland.

We stuck to a traditional way of introducing the institutional production in the beginning of the movie. Our opening sequence doesn't exactly, make people jump out of their seats, however, it does make the viewer feel somewhat on edge and the music sets the mood with an eerie modern soundtrack and the ending dream scene.

Memento and our title sequence are a like in some respects but Memento begins with disorientating the viewer as the polaroid picture is being shaken though we aren't aware it's in reverse till a while after which then leaves us confused until the sequence is finished. With our reverse sequence the viewer isn't as confused as the Memento viewer as the voice over explains what is going on without being very straight forward. We didn't have a particular opening credit sequence, we simply used the conventional opening credit with names and title over our movie.

5) Who would be the audience for your media product?

Kelly is 19 year old undergraduate student in university. She likes to shop in Top Shop and New Look. She enjoy's watching physcological thrillers and comedies. Going out with her friends is what she normally does in her spare time. Her and her friends enjoy staying in on a friday night for a weekly movie night.

In Kelly's handbag: