EVALUATION QUESTION 4

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

Within our project we have used many new technologies which have allowed us to create professional and successful products, such as our Film Magazine, Film Poster and also out Teaser Trailer.

Adobe Photoshop CS4
 Adobe Photoshop is an advanced professional editing suite. This allowed us to create and edit our poster and magazine. The effects allow us to change lighting, colour, size/crop the image, background, angles and much more. The use of the software allowed us to create more of a mood/theme to our magazine and film poster by altering the colours. The professional look of these two products was also created using the text and shapes such as the blood splatter on the magazine. This adds to the theme of horror/thriller which the magazine is advertising. Obviously the text is there for the audience to read and give information about what is inside of the magazine.





Cropping

  



Brightening the image

 

Adding Text

 

Changing/experimenting with font

                                                     

   

Still Camera
We also used a still camera to take images for out poster. This was a 12MP camera which provided us with clear, crisp images. We also used the camera to take pictures for our evidence of props, location and images used within the trailer. For example; the individual victims names and photographs on the map.

Adobe Premiere Pro CS4
This is the main software that we have used to create our film trailer. The time line allows us to position and arrange out footage. We can also crop footage, delete the sound and preserve the film (vice-versa). The bar to the left shows all of the footage that we have on the time line and also allows us to add more footage/re-add footage without going into other folders to find it again. Effects and transitions can also be added to the time line, creating more of a flow from one image to another. We mostly used a ‘Cross Fade’ which transitions one image out whilst focusing another, allowing a flow. Another effect used on the trailer is ‘Fade to Black’. This is useful for creating blackouts on the footage to allow tension to build whilst waiting for the footage to start again. Adobe Premiere Pro was also useful for adjusting volumes on the footage and also creating moving text; such as the text/colour blocks on the news reports, the ‘layered’ time line makes it possible (just like Photoshop) to have scrolling text which disappears behind the red bar at the bottom.

After Effects CS4 I used After Effects to add the brighter ‘flashes’ on the individual victim images. This effect, alongside the camera sounds creates the illusion that someone is taking pictures of the sections of map. After Effects was also used to momentarily adjust the colour and lighting of the map tilt, this creates a slight distraction and is odd and seems unnerving when accompanied by the music. Effects where also used when the character are walking up the stairs. We overlapped the two video's and also adding lines rolling down the screen to give an 'old' effect to the footage. The next effect used was a 'blinking' effect on the footage where the two characters are running away from something. We created a red circle to represent that the camera is recording. The frequent blinking indicates that the tape is still running and recording. Lastly, we used After Effects on the title at the end of the trailer to make the words 'shine out' and then white shapes to create the effect that the  screen is closing/TV is being switched off. 






Light flash



Light/colour adjustment (above and below)



Overlapping/layered footage



Lines running across the screen (old)

Recording- blink on

Recording- blink off

Title- shine out

TV turning off

IMAGE The video recorder (camera)
The trailer wouldn’t have been possible to make if we did not have this crucial piece of equipment. The video camera allowed us to shoot our footage in the building and also outside as it was a small portable camera. We also used a tripod to keep the camera steady for most of the trailer and then used it ‘hand held’ to create a feel of distress and disorientation, making the audience feel as though it is them that are being watched and chased.

Audacity Audacity is sound recording software. This allowed me to record sound not only through the microphones set up for voice/radio use, but also straight through the computer (music etc). This was useful and a faster, more time saving way of gathering sounds and also recording ourselves clearly on the professional microphones and computer technology.

The radio system (microphones) The microphones in the studio are used to provide clear and professional recordings of sounds; mostly voice. This is then added to the footage on Adobe Premiere Pro ready for further editing.

Below is video Proof and step-by-step instructions on how to create/do some of the most important steps within our work.

