Research and Planning - Budget

Today, me and Elise have been sorting out our budget for our film trailer. We will need to buy 3-5 white protective painting suits that we will use as forensic suits. We think at most, this will cost £5 between us both (£2.50 each). We currently have blue cleaning gloves (for the forensics), make up, police tape, detective board. camera and software equipment to film and edit, additional costumes (including a police officers uniform), a ladder (for a birds eye view shot), ext. We are still searching for a white gazebo we can borrow off someone as they a very expensive to buy.

Research and Planning - Cast

We have held some unrecorded auditions for the casting of our trailer (we will be filming real auditions shortly) and this is our current casting:

Detective - David Ogden

News Reporter - Angela Pearson

Forensics/media (extras) - Lucy Winston

Forensics/media (extras) - Iseabail Dimond 

Forensics/media (extras) - Sophie Connell

Teen 1 - Chloe Broklehurst

Teen 2 - Lauren Entwistle

Teen 3 - Annie Rudd

Teen 4 - Danny Hart

Teen 5 - Isaac Lainton

Research and Planning - Script

When it came to researching script Ideas, we found out that the type of dialogue we want running throughout our trailer is quite 'bitty'. This means, we only what bits of dialogue running throughout, giving the watching audience key bits of information about the film (for example, there has been a murder…) but not too much so there is still a mysterious element to the narrative. We will have bits of dialogue such as "this is all my fault..." "this case is impossible..." and "none of this would've happened if it wasn't for you…" The only place we will write a full script (and not improvise bitty dialogue) is when there is a news reporter outside a police station. This is because, in real life that would be scripted, so we want to continue this formal trait. 

Research and Planning - Script Ideas

I am analysing 'Prisoners' trailer (2013) for the dialogue/script they use. We found many similarities when watching this trailer, so by using this as an example we will be able to easily produce the script for our trailer.

At the very start of the trailer (and what seems to run throughout) the dialogue plays over multiple scenes shown on screen before returning back to the scene the dialogue originally belongs. I really like this idea, as it means we can show more scenes, showing off our cinematography as well as the ability to edit and adjust the sound so it is heard in other places. An example of this is when one of the main characters (Hugh Jackman) is shouting for his children, but the footage shown is him searching in multiple areas. This creates more of a panicked atmosphere compared to if it showed him shouting for his children in just one location. Another feature of the script I like is how the characters only say ket things that are important to the narrative that the audience would need to understand (the basic content/context of the film). This would be very effective as that way it comes off as being more mysterious. 

Research and Planning - Group Meeting

Today, me and Elise had a group meeting, discussing our plan for the next week. Today (and over the weekend) we are going to write our script and collect/fill in the remaining documents we need to start filming. Then, towards the end of next week we will start filming our trailer. I have just sent a message via Facebook asking our actors/actresses if they are free for filming.

Research and Planning - Filming Permission

When filming scenes in 'the field', we will not need any filming permission as the location we are using is a public footpath (this also applies for filing in Elise's house). However, we will have to be aware of other people using this public footpath. Another location we have decided on, is using Angela's office for the detective. For this we will ask her permission and most likely sign a letter to upload onto our blogs. 

Research and Planning - Production Company Name Ideas

Here is another name Idea for mine and Elise's production company name. Mars (the fourth planet) is known as the 'angry' planet which links with our chosen genre and the majority of the characters featured in it. Also, 'planet productions' is an alliteration, making the name sound catchy, sticking in the audiences mind. Furthermore, the fonts I have used (I believe) link well with this planet film. Here is an example I made on photoshop:

Research and Planning - Production Company Names and Fonts

Here are a few more production company names that I have come up with, along with some interesting fonts that are appropriate to the genre:

Research and Planning - Font Downloads

Before I start deciding on production company names, I have downloaded some fonts via "dafont" that I think link well/portray the genre of my trailer; thriller.  

Research and Planning - Production Company Research

Today I have researched some film production company names similar to the design that I would like to use that will feature in the making of our trailer. Here a five production companies that I like:

All of these companies have a very simple yet effective design to them, as well as eye catching and fluent names that stick with you which is precisely what I am looking for. I would like to make something that looks similar to these logos, with a small resemblance (such as the house in Blumhouse Productions and the mountain in Summit Entertainment) that links with our chosen name. Furthermore the colours and the fonts these logos use very much resemble the films (even though some of them have a variety of genres) they are making (for example from thriller and horror to action).

