Convergence

Convergence is when film producers use other types of media such as websites, 

On the hobbit website, convergence has been used to attract potential and previous viewers, with a recognisable aspect/scene of the film. In this instance, it is the scene where Bilbo and Gollum exchange riddles with each other. 

Another example of convergence of this film, is the hyperlink that leads you to either a game, a recipe section, or a 'make-your-own-poster' section.

This type of convergence allows people who are interested The Hobbit to get more involved in the film and will attract more attention to the film.

Another example of convergence is the ability to share the content of a film website such as The Hobbit on social networking sites. This action is a form of 'word-of-mouth' but more virtual and online so is easier to access and more viewed on sites such as Facebook and twitter.

Sound presentation

Answers for Film Industry DVD

What is the role of the producer? What different elements does it contain? What are the four 'blocks' that Nick Powell talks about?

The role of a producer is to find the initial idea and gets all the finance together for it. He or she is the one who goes out and gets all the pieces together to make the film. There are four blocks that the producer is involved with.The first stage is raising money for the film - This involves going to the big film companies that want to make investments in it and appealing to them showing them how you well you think you can do. The next stage is developing - the producer will be there the whole way through the planning and organisation they make sure things are going smoothly and run the production as a business, through this stage they over see the development of things like scripts and screenplays. They are like the business man and make sure its going to make money from the film and that people are working productively. The next block is the making of the actual film - they over see the filming and editing making sure the crew members and actors are working together well. The next stage is taking it right to the finish, producing adverts, trailers and raising the money to do all those things. The producer and director work very closely together to make sure they are working on time and the film is going well.

What makes a good script? What must it include?
A good script needs to have a good story for the screen. This is something that will keep the audience interested and wanting to watch. There needs to be a strong idea behind the film, this is make people want to see it and think its good. The script needs to have a big interest so based on a classic novel or tv series that was a big seller.
What does the package involve? and who is it aimed at? What is script development?
The package is all about what the producer and director want to include in the film, and where to film it. it needs to include key crew and actors and locations on where they want to film. Its like an outline of of the whole process with all the little details included and a budget at the end.
The package is aimed at the investors, it is like a break down of all the different blocks and defines how they want to be paid for and who and where it is going to happen. It shows the investors the whole production from start to finish in a form of business plan. This gives them an idea as to whether or not it will be a good investment and they will make money from it.

Script development is the weeks the script takes to get perfect. There are many changes and move around on the script as to ideas that may be included or not. It involves the changes in cast members potentially and locations.
Whats the role of the producer in the shooting schedule of the film? who is the directors right hand man?
The directors right hand man is the cinematographers right hand man because he makes what the director wants to see happen. The producer works out the hardest scenes to film and films them first and then plans the rest of the schedule from there.
 
What is the significance to the budget? how is the budget broken down? What are the above and below the line costs?
the significance of the budget is too make sure every thing is going to able to be paid for. Also when it is going to be paid for. The budget is broken down by going to the script and making sections and then listing all the costs within those sections, for example cast, props, location etc. This would be like an excel spreadsheet of all the costs and then attached to the package for the investors to see. Above the line costs are the expensive necessary costs like the director and key actors. The below the line costs are the people who drive the film like the crew members and costume designers.
 
What question should an executive producer ask of every film? Why is the audience so important?
Where would it be played? that's what every producer has to ask himself because if he did not take into account where it would be played he wouldn't know what kind of audience to appeal to. The audience are the ones who are going to see the film they bring the money in. They are king.
 
Why is the marketing considered a hidden cost? What is the importance of genre in marketing? What is the 'need to see?' and how does it work? What are the significant differences between Hollywood and the UK film industry?
Some people don't realise that marketing costs money. All the posters and trailers that are made all have to be paid for. This is cost that can be quite big. It also helps create that 'need to see factor'. The need to see is created by using a big director or big actors who people will want to see just for them. For example Tom Cruise movies, some people only go to see him. Genre is hugely important because you want your film to fall into a marketable genre so its easy to build a hype and get awareness. Before a film will even go ahead in Hollywood it needs to have a release date so they can see when it should start making money back.
 
