CCR TASK 2

 

'How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?'

After a meaningful, productive conversation we came to the conclusion that our primary target audience would be male adults mainly aged 21- 25 due to our sequence being targeted towards those who seek thrill and enjoy the unexpected.

Additionally, we established the granting of a 12A age certificate, as we felt this was most suitable for our title sequence. This is highlighted through the graphic gory imagery, However there is no actual violence shown nor profanity (offensive use of language). Therefor, there is no legal reason the rating needs to be higher; by having the rating lower it enables the film to be accessible to a wider audience.

Below are two blog posts (screenshots and links) I carried out to help us underline the age certificate:

RESEARCH INTO SIMILAR METHODS AND CONVENTIONS:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8014405822281269263/6949439640933643405

RESEARCH INTO THE BBFC AND FILM CERTIFICATES:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8014405822281269263/7504079450953765498

How we directed certain parts of our clips to engage are target audience 

I believe the handcuffing of the Woman in our opening Title sequence helps to engage audiences, specifically the targeted audience. As the 'Woman' originally appears innocent and the victim of the crime,  to then being seen as the criminal which leaves the viewer both intrigued and wanting to watch on.  Moreover, the female's gentle, submissive hands to the aggressive, controlled, masculine dominated movements creates juxtaposition of power between the two individuals, drawing the audience in as there is a feeling of empathy created towards the female. Although appearing guilty she is seen to have no control in the situation.

Additionally,  the use of handcuffing highlights the genre as well as the theme of crime, which adheres to the viewers expectations avoiding disappointment. 

The scenery appears rather remote, again supporting the usual genre conventions of a crime/ thriller film. By using an extreme close-up it also allows the audience to feel as if there emerged into the shot and almost visualising it themselves. Based upon similar products, there is usually always an arrest in crime/thriller films therefor by including this in our opening sequence it draws the viewer in from the very beginning. This is because having police arrest/ intimidate an individual is a key convention of crime in media products. 

By shooting a POV shoot from behind the curtain it gives the impression that the viewer is the only one who knows about the suggestive voyeuristic element. This leaves the scene on a cliff hanger (Jhon Fiske- Enigma Codes) of wether the person behind the POV shot is involved, due to the secretive, suspicious perspective the shot is captured.  

This shot alone both creates suspense and leaves the viewer with a thought that they may have seen something they weren't suppose to.

There is an introduction to the female lead whom is implied to be involved in the death of the little boy, which subverts the audiences expectations leaving them more engaged due to the main protagonist usually being a male whom has had a hard upbringing. Conversely, the female lead is seen to be in hysterics and later shown to be outside a huge isolated mansion.

By having this POV shot it creates a sense of escapism from the viewers day to day life, due to being left in a position where it is implied no one is aware of this other potential suspect whom is peeking through the curtain. So the individual viewing the film is left with a sense of importance due to knowing information no one is seen to know. This links to Jay Blumler and Elihu Katz, Uses and gratifications theory which mentions how media products act as a form of personal identity, diversion and escapism from the real world.

A clear genre convention of Crime and thriller films can be the gory imagery. This is underlined through the use of blood and the broken child's helmet, which helps to create an unsettling uneasy atmosphere. The feeling is amplified by the strong stillness, shadowing the death that is confirmed later in the sequence. By using a child's helmet, it helps draw in the audience due to the tragicness and feeling of distraught which is associated with a child's death.

This clip connects in with John Fiskes theory of Enigma codes, which is where the producers leave unanswered questions and cliff hangers in order to keep their audiences watching, here the audience is left with the question of who, how and why has someone hurt the young boy . By having the helmet, with shattered plastic and blood in focus with the background out of focus it highlights the bloodshed of the young one; bringing us one step closer to what we assume is death. Additionally, the camera is seen to be level with the subject again drawing attention to the damage and giving a slightly isolated feel, due to the utter still ness and emptiness of the visual.

This gory imagery, is the first piece of visual to enter the screen, making clear to the viewer that it is most likely not suitable for younger children. It engages are targeted audience of 21-25 due to not only the gore but the thrill and unexpectedness. I also am certain that the gore will attract the audience, thanks to the research I carried out into similar products.

The use of a forensic helps underline the theme and genre of crime due to knowing that forensics are called to crime scenes to confirm that a crime has been committed, and work out who is involved. The non diegetic soundtrack develops here and adds in a dripping sound-effect which mimics the dripping of blood from the wheel of the bike. This again creates a gory, uneasy atmosphere in which our targeting audience seek. The use of the forensic, sterile approach to the scene shows the severity of the incidence leaving the targeted audience encapsulated within the theme and wanting to know more.

The use of depth of field here helps highlight who is seen to be important throughout the film. By having a shallow depth of field, with the detective in focus to the left of the screen, in the foreground covering two  hot points (rule of thirds). This draws attention to him observing the crime scene, he's also seen to be alert with a facial expression which appears slightly saddened and concerned. This adheres to the old fashioned stereotype that men are of more importance due to the two individuals in the background being female.

