CCR: Podcast

Podcast Script: Hello, welcome back to my podcast. Today I am discussing the film Cold Case. Cold Case is a new thriller movie about a group of teenagers exploring an abandoned ice rink and not making it out alive. Our first question today is; how does Cold Case engage with audiences. 

The foundation of "Cold Case's" engagement lies in its ability to forge a deep, emotional connection with its audience. This connection is created through the film's focus on five friends exploring an abandoned ice rink, a premise that is both relatable and builds a potential for tension and horror. By choosing characters that viewers can see reflections of themselves in, the film allows you to put yourself into the situation of the characters. The horror and suspense aren’t just limited to the screen; they resonate on a personal level, tapping into the universal fear of the unknown. 

Moreover, the found footage style of "Cold Case" serves as a powerful tool for immersion. This format, characterized by its presentation of raw and unedited footage, creates an illusion of reality that traditional films struggle to achieve. It blurs the lines between fiction and reality, pulling the audience deeper into the narrative. This immersion is further amplified by the setting, an abandoned ice rink, a place that doesn’t seem to be very threatening at first but is very dark and mysterious.  
 
The potent realism in "Cold Case," particularly through its found footage format, plays a pivotal role in deepening the audience's connection to the film. This sense of realism is not merely a stylistic choice; it is a bridge for empathy, fear, and immersion, transforming the viewing experience into something personal and unsettling. 

The found footage genre, by its very nature, blurs the lines between reality and fiction. It mimics the raw, unpolished look of amateur video, creating an illusion that what's being depicted could very well be happening, or have happened, in the real world. This realism makes the horror and suspense not just something to be observed, but something that feels possible, maybe just a step away from the audience's reality. When viewers see characters holding the camera, reacting in real-time to the unfolding events, it's easy for them to imagine themselves in the characters' shoes, heightening the tension and fear. 

Moreover, the choice of an abandoned ice rink as the setting for "Cold Case" amplifies this realism. Unlike fantasy settings, an abandoned building is a place viewers can encounter in their own lives. The ice rink serves as a relatable backdrop for the narrative. This realism in setting grounds the film, making the eerie and supernatural elements that unfold all the more impactful because they invade a space that feels known and tangible. 

By presenting horror as a real-world possibility, "Cold Case" allows viewers to question what they would do in a similar situation, how they would react to the unknown, and to confront their fears in a direct, personal way. 

Ultimately, the potential realism of "Cold Case" serves as a bridge between the film and its audience. It leverages the inherent relatability of real-world settings and the immersive quality of found footage to create a cinematic experience that is not just watched but felt. This approach not only ensures that the film lingers in the minds of its viewers long after it ends but also fosters a deeper, more meaningful connection to the narrative and its characters. The realism in "Cold Case" does not just tell a story; it invites the audience into the story, making their experience an integral part of the narrative. 
 
For our next topic, we will be discussing how Cold Case will be distributed as a real media text.  

The distribution strategy for "Cold Case" is crafted to leverage both traditional and digital platforms, ensuring a wide-reaching impact while maintaining the film's intimate and immersiveness. 

Initially, the film would be introduced to audiences through film festivals, particularly those that cater to horror and independent films. This not only provides "Cold Case" with a platform for critical acclaim but also engages a dedicated community of genre enthusiasts. The popularity generated from these festivals is crucial for building momentum and garnering interest from distributors and streaming platforms. 

Following the film festivals, "Cold Case" would be released on streaming services. This approach taps into \a much broader market, allowing the film to reach a global audience. Exclusive streaming partnerships could be explored, offering "Cold Case" as a feature presentation. 

On top of this, a targeted social media campaign would be employed to create a sense of mystery and anticipation around the film. This campaign would utilize snippets of the found footage, and behind-the-scenes content. The aim is to create a viral trend or post that goes past the traditional advertising model, engaging potential viewers through curiosity. 

Finally, considering the niche appeal of the found footage genre, we would have a limited release into small theaters. 

In conclusion, "Cold Case" is a testament to the power of storytelling when coupled with a keen understanding of audience engagement and innovative distribution strategies. By leveraging the relatability of its characters, the immersive quality of the found footage genre, and a multi-faceted approach to distribution, "Cold Case" is poised to not only captivate viewers but to leave a mark on the thriller and horror genre. 
For our next question on the podcast, I will be answering the question How did I integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in Cold Case? During the filming of Cold Case the most interesting piece of technology used was the old camcorder. I wanted the film to have a found footage type of feel so if the camera appeared to be old and handheld it would feel a lot more real than high quality and stabilized footage. The camcorder had several uses when filming Cold Case. It acted as the camera for the entire opening minute worth of footage. After that we didn’t use footage from the camcorder until the very end, but it acted as a prop for the vast majority of the film. Another way the camcorder got implemented into the film was for the titles. We wrote the directed by title and all of the actor’s names in fake blood along the walls of the abandoned ice rink. We then took pictures of the names with the old camcorder to add a more retro and real feeling to the images. On top of the camcorder, for hardware we used high powered flashlights and iPhone cameras to get all of the rest of the footage. On the software side of things I used CapCut to edit. CapCut is the software I’ve used for all of my projects so far so I’m very familiar with it. With CapCut I used it for color correcting on certain photos, keyframes, and effects which really made the film come together. I also needed to implement music into the film which I used YouTube for. I searched around the website for copyright free thriller back tracks and after about thirty minutes or so I found a good one. I then used YouTube to MP3 to add the file into the project. I’ve included the music I used in the film in the background of this audio. I then again used YouTube and uploaded it to that website so I could exert it into Blogger.