Journal - Week 8

This week in Media has been successful for my group and I mainly because we have commenced with the filming of our title sequence and we have also begun to firmly edit the footage in which we have.

What have we managed to do for this past week?

• Continuing to shoot our title sequence
• Use a new location. This location being the Church.
• Firmly begun editing.

This week in Media, we as a group decided that the footage in which we already had was not appropriate for our title sequence; therefore we changed the location of where we are going to film.

As a group we needed to decide on a new location. A fellow group member insisted in using a Church to film. This fellow group member then contacted the Church and fortunately the Vicar of the Church came to an agreement to let us use the church.

After granting us permission to film in the Church, we began to film in the Church. We were only in the Church for about one hour but within this hour we successfully managed to film all the necessary shots.

The benefit of filming in the Church was that we could capture a much more interesting atmosphere in which ultimately shall make out title sequence seem more effective.

This week we have also managed to firmly begin with the editing of our title sequence. For instance during last Wednesdays double Media lesson; we began to edit our footage in which we had shot. As a group we eventually got to re-organise all of our footage and in addition we managed to incorporate our typography into our sequence. However we still have a lot of editing to do but I'm sure we shall be able to finish editing within the next week or so.

Overall, we have almost filmed all of the necessary shots for our title sequence, but there is still only a few shots left to film, but I strongly believe we shall be able to film these remaining shots within an hour or so.

What are we planning to do within the next week?

• Continue with editing our title sequence.
• Film the last few remaining shots of our title sequence.
• Post our final location shots.

Location Shots - What went wrong?

Below are a selection of shots from the filming in which we completed last week. Unfortunately we as a group decided that this particular location was not appropriate and suitable mainly because of several problems we encountered whilst reviewing the filming of our work.

1.) The first image in the top left hand corner is rather dark which is of course the sort of location we were looking for; however the lighting is particularly low-key; therefore this ruins the concept of the image as the location is hardly visible. Furthermore, this image looks fairly modern which is exactly the opposite of what sort of setting/location we wanted in order to be suitable for our title sequence.

2.) The second image in the top right hand corner is a wide shot of the corridor in which we used for the filming of our title sequence. However the corridor is too narrow and in addition the corridor looks and even feels too modern as for example a fire extinguisher and new radiator is viewable to the audience.

3.) The third image on the bottom left hand corner is also not relevant to us mainly due to the fact that this time round the corridor looks rather seemingly attractive and not exactly bored what-so-ever. This is of course the sort of setting we wanted to avoid and that is mainly why we shall not be using this particular location in our final title sequence.

4.) The fourth and final shot is of course too modern for us to use, and again the angle in which we took this photograph wasn't how we planned it to be taken. The lighting also doesn't resemble how we wanted the lighting to be.

Overall, we are unhappy with this location as it does not represent or resemble the purpose of our title sequence. Adding on, our title sequence is supposedly set in the 1950's therefore this corridor was too modern for us to use.

Journal - Week 7

This week in Media we have successfully managed to do a lot of work with the creation of our title sequence.

For example this week in Media we have:

• Commenced with the filming of our title sequence
• Began shooting in a different location
• Uploaded 'tester' footage
• Completed further Audience Feedback forms with which logo we are going to use

This week we began filming in a new location for our title sequence, for instance we decided to use a different location mainly because we wanted a more effective location and we feel that our previous location in which was in a corridor, wasn't exactly what we were looking for; therefore we decided to use a new location. This new location is in a big retro style boardroom.

We shall also commence with filming this coming Thursday; and this time we shall be filming in a local church. We wanted to use a church especially seeing as Church's are historical and church's are usually what you would've found during the cold war in the 1950's.

Furthermore, we also uploaded some tester footage (check previous posts). The benefit of uploading tester footage was that we as a group could see what the footage we filmed; and see what it's like. As a group we found some positive and negative points about the tester footage, but we came to the conclusion to re-film certain aspects of our title sequence especially with some problems we had with the location.

My group and I also decided to create some more audience feedback forms with regards to what logo name and style we shall use. Therefore we created 20+ audience feedback forms and tow of the group members handed them out to the target audience of our film (Pre-dominantly males/Older Teenagers). Consequently we found the results to be that 75% of people asked preferred the 'Nocturnal Pictures' logo. The reason in which most people preferred the 'Nocturnal Pictures' was that the style of the logo was more convenient to the genre of our film.

What's next for our group?

This coming week in Media, our group shall commence with the filming of our title sequence; and we should hopefully be finished. As a group we have decided to set this coming Thursday as the last shooting date so we should be finished with filming! In addition, hopefully by the start of next week our editing of our title sequence shall begin.

