KateKestell

1) Well written. Some good points about conventions. Good on introduction of character. Not sure about mix of shot types point 2) Good stuff on the white male  and demonisation of mental illness. Women as victims? 3) ' freedom with the control of the films running' I think this is a good point but it needed a little more explanation 4 ' cultural capital of audiences'??? Again a good point I think but you've over-complicated. 5) Some evidence of an understanding of marketing but more explanation would have been better. 6) Fairly basic points but covered all 7) A good post made much better with the addition of a director's commentary. The binary opposites of your two pieces...weirdo. Level 3 12–15 marks  • Proficient skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the evaluation.  • Proficient understanding of issues around audience, institution, technology, representation, forms and conventions in relation to production.  • Proficient ability to refer...

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product? Planning. My preliminary task was painfully unplanned, and it was blatantly obvious. I'm a perfectionist, and it killed me to submit that video under my name. But my poor time management forced it through and I have no-one but myself to blame.  Besides learning to understand the importance of time management and how extensive planning aids projects significantly; I learnt a number of cinematic skills in progression from my preliminary- how to reduce white noise and background sound, how to enhance lighting features, how to follow the 180 degree rule accurately. I.e. not placing my character directly against the wall so it becomes virtually impossible to carry out an over the shoulder shot. Exhibit A:  But rather allowing plenty of access to the characters blind spots to get the best angles for different shots and therefore different meanings and impacts...

 What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? Access moodboard here  

How did you attract/address your audience? I designed an Instagram account for my film  as  studies have shown  that Instagram is one of the most popular platforms to reach young people.  My poster advertises the film in a very subtle manner, leaving it open to interpretation. The only suggestive comment in regards to content is its credit to fictional novel writer 'Analee Thompson' in the fine print. Drawn attention to by the diamond technique in the form of the characters tie, blood red, pointing down to the fine print credits as the title connects them.  The fictional writer being a woman is intentional, as well as being a nod to successful female director Mary Harron. I hoped that mentions of female names in the credits would aid in attracting young women to the film. 

Who would be the target audience for your media product?  In the long term context of the film itself, I feel the BBFC would give 'Patterns' at least a 15 or possibly an 18 rating. I designed the main character with Bateman in mind, and sadomasochism will likely be a recurring theme in the contextual nature of the piece. Obviously elements of sex, violence and meticulous murder are heavily censored in most areas of cinema, and it is highly likely 'Patterns' will be no exception in regards to 'light' certification. The characters featured are generally white, upper class, and usually straight, although there is freedom to experiment with that element of sexuality. I feel therefore that generally middle class teens, between 17-21 in the ABC1 demographic will enjoy 'Patterns' for its element of artistic capability- its a film for film buffs. Similar to iconic films such as Reservoir Dogs, American Psycho (have I mentioned that?) and Se7en, the equal...

Level 4 48–60 marks There is evidence of excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills: • material appropriate for the target audience and task; • using titles appropriately according to institutional conventions; • using sound with images and editing appropriately for the task set; • shooting material appropriate to the task set;, including controlled use of the camera, attention to framing, variety of shot distance and close attention to mise-en-scene; • using editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer and making selective and appropriate use of shot transitions and other effects. I really like this! The material is clearly appropriate. I like the pace of this and the surprise of the body towards the end. Clearly some kind of crime thriller- I'm going to guess serial killer-very Dexter! The titles are well done- conventional and unobtrusive. I like the way the actors name is timed to appear as we meet him for the first time. The music...

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?  I designed my own media institutions in the credits of my film , Astraea Distributions and Open Blind Productions as I felt their connotations of nightlife and shedding light were appropriate to the contextual nature of my film. Had I not chosen to create my own production and distribution industries, Regency Enterprises would be an excellent choice as a production company as its private nature will allow for more freedom with the control of the films running. They have produced some incredibly successful drama films, such as Gone Girl, Fight Club, 12 Years a Slave, A Cure for Wellness and The Big Short; all of which, conform to a different subcategory of drama. Psychological, mystery, historical, economic and paranormal. The institutions experience with the drama genre would be intensely beneficial in regards to aiding my films production.  20th Century Fox would be excellent in terms of d...

How does your media product represent particular social groups? My film opening is not the greatest in regards to diverse representation of minorities, the portrayal of an able-bodied white male, killing a female is painfully typical of the drama genre and in the long-term running of the film I felt my character would have a lot to offer in terms of personal development, as well as representing psychological disorders in the least demonising way possible.  The mentally ill are often represented in a negative light, with the main plot of their films focusing on protagonists defeating the evil within the antagonists, or antagonists embracing their disorder and spiralling out of control, embedding fear upon the audience in real life. Films like 'Split and 'Hannibal' demonise mental disorders greatly.  'Patterns' will gradually bring the audience into the mind of Charles Winters, not excusing his sadistic actions, but shedding light onto the psychological implica...

       In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?         My film is titled 'patterns'- the inspiration for this title came about based upon the contextual mannerisms of a conventionally popular 'murderer'- often following a pattern like lifestyle in regards to killing sequences. The title itself has connotations of a never-ending cycle, in this case a violent one, thus suggesting the characters' inevitable downwards spiral. The setting of my film is essentially meant to be a sort of 'bachelor pad'; generally connoting a sense of  the solitary lifestyle and independence, suggesting the character works alone in isolation. A control freak, his habitat must constantly be spotless. This is conventional of drama films such as American Psycho and Psycho, where traits of OCD come into play in regards to their mentality and relationship with sadistic tendencies. The costum...

Ella Barringer said: 'WWW: the use of music was effective as you made it seem like everything was just normal, which made the audience question what may be wrong as it was too normal, good use of enigma, nice range of camera shots EBI: Maybe fade the music so it's lower towards the end so you can hear the guy speaking, the ending was a bit abrupt, maybe fade it out.' Deana Kent said: 'I really like the range of shots (especially the close ups while shaving and getting ready!) and how you managed to convey what was happening and the characters personality with very little dialogue. I cant really think of any even better ifs, expect for maybe making the Open Blind Productions bit a little bit shorter? It was really good!' Emma Devlin said: ' what went well: - I liked the slow pace as it gave the audience time to focus on every detail - there was an excellent range of camera shots (especially the extreme close up of the character shaving) - I en...

Kate's mood board work was not exactly what I had in mind yet still showed remarkable insight on occasions. The still images were used as the starting point of several analytical pieces which could be excellent (the pier) but over-complicated in places too (her comments on neon lighting in Drive). Kate's post on title sequences seems to chart the evolution of her idea rather than demonstrating a knowledge of the variety of title sequences and an understanding of their effects. Her entry on David Fincher is frustrating in that, although some truly insightful points are made, they are often buried amongst points that lack any relevance or don't make sense. The fourth slide of Kate's American Psycho analysis is an example of a good point almost lost due to over-complication. Kate's post on year 13 advice demonstrated a thorough approach to preparation for this task and her youtube clip on experiments with lighting demonstrate an incredible dedication and attention ...