1. Creative Critical Reflection
AICE Media Studies
Final Task: A Fatal Vow
Arielle Lawson

2. How does your product use or challenge conventions?
My film, A Fatal Vow, is a drama film and thus it has specific conventions associated with that genre. Like most of the drama films we researched, the titles for our film were simple, bold, white and most of the time plainly faded in and out. In addition to this, our film featured background music that set the tone for the film and left the audience with no question as to what genre the film is. Some drama movies that we did our research on, such as Gone Girl, featured dark colors that eluded to the dramatic feel of the film. Although the entire opening scene of A Fatal Vow was not full of dark and gloomy greys and blues, this theme is portrayed at some points within our film.

3. How does it represent social groups or issues?
A Fatal Vow represents the black community by focusing on a black family that is struggling financially. The film satisfies certain stereotypes about black families such as how most of the time they are of lower class. However, this stereotype is also challenged within the film when Blaire, a young, black and wealthy young woman is introduced. Blaire challenges other stereotypes as well by not only being a successful woman, but a successful black women who assumes the breadwinner role that is fulfilled by men most of the time. My film also challenges the idea that only woman are nurturing. The main character of the film, Antonio, is portrayed as a very caring father figure to his two younger sisters and his actions within the film are taken with the wellbeing of his sisters in mind.

4. How does your product engage with audiences?
My film engages audiences by appealing to their emotions. The sad life of the main character and his family would make almost anyone feel sympathy for them immediately. In addition to this, the deception within the relationship between Blaire and Antonio makes the audience feel sympathy for Blaire. However, narration from Antonio helps them understand why he is deceiving her. The film allows the audience to closely identify with the characters and thus help them feel more apart of the story which draws them into the film more. The suspense and anticipation of whether Blaire will find out the truth and how she will react if she does and whether Antonio will live will keep the audience watching the film until its very end.

5. How would it be distributed as a real media text?
In order to distribute this film to audiences there would need to be a heavy amount of advertising. Movie previews would need to play during film screenings of the same genre. Commercials on major television networks such as Lifetime Movie Network and BET would be effective in reaching out to the target audience because many movies similar to A Fatal Vow are played on these networks. Movie posters would also need to be present at specific locations such as movie theaters and malls. These forms of advertisement would make customers in the market aware of the movie and its release date. Eventually after success or failure the movie would become available for sale on DVD and Blu-Ray and available for streaming on Netflix. This allows for distribution in more than one way.

6. How did your production skills develop throughout this project?
My production skills developed greatly throughout this project. Researching multiple drama films before planning out my own helped me greatly in deciding exactly what I wanted and needed in my own drama film. I never knew how helpful extensive planning would be. The planning process of this project greatly assisted in the making of the film. I had exactly what I wanted to film where, when and with who. I have been able to sharpen my filming and editing skills by applying things I have learned throughout the year to this project. The editing for this film is the best I have done this year. I have truly grown as a film maker. Not only did I film a majority of the film but I also filmed scenes that I had to be in without help from anyone else. I am very proud that I was able to accomplish filming and editing my film when I did not have help from others.

7. Previous Question Continued
This shows I have matured as a film maker. This class has showed me that I actually enjoy making films and editing them. I get to be creative and try new things. This project is the only one I have used voice overs in and I figured out how to use them all on my own. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the research process the most during this assignment and would consider a career in which I could analyze the specific rules and patterns movies of the same genre follow and apply my findings to creating new movies! The part of this project that I least enjoyed was probably applying titles. It is difficult to find the perfect place for each title to go. Overall, this assignment has allowed me to have more experience with camera equipment and editing software than most people my age which is something I am very thankful for.

8. How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware, and online – in this project?
In order to get the footage needed to make our film we had to film using hardware equipment such as a camera to capture each scene, a tripod to hold the camera when no one else could, and a microphone to pick up sound. We also used a USB cord to transfer footage onto the computer from the camera where would begin the editing process. A jump-drive was also used to store footage and saved us from losing important scenes for our film. We used the editing software Pinnacle Studios in order to edit our footage. In order to enhance our drama film we needed music. This music was downloaded from an online website and imported into the editing software where we continued to edit and create our final product. Eventually all of our work was stored on the jump-drive for safe keeping and easy transport.