Marking Classmate's Work

In groups, we watched other classmate's work and marked them depending on their use of skills and technical ability.

Group 1- Alexandra, Demi, Stephanie and Sareena

We gave this group a high Level 3, Mark 42 as we felt they showed good skills with their work.  They used a variety of shots, their plot was simple but followed the point of the task given and the camera work was good with some steady shots. The sound was suitable and the dialogue was simple and understandable. To improve, we believed that they could have faded the non-diagetic into the diagetic better and clearer. Overall it was a well-filmed piece and was suitable for the task in hand.

Group 2- Heather, Laura, Brogan and Sam

We gave this group a level 3, Mark 38, we felt that the plot was relavant and they used a decent range of shots but the editing wasn't particularly fluid.Their was some steady shots and the variety of shots were good, but the editing wasn't great and the cuts do not run smoothly in some places. Also the non-diagetic music dissapears before the end of the film which also shows the film to have less fluidity. To improve, we believe that this group could have improved the smoothness of the editing.

Group 3- Jessica, Luke, Hannah and Serena

We gave this group a Level 2, Mark 32, we felt that this group showed a basic set of skills but did not show any particular advanced skills at any point in the piece. The dialogue was too quiet and was hard to interpret, also the editing wasn't very good and showed no clarity. To improve their grade, this group could have made the no-diagetic sound more effective and increased the volume of their dialogue.

Continuity Editing Task Storyboard

We were given the challenge to storyboard and film a continuity editing task, it had to last aproximately 60 seconds and we had to use different skills to include certain features.

The basic and key skills we had to include:

Basic skills:
Holding a steady shot.
Framing a shot accurately.
Editing with clarity and continuity.

Key Skills:
Including a “shot-reverse-shot.”
Not breaking the “180 degree rule.”
Including a correctly framed “two shot.”

Before filming, we gathered our ideas and then created a storyboard.
This is our Storyboard of our continuity Task:

The Script for our continuity Task:

Person A- "Hi Mr Thumblequeef, you wanted to see me?"

Person B- “Yes, take a seat Mr. Merryfiddler.

Person A- "Is everything ok?"

Person B- "Another worker told me you have been vandalising the toilets. Is this true?"

Person A- "Errm, Well..."

Person B- "You’re Fired!"

Person A- "You’re an arsehole!"

Person B- "I know Mr Merryfiddler, I know."

Thriller Genre Conventions

What are the conventions of the Thriller Genre?

One convention of the thriller genre is the excitement. Thriller movies entice the audience and aims to keep them excited and 'on the edge of their seats'. Thriller films often feature fast paced scenes where the audience are made to gain a building anxciety and which keeps them thrilled.

Another convention of the thriller genre is a villain or an evil character with bad intentions. Many thriller movies follow this convention because the use of a villian creates excitement for the audience, this is because of the rivalry created between good and bad. This is because the audience grow a sort of 'relationship' with the protagonist and feel anxcious when the villain sets out to attack the their character.

A third convention of the thriller genre is the triumph of the protagonist. Thriller movies follow this convention because a lot of the film's content will feature the villain setting out to attack the protagonist, which makes the audience feel anxcious. So when the protagonist eventually triumphs at the end of the movie, the audience gain a sense of relief.

Analysis of Three Film Trailers

Analysing Three Film Trailers

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

Editing: Alot of fading is used in the trailer to introduce the setting. Then slow cuts are used to show the characters, then the pace of the editing is increased to show the growing intensity of the action.

Sound: The trailer begins with slow paced non-diagetic music until Voldemort is seen, then Voldemort is heard saying “Harry Potter, the boy who lives, come to die.” Then after he casts a spell the non-diagetic music suddenly grows in pace and volume. Then for the duration of the trailer, the frantic music continues with some dialogue intervals. At the end of the trailer, the music changes to the trademark Harry Potter theme music as the trailer finishes.

Spiderman 3

Editing: At the beginning of the trailer a sequence of editing is used,  firstly there is use of fading, then there is a series of panning and tracking. Then lots of fast paced cuts are used to show character expression, then the pace of the cuts decreases as dialogue is shown. Then for the duration of the trailer fast and slow paced cuts are used, some fading is also used later on in the trailer.

