R+P Post 10: Reflections so far and looking ahead

In the beginning of our project it was quite difficult for our group to decide on a solid idea as our groups views all contrasted. We immediately dismissed comedy as our desired genre as it would be too hard to represent effectively and is based purely on how "comical it is". After much discussion we all decided that an action-thriller would represent our interests best as well as being able to be achieved. At this point our group were slightly behind, but using "catch-up" meetings we managed to get back on track and meet our 'animatic' deadline.

R+P Post 9: Our script

R+P Post 8: Our opening sequence idea, to include sound and titles

Our opening sequence is as follows (taken from our group timeline) 

• The first shot is a skyline of London with The name of the film "404" is edited in. During this shot there is no music just the sound of traffic and the city. 
• The next shot is a title shot "a film 4 production"
•   Immediately after the shot goes to a USB being taken out of a computer, this immediately puts emphasis on the computer and connotes or genre of Cyber-thriller well.
• We then get a extreme close up of the USB which further puts draws the audiences attention to the USB.  
• This then quickly transitions to a montage of our main character typing at a computer. Within this montage there are several titles embedded between the shots.The montage ends with the hacker putting a USB into his pocket. 
•  The scene then changes to our hacker on a train in an empty carriage with his hood up to avoid drawing attention to himself. He then  walks off the platform.
• It then cuts to the hacker walking in the streets. The shot then changes to the exact same shot but on CCTV footage. This then zooms out to show someone watching him. This gives the audience the idea he is being carefully surveyed and followed. 
• The scene then cuts back to the hacker walking in the streets. He realises he is being followed by someone and begins to run. He runs into an alleyway but is cornered. and pushed against the wall. After a quick conflict the hacker throws the person on the floor. His phone then falls out and begins to ring. 
• The shot then fades to black with the text "24 hours earlier" 

 
Sound effects in our cinematic created a sense of genre, atmosphere and suspense. We used: footsteps and punching sounds to add to the realism of the situation (for a sense of atmosphere and suspense), and used typing sounds to connote the cyber genre. 
 
The following titles will appear in our sequence

• 2 Production Companies
• Main actor
•  Director
•  Music Composer
• Casting
• Visual Effects

http://www.artofthetitle.com/

The website ‘art of the title’ gave our group inspiration of opening sequences. We were able to base our opening on various examples that we saw and follow the conventions that film opening sequences have. We followed the convention of having the actors’ names as well as various people involved with the production of the film such as the director. 

Enemy of the state inspired us to have a extreme long shot of the city to emphasise setting in our opening sequence. Not only this but it also followed the conventions of having actor's names. In our own opening sequence we had an ELS of a London city to connote the London setting as well as having our actors' names come up on screen. 

A london setting  (opening shot)

The use of ECU and CU’s in Se7en gave us inspiration to use CUs in our opening sequence. Some of these shots include, shots of typing, the hacking scenes, walking (CU on feet) etc. We wanted to emphasise the importance of the actions being taken although keep everything in suspense. #

Whilst we didn’t have a specific inspiration for the style we were inspired to develop our own ideas to suit our film. We noticed that when actor’s names are mentioned it doesn’t include things such as ‘starring’ or ‘acted by’ it just has their names. We also noticed that the darkness of shots connotes the genre such as in se7ven as it is very dark. 

R+P Post 7: Our film's title and plot outline (unfinished)

Our film is called "404". We decided this was a clever title as it would appeal to fans of the cyber genre. "Error 404" is the error code that is displayed on a devise when a command cannot be carried out.

Synopsis: David is a hacker trying to take down a corrupt organisation for the greater good.

Full Plot: David Sagna, a student fond of computer technology self teaches himself hacking. When a corrupt organisation notice his capabilities they try and hire him to work for them; knowing his moral values he declines and so the organisation try to get back at him by hurting his friends. David then decides to take down the organisation for the greater good to save peoples lives and show the organisation to the world for who they really are.

Our plot starts with a fast-forward where the capture of David is shown in the brief two minutes, later going on to explain.

