evaluation 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Looking back at my preliminary task, I feel as though I have come very far. I have learnt how to use viedo and auido transitions to make my work look more professional, and I know notice that continuity editing is very important, as it creates a professional standard of work.  Although I feel as though my preliminary task looked ametuer, I did end up taking inspiration from some aspects of it.

The credits from Dexter

my titles

Above is a picture of the opening titles from Dexter. 'Showtime' is a cable network in the US. I chose to emulate this style of titles in my opening sequence as I felt as though they encapuslated everything about what i wanted to convey in 'myHOOD.' They were simple, clean and fresh and let the genre and the film talk for itself. I edited this style by using a mixture of lower and upper case characters for my titles. I did they as I think it fit in with the 'urban' genre and gave the titles an 'edge' rather than them just looking simple. I think this was effective as rather than 3D titles distracting the auidnece from the character of Cali, and empathise with her emotions, they simply blend into the background.

pull focus- Dexter

pull focus - Dexter

pull focus - myHOOD

pull focus - myHOOD

Above are comparison shots from both myHOOD and the 'Dexter' preliminary task. I chose to emulate the pull focus used in my preliminary task I felt that they were unique and innovative and would fit with my film's 'urban drama' genre. I haven't seen this done in many urban drama films before as they usually use a simple filming technique.

Above is an example of a transition that I used in my preliminary task, at the time I intended it to be fast paced and edgy, but in retrospect I realise that it simply looks messy. I chose to revise this in opening sequence by learning how to use techniques properly, and ending up varying from transitions like fade in and fade out, cross dissolve and dip to colour. Here is an example of this:

Sound was also an aspect that was address in both my preliminary task and my opening sequence. In my preliminary task I learnt how to match up sound with video and how to use audio transitions. Here is an example of this:

I decided that I didn't want to use dialogue in my opening sequence, as I felt a song from Cali's point of view would be more effective in connecting with the audience. Nevertheless, without learning the techniques I did with this task, I wouldn't have been able to create the sound in my opening sequence.

The preliminary task was the first chance I got to start practicing my camera skills. Shots like the one above inspired me to experiment with different angles in my opening sequence, and when my confidence began to grow, I started to use tilts and pans. Here are some examples:

evaluation 6

Throughout the process of creating my opening sequence,I learnt to use many useful programs that I'd previously had no experience with. This included; 

      

Final Cut Pro: I used this program to aid me through the whole of the diting process. I learnt how to cut footage, make video and audio transitions, add text to the screen, merge different sound onto a clip and ultimately how to put an opening sequence together.

Adobe After Effects: this is the program I used to create my titles. this was a very complex programme that i somtimes struggled with, in order to sucssfully create my titles, i have to set many different thing individually including the font, timing, transitions of the text, the spacing of where they were to be seen on the opening and also the ammount of time they were to be on the opening for; all these aspects were something that had to be set and applied in livetype.

Slr Camera: Throughout the project the main type of camera used was a digital slr. I chose to use this camera as I'd had lots of experience with it before as I am a photography student. This was a benefit as I already had knowledge of things like depth of focus and focus pulls.

Apple Mac: The entire editing of my piece was done using a Apple Mac which initially was difficult as they are a sometimes tempramental, but it eventually enabled me to create an opening sequence that I was happy with.

Youtube: this was an extremly helpful platform that i used throughout the project. Initally for research then uploading my own videos and eventually getting feedback for my video.The only difficult aspect was the converting of the video as it was time consuming and again, sometimes tempramental.

Soundtrack Pro: This was a programme that I previously had no experience in, but I found easy enough to grasp. I used to create the ident for my opening,

evaluation 5

teenagers genre preference

Above is a graph of the results found from 30 teenagers being asked 'What is your favorite genre?' The results were interesting as we can see that the favorite genre with both male and female are a combination of crime and drama, whereas genres like romance are more gender specific. Evaluating these results I tried to incorporate aspects of these genres within myHOOD to have a successful urban drama. I focused on challenging gender stereotypes within my opening sequence, so I thought researching this would be extremly relevant. I later decided to continue this research with an interview with an individual from our target audience.

Below is the interview with Maliki, a 17 year old boy from Hackney, part of our target audience. I chose to use a mock interview with a person from our target audience as I felt as though it personalized the demographic, rather than Maliki just being a statistic. I chose to use a male for this interview as I wanted to explore whether males felt as though they couldn't identify with the main character as she was female.  

