Final Finished Soap Trailer: Bargroves

 

This is the final version of our A2 product: Bargroves. Each scene has had close attention paid to ensure the video is of the highest quality available to us.

Changes Made:

Font on final title screen. changed from default to Helvetica and Gulim. 

Font also changed from the default on each title screen (Drug, Family, Financial)

Evaluation Activity 1: Nine Screen Shots

Frame #1:

The first screenshot (top-left) is one of the many title screens used throughout our final media piece . The titles are featured on all three pieces (TV Listings Mag, Billboard and Soap Trailer) so that it becomes easily recognisable for the audience. The font chosen is maintained in all three pieces I created as it is easy enough for the audience to read and is also basic but does offer something different from the default font.

Frame #2:
The second screenshot I chose (top-middle) features one of our chosen locations. The location I chose to feature in this post was a key one for the 'drug' storyline which featured two of our key characters. Rather than having one communal location, we decided to have something different and base our soap around three places to give the audience a break from the ordinary and hopefully save them from becoming bored. The reason for me choosing to feature this image is because it was one that we felt would allow our audience of 16-24 year old to interact with the most. The two other locations featured in the trailer were a town centre, a characters house and also a local street as all successful soaps are based in and around the same area.

Frame #3:
The third image (top-right), is one showing the title of our soap. We chose the title 'Bargroves' after hours of deliberation. Several names were suggested but none really captured our imagination. After looking at several current soaps, we noticed that they are mainly named after the location of filming (Eastenders: in the East End, Coronation Street: a street named the same etc.)

Frame #4:
As our soap is aimed at the younger generation, we wanted props that fitted there age. What with younger people being constantly match with new, more advanced forms of digital technology, we wanted something that would fit in with that and as a results my image features what was at the time the new Samsung Galaxy Note. We used this as a key prop as it was a way of indicating any communications between characters to the audience. As you will notice, on the screen of the phone is a text message received from an un-known number reading: 'Meet in alley @ 4'. Being sent from an un-known number adds to the sense of unease as the audience would be un-aware of what is happening and who is involved.

Frame #5:
The fifth frame of the nine (middle) is one that shows one of the storylines we used. The reason we settled in include a storyline like this is because in all soaps there is something bad happening that gives the audience something to talk about. As well as this, the younger generation (both our target audience and chararcters) are linked with the use of drugs on a daily basis. Using a storyline like this enable the audience to relate to the soap much easier.

Frame #6:
The sixth frame shows the effects used. All throughout the editing phase of our final piece, we used effects that enhanced the overall feel of the trailer. For example, in the screen shot you can see (the drug deal: a switch between Philip and Alexander) we used slow-motion, vignette and also an effect called cold steel which changed the colours of the screen as our way of getting the effects of drugs (impaired vision) expressed to the audience. Effects and transitions were used throughout the entirety of our trailer making it look a lot smoother and also far more professional.

Frame #7:
Our way of introducing the characters was to allow the audience to 'get into there heads'. By doing this we instantly create a bond between the audience and characters as they are able to relate to them in a way that they feel only they can. They are then able to become more involved in the soap as they would feel like it is there lives being shown on national TV. Just to make sure the storylines involving those selected characters was clear we included several title-screens at each change showing what the next would be. Each of the storylines we used can be related to our target audience in different ways, but the screenshot used was the one that I felt had the biggest relation to me. Mark coming out of the betting shop and screwing up a lost bet slip symbolises the money 'wasted' by teens who are considered to be poor with money.

Frame #8:
Frame eight, is one that show one form of special effect we used. During our trailer this effect features during the drug scene with Philip and Alexander. The Vignette was used to create a warn out effect on the borders of the screen. This was again, as mentioned in frame 6, was to give the impression of the effects drugs can have on your vision.

Frame #9:

The final of the nine frames shows the institutional information. This particular screen shot shows the BBC Logo, Soap Name, Time and Date. This information was included to inform the audience of just when and where they can see the show. 

Evaluation Activity 2: Voiceover Script

SCRIPT

The common elements we used were done to create some synergy between our pieces. On my poster and TV Listing magazine were the three main characters so I could introduce them as soon as possible to the audience.  These also feature in the trailer.

Philip- Left on the poster- is one of the most important characters in his role of the drug dealer. It is assumed young people have tried or would try drugs. He is however made to look very non-stereotypical in his appearance. Edward- pictured in the middle of the three- also has a vital role in the trailer as he would be the main character.

Within our trailer we included three narratives; the drug dealing, family issues and financial issues. I have tried to get each of them shown on both the mag cover and the poster by using photo’s of the characters involved.

They attracted the audience as they could relate to each one as they are all associated with young people.

One of the main soap conventions we tried to create to use within our soap trailer was a recognisable theme tune. We have also attempted to interlink the three storylines to show that all of it is happening within one small community. One of the final conventions we used was social realism. When creating our storylines, we tried to create ones young people would be able to easily relate to. On my poster and TV mag the characters look contemporary and are wearing up to date clothes.

The synergetic features I used in both the mag cover and the poster but not in the trailer were the colours white and grey for the stencilled fonts and the useof the images.

As a whole, I feel that the campaign- trailer, mag cover and poster- are all very effective. Each piece individually looks interesting as they offer something different to the usuall items you would find for the soaps. The TV mag cover is different in that the fonts and clours used wouldn’t normally be found on a mag cover. The poster is also different as the BBC don’t often create posters advertising there shows so seeing one makes an interesting change.

Please Note: Due to some technical issues I was unable to export the video with the trailer however the TV Listings Magazine cover and Billboard poster remain.