Moreover, by having the police woman and forensics in the background it implies they are of less importance and most likely there to create an intense mood and atmosphere.

This establishing shot is the shot that tells us the most about the sequence, hence it is also the shot which we chose to put the title of our film on, imprinting what is to come. It is implied that the accident/ death of the child is involved being hit by a car, leaving us with the question of wether it was an accident or not. The car and bike are in the foreground, dominating the scene. Additionally the large affluent house in the background depicts a questionable image in our head, as usually the criminals in crime films leave within the rougher areas.

To conclude, I do believe we were exceedingly successful in engaging our audience for a range of reasons, one being the amount of cliff hangers we leave the viewer with, leaving them seeking for answers and the thrill. Through the majority of our shots being closeups it ensured the viewer was able to see a clear, visualisation of the crime scene. Setting an intense, gory and horrific atmosphere along side a troubled, gruesome mood; this is vital for the opening sequence.  The reason it is imperative to grasp the viewers attention here is because it is at this point the viewer decides wether they watch on. I also believe by only casting  2-3 individuals for our title sequence it allows the viewer to focus more and understand the main characters from before the first scene even commences, leaving them already more engaged. In addition by using blood from the very first clip it makes clear to parents and children that the film is quite definitely not appropriate for those of a younger age (12A). Lastly, the non diegetic suspenseful soundtrack, helps to create that longing intense atmosphere we longed for since are idea emerged. By the beat progressively intensifying and building it strengthens the atmosphere, alongside the dripping noise that joins in later in the track mirroring the visual of the blood prior to the sound.

After carrying out a ranger of research, as-well as this task. It is made clear that there are a few minor things we could have carried out in order to draw attention specifically are targeted audiences. This is seen among similar products. For example having the detective within the age group and gender of our specific targeted audience in order to have the viewer feel more connected to the character. This could also be said of the female character, however this specific age range could see the woman as a mother figure and therefor feel a sense of sympathy, hence I believe this character works well.

Below is the poster I designed i response to our film: 

A studio I believe would be great at distributing my film~ POLYGRAM FILMED ENTERTAINMENT

Poly Gram film entertainment is a British film studio which was founded in 1979. Over time it became European competition for Hollywood. The film is not only a production company but also distribution. Polygram film entertainment is well known for working in synergy with  The company is now owned by universal pictures after being bought in 1998 after being sold to Seagram for 10 billion. At this time Seagram owned Universal Pictures.

PolyGram produced several films which appear to have a variety of similarities to our opening Title Sequence especially in terms of genre. Including:

Shallow Grave 1995-  Shallow Grave was directed by Danny Boyle and written by John Hodge, starring Kerry Fox, Christopher Ecclest and Ewan McGregor. Likeise to our sequence the genre is a crime/thriller. The film follows three friends as they discover 'their new flatmate dead but loaded with cash.' Similarities enclude their choice of cast in regards to the inspector 'Ken Scott'. Male and around a similar age, costume being similar to ours a black suit.

The Usual Suspects-  The usual suspects also follow the same genre as our Opening Title Sequence of a crime/ thriller, the film was directed by Byan Singer and Written by Christopher Mcquarrie. Distributed along side universal, metro-GoldWyn-Mayer , Gramercy pictures and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. Follows story of 'five criminals who meet during a routine line up of police, upon release. Planning to pull off a dangerous heist involving precious emeralds worth 3 million dollars.

The Marketing and Distribution Plan

Based on Our targeted audience our marketing campaign would be largely relying on social media dn the internet. Due to within the age group we are aiming this piece of media at being brought up as social media being a part of their existence and they are the generation for modern technology and media. The film is most likely going  having a smaller budget therefor I would create social media accounts such as on instagram, face book and Twitter. By posting regularly and creating # it will most definitely create awareness. This supports Henry Jenkins theory of 'If it doesn't spread its dead'

Below is an instagram account I have just created in order to create awareness:

In regards to Distribution I believe this film will be distributed by a small film company like PolyGram while working in synergy with a bigger studio similarly to both films talked about above. I also believe 'The Blame Game' would be a film which is likely to appear on channels like BBC where they do huge work on drama/ crime films and allow new or small studios to express their individual imaginative voices. BBC is a company which can be an elevator for smaller studios with smaller budgets. 

Moreover, in reference to cinemas, this film is likely to have a short, limited cinematic release this is made clear when looking at similar products. Additionally when thinking about the date of the cinematic release it would be vital to make sure the dates don't cross over with any major blockbusters as this most definitely will effect the success of the film.

The first protocol of showing the film to a wider audience, would be to enter it into film festivals due to this being seen as a beneficial way to not only attach rewards to the films title but also create reviews to generate. Examples of festivals being, Crime story festival- LA April,  London independent film festival ;'showcasing early career film makers with small budgets'.