Media Evaluation. Part 1.

In what ways does the media product use from lawrieleighpainter

Alice: Final Radio Trailer

This is our groups official radio trailer.

Alice: Film Production Logo

Alice: Film Poster Final

This is the final film poster for the 5 minute short film Alice.

Alice: First Draft Short Film

This is the first draft of our 5 minute short film 'Alice'. The first draft's purpose is to receive feedback from the audience. The data collected from the questionnaire will be used to improve the film.

Depending on the results from the questionnaire; re-filming and/or re-editing shots could take place which will create a much better finished film.

Feedback Questionnaire Results

Feedback Results

Feedback questionnaire

temp post - link to send out for questionnaire

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bWeceY5_CIEcCuPY4zhDhQnLkLF_iiHeyWMokHyWSqY/viewform

Research into Similar Films

The Devil Inside

The Devil Inside is a 2012 American supernatural horror film directed by William Brent Bell and written by Bell and Matthew Peterman. It is a documentary-style film about a woman who becomes involved in a series of exorcisms during her quest to determine what happened to her mother, a woman who murdered three people as a result of being possessed by a demon. It was released theatrically on January 6, 2012.

Here are some clips of the typical features and themes within The Devil Inside. Showing some elements of documentary style techniques to use and develop into our own film.






This scene works well in demonstrating documentary style elements, with the use of amateur-like camera use, mise en scene and diegetic sounds to create a very realistic effect. Similar to the ideas we have for our film.

Reviews

Screen Rant’s Ben Kendrick reviews The Devil Inside

The Devil Inside is presented as assembled found footage that follows twenty-something Isabella Rossi (Fernanda Andrade) as she reunites with her mother, Maria Rossi (Suzan Crowley), and searches for an exorcist that can free Maria of a long-running demon possession. Maria has been locked away in a Catholic psychiatric ward, following an attempted exorcism that resulted in the murder of three people 20 years prior.However, as Isabella spends more time with Maria in the ward, strange occurrences begin to escalate as a dormant evil finds a convenient batch of new visitors to terrorize.

Some moviegoers will no doubt be ready to compare The Devil Inside to the 2010 film The Last Exorcism – since  the film also features unique locales, documentary-style filmmaking, body-contorting horror sequences, and a weighty religious side-arc. In addition, The Devil Inside also relies on a similarly grounded tone – with a lot of exposition to fill out the story. Instead of the limited (horror in a box) scope and slow-burn pacing of the Paranormal Activity series, The Devil Inside employs larger sequences that feature characters rushing from room to room to uncover a mystery, or run for their lives. While the marketing might lead moviegoers to believe that the majority of the film takes place inside the Catholic psych ward, the film actually covers a surprising amount of Italian locales, while the exorcists’ “scientific” approach to freeing people of demon possession offers some fresh ideas – not to mention smart suspense cues.

Evan Helmuth as David in 'The Devil Inside'

The exorcisms in the film deliver some intriguing moments, but while there are definitely a number of jump scares throughout The Devil Inside, overall the “scariest” points tend to be less “frightening” and rely on expectation and tension more than in-your-face frights. The possibility of something terrible happening fuels most of the film’s best sequences – though, looking back, some horror fans may feel as though not a lot actually happens by the end of the various proceedings.

For better or for worse (depending on how much character drama a filmgoer wants in their found footage films), The Devil Inside spends a lot of time developing the primary characters – especially how the two main exorcists in the film feel about the Catholic church. David (Evan Helmuth) is a “company man” who, despite his frustrations with pastoral politics, believes in the church and identifies strongly with Catholic doctrine. Ben (Simon Quarterman), on the other hand, is the nephew of an accomplished exorcist – and feels that working outside of the church is the only way to truly help victims afflicted by demon possession. Along with the primary narrative arc involving Isabella, the movie spends a lot of time developing these side stories – all for very little payoff. As events unfold, The Devil Insidecompletely abandons character building and resolution in favor of “shocking” set pieces. One Ben-centric story bit is especially under served – even though it’s hinted at more than once. The result is an uneven narrative experience that’s front-loaded with too much exposition and ends without any real payoff for the mythos (or the characters). Similarly, audience members will probably find the film’s conclusion extremely abrupt or possibly outright infuriating – at least if they are hoping for an interesting (or exciting) climactic resolution.

