Audience and Institution Practice Essay

    "In relation to the media area you have studied (film), discuss the ways audience consumption has changed over time."


     Audience consumption in the area of film has changed drastically over time. Film has been around since the late 1800s, but a lot of what was shot has been lost over time. Because of this, it is truly hard to say how many films were shot during that time and how it was distributed.

    The silent film era is said to have some of the greatest pieces of film of all time. However, similar to what I mentioned before, it is said that up to 80 percent of film spawning from the silent era, has been lost over time. During the silent film era, movie-goers would flock to theaters, similar to how many still enjoy watching movies today. In fact, many theaters still showcase silent films to audiences willing to go. Films by Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford were still played in select theaters across the country a few years ago. However, that is becoming less frequent as time passes.

    In the 1970s, VHS tapes were becoming increasingly popular with households across the country. While many still enjoyed going to the theaters to see movies that were being released, VHS tapes were being produced so that families could buy and watch movies in the comfort of their own home.  In my personal experience, my grandmother still has VHS tapes of my mom’s favorite Disney movies that she watched as a kid. Believe it or not, as VHS tapes became less popular, the value of them went up. Some tapes go for up to one thousand dollars to this day. 

    By the ’90s, DVD’s were coming into play. Similar to VHS tapes, DVD’s made it so that people could buy the movies they watched after they weren’t in theaters anymore. Many of the movies that I researched in depth were released on DVD to the public. To date, some of the highest-grossing DVD’s to be released include Frozen and Avatar. DVD’s can still be found in many households, but aren’t as popular anymore. 

    Today, streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have their own “Originals.” These are films and shows that are released straight to these sites for audience consumption. Additionally, one may still find movies like Gone With the Wind or the original Cinderella on streaming services like Amazon Prime and Disney Plus. Streaming on phones, tablets, and televisions make movie-going much easier for the common Joe. 

    Media consumption for film has changed a lot over the last century, and it is sure to continue to become more and more simple the further into the future we go. Distribution of film is becoming almost obsolete as streaming services can simply upload film straight to their sites, within an hour or two. It is mind-blowing wondering how film and media, in general, will be consumed ten, twenty, even one-hundred years from now. 

Extract Essay

    The extract I watched was a clip from the show “24.” It seems to me as the director wanted to make it a drama, thriller fitted show. Many factors go into my theory as to why I believe this show is that genre. Moreover, considering it seems to follow a group of detectives or police officers, it makes sense that it would be a thriller or drama.

    The scene opens up to a woman sitting in what looks to be an interrogation room. The lighting is dim, almost cold. This was a great choice by the director as it creates an eerie, dramatic feel right at the start. The woman looks past the camera and a door is shown in the next shot. This is a subtle, yet clever use of the eye-line match shot. A man then walks in without saying a word. The camera switches back over to show the woman as it zooms in on her face. This was most likely used to show her expression to the man, looking unfazed, like someone who is attempting to hide something. 

    The man shuts the door and begins walking over to the table that the woman is sitting at. The man walks into a close-up shot, which was probably used to build tension. As he slides a few pieces of paper across the table a pan occurs. This pan might have been used to show the sheer proximity between the characters, possibly foreshadowing later action. The shot then cuts to a group of people watching the two on a tv, over a surveillance camera that was shown in an earlier shot. Again, this was foreshadowing later events between the man and women in the room. 

    The women finally begin to speak. The dialogue helps heighten the tension within the scene, especially because the audience waited for about 40 seconds before any speaking began. Shot reverse shots are used to show the quick responses between the characters. Additionally, the use of jump cuts is to speed up the scene and add even more tension between characters. As the scene comes to an end, but not without tension at its greatest, a split-screen appears. The director might have chosen this to show the real-time action occurring as the rest of the detectives rush into the interrogation room. As the man is pulled off of the women, the scene fades to black. 

    I believe the director wanted this to be a very dramatic scene in this episode, possibly one of the more important ones. As this is only a couple of scenes from this show, it is hard to determine how the rest of the show plays out. However, from this extract, I can tell that this is a drama, thriller that gets very intense at moments. 

Filming Blog-- Continuation

    This filming process took place about a week before the peer review. I decided I needed more footage for my film, as the entire project needed to be 2 minutes long. Therefore, I filmed with my costar. We went back to the park that we originally shot a scene at. Due to strong winds, I decided I should get plenty of film, as I could choose what footage to use during the editing process. The first time we filmed there, winds were strong and the wind made it so dialogue could not be heard in certain scenes. Additionally, I asked that we film a couple scenes towards the end of the movie at my supporting actors house, as this is originally where we planned on filming some of the scenes. These scenes were easy to film, as they took place inside. The house was quiet and optimal for shooting. The picture above shows us during the filming process at his house. 

    After we filmed these scenes, I decided to film some establishing shots of the house, as well as the park nearby. These were necessary to my final cut of the film, however, they were shot for my use during the editing process. Once these were filmed, I went back to my house. I needed to film the first scene in the opening sequence. This scene is important, as it sets the tone for the rest of the film. The first scene only involved me, so setting up the tripod and camera was a little difficult. However, I was able to get my brother to actually help me in setting up everything. Once that scene was filmed, I needed to wait until nightfall to shoot the last few scenes. This day of filming was definitely successful, to say the least. I decided my next step was to begin editing these scenes. That puts me to the last blog, which explains the editing process. 