R+P Post 6: Our chosen genre and how we plan to connote this

Our genre is Cyber-security action thriller. During our opening sequence we will connote this in a number of ways:

London skyline (setting)

Hacking to give genre

1. Titles will be relatable to that of a typing keyboard or sense of high tech gadgets.
2. Action will be connoted through the use of a small fight scene as well as the background music.
3. Different shot types will be used in effect to connote the thriller genre.
4. Non digetic sounds of a typing keyboard will connote the cyber genre as it gives off a 'hacking' vibe.

R+P Post 5: How we plan to attract/address our target audience

Our film’s target audience are fans of cyber-security action thrillers and men and woman aged 15-30.  We plan to attract fans of cyber-security action thrillers as it will be very high tech. thus making it more enjoyable as it connotes the genre.

We plan to attract females using attractive male characters but also the slight romance in the film. This isn't connoted in the opening sequence however.

 

We will attract the target audience ages 15-30 through the use of a young protagonist in their early 20’s/late teens making it easier for the TA to relate to him. 

R+P Post 4: Representation of social groups in our opening sequence

The social group we are representing in our opening sequence are that of middle ages, young adults and late teenager of all ethnicities. This representation is connoted by our choice of characters. Our main actor will be an old teenager/ young adult and other actors will be of a young adult age. 

We decided to confine to the stereotype of the 'rebellious' teenager as our main actor is a hacker. However his rebellious nature is not shown in a negative light; he is extremely intelligent and is trying to go against a corrupt organisation for the 'greater good'. 

                                                                                                                                      

                         Robot inspired our main character.

                                                                   

The 'hit-men'; several young adults working for the corrupt organisation will contrast their stereotype. They will be very inexperienced; easily brain washed and will fail to achieve their mission. This connotes this age group in a negative light but also positive as they are still thriving to achieve.

R+P Post 3: Our production and distribution institution

Our Chosen Distributor

Our chosen distributor is Studio canal. We decided to choose this distributor as it is a distribution company working in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Since our film is set in Britain with British actors we decided that this distribution company would suit our film well. Studio Canal, distributes small independent films (much like our own). "Attack the Block" has influenced our sense of 'Britishness' in our film and is famous for being distributed by Studio Canal. 

Our Chosen Production Company

Our chosen production company is Film4. We chose this production company as they focus mainly on smaller independent films and are based in London. This is ideal for our film and thus the reason why we chose it. 

R+P Post 2: Our target audience

Primary Audience:

Our Primary Target audience (TA) are fans of cyber- security action thrillers and Men aged between 15-30. We have targeted men because of the nature of the film and genre as men tend to like action thrillers more than woman. We decided the age range of 15-30 as the main character is a male in their early 20’s and so would target this age range.

Our main character is relate-able to our TA as they can aspire and relate to him as he is a young adult. 

Our Primary audience

Secondary Audience:

Our secondary audience are females between the age range of 15-30 year olds, fans of Cyber- security thrillers and fans of Techno- thrillers. Despite being a smaller audience, these two genres are becoming a lot more popular. 

Our Secondary Audience

R+P Post 1: How we intend to work as a group

In our first group meeting we discussed and arranged further meeting times and came up with a group meeting schedule. We decided to have two hours of meeting per week so that we could progress efficiently.

Week 1

·                     Wednesday After School 

·                      Friday Period 1 & After School 

Week 2 

·                     Monday Period 1

·                     Wednesday Period 2 

·                     Thursday After School

Our meetings take place in the Media department of our school. It has a nice, quiet working atmosphere which allows us to discuss as a group as well as various resources such as: Ipads, computers, pens and paper for planning and teacher support. 

We have agreed to work by the following principles 

1. Discuss any problems we may come across with everyone in the group and if needed a media teacher. 
2. Be on time to all meetings.
3. Do our own individuals research (so we are not relying on other group members for information for making and planning the opening).
4. If for any reason a member of the group were to be ill or missing from a lesson/ meeting we should inform the rest of the group immediately to plan the time missed to catch up.

We created a Whatsapp group chat as a way of group communication outside of meetings. It allows our group to discuss ideas, change of plans, give reminders to other group members and stay in contact.

Our Whatsapp groupchat.