The Mark Final

The Mark Evaluation 7)- Looking back at your prelim task, what have you learnt in progression from that to the final product?

I think our first preliminary task helped a lot with all the things and tasks that we would have to do for our actual task. It definitely helped me feel more comfortable and confident when working in groups and with people I hadn't before.

 This is our preliminary task 'Compromised' this was  where we had been given a set amount of time which was 2 weeks and also a specific genre and duration. My group was made up of Angel Duncil, Charlie Weeks and Connor Harper. Luckily for me everyone had great idea and was really hard working when making 'Compromised'. We managed to complete the project and to us it looked good. After having reviews we saw a different side to the clip and realised that there were many small parts that didn't work and didn't look good. But as this was a practise we couldn't re-shoot. This was very helpful as it gave us lots of ideas on how to improve when it came to the real thing.

Our final piece was a spy-action/thriller. It was great from the outset as we had everything planned and everything looked good, but then after our first shoot in London where we able to get footage inside one of London's most iconic buildings. The Walkie-Talkie (20 Fenchurch Street). We then took the footage back and edited it and it didn't look as good as we were hoping which then meant we HAD to reshoot. The second attempt was better but still not great when we filmed in an office but the lighting let us down. So a third and final attempt was filmed in the same location and with lighting in the set to create a tense atmosphere. We then edited all the footage and the video above is what we got. It was also my first time adding in Foley which I hadn't done before but I still feel it could be improved. Overall I feel that in the last 6 months that in media I have improved so much when making film openings and have a much greater knowledge of the film industry. It has also improved my editing skills and how to make a much more professional looking film.

The Mark Evaluation 6)- What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the media?

The Mark Evaluation 5) - How did you attract your audience?

The core target audience for our film was fans of actions films as this was our genre and we felt that we could appeal directly to this main target audience using our genre. Me mainly felt that this would generally be males rather than females.
Our secondary target audience was males aged between-24 as the narrative of the film is has a lot of males therefore it makes it easier  to make it appeal to the males.
Another audience that we are looking to attract is females. Although we feel this was difficult because of the predominantly male conventions and actors used we think an all male acting line could interest some female film goers.  
.Our tertiary audience would be British people as the film is set completely in Britain and has a fully British cast and production members.

Our Audience Feedback

For some feedback on our film we decided that we would interview some people that could possibly be interested in watching our film as they are action movie fans.

What are your favourite action films that you have seen?
Ryan: I have seen and enjoyed most of the James Bond films and I also like the Fast and Furious films.
Callum: I mostly enjoy superhero action films like Superman, Batman and the Avengers.

After seeing the film opening could you tell that it was an action film?
Ryan: I think it was very easy to see that it is a spy film therefore I would put in the category of action but I think it could do with more action to make it obvious.
Callum: I wasn't quite sure what type of film it could be but when I saw the gun and the gunshot I thought it was a an action film.

What did you think was good about the opening?
Ryan: I think the setting at the start was pretty cool and made it look quite professional.
Callum: The gun animation at the end is pretty good and is gives a lot of effect as well as the good setting at the start.

What didn't you like?
Ryan: I think setting during the briefing was the complete opposite of the start. It looked quite unprofessional and I could tell that it was just a classroom.
Callum: I think the story is a little bit confusing and didn't understand what was going on. But that also makes me want to watch more.

Would you watch the whole movie and why?
Ryan: Yeah because it looks pretty good and it seems like there's quite a lot of mystery around 'The Mark' and want to find out what happens.
Callum: Yeah I agree seems like there's quite a lot of mystery around 'The Mark' and want to find out what happens and the effect like the gun look pretty good as well so if there was more like that I think I'd enjoy it

Overall I think that the feedback was pretty good but obviously there was some things that we could improve. I was mainly happy with the fact that they would be interested in watching the full film.

The Mark Evaluation 4)- Who would be the audience for your media product?

We have tried to attract each different target audience in a very specific way and we have specifically made some decisions in order to directly target each group. First of all and all male action film would definitely has ways it appeals to both genders. Also by using the gun in England shows action and excitement as guns are rare in England .

The Mark Evaluation 3)- What kind of institution might distribute your media product?

The Mark Evaluation 2)- How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The Mark Evaluation - 1) In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Props

This was one of the props that we used when filming the Mark. This is what Matt used to shoot Amato at the end of our scene.

