Joshua Beecham
Advanced Portfolio
Candidate Number: 6271
Centre Number: 16607

Welcome to my Advanced Portfolio

My Chosen Brief : Short Film.  

Ancillary Products: Film Poster and Magazine Review Page

Here is  a link back to the Centre Hub

http://centralhubsouthendhigh.blogspot.co.uk/

Products: Finished Products

IMPORTANT

Please note there have been issues playing this video on some computers whose speaker configuration is faulty. If the narration seems very quiet, please play on a different computer. If this coursework is called for moderation, we shall send a copy of the video on DVD to be viewed on a DVD player. As mentioned, it is not a fault with the video, but the individual speaker configuration on certain computers. Ms Casson, Head of Media, Southend High for Girls.

Short Film

Short Film Poster

 

 Film Review

Evaluation: 1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

The question is answered through the use of a voiceover which includes video and images.Please ensure the YouTube annotations are turned on for both videos.

Evaluation: 2. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

The most important thing for me whilst creating the combination of my main product and ancillary texts was to create a house style, and reinforce the stylistic approach that I took towards my film in all three products.
I must also make sure that my combination appeals to target my audience (the niche audience that have an interest in short and cult films) aswell as my secondary.


I'd define the house style that I created in all three products as simplistic yet effective. I made the products simplistic for a deliberate reason. Simplicity has  some connotations of emptiness, which is what my main character experiences in his life, all he has is an empty stage and a watch, his life is meaningless.
Barthes' Enigma Code can be applied to all of my products as (the poster and short film in particular)  portrays a mystery to draw an audience in, poses questions and makes the audience become intrigued in the piece. After my audience has seen the poster and read the review they will be asking questions such as "Why did the review say it was so emotional? What must have happened to the man to evoke such a response? What is the out of focused suit on the floor? What is the significance of the watch?"

As you can see the poster is very simplistic  

The lighting in this poster is also similar to the lighting in my short film. It is
grainy, dull and low saturated. By doing this I reinforce the tedious atmosphere of the characters workplace. Even before the audience have seen the film, by looking at the poster they will hopefully get a sense of this.


I express the idea of pressure throughout my film as a heavy motif. My character is always looking at the time, he constantly hears an alarm going off, he is desperate to succeed. He is pressured to almost kid himself in his daily ritual of turning out the lights and walking on to stage despite knowing the stage is empty.I reinforced the idea of time and pressure in my poster as it's whole concept was based around the idea of a watch.

The  minimalist style is also present in the review page. It is not clouded with advertising or unnecessary gimmicks. I deliberately used stills from the film that mainly consist of the colour blue. This was to reinforce the by giving it a colour scheme thus turning all three products into much more of a brand or package.

I used the both social network giants Twitter and Facebook in order to market my film. 

Here is a link the twitter account

https://twitter.com/BeechamFilms 

(this was made simply as an example as how the film could be marketed, I would tweet and gain as many followers as possible)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Curtain-Call/392673420823343?ref=hl

This is the facebook page (as said previously, this was just done to show an example format of marketing I could use considering how vital it is to have an online presence in a time where the amount of digital natives and WeMedia uses is forever growing).

Others ways I could Market or create a "buzz" around my shortfilm

• Release a soundtrack featuring the music used in the film
• A bonus disk/online video explaining the process of making the short film
• Original storyboards and sketches to be tweeted and posted on Facebook
• An interview with the actor

The benefit of cross-platform marketing is simple. It enables me to reach a range of audience's in a variety of different ways, it will get as many people watching the Short Film as possible.

Evaluation: 3. What have you learned from your audience feedback?

My original aim was to make a short film that could be appreciated by all. Although I had a clear idea of my primary audience, I felt it important to include both my target and secondary audience within my focus group. This is the conclusion I came to when analysing results from my initial questioning of my focus group.
 (Research)

Click Here - To see my initial views on my focus group

Click Here - To view my early thoughts about my target audience


Although my primary focus when creating my products was my target audience, I made sure when referring back to my focus group throughout the process that I questioned one person that was in my target audience and one that wasn't. I did this in order to keep in mind that I wanted my products to appeal to a range of audiences, and not just my primary target audience.

