KateKestell

I created an Instagram to market my film, its address is 'patternsfilm18'. In the long term plan of the media account, I would aim to post teasers and trailers to engage my audience and keep them informed. I felt that Instagram would be the most suitable media platform as it is easily accessible and the act of hashtags and following features allow you to reach a wider audience.  The poster is simple and stylistic; use of the diamond technique through the tie draws the audiences eye to the fine print credits, and a finger subtly points to the title. 

I accessed uncopyrighted, royalty free music through  Epidemic Sound , a site which allows you to download music that corresponds to key words entered in the search bar. In my instance, I entered 'drama' and 'classical piano', again, inspired by American Psycho. Here I found composer Jonas Elander, and after exploring his 'Mysterious Grand Piano' themes, I chose number 3 as most compatible with my title sequence. 

Accidents that could occur:  - Cut with razor - Burn with hot coffee - Slip on blueberry juice (blood) - Consume medicinal products Precautions to take place:  - Use dull blade on a disposable razor (clean)  - Use lukewarm water - Use minimal juice in confined area to reduce hazardous space.  - Use mild painkillers and empty the capsules

'Open Blind' productions acts to shed light on deeper meaning. Whereas 'Astraea Distributions' signifies night activity and the return of dark and evil, juxtaposed with the title Astraea, goddess of purity, also a known 'star maiden'. Open Blind was shot myself, and Astraea was designed on an app called 'intro maker'. I added the text over the animation on iMovie as they didn't have the desired font accessible. 

'Patterns' is a psychological drama film following a male lead, 'Charles Winters'. The opening follows Winters as he fulfils his morning routine, before calmly walking past a dead body in a pool of blood, as if it is nothing. The rest of the film is ideally going to consist of portraying Winters sadistic personality as he struggles to control his blood lust and violent outbursts. As 'Patterns' gives away its killer from the first three minutes, there will ideally be an inevitable plot twist at some point within the film, expressing a sincere moment of character development, unconventional to the psychological drama genre.  I was heavily influenced by American Psycho and the characteristics of lead Patrick Bateman, who Winters is loosely based upon. The morning routine title sequence is also inspired by TV series Dexter, where close ups of culinary devices are used to look sinister in the most patronising way imaginable. This is largely expr...

Research based on this study.   Questions to ask my focus group.  Question A : Which sub-category of drama films do you consider to be most successful with mainstream audiences.  Probe A : Can you explain why you think this?  Question B : Story lines in drama are generally gender neutral; however the Bechdel Test suggests that a staggering amount of films feature a male lead. What impact do you think this has on female audiences?  Probe B: In an advancing society, with the rise of feminism; should the roles inevitably be reversed, do you think men will be as willing to watch female led films? Question C: What conventions do you feel are necessary for a drama film to appeal to young women?  Probe C: Why do you think this?  Question D: In your opinion, can you name three drama films you believe to be the most successful and influential films of the 21st century.  Probe D :To what do you think they owe their success?...

I have taken influence from directors such as Nicholas Winding Refn, David Fincher, Alfred Hitchcock and Mary Harron as their respective works, Drive, Panic Room, North by Northwest and American Psycho have all influenced by creative inspiration in some definition.  Refn's perfectly quadratic framing in 'Drive' was a huge influence in how I chose to frame and shoot each scene in my title sequence to achieve my much desired 'aesthetic gratification'.  Fincher's use of tight, compacted shots created a claustrophobic atmosphere and again influenced my decisions regarding framing which are also respectively constricted in order to maintain a sense of captivity.  Hithcock's colour palette in some scenes of North by Northwest were a huge influence in regards to lighting and mise en scene of my scenes.  Harron's design of Bateman's apartment inspired the design of my character's habitus as the generic 'bachelor pad'. The prop...

'The BBFC is required to consider whether material submitted for classification is in conflict with the law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence. Licensing legislation lies behind the BBFC's powers to regulate film in the UK while the  Video Recordings Act (VRA) 1984  is the basis upon which the BBFC applies the test of whether a work is suitable for viewing in the home (taking into account the potential for under-age viewing). Linked with this is the consideration of potential harm, whether to the viewer, or to society through the viewer's behaviour. In particular, works involving the depiction of criminal behaviour, illegal drugs, violent or horrific behaviour and human sexual activity are given special regard under the 'harm' test. All digital works that are submitted to the BBFC for age rating are subject to the same level of scrutiny under the VRA as DVDs and Blu-rays. Other legal considerations include indecent images o...

Definition: Psycho-graphics refer to  classification of people according to their   personality , values,  opinions ,  attitudes ,  interests , and lifestyles. Demographics refer to the classification of people in regards to their education, social background and economic status. Typical target audience of Drama films: Drama films typically appeal to the upper and middle class categories of ABC1. This can generally be put down to the fact that conventionally drama films contain narrative that references complex intellectual issues such as crime and law. Most 'conventional' drama films are slow and overwhelmingly cinematic, as if they were designed specifically for the gratification of 'film snobs'. For example Gone Girl and Boyhood, films that appeal to somewhat niche audiences. However, C2DE audiences can enjoy drama films for the gratification of entertainment as well as relation. For example, Forrest Gump an iconic and arguably essential fam...