 From this research I found that things such as the mise-en-scene, like Cali's clothes and accessories, added to the authenticty of the character, and therefore attracted the audience. Also the title, 'myHOOD' attracted the audience as they felt as though they could indentify with the characters and the idea of having 'a hood.' Maliki also talks about the actor in myHOOD. I chose to use an unknown actor in the film as I felt as though it would be more genuine, you wouldnt have a preconcived notion of the actor, which would therefore keep the character believeable.

Although Maliki didn't mention it, I intended to use sound to attract and address the auidence. I chose to include a soundtrack, recorded by Christie, who plays Cali in the film as I know that the targeted demographic, enjoys grime music. We used an instrumental by 'The Streets' and Christie rapped over the top, addressing issues such as crime, drugs and the emotions that enveloped her when she contemplated her life as a drug dealer. I also chose to include dialouge to attract the audience, as when you can relate to a charater in a film, it will appeal to the auidence more.  

Editing was also used to address the auidience. I chose to create a fast paced editing style, with jump cuts between scenes, and video transitions such as fades to show that the characters and hackney were intwined. Eyeline match's and cross cutting are also used in the opening sequence to show the relationship between Cali and Hackney and the children she sells the drugs to. This was used to attract the auidence as I felt as though the age range, 15-19 year old needed something to catch their eye and keep them interested. 

It wasn't just Cali's wardrobe that was used to attract the audience, there were also many other aspects of mise-en-scene. Locations such as the estate Fellows, Hackney buses and maps were used to relate to and attract the audience with a sense of familiarity, whether that be because they live in Hackney or because of its notoriety. 

Camerawork such as close up's were used on Cali's wardrobe to again relate with the character, and pull focus was frequently used to show locations that the audience would relate with in the opening sequence. Point of View shots were also used to allow the auidence to relate with Cali, because again this is auidence.

evaluation 4: who is your target audience

Above we have Shaniqua and Misha from Hackney. This interview aims to find out what the target audience would want from and film, and rather than asking simple questions, aims to know them more personally. In this interview they talk about what films they would like to see, who they would like to see in them, and are generally having a chat. The informal tone of the interview allows the viewer to see the target audience more naturally.

evaluation 3: what kind of media institutions might distribute you media product and why?

I believe 'myHood' would be the type of production that companies such as Film4 and Pathe wiuld be attracted to. Research has shown me that these companies tend to distribute fresh, young, new British films that tackle current issues. 


Film4 Productions is a British film production company owned by Channel Four Television Corporation. The company has been responsible for backing a large number of films made in the United Kingdom. The company has produced films such as; Attack the Block, East is East and Shaun of the Dead. For example here is the trailer for Attack The Block; 

Attack the Block is a 2011 British science fiction comedy horror film written and directed byJoe Cornish. Set on a council estate in South London on Bonfire night, the film follows a street gang which have to defend themselves from hostile alien invaders. 'myHood' and 'Attack the Block' both depict the life of teenagers living on council estates in London. I feel as though Film4 would be able to understand and develop my product, whilst always remaining authentic and realistic. 


'Adulthood,' a film that 'myHood' takes inspiration from was distributed by Pathe;

This film, This British drama follows a day in the lives of four poor youths living in an impoverished neighborhood in West London, where the pressure and desperation of poverty propels each of them towards the choice between a life of bleakness, violence, and crime, and the terrifying prospect of striving for a better life.


 Whilst both film's inspired 'myHood' and started the ball rolling for authentic, gritty urban dramas, I feel as though myHood and Film4 would make a better team. Although Pathe have produced amazing films, I feel that Film4 have the advantage of being British and encouraging young,British directors. 

evaluation 2

So I'm here with Christie Waku who plays 'Cali' in the new urban drama myHOOD. Hi Cali, thanks for coming. I really enjoyed the film and for those who haven’t seen the film, tell us a little bit about it.

It’s the story of a girl called Cali from Hackney. She comes from a broken home, her mother is in and out of her life, and she mostly cares for herself. The film follows her through a journey and a moral dilemma of whether to carry on selling drugs, or to take up the opportunity of a scholarship. She’s a really bright girl who is unfortunately caught up in some very dodgy stuff. On the outside she is this really tough girl, who has to fend for herself, but on the inside she is vulnerable and craves a stable life.