Editing the footage

These past few days we have been moving our footage around. We have started to re-arrange the order of the clips according to our new script. We have inserted our new footage of the old, boarded up building in Wigan. The clips we have collected will be transitioned from one to the next using a fade (to black/white depending on the image). To do all of this we have use Premiere Pro.

                                                         

The sounds that we have collected and created for our trailer such as the sound tracks backwards , heavy breathing, screaming, foot steps, doors slamming shut etc, are all successful. Yet we recorded the mother of one of the team members reading the reporter script. We thought that although her voice was good and fitted the part she did not have enough emotion and variety in her voice. We re-recorded this with another family member of the team and this now sounds much better.

To complete the trailer, we need to add the sound and preview screens/credits.

Premier Pro Trailer Evidence

Evidence for the trailer. Including the different fades and blackouts used.
*Print Screens*

Effects such as fade for the audio should be print screened.

*Slideshow of print screens*

After Effects Edited Map Evidence

These are the steps that I used to create the moving map:

                                                                                                                                   

This was the final outcome of the after effects special effects:                                           

                    

    

                           

News Bulletin

For the beginning of our trailer, we where thinking of having a news bulletin. This was to allow the audience to be aware of the plot of the film, and allows the film to still be inviting for the audience and yet restricts what they will know about the film, leaving them wanting to watch the movie.

As most trailers now tell too much of the story, we are going to carefully plan out our sequences ensuring we don't reveal too much, but still leaving the audience itching to watch the film.

We have someone in mind for the role of the anchor woman (Molly's Auntie) who's voice could be suitable for the trailer.

To create the image, we created a new image in Photoshop. We styled the shapes into a style similar to BBC news, and made sure the background was transparent to make sure the video could be seen behind it. The evidence of what we did is below.

In order to add our own news bulletin we looked at the colours, shaping and overall use of existing news reports on TV. Here, we saw that the red was used to represent the urgency of the report. We took inspiration from this and used the influence of the representation within our own work.

Filming; New Location

As we needed some new footage of an actual building, we didn't have to go back to Preston to get all our footage.

On the 2nd of December we went to get some covering footage of a building in Wigan. The building is rundown and looks the same as the Preston building that we previously filmed.

We took some footage of a scan of the building include a couple of good shots of birds going in and out of the windows

Film RENAME

We wanted to change the name of the film, and brainstormed a number of ideas so we could come up with a final name for the film.

Things in court: 

To get a more professional and inciting film name which would seem more realistic as a real movie name. To do this we looked up each word. This gave us more ideas of possible titles. Our favourite word using the brainstorm was "Indignation" which means: Anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment. Which links into the film because the murderer's victims were all criminals in some form, or liars, drug dealers etc.

Tuesday 29th November- Reporters Script

Reporter Script; (16 April)

-This is the 6 'o' clock news. For the people of Preston, tomorrow will be the start of the 10 year memorial of the 14 victims of the Victor Thistle killings. The killings took place on the 17th of April to the 24th of April. This week is now known as the week of 'Indignation murders' to the people of Preston.

 -Today is the start of 'Indignation murders' week. It has been said that there have been sightings in Amounderness house.

-Two people have gone missing in the early hours of this morning, last sighted near the Amounderness House. Is this coincidence, a heartless prank, or are the killings of Victor Thistle starting again?
　
Other possible scripts- 


Tomorrow will be the ten year anniversary of the 2001 Indignation murders. Locals have been claiming to have heard mysterious noises coming from the abandoned Amounderness House.

Two people have gone missing in the early hours of yesterday morning, last sighted on the country road near Amounderness house. No one can be sure what has happened to the two teenagers, but their is no traces of them around the area. Police have released a warning to avoid the area, and if completely necessary, do not go alone, and go only in daylight.  (using long pauses)

Map Edited Images

To add to the mise on scene of the trailer, we decided to create a "map" mapping out the killings that took place, and who was murdered.

