What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Research: My DVD collection.
I spent a lot of time just watching the first few minutes of so of almost my entire collection, looking for those subtle differences which differentiates good films to great ones. Picking my four main titles, I then watched these more thoroughly, picking up on techniques. So my DVD player is a great resource, I found.

Filming: I used a HD camcorder by Sony, it featured a wide screen display, yet not a viewfinder, which I found quite difficult to be without, as the display consumes a lot of power, I would often use the viewfinder to save that precious resource on other shoots. I chose not to use a tripod, as I do have a rather steady arm, I used my limb. As the frame was not completely stiff, yet only slightly moving I found this made my film come to life more, as reflected in my audience reception. By using the HD format I found my film looked more professionally made as a whole and would easily be replicable on the big screen in it's current format.

Soundtrack: I used the website soundtrack to contact unsigned artists and hear their music. The track I chose by a group called '1984' was a electronic track which reached a crescendo, just the right fit for my film.
I used a recording studio to make some additional audio clips, such as the 'Welcome to the stage' speech in the final few seconds of the film. By using the sound board I changed the normal sounding speech into that coming out of a PA system.

Editing: I used iMovie, the free program on all Macs, it was easy to use and had a lot of features, making it very creative and fun to use.As an all-in-one- editing software I even exported the final movie using the built in Quicktime add on.

Feedback: Facebook was used to share my video and to receive feedback on Youtube, the ideal combination combined all of my existing friends with the perfect medium to watch and share the video.

How did you attract/address your audience?

From my audience research, I took into account those characteristics and events that people look for in a film opening. From this I found many people like an 'action-y' introduction, with something happening, or a build up to something. From which the latter, I chose to base my opening around. Upon the final cut of my film being shown, the audience picked up on the adult actors to make it more authentic, I had chosen to use these performers as I did not want my film to be just another generic film which used my friends as performers. Although I felt the change from colour to black and white would leave audiences confused and felt risky, it in fact has the opposite effect, the audience wrote they loved it and felt it formed a new look on the film. I used longer cuts to make the audience fit in with the characters, by focusing on faces and body parts for a longer time then usual, I thought the audience would feel more connected to the characters and recognise them more so.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

My initial audience statement was the following: 'Mike is a 17 year old going on 18, he enjoys literature and a cheeky Jack Daniels and Coke at any chance, he likes films his friends don't like.'

My film was made for a teen audience, those on the verge of further education as a reminder to be creative and really to do what you feel is right and not to be held back by anyone. My audience would be intrigued by the black and white styled film and would happily re watch the film to look for layered meanings of mise-en-scene.

Ideally, the audience will have of watched the source films that have inspired mine, theses include 'Billy Elliot', 'Dead Poet's Society', 'Walk The Line' and 'Boyz N The Hood'. These films all involve troubled individuals who seek to do well, yet are plagued by some sort of failure or opposing force of that in higher authority. Preferably the audience will have taken an interest in other art house films that strike up interest with an interesting theme of topics.

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

I think many mainstream distributors would be interested a work similar to mine, yet I believe many ones involved in mostly art house productions would also be interested due to its colour palette and deep, dark themes.

'Focus Features' is a subdivision of Universal Pictures, distributing foreign films in the US as well as films of its own such as 'Billy Elliot' and 'Brokeback Mountain'.

Much like the subdivision of 'Focus Features' from 'Universal Pictures', 'Paramount Vintage' is the same style formation. Famous for it's distribution of the 'Coen Brothers' films such as 'There will be blood' the studio chooses films which use art house themes or techniques, to make them stand out more, choosing quality over money, forming a good reputation in the film world.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My main character Grant, represents the boy born to work, to carry on his father's job in a factory. Much like the film 'Billy Elliot' the two main characters are dwindled by their surroundings of a hard working, grey, working class town. Forced to be made to shy away from creativity the two continue on in secret, in both openings the characters are nervous about what they are doing, Grant in my film however quickly finds solace in the alcohol he is addicted to, an addiction hammered into him at an early age, whereas Billy, in his music and dance. The two are doing their business against their father's wishes and that of those close to them. Both characters represent the misunderstood children of judging parents, a barrier we are all familiar with, one that clearly states that parents aren't always the most open to creativity in their children. This theme runs in 'Dead Poet's Society', the character of 'Neil Perry' is told to permanently stop acting, his one true love of expression resulting in his inevitable suicide in his father's house. Although unexpressed in the opening, I had written Grant to be plagued with his father's disappointment throughout his life in the band despite his many achievements, a true sense of failure that leads him to be dropped by the band due to his excessive drinking.

Year 13 feedback and criticisms

Today I received my feedback from the year above class, after they evaluated my work at a private screening during a lesson. The feedback was mostly positive with a few generous marks and a few not so generous marks. I find some details highlighted were completely pointless.
Most commonly I found the feedback reflected that my video had a 'good build up' and that it was 'easy to understand' whats going on and 'a bit predictable' concerning the storyline. How an entire storyline is explained in the first two minutes is beyond me. Also, the fact that an easy to understand opening is a criticism is ridiculous. Would an audience rather an opening where they have no idea what is going on? I fail to see many audiences staying for that feature after two minutes of uncertainty.
With a majority of high marks, I am happy. Praises of 'various camera angles' were met with the welcoming soundtrack feedback and the 'welcome to the stage, bit'.

Final Cut!

I took the feedback I had received and adjusted my film opening accordingly. I've added titles and additional sound effects for a more authentic feel of back stage exploits.