Meeting #1 - Birth of Psychoactive Productions
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+In our first meeting we introduced ourselves to each other, also exchange personal contacts of each other such as phone numbers, BBM's. We also connected socially online over Facebook and Twitter. To gain quicker access to each other we created a private group on Facebook to share information and tasks needed to be done.
+We wrote down each other strengths and weaknesses and how best they can contribute to the group, from that we assign each other individuals roles in the production company.
+Next we came up with production company name and tried to visual develop some sort of logo for others to recognize our company.
+We wrote down each other strengths and weaknesses and how best they can contribute to the group, from that we assign each other individuals roles in the production company.
+Next we came up with production company name and tried to visual develop some sort of logo for others to recognize our company.
Meeting #2 - Brainstorming sub-genre ideas for trailer
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+In our next meeting we brainstormed sub-genres of horror. Our initial decision was to make a zombie film. However after considerable research we realized that the zombie sub genre has been completely flooded. The idea of a Psychological Horror was thrown out, primarily due to our name Psychoactive Productions.
+We unanimously decided our trailer would heavily revolve around Blackberry and it's immensely popular messaging service - Blackberry Messenger.
+We felt this idea would hit an ideal niche market, as even with the vast popularity of BBM there has yet to be a film to capitalize on it's success.
+We unanimously decided our trailer would heavily revolve around Blackberry and it's immensely popular messaging service - Blackberry Messenger.
+We felt this idea would hit an ideal niche market, as even with the vast popularity of BBM there has yet to be a film to capitalize on it's success.
Meeting #3 - Brainstorming title ideas trailer
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+We began by experimenting with several Latin names.
+From the start we wanted a short and snappy name for our trailer. We felt that long drawn out title wouldn't suit the nature of our film.
+Our title began as "Insanus" - the word insane in Latin.
+ Insanus later developed to Psycho-Sania, however as the premise of our film began to develop we realized that a Latin name would no longer be appropriate.
+Finally we decided to simply name it "Ping", a reference to the noise a Blackberry makes when they receive a message on BBM
+The word Ping has made its way into popular culture and has become a buzz word for BBM in general
+From the start we wanted a short and snappy name for our trailer. We felt that long drawn out title wouldn't suit the nature of our film.
+Our title began as "Insanus" - the word insane in Latin.
+ Insanus later developed to Psycho-Sania, however as the premise of our film began to develop we realized that a Latin name would no longer be appropriate.
+Finally we decided to simply name it "Ping", a reference to the noise a Blackberry makes when they receive a message on BBM
+The word Ping has made its way into popular culture and has become a buzz word for BBM in general
Meeting #4 - Research on past students trailer for inspiration and ideas
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+Due to a facility in our College we were able to access virtually every A2 horror trailer filmed by students at Christ the King Sixth Form College
+We were shown some of the best trailers in previous years - and some of the worst.
+Taking note of the key features in some of the best trailers, including the lighting, camerawork and use of make up
+Our research didn't end at researching student trailers. The summer preceding the course we done an excessive amount of research into genuine horror trailers. This is where most of our inspiration derived from.
+We were shown some of the best trailers in previous years - and some of the worst.
+Taking note of the key features in some of the best trailers, including the lighting, camerawork and use of make up
+Our research didn't end at researching student trailers. The summer preceding the course we done an excessive amount of research into genuine horror trailers. This is where most of our inspiration derived from.
Meeting #5 - Inspiration and note taking
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we decided to come together to watch certain trailers to get an insight and overall idea of what our horror trailer was going to be like and what features it would consist of, after watching various trailers we identified two inspirational films which was 'Buried' (a 2010 Drama/Thriller) and 'Devil' (a 2010 Horror/Thriller and is sub genre as a supernatural). After closely studying these two trailers we began taking notes of features that we would like to include into our horror project such as an torture scene.
Meeting #6 - Brainstorming Trailer ideas
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+When we came to brainstorming the ideas for our horror trailer we carefully discussed each genre and what kind of original ideas we could think of.
+The biggest challenge was working a Blackberry into the premise of a Psychological Horror. This was a challenge purely because of the amount of idea we discussed. Everything ranging from being trapped in a lift, to a crazed college student going on a vicious rampage. In the end we settled upon a psychological trailer involving a victim being kidnapped and bound to a chair while tormented through the vastly popular Black Berry Messaging service.
+The biggest challenge was working a Blackberry into the premise of a Psychological Horror. This was a challenge purely because of the amount of idea we discussed. Everything ranging from being trapped in a lift, to a crazed college student going on a vicious rampage. In the end we settled upon a psychological trailer involving a victim being kidnapped and bound to a chair while tormented through the vastly popular Black Berry Messaging service.
