Meta Analysis

The first question that comes up when you analyse something is what do you aim to gain from your analysis. So far in our project we have looked at 2 key areas before our filming; At short Films and at Director's behind what we're parodying. The reason we have looked at short films is that it is integral to delve into the information behind our medium. What makes it a short film, in terms of conventions, constraits and differences from other mediums, aswell as the way other directors have used the medium all are key pieces of information that as a group we need to know should our film be a success. Not because we should follow the information but rather as the information is a guideline in a way. With this guideline we can push boundries or stay conventional. It is all about having the information. In a similar way, looking at our parodied is key because we can gain invaluable knowledge into all of the key areas of the series, be it conventions, lighting, sound, editing and even the way the credits are presented.

Note: This may seem an odd placement of this post however I think it puts a formal 'Lid' on what we had researched for our film and why.

Hoping this post will get a good Reception .... Theory

Recently in the theory section of our lessons, we have covered the way post modernism has been incorperated into Film, Tv and even used by characters in the media spotlight. What effect has it had on us, as an audience? Well that was my most recent essay - but rather than quote from that, which includes things that dont relate to our production, I'm gonna go over the key way a Parody changes the Audience. Now how does a Parody change the Audience? Simple. Intertextuality - a word so long it must hold some power!
When an audience merely accepts what they see and dont really think much with a film, they are considered a Hyperdermic Needle Audience. This is effectly because the film or media is 'injected' directly into them and as an audience there is no kind of response or thinking. Intertextuality however changes this completely. Intertextuality draws directly from other mediums, items or people and uses them for an effect. Surely this cant make much of a difference? Well, in actuality intertextuality can split an entire audience, into two groups. Those that know of the reference's origins and those who dont. The group of the audience that aknowledge the intertextuality become a 'Receptive' audience. This is the basis behind Reception Theory.
Reception theory is centred around the concept that an audience can gain a greater experience from one 'text' than others. Why intertextuality is the key tool in Reception theory is that in using intertextual references, a director is relying on the audience to have some form of understanding of what is being refered to. And if they do, a heirarchy of understanding is created within an audience in some way.

Stop, Camera, helping out editing!

These are the paintball videos that my brother filmed awhile back. After working out that there was an editing software on my laptop, he enlisted my help to edit them. Most of it is basic cuts and simple use of 'titles' as subtitles where my brother inputted various things that have happened thoughout the films.
As each film goes on more features have been added as we got to grips with them (ie: freeze shots, ect)

The music in each film is copyright (Jamie T - Man's Machine, Gorillaz - Kids with guns (audio currently blocked) and Kasabian - shoot the runner), however each peice of music has been referenced on Youtube (and i just referenced them for here) and since the videos arent being used for profit i think it sticks to all copyright rules.

A few behind the scenes pictures (a few purely because my camera CF card was almost full at the start =/ )

These are a few of the shots that I took whilst the filming was taking place. The first 3 shots were for perspective Poster shots.The next two shots were taken by Dom while I was overseeing Laurens filming and the final 2 shots I took as:

We all struggled with the setting up of the tripod

and as Dom helped Tom with the script (i think) while Lauren led Jonny off for his scene at the start.

There would have been more shots had it been for the fact I ran out of CF Memory =[

One leg was harmed in the making of this film ...

Finally filmed! After much planning and some massive improvisations we have filmed all but 1 scene. Originally when me and lauren met up, both with sets of actors in tow, we had discovered that we had forgotten our plushie toy that was going to play 'antagonist' of the film. Additionally we had one scene that hadn't been storyboarded and upon reaching our first location - the big clearing - there were some council workers burning some wood. Initally it was a bit of a panic but in the end it actually worked to our advantage as the smoke worked really well to create a sense of drama in our 'poster shots'. Also the way we were forced to film ended up creating a clear route through the forest that followed with our storyline.

In terms of analysing the filming done, most of it was filmed by lauren, since she had only until lunch and it was originally planned that it would take much longer than it actually did - however laurens filming was really good, and she took two shots for each scene for the proof editing and in general had more confidence on camera. That said, I am relatively happy with the scenes i filmed and will hopefully take most of the riegns for the subsiduary peices.
The stuff filmed was also brilliant. There was alot of mess ups, some funny and on camera, a lot off (if we do a blooper reel all we can say is yes kicking that branch was painful for tom!). On a serious note though, the script was quickly distributed and Tom, Jonny and Darren all learnt their lines before each scene was shot and it was a really quick process. My favourite bit of the filming came from an idea me and lauren had whilst filming the scene where Tom and Darren are explaining why they are there,but due to Dom standing out of shot Jonny wasnt looking at them but at Dom. This lead to Doms cameo role in our film as someone in the distance (he was also sitting in a tree at one point (a deliberate placement) but that is less noticable). It was very Scrubs-esq.
The way we solved the polar bear error was when Ella, my friend who had come to watch the filming like Dom, had offered her Hello Kitty keyring plushie to be the 'evil plushie'. This makes for some pretty surreal scenes such as when darren gets attacked by it. It, I think, will be really funny because it completely works against the stereotypes of a creature feature esq antagonist, but for a comedic effect (another good reason why it's good to know of semiotics when filming!).

I think when our film is done it will look really melodramic in a fake and cheap way, BUT this i think will be the neice market that our film was originally intended for. And on that Bombshell im off as its nearly break.

(misc filming fact: Over 30 'That's what she said' jokes were used in the production of this film )