OSIRIS UNBOUND | Theatrical Trailer

Evaluation: Uses and Gratifications & The Male Gaze

Our media film makes use of the Uses and Gratification Theory laid down by Blumler and Katz in the early 1970s. This theory states that there are five reasons why audiences consume media products – to be informed and educated, to identify with characters and situations, to be entertained, to be able to discuss the film in a social environment and to escape from everyday life. Three of these can easily be applied to our film, and potentially a fourth. The one that cannot be applied to our film is to be informed and educated, as our film was not made for educational purposes.

The primary focus of our film is to entertain; it’s an action film, so is not designed to educate, but just for the audience to find solace and entertainment. Another of the reasons for which audiences could watch our film is escapism. This is probably the second most prominent of the reasons, as audiences would watch our film to immerse themselves in a world that is distant from their own to forget their problems. The other obvious reason why people may watch our film is so that they can identify with characters. We like to think that our characters are three-dimensional and have vices and virtues that audiences could relate to. The final reason that could potentially be applied to our film is to be able to discuss the film in a social environment. This would probably be the case more for a big budget film, but we establish several enigmas in our film that could prompt discussion.

Another theory of audience that can be applied to our film is the male gaze theory. This states that films are from a male perspective and therefore objectify women. We cast a female role in our film to entice a larger male audience, however she does not have a speaking part in it, leading to the conclusion that she is solely there for the satisfaction of male viewers. The plot never explores her story in much detail, so she is left as a two-dimensional character. The film as a whole appeals to a male audience, as it is high in action and thrills, features that a stereotypicaly male audience would enjoy.

Evaluation Activity 4: Media Technology

For the editing process we used a software called Adobe Premiere Pro. This software is commonly used in the professional industry so we thought that it was a suitable software to use for our film. It has exceptional colour grading tools, which are very useful in ensuring the film has a professional look to it. It also has very efficient tools for editing titles, which helped greatly and allowed the titles to look as good as possible. I think that one of the key successes to our film was the editing and it was down to this piece of software that we were able to edit successfully. Unfortunately, the computer that we were using with this software was very slow, so editing took a long time. To combat this, we selected all the clips that we intended on using and saved them in an MP4 format to make editing easier, however this did result in a loss of quality so for the key shots - where visual impact was imperative - we reinserted the original format of the files to retain the high quality to the shots. Editing was a very time consuming process.

We used the Panasonic SD90 to film our trailer. I have discussed this in a previous post, which should cover the basics of this camera. The main reasons for using it were that it filmed in HD and had a very good look to it. Admittedly, some of the footage was overexposed and obviously the footage was colour graded, but it did a decent job otherwise. Another fault that we found with this camera was that didn't give the user control over the focus, which prevented us from experimenting with different depths of field. I have learnt how to use the camera to it's highest potential and to avoid trying to do anything that highlights these negative points. We also used two other filming devices for shooting when the camera was out of power or the other side of the world. These were two Samsung Galaxy devices, chosen for their relative ease, though there was less quality to the footage - though only a select few of these shots were used.

The only software used for the design of our posters and magazine covers was the free program Paint.NET. The program was selected for its lack of cost, its accessibility and range of functions as well as several years worth of experience with using it. The program allows the user to do just about all the functions of high end photo editing softwares such as photoshop, but is easier to operate and free.

Blogger was used to record the filmmaking process. This was a helpful tool, as we were easily able to go back and have a look at all our research and planning. It is easy to access as you can get to it anywhere with internet connection, however this did mean we couldn't get hold of it in locations where there was no internet, such as Waverly Abbey and Highgate Cemetery. Blogger allowed us to share links to videos and music files, and was a very useful place to collect and share information.


Other than these pieces of technology we didn't really use anything. We opted out of using a tripod for a few reasons. Firstly, the look that we were going for worked better without a tripod, as it makes the audience feel like they are involved in the action. If it were filmed on a tripod then it would look too static and the audience would feel like they're observing the action, rather than getting into it. The second reason was that it was impractical to set up a tripod in many of the locations as we may have been told to stop filming as we were in public.

