Final Evaluation. Michael Herbert.

ZOMG! Media Evaluation: Michael Herbert 2131666

1.       In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of media products?

Our film is a horror film. To make this obvious in the first two minutes, we use common, well known conventions, and/or references to other horror films. By this, I mean we chose a foggy day to film, as this links in with the film ‘The Fog’ (1980/2005). Fog is a common convention for horror films which the audience will be able to recognise,, such as when most people think of a haunted house, they think of bad weather, such as fog.  Our title sequences are very similar to those of ’28 Days Later’ (2002) which was a very popular horror film, and is still watch nearly a decade after it was released. We have included a similar shot to one in ‘Resident Evil’ (2002), where the farmer and Harry are walking and talking.  We also use shock tactics, as this is used in 99% of horror films. An example of our shock tactics is when Joey grabs the zombie, and it turns round and screams, this is intended to make the audience jump. Another horror film that uses shock tactics would be ‘Scream’ (1996), when the killer appears on screen without the audience noticing.

2.       How does your media product represent a particular social group?

You could say our film is slightly sexist or just upping the stereotype of men being the heroes, and women staying at home looking after the home. You can say this as our treatment only outlines two female characters, one being a child, and the other, a damsel. So you could say our film imposes the idea of men being heroes, but that’s just interpretation. Our characters are similar age to our target audience (except the farmer) so this could help the audience relate to them.

3.       What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I very much doubt our film make it to Hollywood, but certainly a good chance of making it into a small British production such as Warp Films or Film Four productions.  ’28 Days Later’ was also made in a British studio.  This film didn’t have a massive budget, but still made a massive impact in the film industry.

There is very little to work with to make merchandise from our film, the most you could make from it would probably be a poster. There could be a video game made from it which follows the storyline from the film, but if it was made in a small British studio, its very unlikely they could afford to put a game into production.

4.       Who would be the audience for your media product?

Here is a link to the BBFC website, showing the classification we think suits our film: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines/18-2

We believe our audience to be males aged 18 or more, as our main characters around the same age, and gender, also because men tend to prefer horror films such as ours. Some women may want to watch it though, but it is aimed at a male audience. We wanted our film to be a 15, and we wrote it with that in mind, but the constant blasphemies and foul language throughout the film, never mind the blood, gore, and psychological breakdowns make a classification of 18 more suitable.

5.       How did you attract/address your audience?

Our audience are mainly males, aged 18 to 21. One section of our film which would appeal to this audience would be when the zombies attack the farmer, and blood squirts out etc. We also believe women may be interested in watching our film, as the safety of the child may appeal to them, but we more focused on grabbing the male’s attention. Anyone under the age of 18 shouldn’t really watch this film as it could scare them within the first few minutes, as there are scenes of death, Zombies, and psychological breakdowns. It wouldn’t be advisable to let them watch it.

The camera work used our first two minutes doesn’t really show any points of view, but we also didn’t show a lot of what was going on, i.e. we cut to titles in between shots. This was to let the audience keep guessing whilst watching it, and hopefully, build tension for the rest of the film.

6.       What have you learnt about technology from the process of constructing the product?

I didn’t learn a lot from actually filming the product, as I was acting throughout, but I know that HD1000 is a great camera to use for a low budget film, and is easily transportable, but what lets it down is its shear lack of quality for sound. But hey! Can’t have everything! We didn’t have much sound recorded with the camera; the main speech is the radio broadcast, which was recorded using Pro Tools in Barnsley College Music studio, which I had never used before making the film. But I learned how to make new tracks, and record, and use effects make it more like a broadcast.

When we got our first ideas for the film, we decided to make our own composition, so we could show a range of different Medias made by us, but due to the lack of time and resources, we scrapped this idea.

We used Final Cut to put our film together. I have a lot of experience using this version of the soft ware from my GCSE studies, and using Final Cut: Pro, from my Work Experience. Therefore, I found it relatively easy to put our ideas onto the film, and with Joe T’s experience, we stormed through putting effects on such as the filter to make the film seem darker.

7.       Looking back to your preliminary task, what do you feel that you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

I’d say, overall, our finished product came out pretty well! As a finished piece, it turned out a lot better than we had planned, the editing compared to our preliminary exercise was out of proportionally more professional. I think in doing a preliminary exercise, it gave us a chance to get used to the different machines, and put us back in the zone to work with this type of technology. This time around we knew what we wanted to achieve, we researched and practice what we wanted, and we had the time to go out and do it, and we didn’t have to rush like we did with the preliminary exercise, thus, having a much better, more imaginative, better quality final piece.

With us researching into genre and similar films such as ’28 Days/Weeks Later’ and ‘Resident Evil’, we had a rock. What I mean is, we had something to compare our film to, and to use ideas from, thus allowing us to ask ourselves “Could we use that shot in our film?” or “I wonder how they did that? Let’s look into it.” This gave us ideas to use when panning out and storyboarding our piece.

The editing/ camera angles on our piece were in my opinion, outstanding. With the match on action shots making the film flow more easily and the range of different types of shots used just made the film, interesting to watch. Once the filter had been added, it really just, finished our piece.

I feel like if we had to do it again, we could spend a little more on costume? As the fake blood didn’t look brilliant, so that could be one improvement. Also, use a boom pole and microphone to record sound with better quality.

Except from that, I am happy with our final piece, it turned out great, and would be happy to show it to my friends and family.

15 Minute analysis.. Michael Herbert.

15 minute Analysis: 28 Days later                     Michael Herbert 2131666

In the opening sequence of 28 Days Later, you see scenes from a television news broadcast. It shows mass panic of what seems to be across the world. Most of these shots seem to be done by using a handheld camera; this is why the screen seems to wobble. This is good for setting the mood for the rest of the film, the side on angles of the camera could suggest disorientation, or that something isn’t quite normal.

Then, we see a chimpanzee strapped to a table, which is being forced to watch these scenes of mass panic. The chimpanzee is established using a horizontal pan of the table. This gives the audience’s brains a few seconds to register what is on the table, before it is fully shown. After this shot, it cuts to a wide long tracking shot of the room, focusing on the chimpanzee. We then can see a screen of a security camera as we track past. This could suggest that someone is watching the chimpanzee because the shot makes it feels like a point of view shot of someone watching and hiding.

The scene then cuts to some men/women in thug masks walking into this lab type area. It then has many close ups and stills of pacing chimpanzees. This gives the audience a chance to register what they are seeing.  The camera is again tilted to one side to show that something is weird is going on. The Thug dressed characters walk in to the laboratory, and remove their masks. They seem to have cameras with them; this could suggest they are the authorities or reporters investigating the research in this laboratory. The camera freezes to show what the photographer is taking photos of. These freeze frames of the deranged chimpanzees create shock tactics for the audience, as these chimps are clearly under a massive amount of stress and anger, and the audience should feel sympathy for them.

We then follow the characters into the room with the chimpanzee strapped to the table, and a point of view shot of the screens that the chimp can see. The camera moves quickly in this shot, to show that the chimp is scared and/or stressed. Then we cut to the scientist. He is apprehended by the other characters. He explains what has happened to the chimps, the more he explains, the more quickly each shot of the camera changes. This is to show the uprising panic of the scientist. Also, whilst he is explaining, the level of non-diagetic music rises, to increase tension for the audience.

Once one of the ‘infected’ chimps is released, it attacks the female, and the camera shots become even faster paced, to show that the situation is frantic and out of control.  The camera then focuses on the Chimps which are still caged, but with screams of the characters in the background, contrasting what we can see, to what we can hear.

It then Cuts to black, and just has small white text in the bottom right corner saying ’28 Days Later..’ this is similar to what we plan to do in our two minutes.