Evaluation Activity 3: Feedback

once we had made the changes suggested by the rest of our A-Level group, our work was shown to a group of year 11’s for further feedback. To gather this feedback, we created a questionnaire that would determnine the effectiveness of the trailer and tell us if people would be interested enough to watch. All the feedback we received from our A-Level group was to speed the whole thing up as it looked too slow. We were also told to re-film a section of the trailer to make it as good and effective as possible.

The questionnaire we created to gather this vital feedback consisted of four questions. Those were;

·         Would you watch our soap?

·         Do the stories used in our soap relate to you?

·         Do you hink the editing was done effectively?

·         Do the titles help split the scenes?

Each of the answers will be presented in the form of a chart as well as an overview in writing.

To begin the year 11’s were asked to give some general feedback. Most of it we received was stuff that we knew wouldn’t be good enough to use for our final, final piece.

For a start we was told that we couldn’t use the song we had searched for. We decided after so long of searching to use the opening to The Progidy’s ‘Firestarter’. As this is actually a copyrighted song we knew we wouldn’t be able to leave it in but decided to until we could find a better replacement. They also said that they didn’t recognise it as a soap but a drama. At the start of the trailer they wasn’t informed it was actually a soap but they had to guess for themselves.

Q1. Would you watch our soap?

The results for this really didn’t go the way we hoped. Only 1 of the 16 people availible to give us feedback said they would watch it. This feedback was however, really beneficial as they compared the trailer to drama’s such as ‘Skins’ which is aimed at the same target audience as ours. Having this information allowed us to continue with the progect in the same way we had be doing.  

Q2. Do the stories used in our soap relate to you?

After some debating, 13 of the 16 year 11 students said that the stories we created for the use of the trailer would effect them. Knowing this pleased us as it meant that we were heading in the right direction and would have more chance of developing an audience.

Q3. Do you think the editing was completed successfully?

to answer this question we received quite a bit of feedback. As our soap was only in the draft stages when watched by the year 11's, we knew we needed to do some more work to it. however, having this feedback was very useful as it helped us determined what should be done to gain those extra viewers. One of the scenes that had the most attention paid to it was our drug one. We assumed this was because of how un-stereotypical it was in terms of appearance, mise-en-scene etc. the first piece of feedback we received was that the editing needed to be filtered. this was most evident during the 'Family Problems' scene midway through our soap.

As we didn't want diegetic sound, we wanted to express emotions through facial expressions. However, due to some poor filming by a stand-in camera man (Philip Gatward), this was not possible. Because of this we had to shorten the scene right down as the chance of re-filming had gone. We was also told that this could be sorted through switching the scenes about a bit to simply break the trailer up. During the trailer we also switched from our title music to The Prodigy's Firestarter. This was because we wanted to make an impact and felt it could best be done with a change of song to one with a higher tempo. Even though we couldn't.'t have the song and ws searching for a replacement, we was told that the two song didn't necessarily work.

We was given another piece of advice as a way to express the drug use which was to play with the colours e.g. black and white or psychedelic colours to emphasise the effects of the drugs and try to relate to the audience watching. Finally, we was reminded to add in the text on the title screen at the end of the trailer and also to add in the BBC One logo all throughout. As well as this we were told the voiceover needed to be re-done as it wasn't the bast quality due to the equipment used.

Q4. Do the titles help to split between the scenes?

13 of the 16 asked agreed that the title screens we used help to split the trailer and inform the audience of the stories involved.

Evaluation Activity 4: The Use of New Media Technologies in the Construction, Research, Planning and Evaluation Stages

How did you use new media technologies in the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages

What Media Technologies Were Used?

Throughout the creation of our final media piece, we used several different forms of media technology we were unable to during the AS year. The biggest difference was that we had access to a HD camera. For our A2 filming stages we were able to use a HD Panasonic Camera which enabled higher quality video capture creating an all round better look to the final product. Along with the HD camera, I was able to create a far more steady shot thanks to the use of a sturdy tripod.

To keep a record for my Advanced Portfoloi, I used an internet program called 'Blogger'. Although usable for my foundation portfolio, I have been able to create far more detailed post because of the advanced media technologies made available.

The most useful media technology that had an effect on any of the stages during the creation of our media piece was the use of Final Cut Pro on the iMac. During AS, I was only allowed access to the standard school computers which limited creativity with effects and storylines. Being on the iMachas enabled me to develop and nunderstanding with each of the possible effects and transitions.

For me, the creation of the Magazine cover and billboard poster was the easiest of the three pieces of work required for my advanced portfolio. Since I have studied Media for the past several years, my skills in manipulating images has developed extremely well. I have also been able to create far more effective final pieces as a result of the progress made in those previous years of studying Media. Although the effects used (such as the outer glow on the billboard), and the texts/fonts chosen are only basic, this is for a very good reason. Although we had to be creative in the making of our pieces, I didn't want to stray too far from the original magazines/posters our audience are accustomed to seeing. I believed that had my magazine been too different from the natural things it may have been overlooked as something other than what it was.  INCLUDE MAG COVER AND BILLBOARD POSTER SCREENSHOTS

ALSO ADD A SMALL PICTURE OF ALL THE EQUIPMENT/RESOURCES USED FOR THE CREATION OF THESE PIECES E.G. YOUTUBE, BLOGGER, PHOTOSHOP, PHONE, FACEBOOK (ARRANGE MEETINGS)... THEN POST DONE.

My Billboard poster

This is the final copy of the billboard poster I created for our soap 'Bargroves'. I tried to keep it simple as you dont often see the BBC producing billboards to advertise their shows. It features three of the main 4 characters that appear in the trailer.

Finished Magazine Cover