Final Cut - The Returning

The Returning



By Kathleen Rayment

Preliminary Task

Here is our preliminary task. In this task we learnt how to shoot continuity shots.

Evaluation: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

I have learnt so much since making my peleminary task. When I first started I knew how to use the camera correctly and how to shoot certain shots, but I was very much unclear of all the softwares that you edit your shots in to create your film.

Working on my own throughout this project has put pressure on me to make sure everything is right, and make sure that I don't mess anything up, because I would only have myself to blame. Therefore this lead me to take a lot of consentration and care into the making my media film and fully understanding how to use the different softwares.

The care that I took into making sure I knew my way around, Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack Pro and Photoshop really has paid off looking back at my final edit. Without my editing techniques I would not have been able to the film what it is now. I have been able to create suspence and a tense atmosphere through music and lighting, which I originally did not have in my original shots. Thanks to the editing softwares I was able to re-create the ideas that I had going on in my head. I did however have a few limitations where I could not present the exact image that I had, based on the sounds on soundtrack pro, but I worked about that and created something I am a lot happier with now than my first idea. 

Apart from my gained knowledge on the softwares, I have also learnt about sounds that can be picked up through the camera, and how to capture sound that you do want, and get rid of sound that you dont particularly want or need. Aswell with the camera shooting, I have gained more confidence with my recording, and I am now willing to try new things instead of keeping to the same traditional sort of takes on things that would guaratee things to be 'safe'.

All in all, this the preliminary task, I have gained for knowledge and more confidence with the technologies and camera shooting to make sure I can create the best media product I potentionally can.

By Kathleen Rayment

Evaluation: What have you learn about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Throughout the construction of this product I have learnt new ways of editing and distributing my work.

I was able to compose my soundtrack through soundtrack pro. This allowed me to mix around with different sounds. Cut, pause, mix and play around with them. With a mixture of different sounds I was able to produce the soundtrack that I now have on my media product.

Within final cut pro i was able to chop all my shots and mix them together. I was able to fade them into eachother, change the colour of my shots and add other shots such as my credits. I was also able to add my ident in at the beginning of my film to introduce my company.

Using blogger enabled me to keep track of my progress throughout the making of my media film. I kept track of my planning and then how I progressed onto actually creating the film. My blog consists of research behind the genre of thriller, the planning for my film and the construction of my film.

In photoshop I was able to take an original photo that is used in the media film and take a purposely taken photo to edit in, into the original. Photoshop made it easier for the new edited photo to look realistic and helped blend in with the original photo, therefore it did not look like an edited photo.

I have used YouTube a lot throughout the making of my media film. I have used it to gather research to help me create my film, I have used it to display evidence of my research on my blog, and more importantly I have used it to distribute my media film onto the internet. This way people can view it easily and for free.

I also briefly used Microsoft Word to help me plan out my research, and to write my script that I was able to give out to my characters to help structure my media product.

By Kathleen Rayment

Evaluation: How did you attract/address your audience?

The film has certain features that other thriller films have which attract my target audience. For example, the similarities between my film and an actual film is that:

• The characters come across niave and very vulnerable.
• The soundtrack sets a un-easy atmosphere.
• The surroundings have a sort of edge to them.
• There is an unexpected event.
• There is suspence that makes the audience keen to see more.
• The credits also build tension in the way that they are presented.

Therefore my film is like other thriller films which attracks a wide range of people who are keen to be 'frightened' and 'shocked'. This feeling of anticipation creates a sense of excitment which again can create a bigger audience.

By Kathleen Rayment

Evaluation: Who would be the audience for your media product?

My audience would mainly consist of those older than 15. Because the events that happen within my media product would be understood clearly by 15+ people and would interest them based on that Thriller films also have a big audience of different age groups.

I think it would apply more specifically to 15-19 year olds because they are the sort of people who tend to go to the cinema more often for something to do or on a date. Especially with 'Orange Wednesdays' a lot of teenagers tend to go out of a wednesday to the cinema because of the '2 4 1' deal with orange.

My media product was shown mainly to students aged 16-18 this is what they thought:

"Soundtrack worked really well throughout the film and flowed nicely."

"Good camera shots with great positioning."

"Good use of editing, when making the scenes more tense."

"Twist was very good and unexpected, made me want to watch more."

"Although the acting could have been better, the storyline was very well thought through and worked very well."

