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

I used various different media technologies during the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages. One of these new media technologies which really helped me along the way was the Final Cut Pro software as it enabled us to do many of our effects and sounds that another editing software may not have been able to offer us. The types of cameras used also helped us out when it came to the whereabouts that we filmed, being in the middle of Reeth Moor and inside the Mine made us have to use specialist equipment, and the GoCam helped us out greatly when it came to the night vision shots, obviously we had to create the night vision effect through final cut pro, however the little cameras strapped to the actors chests  made it possible to get the right close up we required. Also using the hand-held spotlight helped us out loads inside the mine when it came to the filming of the GoCam as without the spotlight the camera couldn't pick up the image effectively if we were to convert it into night vision. The tripod also helped us when it came to keeping the camera steady and to get the effective shots such as the high angle shot looking down at the cyclists. Also photoshop helped when it came to the poster and magazine front cover however such skills needed for it was acquired during the AS stage creating my Music Magazine. Learning how to operate Prezi has also been beneficial and another way to portray work without just simply writing it; also uploading to youtube presentations and other media related stuff has also opened a new window for me when presenting work within a blog or to the youtube audience.
I would say now that I have a extremely better understanding of various different types of media technologies, and how to operate them to the maximum proficiency wanted for the project; this varies from the editing progress and how to create certain effects in Final Cut Pro, to the actual filming of the footage and how to operate the cameras, download the footage and store it effectively.

What have you learnt from your audience feedback?

One of our group members created a Facebook event, and we invited a few members from all of our
friends list which gave us a wide variety of people answering the audience feedback; here is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/events/156750334453288/

I have learnt what people liked and disliked about the trailer, and a common suggestion that is cropped up is that the logo of Dawstop Productions should be shown for longer on screen, therefore enforcing and verifying the name of the production company. On the other hand we have had many comments telling us about how effective the shots were such as the sepia photo that is taken and leaves us on a still of them. Another comment explained how the sound created suspense and I personally think as well that sound was a massive role when it came to creating suspense and tension. I have also leanrt through audience feedback (well what has been said) is that we need to show sonme of the shots for a longer time however I think that suspense wont be created the same; I also thinkon this point that our trailer is sucessful as the audience wasnt to see more, and really thats what a trailer is all about- advertising the film.
I also interviewed a few people about the teaser trailer and they gave me various different answers:

Adam Simpson, aged 16

"I think its good, I especially like the shot looking down on the characters riding on the path. The trailer gets more intense throughout, and the music works very well when creating the suspense. Personally I would have shown the Dawstop Production Logo longer, and maybe shown the separation of the gang before they entered the mine. I also think that the entrance to the mine looks too friendly as well."

Jenny Addyman, aged 16

"The effects you created such as the handheld camera distorting was great, and hinted the scenes to come. The night-vision shots were also good, and the actors showed fear very well. Only thing I would've changed was the shot of the characters coming out of the car, as it didn't really go with the music, however later on it revived it, and the shots went well with it. Overall well done Tom!" 

Ivo Thomas, aged 17

"I think the sepia photo I think it was, was very effective and let us see the actors faces but in a way as if they are now in the past, maybe showing us that they have gone missing. Great shots of the actors riding, and the scenery goes very well with the theme shown in the trailer. Leaves you in suspense and wanting to watch more. I wouldn't change anything, as I think you've done very well in creating the atmosphere."

Paul Simpson, aged 43

"Brilliant, really leaves you in suspense and intrigued to find out 'why they can't handle it'. Makes me want to know what happens next. The music was very effective when it came to the build up of tension, and it reminds me a bit of the Blaire Witch Project. Good is that!"

