Our Last Christmas - Finished Film Opening (Work completed with Danielle Fletcher 9627)

Evaluation Question 7

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Evaluation Question 6

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

Evaluation Question 5

I was originally going to do evaluation question 4 on this website, but decided to change it to evaluation question 5, however I couldn't change the URL name; but it's question 5, not question 4.

How did you attract/address your audience?

http://ellieburrellbicker.wix.com/evaluationquestion4

Evaluation Question 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Evaluation Question 3

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Evaluation Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Evaluation Question 1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Our Last Christmas is a romance movie that deals with the theme of love and loss. It's based around Christmas time, which is always a positive time of the year for those who celebrate it. I came up with the storyline of Our Last Christmas after I'd watched The Fault In Our Stars. This movie dealt with the topic of cancer, and I admired that the main message featured in this film was to celebrate the life that someone lived rather than thinking that it was over, because their presence will always live on in your life even if they're not here anymore. I wanted to base this situation around Christmas time because this is when people come together and unite with eachother, but also to convey how seasons like this can still be enjoyed even if someone if suffering with a serious illness.

When studying The Fault In Our Stars in more depth, there were many conventions featured in the movie that conformed to it's genre of romance. First of all, the music that played throughout this movie was often angelic, soft and easy on the ear melodies. During a scene where Hazel and Gus shared their first kiss, the non-diegetic music escalated louder to emphasise this romantic moment. In Our Last Christmas, Ameerah's second flashback was of a day she captioned "best day", and at this point the soundtrack I chose became upbeat to change the feel of the scene and convey how this one is a more positive and memorable moment. In addition, when Ameerah discovers the letter that had been posted through her door, the soundtrack increased rapidly. This was done to exaggerate the moment and allow it to stand out from all of the other footage that the audience would have seen, so that they are aware that this moment is an important one. Sound usually sets the mood of a movie, and therefore in romantic films it is important that the music is used in scenes that require the audiences full attention. Shortly before Ameerah finishes her first part of the narration, the soundtrack I used is introduced. It's quite an emotional tune and fits with her saying "Christmas is just around the corner". The music conveys that what she has just told the audience will lead to quite a sad situation, and it does, with her reminiscing over her previous Christmas.

I also looked at Leap Year and The Notebook when I was analysing the conventions found in the genre romance. These are another two of my favourite movies which inspired me to do a romance film opening which is why I looked at their conventions. A prop in a movie is either a piece of furniture or a small object. It helps the audience become aware of the genre and also moves the plot forward, for example a letter. A prop that was featured in The Notebook was actually a love letter, and more, that Noah sent to Allie. This is a prop that illustrates a traditional old romanticist  which has a lot more meaning than a text message. Words on paper mean so much more than words through technology, which is why in Our Last Christmas I chose a Christmas card to be the carrier of Bruno's message. Other props that I included in my film opening would be Christmas decorations, as these all contribute to the theme of the film being based around Christmas time. Every Christmas film opening I've watched has either included a Christmas tree, or casual Christmas decorations e.g. Love Actually, Gremlins, The Grinch and Elf. I didn't study these films in depth because they weren't typical romance movies, more like comedies and dramas and general child entertainment, I was just aware of Christmas decorations being vital in the opening for the audience to understand the themes within the genre. 

