Other Props.

To ensure that my production is to the best of standards it is important to utilize as many props as possible.

The first prop that is used with in my film is an Xbox 360, this however is an easy to prop to source this is because I own one myself, therefore i can simply use this to film with.

Another important prop of my film is the gun that is used in the film to assassinate Robert Browning. To source this prop I decided to borrow a friends rifle, this is because it allows for cheap sourcing.

Props

Possibly the most important prop of the film is the game that is used, this is because this is the media that contains the code that is used to brainwash the protagonist in the film. Therefore I had to design this game cover to suit the context of the film. The starting point for this design was my title 'The code', from this i decided that the background image should be of a code that is flashing by. So I searched for an appropriate image to represent this. I decided to use this image because i like the contrasts between the neon green and the black. After I selected the image I had to decide on an appropriate font, for this I needed a futuristic font, so I used the Ethnocentric font.

After a while i had finalized the design and re-sized to suit to the game case, I then printed and placed the design into a case and the prop was ready to go.



The Final design:

Storyboarding

An important part of any media production is to have an idea how you are going to compose and film each shot, to do this I drew up a basic storyboard that contained all of the shots that I wanted.

Scripting

A very important part of the filming process is to develop a script. I decided to develop a script before production to allow for a smoother and faster production, this is because the actors have knowledge of what to say and when.

The rough script:

*title sequence merge*

Close up of the game case, and then ellipsis of opening, removing and placing disc in the tray.

“Alright then Dan?”

“I’m good thanks, you?”

“Yeah, I’m fine just got my copy of The code”

*Camera cuts to the TV of the code, then back to Jake’s eyes*

*Headset falls onto the floor*

“Jake, Jake, Jake?!?”

*Fade to black, Fade in from Black*

*Voiceover*I’ve placed your instrument of underneath the car outside, take it, and go to 043937

*Cut to Jake positioned with a gun*

*Voiceover* I have marked your target, now take him out.

*Jake kills the target and the fade to black and the opening sequence has finished*

Audience

What audience is my Media film aimed at?

The media production ‘The Code’ is aimed at teenagers and young adults’ i.e 13-25. I think that this Is a good target market because young people are the future of the film industry, also because in my opinion this age group can relate to the Hero in my film.

Previous films that have been aimed at the 13-25 audience:

The Dark Knight (2008)

The dark knight was very much the reboot of the Batman franchise, this crime drama is an excellent film that received rave reviews. This film was aimed at the 12-25 audience (Certificate 12A) and was very successful grossing over one billion dollars in revenue.

The Mechanic (2011)

The mechanic is a crime thriller starring Jason Statham, it received average reviews, and however it performed well in the box office. Its current gross revenue is approximately ninety seven million dollars.

Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

Battle: Los Angeles is a film that is categorized as a thriller, according to IMDb this film received mediocre reviews, however the film has grossed over one hundred and fifty million dollars. This film was aimed at teenagers and young adults because of its storyline and certificate (12A)

Inception (2010)

Inception is a thriller film that was directed by Christopher Nolan, this film is an extremely successful thriller, this is because it’s current gross revenue is in excess of eight hundred million dollars. This film was aimed at teenagers (12A)

I also performed a basic questionnaire on people who like the thriller genre. The results are shown below:

What age boundary do you fall into?

Which gender are you?

What attracts you to thrillers?

From this research I have discovered that the male 13-25 audience is a good audience to advertise to, this is because this is an age range that almost everyone can enjoy, because it’s mature enough for Adults to enjoy,  yet it isn’t too gruesome or horror themed for younger viewers to be put off.

Characters

Sam:

Sam is the hero of the film. He is a sixteen year old boy who attends a sixth form college, he is a middle class boy with gaming talents. He also has knowledge of video game code, this allows him to ‘save the day’ at the end of the film by reversing the code.

Jake:

Jake is the disposable character that is used to introduce the idea of the game code brainwashing young adults into assassinating political figures.

Robert Browning MP:

This is the first MP that is assassinated within the film.

Simon:

This is the character that programmed the mind control code, the evil genius, this is the character that Sam has to track down so that he can reverse the code.

