Final Edit - Finding Ruby

Evalutation Question 7: Looking Back at Your Preliminary Task, What Do You Feel You Have Learnt in the Progression From It To The Full Product?

Link to preliminary task : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-_Koypbc1U

Evaluation Question 6: What Have You Learnt About Technologies From The Process of Constructing This Product

 

Link to ident: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtTgVSSrosc

 to preliminary task: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-_Koypbc1U



Evaluation Question 5: How Did You Attract/Address Your Audience?

When asking a sample of 16 - 30 year old females in the street, I told them to pick 2 of these items:

I hypothesised that the average one is going to pick A and C...some may choose D.....and even few are going pick B. This is because girls like fancy things e.g Ted Baker bag and sense pleasing perfume by the famous Marc Jacob. Of course some girls may already have the perfume and want a lovely bag to hold the classic book by one of the Brontë sisters. Then again some may not be the norm and go for these combinations and go for the football along with another of their choice (maybe the perfume so that they can smell nice after a football session). At the end of the day it is very much personal choice and what I have just drawn upon is the stereotype of females going 'for pretty' things - there is nothing wrong with this. In my media product I chose to use this stereotype as I found when researching that an audience seeking to watch a chickflick is going to want mise-en-scene that is aesthetically pleasing.

Specifically in my piece I decided to use items that look aesthetically pleasing yet at the same I could build up a character. Take this still for example:

If we study it carefully we see these products:

When people watch they like relate to characters. To attract an audience I thought appropriate I had to create an everyday scenario that young adults go through. No matter how you old you, bumping into an ex-partner of yours is most likely awkward, so I decided to approach this topic with a twist. After a break-up of a long term relationship many find it hard to find them-self; this can be due to depression led heartbreak which remains unresolved. The defence mechanism of masking problems then kicks in. That's why in this I wanted to show an example and underlying message that no matter how much preparation you make (in this case getting ready) you can never be fully prepared; hence the shock when Ruby bumps into Adam. Females of the age group 16-30 are going to relate more than any other age group because they are less likely to be married, plus if they are in a committed relationship or have previously been they may be able to relate to Ruby's masking.

 

From my earlier research of opening title sequences I identified the common shots in chickflicks. I found that medium and long shots were very common as there is often some omniscient narration and to stick to conventions of showing materalistic products. I used these (examples) above to really add my genre conventions. 

Evaluation Question 4: Who Would Be The Audience For Your Media Product

Most of the time when watching the film, to be completely drawn in, we like to connect with the character or characters. With Ruby being 20, I feel the audience for my film will be females aged 16 -30. This is because they will be able to relate to the way that Ruby is represented - beauty conscious- and her relationship woes. From the age of 16 girls are more conscious of the world and suffer from insecurities with looks and 'fitting in'. The stereotypical girl likes to feel good with the top fashions and celebrity make-up and perfume ranges, so watching another girl do the same thing perks up and interest and almost competition as to what looks good.

 Take these 3 pictures. They all connote a girl who enjoys looking colourful and getting make up. This attracts a fashionable audience. They themselves would probably own the make-up and clothing lines that Ruby does.








I imagine this to be the typical everyday attire for my audience.







I think that the main area of the world for this movie to be most popular would be Europe, North America and Australia/ New Zealand. This is because they are mostly first world countries and find the character more relatable to everyday life.

If this film was being produced in the real world and was pitched to be a 'big hit' then I would cast Zooey Deschanel as my main character. From research and past knowledge I know that she has quite indie attitude, which would leave an intruiging edge to my character. The film '500 days of summer' - in which she stars- gives off a 'anti-chickflick' vibe, however using the conventions of a chickflick. She is normally used for Mainstream and Mainstream Plus, which in the UK Film Council described as films sticking to familiar repertoires and using a popular cast.

Evaluation Question 3: What Kind Of Media Institution Might Distribute Your Media Product?

Let's look at some popular chickflicks:

• Bridesmaids (could be seen as RomCom or even straight out comedy, but the friendship between two females makes too cheesy for either of the two) - DISTRIBUTOR: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

• The Proposal - DISTRIBUTOR: TOUCHSTONE PICTURES

• P.s I Love You - DISTRIBUTOR: WARNER BROTHERS 

When watching the trailers for these 3 films we see they are distributed by three of the main production companies in the world. They are household names. This is because they are mainstream companies responsible for the biggest films and franchises. For example Warner Brothers are responsible for the distribution of Harry Potter, the biggest movie franchise ever.