Meeting #7 - Developing trailer ideas
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+Once we had got a base idea of the trailer we wanted to shoot, we began developing ways of incorporating a Black Berry in to the horror genre. The way we thought we could incorporate the Black Berry phone by using it as a one communication device only allowing the villain to contact the person who is in peril.
Meeting #8 - Practicing shots
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+ We came together a number of times to practice a various of shots that will be needed in our horror teaser trailer such as pan shots,tilt shots and tracking shots. doing this will help our skills become advanced in the camera criteria.
Meeting #9 - Discussing lighting needed for filming
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+We came together to discuss what type of lighting we will be needing, also how many. Lighting is key to a good Horror trailer as it sets the scene and mood most of the time so this meeting was a important part of our planning process. a vast amount of lighting research has been done for us to get an overall view and understand of what we need.
Meeting #10 - Drafting storyboard
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+Here we were drafting what our scenes were going to look like and how they're going to be shot by drawing up a a prototype. we had to identify all the different type of shots for example whether it would be a long shot or extreme close up.
Meeting #11 - Brainstorming props and costume
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+We came together to put our predictions on what props costumes will be needed for our trailer then brainstormed them.
+A list was formed of what possible props will be needed and what props will indefinitely be needed.
+Research into horror themed make up was conducted.
+A list was formed of what possible props will be needed and what props will indefinitely be needed.
+Research into horror themed make up was conducted.
Meeting #12 - Practicing shots
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+We practiced all the shots that would be necessary in our video.
+Every member of Psychoactive Productions vigorously practised the art of tilting, panning and tracking.
+We also practised some free hand camerawork as not every shot in our trailer will require a tri-pod.
+Every member of Psychoactive Productions vigorously practised the art of tilting, panning and tracking.
+We also practised some free hand camerawork as not every shot in our trailer will require a tri-pod.
Meeting #13 - Practicing lighting
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+Practiced setting up the light and finding out which intensity would suit a specific shot the most.
+Ensured we knew the perfect placement for these lights and learning how to remove a shadow with ease.
+Checked that we know how to quickly set up the lights, as we will be pressured for time in the studio.
+Ensured we knew the perfect placement for these lights and learning how to remove a shadow with ease.
+Checked that we know how to quickly set up the lights, as we will be pressured for time in the studio.
Meeting #14 - Our use of social networking (online meetings)
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+ Spoke about our facebook group and how we use social networks as another way of having meeting (online).
+Spoke to several friends about what interests them in terms of the Horror Genre.
+Found out which specific genre interests them the most
+Performed a complete analysis of our audience, including where they most like to view films.
+Spoke to several friends about what interests them in terms of the Horror Genre.
+Found out which specific genre interests them the most
+Performed a complete analysis of our audience, including where they most like to view films.
Meeting #15 - Blog Checklist
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+ Spoke about our regular blog checklist and how we assign each other tasks on a weekly basis.
+Regularly checked up on each member of the group to check that they are pulling their weight and no one member does everything.
+Assigning deadlines for specific blog posts
+Regularly checked up on each member of the group to check that they are pulling their weight and no one member does everything.
+Assigning deadlines for specific blog posts
Meeting #16 - Shooting practise teaser trailer
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+Going over our storyboard and filming it scene by scene
+Going over a scene numerous times, with many different angles so we have a vast number of shots to edit with
+Religiously following storyboard to keep concise with all our previous work
+Going over a scene numerous times, with many different angles so we have a vast number of shots to edit with
+Religiously following storyboard to keep concise with all our previous work
Meeting #17 - Editing practise teaser trailer
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+Cutting and editing our practise teaser trailer
+Playing around with several filters to see which effect best fits our video
+Watching a few final cut pro tutorials on youtube to heighten our expertise
+Removing the sound in order to create tension in the teaser trailer
+Playing around with several filters to see which effect best fits our video
+Watching a few final cut pro tutorials on youtube to heighten our expertise
+Removing the sound in order to create tension in the teaser trailer
Meeting #18 - Discussed age certificate
Here we came together to talk about what age we should rate our horror film trailer. this wasn't easy to come to a conclusion as we wasn't fully sure what requires a film to be rated an 15 or 18. so after detailed research we gathered information which informed us what the features were. A'15' rated video (these films may contain offensive or emotionally harrowing scenes or strong language and violence). An '18' rated video (These films may contain extreme gore/violence and/or sexually explicit content). After consideration we came to a conclusion and have made it 18 rated trailer.