Here is an example of when I did this - Click Here

When reviewing this feedback it seemed that the younger member of my focus group was getting tiresome of certain lengthy shots, implying that the pace was dropping in correlation with her engagement. This told me that the younger audiences have a different psychographic to that of the older generations (they could for example be strivers which have qualities of energy and excitement). It came to my attention that unless I changed certain aspects of my film (E.g certain lengthy shots) I could risk the viewer taking an oppositional reading (when they reject my film). This is in accordance with Stuart Hall's Influence Model.

In my first feedback of the completed film I asked a range of different audiences (including some who weren't in my focus group) and was pleased with the positive results that I received.
                      My short film appealed to 9/10 of those asked.

I then revisited some of the audience that I asked in the previous questionnaire, and asked for their final feedback in light of a few minor changes as well as their input into my ancillary products. I asked a group of five girls between the ages of 16-19. I did this because they were the furthest from my target audience. By looking at their responses I have learnt that a short film doesn't have to be a form of high brow art, it can appeal to a wider range of people than simply middle age cult film fanatics.



I then sent out another questionnaire with only two questions. This one was only to be answered by  those in my target audience. I am overjoyed that all 5 that were asked answered yes to both questions.

Evaluation: 4. How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Evaluation: Analysis of Products

Please ensure annotations are turned on for this video

Audience: Lighting Changes

 As commented in my audience feedback I was advised to dull the colours during the scenes where the clowns face is visible. I did just that and feel it looks much more dramatic, intense and appropriate for the scene.

Before                                           After

Product: DVD Cover

Here is a DVD cover that would be used if the short film was released to DVD.

Planning: Changes to make on my film review

After re looking at my film review there are a few minor changes that I would like to make. They are mainly to do with spelling and grammar but a comment from a member of my target audience"maybe include reference to previous work briefly"  (by Harrison Payne) has made me consider adding that to the review.

Audience: Results from my Audience Feedback

Audience: What to take from my audience feedback

Overall I am extremely happy with my audience feedback. It appears that the film has been very well received with 9/10 saying that they'd watch the film again.

Although 6 out of the 10 made remarks that certain parts were less engaging

e.g. "The chair stacking" and "The laughing near the beginning "

When asked what they would change about the film only 2 people mentioned the lengthy scenes as something that needed altering.

I disagree with them. For me the lengthy scenes are absolutely vital in creating the dull monotonous life that the character has, without them we have no sympathy or connection with him and without a connection the ending becomes meaningless. Thankfully a few of those asked agreed and said something similar

e.g. "the sweeping, however in hindsight i guess it mimics the boring life he has which gives us a bigger payoff at the end when he is near the water"

I will stick with my gut feeling and keep the lengthy scenes the same length, and perhaps in final audience feedback even more will agree with the decision to keep them in.

I will however, re look at the sound in the film as some made comments about the volume not being equal for all of the voiceover, and I have noticed a couple of very minor moments where you can hear me shouting out bits of direction to the actor. This will need to be changed. I may also touch up the lighting in the beach scene, as one comment described as a suggestion.

Product: My Posted updated version

After hearing some feedback about my poster I came to the conclusion that I should include some credentials at the bottom including a twitter hashtag as well as a website address to keep my marketing focus specific to the now digital age that we are in. I also increased the title name so it stands out a bit more.

Product: My Poster

Here is a teaser poster for my short film. It is not the same as the one I flat planned for I came to the conclusion that I wanted my poster to be far more discreet. It is simply a watch with a black suit out of focus in the background. There is very little text. It is minimalist and hopefully leaves the audience wanting more.

Product: Auxillarly Product: Film review in a magazine

My magazine is called CUT! and the article although states otherwise (to make it seem authentic) was written entirely by myself.

To zoom in and read the text, use the image below.

Planning: Magaizine Review flatplan

This is the flat plan for my review page. After looking at existing magazines, I have tried to follow some key codes and conventions. Sight and Sound is the magazine that I have looked at specifically in order to gain inspiration for my magazine.


