The Code

This is my opening two minutes of 'The Code'.

Actors:

Myself as Jake:

I chose myself to star as Jake because I am the typical teenage boy, I am also well suited to the requirements of the roll.

Matt Finch as Robert Browning:

I chose Matt to star as Mr Browning because in my opinion he is well suited to this role, also Matt looks professional and this is a requirement for the role of an MP.

Shot compositions and choices.

The close up of the game case is used to introduce the audience to the main object of the film as the game included in this case. This shot had to be re-filmed however, this is because during the first take I forgot to remove a real video game manual and this was obvious in the shot. The camera then cuts as we see Jake place the disc into his Xbox 360, I used this shot to show that the disc had no art on it, thus giving the impression that the disc had been tampered with. After this shot the music begins to start, this is used to create tension for the coming events. The camera cuts back as we see Jake sit down, I have edited this next sequence between Jake and the TV to show an eyeline match. The shot of the television that includes the raining code was used to give the impression that this brainwashes the subject that observes this. To create this I placed the Raw video of the code layered over the top of the TV shot, I then used the 'Cookie cutter' function in Sony Vegas to remove the edges and reduce the overall size to fit the TV screen. The next shot is an extreme close up of Jakes' eye, I edited this clip to include the reflection of the code from the TV, this is used to give the impression that the code has been implanted in Jakes' mind. To edit this section I also used the 'Cookie cutter' feature, I Feathered the clip to give it a soft outline to make it more realistic. At the start of this next sequence the Metal/Rock music is played, I chose this music to show that the character has been altered and something is different about his persona. The next shot is a point of view shot, this point of view is Jakes', I added a distortion effect to this section to reinforce the implication that Jake has been altered. Also during this shot I have placed text that says "Subject 00001 Objective Kill Robert Browning", I added this to inform the audience that Jake is the first person who is subjected to the code, the second section 'Kill Robert Browning' is used to inform the audience of the intentions that are hidden in the code. For the next sequence I decided that Jake should look almost robotic, hence the restricted movements. I decided to use quick cuts to create tension for the coming events. After this I used a Fade to black/Fade in from black to give the impression that time had passed since the previous sequence. At this moment the major tension music kicks in and Jake is shown to remove the gun from its case, this is the moment that the audience realises that this code means business. The camera then cross cuts to Robert Browning as he is on his way to the meeting hall, this is used for the audience to make the connection. The shot quickly pauses to show the audience how Jake views Robert Browning, informing the audience of this characters details. The camera cross cuts to Jake as he is cocking the gun, I used this as a quick cut to create tension. The cross cut back to Robert Browning is used to keep the audience informed, also at this point the music begins to crescendo, creating tension. This musical crescendo's continues as the camera cuts to back to Jake as he is loading the gun. The camera cross cuts back to Robert Browning as he begins his speech, the first line of speech is "Hello and welcome to the annual conservative party conference"  this is used to introduce the context of the speech. The camera then cross cuts back to Jake as he is loading the gun, he then says "Right that's it, political scum bags going down" this is used to show that political figures are the targets of this code effect. Robert Browning then says "This years going to be a exciting year for our party and I'm hear to tell you all about it" this is used to create tension, because of the next event. The camera then cross cuts back to Jake as he is standing up to take the shot I then used a match on action to show Jake as he stands up, I used front mid shot of him with the gun barrel facing the camera. The soundtrack's volume is reduced to allow for silence for the shot, I chose this because it is well suited to end the culminated tension. As soon as the gun flare is shown the camera cuts to Robert Browning as he is being shot. I edited the end of this shot sequence to include a strobe light that ends in a fade to white. At this stage the Titles begin and the opening two minutes are finished.

Target audience reception:

My target audience is the 13-25 age group and a lot of my friends fall into this category, therefore I posted my opening sequence to my Facebook and asked my friends to give me some feedback. Overall the feedback was very good and everyone was impressed with the editing.

"Awesome" Andrew Parker and Jake Whent. (Target audience)

Keveren (Target audience)

"loving that josh! great added effects, actually really realistic :D love the way you run looool" Dale Ratcliffe (Target audience)

"Wow my mates media coursework piece is absolutely brilliant. Completely professional, if sped up at points. That may be intentional though" (Media Expert, Studies same media course as me)