Evaluation

For this project we had to produce a minimum two minute thriller opening, using one camera and working in groups of two or more. I worked with Nikita and Priscilla to produce a thriller opening named “Rebecca” which shows the start of a film where a girl named Rebecca is being stalked by a man who takes photos of her regularly and has an obsession with her. Meanwhile she is trying to get along with her day to day life, but she does notice and if we had made the rest of the film we would see her go on a journey to find out who exactly her stalker is. Our overall production went well but we did face quite a few problems along the way technically and went back over the thriller various times to check for problems.
To film our thriller we used a High Definition Sony Z1 camera and to edit we used Final Cut Pro. During this process we had to learn how to use these new cameras and learnt a lot of new things to do in Final Cut pro such as how to de interlace our work when it’s finished and also how to export the final product. We also had to check for audio peaks and checking video levels to make sure that it is professional standard.
Our project/thriller mainly went well while editing as we finished filming quite quickly compared to other groups and so we started and logging and capturing from an early stage, making sure to name all captures with appropriate names so that it was easy for us to know what we were clicking on in later stages. Our first problem which we faced was that we found that we haven’t actually filmed some shots that were on our storyboard and were in fact quite crucial for continuity reasons. One of these shots was a MS of Rebecca through the cafe window which would have been identical to a picture that the stalker has on his board and would have allowed for a match cut which could have been a strong point in our thriller. To get around this we added in a camera sound effect and made it seem as though the staler had taken a picture but the audience didn’t see him taking it. Despite this one thing that did go well was the music, which took us some time to find. We had about ten CDs with us while choosing the music but couldn’t seem to find the right track, in the end we ended up not using any, but in fact used a track from Soundtrack Pro. This leads on to one of my roles which I took on within the group of changing sound levels and making sure the music came down when there was important diegetic sound and came back up when we needed to add suspense and also moving it and cutting it where needed. Adding to the success of the music we added an additional sound from soundtrack pro at the end of thriller when the title Rebecca comes on to add impact to it. Although when we have watched the thriller back we noticed that actually that sound and title effect gives the whole thriller “opening” a trailer feel rather than the beginning of a film.
In final cut we used a lot of cross dissolves and fades to black, which wasn’t actually our original plan of having quick and sharp cuts. But we did this to overcome the fact that some shots weren’t so good as they were out of focus or shakey and needed something to take away from that. But looking back at the film it does work well, as it leaves something to the audience’s imagination and adds an enigma.
On a whole I don’t think we used the technology to its full potential as when we were filming we had the camera on automatic, not manual which although we couldn’t see a difference before, we did when we watched the footage over and over. A good example of this downfall is with the scene where Rebecca is in her house coming through the door and ringing the police; we noticed that the whole scene had a very yellow tone rather than a perfect white balance. If we had used the camera on manual and changed the white balance as we were taught then we wouldn’t have had this problem. To overcome this hurdle we acquired the advice of the technician and found out how to change the colour balance. Although this was helpful, after looking at the final product on a big screen I feel as though we didn’t quite get the colour balance right as I feel it looks a bit washed out rather than vibrant. But saying this, the washed out colouring signifies the thriller genre of our opening.
If we was to do this again I think we would film more shots, even if it’s too much as at points we wanted to replace some shots but couldn’t because we had nothing to replace it with. I’d also try to look at our work with more of a critical head and look at it how an audience would; so that I would notice things like the fact it looks more like a trailer.
Our work does work well as a thriller but I don’t think that it works well as a thriller opening, because of how it ends, other than that it does work well as an opening. I don’t think it’s conventional as we have dialogue in it, which we didn’t see when we were researching thriller openings, but it is conventional in the sense that it has enigmas, although when getting feedback we were told that it actually might be giving too much away. To improve it we could have added more after the title “Rebecca” to make it seem like the beginning of a film. Some feedback we received was that the slow motion effect worked well as well as the stalker putting up the pictures. They also said that the way Jesse disappears is very dramatic and adds to the suspense as well as the gloved hands. The audience could also see that we put in effort and a lot of preparation into the stalkers picture board. One downfall was the acting but this is through no fault of our own.
Overall our thriller looks good and received a good response from the audience apart from the laughing when Rebecca is on the phone to the police. But mainly it went very well as we worked good as a team and put in a lot of effort in all parts.

Exporting on Final Cut Pro

There are 3 ways to export. 
1. A self Contained movie -Which means that the file can only be opened on Final Cut pro - this is probably not the best way to export as its very limited on where you can open the file.
2. Allows a option on what file format you have so you can play it in various places
3. Allows you to change the file after and can be made into disc format.