'Missing'  - Level 3 . Is the material appropriate to the target audience? 8/10, uncomfortable footage for an uncomfortable horror sequence. Are the titles conventional/appropriate? 6/10 dull and unclear, not overly visible to the eye, slightly half-hearted. Sound, images and technical editing. 10/10 Excellent use music stings and pleonastic sounds. Camera work, framing, variation of shots and mise en scene. 7/10 shaky at times, but a nice use of quadratics and relatively in frame. Editing for meaningful effect, transitions and effects. 7/10 good continuity editing and match on action, nice dark tonality obviously finished in post-production. Overall feel. 7/10, felt too much like a short film/trailer with use of flashbacks and irrelevant backstory squeezed into two minute sequence, just create strong enigma. 'Hemlock' - Level 4 Is the material appropriate to the target audience? 10/10, very tense and endearing to watch. Are...

American Psycho Title Sequence Prezi Presentation

filming diary The scene I designed for my film opening was set in the early morning, therefore time constraints limited hours in which ideal natural 'golden light' would be available, a close eye had to be kept on the weather forecast, and I scheduled my filming days based around this. I attended a workshop at the BFI where Dexter Fletcher advised that as a director you must always film when you are scheduled to, no matter what the circumstances or weather may be. I conformed to this rule strictly, and it worked in my benefit, as the whole shoot was completed comfortable under five hours. I have some issues with the footage, one being that my actor isn't wearing shoes, which I didn't realise until I looked at the footage, and he had gone home. Also we had a slight technical difficulty with the 'blood', which is a not-so-convincing mixture of ketchup and blueberry juice. As the footage was recorded on a camcorder, edited in iMovie on a MacBook, ...

Of all of David Fincher's films, and their respective title sequences, 2002s 'Panic Room' will always hold a firm position in my list of favourites. The first Fincher film I ever saw, Panic Room's title sequence is visually totally unrelated to the context of the film, yet subconsciously, so connected- its absence would destroy the films enigmatic nature almost instantly. The 'North by Northwest' feel is demonstrated through a use of perfectly aligned typography, classically silver against the cold grey of the city landscape, indicating the icy nature of the films subjects. The music is typical of Fincher, one way or another, it's classic- in reference to Panic Room, it is quite literally classical, however, the term 'classic' is used loosely, as with Fincher, it can mean anything from iconic hit, to legendary anthem. Anyway, the classical music used in the title sequence of Panic Room act well alongside the serif font used to portray the credits...

I attend a new sixth form at FitzWimarc, and so access to year 13 students is limited, as we don't have any. However, I was able to gather some memoirs from general friends I have that have taken media studies at college or other sixth forms, and even at University. Also access to Shenfield blogs have granted particular assets in gaining peer advice and experienced opinions. 'Set your scene up the day before the shoot, this saves time and helps you mentally prepare.'   In a way I feel this may be the most valuable piece of advice I have received, ever. One of my key flaws as a creative is my hatred of setting things in stone. I am the human embodiment of juxtaposition as I simultaneously maintain the most spontaneous control-freak persona, constantly - and it shows. I may try to convince myself the lie that 'I can pull it off in time' or 'the idea will hit me eventually'. But after hearing this I feel I may need to get over my slight fear of permanently s...

Prezi Presentation   Mean Streets - Martin Scorsese Fonts are important as they host the words that seep and embed themselves into the audience's minds. The text in title sequences is often blown up loud and proud on the screen, demanding to be noticed, they are the punchy statements that are impossible to pass unnoticed when executed accurately, and so the font choice is vital in casting a good first impression and setting the tone to your audience. Elegant, floral fonts establish an aura of sophistication and classic atmosphere, most commonly used in drama for the context of literary or historical works. Serif fonts are clean and professional, creating an atmosphere based on intellect and almost sociopathic nature; the serif asks audiences questions while they read them, are you on the same level of power as me? Would you question my authority? This is an intensely effective way of establishing character types, and is executed to great effect i...

Pre-production. My video featured two characters engaging in conversation over a table, after a first body entered through a door. This was not the original plan, as time and access to actors and locations posed the first of many threats to the piece. The 180 degree rule was established early in the piece by aiming to strictly only film the male character from front. He would be placed in front of a building, so it would be relatively simple and straight-forward to execute. Match on action was filmed from a variety of angles in order to show facial expression as well as maintain a natural and fluid notion of movement. Production. Execution of the production itself was generally smooth and uncomplicated as shots were already laid out in the specifically designed storyboard. This made production easier as plans were already laid out, all that needed to be done was a follow up via the means of the camera. Direction of the actors was relatively controllable as the circum...

The preliminary task acted as an essential capability test in regards to practising techniques vital in the context of creating a piece of film. The 180 degree rule and match on action editing is perhaps the most simple yet influential techniques in regards to ensuring verisimilitude, as it draws attention to significant codes, such as props and facial expressions, as well as character movement and dialogue. My preliminary task was rushed, it shows, and I'm immensely displeased with it. I had original plans to direct a sequence involving night-time alleyways and intense chess games in order to add my own creative twist, however, unforeseen circumstances prevented this from happening, and I have learnt from my mistakes as a result.