FINAL SEQUENCE

Here is an embedded video of my final opening title sequence that I worked on with my production group: Cole Flaherty, Will Norstrand and Daisy Katesmark 

CCR TASK 4- How did you integrate technologies- software, hardware and online on this project?

Here is the link for my website answering the question: 

How did you integrate technologies- software, hardware and online on this project? 

https://beahemsley7.wixsite.com/my-site-1

CCR TASK 3-How did you integrate technologies- software, hardware and online on this project?

For my CCR task 3, I chose to answer the question: "How did you integrate technologies- software, hardware and online on this project?" by creating a Prezi slide to show my overall development throughout my process. 

Here is the slide attached: 

CCR TASK 2- How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

"How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?’’

From my research into similar products that follow the same key conventions of my own; my product, ‘This is The Day', will target a primary audience from the ages of 20-25 specifically within the male genre, with a secondary audience of young females. From my research into similar products that follow the same key conventions of my own; narrative, characters, genre, props etc.  

https://beahemsleya1media.blogspot.com/2022/02/similar-products-and-conventions-of-our.html

 

My product, 'THIS IS THE DAY':

ENGAGING MY TARGET AUDIENCE: certain conventions explored within my opening title sequence that engages the targeted audience 

This specific key moment within our product, the action begins instantly with the introduction of the first character using a handheld camera track to intensify the opening, instantly suggesting the action and thriller element of product which enhances the audience's engagement.

This immediate character introduction, along with the recognition of this character's threat and fear, further engages audiences with the key conventions of the thriller genre that they are expecting. The key themes presented within this particular moment highlights the suspense and action that the sequence will follow, for example with the high energy action.

This moment also mirrors the similar conventions surrounding the character narrative also presented in the product, “The Hunt”. At the opening sequences of both products, characters are firstly introduced and followed intently making it seem as though they are the protagonist, whilst being killed off almost instantly. This specific narrative convention confuses audiences' expectations which builds tension and therefore their engagement.  

Within this next moment, whereby the first 'victim' is killed, the audience's engagement is further enhanced through the use of key narrative conventions of the thriller genre which again establishes the need of the audience.

The action and violence of this moment is significant in specifically targeting our targeted male audience from the ages of 20-25, from the stereotypical social understanding that young males are more subject to the appeal of violence and action.

This alongside with the use of location, in a secluded forest and the costumes worn by the victim also takes the audience away from the mundane, reality of everyday and incorporates these certain conventions that present an escapism for audiences which further builds engagement.

This moment is also fundamental in establishes the basis of the narrative for the remainder of the film, automatically addresses and establishes what the audiences have to expect and experience.  

The reveal of the hunters is extremely significant within the plot and base line of this product and acts as a pinocle moment as it is suggestive of the idea of the context, creating engagement.

This moment in particular introduces new characters, that are the threat of the action which instantly enforces the notion of their power and significance within the sequence which causes audiences to adhere to what is going on.

The use of the characters costume and props universally represent the notion of wealth, power and status, again providing audiences with contextual knowledge which further engages understanding and attention. The themes of class and status is widely known for the threat it poses to inferiority which in this moment in the girl; this is widely significant in society nowadays and therefore links in to Blumler and Katz theory that follows audiences seeking personal identity within products and whilst audiences may not associate with these classist notions, they are aware of them and have the ability to relate to them. 

This next key moment within my sequence enhances audiences' engagement primarily through the introduction of another character, which this time contrasts previous character narratives.

  This new character introduced, successfully engages audience with the notion of her ‘female, lone survivor’ trope that is explored within so many similar products of my own and thus the audience understand and recognises this key characterisation convention

This theme is so prevalent within products of the same genre, such as ‘The Hunt’, that audiences are instantly drawn to the plot line through the familiarity of certain elements. The plot details and hints within this beginning introduction of the protagonist raises audiences' anticipation and begs to question how the power dynamics between herself and the hunters are challenged, which is implored with the use of her self-made weapon prop.  

 

Within this specific moment whereby the camera instinctively switches from the protagonist to the ‘threat’, the audience's anticipation is raised alongside the tension of the action. Using the key convention of suspense, the audience's engagement is further enhanced through the ambiguity of the scene from the proximity of the threat closing.

The convention of props also enhances audiences' engagement with both characters visibly holding a weapon, forces audience to begin to anticipate the outcome of power between the two characters, seeing individuals both balanced. This anticipatory element highlights the near of conflict which again builds audiences anticipation, as they fear for the protagonist's safety.  

Within this final moment, there are several key conventions used to enhance the audience's engagement; the violence-based action within this specific moment, further develops the tone and genre of the product and again addresses the specific male targeted audience as they are more so predisposed to violence than women stereotypically.