Theatrical Poster

Magazine Front Cover: The Hollywood Reporter

Evaluation Activity 3: Audience Feedback

Here is the video of our group evaluation, where we took a sample of media students and asked them to comment on our film, each person looking at a different area. This evaluation was useful in discovering what people thought of our film. It gave us an outside perspective, that we couldn't get, as we'd seen it slowly progress.
One of the first questions that came up regarded the role of Agent Davidson in our film, as he was seen in some of the earlier trailers for the film. This is part of our advertising campaign; Agent Davidson is a character from our last film Sins of the Martyr, so by using him it gives the audience someone to connect to, before introducing them to more unfamiliar characters. The earlier trailer was also more of a character trailer for Lee's character, this is similar to the advertising campaign for Les Miserables in which there was a special character trailer for the character of Eponine. On a more practical side, we hadn't filmed as much with me in it at that point, so we only really had footage with Lee in. Another question in regards to narrative was whether the trailer was chronological or if the clips were completely random. The trailer begins chronologically, showing first my character in exile, followed by his kidnapping, then his rescue, and then the rest of the trailer is an epic mashup of action sequences building towards the climax. Towards the end the clips are more random, but this is simply to reflect the non-stop action nature of our film.
Our evaluators were very impressed with our use of mise-en-scene, especially with our use of costumes to reflect the characters' emotions at certain times. An aspect that they found particularly impressive was our decision to use smaller weapons, rather than big machine guns, which made our film stand out from the generic Hollywood thriller. The smaller guns made it seem like more of a gritty British film, making it more believable. Another aspect of mise-en-scene that was commented on was our use of high-budget locations. Our trailer was filmed across three countries - England, France and Australia, so this gives it a very high production value. In the first 40 seconds of the trailer, there are multiple shots from 14 locations across two of these countries - England and Australia. Famous locations that we used included London, Brighton, the Isle of Wight, Paris, Perth (Australia), Waverley Abbey, Heathrow Airport and Ashtead - to name but a few. This wide range of locations made our trailer look as if it was taken from a full film that crosses many locations. These shots were collected over the course of a year, and there was over 3 hours of footage to select from, meaning that the shots that were included were the very best. This is similar to the way that it would be to create a trailer from a real film.
The amount of footage that we had also helped us to pick good camera shots, which is another aspect that was highly praised. I particularly like the shots that we filmed at Brighton, with the burnt down pier and Agent Davidson's silhouette framing the sunset over the sea. We waited in a cafe until sunset to achieve this shot, and it was worth the wait, as the shots came out extremely well. We were especially praised for our sweeping panoramic shots, such as the shot of the beach in Australia. Additionally, they were impressed by the way the screen flashes to white with the gunshots at the beginning, instead of using a conventional muzzle flash. This was a conscious decision we made to speed up the pace of the trailer.
Something that was questioned was the use of sound effects in the car crash at the beginning; it was asked whether there should be a sound effect of the bullet smashing the glass. This was an interesting comment, as we hadn't really thought about this before, however the bullet could have just as easily gone through the car tire, so we don't think it necessary to add the sound effect specifying where the bullet hit. Also, the only way the bullet going through the windshield would have stopped the car would have been to kill the driver, however in the succeeding shots Richard opens the door and kills the driver close up, so this can't have been the case. Therefore the bullet must have either hit the engine or the tires, and judging from the fact that the car had been going straight before the bullet hit, it must have hit the tires in order to make it swerve off the road. So we don't need a sound effect of the bullet going through the glass.
The evaluation was useful in seeing what we had done well and what still needed work. It raised some questions that we had previously not thought about, and helped us to reassess the effectiveness of our trailer from a different angle. We will have another of these evaluation sessions once the trailer is fully complete; this one was simply to help us see what we could adjust.

