Question 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what have you learnt in the progression from it to full product?

Looking back at my preliminary task, I have learnt that hard work and dedication is the way forward. I have learnt a lot whilst making my film. I learnt how to make background noise fade, how to cut from one scene to the other smoothly, how to add  appropriate background music at the beginning of my film and how to add some background music to the film. I have learnt how to use a camera properly and how to use the settings; also I have learnt how different camera angles have effect on target audiences. For example a camera angle I have learnt, and won’t forget Is the extreme close up. I learnt that it is used to show emotions and feelings. In my personal opinion I think I have made a huge progress from my preliminary task to my final edited product.

Question 6: what have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

During the filming of my opening sequence I found it quite difficult using a tripod because when I played the scene, the tripod made a lot of noise. To overcome this problem I decided to use my hand to hold the camera. This was a lot better because my hands were quite steady which made it better to film and the background noise reduced. I used an Apple Mac Computer to edit my opening sequence. This software was really hard to use but I played around with it for a while then I got used to it. It was really helpful because I was able to cut some of the unnecessary background noise out, I was also able to use the effects such as “The Ripple” to help create emphasis on my the scene. I produced the music that I used in my opening sequence using “Garage Band”. Whilst I was making my film I had to make sure that there was no obstacle in the way, I also had to make sure my location were in a safe area, and shooting all my scenes during daytime, this is so my characters are safe and no accidents happening during filming.

i used a Canon Camera to video my opening sequence.

<i  used the editing software on a Mac computer to edit my film.

Question 5: How did you attract/address your audience?

Before I filmed my opening sequence I had to do a lot of research to make sure I attracted& address the right target audience. I had to make sure that my film was exciting and I had to make something a teenager would be interested in, and something they would want to carry on watching. Having teenage characters also helped in attracting and engaging the right target audience, it also helped the teenage viewers feel involved. I wanted to make an opening sequence that the audience would watch and think to themselves “I know that feeling”. Attracting the right target audience to suite my film idea I had to, create a questionnaire, this allowed me to see what different people of different age groups preferred watching. I didn't make my film according to the results of my questionnaire this was because I had a lot if adult response. I also had complete a task for our Blogs on our favorite movie genres, this helped  me in making the decision of making a “Coming of Age” drama as my opening sequence. My personal favourite Movie genres are: teen drama/comedy Movies. This is because I can relate to them, and also understand the message they are trying to get across.

Question 4: who would be the audience for your media product?

From doing my research on the BBFC and watching my opening sequence piece, my film will be rated 12. The narrative of my  “Coming of Age” drama focuses on a female teen character who is 18 years of age, therefore my film will appeal to anyone in their teenage years and now growing up into adulthood. I think the BBFC I rated my film is appropriate, because I wrote the film from a teenager’s perspective. My opening sequence piece hasn’t got expensive cameras used to video it, so it didn’t come out top range like other coming of age films such as: 16 wishes, but the storyline can help my teenage target audience relate to whatever it is that’s happened to them or if they haven’t experienced such thing, my media product can give them an insight on what others that have been through it really feel.

Question 3: what kind of media institute might distribute you media product?

It is very unlikely that my film will get distributed to a big media institution like a cinema. This is because it doesn’t have the level of quality to be shown/distributed by a media institute of high standards. My chosen film genre has already been produced and released to high quality; releasing another “Coming of Age” drama into cinema with poor quality wouldn’t seem appropriate. On the other hand I would like to see my media product launched on social networking sites such as: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter & MySpace. By doing it creates a hype, enigma and buzz for the audience. It would also be easier for my target audience to have access to. Reason being; technology is the new way of everything, especially with teenagers. My media product being on networking sites will allow my target audience to access it anytime during the day. Teenagers don’t spend time watching TV anymore, they would rather be on their laptop socializing with friends. And from if a teenager sees the advertisement, they can pass the information to their friend and they can pass it on from there as well.

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

My media product represents a particular social group through Gender& Age. It represents teenagers growing up and leaving the childish ways, and experiencing the feeling of reality hitting them hard. In my opening sequence piece I have a female character as my main focus. The film starting with a female character in some ways creates a sense of vulnerability. In some films women are presented to be weak, passive rather than active. In my media product I presented the characters to be friendly, caring and fashionable. They are shown to be matured, independent, and respectful. The main character in the film is turning 18, this shows that that’s the age where leaving the childish ways behind is essential. As we see in the last scene sometimes girls can’t handle reality and rather than facing it head on, like some boys do, girls tend to breakdown. It follows on with chick flick movies such as; Mean girls and Clueless. They all use female characters to play the main character because they present them to be strong physically but shown to be very weak and vulnerable inside.