The female, dominating character also adheres to the target audience being predominately male as gender stereotypes are being subverted which again engages audiences. The intensity of this moment acts as the final climax, with the power dynamics being heavily shifted in favour of the protagonist, satisfying audiences suspicion.  

: HERE IS MY FINAL POSTER DESIGN FOR MY OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE, "THIS IS THE DAY"

I used the website, Canva (https://www.canva.com/design/DAFANc-whlM/GJNnjpStqe7iofxkHmroUQ/edit?category=tACFat6uXco#) to complete my design.

ENGAGING AUDIENCES FROM MY POSTER DESIGN:

SELLING THE PRODUCT FROM MY POSTER DESIGN:

Blumhouse productions is an American production company that specifies in both film and television, which was founded in 2000 by Jason Blum. They are mainly known for being “regarded as the driving force in Horror” after their products, receiving nominations for the Acadamy Award for Best Picture.  

Blumhouse productions main attitudes surround the production of high quality, micro-budget products and strive to allow directors such as James DeMonaco, Spike Lee and Christophere Landon the creative freedom to produce their products.  

The beginning of the production companies ‘low budget’ model system being in 2007 after the release of their film, ‘Paranormal Activity’ which grossed a worldwide total of $193 million with a budget of approximately $15,000.  

Blumhouse are able to produce worldwide successes with “pennies” from the backing of ‘powerhouse’ marketing form Universal Studios, where blumhouse has a distribution deal. After sealing a 10-year contract with the two Universal studios, Blumhouse has since produced several movies grossing at least 3x their budget, being remarked for their uniquely different approach in their production and distribution methodologies.  

MY MARKETING CAMPAIGN:

Using the example of Blumhouses, ‘The Hunt’, I will be using investigating into similar principles used by this product to briefly summarize how I might market and distribute my own product, ‘This Is the Day’.  

The Hunt’ followed the traditional distribution chain, starting with a cinematic release to appeal box office sales and then later distributing digitally across streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. The film was released in March 2020, simultaneous to the start of the covid-19 pandemic which resulted the majority of cinemas and theatre closures across the US and internationally; due to this, the films box office sales dramatically underperformed, grossing at only $16 million. As a result of this, Universal decided to fast track the films digital release on March 20th, selling the films rights to the multibillion streaming platform, Netflix.  

Moving forward to my own marketing campaign for my product, ‘This is the Day’, I would take into consideration of certain characteristics that surround the films: genre, target audience, release date, age rating and themes. Through my production company, Blumhouse, and the distribution of Universal Studios, I would take into consideration of following the traditional distribution chain starting with a cinematic release and then moving onto a secondary digital release to further increase revenue. 

 I would begin my campaign by releasing a consistent flow of marketing devices such as trailers, clips, interviews with cast members and social media using new media conventions to address active audiences. However, I would also like to target a wider range of audiences, by targeting passive interaction through means of physical marketing, such as billboards, adverts, newspapers and radio all of which comes from traditional marketing.  

In terms of the actual distribution of my product by Universal Studios, the majority of their products, too, follow the traditional distribution chain; as a result of the studios ‘traditional’ methodologies, my product would first undergo a cinematic release worldwide to accumulate a large box-office revenue first to target audiences that are active in their media consumption. 

 I would later release my product digitally, to the likes of big streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon prime, in order to continue accumulating fan following and uptake the demand for the product via interactional, digital platforms that are much more accessible to an online demographic. 

 The streaming platform, Netflix, reached a staggering revenue of around $25 million in 2020, means that products streamed via the platform are reaching large scale audiences that are actively consuming products based on individual algorithms personalised to each individual consumer which means that target audience consumption can be accessed. 

 I would not only consider online distribution via mainstream streaming platforms but would also like to address more niche, horror based streaming platforms such as Shudder to release my product digitally. Not only does this allow target audiences to easily access my product but means that the film can be passively consumed as a result of the purely horror/ thriller-based element of the platform.  

During the process of the distribution chain of my product, I would like to consider the prospects of raising critical awareness via entering niche horror-based film festivals which will further allow me to address target audiences that will increase the consumption value of my product from the basis of the thriller/ horror element of the product. I would consider film festivals such as: ‘Screamfest’, ‘Frightfest’, ‘La international Horror and Sci-fi film festival’. Due to the genre of my product not predominantly being horror, with it being mainly of the thriller genre and with a sub-genre of horror, I would also consider entering mainstream film festivals such as ‘Cannes’, ‘Sundance’, ‘BFI’ and ‘Venice’, to continue to gain critical success and increase awareness of my product.