I think the director Amber Smith did a great job of telling the story of girl gangs, rather than the normal story of boys involved in crime. What was your idea when you were coming into the film, what made you want to get involved?

Well I wanted to get involved because I thought it was a really original representation of not only gangs and crime, because that has been told before, but rather that of the story of gender. And I thought it was really interesting to explore that

So it is a hard, gritty film to watch, especially for people who live in poorer areas such as Hackney.  How did you think Amber kept the authenticity and the realism but not glamorise it?

I think Amber did a really good job of showing the reality of a tough and gritty reality of life in Hackney but at the same time she doesn’t promote and glamorise drugs and crime. I also think it is important to discuss the representation of the character. To show that Cali is troubled, she doesn’t want to necessarily be involved in what she’s involved in, but it’s what she has to do to survive. I recently watched the finished product and I think that it is edited really well. The jump cuts between shots keep in theme of a fast paced, urban environment. And in the opening sequence the shots of Cali getting ready are blended with shots of street signs and Hackney landmarks, which symbolise Cali’s integration to her environment, and how she is affiliated with Hackney itself.

With the recent London Riots demonizing of teenagers and young adults is more engrained into the media than ever. What are your thoughts on this?

I think the most important thing to take away from myHOOD is that Cali is where she is out of necessity, and she strives to make a better life for herself. I think especially in the aftermath of the riots, when people hear Hackney they think of crime, and people in hoodies. They don’t see the amazing diverse culture, the art galleries, and the markets. There is almost a stigma against it. But myHOOD takes the audience on a literal and metaphorical journey with Cali, and her aspirations exceed the limitations of people’s expectations. I tried to contrast the intimidating image of teenagers that is created with Cali’s fragile personality.

How did you bring ‘Cali’ to life?

(laughs) Firstly I brought out the chains. I worked with the wardrobe department and told them what I would wear when I was growing up. I talked about bandanas, tracksuits, and the big gold hoop earrings and everything! I even changed my voice. I listened to grime music more and started to watch films like Kidulthood and Adulthood, just to perfect the urban, street dialect of East London teenagers.

The soundtrack to the film was all UK grime; do you think that was intentional?

Yes I definitely think that was intentional. I think what Amber did in the film was really clever. The representation that that kind of music creates is perfect for the character of Cali and her surroundings. The atmosphere is harsh and in your face just like the music and I think that works really well.

Did you find playing Cali rewarding?

This was the film role that I played where I could be myself, I could talk like I talked when I was growing up. I related to Cali, I mean not with the drugs but with living in a poorer area and growing up I never saw that on TV. So to me it was really rewarding to play a role that represented this particular social group that is often demonized in the media.

Thanks Christie it’s been great talking to you.

words by Sheena Murray

photograph by Edward Oudwire

evaluation 1

30. final product

27. titles timeline plan

I know that I want my titles to be;
-superimposed on top of the video
-white
-plain text
-fade in and fade out

And I know i want them to be superimposed onto
-the close up of Cali's lips
-the phone
-Cali exiting house
-Cali exiting flat
-Cali walking down stairs
-Cali looking out of window

I want them to be simple and not have too many special effects as again I want to keep the authenticity of the footage, and allow the audience to develop a relationship with Cali.

25. screenshots of editing tools you used

 Above is a screenshot of some of the video transitions I used. I chose to screenshot 'fade in fade out' as this is the transition that I used the most. I found it effective because it showed how the characters and Hackney were intwined, and also had a clean, simple appearance.

This is a screenshot of the audio transition I used. Like fade in fade out for video, it creates a simple, clean transition of fading in at the beginning and out at the end, and makes for a smoother audio track. 

 This is a screenshot of in and out points in the viewer in final cut pro. These were extremely important in the editing process and helped with continuity in my opening sequence.

 This was the wireframe used in the viewer in Final Cut Pro. Again this was a crucial part of my editing process because the frames that had been edited in Adobe After Effects needed to be resized using the 'distort' function, which needed wireframe to be able to work.

I have a few shots in my opening sequence that have been sped up or slowed down. Time remap was the tool I used for this, increasing the speed by double or sometimes more. 

Here is the distort tool I was talking about, I used this to make the shots more rectangular, so i could stretch them to fill the screen. 

This is a screenshot of the text tool I used to create the 'myHOOD' titles at the beginning. It is more simple to use than Adobe After Effects, and because I wanted to keep the titles simple, I chose to use a simple white font with a black background.