When looking at costume, I decided to go for something that could convey the personality and attitude of Ameerah's. It's said that girls use clothes to express themselves. If I was to dress her up in tight skirts, boob tubes, tall heels or dresses for instance, she'd come across to the audience as a girly girl. Ameerah is not a girly girl, instead she is a simple fashionable friendly female, and her outfits definitely portrayed this. In the first flashback she wore a simple roll neck jumper which has been a fashion statement nearly every winter. In the second flashback she wore a long grey coat with a beanie and heeled boots, this conveys her as stylish but laid back. Anna in Leap Year was the outfit inspiration. Even though in this movie she is a fully grown adult and Ameerah's just a teenager, Anna has the easy going and ditsy character similar to Ameerah. She wears stylish outfits in America, but more casual costume in Ireland. I liked her fashion and decided to base Ameerah's on this aswell. I based  Bruno's costume on Augustus' in The Fault In Our Stars. He wore simple attire like T-Shirts and joggers indoors, along with stylish coats outdoors. He is 18, which is Bruno's age in the movie, therefore I felt it would be appropriate to use him as costume inspiration. The reason I kept to the conventions when it came to costume is because this is a vital part that the audience look at when judging the character. During the scenes of Ameerah living in the present where she's in her red jumper, I chose this piece of costume to fit the Christmas theme along with her red slipper boots. Here is where I challenged the conventions of romance films because I dressed Ameerah in Christmassy colours rather than her own attire that would usually be worn by females in romance/Christmas movies.

Three different settings were introduced in my film opening. The first one was Ameerah in the comfort of her own room, inspired by Hazel in The Fault In Our Stars. The second one was Ameerah and Bruno decorating the Christmas tree, inspired by Anna and Declan in Leap Year performing a home activity indoors (cooking). The third one was Ameerah and Bruno on a winter walk, inspired by Allie and Noah spending a day outside together in open space. This outdoors setting is romantic because they're in a large park on a sunny winters day and both relax on a bench together. I chose these settings because they were often used in romance films, where couples spend fun days indoors as well as outdoors, and where girls spend a lot of time in their bedroom when they do something that will risk them getting upset for example, looking over special memories. Ameerah was my main character in Our Last Christmas as in the three films that I done some in depth research, they all had a female as their main character. This is because a females view on love is a lot more romantic and sweet compared to a guy's view of the topic.

Moreover, I decided to challenge the forms and conventions of these three real media products when it came down to the two characters. In almost nearly every romance movie, the girl and the boy do not know eachother at first. In The Fault In Our Stars, Hazel and Gus meet at a cancer support group, in Leap Year, American Anna meets Declan in an Irish pub, in The Notebook, Noah and Allie meet in a theme park. In Our Last Christmas, Ameerah and Bruno already know eachother because they had previously been in a relationship together. I do not introduce these two characters to eachother as strangers and allow their relationship to grow, instead I make them get back into contact with eachother and then let things grow from there. The reason that I challenged this convention is because I feel that most movies that have characters that either dislike each other at first or don't get on so well, then fall in love, is unrealistic. It doesn't explore romance in a realist point of view, whereas in Our Last Christmas it is very much realistic and relatable to many people out there. My film opening allows the audience to know that Ameerah and Bruno already know each other through the flashback scenes and then the letter regarding him needing to see her. I feel that this was a successful decision, and would be successful in other romance movies because the audience can connect more with a story that they can believe and perhaps even relate to. 

Edit Decision List - Shoot 4 (Work completed with Danielle Fletcher 9627)

Edit Decision List - Shoot 3 (Work completed with Danielle Fletcher 9627)

Edit Decision List - Shoot 2 (Work completed with Danielle Fletcher 9627)

Edit Decision List - Shoot 1 (Work completed with Danielle Fletcher 9627)

Choosing our script for the narrator (Work completed with Danielle Fletcher 9627)

It's that time of the year again, Christmas is just around the corner.

Year after year, the Christmas season has always held a special place in my heart. Last Christmas especially.

I wasn't expecting to have such a memorable one as the one that I shared last year with Bruno

my best friend.

Ugh I can't help myself flicking through another page and reminding myself of all what used to be.

But happy ending's aren't all a fairytale and I realise now that forever isn't reality, and quite frankly, it never will be.

My heart froze. I hadn't spoken to him for over 9 months and here I am reading his name at the bottom of a Christmas card, with a message that foreshadowed the change of everything.

I just love ice cream so much and i will forever.

Rough Cut - Our Last Christmas (Work completed with Danielle Fletcher 9627)

Blood Orange Feedback:  

Meeting 9

This lesson we updated the location and talent release forms and the call sheets and the shot list.