Dan


This is Jakes friend who's engaged in the sequence in which Jake is brainwashed.

Certifications.

Whether or not a film is successful can depend greatly on the certificate it's awarded by the BBFC (British Board for Film Certification). For example if a films target audience was teenagers, and said film was awarded an '18' then the film is unlikely to thrive in cinemas. However there are ways of counteract these censorships, for example an easy method for lowering the certificate is to remove gore, this is because gore is considered an obscenity. Another method is to remove any expletives, for example removing expletives can be used to reduce certificates.

The certificates:


U

This a certificate that is used for cartoons, children's films and slapstick comedies. The U certificate allows for problematic themes but must be censored, infrequent use of mild language, occasional natural nudity (no sexual context), Mild violence, no real weapons, mild horror and no drug references.

PG (Parental guidance)

Controversial themes(crime, domestic violence and racism) are allowed, but the film mustn't condone these. The certificate also allows for mild bad language, natural nudity (no sexual content), sexual activity may be implied (discreet and infrequent), moderate violence (no details), no glamorization of weapons, frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense and no reference to drugs.

12

The 12 certificate is used for many films that are aimed at teenagers as this allows the maximum range for target audience. A film with a 12 certificate allows for Mature themes, but the treatment has to suit young teenagers. Rare strong language is allowed as long as it is justified by context, Nudity is allowed, but it must be brief, sexual activity can be implied, violence is allowed but must not dwell on details (no emphasis on injury or blood), dangerous techniques (combat, hanging, suicides) should not contain imitable details, sustained threat and menace is permitted as well as occasional gore and brief references to 'soft' drugs is allowed.

15


The '15' certificate is used as a bridge between '12' and '18'. The '15' allows for any theme as long as it's suited to 15 year olds. It also allows for frequent use of strong language (no sexual abuse), no constraints on nudity (non-sexual or educational), Sexual activity may be portrayed but no strong detail, strong violence may be allowed but most not dwell on infliction of pain, Sexual violence must be discreet and brief, no emphasis on accessible lethal weapons (knives), dangerous combat moves (head-butt, neck hits and ear claps) are not allowed, most horror is allowed apart from sustained detailed infliction of pain and drug taking may be shown but with no instructive detail.

18

As viewers of '18' films have reached adulthood, the BBFC takes a much more relaxed attitude towards film certification and will only intervene in extreme situations. There are no constraints on theme, language, nudity or horror. However the BBFC is allowed to remove content that promotes harmful activities and more explicit  images of sexual activity unless justified. However explicit Sexual education is allowed in an '18' certificate, but must be kept to a minimum.

R18

The certification 'R18' (Restricted 18) is very rare classification (approx. 90 in the UK). However this means that it can only be supplied in licensed sex shops and to adults only. A film is awarded an 'R18' if it contains detailed sexual activities between adults.


Examples:

The Incredible's 2004  (U)

This film was awarded a 'U' because it's designed and suited for everyone, so there is no obscenities or detailed violence.



Tron: Legacy 2010 (PG)

This film was awarded the 'PG' because of the theme of film, also the mild violence involved.




The Green Hornet 3D 2011 (12)
This film was awarded the '12' certification because of the moderate violence and the theme of death that is involved in the storyline.



Pineapple Express 2009 (15)

This film was awarded a '15' because of the references to drugs and strong violence that is in the plot of the film.



Jackass 3D  2010 (18)
This film was awarded the '18' certificate because of the imitable actions within the film, because these can easily influence minors to endanger themselves and others.





Certification for my production:


For my film i would aim for a 15 certification, this is because in my opinion this is the best traget audience because they are able to relate with the hero of the film. I also think that 15 is the best certification to aim for because it's a flexible certification.

Another important aspect of filmography is the title that is used to introduce a production company. To create the title sequence for my production company i decided that a simple title would be effective. To create this i used Cinema 4D, this allowed me to create a 3D object (text) and manipulate it to create my production company titles.

