This is the evaluation for 10 bags, were doing it in the form of a podcast, My name is Hedley Wood and Iklas Yousif.
Question 1: In what ways does the media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? For our opening sequence we used a voice over to engage with the audience. This actually allows them to follow through the opening sequence and understand what’s going on. We also used typical generic conventions of a crime based thriller film; common slang used such as ‘Pikey’ and ‘Nitty’ is all British slang that the audience will be able to recognise. We researched other films such as ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ and ‘Snatch’ where Jason Stratum does the narration for the film. We tried to bring this aspect into our film but still able to give it its own unique twist. Most of these typical British films are set in secret alley ways and warehouses; we had the advantage of using an actual warehouse for our opening giving us the upper hand into making this opening sequence look more realistic. These films are also centred in dark rooms where it needs to be and light when suitable so as a group we contrasted these aspects very well into our film by cutting from one location into another.
Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups? Our film has very strong comparisons to films today such as ‘Snatch’ and ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ Social groups who enjoy these films will be able to compare 10 Bags to current crime based thrillers. Films on the current market for example ‘Shank’ is based on older generations of film including institutions of drugs and crime. It attracts mostly men from the age of 15 to 25. This provides the opening that will be seen on forums and social networking sites such as Face book, MySpace and YouTube. Question 3: What kind of media institutions might distribute your media product and why? Our film could be seen on Face book and other social networking sites, this is because it appeals to specific people and specific age ranges. This is a guy Ritchie type film, this can be seen by certain characteristic of 10 Bags. The reason is because it compares to current films on the market at the moment.
Question 4: Who would be the audience for your media product? Before creating our film we made a questionnaire for our classmates to answer. In this questionnaire we asked simple questions such as their age and gender and then went into more depth by asking what genre film they prefer and what aspects of a gangster film stand out to them and make it look more realistic. From the feedback we received that more of the men were interested in crime based thrillers as women were more interested in romantic comedies and other genres of film. We came to the conclusion that we would target to the male audiences, as mentioned before it would range from the ages of 15 and over. To meet the audience’s requirements we needed to set a dark environment for the action to take place and also have a good storyline to follow along with a good cast to create tension around the film.
Question 5: How did you attract/address your audience? To address our audience we used typical generic conventions of a British gangster film by interpreting slang and commonly used phrases that the audience will be able to recognise and therefore recognise the genre of the film; they will also be able to empathise with the characters situation. I think that the major attraction of our film is the voice over as it really captures the audience’s attention and acts a guide for them to follow throughout the opening sequence. The voice over is an important part as without it the audience will be confused and left to wonder the whereabouts of the protagonists. Finally the music we chose ‘Funky Summer’ really adds to the final detail to the overall opening as it is catchy and suitable for our film. It challenges the reader as they’re expecting a series of events or a big finale to come.
Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of contrusting this product? From this experience we have learnt to use a varied range of different applications and softwares such as how to edit on Imovie, how to use Garage Band, Photo shop and other Media elements. Physically we have improved our camera skills by being able to shoot from different angles and shots and produce high quality footage. We have learnt the importance of lighting and how much of a difference it can make to the scene you are trying to create. In contrast to this we have learnt to edit the lighting once its been uploaded onto Imovie and to change it from dark to light without making a major difference. Overall we have been able to edit and cut scenes into each other so that they run smoothly. Question 7: Looking back to the ‘Feed the Fish’ task, what do you feel you have you learnt in the progression from it to the full product? When we started using the Macs and software’s on the ‘Feed the Fish’ task we had very limited knowledge to use the equipment, now we have learnt all the different techniques which we can all use in the future. Iklas: She had little knowledge of using media terms and writing on blogging sites, now it’s like another language to her, she is very literate into media terms. Hedley: I have learnt how to use editing software like Imovie HD fluently. It’s a great programme, I really enjoyed cutting shots, using transitions and adding soundtracks. Muhammed: He was He was quite quiet when we started acting; he kept on laughing and was quite immature. Now his acting skills have improved more and his location was great.