This was the coat that Matt wore when talking to Amato during our scene to make him look like more of a spy and make it more realistic.

Titles for our film opening

1. Prestige Films presents
2. In Association with Red Eagle Productions
3. Production Designer- Gordon Greenhut
4. Music by Connor Cogan
5. Andy Weeks
6. Daniel Amato
7. Produced by Charles Robert
8. Written by Charlie Weeks
9. THE MARK
10. Executive Producer Matt Rabbitt

Shot Grid

Group Feedback- Interview about The Mark

What are your favourite action films that you have seen?
Ryan: I have seen and enjoyed most of the James Bond films and I also like the Fast and Furious films.
Callum: I mostly enjoy superhero action films like Superman, Batman and the Avengers.

After seeing the film opening could you tell that it was an action film?
Ryan: I think it was very easy to see that it is a spy film therefore I would put in the category of action but I think it could do with more action to make it obvious.
Callum: I wasn't quite sure what type of film it could be but when I saw the gun and the gunshot I thought it was a an action film.

What did you think was good about the opening?
Ryan: I think the setting at the start was pretty cool and made it look quite professional.
Callum: The gun animation at the end is pretty good and is gives a lot of effect as well as the good setting at the start.

What didn't you like?
Ryan: I think setting during the briefing was the complete opposite of the start. It looked quite unprofessional and I could tell that it was just a classroom.
Callum: I think the story is a little bit confusing and didn't understand what was going on. But that also makes me want to watch more.

Would you watch the whole movie and why?
Ryan: Yeah because it looks pretty good and it seems like there's quite a lot of mystery around 'The Mark' and want to find out what happens.
Callum: Yeah I agree seems like there's quite a lot of mystery around 'The Mark' and want to find out what happens and the effect like the gun look pretty good as well so if there was more like that I think I'd enjoy it

Overall I think that the feedback was pretty good but obviously there was some things that we could improve. I was mainly happy with the fact that they would be interested in watching the full film.

Shot List

1. Amato walking down corridor whilst camera follows behind.
2. Camera facing elevator then Amato steps in front to get in.
3. Camera follows Amato as he walks and through door.
4.Shot follows behind Amato again whilst he is walking down corridor.
5. Midshot of Amato whilst he starts to talk to Matt.
6. Then lowered shot of Matt whilst listening to Amato.
7. Then another Midshot of Amato whilst he starts to talk to Matt.
8. Next is a Midshot of Matt whilst listening to Amato and reading the brief.
9. Then another Midshot of Amato whilst he starts to talk to Matt.
10. Close-up of Matt's hands whilst loading the gun.
11. Then another Midshot of Amato whilst he starts to talk to Matt.
12. Close-up of Amato's eyes.
13. Then another Midshot of Amato whilst Matt is talking.
14. Then another low angle of Matt as he pulls out the gun.
15. Then another Midshot of Amato whilst he starts to talk to Matt.
16. Close-up of gun as he fires it, with an effect.
17. Then another Midshot of Amato after he has been shot.

The Mark First Edit

The Mark first draft feedback

Our first draft had a few problems with it that would lower our grade which we were shown when we were given feedback. First of all we were told about our titles being different sizes. When watching this back in the group we realised that they were different sizes so we need to change that in our final version. Also people said they couldn't see Matt in the low angle shots when they are in the office so we need to re-shoot these scenes so there is some light in him. Also we saw that it was a bit boring and we needed to change the angles and different types of shots.

The Mark Research

For our film openings we took a lot of inspiration from the opening of James Bond as we felt this would suit our film perfectly.

Target Audience, Promotion, advertisement, marketing ploy, sales promotion.

Target audience

The target audience for our movie is 15 and over. We have chosen this as our target audience as we feel that the film will appeal to all ages above 15 due to the graphic and action packed content. The reason why we chose the film to not be available to under 15's is because the content will include action at a fast pace. This is suitable for this age group and mainly spy/actions films.

We have done plenty of research on how a small budget film should and how it an be marketed. This made us come up with theses strategies.

Promotion
1. Social Media

This is a very simple and easy way for small budget films to get out there to a lot of people. This is because on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook many people have access to seeing these. It is also very useful as it is free to use.


2. YouTube Videos

This costs a small fee to advertise films on YouTube but is a very effective way because you can decide what type of videos that theses adverts come on therefore it is easy to target your audience.


3. Blogs

A blog could be a suitable way as it is free and has the potential to be seen by a lot of people. This also allows a lot of creativity in what you post there form slideshows to videos. A downside of using blogs can be than even though there is a potential for many people to see it, it can be very hard at the start for it to get noticed by people.

Sales Promotion

We feel that it could be effective for us to have an offer for when people buy tickets to our film. This could include a free drink or popcorn. Or perhaps when purchasing tickets for our film they could receive another ticket for free. This could encourage more people to see our film which is ultimately the main goal.

Film Poster

Characters profiles

The Mark - Characters

        Joe Lester

Real Name: Daniel Amato

Age: 35

Villain

      Geoff Gump

Real Name: Matt Rabbitt

Age: 17

Hero

First Group film pitch

Script

mato

                               

Matt

We have reason to believe that a high profile incident will be taking place in London in the next 24 hours. Intel has yet to provide and solid information but they seem to believe that it has something to do with the operative code names, The Mark.

*Matt flicks through files*

Little is known about them. However its believed that they have been involved in several incidents in the last 5 years.

*Point finger at Matt*

Your mission is to track down any other known associates, find out any information about the location of The Mark and then eliminate them.

Are we clear?

Track down known associates, find out the location of The Mark.

And then eliminate them?

*Matt point gun at Amato*

Quite.

Do you know who I am?

I know exactly who you are. Now tell me. Who is The Mark?

You’ll never find him. I’ll never…

*Amato shot*

Shame…

*Matt gets up and walks out*

Marketing Campaign for 'The Mark'

We have done plenty of research on how a small budget film should and how it an be marketed. This made us come up with theses strategies.

1. Social Media
This is a very simple and easy way for small budget films to get out there to a lot of people. This is because on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook many people have access to seeing these. It is also very useful as it is free to use.

2. YouTube Videos
This costs a small fee to advertise films on YouTube but is a very effective way because you can decide what type of videos that theses adverts come on therefore it is easy to target your audience.

3. Blogs
A blog could be a suitable way as it is free and has the potential to be seen by a lot of people. This also allows a lot of creativity in what you post there form slideshows to videos. A downside of using blogs can be than even though there is a potential for many people to see it, it can be very hard at the start for it to get noticed by people.

Evaluation of past students Tasks

This is one of the AS Media film openings that I found and it is called 'The Edge'. First of all I think that this film opening is definitely a Level 4 and these are the reasons for this. One of the main things is that it is obvious the genre that it is from the action that is going on and also the chase sequence. This is then also very well matched with the music which gives it the correct atmosphere for the chase scene. The titles I think are in the correct order and they are used are made to look amazing and done really well by the effects. The titles also use the institutional conventions. As I said before the sound as in the music goes really well with what is going on and gives the correct atmosphere. One of the only negatives I can give is because of the sound  and this is because there is hardly any diegetic sound in this opening. I think if there was some diegetic sound it would give it a much better effect as to the location of where it is filmed.  Finally the shooting material they used was great. For example I didn't notice a poor shot in the opening or any bad camerawork. There was also a great variety of shots that was used throughout which made it less boring than if there was the same angles and shots throughout the whole thing. So overall this is very good film opening and I definitely think that this would be given a Level 4.

Big Budget and Small Budget

What is the main film outgoing audience?  16-24 year old

How do cinemas make most of their money? Not by selling tickets for films but it is the popcorn they sell to their customers when they go to watch a film.

How do you get a film into the cinema? Similar to music, you need to speak to someone that acts as an agent for film and media, this is like a distributor. A distributor is hired by the owner of a film to go around to different cinemas to ask if they can show your film in their cinema, sometimes the cinema will pay you to have the film shown in their cinema, however sometimes if the cinema has a free screen and your movie will not attract many customers then you have to pay the cinema to show it on their screens to their customers. 

What does a distributor do? A distributor goes around to different cinemas asking them to show your film in their cinema to their customers, this can either be the cinema paying you to show the film, or you paying the cinema to show the film.

In our lessons we also learnt about the difference between big and small budget films within the industry. The first of these that we learnt about was the big budget films. We found that they tended to be blockbusters and produced by big company such as the big 6. There budget tends to range above a budget of $12,000,000. However a small budget film is more commonly produced by an independent film company and will cost much less than a big budget film due to lack of financial support.