Coming of Age Genre

Childhood is a time where children learn about the world around them.   They see and experience many factors that influence their everyday lives, which help them grow stronger when they become adults. Coming-of-age film is a film genre which focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the central character from youth to adulthood. Personal growth and change is an important characteristic of this genre, which relies on dialogue and emotional responses, rather than action packed scenes. The main character is typically female, around mid-teen and the story is often told in the form of a flash-back.  Coming of age movie  is a movie where the central plot revolves around a person suddenly facing a life changing experience, trial or tribulation. That person once was a naive or childish person, and now they are suddenly older and wiser because of the experience. They see life and their place in the universe for the first time, the story features at least one adolescent main character and follows his/her life experiences up to and sometimes through adulthood. It often emphasizes the lessons the character learned that contributed to his/her personal growth that is exhibited in the story.

All Coming of Age films share certain thematic similarities the most basic of which is their strong focus on stories of young people on the edge of maturity. There are other important themes that define coming of age including the death of a loved one, falling in love for the first time, and high school graduation. Good coming of age films frequently deal with controversial topics such as sexuality, loss of virginity, or leaving home for the first time but they are rarely exploitative. Rite of passage films are often sentimental and they usually appeal to the emotions, but the good ones never play on the prurient. Generally the adolescent characters are forced to make a decision, the outcome of which will have a significant and life shaping impact on their futures. 

The term coming of age is also used in reference to different media such as stories, songs, movies, etc. that have a young character or characters who, by the end of the story, have developed in some way, through the undertaking of responsibility, or by learning a lesson.
Here are some examples of "Coming of Age" films:

Bibliography:
http://www.theskykid.com/movies/coming-of-age-films-defenition/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coming_of_age

Camera Angles That Inspire Me.

Birds Eye View Camera Shot
I personally like this this Camera Angle because it makes me feel really small and vulnerable.I feel like this little person/creature in such a big place but yet I can still see everything. I get a Superior feeling every time I look at this camera angle shot because everyone looks so small and looking down on them whilst being up there makes me feel like am in control of everything going on below. An example of a film that has this scene would be the final shot in "Much Ado About Nothing".

Over The Shoulder Camera Shot
This camera angle is going to be in my sequence. This shot is seen when Monique's talking to her friends on the webcam and also when her brother comes into the room. Having an Over the shoulder shot in my film focuses the audience's attention on the one actor and seeing things from their point of view. This is a general shot that is sometimes always used in  Films when two people are having a conversation.

Underwater Camera Shots
Ever since I was a little girl I loved playing with anything that involves water, I loved swimming and playing in the rain. When I watch films I always get really excited when I see an Underwater scene. I love underwater scenes because everything in the sea is Natural and it feels like another world below us that is full of adventure waiting to be explored.
This camera shot won't be a part of my film due to lack of technology, and it would be irrelevant.  If, I had all the equipment I needed to make an underwater scene it would definitely be a significant scene in my film. An example of a film that has this scene would be "The Abis & Harry Potter part 4"

16 Wishes - Trailer

This Movie is very similar to mine, the main concept is about making wishes and the wishes going wrong and leaving a Huge impact in the character's life.

Research

GE: 1

Download1. What is your favorite movie?
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		Response Count
Show Responses		22

DownloadCreate Chart2. what is you favorite movie genre?
	answered question		22
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		Response Percent	Response Count
horror		4.5%	1
romance		18.2%	4
drama		9.1%	2
adventure / action		0.0%	0
war		4.5%	1
comedy		31.8%	7
thriller		9.1%	2
western		0.0%	0
musical		0.0%	0
kids / universal		0.0%	0
indie / arthouse		4.5%	1
anime		0.0%	0
teen		0.0%	0
sci fi		13.6%	3
Other (please specify) Show Responses		4.5%	1

Download3. who is your favorite Actor/Actress
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Show Responses		22

DownloadCreate Chart4. Have you ever been to a movie premier?
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		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes		22.7%	5
No		77.3%	17

Download5. if you answered "Yes" to question 4, please state which.
	answered question	5
	skipped question	17
		Response Count
Show Responses		5

Download6. who is your favorite movie producer?
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		Response Count
Show Responses		22