Audience Feedback Logo Results & Explanation

The above image is of a pie chart in which we as a group created. As you can see the results are as follows:

75% decided to choose Nocturnal pictures

25% decided to choose Star Productions.

Based on the results/audience feedback we have received; we as a group have decided to choose Nocturnal pictures as the logo name/style we will be using for our title sequence.

Above is our final logo in which we shall be using. Our logo name is entitled 'Nocturnal Pictures'.

What do I like abut this logo?

• The logo's colour scheme is interesting mainly because it is so simple yet so effective to our film
• The font is bold and meaningful; this therefore gives our target audience the impression that our company logo fits in with the genre of our film which is of course a psychological thriller set in the 1950's.

Audience Feedback - Logo Name & Style

Testing Filming Location

During last Monday's lesson, we began to film our title sequence. The location in which we used was an isolated corridor.

Below is a short clip of what we managed to film. It is only a snippet of what we actually filmed but I think it's best if I only publish one clip; just in-case we change our location.

What do I like about this clip?

• The location is isolated which is exactly what sort of location we required.
• The camera angle used is interesting as it shows the character from an observant angle.
• The sound isn't irritating and it also doesn't take control of the clip which is exactly how we wanted the sound to be like.

How could we improve this clip?

• We could possibly use a different location mainly so that we can have a more exhilarating location in which portrays a more meaningful message.

Journal - Week 6

This week has been extremely productive for my group and I as we have managed to complete a lot of work with the creation of our title sequence.

What have we done in Media this week?

• Created and handed out Audience Feedback forms.
• Received our audience feedback forms back and explained what the results were.
• Choose our final Typography Design.
• Research for what Music/Sound we shall be using for our title sequence.
• Began to film.

During last weeks journal, our next task was to begin filming and fortunately this week we have managed to begin to film. We managed to start our filming this week in a corridor in an unknown and isolated location. The benefit of using a corridor was that it would portray and foreshadow what message we asa a group would like to get across.

In addition, the corridor in which we have used to film our title sequence is very dull, plain and boring. For instance, the corridor lacks excitement which is exactly what sort of corridor we were looking for! Especially seeing as our title sequence is set during the 1950's.

This week in media, I also created four audience feedback forms. The purpose of creating these audience feedback forms was that so we as a group could consider our target audience and see what sort of things they would like to see in our title sequence. I believe this is beneficial as our primary and secondary target audience are key to in the creation of our title sequence.

After receiving our audience feedback forms back we noticed a sequence of the same options marked. For example out of the four people who filled out our forms, they all strangely opted for the same option. This therefore implies the feeling that they would like to see the specific typography font in which they chose to feature in our title sequence; therefore we have decided to use the typography font they chose to feature in our title sequence. I have explained our audience feedback forms and our chosen typography fonts in my previous posts. Please see for explanation and evidence.

What's next for our group?

For this week in media, we are hoping and planning to commence with the filming of our title sequence. According to our google Calendar we should be finished with filming by the end of next week; however I believe as a group if we remain on task we shall be finished by the end of the week. After the filming of our title sequence has finished, we shall of course begin to edit!

Audience Feedback

As part of the pre-production stage of our title sequence, we as a group thought it would be a good idea to create a few 'Audience Feedback' forms mainly so that we can show that we have properly organized our title sequence and also to show that we have involved our target audience within the creation of our title sequence.

I created the 'Audience Feedback' forms by simply creating a basic questionnaire on Microsoft word. The creation of the 'Audience Feedback' forms only took me around 5-10 minutes.

Results of our Audience Feedback forms:

We handed out four forms to four people who fit into our title sequences target audience. We managed to find these four people by lurking around the school. I believe this was a good idea mainly due to the fact that we would have no bias results involved with what people would choose.

Once we received the feedback forms back we noticed that there was a pattern, this pattern being that 75% of the people who filled out our forms chose the same typography option. this option of course being the bold typography font.

Due to these results, we had no other option but to choose the bold typography fonts as our final chosen font. Please see my previous post regarding our final typography design for a full detailed explanation.

Our Audience Feedback forms:

Our Storyboards

Explanation of our storyboards:

Overall, I would say that our storyboards have been well presented and clearly drawn

As you can see, our storyboards consist of 26 shots and as a group we hope to follow these storyboards when we come to film.

What doI like about our storyboards?

• They have been carefully drawn; therefore they shall be easy to follow.
• We have used colours to illustrate our drawings. This shall be beneficial to us as a group mainly because we will be able to quickly focus on which individual shot is which.