Question 1: In what ways does the media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? For our opening sequence we used a voice over to engage with the audience. This actually allows them to follow through the opening sequence and understand what’s going on. We also used typical generic conventions of a crime based thriller film; common slang used such as ‘Pikey’ and ‘Nitty’ is all British slang that the audience will be able to recognise. We researched other films such as ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ and ‘Snatch’ where Jason Stratum does the narration for the film. We tried to bring this aspect into our film but still able to give it its own unique twist. Most of these typical British films are set in secret alley ways and warehouses; we had the advantage of using an actual warehouse for our opening giving us the upper hand into making this opening sequence look more realistic. These films are also centred in dark rooms where it needs to be and light when suitable so as a group we contrasted these aspects very well into our film by cutting from one location into another. 
Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups? Our film has very strong comparisons to films today such as ‘Snatch’ and ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ Social groups who enjoy these films will be able to compare 10 Bags to current crime based thrillers. Films on the current market for example ‘Shank’ is based on older generations of film including institutions of drugs and crime. It attracts mostly men from the age of 15 to 25. This provides the opening that will be seen on forums and social networking sites such as Face book, MySpace and YouTube. Question 3: What kind of media institutions might distribute your media product and why? Our film could be seen on Face book and other social networking sites, this is because it appeals to specific people and specific age ranges. This is a guy Ritchie type film, this can be seen by certain characteristic of 10 Bags. The reason is because it compares to current films on the market at the moment. 
Question 4: Who would be the audience for your media product? Before creating our film we made a questionnaire for our classmates to answer. In this questionnaire we asked simple questions such as their age and gender and then went into more depth by asking what genre film they prefer and what aspects of a gangster film stand out to them and make it look more realistic. From the feedback we received that more of the men were interested in crime based thrillers as women were more interested in romantic comedies and other genres of film. We came to the conclusion that we would target to the male audiences, as mentioned before it would range from the ages of 15 and over. To meet the audience’s requirements we needed to set a dark environment for the action to take place and also have a good storyline to follow along with a good cast to create tension around the film. 
Question 5: How did you attract/address your audience? To address our audience we used typical generic conventions of a British gangster film by interpreting slang and commonly used phrases that the audience will be able to recognise and therefore recognise the genre of the film; they will also be able to empathise with the characters situation. I think that the major attraction of our film is the voice over as it really captures the audience’s attention and acts a guide for them to follow throughout the opening sequence. The voice over is an important part as without it the audience will be confused and left to wonder the whereabouts of the protagonists. Finally the music we chose ‘Funky Summer’ really adds to the final detail to the overall opening as it is catchy and suitable for our film. It challenges the reader as they’re expecting a series of events or a big finale to come. 
Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of contrusting this product? From this experience we have learnt to use a varied range of different applications and softwares such as how to edit on Imovie, how to use Garage Band, Photo shop and other Media elements. Physically we have improved our camera skills by being able to shoot from different angles and shots and produce high quality footage. We have learnt the importance of lighting and how much of a difference it can make to the scene you are trying to create. In contrast to this we have learnt to edit the lighting once its been uploaded onto Imovie and to change it from dark to light without making a major difference. Overall we have been able to edit and cut scenes into each other so that they run smoothly. Question 7: Looking back to the ‘Feed the Fish’ task, what do you feel you have you learnt in the progression from it to the full product? When we started using the Macs and software’s on the ‘Feed the Fish’ task we had very limited knowledge to use the equipment, now we have learnt all the different techniques which we can all use in the future. Iklas: She had little knowledge of using media terms and writing on blogging sites, now it’s like another language to her, she is very literate into media terms. Hedley: I have learnt how to use editing software like Imovie HD fluently. It’s a great programme, I really enjoyed cutting shots, using transitions and adding soundtracks. Muhammed: He was He was quite quiet when we started acting; he kept on laughing and was quite immature. Now his acting skills have improved more and his location was great.
