First Technical Task

Strengths and Weaknesses:

In my opinion the video's primary weakness is the acting skills. I feel myself and the other actors didn't take it as seriously as it should be and also couldn't help but laugh. The audio of the cameras is also poor as its hard to hear what we are saying as it picks up a lot of background noise. Another weakness is our editing, we should have cropped out the second take when the actor begins to laugh. 

Strengths of my video are the different camera angles used such as medium shot, close up and over the shoulder shot. Its effective as it  enables you to view the surrounding and see emotions within the characters. Our editing skills are fairly successful as there is no long pause between takes or skips in it.

Others Feedback:

Feedback we received from others is that our video is successful and effective, however we should have used a variety of different camera movements and maybe changed the filter to black and white. This would help categories it into a genre. We were also advised to use a better soundtrack which linked to the genre and sound effects. 

Using Adobe:

Having never used adobe I expected it to be quite challenging, which it was. Getting the material onto the editing software was easy and putting it into place, but adding in a soundtrack and effects was where it got more difficult. I'm looking forward to using the editing software more and understanding how to use it correctly and make a successful opening scene.

Iron Man

Iron Man opens with an establishing shot of what looks like a desert with cars driving through it. It doesn't give much to the imagination as there is nothing to really think from it. It positions the audience to feel as if something is about to occur.

There is then a long shot of army cars driving through with people on look out with guns. There is also a soundtrack of up-beat music which is stereotypically the main type of music in an action film. The use of the music engages the audience as it makes it more interesting.

The following camera movement shows they are travelling to a certain destination.

There is a medium shot which shows one of the men aiming at something. This shows his body language as if he is about to shoot something, however it also shows the advanced use of technology which they have. There is always expensive technology in action films so its conforming the conventions.

The clothing of the men is army uniform, this suggests they are in war and are about to go into no mans land. It infers that there will be a  violent scene which would involve death and blood. This is effective as it gives more information to the audience about the film and the story.

 The close up shot of alcohol (whisky) shows that getting drunk is a way to deal with the situation they are in. It also gives the audience a perspective of how they must be feeling in war.

The close up shot of Robert Downey Jr, shows him to be wearing sunglasses and a suit. It doesn't match what the soldiers are wearing which makes me think its not a war. Also the soldier wanting a picture with him suggests he is  famous and not just a soldier like the rest of them. It positions the audience to feel something is about to happen.

There is then a medium shot of an explosion. The sound effects are loud and frightening. The shot comes at a surprise to make the viewers jump.

There is then loud shouts and sounds of guns being shot (sound effects). This suggests they have just entered a booby trap and are getting attacked. Its effective as it makes the audience feel suspense and want to carry on watching. There are close up shots of all the characters in this scene as it shows their emotions as they are scared but also confused.

The opening scene ends with a birds eye view of Robert Downey Jr taking of his shirt as he feels something isn't quite right. Its effective as it informs the audience of the changes that is about to happen to him and how the rest of the story will be told.

Romance Audience

Romance defiantly target the female audience. Men only go when they have to!!

Women love to watch romantic story's which are relatable but also what they wish for. Males  find it boring and 'soppy'.

The attractive handsome shirtless man is what makes the women want to go and see the film. If they knew who was staring in the film and knew who it was it would make them want to go see it even more.

Light hearted films, not violent would attract the female attention.

Romance films seem to be a lot less serious than action for example. Men usually like action due to the fact its extreme and serious. Women would rather watch a relaxing calming film such as romance.

Females aged 13-25. This is due to the ages being in relationships are not that serious.  The feel as if they can relate to the films as they are in 'love'.

Romance Conventions

Attractive male, pretty women, love story what else? 

Romantic films are usually set in an iconic area such as New York, London, Paris, LA and other famous places.

The audience can always relate to a Romance, whether you're waiting for that text, or are so in love your life is the story line. 

The targeted audience is females, males only go if they have been dragged along by their girlfriends because they have to. They wouldn't choose a Romance out of choice. 

Romance films would usually include adult themes such as sexual activity, this would tend to make the film rating at least a 12A.

Usually a voice over of at the beginning setting the story, which makes the audience want to see how its told. 

'Boy meets Girl' scenario. 

Symbolises love with use of flowers, treats, hearts, children and weddings. 

Action Target Audience

Action films usually have a targeted audience of males aged 15-30, who have an interest in action and thrill. This is due to large explosions, fancy cars and exciting story lines.
Women wouldn't usually want to watch people getting shot by large guns, however men do as its a masculine activity.

The main characters in an action film are men, which would attract men to see the film as it emphasizes on their 'masculine' appearance. However, women may also go and see a action film as the main characters are usually quite attractive and handsome.

Some viewers enjoy the rush of action films so they go and see them. Stereo typically this links to the male audience.

The male population are the targeted audience also as it can be quite aggressive and violent which leads to blood and gruesome effects.

Action Films

Action films, what do you expect? Fast cars, evil villains,  hero, fights and massive explosions.
They feature characters falling off large buildings and jumping from roof to roof. You also see slow motions shots of cars in the air about to explode into a large building. That's the basic overview of an action adventure film.

The Massive expensive technology either stored at the HQ or their personal weaponry, always makes the audience gasp in the cinema room.

Theres that annoying weak women who always gets into trouble and shouts "Help!" as if a flying spider is about to come to her rescue, always happens.

Cat and mouse chase, the villain is captured the villain escapes, he then kills all the loved ones and the villain dies. Anyone disagree?

Sounds during actions are BANG, POW, explosions, upbeat and time straining. Usually the main character is running out of time, or attacking someone which would involve all of these sounds.

Destruction, huge destruction! Buildings crashing down, cars on fire and roads completely destroyed. Its effective as you realise how serious the events are in the story.

Scream Analysis:

Scream is a 1996 slasher film with a targeted audience of 18 and above.

It opens with a medium shot of the character on the phone, it seems to be the wrong number so she hangs up. However, the voice on the phone is deep and creepy positioning the audience to feel something isn't quite right.

When the phone calls again the medium shot shows the characters body language change and look bit more uneasy. This suggests she my feel bit frightened.

The long shot of the house panning downwards shows the house along with the swing swinging. This implies someone may have sat there and moved meaning the character isn't alone.

The medium shot of the character bending over the table picking up the knife links to the slasher story line. The body language doesn't give off any agitation, it shows her looking normal and not that anything is about to happen. Its effective as it makes the audience feel something may jump up at the screen.

The Diegetic sounds of the popcorn popping is getting faster and faster as the film plays. It suggest time is ticking and something scary is about to happen.

There is a following camera movement which follows the girl as she walks through her house, this is effective as it shows all aspects that the audience can see and you expect something shocking to happen.

The person on the phone says "i want to know who i'm looking at". There is a close up shot where you can see her emotions as she begins to get freaked out by him and want to get off the phone. It positions the audience to feel that its about to get scary and there is someone in the house. Theres also a drop in the soundtrack which gets a reaction from the viewers.

Casey is given the most prevalence in the opening as the producers want you to empathise with her character and feel scared for her.