A mainstream film is one that has its entire focus on a particular genre and is emphasised as blockbuster. They tend to act as an escape to everyday (Uses and Gratifications theory). From this I can already say that a company such as the ones above and others such as Columbia Pictures and Paramount pictures would be good to distribute my media product. They will be able to mass advertise my film openings on tv advertising and with Warner Brothers being apart of TimeWarner, they will have amazing connections to advertise in the plethora of magazines that they distribute across the world. Magazines such as InStyle and People, that Time inc. distribute, bring in consumers who are style conscious - just like Ruby- and into promoting individual style. This use of synergy allows for a collection of media products to promote a film building on the idea of mainstream again to truly seek out and make a blockbuster or 'big film'.

Evaluation Question 2: How Does Your Media Product Represent Particular Social Groups?

With Ruby (main character) we see a young girl, aged 20, who looks to be beauty conscious. She is dressed well fitted, smart clothing that is not normally associated with her age group under certain socio-economic statuses, this isto do with her growing up and new found adulthood being dominated by the world of the bourgoise and capitalism. During her narration we pick up her obsession, almost fixation, with looking presentable. This to some extent is normal within her age category, especially females. With being this age, they are at their height - no school, so no restrictions, much less parenting ( not by them....unless they do have children, which is not the case here) and in Ruby's case she doesn't live with her parents. They are also new to the world of working and a certain amount of disposable income, allowing them to spend it on best fashion accessories out their e.g latest Ted Baker bag or £100 shoes. This links with the capitalist world that Ruby lives in. It's as if she acts according to 'we are what we have', which the majority of my audience will in some way relate to.
Non-materialised aspects of Ruby is her 'love' life. We presume that she is single as there is no introduction to a 'boyfriend' character, whether in the scene or a picture or dialogue reference. Later on we see her 'bump' into male character who we presume to be an ex-boyfriend of hers because of her delayed reaction. A bad break-up or a break-up in general is very common for people of this age, especially with the movement of people to further education or the want to move/explore.


Though this character (Adam is hardly in the entire opening, he is introduced. We have no dialogue or previous references about him so we have to go on the mise-en-scene. He dressed very relaxed to show off his laid back approach, which most young adults have today. This does not mean they have no motive for life, just not running at full speed through life.
We can see in comparison to Ruby, that Adam is probably lower down the socio-economic groupings. With Ruby being upper middle class, we presume he is lower middle class to her, but still middle class, describing a more fortunate lifestyle than those of working class.



Effective dramas have conflict. From my past research into chickflick films, I found that this conflict is usually between the realtionship between a boy and girl and the differences that they have, either in personality or the materialistic world in which they live. I wanted to build upon this idea and use the identity of two people from somewhat different backgrounds. This builds upon the mainstream film guidelines (UK Film Council) - where the focus is cleary on one genre.

Evaluation Question 1: In What Ways Does Your Media Product Use, Develop or Challenge Forms and Conventions of Real Media Products?

With my media product - film opening- being a sub genre, it is hard to challenge certain conventions of 'real' media products without changing the genre sub genre. For example, mine being a chickflick will allow a certain comedy aspect to be included, such found in a romcom, and a dramatised storyline. However, if either of the two are too heavily included then the sub genre is lost.

Sticking to genre itself is a convention. Katie Domaille 'The Horror Genre' said that "Genre is a way of working through important myths and fears of repetition, variation and resolution". This suggets that by stamping a genre on any media product creates certain expectations with the audience. If you go to see a horror/thriller film, it is highly unlikely that there is going to be a strong romance theme. We know this because of expecatations that we are set up with and used, also vice versa in a romantic film it is highly unlikely that there will be a bloody murder scene.

I've tried to challenge normal conventions of real media products and use female as the main character, although this is most common within the chickflick genre, in fact it would be against convention to use as female, however, against conventions as a whole this is quite uncommon. I have used the convention of a beauty conscious young adult to make the audience have a perception of the main character and have her go along with film stereotypes of females. I have used a modern day setting rather than a period or future setting. Use of a period or future setting would not go with the script or nature of the piece because it is very much a modern day love story, not a vintage piece or futuristic, which would mean I had to guess or create a new century.

The narrative itself is linear; another convention; meaning that it goes in order from beginning, middle and end; sticking to Todorov's three part structure - equilibrium (where everything is balanced), disruption of the equilibrium and finally resolution of the equilibrium. Just from the opening we the first two come into action; Ruby (main character) is shown 'happy' in her own world, getting dressed up and then comes the disruption of the second character introduced, who has a negative effect on Ruby.