In reference to my given feedback I believe that I targeted my audience well, as they enjoyed the storyline, the suspence and tension created throughout my media product.

By Kathleen Rayment

Evaluation: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I believe that Paramount Pictures would be extremely interested in distributing my media product. Based on the fact that they have a wide range of genres that they distribute from, 'Rugrats In Paris: the Movie', too films such as 'The Ring' and 'Paranormal Activity.'

More specifically, looking into my genre that I have chosen for my media product, there has been a lot of very successful releases distributed from Paramount Pictures. This successful Thriller films consist of:

The Devil Inside

The Devil inside is based on a woman who committed a triple murder during an exorcism perfomed on her. She was then emitted to a physcharatic ward in Rome. Twenty years later her daughter after her daughter found out about the murders, she travels to Rome. Later on nearer the end of the film her daughter then finds out that she possessed.

Paranormal Activity

In Paranormal Activity a weird 'demon' is slowly discovered by a man and his wife/girlfriend. Weird things start occuring around the house, so in order to capture its suspicious behavour that happens reguarlary during the night, they set up a vide camera in different rooms around the house. The videos that they capture all start to build up and slowly what is causing havoc in their house and causing them terror, is revealed.

The Haunting in Connecticut

In Haunting in Connecticut, a young naive family move into an old house that has struggled to be sold on the market. But for thier own convienent reasons they decide that it is best that they bought the house. Slowly the house reveals what it was used for, when a boy chooses a main room that was used by the previous owner as his bedroom. He begins to discover things and also see things which he then tells the hospital about. Certain spirits use his body to get into our world and cause danger, and his original spirit trys to help his family stay away from the danger that the evil spirits are creating.

Based on the fact that these sort of films have made great success and made lot's of money for paramount pictures, I believe that they would also be interested in distributing my media product based on that these sort of films can make a lot of money and have a wide set audience.

By Kathleen Rayment

Evaluation: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My media product consists of a stereotypical family, that are naive to any danger that may cross their path. This naivety takes its toll near the end of the opening scene.

The mum is young and shows insecurity when she is faced with something that scares her. Her clothes suggest that she is just a normal woman who looks after her baby and goes to work regularly. There is nothing odd or suspicious about her, she is innocent. I would compare my mother character to be like the mother character that stars in the horror film 'Incidious'. I believe this because both characters are worried for their son, and annoyed that something has come a disrupted the family.

The dad shows that he is not vulnerable and will stand up for himself and his family. He comes across as the breadwinner and the protecter of the family. His clothes also suggest that he also is laid back and takes care of the family and goes out to work, to support his family. So all together with their baby they are a usual small innocent family who don't expect for anything to do drastically wrong in their life as they do not deserve it. I would compare the dad character that features in 'The Returning' to be like the uncle in the first 'Paranormal Activity' (however we do not know he is an uncle until the second film.) Both these characters portray protectivness over the family and are curious to find out what is wanted from their family.


The girl that also features in the film opening who takes the picture of the family, suggests that she too is innocent and dresses like any other teenage girl. Therefore no suspicion is raised from the characters. The girl in 'The Returning' can be compared with many characters in many films, which take part in the families life, only for a small amount of time, but could also link back to the mysterious and suspicious events that occur during the film.


These characters are stereotypical for the thriller genre as they are a small family, casually cruising through life, causing no harm to others however, they still attract danger and cannot escape it. 

By Kathleen Rayment

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

Within my media product I have used conventions that have featured in professional thriller films.


For example: 


The music that I choreographed in soundtrack pro was full of tension and added suspense to my media product. It helped build the tense atmosphere that I wanted for the duration of my media film. I used a different sounds to make one whole piece as, I could change the mood of the scene through the soundtrack.

I also edited the colour of the scenes to make it look more spooky. By editing the colour it added tension because the surroundings were dull and dark. This also added to the tense atmosphere as the colours insinuated that things were not in fact okay. 






The font of my titles were also inspired by professional thriller films. In the way that the font is creepy and the titles are presented in a sudden un-easy way to again, add suspense and tension. 

By Kathleen Rayment

Edited Picture

By Kathleen Rayment

Finished Soundtrack

By Kathleen Rayment

Soundtrack Pro

Here is a screenshot, where I am exploring different soundtracks that I could maybe use in my media film.

