This document will be an evaluation of how I created an opening sequence. I will also include the processes I carried out, including filming, editing and research. I will reflect on the areas that were most challenging and the areas that I found easy. The requirements for our AS Media course work were to create a blog and an opening sequence. The content had to contain primary and secondary research, the uploaded opening sequence and this critical reflection.

My first ideas for the opening sequence was to use the horror genre because I made a short horror film in year 11 in media. I thought I could use some of my old ideas for this project to make things easier. I came up with a narrative of equilibrium beginning with an ordinary businessman coming and going about his business during the day. The disruption would occur when this man (the main character) changes. In the night he is a cold-blooded killer. Because it is an opening sequence we would not have to create an ending and resolve the disruption. When I put this to the group they agreed it was a good idea. One of the group had made an advert in year 11, he suggested we use the current situation of corona virus as the narrative instead because it would be different to what everyone else is doing. We have seen lots of past media students do horror and even though some are good we wanted to try to be different. We agreed as a group that corona virus was the more interesting subject to do. 

We decided to combine the situation in today’s news about the corona virus and the propaganda on social media about the current pandemic, vaccines and implants. We came up with an idea about two friends and betrayal. One friend believes everyone should be vaccinated and taking matters into his own hands. The other friend doesn’t believe in the vaccination. This leads to one of them forcing the implant or vaccine on his friend. When we analysed the storyline, we realized it fitted into the psycho thriller genre. The codes and conventions are suspense, tension and perception. The fact that we had chosen a current topic for our opening sequence meant the audience would be drawn to the film and feel they could relate their own pandemic experience to it. furthermore, this film would appeal to audiences across the globe because the entire world is affected by the virus. There are many films based on real life events. This will not be a documentary but a statement will say, this movie is based around true life events but some elements and characters are fictional. It will also cause the audience to question which side of the fence they sit on, pro or anti vaccine. 

We spent many days traveling around Doha to find the best locations for the film. We needed special effects to cause suspense and mystery. We also wanted to feature many of the places of interest in our futuristic city. We have an amazing sky line and wanted to use it for impact and awe. We found lots of websites that offer non-copyright music. As a group we narrowed down the options and made a final choice that was best suited to the codes and conventions of psycho thriller. 

Throughout this process I have improved a lot. I have learnt a more advanced level of editing and have more media knowledge of narrative theory and codes and conventions. I used my iPhone in more ways than I have ever used it before. I used the light for filming, the camera for filming and I attempted some editing using the phone. We had to use YouTube to upload the project and WordPress to create the blog. We all helped each other with how to use the blog and used tutorials from YouTube. When social distancing was announced by the government it made things difficult for us because we couldn’t work together in the same way, but we managed using WhatsApp video calls. Everyone enjoyed the opening sequence, most people were impressed, they especially liked the film poster.