Equilibrium - balanced
atmostsphere, no bad
vibes.





Disruption of the
equilibrium - negative
atmosphere





Lighting aspects are very conventional to the piece. I have used natural day light most of the time and when not all natural, I have tried to make it as bright as possible to show a positive view. As with most chickflicks, the bright lighting is very normal and dark lighting would suggest a dark, almost evil aspect not found in the average chickflick and like I said earlier would maybe suggest a different genre.

Rough Cut 2

I have now altered my first edit by adding music, a title sequence and sorted out continuity issues.

Audience Feedback

Here is a video talking about the received comments on my first rough cut to my film opening.

Rough Cut of Film Opening

This is my rough cut of my film opening. All the editing and cutting has been done, but I still have to add music.

The Actual Ruby Bridge

When casting my main character I was very fortunate that was one of my friends offered to be and even more lucky when I realised she was perfect and match who imagined to play her.






In this photo the actress is wearing her own that she chose under suggests that I gave to what I wanted the character to look like. I let her pick the outfit because Ruby herself is very comfortable in her clothes and I felt that if I picked out an outfit of my own then she may not be as relaxed. Ruby's clothes act as a safety barrier to the broken girl hidden behind.

Ten Story Types: Romance

From the book 'From Stories To Themes' that looks at ten story types, I have identified that my film opening and plot will run along the idea of The Romance.
This is when:

• A Character is seen to be emotionally lacking/missing something/someone. - In my story, Ruby is shown to have a false ego.
• Something/someone is seen by the Character as a potential solution to this problem. - When a boy (thought to be an Ex) from Ruby's past turns up in place far from where they grew up/last been together, Ruby is scared to let her real personality shine through, however, he is able to break this false character that she holds and allows her to let go of bad memories.
• Barriers exist to the Character achieving a resolution with the object of desire. - Her stubborn personality and past experiences with her ex disallow her to explore her reasons for her false personality.
• The Character struggles to overcome these barriers. - Later on, Ruby's friends will try advise her that he is bad for her and make her try to hate him more, even though he is trying to make her see his change.
• The Character succeeds in overcoming some, if not all, of the barriers. - Ruby realises that her friends are partially to blame for her false character and can let her true self free with her ex.
• The story is complete when the Character is seen to have resolved their emotional problem and unites with the object of desire. - Ruby is able to put her past behind her and dates her ex again. With her old personality gone and no more demons around every corner, she can live her life as peacefully as life can be.

Character - Ruby Bridge

Ruby Bridge is an opinionated twenty year old from London. She currently works in a small boutique on the high street of a quaint town in the county of Norfolk. Growing up, she always aspired to live in a rural town compared to her powerful, murky urban landscape that created her hardshell personality.

DOB: 5th May 1992 (20 years old)
House Type: Rents a 1 Bedroom Flat
Appearance: Long wavy brunette hair. Blue Eyes. 5ft 10in
Favourite colour: Purple - represents royalty and vunerablility
Favourite TV show: Animal Planet (Big Animal lover)(Hates reality tv!)
Favourite place to shop: TopShop
Relationship Status: Single (Not interested in having relationship yet, insists she is happiest alone)
Siblings: Sam Bridge (25 years old)
Relationship with parents: Stable, but distant
Qualifications: 3 B grade A-Levels
Electoral preference: Labour

Loves:

                                                                                        

                                                                                        

 Hates:

Developing a Character

Characterisation VS Character

Characterisation is the total of qualities observed by a human. All knowledge gained goes through scrutiny: age, sex, home life, attire, values, sexuality and speech style. Each trait makes a character unique. However, beneath characterisation, regardless of knowledge we think we know, there is another heart to them.

"True character is revealed in the choices a human being makes under pressure - the greater the pressure, the deeper the revelation, the truer the choice to the character's essential nature" - Quote from Story by Robert McKee.

Is the character's true personality loving or cruel? Truthful or deceitful? Strong or weak?
Pressure made is essential to see what the character to chooses to do. If they tell the truth in a situation where a lie would gain nothing, then the truth is trivial, however, if the truth is told when a lie could save a life then we sense that he has an honest nature.

