CR for Short Film

• How do your products represent social groups or issues?

There are multiple products that I have created including the short film, a website, and a postcard. The short film is about a girl that moves to a new town. She meets her new neighbor who gives her really creepy vibes and seems to always be around. She soon starts to receive creepy letters in the mail and doesn’t know who it is. The website includes information and the latest updates of the film. It also includes the social media platforms made for the short film. The postcard includes where and when the film will be shown and includes the social media usernames. All of these products represent social groups because they are for those interested in thrillers and suspenseful films. The products are also for all different age groups and ethnicities. Therefore, the film represents a wide range of social groups. Although it is for all different age groups, it is typically for teens and older. Due to the topics displayed in the film, it may not be for younger age groups. My short film does represent some issues including mental illness, stalking, obsession, and threat. The film shows real life events that happen in real life. It makes awareness about those that are stalked by someone. It also represents obsession because it shows that the person leaving the letters is probably obsessed with the girl. There are many people who experience stalkers or have someone obsessed with them at some point. These people are able to relate to the film and understand that this is a real issue that many people experience and go through. 

• How do the elements of your production work together to create a sense of ‘branding’?

The elements of my production include the short film, the website, and the postcard. These all work together to create a sense of ‘branding’ because they all promote and work to brand the short film. The postcard shows the audience where the film will be showcased, which is at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. It also includes the dates and times that it will be shown, which is from February 18^th-25^th, and at 7, 8, and 9 PM. In addition to this, the postcard lists all the social medias so that the audience can follow us for more information on the short film. Lastly, it has a QR code that can be scanned for easy access to the website. The website has many elements which all work together to create the sense of ‘branding’ for the short film. On the website, you can find the latest updates, pictures, sneak peaks, and information that you may need. It makes the short film more interesting and appeals to the audiences. Most importantly, the website has live links that take viewers to the social media platforms. On these, you can find behind the scenes pictures from the short film, as well as more information about what is going on and the most recent updates. By posting pictures and adding captions on the social medias, as well as giving insight, the audience is intrigued and excited about the release of the short film. The postcard, website, and all social media platforms work really well together to promote the short film and create a sense of ‘branding’ that makes the short film more professional. 

• How do your products engage with the audience?

When creating a film, it is very important to make it interesting so that you can grab the audiences’ attention and engage with them. When coming up with ideas for the short film, and thinking of a plan, I knew that it was crucial to come up with an idea that viewers would want to watch and be interested in throughout.  I thought choosing a thriller as the genre would be a good idea because I have always found them to keep the audience on the edge of their seat and intrigued. It also engages with the audience because if they have experienced something similar to the film, they are able to relate and connect with it. The website and social media platforms for the short film engage with the audience in many ways, and also grab their attention. Both the website and social medias give the audience updates and information about the film, allowing the audience to be a part of the experience, journey, and creation of the short film. The social medias provide behind the scenes sneak peaks of footage from the film, without revealing too much. With the use of social media platforms, the audience can also engage by following the social medias. That way, they see when and what we post. They are also engaging with this product when they like or comment on the post, as well as sharing it. Another way the audience can engage with the products is by sending a DM (direct message) through the social medias.

• How did your research inform your products and the way they use or challenge conventions?

Before being able to start the planning process for the film, it was very important to do research about the type of film that I am trying to create. I did lots of research on thrillers and what typical films with this genre consist of. My short film uses conventions in many ways because it includes conventions that would normally be in a thriller and/or suspenseful film. In the short film, the audience will be on the edge of their seats throughout, wondering who is leaving the mysterious letters, and what is going to happen next. I also filmed common angles, shots, and movements that would typically be found in thrillers including tracking shots, pans, over the shoulder, point of view shots, and more. The music choice also uses conventions because of the eerie and on the edge sounds that are usually in thriller films. Another product, the promotional website, uses conventions because it includes conventions that would regularly be on a website that is trying to promote something. Our website includes information about the short film that the audience may want to know. It also includes a gallery where photos from our film or behind the scenes can be viewed. Typically, these things can also be found on a promotional website that is advertising something such as a film that is being released. The social medias are also found on the website which is very common. Most films have social media accounts for them with information about it and posts. These are all ways in which the film, website, and social medias challenge conventions.