Suzan Crowley as possessed mother Maria Rossi

That said, the most outright bizarre aspect of the film is the way that the “documentary” is actually presented onscreen. A number of segments feature hand-held camera work, via cameraman Michael (Ionut Grama), coupled with static security-like footage. However, on more than one occasion following close-up hand-held camera footage (i.e., Michael in the room filming), The Devil Insidecuts to one of the static shots ( where Isabella and Rosa are the only ones in the room, for example). While some moviegoers will no doubt consider this nitpicking, the success of “found footage” films is in their ability to (for a brief moment) attempt to trick the audience into believing that these things actually happened. As a result, anyone who is invested in how the film is being presented will likely be pulled out – due to the inconsistent strategies in presenting the footage.

The Devil Inside won’t break any new ground in the “found footage” horror genre, but it does offer some intriguing ideas about exorcism, a pair of interesting characters, and a number of tense (though not entirely frightening) moments. Overall, fans of the genre are likely to enjoy elements of the film – though, given the slow, exposition-heavy opening act and a TOTAL  lack of any ending or closure, many moviegoers will leave the theater feeling as though the experience wasn’t worth the ticket money.

Tricky Shot 'Dolly Zoom'

This 'dolly zoom' shot which is featured in the 1970's horror/thriller film 'Jaws'. This shot put you in the mind of the man in the frame. As his emotions are expressed by his facial expression which is zoomed in on, whilst the background is sent shooting backwards. This gives a psychedelic affect to the shot and suggests that the man has just seen something strange or terrifying. The human visual system uses size and perspective cues to judge the relative sizes of objects. If the human eye sees a perspective change or a size change is a visually disturbing effect. Depending on which way the dolly zoom effect is shot, can either make the background suddenly grow in size and detail which dominates the foreground. Or in this case the foreground becomes immense and overwhelms the rest of the surroundings. would be a brilliant shot to include in our 5 minute short film. Perhaps to show the facial expressions of a character who is also experiencing something strange and unordinary.

Character Profile

Background Info: 

Sophie Walker is 18 years old. She is an outcast from society; often found walking the streets of her town oblivious of the world around her. She rarely speaks to anyone but often is seen alone in clubs causing havoc and is extremely violent. Her violent nature has created a fear towards her in strangers and even the people who once loved her. The cause of this personality change cannot  be pin pointed as she was brought up as christian girl; well mannered, happy and a privileged upbringing. Sophie has been to many specialists and psychiatrists to diagnose her 'condition'. Her condition has always been her excuse for everything she's done wrong. 

Physical Appearance:

Sophie is very tall, has short black hair and is extremely pale. She tends to wear anything black and often wears dark lipstick and very dark eyeshadow in contrast to her pale skin. She seems to create the 'gothic' look. Sophie is also very thin and tall. Its interesting to see that she never smiles, she always seems gloomy and annoyed. As though she is looking for a victim.

Interests

Her interests include metal music, art and reading. She's very reserved and hard to entertain. 

Role within Film:

Sophie has a vital role within the film; she is the basis of our documentary as she is the subject. Although we aim to film Sophie as little as possible, (to create a mysterious character) we will be incorporating many pictures and back flashes of her to create a stronger character buildup. 

Background Info:

Emma Wilson is also 18 years old and Sophies school friend from primary school until year 9. Emma and Sophie were very close friends until they had a huge row which neither of the girl will talk about. no one knows what the argument was about, nor do they know why Emmas hate for Sophie has lasted so long. Emma know attends college doing Art and Design and has a part time job. Emma is happy and social. it is clear the complete differences between Sophie and Emma.  

Physical Appearance:

Sophie is quite small and smiley with short red hair. She tends to wear anything colourful and wears natural make-up. Emma is also very thin and tall. Emma is always smiling or laughing and is extremely bubbly and likeable by everyone.

Interests

Her interests include art, photography, watching films, socialising and baking.

Role within Film:

Emma's role within the film is to build up a bit of background information towards Sophie's childhood. She will refer to their friendship and her 'changing' in high school. She will bring in information her parents don't know to help the film crew build up a structured story to what happens as well as maintaining a sense of mystery too.

