Question 1In what ways does your media product

use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products.

Title of the filmWe chose the title of the film to be in a simplistic and subtle font

and form to resemble the characteristics of the main character, however we wanted to use an understated Title to reflect the main character of Dee feeling unworthy and understated. We decided the title of “Play it cool” because it is one line that Dee says to herself about impressing her therapist Mr. Big Mick.

This is significant because it is often something that we tell ourselves or other people. “Play it cool” is often used as humour however being used in this way we are using irony by playing with the idea of a clinically depressed mental patient trying to ‘play it cool’. We wanted to use high frequency lexis through monosyllabic words to resemble Dees vocabulary and also the vocabulary of our target audience.

Setting/LocationObviously our film is about a young girl who has just

finished her time at a mental health institute. However we wanted to portray her daily life as a miserable routine, so we decided to show her routines within her life, we used Claire’s house for the opening scene where Dee wakes up and gets ready to go out. Here we used a bedroom as Dees room, she then walks into a bathroom takes a bath gets dressed and does her makeup, we then see her leave, go back into the bedroom, pick up her bag and leave.

We later use the college and Havant Health Centre to provide establishing shots of grounds and entrances, such as the circle doors to Havant College. We used an interview room within Havant College for the use of Dees meeting with Mr Big Mick, and used college corridors for the sped up walk.

Costume and propsDee is an average teenager so we dressed her in a

skirt tights and plain t-shirt for the first half. The second half she is wearing different clothes for the next day, here she wears jeans a butterfly top and a leather jacket to show the fashion and style in the 21st century and to show her rebelliousness. We dressed the therapist in a red t shirt to show the relaxed nature between the two characters and the style of therapy she is attending. When ‘Dee’ wakes up she is dressed in an oversized hoodie to show her carelessness and typical teenager behaviour. A prop of a pill bottle is used beside her bed to add to the dark comedy side of this short film opening. By using a backpack as prop full of books it can represent ‘Dee’ attending a class provided by the health institute.

Camerawork and editingWe use a variety of editing such as fades and cuts to move from cut to

cut. At the beginning of the opening we use a fade from black to hone in on the main character Dee asleep in her room. This cut then fades to an image of the hallway and the camera then pans to follow the character walking from her room to the bathroom and later a tracking shot back to her room. We use an over the shoulder shot when ‘Dee’ is doing her makeup so that we only see half of her face in the mirror. This is symbolic of the fact that ‘Dee’ doesn’t quite know who she is, and feels unknown.

An establishing shot is later used to depict “Sunnyhill institute for child and mental health”. This is then incorporated in a montage of the area and a high view from a balcony. A low tracking shot is used with the use of a hand held camera on Dee’s feet to follow up and show the consultation room that Dee attends.

We use a mid shot of therapist ‘Mr. Big Mick’ to show the small area of space the characters are occupying. Quick editing is then used to show the conversation flow between the pair along with midshots. Finally a tracking shot is used to follow Dee’s momentous journey out of the hospital, and a slow motion effect is used to mark this.

Dazzle Effect

Title font and StyleWe use a subtle and simple font

“Helvetica” to mirror the simple and subtle nature of the film. We wanted to use a calm font so that viewers wouldn’t be distracted from the film. The style is plain to mirror the characters feelings and is understated to represent the way “Dee” feels about herself.

Story and how the Opening sets it up

As stated earlier the story begins with a girl 17 years of age who has been visiting a mental health centre. The opening of the film follows Dee through her life after leaving the hospital. The opening shows her morning routine and follows her travel to a therapist room hears her talk to her therapist Mr. Big Mick , and then watches her leave the hospital. The opening sets up the film well by ensuring that questions are unanswered and we create a good protagonist that the audience wants to engage more with.

Special Effects, Genre and Introductions

As said before the genre is a teen, dark comedy featuring a strong female lead. This genre is shown by the character of “Dee” being alone and doing a voice over from her point of view. Characters are then introduced via Dee’s voiceover and a special effect such as “Dazzle”. At the end of the opening a slow motion effect is used to show Dee’s rebellious side.

Here Dee introduces her therapist “Mr. Big Mick” by using a special effect showing the genre of Teen Fantasy.