Character Revelation

Good storytelling relies on the contradiction of the revelation of the true character. If the introduction to a character has not changed by the end of the story then the audience will be disappointed. For example - a loving wife who does not express secrets, unfulfilled dreams or hidden passions will be very boring. The revelation of a characters true nature is fundamental in major roles, but in minor roles this is not necessary, however the principal of a hidden personality should still be expressed.

Character Arc

"Taking the principle further yet: The finest writing not only reveals true characters, arcs or changes that inner nature, for better or worse, over the course of the telling."

A story will have points that spread over time, each point is the evolution and revelation of the true character. For example at A we are introduced to a character and gain knowledge at the next points. By point Z, the climax of the story, we see the transition that pressure has turned the character into, this will most likely be the true nature of the character.

Structure and Character Functions

Structure is to provide building pressures that force characters into difficult dilemmas where they must make risk taking decisions, which then ends up revealing their true natures, even if unconscious to them.
The function of character is to bring the story to life through characterisation. It has to be credible, so that the audience believes every move the character makes.

Climax and Character

"Movies are about the last 20 minutes" says a Hollywood axiom. What they are saying is that the climax of the film must be satisfying for all.
A finished screenplay represents 100% of the authors creative labour, 75% of this has gone into the climax of the last act.  If this scene fails, then the whole film fails. Until its creation there is no story.

Mise en Scene

Mise en Scene has 5 elements:

• Settings & Props
• Costume, Hair & Makeup
• Facial Expressions & Body Language
• Lighting & Colour
• Positioning of Characters/Objects Within the Frame

When watching a RomCom/Chickflick the lighting is often bright and clean symbolising the freedom and happiness of the shot. I have the idea for my opening sequence that the light should be limited, this can be done with a block by a blind. As the scene progresses I want more light to be added as Ruby searches the room - I plan to do this by opening more of the blind as the scene goes on.

Ruby herself needs to have style that is in fashion, however is also a little quirky to represent her personality. I want her make-up and hair to be very simple and not extravagant because naturally her personality will be quiet, but she will hide this by an alter ego who is loud and obnoxious, although this will be to do with experiences from her past.

Positioning of the characters will be mainly centre screen, however the rule of thirds will be used to show items such as the purple scarf or objects that are foreshadowed in the next scenes

Audience Profile

Name: Amy

Age: 21

Occupation: Shop Assistant at River Island


House Type: Apartment in London (lives with Best Friend)



<--- Favourite Outfit

Favourite TV Show: X Factor (or other reality tv shows)

Favourite Meal: Caesar salad

Relationship Status: Newly Single

Dream Holiday Location: New York


Description of Herself:
Amy would describe herself as bubbly and confident within thoughts. She likes to have fun, however is very conscious that work is more important sometimes.

Audience

When making a film you have to know your target audience. For a Chickflick, the clue is in the the name, the target audience is mostly going to be female aged between late teens to mid-thirties. This is because Chickflicks normally deal with feminine points of view/situations that are based around the early years of freedom with adults.

ABC1 Scale

This scale is the UK's traditional was to categorise 'social grades' based upon occupations.

A          Higher Managerial, Administrative, Professional

Lawyers, Doctors, Scientists, Managers of Large Scale Organisations

B          Intermediate Managerial, Administrative, Professional

Shopkeepers, Farmers, Teachers, White-collared Workers

C1        Supervisory or Clerical and Junior Managerial, Administrative and Professional

Skilled Manual Workers - High Grade e.g Master Builders, Carpenter, Shop Assistants, Nurses

C2       Skilled Manual

Low Grade Manual Workers e.g Electricians, Plumbers

D        Semi-Skilled Manual

Bus Drivers, Lorry Drivers

E        Casual Labourers, State Pensioners, the Unemployed



From this scale I would say that my target audience is either C1 or E. C1 will be looking to escape, so will use a light heartened film as escapism. E will also enjoy the light heartedness for entertainment.

Core Audiences

Mainstream Only - Clear genre focus. Emphasis on 'big films' or blockbusters. E.g Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, The Matrix

Mainstream Plus - Satisfied by a mainstream film, but could also delve into watch a specialised film. E.g The Secretary, The Queen, Lost in Translation

Aficionados - Like to portray themselves as more specialised film goers, but still see Hollywood films. Also likely to watch foreign films. E.g Volver and Amelie

Buffs - Express a liking for non fit genre films. E.g Lovers of the Arctic Circle


From core audiences, my film will be more popular with Mainstream Only and Mainstream Plus audiences because it will have a fit genre and will not be an independent, specialised film.