Sound: While the characters and setting are being introduced, non-diagetic music is played which starts quiet but grows in pace and volume. Then the non-diagetic music stops and diagetic dialogue is heard, then the music plays again. For the rest of the trailer, the music grows in intensity while parts of dialogue are heard in between, then at the end of the trailer the music builds up into a crescendo as the trailer ends.

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Editing: The trailer begins with a panning shot of the shire, then a sequence of fading is used to introduce the setting. A zooming shot is then used when the ring is shown, this is to highlight the importance of the ring. A sequence of slow paced cuts are used to introduce characters and setting, the pace of the cuts grow and lots of fading is also used.

Sound: Throughout most of the trailer, the character Gandalf is heard narrating. As the non-diagetic narration stops, diagetic dialogue between the characters is then heard. The dialogue is present throughout the trailer, with non-diagetic music playing which grows in intensity. The music suddenly stops as Gandalf is heard shouting “You Shall Not Pass!” this brings an end to the trailer.

What Is Genre?

A set of conventions thta are recognisable, usually through iconography, familiar narrative, mise-en-scene, actors, and style of representation.

Genres are not static but constantly renegotiated between industry and audience - a combination of familiar reassurance and new twists.

A creative strategy used by film producers to ensure audience identification with a film - a means of trying to predict risk.

Genre is a way of working through important myths and fears of repetition, variation and resolution.

Genre offers comforting reassurance in an uncomfortable world. Threat is quashed, outlaws become civilized, gangsters are punished. Genre is a way of tidying up the mess of life.

Genre functions like a language - a set of rules and vocabulary with which to ornagise meaning.

Wired's iPad Lauch

On the 27^th May 2010, Wired magazine launched their app on the iPad. It was largely consumed and quick to be labelled as the beginning of a new era in publishing. In the first 24 hours it was downloaded an average of 17 times a minute, netting 24,000+ paid subscriptions. Over the next few days it was named “App of the Week”, which made it the first media brand to achieve this nomination. It remained at the top of the paid apps chart for five consecutive days. After three weeks since the release, the app had sold 90,000+ copies – which exceeded the average monthly newsstand sales of the print edition.

Why was it so successful?

·        One reason why the launch was so successful was due to the minimal amount of magazine apps available on the iPad during the time of Wired’s launch. Therefore when the app was launched, many consumers were eager to download it.

·        The digital edition of Wired is cheaper than the print edition.

·        The app uses new and advanced publishing technology, which attracts consumers.

·        Interesting exclusive features.

The Word Magazine

The Word Magazine is a monthly music magazine which is published in The United Kingdom. It has been voted 'Music Magazine of the year' twice, once in 2007 and again in 2008. It was first published in 2003 by Development Hell Ltd, the editor of the magazine is Mark Ellen.

Content

The magazine is divided into two sections. The first features photographs and interviews, while the second section focuses on reviews of CDs, DVDs, books and films.

Exclusive regular features in The Word Magazine are:

• 'Diary' - The editor Mark Ellen talks about current events.
• 'Face Time' - This is an interview section.
• 'Word of Mouth' - People's interests.
• 'Departure Lounge' - Obituaries & stories.
• 'Word of the Wise' - An individual interview.
• 'Inbox' - Letters to the editor.
• 'The Last Word' - Reviews section.

Each issue comes with a free feature CD called 'Now Hear This', which showcases 15 songs from forthcoming music releases.


Information

First Publish: February 2003

Publisher: Development Hell Ltd

Editor: Mark Ellen

Region: United Kingdom

Genre: Music

Target Audience: Male & Female, 30+

Publishing pattern: Weekly

Price: £4:50

 The Word Weekly

The magazine also has a weekly online podcast which has gained a large number of followers and is fronted by editor; Mark Ellen and one of the publishers; David Hepworth. The object of the podcast is to keep the followers informed and entertained, it features contributions from other members of The Word Magazine.