EVALUATING FOUNDATION PRODUCTION.

RESEARCH: All participants in our group (including myself) were immensely engaged in the procedure of finding information which was strongly related to our chosen sub-genre of horror... "FOUND FOOTAGE". We had viewed a number of found footage opening sequences on YouTube, such as Paranormal Activity, The Blair Witch and many more, in order to get a feel of what our opening sequence should contain. We had analysed a number of Found Footage opening sequences, and had deliberated as a group about the typical conventions of horror, types of shots, sound, editing, Mise En Scene etc. This special technique of viewing different opening sequences within the same genre of horror has allowed me to gain a better understanding and vision of what we as a group need to be aiming for. We know that we would need to make sure that the footage is raw, also bearing in mind the non-diegetic music / sound would play a huge part in our opening sequence, therefore adding to the realism of it. After we had thoroughly analysed the settings, props, characters etc, we knew that these ideas could be used in our own production. Also, this was an opportunity for us to develop and enhance the main key areas where we specify in. In our case, we would specify in everything to do with the recording and camera shots, as well as the digetic and non-digetic sound / music. All areas were extremely important to us but the type of shots, type of sound and editing were the highlights of our opening sequence. Overall, the research was the most exciting part.



PLANNING: This process was a fairly difficult and a challenging hurdle we had to jump over and overcome. The news reporting scene had finished being filmed within a 2 hour personal time limit. And the actual footage of the vloggers exploring the abandoned apartment, had also been finished within a 2 hour personal time limit. Despite the fact that every member in our group had a different idea, we had all manged to come together as one, after agreeing in one certain area. After agreeing on a sub-genre of horror, we had made a storyboard which would be constantly edited throughout the making of the opening sequence of our film, allowing the flow of fresh ideas. We had planned properly by making a mood board, coming up with a pitch and typing up a rough script, allowing us to illustrate our ideas, using a wider platform. Also, the storyboard had consisted of all the main shot types, Mise En Scene, shot duration and also camera angles. We had all instructed each other to complete a number of tasks each, therefore enabling us to finish our work quicker before deadline day, ultimately giving ourselves more time to edit, clean up and focus on key areas where needed. We all had different tasks for the same objective which had made it easier for us to help one another, also going according to plan. Overall, the planning was the most engaging part.



FILMING: For the filming part of our opening sequence, we had 2 main locations, but 3 locations in total. The news reporting scene was filmed in the media department, inside our school. This was really beneficial for us because we were able to use the advanced facilities and equipment, such as the video recorder (camera), a number of tripods, the reel, 4 bright camera lights, tables and chairs as props, and most importantly, the green screen. The green screen was the main highlight / attraction of filming this scene because it was quite easy to use. However, we struggled on operating the lights, in which we were greatful to have professional assistance from the technical media teacher, MR PHILLIPS. The vlogging scenes were filmed on the street, with Anam and Alex using a camera to vlog their way to the abandoned apartment.  The streets were still a location, but we did not class it amongst the main locations. The vlogging to the abandoned apartment was initially done to create
build up and tension, alongside some stability. The actual exploration and visiting part of the opening sequence was filmed at an abandoned warehouse, in Brick Lane, Westminster. Anam and Alex had used a hand held camera, allowing the footage to look as natural as possible, and not being limited with movement by using a tripod. Overall, the filming was the most easiest part.



EDITING: For the editing part of our opening sequence, we had used quite an advanced software editing platform, called Adobe Premiere Pro. At first, this was by far the area where each of us had lacked knowledge in. Despite the fact that we knew the basic techniques, we needed to look at several YouTube videos in order to edit our opening sequence to a high standard, and that done correctly as well. By using the software on a daily basis, we had gotten used to it, and had no problem getting our way around. We had used this software to cut scenes, shorten scenes, colour correct, add special effects, add music and also observe and adjust the timings. Our main problem was getting easily confused with all the functions on the screen, but had over come this by watching YouTube videos, and taking advice from our peers. The most enjoyable part of using this software was the number of techniques and effects we were able to apply. Editing the news reporting scene, the vlogging scene and the exploration scene were almost equally tricky, but we were really easy once we got the grasp of using the advanced techniques. Our opening sequence was 2 minutes and 12 seconds. Overall, the editing was the most challenging part.



MEETING DEADLINES: We were fortunate enough to finish everything before the initial / official deadline day. Our group had worked really hard on focusing on key aspects of the project, and had also worked fast and according to time, eventually leading to a final high standard product. Overall, meeting deadlines were really easy, and was not a problem for any of us in the group.



ORGANISING THE INDIVIDUAL BLOG / GROUP BLOG: When organising my blog, I found it extremely easy and simple, because the layout of the site was pretty self explanatory. I had full control over my own account, and had the ability to choose what posts I can upload  (also when I can upload), delete posts, choose my design and layout and also view various structures on my blogger page. The individual blog is easy to operate, whereas the group blog is not so much. In the group blog,  I had observed that the individual has to become involved in contributing to blog posts. I would describe it as more strain and pressure because there are more areas to cover. Also, some members in my group had forgot to post about a specific area, and this led to me filling in the gaps for others, working harder and also in a way, carrying the group to success. However, it was really good that everyone had made lots of contributions, and had also taken responsibility of some key areas. Overall, the organisation of the blog was quite straightforward, but a little bit stressful for the group blog.