Diary

Week 1: In the first week of Media Studies A2, we began to learn about all the different genres of films and there conventions. The first genre we learnt about was Horror films. We spent 2 lessons learning about horror conventions. Once we learnt this we set out to make a short horror scene. We also learnt about film posters and things such as the rule of thirds and sans serif and serif fonts.

Week 2: After the horror genre trial we then moved onto stop motion films. We saw examples like chicken run, Wallace and gromit and others. We analysed some more posters of stop motion films. We then were set out to make short stop motion films using Lego and natural objects.

Week 3: In the third week we learnt about comedy films. We focused on the subgenre of mockumentaries. We saw examples like Bruno and Kenny. After we learnt about this genre we made a short mockumentary film.

Week 4: In the fourth week we began to make a poster for the horror film we made. After analysing posters of Halloween, Sinister and A nightmare on Elm street. We knew the conventions of a horror poster. And so we went to a computer and began to design posters. We learnt how to use Microsoft Publisher to make posters. In our group we each made a poster. We had to find an appropriate font and main image of the film. We used conventions such as dark and red colours which connote danger and darkness. We also used some sort of scary slogan. We used the rule of thirds to design our poster and make it effective to attract people.

Week 5: In the fifth week of our media A2 coursework, we began to work on audience research for our horror film. In order to do this, we designed a questionnaire asking about horror films and what people like to see in a horror film. Once we decided on 10 questions, we created the questionnaire using Survey Monkey. We then made it public and asked friends and family to answer it. The answers from the questionnaire will help us design our horror trailer.

Week 6: In week six we began to look at conventions of horror trailers. We looked at examples such as the women in black to find conventions of trailers. We also analysed trailers from all subgenres of horror like paranormal, game and action. I looked at psychological and sci fi horrors. The trailers that I analysed were Alien and The Shining. I went through the trailer analysing most scenes and what they show top the audience. These trailers also helped us design our trailer.

Week 7: Week 7, we began to look at graphics and titles of horror films. We were allocated a certain film trailer to analyse. I was given the film 'Carrie' and 'scream'. I went through the trailer analysing each still and what it consists and how this effects the trailer. It also gave us ideas for stills to use in our own trailer.

Week 8: In week 8 we began to design our horror film. We split into pairs to create the script and storyboard. Me and Will were in charge of the storyboard. Henry and Joe were working on the script. Splitting into two pairs really made these tasks efficient as we weren't working one at a time.

Week 9: This week we began to start filming. We had to film straight after school as it got dark very quickly. This created lots of problems as we didn't have a lot of time to get the daylight shots.

Week 10:We carried on filming the trailer. We also looked into soundtracks. We had a workshop with the music teacher at the school and he showed us how to use garage band. Henry then created the music for the soundtrack using garageband.

Week 11: We finished the filming process and began the editing. I also desgined the stills and graphics for the trailer as well as found sound effects.

Week 12: We finished the first draft of the film. We then showed it to the year below media class and asked for feedback.

Week 13: We recieved our feedback and set out on adjusting the film to make it better.