Pre-production report

During the course of the preproduction we have created the storyline and all the paperwork that was needed to create the opening sequence to the film we have created. We have made a plot of the film we have called “The Woods” in which we have defied the stereotypical murder villain of a male to be a female. We initially had the choice of thriller, horror and action. We decided against action because it would be very difficult to film the areas of action that we would need in the opening sequence. We would also need a larger budget to perform all of the scenes to create a decent action film. We also decided against horror because there are very few aspects that we could cover without going along with traditional conventions. So we decided to go with thriller because there are the physical and psychological aspects to cover. In the decision to create a plot we began thinking about how we could break traditional conventions of a thriller. We decided we should create the plot around the setting and began thinking where we could create a decent thriller that would leave viewers in suspense. We decided to use an area that is close to school and would be easily accessible with the equipment. We created a list of where we could film and whether it would be a good location. We decided we could use the woods, the common or the school. We thought against the school because it would be too noise and would not be a suitable location because there would always be people moving around. This left us with the common or the woods; we decided that the woods would be more suitable because it would create an eerie and daunting atmosphere. Although we decided against the common we thought that it would be a good area to start filming because it shows him moving into the woods and not just appearing there. Both of these are easily accessible with equipment and would be easy to film there because there would not always be people in the way. There was also the big decision that would influence the plot of the characters. We wanted to break away from conventions and have a female killer and a male victim. Then we created a plot revolving around the characters and the location. We decided initially to have the victim walking and just getting hit and waking up to see his would be killer at the top of a ridge. But from feedback we discovered that people did not like this idea and would prefer a psychological thriller in which the victim would psych himself out before he meets his killer. This caused us to have to re-create the storyboard, plot, treatment and shot list. This was a process that took a lot of time and caused a lot of time to be wasted in which we could be filming and editing. Overall I think that the decisions that we made were easily done and didn’t cause any major issues other than the one stated. The creation of the documents was a long process and had to be adapted to the standards of other group members and peers. This was a major time consumer and allowed a lot of time to be wasted. Overall I think that it went well but took a long time.

Post-Production Report

After we had finished filming we began to edit our footage. To do this we first had to log it. This was a very long and time consuming process that didn't really seem too important to us. Although this helps us to find where each shot starts and ends, we didnt really use it because it was difficult because there was a break in time so as we entered the data we had go to each time area and it ended up being quicker to capture manually.
This too was a very long and daunting process but one that had to be done none the less. Although capturing was easy some of the shots would not move from camera to computer due to the break in time. Due to the amount we had re-filmed we had a lot more to capture than most groups

Production Report

After finishing all our pre-production documentation we were ready to film. To do this we would need more than lesson timetable. We decided dates on which to film although these were not always met. We initially decided to film everything on one day but this didn’t happen due to people being free at different times. We ended up filming on a Friday this was because everyone was free but we did not get it all filmed because we could not al stay for the same amount of time. We managed to get the drag and dell scenes filmed on the first day of filming this however was not good because we had not completed our largest scene. Although there were obvious continuity errors we could not re-film this scene on that day because it was too muddy and beginning to rain. We Managed to get the rest of the scenes filmed through half term these were reasonably easy to film because it was mainly just walking through the woods. There were very few errors in filming at this point except there were a few shots that were in point of view but we were told that this would lose all of the tension that we have built up to this point. Although we did not always stick to the shot list because at the time of filming we did not see the shots fit, we have ended with a lot of shots that are good enough to sort through and cut together to create tension. We initially thought we had captured all the shots we could need but whilst editing we got feedback from peers and Mrs Shipp that we should re-film areas because they didn't look right or gave too much away. We ended up filming over several days because we were being exceptionally fussy in which shots to take. we managed to complete all filming only two weeks before the Easter break. There were a few shots that turned out really well like the attack scene which through a fault which ended in the stick breaking has actually given the effect that the hit was harder than it really was which makes this shot more believable. Most of the shots that we have filmed in the first few days of filming we have re-filmed and discarded.

Pre-production documents

The risk assesment is one of the documents that we had to complete before we started the produciton. It outlines the possible areas that could go wrong and how we can prevent them. We use this when filming to make sure that both the equipment and the cast and crew are safe. in order to make sure that the equipment and crew are safe we must think of every possible problem we may encounter and find a precautionary measure we can take.

The shot list is one of the most important parts of the production. It allows you to create most other documents requires in the pre-production area. The shot list shows you what shots you need to film of each scene and a description of each. The shot list is very important because without it you could not produce a film because there would be a lack of information about each shot.

The shooting schedule is created from the shotlist by moving the shots around to the order in which we have filmed them. It shows us what we shot on each day. It allows us to back track and find out what we have done and what we havn't, it also allows us to know when we shot each part of the film and can help us if we dont know when we filmed certain areas.

The location recce is a very important document in pre-production it tells us where we can film. It also helps us to know whether we can get permission to film there, if there are any power sockets if we need to charge the camera and also we also know what kind of light there is in the areas, for example these shots are from the woods and the common we have discovered that there is no permission needed to film as the woods are not privately owned there are no plug sockets reducing the risk of tripping over wires but also means that we must do everything via battery power, it also tells us whether there is natural lighting, artificial lighting or no lighting.

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

Audience Feedback

During the process of getting audience feedback we screened our rough cut of our film to our peers and recorded their feedback. From personal reflection of our film there were a few issues with continuity due to the plastic bag we used to shield one of the actors from getting muddy. We found out the genre would be better expressed with the addition of music but is still expressed well at the moment. I don't think that we have given another option to whom the killer is but it was too late to change it. The film not exposing the killer as they strike the victim creates about who the killer is but as I said we haven't given any other option. The camera work of the film is mostly good with the exception of the handheld shots that was incredibly shaky. The mise-en-scene was good because the setting helps to establish the genre and also helped to build tension and anxiety. Both the sound and video quality were good and the levels of noise have been increased and reduced to make the sound stay at similar volumes and remove all interferences that were encounted. Before we screened the film to the class we re-filmed an area because we broke the 180 degree rule and have edited it to remove this shot and replace it with one that does not break the rule. The titles of the film are good and stay on there for a reasonable amount of time, the font that we have used is good as it helps elaborate on the genre. Overall I think that it is a good opening sequence and has improved due to the feedback we have received.

From other groups feedback we have received we have learned that the plastic bag that is still in the film is a major issue among our peers, other than that point the continuity of our film is good. A lot of the points that people picked out are similar to that I have. Most people also picked up on the establishment of the genre would be easier with music, but is easily established at the moment. There were also no major issues pointed out with the camera work except the shakiness of the handheld area. Although the titles were good there were a few problems with the names of the actors because they were put over areas of light and were in white. People wanted to keep watching the film because it left them in suspense and wanting to know what happens. Our peers said that the sound levels were good and that they did not notice the interference from the planes that were heard. Although they have said that the scenes of the victim walking through the woods seemed to drag on and got boring. Peers have also said that it creates and element of confusion about who the killer is which is a good thing, but does not allow for any other options.