As you can see there were a variety of views about the trailer, however mostly positive remarks which makes me think that what I've learnt from my audience feedback is that the suspense/tense atmosphere we tried so hard to create has really paid off, and the audience seem to really enjoy the build-up and leaving comments saying how they want to see more. There have been a few comments that imply changes should have been made in their opinion, for example Adam said the Dawstop Productions logo should have been shown longer and as I said before this was a very common remark made, so if I was to change our trailer again, maybe another second added to the logo wouldn't do any harm. Overall however I would say that the main thing that I have learnt through my audience feedback is that the trailer created suspense, added tension, shots that intrigued the audience and made them want to watch more and the sound really complimented that matter, so what I would say is that I have learnt that the genre and theme of our trailer project really appeals to the mass audience, and I think that with the right technology and better equipment, the idea of the film would actually be a good one, and I think people would actually go watch this, as its not just a scary film, but it shows emotions of the characters and the dark situation that they have to go through, and this appeals to practically everyone. In the feedback no one has actually said its awful and I personally wouldn't see it, which also backs up the idea of the film being a mass audience production, as otherwise the reactions would vary dramatically therefore making it a niche audience production. However overall I think that my group and I have done very well in achieving this goal, and only minor corrections would be made, as the general reaction is that its good!

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

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

Final Edit of our Trailer

My Magazine Front Cover.

This is my Magazine Front Cover which has an "exclusive interview" with one of the cast members. There are various matters that would draw the audience's attention towards this magazine front cover, and one of the biggest ones would be the magazine title, as it is in a bright navy blue, and the name "New Era" would be well known within the magazine industry, and thus drawing attention to it. There is also little aspects that would draw the audience' attention for example the free poster inside, and the chance to win a visit to behind the scenes of the new Batman film; such things would draw some people in as they would like that opportunity to do so. The title Beneath would also be recognisable as well, due to other advertisements shown through billboards, tv and posters etc, and this could be one of the main talking points at the time, and to see that title being included in the magazine front cover in the recognisable font would instantly draw the target audience towards the cover, and intrigue them into the extra information about "behind the scenes" of the film. The actors face would also be recognisable due to him being a star in the film, as well as the advertising making him more recognisable throughout the media, and seeing him in this friendly, casual pose would maybe intrigue the audience into finding out the side of the actor you don't really see in the dark, sinister film. The colours I think, also bring the front cover to life, as they are the colours of the scenery the film is based in, and to see brightness within the dark, dull background would show the lighter, human side to Arte Dawson, that a fan of the film would very much like to get to know.

Analysising my Film Poster.

For my film poster, I did a poster very much like the paranormal activity film trailer, of the "night vision" effect. I took the image of a cinema audience and then with photoshop created the night vision effect by putting a green filter on in, desaturating it, changing the opacity and also editing the contrast. Once that had been done, I printscreened the image on the cinema screen from the footage we have for trailer where the character is entering the mine, and as you can see it is the shot that the actor enters the darkness, which  intrigues the audience and doesn't give anything away, as the audience want to know what is inside the entrance, and what lies beneath the darkness. You can also see that I have brightened the outside of the mine to emphasise the darkness of the tunnel and how he is leaving the light to enter this shrouded, mysterious zone. As you can see I have also included the audience in the cinema, as it shows the reaction of them, and how they are very much drawn to the screen; even though it doesn't show the reactions of the people, I think the audience filled up in the cinema shows that its a mass audience film and the way they are all drawn to the screen shows the great interest in the action on it, therefore making the people looking at the poster want to watch it. The title "Beneath" is central, showing the clear name to the audience and drawing attention to it, however not overpowering the cinema screen, as that is the main focus in the poster. You could say that I didn't use the rule of thirds, however I didn't really want that in this particular shot, as I wanted the cinema screen to represent it being the centre of attention, and hopefully being a talking point within conversation amongst people, and as you know word of mouth is one of the best types of advertising you can get. It also has at either side of the screen ratings from 'big names' in the industry for example "The Times" and "New Era", and this would also draw attention as if such names brand this film with a 5*, the audience would automatically think it should be good as big names such as these wouldn't say so otherwise. The institutional information is also there showing all the big names in the directory industry and the company name of Dawstop Productions may also appeal to the people looking at the poster, as a lot of advertisements claim to have the same producers as "Saw" for example, and this would draw the niche audience from that type of film to this one.