Evaluation Activity 1: Genre

 

This is a shot that we feel exemplifies the genre of an action film that we have chosen. Zubin's character (Zubasu) is running through a graveyard with a gun - the location, action and prop all support the conventions of an action film, and make it look dynamic and exciting. This is just one shot out of the hundreds of action shots in our trailer. Our trailer clearly exhibits the 'action' feature of the action genre, as the majority of the shots are of action scenes. Admittedly in action trailers they tend to show a few more scenes where not much is going on, just to show that there are moments of calm as well as the action sequences, but in this way we are more unique, as our one shows that our film is almost non-stop action. To help with this action feel, we chose to film the entire trailer without using a tripod or steadycam. Whilst some would consider this to be a bad choice, as it inevitably results in shakier footage, we thought that it helped to make the action more intense and it makes the audience feel more involved in the action. Action sequences, particularly fight sequences, look much less intense with a steady camera, and it takes away from the brutality of the action. Steady cameras glamourise the action and make it look idealised, whereas shaky cameras make it look realistic and brutal. 

Evaluation Activity 1: Characters

Above are some of the characters that are in our film. The characters very much conform to the expectations of characters in action movies, as there is a relatable lead protagonist, an evil antagonist, a badass mentor and a damsel in distress. These characters are easy to understand by any audience, as they are the standard characters in many stories, even in Disney films. For example, in The Lion King, Simba is the relatable lead protagonist, Scar is the evil antagonist, Mufasa is the badass mentor and Nala is the damsel in distress. These roles are seen very often in stories, as they provide a safe platform on which to base the narrative. These characters are similar to those described by Vladimir Propp in his theory of characters in a narrative, he too identifies the protagonist, the father figure, the damsel in distress and the antagonist. Our film is no different in this respect, and it provides this comfortable base from which the audience can enjoy the action of the film without having to think too much. Action films are by definition, driven by action, therefore it is our role to create a simple narrative with easily understood characters so that the audience can enjoy the aciton.

Evaluation Activity 1: Narrative

At the moment, the trailer in our narrative isn't obvious, but this is because we haven't yet put the narration in over the top that will basically tell the audience what is going on. There is more narrative towards the start of the trailer - my character is a retired government operative who then suddenly gets kidnapped by the antagonists. Richard's character, a current government agent, rescues me, and we work together to unearth the antagonists evil plot. It's a fairly generic action film narrative and the rest of the film is the standard running around chasing antagonists, but this is exactly what we were aiming for, as these films get a large audience. We are conforming to the expectations of an action movie by having little plot and letting the action speak for itself. The above frame is taken from near the start of the trailer, where it is established that I am a retired government agent, and I'm living in peace. However, the burnt down pier in the background foreshadows the desolation that is to come, showing that our protagonist can never escape the dangers of his former life, even in retirement. The sunset signifies the end of this era of prosperity, and the coming of darkness. It is the last moment of peace and calm before the storm.

Evaluation Activity 1: Special Effects

This is an example of the special effects that we have used in our film to make it look more realistic and high budget. This particular frame occurs about two frames after a muzzle flash, and this show the smoke that has come off the gun. We chose not to use the muzzle flash frame, as they never look good frozen, but rather in fast succession. The smoke can be seen at Lee's wrist, and the reason why it's not directly coming out the end of the gun is that in the two frames between the muzzle flash and this shot, Lee lists his gun up. It's a very subtle special effect, but it would look very odd if there was a muzzle flash without smoke to go with it. However we didn't want the smoke to be overpowering, so it's more of a subtle grey blur rather than a large amount of smoke. This conforms to the expectations of an action movie, as in action movies, gunshots are always accompanied by muzzle flashes to make them look more dangerous and effective. In reality muzzle flashes rarely happen, so this is a prime example of how we've followed the conventions of action movies. We don't use muzzle flashes for every gunshot as it looks over the top, but just occasionally to add to the intensity of the scene.

Evaluation Activity 1: Camerawork and Editing

Above is an example of our work that exemplifies our use of camerawork and editing. The three above shots take place one after another in quick succession to beats in the music. It is one of the rare moments of continuity in the trailer, that allows a brief narrative moment. There are not many of these moments in the trailer, as trailers are not designed to tell a continuous story, but to offer hints as to the overall plot. However, there does occasionally have to be some continuous editing so that the audience is able to tell that there is some sort of story. We were pretty happy with these shots as well, particularly the first shot in this sequence, as it looks high budget, as if the log is high off the ground. The following two shots were hard to film, as it was hard to get the cameraman in a position where they could balance with one hand and film at the same time. Eventually we worked it out, and the shots that came out of it looked good. It conforms to the stereotypes of an action movie, as two of the three shots were low angles, making the characters look more dominant and intimidating.

