Annotated trailer

voice over for trailer

AS reflection task

Certain technologies we used were the iPhone camera, we also used adobe premier elements to bring our film clips together to we also had to use YouTube to find our music for our trailer and also to upload it. The pros of the iPhone camera is that it films in 1080p and is easy to convert the files into playable on adobe and also to change those files into 720p, another advantage is that it was easily accessible and wasn’t hard to use therefore we could use it in any part of London to capture footage, but this shows we learnt from our AS film project where instead of using the first footage we tried again till we got best picture and quality for our trailer. One drawback to using the iPhone is the filming process isn’t as professional as a normal camera and shaking hands were sometimes a problem causing re-shoots of scenes, we didn’t have this problem as we used a tripod for the iPhone and it didn’t become shaky. The software we used were adobe premiere elements which was good as it was easy to use and it helped the trailer seem more professional and add effects we wouldn’t be able to add. With adobe premiere elements the sound can sometimes be lost, and in our AS project nothing that was said was able to hear and then we were able to overcome this in A2 as we re-recorded the narration needed and then it was able to hear and also using a different voice created a different element. The other bit of software we used is YouTube we used this to share our film as it can show films in 720p, with our AS we put it on to YouTube but because the software was trying to adapt all the editing features we had like different fades and different credits this caused problems as YouTube couldn’t format all the edits in, in our A2 we were able to fix this as we added less fades and credits so that YouTube didn’t have as much animation it didn’t recognize to edit. In AS we filmed an opening to horror as we knew the types of conventions of the genre, but we realised that without the right lighting we couldn’t create the right setting and mood and so in our A2 we changed the genre so that lighting didn’t have as much of a key role in our film. We also changed other things from our AS like the location of our filming, in our AS production we filmed in a woody area to add to a spooky element to the opening of our film, and this added a true spooky side to our opening, however when we changed the genre we would be focusing changed we decided that with a thriller we couldn’t use this same effect and we also thought that using a recognisable background like the London city centre created dramatic element. Using Adobe Premier Elements we were able to add the zooms in on certain elements therefore adding drama and this is a key convention of thriller as it emphasises the importance of that character and the drama that character could bring also. In AS when researching for a horror we could see that certain conventions needed to be used these in our opening, the main research we used was analysing the opening of horror films and we fund things we could use, another form of research we used was looking at critic responses of horror films and how they could avoid the things which were seen as bad in the criticised films. We made sure we kept all this research on our blog pages so that we could come back to it when filming. Both these forms of research helped the production as we stayed away from recurring things in horror which were seen as bad or cliché and therefore trying to stand out. However we also used an audience questionnaire in the research to see what people liked about horror films and also give us examples and a template for what we should use, in the research we had a script we were going to use but then there were acting problems so it didn’t get used and also the story board was good but included scenes we initially thought were good but then when filming them left them out completely. In A2 we developed on these by again reading reviews of trailers for our chosen genre which changed therefore it became a lot easier to create a storyline to the genre, we also analysed a whole film and its trailer to then see what types of scenes were used in the trailer and what would have had a bigger effect if they had used them in the trailer. The research helped the production as we could see what was used and wasn’t really liked and therefore were able to add and take away things which we thought either should or should not add. We again used an audience questionnaire to find out which things they liked about our genre of film and who were their favourite actor and director to see if we draw anything from their performances.  In our A2 we used a storyboard to completely plan out what scenes we used and then filmed them we used a shot list to see what would be effective, and we made a script for our narrator as it added something different to the film.  From the audience feedback we got one main point we got back from our AS production was that we needed to use sound to amplify the tension in the opening of the horror film, we also could have re-recorded the dialogue just to make it clearer, this improved our whole production as we were able to make these changes. In our A2 we improved on these by using a narrator for dialogue and adding music to add tension and action to the trailer and therefore it was more like a action thriller and adhered to the common convention of the thriller genre to have music that builds up and then leaves you on a cliff hanger.  In most horror film openings we saw that one convention was for a young woman to die in the opening and therefore set up the rest of the film we decided to experiment with this convention and have a young man die in the beginning therefore challenging the stereotype that women are the victims in the film and that men are superior but we also used it as a way to show the strength of the young man as it was a harder kill therefore conforming to the convention in horrors that men are harder to kill and therefore take more effort from the killer. In our A2 production we conformed to many stereotypes as we believed experimenting could make the actual genre of the film vague and untenable when asked about one convention we stuck top was keeping the antagonist faceless and shrouded in mystery overall this worked well as it created an enigma code which would help with attracting audiences. In our AS we didn’t watch any specific directors’ horror work as we studied codes and conventions and thought we could do a good job without it. However in our A2 we looked at Martin Scorsese’s work and tried to emulate that with quick fast paced trailer with a hint of tension  to add to the thriller element.