By Kathleen Rayment

Photoshop

Here, is when I was getting used to Photoshop. And experimenting, so I know what to do when it comes to my final edit of the picture that I am changing. 

By Kathleen Rayment

Feedback

Today I finished adding my titles into my sequence. Afterwards my class watched what I had done so far and gave me feedback. This is what they said:

• Great continuity between shots
• Inventive font used on titles
• Good too use actual pictures taken from the film
• Good editing between shots
• Could adjust the sound volume
• Unessesary cuts at the end
• Story line is clear
• "Who is back?"
• Title too long
• Not good acting
• Didn't understand the end.

My response to this feedback is that overall I am happy with the comments I recieved. However, the constructive critisism, I don't agree with. There are still some small shots to add to make the storyline more clear, as I have only just started editing and putting shots together. I don't think there is any unessesary cuts, and I am unsure where they would be... The audience will be able to tell who is back, once the extra shots are put in. The titles, are the same length as titles in professional films, therefore I think they are the correct length. My actors did their best and worked very well with me so I am very happy with how well they did. And again, confusion will be sorted out once the extra scenes are added.

By Kathleen Rayment

First Sequence

By Kathleen Rayment

Filming

During the filming everything went well on the whole. My actors took some time to shoot each scene but managed to get on with it and proceed without to much hassle. 


The major problem that occurred was the changing of location. As we travelled to Clevedon pier ready to shoot my media film and was told at the last minute that i could not take my tri-pod onto the pier. Therefore in a matter of minutes we decided to shoot the film in Alexandra Park, due to the lack of time I had to film. 


Although I aimed for the weather to be wintery, it was a bit too cold. It was very windy and started to rain. However the weather did not seem to disrupt the filming, although it may have done if I were shooting on the pier. 


All in all, everything went well. My actors co-operated very well with my directing. And did everything I asked from them without any complaints. Also every shot I had in mind, worked very well. And so did not cause any problems which would of lead me to change things around. 

By Kathleen Rayment

Location Changes

On the day of filming, when me and my actors arrived at Clevedon Pier, they told me I could not take my Tri-Pod on the pier as it can damge the wood. Therefore I did not wish to try and film my opening scene hand-held and decided to change my location.

I then chose Alexandra Park Clevedon.

By Kathleen Rayment

Distribution

For my Thriller opening, I would like Paramount Pictures to distribute it.

I believe that they would be very interested in my film because they distribute a large range of films. From Paranormal Activity to Madagascar. I think with how much money they made form all three films of Paranormal Activity that they would have real faith in my film. Because it has a similar storyline. Therefore it is sure to make money.

My film would make a lot of money because a large majority of people have a thrist for phycological thrillers. And the anticipation the film brings upon the audience leaves them wanting more and eager to find out what happens. The audience will be drawn into the film from the trailer because they will be drawn in by the realistic spooky occurances that happen within the film. And could quite possibly relate too. This then attracts a wide audience which will then make a lot of money for a big distributer such as Paramount Pictures.

Kathleen Rayment

Shooting Schedule

First scene.

The first scene will all be shot in order.

1.       Shot of family enjoying themselves from behind.

2.       Shot of family enjoying themselves from the front.

3.       Mum suggests getting a photo taken.

4.       Dad agrees, and looks behind him to see who can take the picture.

5.       Mum and dad exchange the phone.

6.       Dad gives the phone to a girl that was stood near them, and asks her to take the picture.

7.       The girl then takes the picture of the family posing for the camera.

8.       The girl then gives the phone back to the mum, with an exchange of dialogue.

Second Scene

The majority of this scene will be shot in order.

9.       Shot of the mum browsing through the pictures from the day before, on the computer and prints them off.

10.   Close up shot of the mum smiling, whilst looking through the printed photos.

11.   Close up shot of the mum looking shocked, confused and worried.

12.   (The shot is repeated with slight differences)

13.   Panning view shot of the mum running out of the room.

14.   Long shot of the mum running down the stairs

15.   Long shot of the mum running down the stairs, (camera is now at the bottom of the stairs)

16.   Wide shot of the mum running towards the door and opening it.

17.   (same shot from the other side of the door)

18.   Close up shot of the mum shouting and looking very scared.

19.   The full screen shot of the photo, with the ghost in.

By Kathleen Rayment

Scripts for Actors

Script

(Setting of family walking down the pier, happy and enjoying themselves, filming from behind) 5 seconds