Research and Planning - Plan for the Week

This week I plan to start / complete the following:

• Production company research
• Production company name ideas
• Practise/playing around making my own company logo on photoshop
• Decide on a production company name (with Elise)
• Edit and upload Final Cut Pro practise 
• Analyse these results and decide which of these to softwares I will use
• Any additional posts that come my way :)

Research and Planning - iMovie Practise and Test Shots

Here is a five second clip (that is part of a scene in our trailer) of a piece of footage I put together in class:

By doing this small task, I have practised using the software iMovie (editing/adjusting colours/ext) as well as putting a small piece of music together on garage band and importing it onto iMovie. I will be doing this exact same task on Final Cut Pro (using the same footage) also, so I have practised editing footage on both of these softwares and can then chose which I would like to use on our final product.

Research and Planning - History of Genre

When thinking about our plot and the thriller genre, I would suggest that our film trailer is in the 'refinement' stage of the 'History of Genre'. I wouldn't consider our trailer to be in any of the other stages; experimental, classical or parody. We are still using the stereotypical suspense that people would suspect to see in a thriller, however we are adding our own twists (through elements such as cinematography, sound and most importantly the narrative) to the trailer as we want it to feel very current and modernised, therefore making it the 'refinement' stage.

Research and Planning - Animatic Storyboard with Music

Here is our animated storyboard with music:

We have added a few sound effects such as the bad reception TV crackle. We also added the song "I'd love to change the world" by Jetta, which was featured in the recent thriller trailer; Night Crawler. This is to get an idea of the sort of music and sound effect we can use, however when it comes to adding music to our final product we will make it from scratch on garageband.

Research and Planning - November Podcast

Here is a short podcast showing/explaining the research and planning posts I have done so far this November:

Research and Planning - Film Name Decision

After plenty of research and audience feedback (that are all in the age range of our target audience) the name we have decided to use is is 'Identity'.

Research and Planning - Audience Feedback on Name

Today, me and Elise created a simple questionnaire to further research the film name we should use. The vast majority (5/6) agreed saying we should call the film trailer 'Identity' as it best suits the plot/genre of the film.

Research and Planning - Additional Genre Research

As an additional research posts, I decided to analyse this film magazine cover that features the film "Inception"; a thriller genre. Hopefully, these few bullet points will help when it comes to making my own film magazine cover on photoshop. 

• Low key lighting is used to create a cold, dark atmosphere.  
• The protagonist is also dressed in dark clothing, adding to this cold atmosphere.
• The fonts a basic yet bold, attracting the audience but still portraying the film to be a thriller.
• The protagonist seems to be carrying a weapon of some sort, highlighting the genre. 

Research and Planning - Production Schedule

Here is an up to date production schedule of activities we need to complete. The yellow highlights are irrelevant as we are not making a contents page or a double page spread. I am currently up to date with all of this coursework. 

Research and Planning - Risk Assessments

Here are the risk assessments for every location we are going to use (that we have thought of so far) for our thriller trailer!

Research and Planning - Film Magazine Draft

Here is the first draft of what I would like my film magazine front cover to look like:

I intend to have the magazine name across the top of the page in large bold letters (similar to Empire and Total Film) alongside the barcode, price and positioning name (that I have yet to decide). I will have titles reading "EXCLUSIVE" to attract the audience to buy my magazine. I will also have a label/sticker and a masthead (running along the bottom of the page) with more information about what is inside this magazine. As this magazine will be focusing on our thriller trailer, I will have the name "IDENTITY" in bright bold letters to catch the audiences eye. As well as that, I will have a Medium close up of a hooded figure (shown properly in the gif) not showing their face. This will elude to the theme of the characters not showing their full 'Identity'.

Research and Planning - Props

Recently me and Elise have started to discuss what dates we can get together to start filming, so I decided to do some additional research on where we can buy/borrow props for filming. 

There are plenty of DIY shops (b&q) and online websites (ebay) that sell cheap and affordable all in one white protective suits that we can use as forensic scientist suits for multiple scenes in our trailer.

Furthermore, I have asked a member from the local carnival committee if we can borrow a white gazebo to use as a forensic tent for our trailer, as they tend to be quite expensive to buy. 

Research and Planning - Production Names

Recently, while I have been thinking of names I could call both my trailer and film magazine, I also began to think of production names me and Elise could possibly use in our film trailer. One of these I thought of was 'focus productions'. I would like to consider using the word 'focus' (described as the centre of interest or activity on google definitions) in our production name, as it has an element of sophistication and portrays us as having a clear visual idea of what we are about and the films we are making. 

Research and Planning - Publication Plan for Film Magazine

Here is my publication plan for my film magazine cover:

(I am still unsure what the positioning of my magazine will be)

Research and Planning - Magazine Name Ideas

As we have also started to plan our film poster and film magazine cover alongside our trailer, I have been trying to come up with some names that I could call my magazine. Here are some of the titles:

"final cut"

"replay"

"cinematic"

"montage"

I think my favourite title so far is "Final Cut". I believe this name would look really effective, as well as giving film connotations to my magazine, and portraying it to be a reliable and sophisticated film magazine.