Final Edited Typography Designs

Below are our two final edited and completed typography designs in which we shall be using for our title sequence.

What do I like about this design?

• The colours represent what our title sequence is about - The fact that we have used black and white colours portray that our title sequence was set during a period of time in which colours weren't around.
• The font is bold which is good as a bold font suggests to our target audience that our film is meaningful

What do I like about this design?

• Once again the colour scheme is effective mainly because the black and white font used shows a purpose and in addition, the colours black and white gel well together
• The font style used is also bold. The fact that the font is bold implies the feeling to our audience that our title sequence shall foreshadow a powerful meaning.

Overall opinion on final typography ideas?

Overall, I would say i am happy with our two final typography ideas mainly due to the fact that they have both been edited well and constructively. In addition, the colouring of our two final typography fonts are eye-catching as they standout with a bold message being conveyed.

The Music for our Title Sequence

For our title sequence, we shall be adding some music/sound. As a group we have deicded it is best to use 1950's style music mainly so that the music ties in with the story and message our title sequence shall convey.

Where will we get the music from?
We have not yet decided where we shall get our music from however as a group we shall be taking a look at copyright free music mainly due to the fact that we do not want to use music in which is in use of copyright.
There is a good website in which has lots of samples of copyright free music. This website being: http://AudioNetwork.lgfl.org.uk

I have had a brief look at the website and I must admit there are lots of free music samples from a range of different genre's.

As a group, we will have to take a look at this website together and decide on an approprate music sound.

What are the other possibilities?

• We could possibly create our own music - By creating our own music we will have a better understanding of what we want to get on to our title sequence (Music Wise)


• If there is a particular piece of sound we like we could write/e-mail the music company and kindly ask for their permission to use their copyright material.

Overall however, I would say at this moment of time we are looking for samples of free music on the website I listed above; therefore this is our first choice at this moment of time.

Google Calendar - Explanation

Below is a screenshot of the google calendar in which my group and created. We decided to create this calendar mainly for organizational purposes.

How did we create the calendar?

We created this calendar by accessing our groups Gmail accounts. After each individual had done this, we then exchanged details and by exchanging details we were able to add each other into the calendar.

What do I like about the calendar?

• I like the fact that the Google Calendar is easy to read, so for instance I am able to easily access the details in which have been added to the calendar
• The colour scheme is bright - The inclusion of the colour red is beneficial as it makes our calendar is seem more attractive and eye-catching.

What do I dislike about the calendar?

• The text size is rather small; therefore I need to change the font style so that I can make an adjustment.

Journal - Week 5

This week in Media has been very productive as we have successfully managed to complete our Title Sequence storyboard. and in addition we have also managed to create an animatics video of our storyboard sheets. Furthermore, we have also exchanged contact details and we have also created a Google Calendar. The benefit of creating the Google Calendar war that we as a group would become more organized and structured.

As a group, we decided to each individually complete one storyboard sheet in order to show signs of teamwork and leadership and fortunately by doing this, our storyboards were completed to a professional standard as you may be able to see in my previous post (Animatics).

What's next for our group?

By the end of next week, we hope to begin filming. However before we start to film we need to finalize where we shall be shooting our title sequence. I am aware that we have considered filming in a Church or in an office style location. I am expecting that the filming of our title sequence will be around one week, so hopefully by the end of next week our title sequence may possibly be finished.

Animatics video of our storyboard

Above is the animatics video in which we as a group created. The purpose of creating this video was that we as a group could become clear to what our storyboards were about. In addition, our animatics video consists of all of the 26 still shots in which our storyboard contains.

What do I like about this animatics video?

• The animatics video consists of all of our shots in chronological order; therefore this shows clear organization
• The video isn't either long or short; therefore it is an appropriate length

What do I dislike about this video?

• A small proportion of the images are out of focus; therefore they seem unclear however they are still understandable.

Shot list for our Title Sequence

Below is the shot list for the storyboards of our title sequence. In total our storyboard consists of 26 shots.

As a group we decided to re-do our storboard mainly so that we could become more organised and structured as a group. Additionally, I personally was not entirely clear of what was happening during our initial storyboard; therefore we all as a group decided to start off our shot-list/storyboards up from scratch. We swiftly made this decision during a meeting in which we organised.

During this meeting, we discussed what was going well and what wasn't going well. Fortunately after the meeting we as a group became more united as we had let all our problems and differences out and aside.