"CUT" will have the same target audience as Sight and Sound. "Middle aged, typically men with an interest of both mainstream and 'cult' cinema."

Product: First Complete Cut for Audience Screening

This is the first complete cut of my short film. I have showed it to an audience (of which my whole focus group are included) of various ages and backgrounds. I have then asked those that have watched it to fill in a questionnaire to help give me clues as how to better my film.

Planning: Second flatplan for my teaser poster

After much consideration aswell as re-looking at the posters I have analysed, I have decided to change my idea for my teaser poster. This one is much more mysterious, doesn't give too much (in fact very little away) and leaves the audience wanting more. It is simple, yet effective. A watch with an out of focus suit in the background. I believe it to me far more similar to a short film poster than my other flatplan.

Audience: Audience Feedback

Planning: Flatplan for my poster

Here is a flatplan for the poster of my short film

Research: Film Posters Analysis

Planning: Financing my Short Film

My film has an extremely low budget, so funding will not be a huge issue. However certain  items require money: the costume, the makeup, the actor’s fee, as well as the hiring out of the theatre  in Shoebury. Having done some research, my film will be funded by BFI (formerly the UK Film Council) for they have agreed to funding a numerous amount of projects which include script development, film export and short films. In order to exhibit and advertise my film, I shall take advantage of the growth in social media and use Twitter and Facebook to market and create “a buzz” amongst my short film. I shall upload the Short Film to the Internet and make it available for anyone to watch for free, this is because this short film is not intended to create a large profit, it is meant to show a glimpse of humanity as well as showcase my film making abilities.

All profit will come from the DVD release. All money grossed from the film will go towards future funding of future films, made by myself.

Post-production: Editing my film

I am mid way through re-editing the start of short film, taking on board comments made by my target audience. Here is a screen shot of the film as it appears on video editor Sony Vegas.

Planning: Voiceover

Taking inspiration from the Sopranos clip I analysed, I have created a script for the voiceover I intend to use in my short film. I may alter it slightly over time. Curtain Call Voiceover I made the scipt in Celtx, a free program designed for stage and screen writing.

Planning: Auxiliary Tasks

Even though I am mid way through the editing of my Short Film I mustn't forget the auxiliary tasks. In particular the poster for my short film. My poster must be creative and artistic. It must promote my short film as well as contain some key conventions of successful posters.

My poster must make my audience anxious to see the film.

Research: Textual Analysis of The Black Hole

The Black Hole is a short film, in high I have analysed. Make sure the annotations of the video are turned on.

(Post) Production: Opening and Audience Feedback

Here is the first cut of the opening to my short film, I have asked my focus group to say what they liked and didn't like about it (what could be changed).

Suzie Maynard- 

Liked:"I really liked the choice of music with the combination of the opening black and white shots. The transitions are really smooth and a nice pace has started to build. The feeling of emptiness when we realise that there is no audience is also very affective."

What could be changed: "I think the clips of him laughing could be made shorter and perhaps you could use a sound to signify the end of the music and the beginning of the reality."

Nick Beecham-

Liked: "I loved the dramatic climax that the scene builds to, and I also enjoyed the different use of light in this opening. The sun and light ripples on the water and the the prominent spotlight. It was all very aesthetic"

What could be changed: "I think that the shots of him laughing go on a bit, and should perhaps be cut to form a faster pace sequence of hysterics. The flash of the child should appear more frequently"

By asking a two members  of my focus group for their opinions (both of different age and gender) I get a very broad view of what needs to be done to my opening to improve it. I shall take their comments into the editing room and make the need changes.

Research: The Sopranos Textual Analysis

This is my second textual analysis. Although The Sopranos is not the most obvious choice to analyse and compare to my short film, the ideas and themes that this scene explores is very alike to those in my short film. This gives me hope for my short film; because it has giving me confidence that the journey my character goes through is similar to other journeys portrayed in the media. This means I am setting out to achieve what I wanted, to create a situation which others can relate to.
Textual Analysis: The Sopranos

Research: The Wrestler Textual Analysis

The Wrestler (2009) is a deeply moving film by Darren Aronofsky. It explores the idea of following a character whose drive for life is taken away. In this scene he is forced to take a job in the deli of a supermarket, the monotony overwhelms him, for the contrast between this dull job and that of his previous career (a professional wrestler) is too much to bare. In this part of the scene we see the journey to his work place.

