A2 Short Film - "IN UNISON"

Here is my A2 Short Film, "IN UNISON". This is the completed version of the film.

I hope you enjoy it! :)

A2 Ancillary Task - Review

Here is my final film review:


A2 Ancillary Task - Poster

Here is my final film poster:

 

 

 



EVALUATION: Question 4

How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?


(To be filmed and accompanied by images) 


 

EVALUATION: Question 3

What have you learned from your audience feedback?

I presented my final short film to a group of volunteers and asked them to answer questions I had prepared and to also share their opinions on the product. After reviewing their thoughts, I have learnt that their thoughts were mostly entirely positive, and that almost everybody's favourite part of the film was the elderly scene, and the music which accompanied it. 

For my Audience Response (posted below), I interviewed all females for their opinions. This was because it was easier to find females that were interested, which immediately reflected on my expected target audience, which was mostly females aged 15-25. Every individual in the video thoroughly enjoyed it and found it highly entertaining and emotional to watch.
For my questionnaire, I interviewed ten individuals who were mostly male. I had managed to find a male audience who were interested in films within the drama/romance genre, and they happily obliged and watched my short film. They all enjoyed the film, and only one had slightly more critical feedback, including "The acting was good. However, it (not always) seemed a bit unnatural." (this can be seen in the Open Questionnaire Slideshare below). These viewers also highlighted a point I had already anticipated, being the sound quality on some of the scenes. Despite this main point, everybody did enjoy the film and 9/10 of my audience members said that they would recommend the film to a friend.

In summary, I have learnt from my audience feedback that my target audience thoroughly enjoyed my film, and had no improvements for it. I have also learnt that males in particular were able to point out the minor flaws within the film, however did still enjoy it as a whole. I am glad about this, as they were still within the age range I had place my target audience at.

Earlier in the year, I completed my first draft of my short film. I showed it to four individuals and asked for their opinions, and put it into a Prezi. Here are my findings:



I also recorded my audience response once I had fully completed my film.

I also made two Powerpoints, one for the open questionnaire results, and one for the closed questionnaire results.

Open questionnaire answers from thegardenofedenhall

Closed questionnaire answers from thegardenofedenhall

EVALUATION: Question 2

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

Here's my filmed answer for question two!

UPDATE: A point not stated in the video is the importance of synergy within the Media industry. Not only does the use of social media and billboards help publicise a film, but the usage of synergy is also a massive factor within this. For example, X-Men: Days of Future Past, teamed up with Mountain Dew energy drink to provide exposure for each other. The Mountain Dew advert played in cinemas and featured the X-Men characters edited into the liquid from the bottle. At the end of the video, the release date for the film is featured, with the film logo accompanying it. Mountain Dew energy drink have a predicted target audience of young males, which is the same target audience as the X-Men films. These two brands fit together nicely as Mountain Dew fans will watch the advert and take interest in the film that matches their interest, and X-Men fans will take interest in Mountain Dew as their favourite characters feature in the advert. The use of synergy is an extreme method of exposure for a film and can reel in quite a large amount of individuals into cinema seats. Synergy is a vital part of the filmmaking and film distribution process, and when compiled with every other form of distribution, they end up with a film with plenty of exposure and publicity, resulting in countless seats sold in a cinema from multiple people form several different target audiences.

Here is the Mountain Dew advert (although this particular video is in another language, however you can see what I've described. Sorry about that!):

EVALUATION: Question 1

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

Open Questionnaire Audience Answers

I have now collected all the answers and comments from my open questionnaire and have arranged them into a Powerpoint. I have included several comments and thoughts from each question.

Closed Questionnaire Audience Answers

I have collected my answers in and have presented them in pie charts.

Here they are:

 

 



Audience Closed Questionnaire

In addition to my open questionnaire, I also composed a closed questionnaire for my audience to fill in.

 

Here is my closed questionnaire:

 

 

“In Unison” – Eden Hall’s Short Film

Thanks for watching my short film! Please answer this short questionnaire if possible. This will help me evaluate my short film and improve for future films.

Please circle the information that best describes you or your views. Thanks!