What shall consists during our storyboard (Our Shot-List):

1.) Universal Studios Credit

2.) Our Production logo credit (Star Productions)

3.) JFK Archive Footage - Length of shot approximately 10 seconds maximum

4.) Leonardo DiCaprio Credit (Main Character) - Black screen shot

5.) Mid-shot in the position of behind the man - Tracking shot - Character walking down a corridor

6.) Close-up shot of lack shoes in which the character being filmed is wearing

7.) Close-up shot of a retro suit in which the character is wearing

8.) Close-up shot of black gloves. This shot shall connote power

9.) Another close-up shot of the back of the charatcers head

10.) Close-up shot of the character's mouth being filmed

11.) Black screen credit (Co-Starring Colin Hanks and Rosie Huntington)

12.) The Boss (Other Character) looking out a window drinking - Shot from behind

13.) Shot approaching the door

14.) Midshot of door

15.) Close-up shot of door handle opening

16.) P.O.V Shot - Entering Room - Shooting man - Split storyboard in half to show both actions (Same Shot)

17.) Midshot of dead man with briefcase in shot (Significant) (MidShot) Also showing the other man leaving with the black briefcase

18.) Edited Credit/Cinematography Credit/Music Credit - All in one shot

19.) Leaves through the door shot

20.) Close-up of window. The man being the main focus - The door being aside and out of focus

21.) The man enters through the door - This then leads to the Producer Credit

22.) Editing Cut to the man in the window - Mid Shot - The other man also enters this shot.

23.) Close-up shot of briefcase being handed over to show sign of power and significance

24.) Mid Shot of window man with briefcase - The Director Credit then arises

25.) Editing shot - Fading effect into the title of the fil "The Iron Curtain"

26.) Iron Curtain Credit - Final Shot

Journal week 4

This week in media we have managed to finally get a move on with the completion of our storyboards.

What have we done this week?
This week in media we have managed to continue our storyboards. Group members Sam and Ryan insisted that they were to take charge of the storyboards, however I feel as if this was not a good idea mainly because we are a group of four; therefore all four group members must work as a team, and no-one should take charge without any consent of fellow group members.

How shall I resolve this problem?
I believe I will be able to solve this problem by conducting a team meeting and explaining that my group members must be sufficient and professional whilst working as a team. For example, we MUST have a good stable and reliable form of communication. I strongly suggest each group members exchange mobile phone details and/or e-mail contacts. I have sent my e-mail address to al of my fellow three group members.

What's next for our group?
As a GROUP we should be completed with our storyboards by Friday; therefore hopefully next week, we can possibly begin to film. However before we begin to film, we must organise the location in which we will be filming from. This week we began to brainstorm possible locations as it seems that our original location may not be successful. I am aware that our storyboards consist of a supposed man walking down the corridor; therfore it is probably best that we look for a corridor and a room to shoot for our title sequence.

More typography fonts for our title sequence

Below is another few typography ideas in which we as a group have created.

Why have we decided to create more typography ideas?

We as a group have created more typography fonts mainly so that we will have a selection of different ideas when it comes to editing our title sequence. The fact that we have created more typography fonts evidently proves that our group is versatile and hard-working.

What is the purpose of using different fonts in our title sequence?

The purpose of using different fonts in our title sequence is that our target audience will get/receive an insight to what our film is about, judging by the look of the typography we have created and endorsed.



Below are our American style fonts. We have organised our typography fonts into two sections. These sections being American & Russian.








The above font was created by group member Sam. Sam created this American style font by accessing the font website entitled DaFont.com.

What do I like about this font?

• The font is bold; therefore it shall attract our target audience even more mainly because it is eye-catching and meaningful.



• The font is rather attractive. The font looks attractive through the way the letters have been designed. For example the lettering seems retro and old-school, however at the same time the font feels modern and recent.
  
  

This American style font has also been created by group member Sam. In addition, this font was also created with our groups supervision, guidance and input.

What do I like about this font?

• I like the fact that this font has an energetic and powerful look towards it.



• This particular font also seems incredibly American. Therefore this shall benefit us as a group mainly because by using this font, our title sequence shall be more identifying and prolific.
  

Russian Style Fonts:

Blow are two more Russians style fonts in which we as a group created.

This Russian style font was also created by popular font website Dafont.com. As a group, we have decided to create almost all of our typography fonts with Dafont mainly because Dafont is reliable and effective.


What do I like about this font?

• This font is easily recognizable; therefore this shall make our whole title sequence seem recognizable by using this piece of typography font.



• This font also seems effective as it is unique and has a signature feel towards it.

This is the second of two Russians tyle fonts we have created during the holidays. This typography font is also of course a Russian Style font in which was created with Dafont.

What do I like about this font?

• The font is eye-catching as it is not your 'regular used font'.


• The lettering is distinctively Russian in which makes the typography more meaningful and useful.