We discussed how we will manage our next shot by looking at how many seconds/minutes we've currently filmed.

We discussed how the flashbacks will play in premiere pro which we intend to practise.

We've spoke about how to manage this lesson and set ourself tasks.

Timed Analysis - My Fake Fiance

0:00 - 0:05: A positive jingle begins to play at the very beginning of this romance movie as the first title is introduced, positioned in the centre of the screen. The font is squiggly, just as romantic writing would be printed.

0:05 - 0:07: The title of the movie then blurs into focus, in white capital letters whilst 'fake' has been written in a block of purple colour. This colour is associated with females, therefore portraying this movie instantly as a romance or a chick flick; perhaps both. Behind the title is a shot of a wedding cake as the camera pans around it.

0:07 - 0:10: The voice of the actor is then heard as flowers are placed onto a table. She states "not another wedding". It's evident that this film will be based around her and her hatred for love.

0:10 - 0:12: A close up shot of two glasses clinking together is shown to portray the wedding celebration.

0:12 - 0:16: Camera movement is used to convey the smiley faces of everyone in the wedding room.

0:16 - 0:20: More camera movement is introduced to expose a fun bubbly atmosphere with happy people.

0:20 - 0:26:  The happy couple "Courtney and Steve" are introduced by the narrator as they share a sweet kiss, titles fading into view. A few over the shoulder shots are thrown in to show how happy they are with one another.

0:26 - 0:30: A pan shot is used to display the table set up, props like flowers and candles and posh looking cutlery and plates finish this shot off perfectly.

0:30 - 0:37: An extremely high angle shot is then used which gives the audience an idea of the amount of people attending the wedding as large crowds of people are scattered everywhere. At this point the narrator has stopped admitting her dislike for weddings and happy couples and a jazz song begins to play as the sound of conversations increases.

0:37 - 1:00: The camera slowly zooms into a certain table in the crowd, focusing on a man and a woman sitting there uncomfortably. The narrator talks again when the females face sat at the table is more clear, this is evidently her. She narrates that "maybe for once the guy they put me next too will be decent" which automatically makes the audience think that he won't be simply because she already dislikes weddings so it would be an element of comedy.

1:00 - 1:13: The female character and the man next to her begin to share conversation when he attempts to make "small talk" resulting in her saying out loud "great, they sat me next to that guy". Already, a minute in, humour is introduced, along with the theme of a wedding which makes the genre of the movie clear; a romantic comedy.

1:13 - 1:36: Over the shoulder shots are continously used to portray their conversation, filled with sarcasm and her offensive opinions. This puts him in his place, and they both turn to face the front and then study the scenery around them. A two shot is used from behind them to portray them looking at all the happy couples.

1:36 - 1:41: The newly wed pair are dancing, looking into eachothers eyes as the jazz music continues to play in the background; diegetic music.

1:41 - 2:09 The camera focuses back on the female main character and "that guy" next to her. She's just sitting there downing glasses of what the audience would assume to be alcohol because she's there alone. She has no faith that love works out and verbally abuses the idea of it when the man asks her why she doesn't like weddings. Close up shots are used to express their facial reactions when talking to eachother, both discussing the topic of weddings.

Timed Analysis - The Notebook

0:00 - 0:07: The opening scene of The Notebook begins with a shot of a sunrise on the water blurring into play as the first title "Ryan Gosling" is introduced in the bottom left hand corner. Soft piano music starts as soon as the film does, a tranquil melody matching the peaceful atmosphere that the sunrise is exhaling.

0:07 - 0:24: The same shot remains on screen as three more titles are introduced in the same place that the first one was. 

0:24 - 0:35: A cut is then used to show a different angle of the sunrise. This time it's more of a close up shot because the sun is a lot larger than before. A person sitting in a boat is evident through the light on the water, making the audience feel as though this character is perhaps significant. The title of the movie is introduced at this point as being "The Notebook".

