Pitch

Intentions

Intentions

After researching into the audiences of TV science-fiction drama, that contained the same conventions as my own show, I concluded that my target audience is typically males 18-29. This statistic is based on the conventions of our show, such as mild violence and gritty themes, and the time slot of its broadcast. I saw this represented in the shows that I researched, such as Misfits and Dead Set. For example, their websites contain material only suitable for older audiences, such as blood and gore and references to community service and crime. These semiotics contain connotations that are usually associated with males as opposed to females, which allowed me to target males specifically.

My intention is to create a website that strongly appeals to males 18-29. To achieve this, I need to bare in mind the sort of conventions that will attract males in such an age category. Conventions such as solid colours, like white and black, male protagonists and violent imagery. To aid me with this task, I researched into successful science-fiction drama shows being broadcast on E4 currently, and shows that have already been and gone. Specifically: Misfits and Dead Set; both with a strong male audience following. I viewed their websites and analysed some episodes, this allowed me to pin point conventional styles and techniques that met the requirements of my TV show. I will replicate these styles into my own website to best adapt to the 18-29 market. After using their websites myself, I am able to consider the availability of its navigation and how easy it is to use. I set out to create a website that not only follows convention, but is simple and easy to use. I will accomplish this by including a lot of images and hyperlinks that are clearly titled, often with brief descriptions of the pages that they will reach. In addition to this, I will put tabs in place along the top of the page for quick access to the most important and demanded sections of the site. I intend for my website to include a brief synopsis of the show itself, as to immerse the audience in the show more, and make it more accessible to a wider audience market. I wish to include a character section of the site, this will not only immerse the audience in the show more, but it will give a broader outlook on the show and cast, that is good for gaining a larger following, and maintaining the current one. This page will include images of the cast and brief character descriptions, a conventional aspect of each site I looked at. There will be numerous other pages available, which ranges from a gallery to games. If the website contains these features, it will be a lot more interactive and therefore appealing for my target audience. Furthermore, these features are included in the websites that I researched, this means they are conventional and essential for the success and effectiveness of my website.

When creating my final product, I will ensure that the conventions that I analysed in the shows I researched are included and utilised in order to capture the 16-35 audience market. My show will contain weapons and scenes of very mild violence. The connotations of the weapons are strongly associated with males. Having this visible in the website and in the show itself will bring in that particular audience easily. However, having this considered, we also discovered that the institutions responsible for the production of Misfits, try not to just target one single audience. Our team member, Jake Hashdi [1], contacted the producers of the E4 show Misfits and they told him that they avoid targeting one audience and adapt their show to appeal to a lot more people of different age groups and gender, most often the lower class as they are more accustomed to the issues raised in drama programmes. As a result, not only shall we target the audience of males 18-29, we will also include conventional aspects typically tailored to bringing in a broader and more accessible audience bracket. Using the research that we have gathered, we intend to create a product that displays the conventions of a science-fiction drama but is also original and fresh for audiences to enjoy and appreciate. I researched into the equipment that we will be using, this will allow me and my group to develop a strong understanding of our equipment, allowing us to focus more on the filming and editing schedule as opposed to practicing filming.

My intentions are to create a product to the best of my ability, therefore I have to ensure I go beyond simply observing other shows and websites. By this, I mean I must apply my own knowledge of semiotics and present my own ideas for appealing to a wide and appropriate demographic for my show. I intend to accomplish this by revising my notes and improve my understanding of what is needed to make a good quality show. 

[1] http://mediajakehashdi.blogspot.co.uk/

Costume design

We intend to choose these types of costumes due to the nature and theme of our program. We have chosen to have our characters within the show, wear winter clothing, this is because our show will be set in winter, and therefore the appropriate attire is necessary. This setting was chosen as it makes the theme gritty and harsh, which is our intended effect. We want to have dark and solid colours for the costumes of our characters, as it firstly detracts attention from clothing, as the intention is to keep the audience more engaged in the storyline and characters, as opposed to what they wear.

Furthermore, the dark clothing also again incorporates within our theme of a harsh gritty drama. We observed from the research of other existing shows of the same genre that dark coloured clothing was conventional. Finally, the clothes that the characters are to wear, would be considered somewhat practical, an aspect that we consider essential to the programme, as it is set in a post apocalypse scenario, in which stylish clothing would logically be cast aside.

