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

I don't feel as if i have progressed much from the preliminary to the final piece, with the final piece looking just as amateur as the preliminary. My film didn't turn out very well, and is also well under the running time it was supposed to be. This occurred when i was getting help with editing, i was told to cut down certain sequences as they went on for too long, and people lost interest. By the time that was finished, there was very little footage left. Time restraints meant i couldn't go out and re-film, so i had to work with what i had. I underestimated the amount of time, effort, and planning that goes into film making, as it was a lot harder than i expected, with editing alone taking up a lot of time. This was especially difficult as i was working alone.

With all that being said, i have learnt alot about the process you must go through to produce a film, even though mine was on a very small scale. I have learnt how horrors are constructed to create tension and build suspense. By analysing openings of horror films, i worked out how via the use of camera, editing, sound and mise-en-scene i could go about creating an engaging opening.

This was helped by extensive planning, such as analysis and storyboarding. This allowed me to see what shots would be effective, and how to pull them off properly. My use of framing has improved, as i learnt the importance of it in relation to character building. I now feel more confident in using the equipment, and i hope to implement what i have learnt into next years task.

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

I have learnt how to use technology more efficiently during the course. Previously, i have had no experience with camcorders, and anything other than basic editing software, so this was a big step up for me. Using iMovie, i quickly became more experienced in the post-production of a film. Editing was a challenge, as i had 3 timelines running at the same tine; one for picture, one for sound and the other for music. This meant lining it all up to look good and effective took a long time, and was something i didn't do very well. Also, i had trouble with the title feature, i was unable to get the credits the way i wanted them, though this is was probably down to my inexperience and lack of knowledge of the software. This meant that the titles look unprofessional, and don't fit it well with the style of film i originally set out to make. Although i did learn to edit better by using effects and transitions. Even if it isn't evident by my final piece, my use of the software has improved since the start of the course.

As well as a the creation of the film, i used technologies in other ways. I used Blogger to keep posting my work on. I used powerpoint to create a pitch presentation to show to the class. To put the presentation on my blog,, i used "slideshare", a program that uploads presentations to the internet and converts them so they can be posted on websites and blogs. This was useful for me as it allowed to show what i was doing for planning and research.  I used Youtube to search for videoa to post on the blog, and upload videos i'd made over the course.

How did you attract/address your audience?

I would attract my audience in a number of ways. Firstly, i would create an informative, but eye-catching poster advertising my film. This would draw people in, and make them interested and going to see them. I would utilise new media technologies to promote my film. For example, i could create a fan page, or an event on Facebook, so people are more aware of it. This would appeal to my target audience as well, as most of them use Facebook on a regular basis. Trailers would be posted on YouTube, and also in theatrical showings of similar films. This would ensure advertising is effective, as it target people who are more likely to take notice, as they already have an interest in that particular genre.

My film asks they audience to put themselves in the position of the characters they see on screen. As my target audience are the same demographic as the characters in my film, this allows me to build up a connection, as the audience can relate to the film more, and be wary that it might happen to them.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

As i've already established, my target audience are 15 - 19 year olds of both genders. My research shows me that is the age group most appreciative of horror films. This directly links in with the narrative of my film, which mainly features that demographic.
My audience would already be keen on my film, as they would be fans of similar light hearted zombie films such as Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland.

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

The primary agenda of the distributor is to convince the exhibitor to rent, or "book", each film. To this end the distributor usually arranges industry screenings for exhibitors, and uses other marketing techniques that will make the exhibitor believe they will profit financially by showing the film. They have to ensure that a film is worth investing in, and that it would make them their money back, and then profit.

A company that might distribute my film is "The Asylum". They specialise in producing low-budget, usually direct-to-video productions. They have distributed a number of critically panned b-movies, such as "Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus" These films have a cult audience, who watch them expecting it to be bad, as the audience enjoy shoddily made low-budget films.

I expect my film to go straight to DVD as well. This would ensure i get support from a cult audience, who already frequently purchase similar b-movies. To gain extra publicity, my film would be shown in film festivals that specialise in low budget small productions.

Films distributed by The Asylum typically break even after about three months, showing that there is market for those types of films, and if invested in, my film would make back the money for the company, and then more.

How does your product represent particular social groups?

The social group represented in my film (other than zombies) are teenage boys. The 2 starring in my film are white, 18 years old and working class. Though this wasn't intentional or planned in any way, they were just the characteristics of the 2 people I go to act. I hope this does not retract from my aims of making the characters represent the target audience.  They do not look or act in anyway to be associated with any subculture or social group. This makes the characters relate-able to a wider audience.
I think the characters are stereotypical to an extent. Their conversation is crude, and one of them smokes. Depending on who you ask, you may find that people believe all teenagers are like that, and my film does little to challenge that. Although, they don't act or dress like a stereotypical "anti-social youth".

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

My media product uses forms and conventions of a real media product. I tried to stick closely to the normal codes and conventions of a horror film, so that mine would look more like an actual horror film. However, a combination of the footage, and the editing means that this goal was not achieved. The final product looks rushed, with clips cutting together too quickly and ineffectively. The film doesn't flow like a film should. It all adds up to a uninteresting and confusing experience upon viewing. I tried to imitate typical characters used in a horror film. As mine is a zombie film, i played the part of a zombie attacking a couple of teenage boys. I used a mixture of food colouring and golden syrup to use as blood, so the film doesn't have as high production values as a real one. The zombie emerges, then goes on to kill the teenagers, this is a common convention within my chosen sub-genre. "Spooky", ambient music was played in the film, with certain parts used in situations when the zombie appeared, to create suspense and shock. This is common practice within horror film making.


The moment the zombie appears is when it is most evident to the viewers that they are watching a horror. This is achieved by a combination of visuals and sounds that you may expect from a horror. In terms of challenging conventions, my film doesn't, but rather stays true to the classic horror style. From the use on conventions, it is clear the sub-genre of horror. This is mainly due to the iconic image of a  zombie emerging from the bushes., as seen in such films as Night of the Living Dead.