This year we made a action thriller trailer which was a choice we came to after not enjoying doing a horror opening last year, we made this choice at the very beginning of the project as we thought last years film wasn't good and this year we needed to find something we enjoyed and something we had a prior interest in like the action thriller drama. when editing our trailer this year we mainly stuck to one transition which was a fade to black this helped add drama as it adds a mysterious element to the scene it followed.it  also conforms to the codes and conventions of a thriller. The effect this has on the trailer overall is that it adds consistency and helps the audience move on and know something new is happening.  In comparison to last year where to transition from one scene to another we used different edits therefore it took away from all the drama and tension in the scenes it came after and before. The effect overall made the trailer seem fast paced and exciting therefore grabbing the attention of the target audience which is 18-30 year old men more than women. This shows the progression of skills as in our AS  project we didn't know the types of audiences would watch a horror therefore didn't add things that would attract that audience.One of the other things we did was to add a black and white effect to an image and then we used a blend transition to bring it into color we did this because we thought that it would show the darkness of the scene which subliminally says that a character in the scene either has a dark past or is a dark/evil character, it also is a memorable scene which people will look for in other trailers and will want to see how it effects the film overall.

We made lots of clever choices in order to make our trailer as conventional as we could this year.  One of the ways that did this was through our use of sound.  We used a narrative voice-over to tell the story and introduce our protagonist.  We were careful with the use of our audio levels and used fade and cut audio to make sure it worked in a dynamic way and didn't affect continuity.  One of the things that we got wrong was sound in  our G321 project because we couldn't hear the dialogue between the characters therefore part of the story was lost, to overcome this we should have re-recorded the dialogue afterwards ,and edited it in.

Our use of titles was a strength we created our own original production credits based on our own fiction production company we used this at the beginning with a fade in bright colors to juxtapose the darkness of the trailer. We added slides down transition so that they would be noticed with establishing shots and we didn't add any transitions when we used titles to introduce characters as they are key parts of the film. We also added some titles during scenes as a way to make those names memorable. 

screen grabs

Evaluation Feedback

Make sure the work you've been completing is uploaded - I can't give you any targets to improve without the evidence to refer to online.

Make sure the following things are evidenced:

1.) Screengrab nine shots and comment on the following things:

The title of the film
Setting/location
Costumes and props
Camerawork and editing
Title font and style
Story and how the trailer sets it up
Genre and how the trailer suggests it
How characters are introduced
Special effects

Remember to discuss narrative/genre/representation/media language/audience in your evaluation

 

2.) Do a voiceover to your trailer - record you both talking and put the audio over the trailer then post the video.

 

3.) Upload audience feedback and write a post about what you found out and were surprised by.

 

4.) Write a post about your choices made in your trailer and compare them to last year, making sure you answer the questions below:


What did you do? Explain a transition or effect you opted for in the editing process.  What effect did you achieve?  Explain how the choice you made was intended to make the target audience think or feel.  How does this show progression in your use of skills? Explain how this is better than your AS production's outcomes by linking to what you did in your portfolio last year.

These choices are really important for you to reflect on to show you fully understand how you have developed your skills - and make sure you evaluate the comments made by the test audience (the class) using specialist terminology.

5.) Use the YouTube annotation tools to analyse how you have appealed to target audience and have been conventional.

6.)  Upload outstanding responses from Mrs Martin.

We do not have long until the deadline for this final stage of your portfolio - so make sure you are pushing yourself and achieving the marks your efforts this year deserve!

our film talk

our audience feedback

The first comment about the build up is valid as we needed to add more tension to the scene and therefore make it seem more dramatic and therefore bends more to the conventions of a action thriller. We can also see that throughout the audience feedback a problem with hearing the narration was a problem therefore we could use this as a way to build tension and help the story line be explained more and then get more people intrigued with what the film is going to be like. Another point which was made in the audience feedback was the use of fast paced editing could have been better and therefore could have created a better emphasis on the action in the trailer. Another point made which was made was the clear point that it did have a action side to the film. The audience feedback shows that the use of titles was good and could also be improved depending on how we wanted the trailer to come out. Overall from the feedback we can see that  the target audience of young people can then be interested but we could use more conventional improvements to be more engaging like improving the narration.