It also gives one of the character's names "Victorr Thistle" He has this name as the 14 murders he has committed, each victims first letter of their names spell his name - this is why he has two "r"s in his name. This could maybe convey something like the case of Jack the Ripper where two people were killed in the first night but he was disturbed whilst murdering the first victim and found another victim with the same letter, therefore giving him two R's.


Joe used After Effects to change some of this.

To give the effect that the first letter is significant, I created a new title and selected a blue circle over the first letter of the Letter

I then placed a black box over the top of the image, this allows the images around the selected letter to be black so more en thesis is placed onto the text

I then used the effect "Colour Key" and selected the colour blue. This changes the layout and lets the blue circle look like it has been present. It makes it look a lot more important and makes the viewer really look into the letter

I then added a fade effect which makes the images interlink so it was all one video.

New Photoshoot: Empire Magazine and Action Shots

We decided to go and take a photo shoot and take pictures of more interesting, and more exciting action poses.

Below is the contact sheet on the different images that we took

Monday the 14th November

Today I (Taylor) started to edit our footage together. As the script is now finished (sounds and footage) I started to try to plan out the footage and sounds following the script.

We all looked at our trailer so far and have all decided that we need more footage and so are going to do some voice recordings, and other things to use in the trailer.

Ideas for Sequences

From the clips we have gathered we have created a few scenarios that we could use to create the trailer as they work as sequences.

Cell:

• Blood drip on hand
• Zoom In
• Jump cut to other parts of the room
• Looks at the 'Help Me' blood splatter

Spinning Cell:

• Speed up footage
• Merge footage with text and footage with no text
• Stop on the wall
• Show the 'Help Me' writing

Running:

• Running
• drop the Camera
• Sound clip of people shouting run
• Fade to darkness

End:

• Joe moving the door handle very slowly
• open it quickly to reveal nothing
• Fade to darkness
• Whistling begins (song)
• Coming soon screen appeared

News Sequences:

1 - 10 Year anniversary (Beginning of the killings/murders)
   - Sightings in the building
   - Strange noises/happenings

2 - Anniversary
   - Revival of an old story
   -Two people have gone missing within the building, haven't been seen in a long time

Names of the film:

1. Amounderness House Murders
2. Whistler
3. Indignation

Name of the murderer

X=Not using

Surname;
- Jenkins X
-Thistle
-Whistle X (Thinking of using the whistling for the 'trademark' for the killer)
-Scott X

Forename;
-Nicholas X
-Abraham X
-Victor
-Franklin X

We wanted to use an old and unusual name for the murderer. We decided that the killer should have a trademark like some of the other famous movie killers;

- Freddy Krueger ("Nightmare on elm Street" series);  Scratching and the non-diegetic song is played in most of his films (1,2, Freddy's coming for you...)
- Jigsaw ("Saw" series); drum beats and a string orchestra which gets more intense as the killing is coming closer (Typically, the puppet's face will be seen on screen, and he will say "I want to play a game...")

As we wanted our character to also be realistic we wanted our character to also have a 'trademark' etc. As we have filmed one of our characters whistling in the spot light and found the sounds rather scary, we wanted to use whistling as our killers 'tradmeark'. This is also why we decided to use the name 'Thistle' so that we could create an easy tag line such as 'Victor Thistle. Hear him whistle'.

Wednesday 9th November- cropping clips 2

Today I have cropped the clips and sounds so that they are ready to use when we start to put our footage together. I have also organised the footage into folders according to which we will use and which we are not going to use.

