Evaluation Question 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Sequence 123 (1) from Evie Anderson on Vimeo.

Blind Man's Buff Analysis from Ciaran Pinnell on Vimeo.
I decided to compare Blind Man's Buff with a released film with a similar plotting and theme, 'From Hell'.

Title of the Film/Title Font and Style

Similarities - Both titles have a black background. The titles are bold and easy to see. 

Differences - Different colours. From Hell has a distinct red colouring to it which fits in with the tone of the film. Blind Man's Buff has a website under it.

Overview: Despite being similar films in terms of tone and theme, the titles actually have quite a few differences between them. For example, From Hell has a red colouring which fits in wih the tone of the film, and as part of the mise-en-scene: red for blood - the bloody murders of Jack the Ripper. However, Blind Man's Buff has a simple white colouring. It also has a website at the bottom of the title, unlike From Hell, which urges viewers to look up the website. I don't feel as if we managed to capture the conventional type of titles well due to this plain white titling and the website underneath, I believed it was unconventional compared to the usual type of trailer. However, we did manage to emulate conventional trailers by having a bold title with colours that compliment the black background.

Setting/Location

Similarities - Both are establishing shots, setting the scene for the story-line and setting. Both give an audience an idea of where the main location within the film will be set. 

Differences - From Hell is a master shot, showing a scene of London, while Blind Man's Buff only shows the sign for the hotel. 

Overview: The two location shots within the trailer are quite similar to each other. For example, both of them are establishing shots; they convey to the audience the main setting for the two films respectively and also gives them a good idea of what the story-line would be. The mise-en-scene in the locations effectively show the audience the setting and theme. Therefore, I believe Blind Man's Buff uses its locations within the trailer effectively, and to a conventional standard. However, I believe within the trailer we could have used more master shots to show the whole location.

Costumes and Props

Similarities - Use of knives: use of mise-en-scene, giving audience an idea of the characters and tone of the two films. Women within the two films dress similarly; Victorian dresses, showing the mise-en-scene for the female characters within the film.

Differences - Blind Man's Buff use of guns - however, this is due to the genre-mixing of the film (Victorian Thriller + Steampunk). 

Overview: The costuming and props in both films are similar to each other. Both the male leads dress similarly - smart and sophisticated, in shirts and suits, representing their importance within the respective films. The female characters dress in Victorian dress - some low cut to represent their characters. This fits in with the conventional idea of Victorian costumes. The props are also similar - the Rippers within the respective films both use knives as their main weapons, which represents their characters and the tone of the two films. However, in Blind Man's Buff its breaks the usual convention of a Victorian Thriller - it also uses guns. This is due to the genre-mixing idea of both Victorian Thriller and Steampunk. Therefore, Blind Man's Buff challenges the conventional idea of a Victorian Thriller by representing the genre through props.

Camerawork and Editing

Similarities - the use of camera angles and shots both convey the mise-en-scene by showing setting, theme and characters. Both use specific shots to show the story-line. Both use filters within the editing.

Differences - From Hell uses more complex and big-budget camera shots such as the tilt and master shot. 

Overview: Both films follow the type of shots found in conventional films, using camera shots which convey the mise-en-scene and represent the setting, theme and characters. The shots also show and give the audience an idea of the story-line for the two films. Both of the films use editing techniques such as transitions and filters to fit in with the conventional trailer, which uses techniques such as transitions. Therefore, I believe the use of camerawork and editing within Blind Man's Buff follow the conventional techniques used in other film trailers. However, due to From Hell having more budget than Blind Man's Buff the former trailer uses more big budgeted camera shots such as the tilt and the master shot, unlike Blind Man's Buff, which has a limited use of camera shots.

Story/Genre and how the opening sets it up

Similarities - both trailers convey the genre and story by the mise-en-scene within the two opening shots. Both openings set the dark tone of the films, which imply story and genre.

Differences - From Hell opens with a master-shot while Blind Man's Buff starts with a close-up shot. The latter begins straight into the action while the former begins with a narration.

