1. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

A representation portrayed in our opening sequence is a 17 year old boy suffering

from Bipolar Disorder. We had to show the representation of a male teenager and a
bipolar patient. Before the filming process began we researched more about the
illness to be aware of common trends which we can use in our product.
From research, bipolar patients tend to deny they have the disorder and refuse help
E.G not taking their medication; Lucas throws his medication onto the ground
suggesting refusal to take it and a hate towards it. Their unusual shifts in moods are
shown by their facial expressions and gestures. E.G when angry, actions are more
aggressive and violent, in 'BBE' Lucas gets mad when he is not believed by the
therapist so he pushes the table away harshly and stands up quickly suggesting a
change from his relaxed mental state to enragement.
Furthermore bipolar patients tend to have thoughts of attempting suicide which is
shown in our opening sequence through the protagonist's dialogue.
Also they are undecided for instance in our media product - when Lucas is about to
enter the pharmacy, he pauses to decide if he should enter or not; there's a hand
held camera movement creeping around him to show this because the camera is
unstable representing his unbalanced thoughts.
In addition our editing portrayed the mental illness in an unhappy, dark way for the
park scenes. We made the shots at the park a pale grey-ish colour representing a
dull tragic life because if it was bright with several colours (like a rainbow) it would
have portrayed a full filled life.
Lucas is a teen aged boy who was shown through his costume consisting of jeans,
trainers and a casual top. He wore a hat implying insecurity as he covers himself. His
clothing is respectable which fits his class status (middle).
2. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and
why?
I think 4Film would distribute our product because they believe in supporting British
Drama films - Both tags of which our media product is. For this project the two British
Drama films I've researched and analysed were distributed and produced by 4Film;
the two films were 'Never Let Me Go' and 'Submarine'. Therefore it would make
sense for our product to be distributed by 4Film as it fits in the same category as
previous 4Film movies.
3. Who would be the audience for your media product?
I think people interested in the subject Psychology might watch it as they would
enjoy watching a film within the field of their interest. It would also help students
towards their study as it could be used as a case study to how the media portrays
the impact and story of a teenage boy suffering with a mental disorder.
Also from one of my feedback interviews; apparently people who like independent
films which have an original and non-clich storyline would watch it because the
realism and coming-of-age story would appeal to them. Also they like to support
independent films by watching it.
From another interview; teenagers would watch this film as the protagonist is a
teenager so they can relate in that sense. In addition more girls are expected to
watch it because stereotypically they like emotional plots.
Also our product originally started as a book so book fans would watch it in support.

4. How did you attract/address your audience?

The first idea was the use of a film poster. This was a medium close up of the
protagonist with the name title at the top centre. Using a film poster meant we could
advertise using print ad on many resources e.g. magazines, billboards. I have
realised from research is British Drama always have film posters however they tend
not to advertise through print ad.
They already have a set audience because the films usually are adaptations of
novels so book fans would consider watching the film or people would watch it
because originally the story began as a book. So for our media product we decided
for it to have begun as a successful novel.
Next we made a teaser trailer. Dramas don't really have teaser trailer and I think
because it creates that fourth wall which they like to break. It creates a fourth wall
because harsh reality is usually not glamorised into a 20second teaser trailer to
make people watch the film. Normally they would advertise with a 2minute trailer
but we could not do this because we only have shots of the equilibrium and a
2minute trailer needs more narrative stages.
Next we will be using a Junket - this is an Interview with actor. This was used by both
of my researched film so we are planning on doing it. It is a struggle for us to
organise a day to film as our actor goes to a different sixth form and we're all caught
up with work however the actual filming for a junket is not technical at all which is
handy. And it is very relaxed. A junket helps attract an audience because they will be
finding out more of the film through the actor; and the actor would be giving reasons
to watch it.
5. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of
constructing this product?
We wanted to record our feedback in the style of a 'Teens React' episode (YouTube
internet series) So we used a green screen. When editing, it allowed us to play
certain parts of the opening sequence to match specific parts that were commented
on. The feedback is visual which is more entertaining than written feedback. I have
learnt that the green screen is a useful tool for creating a professional Feedback
interview.
As we had to record our own music track for the opening sequence, we used a
software called Garageband. We had to use one of my group members microphone
because the it's quality was professional. Using Garageband has made me realise
how much effort is put into making only one track. Having to record and layer audio
on the program is effort.
6. Looking back on the preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt
in the progression from it to the full product?
In the preliminary video, there were many noticeable jump cuts which we were
unhappy about. So to prevent this, throughout the filming we strictly followed the
180 degree rule because it will make the opening sequence seem smoother and all
the shots will easily run into each other. I was aware of how important the 180
degree rule was which I believe helped me progress to the final product.

Another weakness we picked up on was the lighting. In some shots the lighting was
too exposed compared to other shots when we put the black and white effects on. I
don't particularly feel a progression in this as our Production edit has no extreme
effects like we used in the Preliminary. However we did add some effects to make the
day look colder outside by making the shot slightly paler - so for every exterior shot
we made sure it the effect feature was at the same percentage - to make sure the
exposure of it was the same.