Our film trailer FACELESS

Actor interviews & answers

Questions:
1. Is this one of the favorite films to be a part of ?
2. When making the film were there any road bumps?
3. Could there be a sequel?
4. Whats next for you?
5. What is your dream role?
6. Do you share any similarities with your character in the film?
7. In the film your character plays a key role, was it hard changing from this to your original self?
8. Any actors you would love to work with?
9.If you could pick, which director from today would you want to work with?
10. Who was your favorite actor has a kid?


Kai Bingham:
1.Yes, great project to be apart of.
2.There are road bumps with any film but making it was just a joy.
3.You would have to ask the studio that question but i would love to make one.
4. Im going to go do some stage acting.
5. Old timey New York gangster
6. Yes my character is very personable and I strive to be personable.
7.Yes, because he is very serious and charming at all times but i like to think Im a lot less serious.
8. Tom Hardy, in the same sort of film as this one.
9. Stephen Spielberg, he is just the go to director everything he touches is pure gold.
10. Heath Ledger, him as the joker just shows how an actor can change how we see a character forever.

Matty Folkes;
1.Yeah, very fun and I've made friends in this film.
2. Maybe there were with editing but making this film was fun.
3. I dont know, maybe one day.
4. Im going to write some screenplays.
5.My dream role is to play a super villain, you know the mustache twirling type, completely different to the role i play in this film.
6. Maybe, he is a very caring character but then who doesn't care about their family and friends.
7. No the role came very easily, i think it was because I could relate to the character.
8. Christoph Waltz, he is just amazing.
9.David Ayer, Fury is one of my favourite films.
10. Jim Carrey, in i love you Phillip Morris really spoke to me as a young man.

Michael Charalambous:
1. Yes it really was my first big role so happy it was on this film.
2. Not that i can think of this film was just amazing.
3. I dont know maybe you should ask some executives but I think it could definitely have one.
4. I really dont know i might go back into very low budget films.
5. A bad ass in a zombie film who goes out taking 100 zombies with him.
6. No not really, well I hope not.
7. Very hard, I do play the bad guy.
8. Christian Bale i have been trying to do that batman voice for years.
9. Michael Bay, i would love to work with the guns and explosions that come with a Michael Bay film.
10. Shia LeBouf, although he comes with drama I do think he is a very talented guy.

Final Film Poster

analysis of our draft magazine cover

We can see that the magazine isn't the perfect design and it doesn't reflect how the magazine should look as the title of the magazine should be bigger/same size as the main title in the magazine the picture doesn't really have any relevance as it isn't very emotive and has no link back to the characters in the film. Also the other features are too long as they aren't

Analysis of our film magazine

Overall this is the best design we had for a magazine cover with the different colours of lettering shoeing the difference is subject matter the title production is the main focus but the title of the magazine is bigger to sell the name of the magazine, the one thing I would maybe change is the spacing in the title of the magazine. 

Our film magazine

Film Poster Faceless 2ND DRAFT

draft for our magazine cover

draft film poster for our film

production credits

We researched various production credits in the run up to making our own. These are made with inspiration from modern day production day production credits and some classic ones. I like the Columbia production credits but specifically the black and white ones either with the woman version of the statue of liberty or the winged horse.

The Columbia production credits with colour are also instantly recognisable even without the title appearing above the image towards the end of the credit. I decided to try and combine these two timeless production credits by taking inspiration from both and creating my own production credit for my film trailer. I decided to use black and white at the start of the production credit this is so it makes people feel a certain way and evokes certain emotions. Although the credit starts off in black white there is then a flash where it switches to colour so in essence combining the two Columbia pictures production credits that I like. This was not a very hard process to do it just took some simple editing in Adobe Premiere elements. All I had to do was just add a simple effect to the production credit to change the colour.