(Same again, but filming from the front) (Characters pointing and spotting out things to eachother) 5 seconds

Carly: This is nice, let’s get a photo taken. (Camera is from Dan’s point of view, who is facing Carly) 4 – 5 seconds

Dan: Um, okay (looks behind him, where Katherine is standing) I’ll ask her. Give me your phone. (Camera is from Carly’s point of view, who is facing Dan) 4-5 seconds

(Close up shot of Carly and Dan exchanging the phone between eachother) 2 seconds

(Over the shoulder shot of Dan giving the phone to Katherine, Katherine nods and smiles in reply to what Dan would have asked her) 4 seconds

(Camera is now in a long shot view of the family posing for the picture, the camera will be from the phones point of view, that is actually taking the picture)Katherine: Say Cheese.

(Camera is now in a wide shot view of Katherine and Carly exchanging the phone back.)Katherine: It’s a really nice photo. (Smiles)
Carly: Thanks, that will look so great in the baby book. (Smiles) 8 seconds

(Scene fades to second scene)

(Camera is in a wide shot of Carly browsing through the pictures on the computer and clicks print on the picture that was filmed being taken.) 6 seconds

(Close up shot of Carly with a bunch of printed off photos, and going through the smiling) 5 seconds

(Close up shot of Carly holding a photo, with a shocked and scared emotion on her face, looking around the room, and puts one hand over her hand and looks as if she is about to cry.) 8 seconds

(Full screen shot of the photo that was filmed being taken on the pier, with Carly’s face now being a face of a ghost.) 3 seconds

(Camera shot goes back to Carly looking worried and confused)
(Dan shouts from downstairs) Dan: Carly did the pictures come out okay? 8 seconds

(Camera goes into a panning view of Carly running out of the room) 4 seconds

(Camera shot of Carly running down the stairs. Camera is at the top of the stairs)
(Camera shot of Carly coming down the stairs. Camera is at the bottom of the stairs) 4 seconds

(Panning shot of Carly running towards to dining room door and opening it)
(Shot of Carly coming through the other side of the door, and shouting at Dan) 5 seconds

Carly: Dan, she’s back! (face of desperation)

Sudden change into the title. “The returning”

Printed out scripts

By Kathleen Rayment

Changes

I have had to make a few last minute changes to my media opening. Due to personal problems to do with my actors.

Therefore there will no longer be a second family. And I have another actor to stand in and take the picture of the family on the pier.

Also instead of the second mum going through the pictures the day after, it will be the first mum, therefore the scene where the first mum finds out from the second mum that something is not right, has unfortunately been cut out.

Other than that, everything is fine and my opening will be filmed as written originally.

By Kathleen Rayment

Shot List

1.     The first shot will be a wide shot of both families enjoying themselves on the pier. The shot will be from behind them. The sound and mise-en-Scene will be the same throughout scene 1. The sound will be the sound of the waves from the sea, the wind, general talking and laughing and scripted dialogue. Mise-en-Scene will be winter clothes for the actors, the setting will remain on the pier for the duration of scene 1, and props will be the essentials for a family day out, including pushchairs etc.

2.     The second shot will be exactly the same as the first shot, except the camera will be in a wide shot facing the families.

3.     The third shot is a wide shot of the 1^st mum, from the 1^st dads point of view. This shot will be facing her directly. She looks past the camera when she talks to the 1^st dad.

4.     The forth shot will be a shot reverse shot, as now the camera will be at a wide shot on the 2^nd dad, replying to what the 1^st mum just said. Therefore the camera shot will be from the 1^st mums point of view. Again he looks past the camera when he speaks.

5.     The fifth shot is a close up shot of the 1^st mum giving the 1^st dad her mobile phone.

6.     The sixth shot is an over the shoulder shot of the 1^st dad handing over the phone to the 2^nd dad.

7.     The seventh shot is from the 2^nd dads point of view, and the 1^st family are posing for a picture. So what the 2^nd dad will be seeing from his point of view will also be what the camera on the phone would be seeing in order to take the picture.

8.     The eighth shot is a close up shot of the 2^nd dad smiling and handing the phone back over to the 1^st mum. The camera stays in the same position whilst she talks.