We then see a close up of the Protagonist’s eye opening. This could be a reference to an ‘infected’ after changing waking up. This could hint that the infection has spread onto humans. It then changes to a long shot, showing the same Protagonists, lying naked in a hospital bed, wired up to many machines. This could be making a link to the Chimp we saw earlier, and maybe suggesting that when it comes to the ‘infected’ Humans, and other species are all the same. He then attempts to stand up, knocking over and breaking equipment along the way, this probably suggests he is disorientated, and most likely, a little confused.

He goes for the door, which is locked. He sees the key on the floor, but we see it from underneath the other side. This could suggest that someone slide the key under the door, for him to use. The camera then pans up, from his feet, to see his whole, dressed, figure, much like we wish to achieve in our two minutes.

The camera follows him walking through this hallowed hospital, he finds that he is alone. He checks the phones, but they aren’t working, and he leaves them dangling. This suggests that he is all alone, with no one to help him.

It then goes outside; we can see that the city of London is completely deserted. There are many establishing shots of main attractions/monuments in and around London, with only the protagonists showing, with Non-diagetic music building the more he walks, building up further tension.

He then finds a notice boarded, with hundreds of notes saying that someone has gone missing. The background music builds up and up as he looks at them all, to just show the sheer realisation of the pandemic that has gone on without him.

Audience Review:

Location Photos.

Character Profiles

Character Profile: Zombie (Applies to all)

Appearance: Blood sodden, withdrawn eyes, brow will be quite predominant. Ripped/torn clothing, scratches, exposed wounds/flesh.

Likes: Blood, flesh, anything cannibalistic.

Strengths: Strong in numbers, can infect other living creatures, nimble, ignores pain.

Weaknesses: Slow, prone to falling, good blow to the head is a killer, thin flesh (easily tear able)

Additional Notes:

Quickly over run the globe with the ability to infect others with a scratch or bite, Antagonists of the entire plot. Without these guys, there would be no film. Stronger in massive numbers, one or two zombies are no threat compared to hundreds.

Character Profile: Joey
Name: Joseph William Marshall         
Age: Mid teens
Gender: Male
Hair:  Styled Blonde
Build: tall, weedy, slim
Typical Clothing Style: Casual
Skills/Talents: Fast runner, quick thinker, jokey funny
Weaknesses: not strong, can’t lift much
Fears: The Unknown, Death
Philosophy of Life: Don’t look Back 
Attitude Toward Death:  Fears it
Religion/Beliefs: Atheist
Place/Type of Residence: Housing estate
Occupation: N/A
Place of Work: N/A
Past Occupations: N/A


Additional Notes

Main Protagonist of the story, and is the only character to survive the full film (start to finish). The film follows the new experiences for Joey throughtout this Abomination.

Character Profile: Mikey

Name: Mikey Herbert
Age: Mid Teens
Gender: Male
Hair: fair
Build: Weedy, tall
Typical Clothing Style: Casual
Skills/Talents: fast runner
Weaknesses: No navigation skills
Fears: the dark/Night
Philosophy of Life: Unknown
Attitude Toward Death:  Unknown
Religion/Beliefs: Atheist
Place/Type of Residence: Housing estate
Occupation: Student
Place of Work: N/A
Past Occupations: N/A


Additional Notes:

First Character to be seen as a Zombie, and helps create the plot for the entire film.

Character Profile: The Farmer

Name: Fletcher Fitzgerald III
Age: Mid teens, going on 20’s
Gender: Male
Hair: fair brown, longish
Build: Broad, tall
Typical Clothing Style: Workers clothing
Skills/Talents: Knows how to run a farm, handle weapons such as rifles, and pitch forks.
Weaknesses: Afraid of heights,
Fears: Horror Movies
Philosophy of Life: ‘Something good will come along, one day...’
Attitude Toward Death:  doesn’t want to die quite yet.
Religion/Beliefs: Christian
Place/Type of Residence: Farm House
Occupation: Farmer
Place of Work: Farm
Past Occupations: Paper Boy


Additional Notes:

This particular character doesn’t last very long in the story, but plays a crucial part to the first two minutes...

