PROPS AND COSTUME

Props 
Ther Props we will be using in our Opening Title Sequence Include: A slim-black Boom-box.
Costume
The Costume in which the charcters in the Opening Title Sequence will be wearing Include:
     
Character one:

• A grey hoodie
• A black  Sleeveless Bomber Jacket
• A Black cap
• Light Denim Jeans
• White trainers

Character two:

• A Dark grey hoodie, with a vivid design on the front
• Denim Jeans
• Black trainers

Character three:

• A Black jacket with white stipes on the side of each sleeves
• A Blue t-shirt
• Dark Denim, baggy Jeans
• White trainers

Character four:

• ANavy hoodie
• A Black cap
• Light Denim Jeans
• Black Trainers

QUESTION 2

How does your opening sequence represent particular social group?

The characters of the film:

MC Don

Don Mo

A Dot

Don S

The characters of the film have dreams of becoming big in the music industry and being well known all over the world. However Don Mo seems to be more aware of the difficulties which they would face in order to become world known artists. The costume used in the film by the characters is to portray their lifestyle and also their attitude towards fame. Most the characters wearing hoodies reveal to the audience the typical attitudes of teenage boys. They are teenage boys who have dropped out of school.

Based on our research on teenagers from The Independent News   we decided that the group  would represent teenage boys and also delinquent teens.  The gestures and dialect used by the characters adds to the realism of the film. Unlike “Kidulthood” where the characters deal with serious issues surrounding teenagers,

 this film takes on the lighter side of teenagers which reflects on the genre of the film. E.g. the use of body language and facial expression used in the movie adds to the humor which is expected of the film.The actors had to wear jeans, trainers and hoodies in order to achieve the typical appearance of teenagers and their love of Hip hop.         

. The cast had to change the way they walk and how they normally talk to accomplish the attitudes of the characters. However (Don Mo) was to be the serious one who seems to be aware of reality. 

QUESTION 1

In what ways does your media product Use, Develop or Challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

The genre of which my film is based around is comedy. The film include typical aspects of the genre such as

•    Eccentric characters
•     Realistic settings
•    Personality difference in characters

An Example of eccentric characters in real media products is “Queen Latifah” who played the character Francine in Brown Sugar. She is portrayed to the audience as extrovert which is shown through the wedding scene. The character “Albert Brennaman” is also an example of Eccentric character in the movie  HITCH.

The main themes explored in my film are Success, Hope and Fame. Fame is hinted in the opening sequence by the rap battle which occurs at the park. Hope and Success are explored later on in the film. The film follows coded and conventions of a comedy by using realistic settings. E.G.

1.     The house shown right at the beginning of the film

2.   The alley way of which the audience are introduce to other characters in the film

3.The park where the battle takes place

Another code and convention demonstrated in my film is the personality differences within characters. The character Don Mo behavior is portrayed differently from the rest as although sharing the same dreams as them, seem to be aware of their illusion. This is shown through his body language and facial expression during the dance performed by the characters. Similarly, Rush Hour also demonstrates personality difference as the character “James Carter” seems to be ignorant compared to Inspector Lee in RUSH HOUR 1.

The Film challenges codes and conventions of a comedy by having morals presented in the film where by the audience learn to never give up instead of being a typical comedy which evolves around solving a dramatic problem. This challenge the narrative as the story-line is different from your usual ones of comedy for example dumb and dumber is clearly only for entertainment purposes.

The film develops certain codes and conventions such as sound as the use of sounds are creatively used throughout the film. E.g. The close up of the character turning up the dial with a different music playing instead of the non diagetic sound which was being used for the first 20 seconds of the opening sequence.

Target Audience Research

The typical target audience of a Comedy genre is men and woman, aged between 20 to 40 years old. These particular groups of people come from working class families. They may have occupations which array from teachers, nurses or receptionist, altogether they are family orientated individuals who enjoy watching comedies with members of their family.
  During the film an obstacle tends to get in the main characters way. Most comedy films are in a natural environment making it easier for the audience to relate to. However some comedy films could take place in exceptional places, especially if they are a satire or spoof movie.The hobbies and interest of this targeted audience may also be projected throughout comedy genres. In general the interest of adults who come from a working class family include: Sports, Gardening, reading, watching television (family orientated shows), going to the cinema, and other interest associated with their family members.

There are three main particular comedies in which further categories this particular target audience.  
 These are: Rom-com, Action Comedies, and animated comedies. Rom-com's would generally be watched by females, between their teen years or early adulthood. A Rom-com is a hybrid genre in which a romance story generally emerges and is presented in a comedic way. There is an archetypal formula that Rom-com’s follow in terms of narrative; this is because an insight of emotions and thoughts are presented through introducing a Narrator.For example films such as ‘50 First Dates’ and ‘The Proposal ’ contain strong aspects of love and happiness, which particularly interest young females.

However, Action Comedies such as "Hancock" would particular interest males. This is because they display violence and conflict in a comical approach, these aspects appeal to males because they enjoy the tension and excitement action comedies contain.Animated comedies however are particular aimed at children. This is due to the unrealistic settings and characters.   The audience are children aged between 7 to 13 years old.

Feedback

The initial draft of our storyboard had to embark several adjustments in order for it to improve. Several aspects of the feedback our group received suggested that we lacked a wide range of camera shots as shots were continuously repeated. Therefore our group members decided to include more interesting shots in order to engage the audience. For example we incorporated several close-ups, long-shots, mid-shots, establishing shots and over-the-shoulder shots. This change helped to improve are basic comical story line into a more appealing and engaging one.  The group’s main focus was to adjust the way in which the titles appeared. Our first vision was to present the titles on a blank screen; in-between each frame. However, this idea prolonged the movement of the characters and the actions which occurred on screen. As a result each shot didn't correspond with the next and so the storyboard lacked a consistent flow. 

We realized that this wouldn't be beneficial for the audience because it created confusion and inconsistency. After the teacher’s feedback, we decided to completely change the way in which the titles appear on screen. We collaborated that in order for it to be effective the titles would appeared on the actual moving image in each shot. Also the group also confirmed the titles should remain in the same mid-right potion. The group found that consistency was a key aspect we needed to include, in order to present clear readable titles to our audience. Another improvement which the feedback suggested was to include small aspects of comical dialogue when the characters were interacting; to ensure the audience are aware if the genre of the film. It also adds understanding to the personalities of the characters. After hearing this suggestion the group decided to incorporate a scene where the characters would ‘rap’ against one another in an amusing way. This idea helped tie up the end of the title sequence by aiming to further engage the audience and make them laugh.

The feedback are group received really help to put our story line into perspective, and encouraged us to re-think the ending of our title sequence so it would interest the audience. Altogether I think our re-drafted storyboard provides a visibly clear story but remains appealing and relevant to our chosen gene, comedy.