Background Info:

Father Peter is relatively old and has served as Sophie's vicar all her life. Father Peter was a very close friend to the Walker family before Sophie went off the rails. Father Peter baptised Sophie when she was 2 years old. Father Peter is led to believe that Sophie has a drug problem and God has asked him to help her, she strives to bring Sophie back to her old self. 

Physical Appearance:

The priest is relatively old with a beard and glasses. He wears the traditional vicar robes and carries a bible everywhere with him. 

Interests

His interests include charity events, singing, playing the piano and helping out in the community 

Role within Film:

The Priests role is similar to that of Emma's role; he helps to give information on Sophie's background and explains run-ins he has had with her since her 'change'.

Background Info:

Father Peter is relatively old and has served as Sophie's vicar all her life. Father Peter was a very close friend to the Walker family before Sophie went off the rails. Father Peter baptised Sophie when she was 2 years old. Father Peter is led to believe that Sophie has a drug problem and God has asked him to help her, she strives to bring Sophie back to her old self. 

Physical Appearance:

Sophie's Mum is very petite and has a friendly smile, she has brown curly hair. 

Interests

Sophie's Mum is a Primary School and enjoys arts and crafts and reading and baking. 

Role within Film:

Sophie's Mum 

Background Info:

Joe and Sophie were together for 3 years from year 8 until year 11. They were very much in love and they were a very popular couple; after Sophie and Joe left school, rumours circulated that Sophie was violent towards Joe when she once went missing on a night out. Soon after they split up and no one knows why. Joe rarely socialises now and becomes agressive and withdrawn when anyone brings up Sophie.

Physical Appearance:

Joe is averaged size, tends to follow the skater dress trend. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. Nowadays he always seems to be scowling. This is an indication of Sophie's effect on him. 

Interests

His interests include skating, street art and anything creative.

Role within Film:

Joe's role within the film is very minor, he refuses to speak to the film crew and just swears and avoids any interaction at all.

Background Info:

Physical Appearance:

Interests

Role within Film:

Preliminary Task - Journey Exercise

This is our group's long version film practise. The film clip shows a students journey to a water machine.

The purpose of this film, is to practise different camera angles, acting, the production of creating a short film and editing skills.

Our group thought it was essential to practise this process before we begun the process of making our 5 minute short film. This was so that we could discover any potential problems or issues which could occur in the production of our 5 minute short film.

 Starring Lawrie Painter. Filmed, Directed and Edited by Josh Walker.

Treatment

Short Film Title

The title of our film is called "Introducing... Sophie". There are two reasons why we have decided on this title name. The first reason is because it includes the name of the films main character, 'Sophie'. The film is all about Sophie and her mysterious 'condition', which is why we  her name is in the title, showing her importance in the film. The second reason is because the film shows how a group of interviewers try to discover what is wrong with Sophie, and what her 'condition' actually is. They do this through a full documentation of her life. Their aim is to film and then expose her condition, publicly for the first time ever. Because of this documentary aspect of the film, is the reason why we included the "Introducing..." part of the title. Because it represents how the film crew have documented and will expose Sophie, and in doing so, introducing her true self to the public, for the first time.

Duration 

The duration of our film will approximately be 5 minutes. This is because we are creating a short film, and our group feel that 5 minutes will be a perfect time to develop characters on a basic level, portray a story line, and include a twist at the end. Because our short film will only last 5 minutes, it will keep the audience interested and entertained.

Target Audience

The target audience of our film, is generally horror fans. This is because the genre of our film is documentary horror. However, the short film will be marketed towards late teenagers and young adults. This is because all the characters in the short film will be young adults, which appeals to a young audience. The age certificate for 'Introducing... Sophie', will be a 15 certificate. This doesn't limit the audience for our film, because children younger than 15 years old will more than likely not be interested in our short film. This could be either because of the content of the film, or because of the style of film, which needs to be watched by a mature audience, so that they'll be able to fit different clues together to fully understand the short film and it's plot.