What is the distributors job? 
The distributor brings the film to the market place and makes a name for it.
 
What different ways do distributors acquire films?
A film distributor is a company like Disney or warner brothers. They have people coming to them to sell their film and make a name for it. Other ways are going to film festivals and distributors can buy the rights to distribute it. Each film should have a Unique Selling Point
 
Why is genre important?
It can help target an audience for the film. Most cinema goers are 15-24 or families so most films that are on in the cinema now aspire to fit into those genres, that they want to see.
 
Why is the release date so important? Why are school holidays so important?
In the school holidays the categories that go to the cinema (15-24 year olds) or families are off work and on holiday so they take their children out of go with their friends to see the latest film. Films can compete for dates and if two big films come out there will be a huge decision to make as to which one you want to see.
 
Why does film research happen? What does it involve?
A team will work on trying to establish a target audience this involves going round asking people if they'd watch the film they were going to release, once established an audience they can start on the marketing budget.
 
How is the marketing budget decided on? Once the budget is estimated, what tends to be the percentage spent on marketing?
they look at the countries the film will be watched in and they decide on how much to spend in each country. The marketing budget is usually around 25-30% of the cost to make the film.
 
Advertising and publicity what three sections does this involve?
Posters
TV ads
Radio ads
These are the three things that people will hear and see when out so they want to target these types of media.These are the traditional types of media.
 
Why do distributors find it so difficult to get their message to stand out? 
The general public are submitted to hundreds of different types of media even before they leave to go to work so making something that stands out is very difficult.
What remain the most important marketing tool for a film?
A trailer is the most important, in a cinema it will be how they see it and in that environment so if they like it there they will want to go and see it.
 
Why is synergy important?
Fonts
soundtracks
posters
these are all parts of the synergy to a film. They are the things that remain the same throughout the film all around the world. Where ever you go you will see the same font for example in the latest batman film.
 
Why is poster art important? Why do they 'tease'? What should a good poster reveal?
They are to sell the genre and tell people when the film is being released. They portray the characters in a way which makes the audience want to see the film.
 
Why is the trailer important? What three types of trailer do you have?
Teaser trailer - this is before production starts and gives a taster as to what is coming up
Main trailer - This is after production so has the whole film to work with just on a shorter basis
Shorter version - This is a small version of the main trailer that is played on the TV.
 
Why would the 'Perfect' trailer not have voice over?
It allows the audience to create their own mood and feeling about the film.
 
How is a TV trailer different?
They use the whole finished film with shorter scenes this means the audience get a taster of the whole film.
 
What two basic uses can distributors make of the internet?
Viral and websites. The idea of people sharing and liking ads and websites means it will spread a lot faster than a tv advert.
PR/Publicity
How can you get free publicity for a film?
magazines newspaper and tv onlines.

Exhibition
1. Cinema attendance rose
2. Piracy (negative) and digital projection (positive)
3. Milton Keynes moviplex - upgrading mutiplexes and the need to for more multiplexes
4. Not ecologically viable - not enough space
5. Dont try to take on the 'big boys' offer the night films to those going. 'World films' art films - go in screen. They don't fo for all the big blockbusters.
6. Mosaic profiling - who the customers are and aren't, turkish and bollywood films are shown depending on the audience present.
7. Three weeks before.
10. Knowedgable staff and drinks before the film starts such as wine.
12.Transform over night - show an unlinked amount of films, screen sporting events.

Audience research 
Large research analysis has been done to see what UK audiences want from film and from cinema, to get an idea of what they want to see and experience.
One thing they have to do to understand where to put a multiplex is what people want in the local area because they cant have a generic list of what everyone wants over the country. They need to adapt to what adudiences want in a local town or city. This helps to make the multiplex more succesful.

Key features of TV dramas

Some Features of Soap Operas

Never ending storylines - the serial form resists narrative closure. Open endings, the so called 'cliff-hanger' is a narrative device aimed at retaining audiences.

Multiple Plots and Characters - Storylines are usually interwoven. Scenes move continuously between different characters and plots.

Moral nature of storylines - we are invited to make moral judgements about characters and plots i.e. should Michelle have an abortion or keep the baby? Storylines based on personal and family relationships.