When exporting you need to mark in and mark out for your whole sequence so that the computer knows where the beginning and end of your video is. After doing this you must check the audio peaks (sound levels) and also check the colour of your work (contrast and brightness) so that your work looks and sounds professional. After this you should de interlace your video, but only do this once you know your video is exactly as you want it and nothing else needs changing. But still make a copy of your file before you de interlace just in case. To de interlace you should highlight all the video and going on the filter tab and click de interlace and drag it on.  Once this is done you go to file then quick time conversion and selecting all frames then choosing the size and then its done.

Future Television Technology

Television Technology

SLIDE 2 -

Internet TV, is a type of convergence which is very beneficial for us, the audience.

It allows us to pick what we want to watch from a directory of channels, when and if we choose. There are two ways that we can view Internet TV – The content of what you want to watch can be streamed to the media player/TV that want to watch off, or you view the programmes on your computer on websites such as 4OD and BBC iplayer a limitation of this is that the programmes aren't available forever.

Because almost everyone has caught on most channels now have an internet channel/website where their viewers can watch their programmes.

SLIDE 3 -

Electronic brands such as Sony and Samsung now make Internet televisions, and even 3D televisions which I will go on to talk about later. Not only can you watch on demand television on these internet televisions but you can also browse the internet on some, as long as you have a keyboard and a mouse to get the full experience. Including going on social networking applications such as Skype and Facebook. This is especially useful for people such as myself(Student) as it means that we can do everything all in one place.

Most major channels offer on demand services, both on the TV and each have their own websites such as BBC who have BBC iplayer, Channel 4 have 4OD and ITV have ITV player. These websites are useful for when I have missed a show, but I don’t always even have time to go on the websites as its even more hassle than having to had watch it on TV in the first place.

Overall Internet Television is almost the ultimate convergence and brings the entertainment of television together with the adventure of exploring the internet.

SLIDE 4 -

3D Television is quite self explanatory, a television that shows three dimensional image. Although the 3D technology has been around since the late nineteenth century, to have the experience of watching 3D films etc in your homes is bringing a whole new practice to us.

Most new 3D televisions are able to produce 2D video images as well as 3D, so that ultimately we have a choice, although when you want to watch things in 3D you have to put on the glasses which would have came with the television.. Which is a bit impractical if you were to have visitors over, and with prices for the glasses ranging near to a hundred pounds, who really has the money to be spending on something which may end up being obsolete in a few years as new technology is constantly being produced.

Early 3D images/films were done so that as an audience we had to wear glasses with one red and one blue lens so that our eyes see two slightly different images. This 3D image was very bad. Currently we have RealD 3D systems where the image is filmed by two cameras slightly offset, it is projected at 144 frames per second. This technology was first used in 2005’s Chicken Little. Some films are translated to CD after they are filmed which some may argue doesn’t work well.

SLIDE 5 -

Some people who have been viewing 3d television have complained about headaches and even visual problems. So possibly 3D Television wont be the next big thing like turning digital, but in fact a bad decision made by television companies.

All different genres of programmes have tried the new 3D experience, with Sky sports even showing the Chelsea Vs Stoke City Premier league in 3D back in April.

Some 3D televisions are passive meaning that everything that makes the image 3D happens inside the television this is an advatage in the fact that the television is cheaper and so  is the glasses. The other type is Active meaning that the glassess is where the technology happens but this makes the glasses all the more expensive although they are more “stylish” like the ones shown.

SLIDE 6 -

The Sony Bravia WE5 is energy saving, with heat and motion sensors that turn off the television if it senses no motion or an empty room also with a light that senses the light getting darker and dims the brightness on the TV to suit it.

SLIDE 7 -

All three of these technologies are fairly new and so while they may have reached its full development stages, 3D TV could still have a  bad response from the public, with ridiculous prices for accessories alone and our homes not providing the right lighting for the best quality image. And while an eco friendly TV with motion sensing may seem like the perfect choice, customers may not be willing to sacrifice picture quality over saving a few pounds on their electric bill.

Video Shoot Evaluation

For our Thriller we filmed over 3 days in various locations including in Selhurst (Cafe and the street), South Norwood ( train station), Nikita's house ( the stalkers hideaway) and Rebecca's house. 