Synopsis

An 18 year old girl called Sophie, who once was a sweet christian girl, could now be an outcast to society, hated and feared by everyone who once loved and cared for her. But, why? Well nobody knows exactly why, not even herself. All that people know is that she has a "condition", which is always mentioned to excuse everything she has ever done wrong. She is strange and weird and twisted and violent, and not worth anyones time. 

After years of suspicion Sophie was a full time test subject at a high security mental institute, after being recognised as a suspected mentally ill patient when her two brothers mysteriously died in their family home. This was when Sophie was 16 years of age. After 1 year of constant testing, her "condition" has still not been diagnosed. So with underlying regret, she had to be released and without charge due to insufficient evidence in connection to her two brothers deaths.  

Sophie, is currently living in a bedsit and has been unemployed for just going on a year. In that time, the local police have received hundreds of mysterious complaints from neighbours in the bedsit, all pointing to Sophie. 

What is the mystery behind Sophie's condition. Why is she so different to everyone else. And how could everyone who once loved her, now wants nothing to do with her. A documentary crew travel to Sophie's hometown; interviewing Sophie herself, her family, friends and intermediate relations. After collecting information of Sophie, we knew what she was. A vampire; and we caught it  all on camera. 

suggested elements

Our groups short film at first, suggests to be a documentary, following the life of a young girl called Alice. However, it turns out to be a fictional thriller film. This is very unexpected and unique, as our short film demonstrates this twist of genres.   

Photos from our questionnaire filming task.

Today we asked random people to answer a few questions from our groups questionnaire, which we designed last week. We decided to deliver this questionnaire in a box-pop style. So, we filmed the whole questionnaire sessions. This was so we could accurately retain their answers and also show the data we found on a different digital platform. When we edit the footage, we will show the question which we asked the interviewees, by displaying credits on screen. Then we'll show their answers through HD film. We'll cut between each interviewees answers so that we won't repeat the same question over and over. This will keep the interview interesting to watch, and easy to follow.   

Before filming, I set the camera and tripod to face the person we were questioning. Each time I set the tripod to the same height as the interviewee. This was because our group wanted to maintain a formulae of the angles used in attempt to create a professionally delivered interview. As i was doing this my group member gave our short films synopsis to the interviewee and told them to read it and become familiar with it, because they will be answering questions based on our short film, and short films in general. 

Once the HD camera and tripod was set up and ready to record and the interviewee had become familiar with our short films synopsis, we were ready to film. Whilst I framed and recorded the shot, my group member read out a question which the interviewee then answered. Although we weren't going to include the question verbally in our final produt, the reason we recorded the question aswell as the answer was to make it as natural as possible for each interviewee so that they could reply confidently and it would seem like a normal conversation to them. We wanted to make the process as natural as possible to retain the best answers from the interviewees as we could.

 

Target Audience

To define an target audience age group, we need to research into Film Certificates to see which components within our film are acceptable for certain certificates. The British Board of Film Classification has guidelines in which we would have to abide by.

MEET THE TEAM

Film Proposal (Detailed)

An 18 year old girl called Sophie, who once was a sweet christian girl, could now be an outcast to society, hated and feared by everyone who once loved and cared for her. But, why? Well nobody knows exactly why, not even herself. All that people know is that she has a "condition", which is always mentioned to excuse everything she has ever done wrong. She is strange and weird and twisted and violent, and not worth anyones time. 

After years of suspicion Sophie was a full time test subject at a high security mental institute, after being recognised as a suspected mentally ill patient when her two brothers mysteriously died in their family home. This was when Sophie was 16 years of age. After 1 year of constant testing, her "condition" has still not been diagnosed. So with underlying regret, she had to be released and without charge due to insufficient evidence in connection to her two brothers deaths.  

Sophie, is currently living in a bedsit and has been unemployed for just going on a year. In that time, the local police have received hundreds of mysterious complaints from neighbours in the bedsit, all pointing to Sophie. 

What is the mystery behind Sophie's condition. Why is she so different to everyone else. And how could everyone who once loved her, now wants nothing to do with her. A documentary crew travel to Sophie's hometown; interviewing Sophie herself, her family, friends and intermediate relations. After collecting information of Sophie, we knew what she was. A vampire; and we caught it  all on camera.