AGE:

14-17                                         18-21                                         22-25                                         25+

 

GENDER:

MALE                 FEMALE                 OTHER

 

1.      Did you enjoy “In Unison”?

 

Yes          No          Unsure

 

2.      Did you enjoy the storyline of “In Unison”?

 

Yes          No          Unsure

 

3.      Was the storyline of “In Unison” clear to follow?

 

Yes          No          Unsure

 

4.      Did you like the locations used in “In Unison”?

 

Yes          No          Unsure

 

5.      Would you recommend “In Unison” to others?

 

Yes          No          Unsure

 

6.      On a scale of 1 (being the weakest) to five (being the strongest), how would you rate the acting in “In Unison”?

 

1                    2                    3                    4                   5

 

7.      Which parts of the film did you feel were the strongest?

(You may circle multiple options)

 

Acting                    Music Choice                    Shot Range                    Narrative

 

8.      Which parts of the film did you feel were the weakest?

(You may circle multiple options)

 

Acting                    Music Choice                    Shot Range                    Narrative

 



Audience Open Questionnaire

I composed an open questionnaire for my audience members to complete once they had watched my short film.

Here is my open questionnaire:

 

 

“In Unison” – Eden Hall’s Short Film

 

Thanks for watching my short film “In Unison”! I would greatly appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to fill in this questionnaire concerning my short film. This will help me evaluate and improve my future work.

 

Age:                    Gender:

1.       Did you enjoy the short film? If so, why?

 

 

 

 

 

2.       What was your favourite part of the short film?

 

 

 

 

3.       What were your views on the storyline of “In Unison”?

 

 

 

 

4.       Were there any parts of “In Unison” that you didn’t understand?

 

 

 

 

5.       What is your opinion on the locations used in “In Unison”?

 

 

 

6.       What is your opinion on the acting?

 

 

 

 

7.       Would you recommend “In Unison” to others? If so, why?

 

 

 

8.       What is your opinion on the music used in “In Unison”?

 

 

 

9.       Which parts of “In Unison” were most effective? Why is this?

 

 

 

10.   Which parts of “In Unison” were least effective? Why is this?

 

 

 

11.   Do you have any extra comments?

 

 



Ancillary Task - Film Review (Screenshot 7)

After checking it over, it came to my attention that I hadn't used the correction proportions for the "Little White Lies" magazine. After some corrections after receiving some feedback from my teacher and peers, I have resulted in this film review. I might need to correct a few aspects, and I need to fix the photo as it still includes the temporary photo, however I am currently quite happy with this.

 



Audience Response of my First Draft

I have completed my first draft of my short film. I asked four individuals to watch it and give me their opinions so that I could accommodate my audience and provide them with what they want to see.

Here is the Prezi to present their opinions:

 



Ancillary Task - Film Review (Screenshot 6)

Regarding my previous post, I have now tried placing the image on my review instead of the poster. I prefer it on here, as although it is a nice image, I don't feel it is appropriate for a film poster.

 

This image has not been fully edited, hence the jagged edges on the individuals, and the background, which is only temporary.

 



Changes to the Script

Due to some filming issues, I've had to rewrite the script to some extent. The segment I had to rewrite is the first scene involving Emily and Thomas as children.

When rereading my script, I decided that the first scene was possibly the weakest. For this reason, I decided to write the scene as Rebecca Graham and David Connelly meeting for the first time. Emily (Rebecca) is dancing in the school theatre, and Thomas (David) accidentally stumbles across her whilst trying to find a place to practice. Emily strikes up a conversation, connoting her confidence, and Thomas shyly replies. By the end of the scene, Thomas and Emily move into a starting dance position which leads into the second scene where the two are in a dace competition.

 

I have filmed this scene and I am much happier with this alteration is it felt much more doable compared to my first idea.

Ancillary Task - Film Poster (Screenshot 11)

Unfortunately, I have ran slightly behind my filming and working schedule due to clashing of free time between myself and the actors. However, yesterday I was able to take photos of the two in order to get my Ancillary Tasks completed as soon as possible. I am currently trying out this photo, however I am tempted to try it out on my article, rather than for the poster. I don't feel it has a strong enough impact to be the poster.

I also have a dance studio image in the background, however, this is just a photo from the internet as I have not yet had the opportunity to take photos of backgrounds.

 



Ancillary Task - Film Review (Screenshot 5)

I have changed my film review layout quite significantly. I have changed the positioning of the title, as well as adding the "directed by" segments, etc. I have also made the text smaller so i could fit the ratings in the corner.

 



Teenage Dance Scene (Behind the Scene Shots)

((Hi to my new Romanian friends!!)) Over the school half term, I came into school to film one of my scenes. Another student, Oliver, came to take some behind the scenes shots for me. Here they are.