0:36 - 0:45: A tracking shot is used to follow the person in the boat who is gently oaring through the water as more titles continue to be introduced.

0:45 - 0:53: The previous shot blurs out as a new one blurs in, still focusing on the sunrise and the water. So far it's a very peaceful film opening that eases an audience into the movie gently.

0:53 - 1:11: A low angle shot is used to portray the silhouette of the person in the boat yet again, still oaring through the sea. They're going very slowly. The genre being a romance is quite evident now.

1:11 - 1:19: An establishing shot now displays the sun in the far distance, also demonstrating the scene and the overall area of the water that had been filmed previously.

1:19 - 1:23: The piano music has so far been consistent throughout the whole movie opening.

1:23 - 1:39:  A flock of white birds flying through the sky has been filmed as background for the titles that continue to appear on the screen. Not much is happening throughout this film opening except for the relaxting atmospheres and the titles.

1:39 - 1:48: Another shot of the lake/sea and it's land inbetween it is shown to the audience. It has only one person on the water, which could be the silhouette figure we saw previously.

1:48 - 1:59: A slow motion version of birds flying towards what the audience will now see to be a very large house is shown. The piano is being played slowly now and a lot more gently than it was at the very beginning of this film opening.

1:59 - 2:04: An over the shoulder shot of a woman looking out from the large house over at the water appears now. It's as though she's thinking and taking time out from whatever she was previously doing.

2:04 - 2:09: A different angle of the house is now shown more close up so the audience have a clearer view on its appearance.

2:09 - 2:29: The same style of shots are continously introduced now of the lady looking out from her window, both perspectives of it. It's evident now that she's looking out her window down at the silhouette person in the boat on the water. The piano music ended with the film opening just in time for the audience to be engaged with the rest of the upcoming film.

Timed Analysis - Dear John

0:32 - 0:35: The beginning of this movie begins with a black screen, and the first title quickly blurring into focus in the centre of the frame.

0:35 - 0:49: A few more titles were introduced in the same way and the same place that the first one was before the narrator begins to talk.

0:49 - 1:02: He begins with "There's something I wanna tell you" which creates enigma code and suspicion for the audience immediately. A shot of the narrator in an army suit suffering on the floor is shown to the audience as the first piece of footage. It's upsetting and touching. The camera zooms out from the scene as a fellow army member tries to help him up.

1:02 - 1:08: He states that "coins" were the very first thing that came into his mind before he blacked out, theremore making coins a significant prop throughout this movie.

1:08 - 1:12: A close up shot of an eight year old boy (who the audience would assume is him from "I'm 8 years old again") is shown where coins are all being dropped infront of his face, the music continously soft and relaxed.

1:12 - 1:21: An extreme close up shot is used to establish the amount of coins being created. The more coins are shown the more the audience question their significance.

1:21 - 1:37: A brief introduction to this main character's interest in coins and shots of how coins are made sets the audience up for when he expresses how he is "a coin in the United States Army". 

1:37 - 2:02: Through his narrative he explains how he has gone through the same thing that a coin has. This film opening is already extremely interesting, but the genre of it isn't quite clear yet. Whilst he explains why he is a coin, shots of him battered in the army are on screen as the camera zooms into his blank expression and in pain face.

2:02 - 2:12: The screen fades into a black one as the narrator asks the audience if they want to know the very last thing that entered his mind. The answer is "you". Through this the audience are able to assume that this could perhaps be a romance after all. 

2:12 - 2:16 The music lifts up as a shot of the beach fades into view. Titles are introduced in the bottom right hand corner in a romantic font and everything about this film opening suddenly becomes more uplifting rather than intense.

2:16 - 2:25: A variety of different shot types were used to introduce the male character surfing. Whilst he was surfing jolly music was playing in the background to set an extremely positive theme to this scene.

2:25 - 2:31: A long shot/establishing shot is included to display the male actor walking out from the sea with his surfboard as the title "Channing Tatum" fades into screen in the bottom right hand corner; the name of this actor.