Overview: Despite the similar genres and story in both the films the two trailers begin differently to each other. From Hell opens with a master-shot and then dialogue used from the film, which tells the story-line and sets the scene. The genre is shown by the dialogue and the mise-en-scene at the beginning of the trailer. Blind Man's Buff, however, opens by diving straight into the action with a murder scene. This sets the scene and gives the audience an impression of the overall story-line. The genre is also represented by the mise-en-scene  at the beginning. Both openings successfully told the story-line and genre well, and complied with the conventional means of the opening of the trailer.

How the characters are introduced

Similarities - both characters are a central part of the shot, representing their importance. Both characters have a lead up and are mentioned in the dialogue before being seen. 

Differences - The main character in From Hell is introduced at the beginning of the trailer while the main character from Blind Man's Buff is introduced halfway through the trailer. 

Overview: The characters within the film are similar to each other and fit the idea of the conventional characters within a film. There is the lead male character, a lead female character/love interest, and the mentor/helper. However, in Blind Man's Buff has an additional sidekick character. The lead males are introduced in similar ways - the trailer shows the viewer through dialogue that they are central to the plot before introducing them and make a point of their introduction by making them central to the camera shot. However, in From Hell, the main character is introduced at the beginning of the trailer. In Blind Man's Buff the main character is introduced halfway through the trailer. This is against the conventions of a normal film trailer as usually the main character is introduced at the beginning to establish to the viewer who he/she is and what the character has to do with the film. However, I believe we challenged the conventions of a trailer by building up the introduction to the character and making the appearance also important to the story.

Evaluation Question 2: How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

Regarding the combination between our main product of Blind Man's Buff (the trailer) and our ancillary texts (the poster, magazine cover), I believe that this combination is effective in regards to the promotion and distribution and gauging interest from an audience.

                                                                     


                                                                         Website

Film distribution is incredibly reliant on promotion to not only garner interest from cinemas and distributors but also to engage the target audience of a certain media product and this combination is relevant to our film trailer for Blind Man's Buff. The trailer in itself can be distributed via the internet which is a path we explored through our own website http://406482.wix.com/blindmansbuff

The website combines well with the trailer as it allows the product to be seen on a mass scale beyond the distribution of the trailer in cinemas and by paper based means. Due to the universal accessibility of the internet, our website which has our trailer embedded in it can be viewed in nearly every country in the wold giving us the possibility of global recognition. Perhaps the most effective use of the internet in distributing our trailer is the use of Youtube. Youtube is one of the most daily visited websites on the internet and has the potential to have our trailer seen by millions of people. Our trailer can be viewed by many people and can be embedded on many social networking sites such Twitter and Facebook. Consequently Twitter and Facebook are themselves used by millions of users making the possible reach of our trailer to be extraordinary.









OVER ONE BILLION VIEWS!

Poster and Magazine Cover 

Whilst in last few years films have been promoted and distributed via digital distribution, manual distribution is still promiant and used to great effect in showing off media products to contemporary. Posters in particular are a common form of manual distribution which can also be distributed digitally as is seen in the inclusion of our website address in the poster. The poster itself is effective in combination with our main product is effective in creating intrigue towards Blind Man's Buff especially the use of silhouettes and the use of "Jack" to suggest an incoming event which appeals to our target audiences. Our poster for example has the potential to be distributed in many locations optimising the potential for attracting an audience that would view our product especially electronically as like the magazine it can be distributed on the internet.

Film posters on display in India observed by passers-by

Final Trailer

BLIND MANS BUFF

BBFC Rating?

If our film was to be rated by the British Board of Film Classification I believe the film would be rated a 12A due to violence

What does the 12A symbol mean?

12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied. The A stands for 'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult (eg someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with them. 

What's the difference between 12 and 12A?

The 12 certificate is just for videos, DVDs and Blu-rays. 12A is for films at the cinema only.

Is there a lower age limit for a 12A film?

No. However, the BBFC considers the content of 12A rated films to be suitable for children aged 12 and over, and we would not recommend taking very young children to see them. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.

An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. To help adults make this decision, we provide BBFCinsight for all films.

How important is the tone of a film at 12 or 12A?