The filming went quite well, although for the last day of shooting one team member wasn't present which didn't cause major problems, but wasn't beneficial to us. We made sure we got a wide of variety of shots of each scene so that when it came to editing we would have alot to choose from. For the scene where the stalker is putting up pictures we possibly had too many takes of it, as when we had to log and capture we had more than enough. We used our initiative in situations such as not having lighting equipment so consequently we used a lamp in the stalker board scenes, which in fact looked even better than if we had had a proper expensive lighting kit.As an individual i feel that i played a significant part in there filming process, making sure I participated wherever necessary, such as doing lighting, a bit of directing and filming for example i filmed most of the cafe scene and filmed some scenes of the stalker although the stalker scenes i filmed werent included in the final edit. 

We all used our strengths to our advantage and helped each other when we found weaknesses, but all made sure we took turns to do each role. Our actors were fairly good, and took orders well so we weren't behind with filming.  

If I was to do anything differently I would have done a few more shots in some scenes rather than keep trying to get it perfect on one shot for example the over shoulder of Rebecca which i filmed more than 5 times to get right.
I don't think we used the camera to its full potential as we never really paid much attention to changing the filters etc manually, but were lucky enough for it to come out looking good.

If we were offered a choice of extra equipment , and extra camera would have been beneficial as with one camera we had to redo scenes from different angles in order for us to get good continuity. 

  

UK Broadcasting Systems

In the UK we have a variety of broadcasting systems, which enable us to watch the television.

Terrestrial Broadcasting

This is the kind of broadcasting, which does not consist of any satellites or any cable, but instead uses radio waves. The radio waves send out a signal, while our TV aerials pick up this signal and convert into video images on screen. These radio waves are sent out from a transmitter most likely situated in a central place (on a hill) from all the places that are being provided with its services; the closest transmitter from the BRIT school is in Crystal Palace. Although this may seem like the most beneficial option, having been used for 70 years to receive television services it does have its drawbacks. Some of these drawbacks are that as the radio waves travel in a straight line, they cannot travel over or through obstructions such as hills and another problem is that bad weather affects the signal, the last problem is that the transmitter can only send out radio waves for a limited distance so there are limits of bandwidth.

Satellite Television

Satellite television is received through out set top boxes or satellite dishes; they receive the signals which are being sent out a specific satellite in space. One UK example of a satellite company is Sky. They rent satellites which are in space, sending signals to all their satellite dishes on top of people’s houses, providing them with viewing entertainment. There are a lot of benefits for the audience from this type of viewing experience such as better signal as terrain is not in the way like with terrestrial, better picture quality; it’s available in high definition, interactive television and the big bonus of more channels.

Cable TV

Cable TV is almost self explanatory; it provides a TV service through cables. These cables are either optical fibres or coaxial cables, which are located underground. Saying this, each road will most probably almost be “owned” by a particular brand. For example my road could have all Virgin Media cables underneath, so if I ever decided to get a cable subscription, the only option I would have would be to go on Virgin media, this is a big benefit for the cable TV providers. Drawbacks for the audience are that their street may not have any cables or their street may only have the cables for the company which they don’t prefer another drawback is that this method is hard to maintain as you can’t expect them to dig up the road each time something goes wrong with your cable connection.

Digital broadcasting and Internet TV

Digital broadcasting is simply having digital signals rather than using analogue waves to broadcast to our TVs. With our technology increasingly changing, this trend is becoming more and more popular. We even have “multiplexes” which allow us to broadcast a variety of channels together on one bandwidth.

Internet TV and broadband is a very new trend, where it lets the audience be in control. If I was to miss Eastenders one night, I know that the next day I can just log onto iPlayer and watch it, with out any fuss. But one problem with this is that if I had slow connection broadband then while watching the show online it will keep stopping to ‘buffer’ or ‘load’.

All these broadcasting systems have their drawbacks as well as their advantages, but they can all obviously be aimed at different audiences and for different purposes. For example internet TV is most commonly used by teens and young adults, as we are always on the move, and only able to catch TV when it suits us whereas someone older may prefer satellite TV as they can view more than 5 channels, and be thoroughly entertained.

Storyboard

Thriller Synopsis

As sixteen year old Rebecca Steward Holness tries to get through her everyday life, unbeknowst to her someone is watching her day and night. From his basement in his home her stalker gathers information about her daily, all right under the nose of his loving wife. Why is he obssesed with her? Have they ever met? And just who is the stalker? 
Shot in the dangerous streets of south London, Rebecca is having a normal weekend, but someone is following her every step of the way.
From the gloomy streets she walks through to the dimly lit basement of his home, who is the stalker and where does he think he knows rebecca from? Tension is built through the music, sharp cuts and tension built storyline. These egnimas and hidden information such as the stalkers identity makes the audience want to know the answers and who this man is. We have made sure the only character we have partly revealed is Rebecca our victim.