Hayden Woodcock's role in our production

My main role within the group is the producer, meaning that I am entitled to plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as: coordinating writing, directing and editing, as well as organising the filming in terms of location and time. I am also responsible for the acting, as I have accepted to take on the role of the Vampire antagonist, since Hubert was the main actor last year. Even though I am experienced with acting, film acting is very different. Therefore, I will use our acting skills research to gain some tips on how I should alter my acting for the screen. Another role that I am partially responsible for is directing. This means that I will be in control of the making of the film trailer and required to supervise the actors. However, Hubert will be the main director, so it is fair to establish me as a co-director. We will both be in charge of the post-production process as we are neither experts or inept in these areas.

The Bitter Kiss Official Trailer

4. How did you use media technologies in the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages? (Hubert Osinski)

3. What have you learned from your audience feedback? (Hayden Woodcock)

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FVPPMY2 Here is a link to my audience questionnaire for my final products.

Audience reaction from our products

2. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts? (By Hubert Osinski)

1. In what ways does your media products use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? (Hayden Woodcock)

To conclude, I believe that throughout our film trailer, poster and webpage I have successfully followed and use codes and conventions. Film Noir and Horror generic conventions are clear in our trailer and our poster, whilst our Webpage has explore Horror and Neo Noir generic conventions, due to the absence of Film Noir websites because of the lack of advanced technology and web 2.0 during the influential Noir period. However, there are subtle examples where we have subverted the conventions, in order to make our products more modern, original, mainly due to genres being more permeable. For example, we subverted the use of old-fashioned film transitions, such as: wipes to enable our trailer to be modern, suiting our primary target audience. However, we have mainly followed conventions to attract a further older demographic audience who can relate to the Film Noir style. Lastly, due to the blend of modern and old conventions we have created innovative products.

Offical Web Page (Hayden Woodcock)

https://hgewoodcock.wixsite.com/the-bitter-kiss

My final Webpage.

Official Theatrical Poster (Hubert Osinski)

Ancillary feedback

1.      Poster:

·         I like the colour contrast (red/white fonts and red/blue in general. But I don’t like the font for 'a gamble between life and death' it’s quite hard to read-Emma Crossley

·         Like the text on the movie poster and the concept, but think the image could have been a bit clearer-Reagan Hollingshead

·         Dan Neary: antagonist at the forefront of the poster grabs attention and correlates with the genre conventions, the editing to a blue wash contrasts well with the red and black colours, I like how the identity of the antagonists face is partially hidden, creating enigmas and audience interaction from the direct eye-contact, appears typical. Weaknesses-top font could be changed to a more horror style, looks quite sci-fi to me and the slogan is quite difficult to read

·         Eva Dickinson: The poster is very enticing and prepares the audience for the dark mature themes they will witness within the movie. Although simplistic, it works in favour if the poster as the public will want to know more about the movie. Weakness: I’m not such a fan of the text used for the title- particularly the word 'Kiss'... I think the bloody text is too stereotypical and common within the horror genre and one thing I loved about the trailer is it revealed the film to be a unique brand of film within the horror genre. The text also brings immaturity to what I'd argue is otherwise a mature and powerful poster.

·         James Palmer-Smith: Pros: Use of colours make the poster eye-catching and focuses you on the most important information. E.G. the Title and Slogan through the use of red. Poster is not overcrowded and does not try to show too much information with a focus on the image and title. Whilst still providing all the information needed. Cons: Large gap between title and the top of the cape. Top red text could be larger to allow it to be read quickly

·         Tom Horeckyj-I like the dramatic font and close up of the vampire. The cloak makes him seem mysterious and makes me want to know more about him. For weaknesses you could maybe increase font size to bring more attention to the words? Add some blood/shadow effects round the edges? Great already though.