 

 

Significant Changes

Unfortunately, Jordan will no longer play Emily in my short film. This is due to our clashing schedules and a significant amount of work on both parts. We decided that it was for the best that I recast the part of Emily. I have now cast Rebecca Graham. Rebecca is a hardworking and enthusiastic student who is passionate about acting, and so I know that I can rely on her.

 

 

This is Rebecca.

Ancillary Task - Film Review (Screenshot 4)

As I am creating my review to look as though it featured in "Little White Lies", I am beginning to adapt my article to their stereotypical expectations. I have started by splitting the text into three columns, rather than two, which is how I originally had it.

 



What's Next?

The next section that I am planning to film is the adult confession scene. This wont take long to film as it will only be a few different shots (a few close ups, a two shot tracking shot, etc.) and isn't a long scene.

Ancillary Task - Film Poster (Screenshot 10)

I am currently unsure if I'm going to keep the stars. If I am, I am also undecided if I would like the keep all of the stars yellow, or if I'd like to make some of the stars white, as shown below.

 



Ancillary Task - Film Poster (Screenshot 9)

I have added several hand drawn  stars to the poster. I wanted to give off a "Silver Linings Playbook" poster vibe, with the hand drawn images, however I am currently unsure as of whether or not I'm keeping them.

 



Ancillary Task - Film Review (Screenshot 3)

I have increased the font size of the text, and have added "Written by Connor Thompson, Chief Editor" to the end of the text.

 



Ancillary Task - Film Poster (Screenshot 8)

I have now added two film reviews and a website link.

 



Ancillary Task - Film Review (Screenshot 2)

I have completed the writing for my film review article. I now need to take the photo to complete it.

 



Ancillary Task - Film Review (Screenshot 1)

I am currently working on both of my ancillary tasks. My blog might become slightly confusing over the following how ever many posts whilst I update my poster, film review, and filming schedule. I'm apologising in advance!

 

This is my first screenshot of my film review article. I am maintaining the simplicity of the poster, and maintaining the basic colour scheme.

 

Ancillary Task - Film Poster (Screenshot 7)

I have now added "JORDAN THOMPSON" and "DAVID CONNELLY" to the poster. I have included their names as if they had a large fanbase, their fans would immediately see the film if they saw that they featured in it.

 



Ancillary Task - Film Poster (Screenshot 6)

I have now added film credits at the bottom of the poster. I am contemplating over whether or not I should move it to the right or keep it in the centre.

 



Ancillary Task - Film Poster (Screenshot 5)

I have now added awards onto the poster in yellow, ensuring that they stand out against the black. I have also added "JUNE 2015" to the bottom of the poster, also in yellow, standing out once again.

 

I quite like my poster at the moment. I feel it isn't too modern, whilst it isn't vintage. It is in a general time setting, appropriate as my short film is set within many periods.

 



Ancillary Task - Film Poster (Screenshot 4)

(Happy 100th post!!) I have currently settled with the title "In Unison"; a dance term which means to do something together. I have also added "A film by Eden Hall", to enhance the authenticity of the poster.

Ancillary Task - Film Poster (Screenshot 3)

I decided that I strongly disliked the colour, title, and and title font of the poster, and so I started again. I decided to go for a black background, so that I could have white and yellow text, standing out from the background, catching the audiences eye. The white box is where I plan on inserting a photo or several.

 

Teenage Dialogue Scene - FILMED!

I have now filmed the dialogue scene for the teenage segment of my short film. I have created this slide show to show some pictures I took during filming.

(PODCAST) Filming Update

Today I'm filming with Connor Dalrymple (who has volunteered to help with sound on my short film) and my two leading actors, Jordan and David. We are filming one of the teenage scenes, and one of the adult scenes. I have recorded a podcast to explain this further.

Ancillary Task - Film Poster (Screenshot 2)

I am considering using a blue as a background colour, if the photo I take doesn't have an appropriate background. Thinking about it, I have my doubts as of whether or not ill use a block colour instead of an image's background.

 

I have also began to try thinking of a name for the short film. At the moment, I am considering the name currently shown, 'Laissez-faire', which translates as "The policy of leaving things to take their own course, without interfering".

 



Ancillary Task - Film Poster (Screenshot 1)

I have decided to make my poster at the size of a landscape A4 sheet. I am using Photoshop to create my poster.

 

Here is a screenshot to show the plain beginning. I will screenshot each time that I make progress.

 

Film Poster Analysis (Ancillary Task Research)

Here is a PowerPoint with several analysed film posters.