Dream Chaser - Opening Sequence

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

During my journey i managed to learn a lot about camera work, edits, mise-en-scene and audio. As i compare my preliminary task with my final opening sequence it is evidential to notice the skills i picked up.

Firstly within my preliminary task i used very simple camera shots and angles as i didn't know about the variety of shots that can be used. As i did my research i managed to learn more and more about camera work and i managed to put them into practice within my opening sequence. I included high and low angles at all low, medium and long distance. I also included an advance establishing shot to show off what i have learnt.

Edits were used in my preliminary task but they were very simple and nothing to be proud of. They included simple straight cuts and the time between each cut was very long and out of time with the audio. I managed to learn advanced editing skills that are now used in my opening sequence. These included different styles of fades and the editing time is now in line with the audio, creating a better flow.

I focused very hard on mise-en-scene this time around as it wasn't considered much in my preliminary exercise. I made sure that my characters were in suitable clothing. This included dark clothing for my mysterious antagonist and bright casual clothing for my protagonist. The location was also considered as i wanted it to fit in with the genre well. A deserted car park is the main location used for my sequence as it allows tension to be built, due to the fact that nobody else is around. Props and lighting was also looked over to make the sequence as realistic as it can be. Natural lighting, a teddy bear and a tape was included as they fitted into the narrative very well and were essential.

Diegetic and non-diegetic sounds were used in my opening sequence to help engage my audience. A score were used to keep the ears busy as well as the eyes. I made sure that the score matched well with the visuals so i used a emotional tension building soundtrack. Non-diegetic sounds were also used as it helps the audience engage with the sequence. No dialog were used but I did involve sounds from the world e.g. the door opening from the escalator.

In conclusion it is obvious to see that i have learnt a lot throughout my journey. I was able to show off my skills in my final project from advanced editing to special effects, which i wasn't able to do in my preliminary task.

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

In my process of constructing my opening sequence i managed to learn about many technologies as i managed to use different types of systems and softwares.

Apple Mac - I've never used a Mac before i came into Park High sixth-form as I'm use to using basic HP systems. This was a whole new experience for me but i managed to get use to the drastic change very quickly. The Mac allows many actions to be performed in easy efficient ways and provides great video editing software (Final Cut). This soft

Final Cut - This allowed me to put together video shots that i have recorded within my video shoot. It also enabled me to add opening titles and put great effects onto my video clips i.e. colour corrector. Once i finished my project i was able to export it into a high quality video clip (M-p4 file)

Camera - I used a Sony DCR-SR58E camera which provided me with top quality recordings. It's a handheld camera which contains many features i.e. lighting edits. I was able to capture excellent shots and perform some good camera angles due to the flexibility of the hand healed device.


Garage band - This was also used to try put sounds together to make a nice sound track, this was very difficult to get use to as it takes a lot of time and effort but i manage to put together some great sounds.

Live type - An excellent software provided by the Mac allowing me to create opening titles very easily. I managed to create an excellent opening title for my movie name (Dream Chaser) using this software. I used moving text and an excellent text font for this title.

How would you attract/address your audience?

How would you attract/address your audience? on Prezi

Who would be the audience for your media product?

I decided to carry out some research, helping me find out who would want to watch my movie. I asked students questions about my film after showing them my opening sequence. These questions included both open and close questions:

• What did you like about the opening sequence?
• Would you purchase this film on release?
• What format would you purchase this film in if you was to? (DVD / Blu-Ray / Other)
• Would you show your friends the opening sequence?
• What age group or social group do you feel the film targets?

Once i retrieved all my answers i figured many students within my six form really enjoyed the opening sequence and seemed to like the special effects used a lot. They stated that they would show their friends and ask them to go watch the movie together. 80% of the students asked stated that they feel the movie is targeted at middle / lower classed individuals aged 15+. Our original targeted audience is 12A as we wanted more people to have access to the movie.

In conclusion with the research carried out I figured our audience will be lower/ middle classed individuals aged 12+ (with adult) or 15+ without.

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

If i had the opportunity to get my film distributed it would most likely be done by a small UK film institution e.g. Warp Films. The reason for this is because of the low budget spent in the production of the film and small reputation that my production company have. Not a lot of money was available for a top quality film to be produced meaning we had to resort to using small named actors. Large Hollywood institutions such as Warner Bros would not distribute this film as there is no reason why they should, not a lot of money would be generated and there's nothing that would attract a wide audience e.g. big name directors or actors. Therefor i have concluded that a small UK institution would distribute my media product. I would then have to think about ways of generating revenue within my media product through my target audience. I would have to focus on figuring out the best ways to distribute my movie. This could be done through the following

• Creating a movie trailer to advertise my movie, showing the best clips within the film making it as appealing to my target audience as possible.

• The movie can also be advertised on television, newspapers and any local transport e.g. on a bus. 

• Product tie-ins can also be used, helping us grab a wider audience. This can be shown on cans of coke or sweet packets.

I would also like to be sure that my film gets exhibited into many different formats, allowing my audience to watch my film in many different ways. The film should also be exhibited on  DVD and Blu-ray and in the cinemas, giving my target audience the best quality that technology can provide and a wide selection of how and where to watch the film e.g. at home or in the cinema.

How does your media product represent certain social groups?

My media product represents social groups stereo typically as my dark, face covered antagonist is the individual who begins the disturbance while my brightly dressed protagonist in the one who is innocent. If my target audience saw the two characters without any narrative they will instantly know who is the hero and who is the villain. This is because of the way they are represented through mise-en-scene. Their clothing and behavior instantly gives away their character roles.