The second production credit which is called masked man productions was made with the intention of being set with the tone of the thriller genre.You can only see half of the figure standing there and he is wearing a gas mask which is quite ominous and scary. This tells the audience that this trailer will be scary and ominous like the production credit which also uses blood red writing signifying danger.

film poster analysis

trailer analysis

The trailer starts with an upbeat but slightly tense mom-diegetic music this helps us identify what the character on screen is doing is dangerous but yet because he is the joking character kun the file he will still do it in a joking way. The music is set to this tone as a way of setting they scene for the film as a action film but possibly an action film. The music keeps its tenacious feel but fast paced tune begins to emphasise the action I the trailer but as it is a rock song we also see it as a fun tune whereas usually a action film would often try to keep the action scenes in a trailer as serious and important as possible.

From the beginning of the trailer we see many different action shots there is a very long montage of shots of the space ship being destroyed which links into the sic-fi genre of the film. This genre is also built on when we see the different types of aliens this attracts different audiences  as they want to see what is special about these aliens.

The story of the film through the trailer is that the crew of the space ship become stranded on a new planet and then have to fight there way through the angry aliens the story also focuses on the main crew.

This film advertises itself by showing a release date and also putting there director who is now a massive pull towards the more wide range of audiences, also with the inclusion of the director from the a few of the fast and furious films this attracts the audiences of that franchise to this film.

trailer analysis legend of tarzan

In this trailer we see many action scenes which shows that even though it is based around a children story that because when the movie first came out the audience has grown up therefore the trailer needs to attract those people.

The music in the trailer builds from a tense dark start which helps build the atmosphere of the trailer as it then builds to very high octane scenes therefore the audience knows that even though this is the story they grew up with they will accept that there character has changed.

The story from this trailer is based around the original story but there are a few enigma codes set from this trailer, the original has the enigma code of where are the title characters parents, and the one of who raises the title character. The new enigmas codes are why has Tarzan left the jungle as he didn't do that in the original.

There where a few ways this film tried to attract a wider range of audiences,. One way is the inclusion of two massive actors in the trailer, Christophe Waltz and Samuel L. Jackson, this also attracts fans of these actors therefore creating a wider range of audiences. Another way they try to attract audiences is by including a lot of apes which were both a comedic element and a reassuring family element in the first film, they are now seen as a angry race who are seen to be fighting a lot which attracts a lot of people.  There is also a hashtag and other links to social media which help it to attract others as they will find out more about the trailer.

trailer analysis deadpool

This trailer is for an action comedy therefore it has to have a good balance of action and comedic elements, this is shown through the music as to show the comedic side the film, the trailer starts with a very 90's hip-hop beat which is synonymous with the character this gives the die hard fans of this character the side they all crave and it also gives the newer fans to this character a incite into how he works and how the film is going to work, also when the action scenes start they music changes and becomes more tense, this shows that although the film seems to be based around comedy a lot there is still a lot of action to be seen in the film and we should expect to be thrilled and amazed by the action scene.
We so get a convention of action films which is a voice overly, this sets the scene that the main character is telling a story about what has happened to him or her and therefore it also creates an enigma code of what happened past the brief explanation given by the main character. This also helps with the story telling as it may be seen as a superhero film therefore people would then think that it is going to be like the superhero films that we have seen in recent years this contradicts that and adds a element of mystery to the film.
The shot types start with a mid-shot of the main character with some background but it is not set in one place we then see a couple of multi-shots with the main character having a conversation with the cab driver and then we see the first quick action shots of the trailer which show the action genre it its fullest, the action cuts make the trailer seem jam packed with big action scenes. We also see a montage of shots of the title character in a lab which may suggest an science fiction side to they story which may draw people in to the film. This is also a look into the origins of this character therefore giving the audience even more information about this character but also creating more of an enigma on why the people who wrong him did so and why he is after them.
The storyline from the trailer shows an origin story about a superhero who needs revenge for something that was done to him therefore he then becomes a superhero, there is one big plot point which is revealed is that the movie universe this film is based is in the X-men universe which is an established franchise and this will attract people who like that franchise in as they will want to see how he relates to the franchise.
Overall, the target audience is a young adult range therefore the trailer does well to include jokes that the younger side of that demographic will get while it blends with the action that it needs to attract the whole demographic, one mistake they made have made is making the trailer a 18 as it takes assay the young audience that the other superhero films may be getting, but this will attract even more adults as it is not made for kids like their superhero have been.