Evaluation Activity 1: Costumes and Props

Above is an example of the use of costumes and props in our trailer. James' characters' costume was very carefully thought out in order to make him seem threatening and malevolent, but not over the top. We didn't want our audience to think that he looked completely abnormal, but we wanted them to associate his costume with evil and antagonism. Certain physical features that James already exhibited were kept, such as his 'devils horn' chin and his 'slender man' figure. These all added to his overall image. However, it was his costume that we spent more time thinking through. Philip had a large military trenchcoat that we used for his character; this made him seem like an ex-military character, which added to the threat. The coat suited him very well, and made him stand out, as he looked like a character from another era entirely. It also made him seem more mysterious, as the coat covers his whole body, making him look as if he's hiding something. The prop that is visible in this scene is the pistol. This was very easily acquired, as we bought it from poundland and simply spray painted it black, to make it look like a realistic weapon. In the shot above, you wouldn't be able to tell that it used to be a bright blue children's toy from a pound shop, but that is in fact what it was. Ironically, it adds to the production value of our film, even though we only spent £1 on it. The above shot makes him look ever more mysterious because of the dark lighting, where half of his face is masked in shadow. Zubasu behind him looks  even more shrouded, as he is wholly enveloped in shadow.

Evaluation Activity 1: Location & Setting

This is one of our locations seen near the start of the trailer. This was actually shot on a beach in Australia, as this is one of the locations that our sweeping narrative takes the audience to. It was taken last summer, when I was on holiday in Australia, as I thought that I could film some of the shots whilst I was out there. Many of the first few shots in the trailer were filmed in Australia, such as the shots at the airport, the shots of cliffs and waves, and the shot overlooking the trees in a forest. This increases the production value of our trailer, and makes it look as if it is a high budget action movie, rather than a zero budget media project. In most of these shots I tried to include myself, so that the audience could see we genuinely filmed it, rather than just stole it from youtube. I appear towards the end of this shot, but in the above picture you may be able to notice my hand on the wooden banister. The above location looks very impressive, as it's taken from a high angle, making it look as if it's taken from a crane or a helicopter. The waves are particularly nice in the shot, as they're rolling waves, rather than just still waves. This makes the scene look more intense, as it's got more movement to it, and it makes the whole shot look more active. The mountain in the background looks as if it could have been taken straight from a fantasy film, and looks impressive for this reason. It conforms to the expectations of an action movie by having this sort of exotic location, as seen in other big action films such as Knight and Day.

Evaluation Activity 1: Title

This is the shot of the title of our film. We decided to put it in front of a shot of James' character walking through a large puddle, as it makes the image have more depth, rather than just the standard white title on black background. The murky puddle offers an ominous ending to the trailer, and reflects the dark tone of the film. As the audience is unable to see who is walking through the puddle, this adds an element of mystery and suspense, creating an enigma code to tease the audience into seeing the film. The colours of the puddle are very dark, as a bright blue puddle would not suit the tone of the film and ruin the effect. Instead, a dark, shadowy puddle works in evoking the sense of impending danger. The text itself is quite thick, presenting the film as bold and exciting. A thin text wouldn't work as well, as it would seem weak in comparison to the rest of the trailer and would provide a pathetic ending to an epic trailer. On the other hand, a thick text supports the trailer and offers a solid ending to a strong trailer. Naturally, the title was written in capitals, as lower case would also look weak. Lower case could work for a comedy or a romance, but action films need to stand out and appeal to a male audience. The colour white was chosen in order to make the title look clean and simple, yet effective as a consequence. It gives it the appearance of looking high brow, as if it's a sophisticated film. Many action films adopt a colourful, extravagant font, but this doesn't appeal to a wide audience, as it looks stupid. The style of title that we chose is similar to action films such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier.