Question 2: How does media product represent particular social groups?

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The character 'Jay' in adulthood has inspired us. As the aim was to have a character which has many similarities related to him.

Our character 'Stone' has similar thug style clothing e.g. tracksuit bottom, hoodies he also has the bling, and the rebellious, rough personality.

'Jays' character inspired us as he fits the same features we looked for in our character Stone.

They are both stereotypical boys of London, from the ghetto.

Skills Audit: LiveType

Livetype is a program which allowed us to create texts and titles for our thriller opening.

With a large range of fonts and special effects which can be used with the desired font, we were able to choose what colour we wanted our text to be, the size, shadows, saturation etc.

Just like Final Cut & Soundtrack Pro, there is a timeline and here we can choose which text to appear when we want to.

Skills Audit: Final Cut Pro

'Final Cut Pro' was our main resource to edit our clips. With this, we created a timeline of clips by choosing which one goes where.

Final Cut allows us to add effect to our clips and make them to a high quality standard by adding things such as 'in and out points', which determine when a clip starts and stops.

Skills Audit: Soundtrack Pro

For our soundtrack composition, we used the program 'Soundtrack Pro'. This program allowed us to compose various types of sounds from a wide range of resources readily available in the program.

We were able to grab any form of sound effects, from standard instruments such as drums and violins to more explicit sounds such as an explosion or gun shots and make it work into a complete soundtrack.
Other techniques I learnt was to fade sounds into one another and vary the length of sounds.

Location Shots

This is one of the locations from our thriller opening: Greenwich Tunnel. The Tunnel is very enclosed and quiet claustrophobic which all adds up to create a perfect thriller scene. With no where to go apart from a long distance walk to the end, the tunnel was just perfect for the capture of 'Ebony'.

Skills Audit: Livetype and Sound

Livetype

This program allows you to create titles for your film you can also add a variety of different effects to the texts. You can change the text by the use of font, colour, type and animation.
We will use Livetype for our title when introducing the characters and adding the company credits. Livetype has a timeline where you can keep and remove parts you dont want.

Soundtrack Pro

This is where we will make our soundtrack. With this program you can add different effects such as beats, instrumentals etc. This makes your film more entertaining and catches more attention for the audience. Sound brings tension and creates a sense of if something bad is going to happen, it makes certain events lead on.

Into to cameras/health and safety tutorial

In this tutorial we was introduced to the cameras and equipment. We were shown how to use the camera/equipment.

JVC Video Camera
This is the most important tool as it is used when filming for every shot. We were shown the on/off button, zoom in and out and how to view the shots we previously took.

Battery
This provides the energy for the camera as without this it wouldnt work. In the lesson we were shown how to install the battery into the camera and how to take it out.

Tripod
This equipment is used to hold the camera in place which then you can take better, quality shots unless you want a hand held shot. We were shown how to open the tripod and adjust the legs so each ohne was set in the right balance. We were also shown how to place the camera onto the tripod as it has to be locked on and the safe way to take it off.

Memory Card
This is where all the shots are saved. We were shown the memory card slots where the memory card is inserted into. When filming we were given two memory cards(A,b) to ensure that we had enough space to save the filming. We were shown that there was a lock on the memory card and if this was on the card wouldnt work and you wouldnt be able to save or record your filming.

Health and Safety aspects:
Prevent the camera from getting wet
Always close the len ses of the camera
To make sure your battery is charged and all your equipments are working properly before you use them

Location Shots

Locations are very important when filming as it sets the scene and creates an atmosphere, also creates an image for the audience in what the genre of the film would be.

Our film, Title sequence is a pyschological thriller so we decided our location to be in Greenwich tunnel as we were aiming to to show the scene where Stone follows Ebony where he kidnaps her. The location creates more suspense is in what is going to be happen next and to show Stones obsession. The tunnel creates darknesws and no way of escape.

Another location we used is in a house which is used to introduce the characters and show their lifestyle. We used a bridge to show a meeting point which is shown twice in contrast when something good and bad happens.

Location Shots

Locations- Is important when filimg as it creates a sence of atmosphere and makes your genre more recongnisable.

For example our film is based around a psychological genre, and the locations we are aiming to use is Greenwich tunel.

We want to base it around these areas as the tunnel will give that psychological effect as the tunnel has no end and keeps the audience in suspence. We will use this in our film when Stone is chasing Ebony, to show his obsession. The tunnel gives a great claustrophobic effect as its dark and there's no sign of escape.

The house is used to introduce the characters of the film, by the ways props are used, like the rizzler, Ebony's picture's, and flowers.

The bridge which is used for the central meeting point. The outdoor area, the garden is ued when we see the two character's Ebony and Stone in a relationship all happy and laughing, we see this through facial expression.

Our third location is the City and Islington college canteen. We used this to show the happy relationship of Ebony and Stone's coming to an end.

Skills Audit Soundtrack Pro

This is where all the sound work takes place.

You can add sound effects such as clapping or doors opening, wind blowing etc. To make your film more effective and interesting. Sound builds tension and bring awareness to the audience when something bad is approching.

You can also compose your own soundtrack using all the intruments and features on soundtrack pro to make your own background soundtrack.

Skills Audit Livetype pro

This programme allows you to add text, for the characters name's and title.
In this programme you can make the text appear the way you want it using its features, such as text type,colour, font and animation.
There's alot of varities you can choose from, which allows you to make it appear as accurately as possible.
We will use livetype for our title and when introducing the character's names.
Livetype has a timeline where all the key parts of the title is kept ensuring that you can keep and take off bits you wants to keep and take off.

Intro to cameras&health and safety tutorial

In this tutorial we was introduced to the camera's and equipment. We was shown how the camera works and what is needed. The equipment we was introduces to was:

• JVC Video camera- This is the most vital tool needed when filming as every shot is filmed using a camera. In the lesson we was shown the on/off button, how to zoom in and out and how to view the shots we have filmed.
• Battery - This is a second vital tool as it provided enerygy for the camera to work without this the camera would not work. In the lesson we was shown how to put the battery into the camera and how to take it out. We was also shown where the battery on the camera is displayed showing us how much of it is left. We was told that a battery lasts for a day and we are given two when filming.
• Tripod- This is the third vital equipment we need when we film. This holds the camera and gives accurate and perfect shots unless you want a hand held shot. We was shown how to open the tripod and adjust the legs, we was also shown how to put the camera onto the tripod and what is the save and accurate way of doing this.
• Memory stick- This is where all the filming is saved, therefore is another vital tool. We was shown the slot where the memory card is inserted into. When filming we are given two memory cards to ensure we have enough space to save out filming onto. We was also shown the memory card and told that if it doesnt work its because its either faulty or it's locked, we was shown how to unlock it, if its locked it means the footage will not be recorded. We was also shown how much memory card space you have used and available on the camera.
• Memory card reader- This is the where you insert the two memory cards, (memory car A and B) and view you footages onto the computer and edit you film. We was shown how to insert it into the computer and where.
• Video drive- Finally this is where we store all out footages, including soundtrack pro, live type and fianl cut pro.

The Health and safety aspects we was explained was:

• To use an unberalla when it is raining, to prevent the camera from getting wet.
• Always close the lenses of the camera.
• To make sure you have a charged battery and that all your equipments are working poperly, because you do not want to be travelling back to college as it wastes filiming time.
• Make sure you have inserted the camera onto the tripod properly and you have checked this by lifting it up.
• Not to play around with the menu of the camera, as you may press something you do not want.
• Most importantly use all the equipments as if they was your own, and treat them with respect as they cost alot which will be coming out of your pocket if broken!

Analysis of 9 shots from rt of the title sequence

"The opening title animation is a celebration of graff writers and the subcultures they travel in. Everyone riding the “Wild Style” train conducted by director Charlie Ahearn."

Every image itself shows how graffiti is popular amongst us people and recognised. Zephyr, who came up with this creation mentions how he emerged the words RAP, BREAK, POP", were all varieties of things he was doing on the trains at the time.

The colours and the idea that hip hop maybe one of the reasons behind his creations, attracted me to choose this title sequence. The colours are appealing and dominant they stand out and the way graffiti is shown through a title sequence is interesting. The title sequece is not only pictures itself, but more text the way objects are mixed with words is wonderful.
The images lacks camera work as it works as its all animated and drawn.
The title sequence I think is a inspiration for people.

Storyboard