Viideo Of Dexter title Sequence for Michael Herbert's Title Sequence Research

Title Sequence Research: Michael Herbert

Film ratings research 15 - R18

15 – Not suitable for anyone under the age of 15
Films classed as 15 must as a whole not endorse discrimination in any circumstances but can include it; they can show drug use but must not promote or encourage the misuse of illegal substances; however they cannot show the misuse of easily accessible or dangerous substances such as aerosols or solvents. Strong horror content is allowed as long as they are not sadistic or sexualised. Easily accessible weapons must not be glamorised but dangerous behaviour is allowed as long as it doesn’t dwell on suicide or self harming as this is classed as something that could be imitated if shown in full. Violence may be strong but should not go dwell on inflicting pain or injuries, strong sadistic or sexual behaviour is not allowed.
There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable. Nudity is only acceptable if there isn’t strong detail involved such as sexual encounters.
No theme is unacceptable as long as the treatment meets the criteria that it is acceptable for a 15 year old.
18 – Not suitable for anyone under the age of 18
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas

Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence. Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault. Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.
In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.
Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only materials which may be simulated are generally passed as ‘18’. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.
R18 – Restricted 18: can only be shown in specially licensed cinemas.

The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ‘R18’ video works may not be supplied by mail order. The following content is not acceptable:
• any material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959
• material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (for example, paedophilia, incest or rape) which may include adults role-playing as non-adults
• The portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent (whether real or simulated). Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
• The infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity
• penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm
• Any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable.
These Guidelines will be applied to the same standard regardless of sexual orientation.


All research has come of http://www.bbfc.co.uk/ and most of it has been re-worded but all of it follows the same guidelines that is on the above website.

Film Ratings Research U-12a/12

U – Universal
A film with the “U” rating has very strict limitations to what can be shown in it.
There must be a very sensitive treatment for the film and no reference to illegal drugs or any discriminative language towards any ethnic or religious background.
It should also be aimed at four year olds as they reach the general age to start imitating what they see and will interpret what they see as a general way to act or attempt to copy.
Films under this rating should have only natural nudity if not any and there should not be any nudity under any circumstances. These films cannot also have any material that may make children anxious or upset. Although we cannot interpret what will upset a child a film rated U must follow these very strict guidelines and must have no bad language or very in-frequent mild bad language.

PG – Parental Guidance
A PG film is a film that can be watched generally by kids unattended but that should be at the decision of the parents or guardian as there may be material that could be found offensive.
Any discrimination is only acceptable in an anti-discriminative message or way; this is also the case with illegal drug references as they may only be used in anti-drug messages. In the PG film any violence or horror scenes must be very short and not prolonged over a certain time limit.
Bad language may only be mild but can be used so much to an extent.
There must not be any sexual content in a film with this rating.

12a/12
12a and 12 films have exactly the same criteria the only difference is that 12a is a rating for cinema-based films and 12 is a rating for buying and rentals.
Any person under the age of 12 cannot view these films as there content is too explicit and may be harmful or offensive.
The treatment must be suitable for young teenagers but the theme must be mature.
Sex scenes and nudity must be very brief and discreet.
Any suicide or murder scenes must not be in detail as this can be considered as imitable material and is seen as inappropriate. Any drug use must be infrequent and not be seen as glamorous or have any instructional use.
Any disturbing sequence is not accepted but physical or psychological threat is ok.

Conventions of a horror document

Treatment FULL FILM

Treatment (Updated 11/04/11)

Whole film: ZOMG

Target audience: 15 – 20 year olds, males.

The certificate of the film is a 15, so that is the age and upwards of people we are trying to appeal to. Males will watch this film more than females because males like Zombie films more.
The film appeals to Young males but over the age of 15. Other films like this one:
28 days later...
dawn of the dead ...



The film opens to a small group of characters inside a woods looking for a missing person.

The characters find the missing person has become a zombie, which then attacks them and the numbers, obviously, multiply as others are infected. The film then goes to the opening sequence.