Meeting #19 - Practising Make-up
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+ We spoke about the range of make up ingredients we will need
+ We each spent time watching youtube tutorials of how to apply horror movie make up
+ In lesson we enquired as to what specific ingredients we will need, then went out and purchased them
+ We paid a visit to our teacher a few days after college and practiced make up on one of the members of our group
+ We discussed what kind of make up we will need to perform during the production
+ We each spent time watching youtube tutorials of how to apply horror movie make up
+ In lesson we enquired as to what specific ingredients we will need, then went out and purchased them
+ We paid a visit to our teacher a few days after college and practiced make up on one of the members of our group
+ We discussed what kind of make up we will need to perform during the production
Meeting #20 - Discussing Health and Safety Issues
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+ Dicuss and explain the health and saftey issue we bransormed and elaborated on.
+ During a lesson, we brainstormed specific health and safety issues
+ Each brainstorm was for an individual aspect of health and safety, Extras, Equipment & make up
+ Our discussing did not end at a mere brainstorm, we also done excessive research over the internet to account for any hazards we may not have thought of during the brainstorm
+ During a lesson, we brainstormed specific health and safety issues
+ Each brainstorm was for an individual aspect of health and safety, Extras, Equipment & make up
+ Our discussing did not end at a mere brainstorm, we also done excessive research over the internet to account for any hazards we may not have thought of during the brainstorm
Meeting #21 - Christmas Holiday meeting Part:1
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Over the Christmas our group organised via Facebook that we plan to meet up during the first week of our christmas holiday. We all decided to meet in a Cafe in Lewisham and due to Tamari Bringing his laptop with him, we were able discuss and view the progress on our blog altogether. We went through out blog from top to bottom and wrote down any missing posts that needed to be made by individuals in our group. Furthermore we assigned each other new work to complete over the christmas holiday.
Meeting #22 - Christmas Holiday meeting Part:2
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Here is our Part 2 meeting, the week after christmas day etc. Again we planned another time and day to meet up via Facebook. Once again we meet in the same Cafe in Lewisham and with the use of Tamari's laptop again, we monitored everyones work so far, and reviewed the completed work ready to be put up on the blog site. We also discussed our preparation in ready to film our trailer when we head back to college, reviewing key scenes and shots.
Meeting #23 - Assessing class blog's
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In class we were able to sit down as a group and assess other groups work, this gave us a chance to view the standards of work and to make comparisons, This let us have a overview of how we are doing and if we have to up our levels intensively , also it enabled us to view and take ideas from other groups so this lesson was helpful. After taking notes individually we put our notes together and worked towards making our blogs better that same day.
Meeting #24 - Planning Our Shooting Script
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We came together to start discussing our shooting script, what costumes do we need?, where are we shooting our scenes?, how many characters do we need? and what props do we need?. These are the type of questions we were asking each other and slowly coming up with answers for them.
Meeting #25 - Planning props & costumes
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We finalised our prop list by ensuring all our props were attainable. Once we assigned props to members of our group, the next step was actually going out and purchasing the props. Fortunately for us, it was brought to our attention that the vast majority of our props were already at the studio. As for our costumes, all we need is tattered clothing. This will be very easy to obtain as all we need to do is bring in some old clothing (something virtually everyone owns) and tear them up. The final prop, a Blackberry phone, is owned by two of our members so nothing needs to be bought prior to filming.
Meeting #26 - Gathering audience research
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We performed individual audience research then compiled our results together to collect an overall census. Upon analysing our data we make slight tweaks to our initial trailer ideas to suit our target audience. Not only did we conduct research over social networking platforms such as Facebook and BlackBerryMessenger but we also asked many of our friends in real life.
Meeting #27 - Last checks before filming
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Before we started to film there were many things that we had to make sure we had before filming. For example before getting the filming equipment we had to gather our list of props. Also we had to fill out a form for the equipment and also had too book the area where our filming was taking place. Also we went over hazards that could possibly happen as well when filming.
Finding our location to film was hard to do since problems occurred and we was not able to go to the studio. So we looked around the school building finding the ideal place to film and that happened to be a small area located at the back main hall stage.
Finding our location to film was hard to do since problems occurred and we was not able to go to the studio. So we looked around the school building finding the ideal place to film and that happened to be a small area located at the back main hall stage.
Meeting #28 - End of filming trailer
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At the end of filming our teaser trailer, we made sure there was no more shots to be done and that we were fully sure that we was finished. Shortly after we had to make sure we put everything back how we found it.