We needed to know which footage we had which is useful to us so that we could see whether we had enough or needed to film some more. This is the list;

Footage;
-Blood Splatter (Help Me)
-See shadow in the light
-The shadow runs
-Door opens on its own
-Shadow stood in doorway
-Shadow slams the door
-Actress running with the camera
-Joe and I walking down a corridor into the darkness
-Zooming into a hole-something scans across the camera-the door slams
-The chair moving on it's own
-'Help Me' being written on the wall on its own
-Blood dripping onto the hand
-Blood dripping down the wall
Walking around the building
-Looking at the kitchen
-Looking at the first aid room
-Handle rattling
-Door opening on its own
-Bloody hand print on the corner
-Light whip/scanning across the camera
-Bloody hand in the dark
-Room scan (Court room)
(Images can also be used for quick cuts such as; bloody hand print on the window and through the door/bars, writing on the walls)

Sounds;
-Is someone coming?
-RUN!
-Help me
-Scream (1 person)
-Scream (Prank)
-Backwards sounds (weird)
-Whispering
-Help us/let us out
-Breathing
-I've locked the door
-Don't think anyone is here
-It's probably outside
-Didn't sound like outside!
-Scratching
-Doors banging
-Running
-Camera rattle and drop (on the floor)

08/11/2011

Today I started to put the best clips/footage on to our project. This was so that we could easily see which clips we had (which where good to use). I was also separating the sound from the video by using audacity to re-record the sounds. This is so that we can simply edit them later on. Such as make the louder/quieter etc.

I also started to play around with using Premiere Pro to play the clips backwards, slowly making the sound more dragged out/lengthened and of a low pitch. Recording this using Audacity allowed me to save the recording and listen back. When I did, I found that as the sounds where re-winded it sounded rather spooky. There where other things such as laughing, screaming, whispering and moving with sounded odd as they started loudly and slowly deteriorated compared to the noise normally where it would be the opposite to this; start off quiet and then get louder.

I really like the effects created using this technique. This also means that we now have our own background noise and ghost like sounds which we can use within our project.

New video story board

NEW STORY BOARD NEEDED.

03/11/2011

Today we wrote up a list of things that we needed to do and downloaded the footage from day 1 and day 2 onto the D Drive.

We also started to look at the clips which we want to use/could use within our trailer and designed our storyboard according to this. Also using influence from our research to help us more so.


As we now have all our raw material we have made a list of things we need to do to finish the products.

Trailer:

• Storyboard of process
• Decide on which clips to use
• Decide what else is going to be placed in the trailer
• Choose the sound and graphics

Poster & Magazine:

• More research for film posters and magazines
• Start designing the poster (multiple copies for ideas)
• Display compositions

Blog:

• Sort the order of the blog out
• Post most, if not everyday about whatever is done in lessons

Filming

Chair Slamming on its own



Running down the corridor and dropping of the camera



Running down corridor again

Monday 24th October-Filming on location (Day 2)

Today we went back to Preston to re-record some footage which we knew could be improved. We firstly checked which footage needed to be recorded again, we also knew that we would have to make the most of the day as we were the only people in the building as it was just our group this time meaning that there was no noise produced from the other group.

Personally, I think that the footage which we collected from this second day of filming was much better quality. Mostly because of the fact that we were actually frightened. This added to the tension within the footage, therefore showing genuine fear within the voices and the acting.

Reviewing the footage from over the two days, we were all happy with outcomes and agree that we shouldn't need to go back. Yet the building is readily available for us if we should want to go back.

Friday 21th October-Filming on location (Day 1)

Today we set of for Preston at around 8 'o' clock. We got to our destination (an old derelict building in the town centre of Preston). We firstly had a look around at the building inside. Amongst the rooms where cells/cellars, court rooms, lots of bathrooms and other rooms (both small and large), now empty or used for storage.

We filmed various things such as;
-Joe and I running down corridor (and dropping the camera which is still filming whilst we running away),
-Blood splattering on the wall,
-Blood dripping from the roof/down the wall,
-Doors slamming and handles rattling,
-And chairs moving.

We also recorded the sounds on the sound recorder just to make sure that we had clear sounds. As there was also another group in the building (filming their Music video) the sound wasn't as clear as it could have been.

Overall, this day was quite successful, yet we knew (looking back at the footage) that we would have to go back and re-record some parts.