After the sequence the plot turns to a character in York twenty four hours earlier, before z-day. The film will quickly play over the day with interruptions every so often of “breaking news” screens, interrupting the actual film until this characters plot is revealed and the story focus transfers to Joey. The opening ten to fifteen minutes will show the normal lives of the characters before they ultimately are separated. After a while trying to encourage help from the police who are all “busy” and the other emergency services (where the lines are busy). Giving up on the authorities they decide to search for their friends themselves, finding much of the city to be “quiet”  they decide to go to the river near Mikeys house where they used to play as children where the story first started and the owner of the land (the farmer) helps them search.

After the story is resumed from the opening sequence the characters are seen fighting the zombies, where it is assumed they were eaten and became zombies. The characters are seen searching the streets to find someone to tell, to spread the news to the authorities and the armed forces, finding no one on the streets they enhance further into the town and focus on searching for their relatives.

Roaming the streets they begin to hear sirens coming from the centre of town, as they near the fire engine they see it is wrecked and the sound has gathered surrounding zombies, who upon hearing Joey and Harry behind them begin to turn and chase them, some running at great speed to assault them. After escaping the characters realise loud noises attract the creatures and decide to travel the back alleys to reach their separate destinations, as they travel together through the alleys they hear a woman crying for help, they find her and try to quiet her before the zombies arrive, upon finding her they realise its too late as she’s surrounded and they stand helpless as they watch her pulled apart by the zombies, a child found crying hiding behind a bin near the woman is found by the characters, Joey lifts the girl and carries her on his back.

As the three characters find their houses they realise their families are dead, the houses are burning and zombies are screaming and groaning from inside. They proceed to the police station which is barricaded and riot shields are nailed with wood to the windows. The police are taking in survivors and using the helicopter to transport them to the hospital and “secure facilities” as they are told by the superintendant who lets them in, however after entering the four policeman (inc. The superintendant) are the only survivors, they have been driven mad by the zombies, ensuring their own survival by slaughtering the other policemen and eating their flesh (the irony being they are avoiding becoming zombies, by acting as them).

Joey and the child escape on the helicopter used by the “police” to “bring in” their next meal but Harry is shot and killed by the policemen and Joey is shot and severely wounded, hiding his wound from the child as they take the helicopter away to a hospital further south where the infection has yet to spread. He manages to fly her there and ensure her safety before succumbing to blood loss and collapsing as the hospital staff try to save him. The camera cranes up from the shot of his body to reveal the carnage spreading slowly from the north to the south of England. The credits roll. 

Photograph of Location: Thorpe hesley

(Research into Genre) Common Conventions of a horror, found at http://www.slideshare.net

Codes And Conventions Of A Horror - Presentation Transcript

1. Codes and Conventions of a Horror
2. Example of Horror Films
   • “ Psycho”- Psychological
   • “ The shining”- Psychological
   • “ The exorcist”- Religious
   • “ Wolf Creek”- True story
   • “ The Decent”- Monster/Gore
   • “ Saw”- Psychological- gore
   • “ Texas Chainsaw Massacre”- Gore
3. Horror film
   • Horror Films are unsettling films designed to;
   • Frighten and panic
   • Cause dread and alarm
   • Invoke our hidden worst fears
   • Captivate and entertain us in a cathartic experience.
   • Often conclude in a terrifying shocking Finale.
4. Fears created by horrors
   • For different types of audiences it can deal with our fears;
   • Nightmares
   • Our vulnerability
   • Alienation
   • Revulsions
   • Terror of the unknown
   • Fear of death
   • Loss of identity
   • Fear of sexuality
5. Characters
   • There's always a lead character, that often results as the survivor in the film.
   • The Killer/ monster often has a trademark characteristic in the way he kills, for example the people he kills or the weapon he uses to kill them.
   • Its usually good against evil, the two characters conflict.
   • The outcome is the good person always survives, or defeats the “bad guy.

Location

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