So far i have created two sequences, these are shown below:

The first title sequence is shown below:



The second:

Logo

As I have already chosen the name for my production company (Aced Productions) I decided that it would be best to design my logo to suit the production company name, so my first decision was to find a suitable image to base. After searching through some websites i found this image:

I then added suitable text reading aced to the image to create the final logo.
the finished logo looks like this:

Synopsis of my final idea.

In the first scene of the film the audience witnesses a teenage boy open a media case a play the contained disc, this disc cause the boy to be brainwashed. The following scene is of the boy acquiring a gun; he then assassinates a local minister of parliament. The audience then sees the hero pick up this DVD. The story continues as the hero switches between the trances as he tries to track down the programmer, the hero eventually tracks down the programmer and engages in a duel, in which the hero has the effect reversed, this update is then released to all current issues.

Initial Ideas

Idea 1:
An average teenage boy buys a second hand game. The code has been altered causing him to be brainwashed and kill government figures, tracks down programmer to reverse the process.
Idea 2:
Scientists experimenting with newfound chemicals, two of these are mixed, leaked into the drainage system, thus filtering back to water, causes everyone to mutate into vicious zombies.
Idea 3:
SAS troopers are brought down on North Korea’s nuclear testing areas (strictly no access), has to tactically move from this location towards the border.
Idea 4:
Group of teenagers celebrating end of exams, wake up to discover a dead friend, the then go on a quest to discover the culprit and seek revenge.

Technical codes

Within the media production industry there are codes that are used to keep the audience enticed and wanting to continue watching the film.

These codes are:

Enigma code:
An enigma code is used to set up questions within the audiences minds, these questions answered later on in the film. Enigma codes are also often used in trailers to get the audience hooked. A few examples of enigma codes; Who caused the explosion? Why did he kill her? What is that building for?

Action code:
An action code provides the answer for the enigma codes and is also used to advance narrative and tell the audience about what is about to happen. A few examples of action codes; An explosion, Police siren or a gun shot.

Genre Research

The genre of my film is Crime thriller this is because it follows the process a person killing various people in order to kill who forced him to do this. A crime thriller is a genre that is a hybrid type of both crime films and thrillers that offers a suspenseful account of a successful or failed crime or crimes. These films often focus on the criminal(s) rather than a policeman. Crime thrillers usually emphasise action over psychological aspects. Central topics of these films include serial killers/murders, robberies, chases, shootouts,heists and double-crosses.


Crime thriller conventions:

• Involves crime
• Follows the criminal instead of a Police officer
• Includes danger
• Dark
• Psychological Issues

Examples of crime thrillers:
Silence of the lambs, Seven, No country for old men, Oceans 11 and Reservoir dogs.

Narrative Structure

A very important part of a film is its' structure, this involves Equilibriums and Dis-equilibriums. A basic model for narrative structure is: Beginning (Equilibrium) ----- Middle (Disturbance) ----- End (Resolution). A more detailed version of Narrative structure includes Agents of change.

A base model of this is:

Some Examples:

The Green Hornet (2011)

Paul (2011)

Pineapple Express (2008)

From this I know that it's very important for me to ensure that my plot fits to this model of narrative structure.

Previous AS media coursework analysis.

An important of producing anything is to do your research, so i decided to research previous AS Media coursework opening sequences.



In my opinion this a good opening sequence, the main aim of this is to set the mood for the film. However I don't think that this opening sequence gives us few information about the characters that are in the film.

The first sequence, that is comprised of the the workers daily routine is used to inform the audience that this character is a civil servant, this is because of his fluorescent yellow attire. I think that this has been used well because provides the audience with subtle information that will become apparent at some point during the film.

The worker then proceeds to eat his breakfast, during this, the audience can hear the diegetic news report from TV. This is used to give the audience the context of the film, murders. The sequence then shows the audience that the worker is headed towards a forest.

During the forests scene, a mother with a young child is seen to cross paths with the workman, during this scene several quick cuts and cuts to black are used. I really like this section as it creates tension and suspense. The camera then cuts back and we just see the the child's pram left on it's own. This gives us the impression that the worker has killed the mother. This scene then fades to black and the main film begins.

In conclusion, this is a good opening sequence and i like the quick cuts and editing that has been used to give the horror feel to the opening sequence.