Sources:

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/479933734/Coat-mens-coat-winter-jacket-winter-coat-M-L-XL-XXL-wool-coat-light-grey-dark.jpg

http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/379971127/winter-coats-coat-jacket-mens-coat-black-coat-grey-coat-woolen-coat-jacket-size-L-XL.jpg

http://www.allaboutyou.com/cm/allaboutyou/images/op/or_38cc86a8125569149918443.jpg

http://www.clarkforest.com/media/uploads/cat-290/haix-groundsman-work-boots-1250.jpg

http://workboothavenblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/460042.jpg

http://www.richmondclassics.com/images/BOY-London-Ribbed-Beanie-Hat-Black-3-058323.JPG

http://content.yancor.com/product_images/urban-classics-sweatshirt-blank-hoody-grau_18206__1400_1.jpg

Editing process

Test shot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yYJASLlE6KI

This test shot was important to us as, upon its completion, we were able to recieve feedback on things we should improve, and things that were good. Not only was it useful for feedback on how to film, it allowed us to familarise ourselves with the equipment provided and the editing process. Having this knowledge early gave us the ability to work a lot faster and spend less time getting used to equipment and spending more time using it. All of which was a keen investment into the future of out product, as we aimed to make it to the best of our ability.

TV segment

Website

http://snowshill.wordpress.com/

Website layout

 Header image -

 Social networking links -

The purpose of the website layout is to gather a general understanding of typical things that are included within a website for a Television show. By creating this plan, we can utilise it as a guideline for our own product. Furthermore, due to this being based off an example from the Misfits website, it benefits us greatly in two ways. Firstly, Misfits is the same genre as our show, this is significant because we can include specific details, such as page content, to further fit the Science-fiction genre. Secondly, our show will run under the same broadcaster as Misfits, E4, therefore allowing my group to best adhere to the conventions and intentions we had.

Name Tests

These fonts are appropriate choices for our site due to the connotations and indeed apparent denotations they possess. The connotations that are included in the colours and the layout, apply a theme of distress, danger and wear. The colours are simply black and white, which gives the text somewhat of a gritty and cold feel to them. These aspects are key for our show because it includes a lot of similar connotations. The denotative appearence implies that the text was scratched out/mismatched in a state of pressure and urgency, again, this denotation and indeed the connotations that follow are extrememly relatable to our product as a whole. With this clear link to show and font, it is clear that this sort of appearence is approproate and key to the impression we want to portray.

Call sheet

We created the call sheet as a referent for location, nearby refreshments and facilities, and also the nearest medical establishment. It was important for us to create and be aware of this document, as it contained information that would ensure a safe trip filming and also an enjoyable one.

Script

Writing the script is essential for the construction of our shows narrative. The script is a textual interpretation of what the writers/director have intended the scene to look, which helps the actors provide a performance that captures exactly what was envisioned. Without the script, the actors would not be able to understand their characters and the scene, therefore impacting the final product greatly.

Storyboards

Our storyboard is used as a guideline for when we film our actual product. It is necessary to create storyboards as it will allow us to plan exactly what we want the shot to look like and the editing techniques that are used with it. Details such as shot length, sound and shot type are included so that we know exactly what we're doing before we do it. This document is essential to provide us with clear instruction prior to filming that will save us time and effort.

Shot list

The shot list essentially worked as a sort of check list for our crew. Being as though it contained all the shots that would be included in our segment, it was an important thing to complete and more importantly have with us whilst filming. This list was a hugely useful guide and ensured we didn't forget to film anything and allowed us to shoot the film how it was meant to be filmed.

Location Recce

The location recce was a document required to understand the location of where we were filming and be aware of any problems such as, weather, permissions/access and environmental hazards that could possibly hinder us filming on that day. By doing this, our production process became a lot easier and reliable.

Shooting Schedule

Our shooting schedule is a brief outline of the scenes to be filmed and the cast members involved. Much like the call sheet, the shooting schedule provides the crew with equipment that was required and also when they are expected to be there, along with the cast. This proved useful as it helped us stick to guidelines and ensure we did everything we wanted to according to the schedule.