9.     (Second scene) The ninth shot will dissolve in because it is now the next day. The camera is at a wide shot from behind, the 2^nd mum look at the pictures from the day before on the computer. The sound is silent apart from the printer, printing out pictures and the occasional clicking from the mouse. The Mise-en-Scene is indoor clothing of a top and trousers for the actors, and the props will include a desk chair, computer and printer, and photos and will be in a small office room.

10.  The tenth shot will be the exact same apart from the camera is now at a wide shot from the front, facing the 2^nd mum.

11. The eleventh shot is a side on shot of the second mum, browsing through the printed pictures and smiling and laughing and making general comments and gestures of happiness.

12.  The twelfth shot is a full screen shot of the photo that was seen being taken on the pier of the 1^st couple. This will be from the 2^nd mums point of view.

13.  The thirteenth shot is a shot reverse shot of the 2^nd mum is shock looking at the photo. The camera will be facing the 2^nd mum and therefore will not capture the actual picture that she is holding.

14.  The fourteenth shot is a wide shot of the 1^st mum asking to see the pictures from the 2^nd mum. The camera then turns into a panning view as the 2^nd mum runs out of the room and shot whilst shouting her scripted dialogue.

15. The fifteenth shot is a close up shot of the 1^st mum looking confused. Whilst looking at the picture. The camera is facing her.

16.  The sixteenth shot is a wide shot of the 1^st mum running down the stairs. The mise-en-scene has now changed to be a typical living room in a family home. The sound will be the stomping of running down the stairs.

17.  The seventeenth shot a wide shot of the 1^st mum coming down the bottom of the stairs. The sound will still be the stomping of running down the stairs.

18.  The eighteenth scene is a side on view in wide shot, of the 1^st mum showing the 2^nd dad the picture whilst talking.

19.  The nineteenth shot is a close up shot of the 2^nd dad looking shocked and worried.

20.  The twentieth shot is now the end of the title sequence, with the title ‘THE RETURNING’ in bold. The sound will then have sinister music in the background.

By Kathleen Rayment

Props/Costumes

The props that I will need for my media opening are:

• Pushchairs
• Digital Camera/Mobile Phone
• Computer
• Photographs
• Desk Chair

Costumes, will be modern day clothing/winter clothing because of the weather and we have to let the audience know when the film is being set.

Collage of ideal clothing:

By Kathleen Rayment

Actors

These are the people, who will be featuring in my media film.

Carly Spink - 1st Mum
Daniel Spink - 1st Dad
Oliver Spink - Baby

Katy Batt - 2nd Mum
Andrew Batt - 2nd Dad

Anderson Batt - 2nd Baby
Xander Batt - Child

Kathleen Rayment - Producer and Director

(Permission was granted for pictures to be uploaded)
By Kathleen Rayment

Chosen Location

I have chosen to film my coursework on Clevedon Pier. It is a victorian Pier, and therefore will add a spooky atmosphere and build tension upon the audience.

Images:

Images from Google Images

By Kathleen Rayment

Storyboard

The opening scene starts with a title sequence.

A full camera shot of both familys on the pier, enjoying themselves.

Camera shot of both familys enjoying a day out on the pier.

Camera is from the Dad's point of view, and the 1st mum asks to get a photo taken to remember the day.

Camera is in the 1st mums point of view, and the dad asks for her phone.

Close up up shot of the exchanging of the phone.

1st dad asks the 2nd to take a picture and gives him the phone. Camera shot will only have half of the first dad, and will be focusing on the second dad.

The camera is in the second dads point of view, and shows what he would be seeing through the camera lens.

Wide camera shot, of the 2nd dad giving back the phone, and the 1st mum says thank you to him.

The second scene, takes place on the next day.

The next day, the 2nd mum is going through the pictures from the next day and printing them off.

Second mum is enjoying looking through the pictures, and smiling and laughing.

Close up camera shot of a spooky photo. The photo that was filmed being taken the day before.

Close up shot of the 2nd mum confused, shocked and worried.

The 1st mum implys that she wants to see the photos, and the 2nd mum screams in terror and throws the picture across the room.

A close camera shot of the 1st mum confused on why the 2nd mum screamed at her. And approaches the photo.

In shock the 1st mum runs to the first dad and shows him the picture and warns him that 'shes back'.

The scene, then ends with the title of the film.

By Kathleen Rayment