Textual Analysis on Prezi

Production: 3rd Shoot

Here are my video files from my 3rd shoot. They include shots that will be used in both the end and beginning of my short film.

This video showcases a few of the shots from my 3rd shoot

Planning: Plot Advancements

I feel my short film needs more of a journey, and more of a climax to really grab the audience and effect them as intensely as I want to.

Having a thought amount my film, it shall follow three stages to the plot.


OPENING: The Man when he was a child, holding a toy clown and wearing a clown bow tie. This shows him from an early age grasping onto the idea of being a performer.

MIDDLE: Cleaning a stage that either he once performed on or always had the desire to perform on, he goes slightly mad in the monotony of everyday life.

END: He returns to the beach where he was once a child, only to take his final bow.

Research/Audience: A brief summary of Audience Theories and which ones apply to my Short Film

Planning- Shot list for Shoot No.3

Planning: Further thoughts about my target audience

Although I aim to appeal to both the youth and middle aged upwards, my obvious main target audience for the film would be:

Middle Aged

Men and Women

A consumer of cult/short films

An artistic interest in modern culture (artwork, film, theatre)

Students studying film and, Young (between 16-25) independent filmmakers

As I stated previously I'd love my film to appeal to most (if not all ages), but it is important to have a strong target audience, since short films are so rarely distributed in the same way that mainstream features are, having a target audience will enable me to appeal to them specifically during my marketing process.

Planning- My Short Film Trailer (experiment)

Using iMovie I have created a trailer for my short film to help gage the picture as a whole. Making the trailer also helped me with the pacing of the film and what else needs to added to it.

It was a good experiment, and has helped me continue on the journey to creating my film.

Research

"People have forgotten how to tell a story. Stories don’t have a middle or an end any more. They usually have a beginning that never stops beginning."
 

Steven Spielberg

Research/Planning - What I learnt from the examiners report and what I need to do to my blog

I have read the examiners report and have come to some conclusions about what they are looking for in a successful blog.

"Best practice from centres showed accurate assessment and thoughtful presentation of their candidates’ work, so that moderators could see easily the journeys made and understand the outcomes in context."

•  In order to show the journey made, I must make more frequent posts in my blog in order to show "evidence of this journey".
• All research and planning MUST be blogged.  
• Presenting my blogs in a variety of ways is also crucial: Prezi, Sliderocket and VoiceNotes are good websites to use.
• I must show detailed analysis in my blog posts, really getting to grips with the codes and conventions of short films.
• Show a wide range of research and extremely in depth planning.

Planning: My First Shoot

My First shoot was of my character cleaning the stage, stuck in his everyday job. It went quite well, however in some shots the tripod can be scene. I have made a low resolution video of these clips, so I know which ones to re-shoot. I must be very careful when re-shooting for continuity reasons.

Product: My Mood Board for my Short Film

Planning- Opening Storyboard Animation

 A brief storyboard animation for the opening of my short film.

 I have experimented with different camera angles, an appropriate piece of music which could act as the soundtrack as well as the idea of soundscapes to tell the story of his flashbacks and thus the reason for the fall of his career.

Audience: What I have concluded about my Focus Group

In my focus group a variety of different people with  different interests have been included.

However it seems that one important factor has an enormous affect regarding their consumption of short films.

AGE

The older members of my focus group regularly consume short films however both younger members of the focus group watch none.

Why is this?

Perhaps the youth can't relate to the messages conveyed by short films. Or perhaps short film directors are concerned that making films angled towards all ages would be risky.

I believe that taking this risk will pay off. My story not only realises the fears of the youth for when they grow up, but also represents the monotonous life that many of the older generations have.

My Short Film Will Speak to Generations.

