Creative Critical Reflection #3

Over the course of creating our film, my co-director and I were able to progress our skills by practice of trial and error. My co-director and I were both completely new to filming, acting, directing, and conducting editing software. Our mid-term submission which was our first draft was difficult to compose because we had never filmed before and the outcome of the draft was rough. However, we used that first draft as an opportunity for practice, so when we began working on our 3rd quarter submission the process flowed more smoothly because we had a better idea of what we wanted our film to look like and how to execute it.

During our second time filming the camera takes went quicker because we knew what position to put the camera in, in order to get the angle we wanted. Filming the scenes also improved because the actors had a better idea of what their character's personality and intentions are and seemed to be less camera shy. Lastly, the editing and transitions improved because we used Adobe premiere instead of imovie, which limited our editing options before. Overall, our production skills did progress through practice.

Creative Critical Reflection #2

The genre of movie my co-director an I created is a horror/thriller film. This engages audiences because there is a certain level of mystery that adds to the suspense and build up of the film. My co-director and I purposefully created questions in the beginning of the film that remain unanswered till the end. This draws audiences in because it makes them think and try to problem solve in their heads.  However, it was also a balancing act between mystery and providing clarity because we didn't want the audience to be confused throughout the film and miss important details or other aspects of the plot. There is just enough suspense to keep the audience interested, but explanations are provided to give them understanding and satisfaction.   

My co-director and I have decided to do a straight to video release for our movie distribution plan. The straight-to video release makes the film accessible on home formats such as DVD and VHS. This technique has been especially successful for independent movie makers which is the category that my co-director and I fall under. This way our movie would skip release in theaters which is better for our target audience since younger people tend to watch movies from home. For the digital option, my co-director and I would want to release our movie onto other popular digital streaming sites such as, Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. These would also be accessible options that would accommodate our target audience.

                           

Creative Critical Reflection #1

1. Our film challenges the conventions for a thriller genre and uses them as well. Throughout the film there is an-overlying sense of suspense and mystery which is a common theme in thriller movies. My co-director and I especially wanted to have mystery as a prominent element in our film to intrigue the audience. These elements are also designed to evoke fear and shock in the viewers.

However, the film also challenges thriller conventions because it goes back and forth between a normal light-hearted film showing the life of an average teenage girl; she does her homework, has a boyfriend, and goes out to socialize. Then the film goes back to a darker more suspenseful story line. My co-director and I also had to make sure the mystery was balanced and the audience was provided with answers and clarity as well. We found that if our film had too many twists viewers might get confused and would miss out on other aspects of the film.

The film represents social issues because it shows the power and influence peers can have on each other. It also shows that when power is abused, the individual is left helpless and alone. This is seen in the  relationship with the main character Chelsea, and her "friend" Piper, who isn't really her friend, but rather a bad influence who controls her. The unhealthy behaviors displayed in both of the girls also represents internal turmoil as well.

3rd Quarter Submission

Distribution Plan

My co-director and I have decided to do a straight to video release for our movie distribution plan. The straight-to video release makes the film accessible on home formats such as DVD and VHS. This technique has been especially successful for independent movie makers which is the category that my co-director and I fall under. This way our movie would skip release in theaters which is better for our target audience since younger people tend to watch movies from home. For the digital option, my co-director and I would want to release our movie onto other popular digital streaming sites such as, Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. These would also be accessible options that would accommodate our target audience.

Distribution Research- Truth or Dare

Truth or Dare is another horror/thriller movie that has a similar young target audience. The film followed a standard release distribution plan as it was first released in theaters on April 13, 2018 and then went on to TV, digital, DVD, and online streaming.

Our film is going to use a different distribution model, but we do plan to release our film to streaming sites similar to the way they did for Truth or Dare. Truth or Dare was released on Amazon Prime Video for online streaming a while after being released in theaters. Our film was will just skip the theaters and go straight to online streaming.

Distribution Research- Happy Death Day

Happy Death Day is a horror/thriller movie that has a similar target audience to the film that my co-director and I are making. The target audience is for teenager to young adults.  Happy Death Day followed a standard release distribution plan because they used release windows. It was first released in theaters on October 13, 2017. Then it was released on digital HD, DVD, and Blu-ray in January of 2018.

Our film is going to use a different distribution model, but we do plan to release our film to streaming sites similar to the way they did for Happy Death Day. Happy Death Day was released on Amazon Prime Video for online streaming a while after being released in theaters. Our film was will just skip the theaters and go straight to online streaming.