Meeting #29 - Organising a photo-shoot for Poster & Magazine
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For the photo shoot,we planned the shots we wanted before we actually decided to set up and meet so we were time efficient and well prep, at the shoot we had the drafts to look at to make comparisons of the pictures we took. we made our main character bring the exact clothing he used within our teaser trailer to keep consistency.
Meeting #30 - Film Magazine Drafts
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We got together as group to brainstorm idea's for our film magazine. Many ideas came to mind after researching film magazines and looking for inspiration in magazines such as the 'Empire magazine'. We found out that most covers generally have a main image of the lead actor of the latest film out. So we decided to follow and use a close up of the main actor who stars in our teaser trailer.
Meeting #31 - Trailer Poster Drafts
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Once again we came as a group to brainstorm idea's for our film poster and made quick sketches to show our visions, many ideas were kept many ideas were thrown away but thats the normal process of creating ideas. Through researching other film poster done by previous college students and real blockbuster films, we had broaden our knowledge and creative skills on how to make an effective film poster for our teaser trailer.
Meeting #32 - Editing our teaser trailer
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Editing our teaser trailer was a challenge as all of us as a group aren't that familiar with final cut pro, final cut pro allowed us to specifically edit our trailer to the best of our ability. Through the journey of editing our teaser trailer we use a number of sites to gain tips and assistants on a number of techniques we found difficult to achieve at that moment in time, for example making a template of our CCTV layout in photoshop, then converting this over into final cut and merging it with our video.
Meeting #33 - Blog Checklist
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+ Once again we came together as a group and looked at our blog and wrote down the flaws in the blog and parts where we needed to improve. We also checked other student blogs to find any key posts which we should take and create in our own blog. Once we had done his we then assign and divided our work out to each other and set deadlines on completion.
Meeting #34 - Discussing our skills development
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+ While viewing everything we've done over the course of the course we broke down each skill (Final Cut, using DSLRS, using lighting etc) and how effectively we've used them
+ As a group we discussed how our skills have progressed since the start of the project
+ We analysed which skills have been developed further than others and how we could've improved on them
+ As a group we discussed how our skills have progressed since the start of the project
+ We analysed which skills have been developed further than others and how we could've improved on them
Meeting #35 - Brainstorming/Dividing evaluation questions
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+ First as a group we read through each question and decided on which question was the most achievable to complete first.
+ We also divided each other with each question, assign each other to different sub question.
+ Furthermore we brainstormed ideas on how to answer each question effectively, including different ways in terms media of technologies, we can help add to our written work.
+ We also divided each other with each question, assign each other to different sub question.
+ Furthermore we brainstormed ideas on how to answer each question effectively, including different ways in terms media of technologies, we can help add to our written work.
Meeting #36 - Using Soundtrack
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+ We had to learn how to use Soundtrack Pro well in a short space of time.
+ Before even opening Soundtrack Pro as a group we discussed what effects we would like to achieve in the video.
+ Before using Soundtrack Pro we watched a few Youtube tutorials in order to know how it worked.
+ During one of our meetings we watched our video (without sound) several times and figured out which sounds would be appropriate at certain sections of the video.
+ Achieving an appropriate blend of ambiance, fear and suspense was difficult but with the aid of copyright free sounds the challenge was lessened.
+ Before even opening Soundtrack Pro as a group we discussed what effects we would like to achieve in the video.
+ Before using Soundtrack Pro we watched a few Youtube tutorials in order to know how it worked.
+ During one of our meetings we watched our video (without sound) several times and figured out which sounds would be appropriate at certain sections of the video.
+ Achieving an appropriate blend of ambiance, fear and suspense was difficult but with the aid of copyright free sounds the challenge was lessened.
Meeting #37 - Researching & creating our film poster on Photoshop
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+ We done extensive research into an array of film posters, more specifically horror magazine posters
+ After choosing several posters we liked the most, we began working on how we could incorporate all the best aspects from each poster
+ Several drafts were done, all with different styles and as a group we decided what poster we like the most
+ After choosing several posters we liked the most, we began working on how we could incorporate all the best aspects from each poster
+ Several drafts were done, all with different styles and as a group we decided what poster we like the most
Meeting #38 - Researching & creating our magazine cover on Photoshop
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When researching in to magazine design we found out that horror magazines are very grungy and also have a very effective mast head and main image to create an impact on the target audience.
When it came to making our magazine we spent a lot of time deciding which image we would use for the main image and that was the ping symbol and the rest we followed the main conventions in a horror magazine.
When it came to making our magazine we spent a lot of time deciding which image we would use for the main image and that was the ping symbol and the rest we followed the main conventions in a horror magazine.