The overall tone of a film or DVD, and the way it makes the audience feel may affect the classification. For example, a work which has a very dark or unsettling tone which could disturb the audience would be less likely to be passed 12A even if the individual issues in the film were considered acceptable under the BBFC guidelines. Similarly, if a work is particularly positive or reassuring this may stop it being pushed up a category from 12A to 15.

Will there be uses of strong language in a 12 or 12A work?

The BBFC's Guidelines state that there may be strong language (eg 'f***') at 12 or 12A, but it must be infrequent. The context of the strong language is important. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being placed at the 15 category. There is some allowance for puns on strong language at this category.

There may be moderate language (eg uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A).

Any discriminatory language will not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language (for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12 or 12A unless it is clearly condemned.

What sort of violence can I expect in a 12 or 12A ?

At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context (for example brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama).

Action sequences and weapons may be present at 12 or 12A, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Weapons which might be easily accessible to 12 year olds should not be glamorised in 12A and 12 works.

Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated at 12A. Such scenes must also have a strong contextual justification.

Can horror films be passed 12 or 12A?

Yes, some horror films are passed at this category. Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted at 12 or 12A as long as disturbing sequences are not too frequent or sustained.

What about other issues like imitable behaviour or drugs at 12 or 12A?

Dangerous behaviour (for example hanging, suicide and self-harming) may be present in 12 or 12A works but will not dwell on detail which could be copied or present those activities as pain or harm free.

Discriminatory behaviour should not be endorsed by the film as a whole.

There may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse in a 12 or a 12A but the portrayal should not be glamorised or provide instructional details.

How can I find out more about a specific 12 or 12A work?

Please check the BBFCinsight for the film or video you are thinking of watching. You may find BBFCinsight on this website or on our free App as well as on film posters, DVD and Blu-ray packaging, and on some listings. You will also find it attached to some film and video content which is available to download.  It provides comprehensive information on exactly why a film or video has been given a particular category. All the issues are discussed in detail and parents in particular can use this information to make informed decisions when choosing viewing material for their children.

Screen Tests

Clip #243 from Evie Anderson on Vimeo.

Screen Test: Charlie Nicholson (Detective Abeline) and Alice Rooke (Press Officer) give their take on being in Blind Mans Buff





Jake, lewis and Joe Screen test from Evie Anderson on Vimeo.

Our rippers Lewis, Joe and Jake discuss their careers and what drew them to Blind Mans Buff
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Sequence 1 from Evie Anderson on Vimeo.

Amy who portrays Mary Kelly reveals her credentials


Detective Moore Screen Test from Evie Anderson on Vimeo.

Ciaran Pinnel our Detective Moore's rather insightful screen test

Creating a magazine cover

This is our magazine front cover for Blind Man`s Bluff, we decided to use Empire as not only is Empire one of the biggest movie magazines distributed in Britain, Empire moves away from hollywood funded movies and gives publicity to films of our genre. So therefore our film would be linked to magazines such as this due to our films potential to be a large financial success.

In the process of creating the poster, we conceived having the Rippers on the cover would be the most effective element of our magazine cover as they are the main antagonists of our film and antagonists are traditionally better received by audiences than protagonists. However if there was to be an alternative cover like that of the Hobbit when it featured in Empire, we could have had Abberline and Moore as a commercial option for those who prefer to purchase a cover with a protagonist instead of an antagonist.



We started with a brick background with initially sepia tone. We then typed found an authentic font for the title "EMPIRE" to give some legitimacy to our cover. We also added that the film was "a world exclusive" as this exclusiveness would attract a viewer.



Using the same text from DaFont.com, we wrote the name of our film in red to connate blood and danger, which is often associated with Jack the Ripper and placed it centrally to replicate graffiti as inspired by this screenshot from "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". 

As magazines such as Empire are not purely committed to it's cover film, we included other 
information snippets at the bottom of the magazine which is typical of a cover such as "Man of Steel" adding to the authenticity.



We then made some alterations to the colour of some of the quotes on it to make it look more stylish to fit the independent approach we've taken in this process. As well as the colour change of the colour of the brick wall, we also changed the font of Blind Mans Buff from red to white to connote openess and mystery though we maintained the red text for "Killing never looked so good".