Social and domestic settings - e.g. shops, pubs, homes, motels etc. - potential for unlimited storylines.

Strong Female Characters – women are shown as relatively powerful either in domestic or professional settings. (relates to traditional female audience). Male characters tend to be weaker and/or more sensitive than in traditional drama.

Simplified characters - for easy recognition, sometimes to the point of being stereotypes.

 

Crime dramas

Crime dramas revolve around the actions of a criminal mastermind. A Crime drama will often revolve around the criminal himself, chronicling his rise and fall, or around the law and the relationships of the characters. Some Crime dramas will have a storyline that follows the criminal's victim, yet others follow the person in pursuit of the criminal. This genre tends to be fast paced with an air of mystery – this mystery can come from the plot or from the characters themselves.

 

Fantasy dramas

Crime film is a genre that revolves around the action of a criminal mastermind. A Crime film will often revolve around the criminal himself, chronicling his rise and fall. Some Crime films will have a storyline that follows the criminal's victim, yet others follow the person in pursuit of the criminal. This genre tends to be fast paced with an air of mystery – this mystery can come from the plot or from the characters themselves. Series such as Merlin, uses CGI alongside real actors and locations. 

 

Youth dramas

Youth dramas usually revolve around the actions and consequences of young people. They are usually set in locations or events that would appeal to young people such as festivals and parties. There are usually adults in the storyline but with less significance than teens. On the contrary, youth dramas can take place in location that do not appeal to young people such as Tracy Beaker, set in a foster home. 

 