Audience: Focus Group

Suzie Maynard

Age: 17
Subjects taken: English Language, Media and Sociology
Hobbies/Interest: Gym, Swimming and Tanning
Desired Job: Event Management Executive
Favourite Genre of Film: Romantic Comedy
Favourite Film: Finding Nemo
Do you watch Short Films? No
How many short films do you watch a month? N/A


Harrison Payne



Age: 17
Subjects taken:  Graphic Design, Media, Art
Hobbies/Interest: Driving, Drawing and Watching Films
Desired Job: Graphic Designer
Favourite Genre of Film: Thriller
Favourite Film: SE7EN
Do you watch Short Films? No
How many short films do you watch a month? N/A


Victoria Casson
Age:34
Subjects took: English Literature, History, Politics and Sociology
Job: Media Teacher
Favourite Genre of Film: Drama
Favourite Film: Withnail and I
Do you watch Short Films? Yes
How many times short films do you watch a month? 4


 Nick Beecham
 Age: 48
Subjects took: Mathematics, Physics
Job: Solicitor
Favourite Genre of Film: Comedy
Favourite Film: Annie Hall
Do you watch Short Films: Yes
How many short films do you watch a month? 6

Research: Inspiration

Directors can take inspiration from anything. This song my the Smith's has been just one of the things that has influenced the story to of my short film. It is very personal, emotional and relatable. All thins that I'd like my film to end up being.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TaUUYV7wKos" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Research: What do filmmakers have in common?

What do filmmakers have in common? Passion, Focus, Commitment and Resiliency and Talent?
 (Jacques Thelemaque, Withoutabox) 



I have a strong passion for this film, not only does the subject matter speak to a wide audience, it voices many peoples fear. The fear of having a drive for life that was once there, taken away, the fear of unfulfilled dreams and most of all the fear of being unable to do anything about it. This is a story which must be told, to provide a voice to those with the same issue or fear.

The focus of this film as stated previously is very clear, however to keep focus I must make sure to tell this characters story without getting carried away with spectacular aesthetics or obscure ideas. Of course part of the beauty of short films is to unleash creative passion but each idea must be focused and centred around the character, I must make sure not to get carried away with plot devices.

Even when the task at hand seems difficult it is vital that I stay committed to the film and the work at hand, even if re shoots are required, being satisfied with the final result is not enough, I must have obtained the goals that I set out to achieve.

Director Quentin Tarantino shows passion, focus, commitment, resiliency and talent. His devotion to film is un matched. 

Planning: My Short Film in 30 Words

By summarising my short film in 30 words, it will give me a clear outlook of the plot for my short film, and thus making the planning of it all the more simple. It should make the progress smoother and more efficient.

Research: Brief Analysis of BFI Short Film Selections

Cinema 16

About a Girl- Brian Percival (2001)
Perhaps the most interesting thing about this short is the incredible shock factor at the end. The bleak lighting, mundane camera shots and trivial conversation, merely lulls the audience into a false sense of security, thus making the ending far more striking and thought provoking. Within just a few minutes the audience are deeply effected by the this shattering short film.





Doodle Bug- Christopher Nolan (1997)
This short is highly artistic. It is filmed in black and white, giving it  a nicer visual aspect. The edgy and creepy music fits the video perfectly and similarly to "About a Girl" the ending produces a shock factor which stuns the audience. Both the lighting and cinematography in this short are key to it's success and has made me realise the vast amount of unconventional camera shots that are used in short films.

Joy Ride- Jim Gillespie
This film is perhaps more cinematic than the other two, it truly gives the impression of a whole feature film condensed into a few minutes. The sheer pace and tension built within this short is staggering, this has reassured me that short films don't lack the ability to create atmosphere and break down the fourth wall between the viewers and the actors.




What I got out of watching these Shorts...

About a Girl has shown me the impact of giving the audience a strong sense of character and then changing it at the last point to create a devastating punch.


Doodle Bug  has taught me the most from a visual sense, the beautiful cinematography and stunning grained black and white, has got me thinking how I want to shoot my film and then what filters I shall pass through the footage in post production.

Joy Ride has reassured  me of the ability to create true tension within a few minutes. It makes the audience sit on the edge of their seat through  the solid characterisation and Hitchcock style camera shots. Both of which i intend to use.

Research: My Film Selections

Diverting



















Provocative

 










Puzzling























Rapturous