Editing Blog- Continuation

    This is a continuation of the journey of my final project. Today I continued editing my film, and everything went well for the most part. I was able to get about half of my film almost completely edited. Following the peer review of my film, I know that I still need to reshoot a couple scenes. Also, much more editing is needed until I can turn my final in. While I was editing, I realize that there are a few outside shots where the wind is pretty loud, so I may need to reshoot those scenes. I was able to, however, edit most of the scenes that took place either inside or didn't have too much diegetic sound. One thing I began doing was adding titles to my film. These are important as they are essential to every title sequence of a film. I needed to make the decision in which fonts to use for each corresponding title. 

    For example, I used one font for the actors' names, and I used a different font for the title of the movie. This gives off a greater significance to the name of the movie, as it is the of the most important aspects of the title sequence. In addition to this, I also was able to add music to my film. This is vital to my opening sequence as it sets the tone for the rest of the film. I chose a spooky soundtrack to set an ominous, creepy feel to the movie. Plus, the opening sequence prepares the audience for the film, so everything about the title sequence is vital. Alongside adding music and preparing titles, I also cut more clips. I did this during the beginning of the editing process, but cutting clips are becoming an everyday process at this point. The next thing I need to work on for the editing is fading clips into each other. The flow of the opening sequence is important as it must be quick, but also efficient. 

Peer Review Blog

    This is my blog for the peer review that we conducted for the final project. I was assigned a group’s film to review, and a separate group was assigned to watch mine. This was an important project, as it helped us all gain insight to how close we are to finishing our projects. Moreover, the reviewing from outside individuals was good as it helped us know what we need to fix and tweak for our final product. I will start by saying that I really liked how the group’s video that I reviewed turned out so far. The lighting was very good throughout their film opening. They were able to properly use bright lighting, which played a huge effect on their project. Additionally, I liked the groups’ transitions between shots. They made the film flow smoothly, using seamless transitions. So far, the group has done a great job and I think their slightly revised project will be very successful.

    Looking at the negatives of this groups’ work, it was honestly hard to find specific examples. Generally, they project didn’t seem to have to many mistakes. However, their video is only about one minute and 20 seconds. Since the final must be closer to two minutes long, one suggestion I made for their video was to add to it, and make it closer to that two minute mark. Additionally, I think the group should work to add more to the story. From what I watched, I, as an audience couldn’t really pin point the exact story of the film. They should work together to make the plot a little more obvious. In fact, they could even change some of the font for the text a little to make it fit the genre better. Finally, I think the group should work to include more of the additional group mates. Their film should include more than just one of the students. All in all, their project was pretty solid, but they do need to fix a few minor errors.

Editing Blog: The Beginning of the End

    Following my first weekend of filming, I decided I could edit the scenes I filmed. Because I couldn't get any shots with my co-star, I could only edit the scenes that didn't have him in them. This proved to be somewhat difficult, as a lot of my scenes either cut to him or are shot-reverse shots, etc. However, I was able to edit some minor changes to the scenes without him present. For example, I was able to cut scenes and begin the fading process or the scenes I am into the ones that will cut to him. Additionally, I was able to clean up the choppiness of a couple scenes that I filmed. Also, I filmed a couple shots that included my mom. For these, I was able to edit them so they fit more smoothly into the project. To be honest, I wasn't able to do a whole lot of editing, as, like I said before, I couldn't film too much as my supporting actor wasn't available to film over the weekend. However, I plan to get the rest of my filming down towards the end of this week, and into the weekend.

    In addition to shortening and fading a couple of my shots, I made a few other adjustments to my project. I browsed the internet for some copyright-free music to use in the background of my opening sequence. I was searching mainly for a slow-building, ominous type score to use as the opening sequence commences. This follows the standard conventions of thriller/horror movies, as I prepare the audience for a spooky feeling. Once I found a track that I believed would work well with my production, I imported it into the editing software. From there, I placed it into the corresponding track position and readied it for when I further my editing process. I will edit the music so it plays a bit louder at the beginning of the opening sequence and will become quieter as the characters speak. My goal is to make the scenes flow into each other, creating a very smooth looking opening sequence. Currently, without the scenes involving my supporting actor, the project is only about 45 seconds, so I will need to make sure I have another minute and 15 seconds of footage for my film. Once I get the final shots filmed, I will be able to import them and finish editing my project!

Filming Blog: First Weekend of Filming

    Finally, after a weekend of non-responsive weather and overtime at my job, I was able to begin filming. I checked out a camera on Friday and as soon as I got home from practice after school, I began filming. The only scenes I would be able to film over the weekend would be the ones that don't involve my co-star. This is because he is working all weekend and only gets off late at night. However, he doesn't work during the week, so my plan is to check a camera out in the middle of the week and film then. Once I got home, I set up my camera on the tripod and shot the opening scene, of my final. This scene is supposed to set the mood for the rest of the project. Therefore, I made sure to take a couple shots of this even though it was a pretty simple scene. Lighting was pretty nice, as I filmed around 4pm eastern time zone, which created a bright hue inside my room. I made sure to review the footage after they were filmed.

    After I filmed a couple preliminary shots, I decided that I would continue the next day. The following day, Saturday, I worked until 3pm, so once I clocked out, I headed straight home. Once I arrived home, I showered and changed into "costume" for my second day of filming. Again, my supporting role was not available that day, so I would continue with scenes that only included me. There were a few shots that included my mom, as she plays my mother in the film as well, so I was able to film those shots too. Considering the project can only be two minutes, I have a feeling the editing process will be difficult. I will need to make sure my film fits the given time, and if it doesn't, that is when I will need to conduct re-shoots. The storyboard has been really helpful in the filming process, as I have, on multiple occasions, looked back at it to make sure I have been following what I envisioned. All in all, I was able to get a good chunk of filming out in just this first weekend. Now, I just need to make sure I can finish gathering and filming my other scenes, with my supporting actor.