Thriller Evaluation

Costumes  

We initially had the idea of dressing the victim in a school uniform, because this shows her vunerability and young age. Generally in thriller films the victim is a young girl who gets captured, so we decided to follow this convention. we then thought when the sequence progresses to the woods scene, we change the costume to a plain white dress, because this follows the codes and conventions and emphasises her innocence, and fits the Helmet Nickels "white hats, black hats" theory. When we dressed the girl, we smeared red paint on her to represent blood, and we also put a hand print on her to represent that she is being controlled mentallly and physically. also we put writing on her arms, if we relate to the deeper story line this relates to the scarring that she suffered from her parents death.
When looking at the antagonist he is wearing dark colours which relates to "white hats, black hats" and he is wearing gloves, which represents he is hiding his identity. His backround story is that he is a social recluse who only goes out to buy food or the bare neccesities of life, so there is an area of mystery around him and the whole aspect of not knowing who he is is maintained throughout the thriller because you only see him in one sequence and this maintains his unknown identity.
We then looked at the location. There is only three locations; the girls bedroom, which is seen when she returns home from school and this builds the suspense because nothing seems out of place. We decorated the room with childs toys to make it look more like a playroom. We used the same room for the villain, but for this we changed the lighting and the surroundiong so it fitted intoi the thriller convention of being entrapped so the room is quite small and dark. Also in this scene the blinds are closed and the only light source is a small lamp so he is closed off and has no contact with the outside world that you see and is a typical villain in a thriller. Later on we moved into the woods because it is a typical location for a thriller such as Cabin In The Woods, because the trees represent the entrapment and that there is no way out. We have places her in the woods as if she is stepping out of reality, it is also very dark so you think something bad is going to happen. When she is in her home it is light and the floor is a lighter colour, but the minute we step into the woods there is very low light and there is a small flickering in the corner which was our only light source. We filmed at about 5pm and the sun was setting and it was shadowy and very effective. 
When we looked at lighting the woods were dark which means that menace could take place without people noticing, and in her house it is light which represents a safe environment where she cannot be hurt. When the villain is in his room he controls the shadows, by turning off the light or making the location lighter. So when we look at the woods scene this links to the the controling aspect of him. She is in the shodows which means her body and mind is under his control because she is in the shadows. The dark room can be linked to 'Se7en' where inside he has all of his planning and the darkness represents his life, because it is dark, and he cannot see the world.  In 'Se7en' you can see the villains hands moving objects and in our thriller you can get a point of view of the villain's hands reading a book and this links very well with other media.
When we looked at camera angles we used an extreme close up of the girls eyes to emhpasise the possession the villain has over her, we also used this shot to show the lack of emotion as she is being possessed and controlled. We also used over the shoulder shot to represent the antagonist following her and that she is in danger. With the mid-shot it works as quite a good transition shot, as Nicole walked by, we changed the shot from mid to long shot, this shows the costume and the emotion from her face, but also makes it smoother to flow to a long shot. The long shot emmphasises the distance between the girls rational and irrational mind and the further away she gets the harder it will be for her to return to a normal state.When we see her close up we see the full change and the full possession take place. Back to the long shot, this allows the full body to be captured, unlike a mid shot where it is head to hip or close up which is just the face.
The narrative structure is linear and in chronological order so the audience will understand the whole opening sequence before the film starts.
The whole plot of the thriller film is about a young girl with a troubled past, her parents were killed in a car crash and she has always been quite distant from her secondary carers (her aunt and uncle), she has never really felt as close to them, as you would if you suffered the same loss. The distance and separation element has been there from the start so we dont have to introduce it which helps maintain the force she has over the possession and mental distance. The idea behind it is that when we look at her change, in the sequence we see it as a quick process, if we look at the change deeper it represents the change from child to teenager and also how society looks upon teenagers. You can also relate the girl and the villain because the villian is hidden away and the girls never socializes with her family and they are both recluses to society in there own right. Both soundtracks show the change in the girl well, the first one is serious and builds suspense but is lighter hearted, and when we see the transition to the villain the music fades out to a deep rumble as the villain comes into shot, which shows the audience that the villain is dangerous and represents the personality of the man. It also emphasises the points made about him such as the controlling nature of him.
When looking at social groups, the villain is male because historically men are dominant and this represents that he has control over the girl, but it also connotes that he is trying to dominate society. With the victim it is an innocent school girl who is vulnerable to the world, and this makes the villain being able to trap her alot easier. With the representation of women in thriller films they are always the weaker gender, and we used the general theory of having a male antagonist and female protagonist such as the film Psycho. 
When looking at a suitable audience, this film opens up a wide variety of possible audiences. When we did our audience research we found that most people watched films online, so when we release our film on a website such as YouTube, we should attract quite a young audience because it is easier to access the internet nowadays. When advertising we could post advertisments on social networking sites. Our film is suitable for males and females, because it has both male and female charachters which makes the film more appealing because it has gender equality. 
When looking at attracting our audience we used an everyday setting as a location because people can relate to it, and if you look at the character of the young girl from the parents perspective, they can relate to what the girl is going through. 
When looking at what institutions may distribute our product, we have to look at both new and old methods, such as mailing a copy to a film company or posting it online.
When we look back at our preliminary task we can clearly see that we have learnt alot in editing and camera angles. For example we have a more advanced skill with transitions which allow it to flow better and our camera skills have improved because of better equipment and steadier shots. Aslo our choice of a soundtrack a has improved such as being less cheesy and cliche, this improved our opening sequence. We have also used a wider range of camera angles such as establishing shots which sets the scene whereas in our preliminary task did not which left the audience wondering where the film is set, but in our final production the zoom out from the woods shows where the story is taking place.
Our storyline producing has also improved because in our preliminary task we used 'The Thing' as inspiration, but put a comedy spin on it. Although it is tacky and cheesy there are still good camera movements and editing invloved whereas with our final production our storyline is more appropriate for the thriller genre and is more serious. In our preliminary task we had a script which was two characters interacting whereas in our final piece there is no dialogue which increases the suspense and mystery.
Finally looking at the technology of which we have prgresse in our construction, we have learnt how to make our own effects. We used iMovie before which was basic whereas Final Cut Pro is more advanced and allows for better transitions and editing quality. In the scene of the villain in his room, the layering of the two clips shows multiple hands which represents how he plans things and does things quickly. We used blogger to document all of our research and allows us to archive all of our work and to visualise what we need to improve or remove. We also used SurveyMonkey, to make questionaires to give to an audience to get feedback on what to improve on our thriller. 
The title name 'The Absence' was decided on because it represents the absence of the girls mind when she is possessed and being absent from society, as well as the villain being absent from the rest of the world. We placed the title at the end of the opening sequence because this is typical in other films.