REFLECTION ON THE FINAL TASK

BY GENOVEVA FOSSAS

HOW DOES YOUR PRODUCT USE OR CHALLENGE CONVENTIONS?• Most mystery thriller films tend to use music or dark scenery (as seen in

Se7en or Sherlock Holmes: Murder by Decree)

• While my film did utilize suspenseful, foreboding music to gain the attention of my audience, I do not feel as if I used the dark scenery that I saw in SH: Murder By Decree or Se7en (as demonstrated in the adjacent video)

• The opening sequence of Gone Girl also presents darker scenes, but they aren’t quite as dark as the previously mentioned films – demonstrating that deviation isn’t unheard of, but rather uncommon in terms of commonplace mystery thriller films.

• SH: Murder by Decree and Gone Girl both present a large amount of long shots in their film, as well as a few other Mystery-Thriller films. I feel as if I was unknowingly inspired by this, as I used quite a few myself. This is another way in which I followed the conventions of a Mystery-Thriller film.

HOW DOES YOUR PRODUCT REPRESENT SOCIAL GROUPS OR ISSUES?• My opening most definitely achieved a degree of

representativeness, but I feel that if I was given more resources (actors and actresses, most notably) I could have made the film far more representative.

• In my opening, I decided to assign the protagonist role of decommissioned detective to Kendall, a female. Although the media in the US is becoming more representative with each passing year, it is still a bit rare to see such a role given to a female. I attempted to demonstrate that females and males are equals and are capable of the same mistakes and are capable of holding the same job.

• I represented this further with the protagonist’s and the supporting character’s outfit, as it they are both neutral in terms of presentation. They are not extremely effeminate in nature.

HOW DOES YOUR PRODUCT ENGAGE WITH AUDIENCES AND HOW WOULD IT BE DISTRIBUTED AS A REAL MEDIA TEXT? – PART A• To engage audiences, I decided to primarily use music

to my advantage. Upon noticing that most mystery thriller films (most notably Se7en) had foreboding, suspenseful music accompanying their opening sequence, I decided to utilize it as a tool to gain the audience’s attention – just as the other films had. David Fesliyan’s music seemed to fit this role best.

• The suspense created by the film and the subsequent cliff hanger (via the note) are the main hooks of my opening and are the devices that are intended to make the audience intrigued and willing to stay. The sudden change from a quiet situation to a situation of possible danger are likely to keep the audience wondering what could possibly be in store for the protagonist.

HOW DOES YOUR PRODUCT ENGAGE WITH AUDIENCES AND HOW WOULD IT BE DISTRIBUTED AS A REAL MEDIA TEXT? – PART B• In distribution, I would more than likely target those who

enjoy mysteries that are similar to those of Criminal Minds and Bones, as the film (if produced to completion) would include many aspects of official crime investigation.

• Before putting into major movie theaters, I would more than likely preview how it will be met in terms of sales in a few theaters across the US and a perhaps another English-speaking country. If it is met well, then discussions with theater representatives will become more large and wide-scale.

• The production won’t necessarily require a lot of expensive, computer based special effects, so a smaller production company could easily be used. A larger company could be used, but would only majorly effect the film in terms of special effects.

HOW DID YOUR PRODUCTION SKILLS DEVELOP THROUGHOUT THIS PROJECT?• I feel as if this project was my true beginning as an amateur film maker, as I have never

truly made anything as intensive before this class.

• I have learned that editing can fix quite a bit, but a truly perfect shot is unparalleled in terms of fluidity and appearance.

• I learned to love tracking shots and many angles, as they all have the capability to illustrate a certain mood or point. Also, I enjoy the whole process of editing – the prospect of sitting in front of a computer toying with the possibilities is amazing to me.

• I have learned to dislike the actual filming process however, as it is incredibly intensive and time consuming. I seem to prefer changing the film I am provided with rather than creating it myself.

• Although filming was enjoyable in some respects, I remain firm in my love of computers and anything relating to technology.

• My journey as a filmmaker was one of a complete novice – I learned what I like about filming, and how it works. However, I also learned why being a director wouldn’t exactly suit me.

HOW DID YOU INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGIES – SOFTWARE, HARDWARE, AND ONLINE – IN THIS PROJECT?• To edit my film, I used Pinnacle Studio 18. To film, I used

a standard HD Cannon camcorder.

• In class, I was taught (through demonstrations and examples, primarily) how to use the camera and it’s accessories (the tripod) to their true capability. This affected my tracking shots primarily, as the tripod and the camera allowed me to gain smooth, clear footage.

• Prior to filming, the internet was a great source for me. I was able to watch openings of several films in order to grasp how mystery/thriller films commonly presented themselves in the first minutes. I also located the music that fit my project best and necessary tutorials for Pinnacle Studio 18, which were essential in the completion of my film.