Soft Stuff

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? (i.e of film openings)

The aspects we would like you to consider are:

The title of the film
Setting/location
Costumes and props
Camerawork and editing
Write about how typical or not of opening sequences your particular design is.
Title font and style
Story and how the opening sets it up
Genre and how the opening suggests it
How characters are introduced
Special effects

How does your opening sequence develop or challenge the conventions of an opening sequence?

Does your use of conventions indicate that other opening sequences have influenced your work?
If so, then be specific with examples.

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

What are the social groups represented in terms of gender, age, class, race, etc?

Pick a key character from your opening. Think of one or more characters from other films with some similarity to them (but maybe some differences too!). Write about the similarities and differences in terms of appearance, costume, role in film etc.

So for example if you have a lone cop type character, look for other lone cops to compare him with...

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

Would this be something that could be produced by a major Hollywood studio, if yes then why? Is it similar to existing products?

Would it be a TV movie?

Would it be an arthouse film?

Would it be an internet only release?

Why would it be released? Does it offer opportunities for franchises and/or merchandising?

Where might the money come from for a film such as yours?

What films are similar 'institutionally'?
(Name some films which would be released in a similar way.)

Link your conclusions to a discussion of the mise-en-scene (visual style) of your opening sequence.

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

Consider the age and gender of your target audience.
(Link this to the narrative and style of your film.)

What kinds of taste might your target audience have : Where would they shop? What music would they listen to? What would their favourite TV programmes be? etc.

What other films are similar to yours? Who do they appeal to?

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

Are there particular points in your film that would appeal to a certain age or gender? If yes then explain them in detail.

You should refer to genre conventions, use of music, similarities with other movies and what you have identified as the Unique Selling Point of your imaginary film.
Link this into your audience profile (I.e. what age and gender they are)

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

Talk about the filming process. Were there problems you faced? How did you resolve these issues?

Did you get to use new equipment that enhances your opening sequence? I.e. the dolly.

Editing software - Final Cut Express. What have you learnt about editing?

Photoshop - What have you learnt about using the software?

Garageband - was it a useful programme for creating a soundtrack? What challenges did you face during this process?