1.      Web page:

·         Could change the font for ‘Explore’ to something simple like Arial

·         I like the reviews on the website and that it’s easy to navigate, but the slogan font is unclear like the poster-Emma Crossley

·         Dan Neary: conventional in the way that it allows audience interaction, quotes and critics responses have animated effects so this enhances aesthetics of the webpage, gives overview of the plot and characters-good information shows images of the trailer-makes the audience want to know more. Weaknesses-slogan appears unnecessary, not appealing as it is too blurry, an addition of sound? And merchandise advertising perhaps

·         Tom Horeckyj: The website has some great imagery and use of quotes to draw appeal for the film. Some words overlap like the website title and the headings but maybe it's just on mobile.

·         James Palmer-Smith: Good use of reviews as part of the homepage, good use of columns in the explore section, good links around the site, effective navigation bar, specific info on characters helps to build a back story, and very detailed with useful information. However, there are some incorrect fonts in some places.

Film Trailer feedback

We have completed some audience research following our first draft and our final Official Trailer of 'The Bitter Kiss.'

We used social networking sites, in this case: Facebook, to conduct audience research into our Official trailer.

First Trailer Draft

Poster First drafts (By Hubert Osinski)

First Draft

Second Draft

Third Draft

Fourth Draft

19th February

The filming was very successful because we were able to get extra footage. For example, different angles of the Detective pouring a drink. The use of the extra footage will be beneficial for cut-ins and a wider use of angles, as well as creating tension and in this case, it will emphasise the Detective's alcoholic flaw. Moreover, even though we had planned to film in a forest, we decided to film in an alleyway. This group decision was made because of the weather, the props and the excess, in the way that it was easier for my Uncle to enter this location than the forest. Also, the practical space in the alleyway worked better for the props as we could draw a chalk outline of a body and have more space for our resources, whilst creating a similar tone. We are slightly behind schedule because of the previous issues, however, at least we can now focus on the editing stage of the production cycle.

Shooting schedule (By Hayden Woodcock)

Flash Card Deck created by Hayden Woodcock with GoConqr

Audience research into slogans

Create your own user feedback survey

Results collated together with feedback from a lesson: Don't fall into the Vampire's grasp!=8 A gamble between life and death=11 What MAN is capable of stopping such a MONSTER?=10 How many more will die before the beast meets its doom?=3 He's fast, he's furious, he's the Vampire!=1 These results show that 'A gamble between life and death' is the audience favourite for our slogan. However, due to the tight interest between the top three, we are planning to incorporate them within the trailer and possibly our ancillary web page. We think 'What MAN is capable of stopping such a MONSTER?' would be effective in creating a stylistic Film Noir, and it would connote the binary opposite between the protagonist in the form of the Detective and the antagonist Vampire monster. The use of the 'MAN' highlights the stereotypical representation of the hero within our film, creating a sexist presentation which is common in Film Noir. Additionally, the use of the question emphasises the power of the villain, perhaps creating doubt in the audience's mind. Whilst, 'Don't fall into the Vampire's grasp!' will be beneficial in use during the trailer, possibly by a First person narrator describing the vicious edge to the antagonist. Also, the negativity here again represents the antagonists ferocious havoc, as well as acting as a warning towards the audience. This could connote the terror, and attract the audience further, feeling immersed within the plot and the atmosphere.

Shooting Script

Storyboard

The Bitter Kiss dialogue script (By Hubert Osinski)

Sound Research (By Hubert Osinski)

Slide Set created by Hubert Osinski with GoConqr

Risk Assessment

12th January

Luckily, St Mary’s Willoughby Waterleys has agreed to allowing us to film in their Church, which is great considering that we no longer have to think of alternate ideas or locations. Therefore, this means that our production is moving on steadily but successfully, now we have to complete the script and continue to search for locations for the other scenes in our Film trailer. We are aware that we face challenges in the location scouting and prop hunting, so we will try to be as organised as possible to keep the production cycle flowing as effective as possible.

The Bitter Kiss shot list

5th January 2017

Unfortunately, St Mary's Church Broughton Astley has not confirmed our filming, because of the concerns with the subject matter and accepting the shooting without further consultation.