Research and Planning - Film Magazine Analysis'

Below I have analysed two of the most popular and well known film magazines, 'Empire' and 'Total Film' to give me a starting Idea of how I should plan and what should be included on my own film magazine front cover. 

Empire:

You can tell this is a film magazine straight away from the multiple film titles and actor/actresses names mentioned on the front cover. The audience for this magazine will be 12+, as Jennifer Lawrence posing Katniss Everdeen is featured on the front cover. This will be highly appealing to a younger audience as she can be considered a role model to them. However, I believe that this magazine will overall appeal to an older audience (18+) who have a keen interest in certain actors/actresses or films. I also believe this is due to the main film being promoted; Gone Girl. Gone girl is a thriller film, rated as an 18, which is shown through the blue, grey colours used. Furthermore, the birds eye view photo of Ben Affleck hugging his dead (?) wife is clearly not for younger audiences, as the photo suggests that there will be a lot of violence and unnerving scenes in this film. This magazine could also appeal to Ben Affleck fans, as his new film is the main feature.

Total Film:

Like before, you can clearly tell that this is a film magazine through the multiple films mentioned, actors/actresses, cinematic words and the film magazine name 'Total Film' (ext). I think the audience for this magazine will be 15+ or/and people who have a keen interest in certain films or actors/actresses. I don't believe that younger audiences would pick up this magazine (unless there was something they are really interested in such as an actor/actress) simply because of the dark, unappealing colours used. However, despite this, this magazine is mainly promoting the action/adventure/family disney film Maleficent, which is actually rated PG. The dark colours and unusual costume/makeup suggests this film is a fantasy film (another version of Sleeping Beauty) which will appeal to younger audiences. Furthermore, Angelina Jolie fans might pick up this magazine as her new blockbuster film is the main feature of this issue.

Research and Planning - Two Film Poster Drafts

Below are two drafts of my film poster:

This is the first draft of my film poster. I intend to have medium long shot of the detective with his back to the camera, so he is not showing his full 'identity'. This gives a 'lack of trust' feel to the poster, which is overall what the film is about - learning which characters to and not to trust. I will most likely have a pale background so the detective and the titles (film name, production companies, actors ext) are bold and eye catching.

This if my favourite film poster Idea that I have thought of so far. I will have the name 'Identity' sketched across the page like so in light lettering. Then, behind this, (against a darker background) I will have a close up photo of one of the characters faces (the murderer?). Because the bold title is taking up the majority of the page, it will be very hard to 'Identify' the character, summing up the plot in one photo. Also, when I asked a friend about my sketch Idea, one of things they said was that the layout of the name reminded her of bars/someone in jail.

Research and Planning - Audience Feedback on Name

Here are a few of the responses to our suggested name "Identity" for mine and Elise's trailer. So far, we have both received very positive feedback about this name, as our audience say it links well with the plot of the trailer.

 

Research and Planning - Audition Poster

Recently, Elise has created this audition poster advertising upcoming auditions for mine and Elise's film trailer that she put up around our college. She used bright contrasting colours that are very bold against the white background. Along with the image, I think this poster is very eye catching, exactly what we need it to be. 

Research and Planning - Animated Storyboard

This is our animated storyboard so far, however, this is still a draft. When it comes to filming out actual trailer we might think of new additional scenes we want to include, so the layout might change. 

Research and Planning - Possible Actors/Actresses

Because our film consists of a number of people being in the cast, I have been asking some of my friends if they would like to take part. So far, I have managed to find 6 people that are interested in auditioning/being apart of our trailer.

 

  

 

Danny Hart - Annie Rudd - Sophie Connell - Lucy Winston - Lauren Entwistle - Iseabail Dimond

(I contacted all of these people before hand asking for their permission to use these photographs on my blog - they all said yes)

Research and Planning - Audience Research on Name

Before I start drawing my drafts for my film poster (even though I have already got a couple of designs in mind) I would like to agree on a name. One of the film names me and Elise came up with and really like is "Identity". However, before we fully decide upon using this name we both need to individually collect audience feedback on "Identity" to ensure we are making the right decision. I used twit longer to write about the plot of the film and a few questions about the possible name ideas. From there, twit longer posted this onto my twitter and I also posted an extra tweet asking people to have a look.

Research and Planning - Animated Storyboard Update

Here is an up to date photo of mine and Elise's animatic story board. We have drawn over 53 shots and started placing them onto iMovie. So far we have 1 minute 55 seconds worth of footage and still have a number of shots to go! (Elise is currently making a draft piece of music on garageband to add to the animated storyboard)

Research and Planning - Film Poster Analysis'

Gone Girl:

A Medium long shot shows Ben Affleck standing next to a river. The positioning of the shot and the landscape surrounding suggests that he is quite an isolated character, as well as representing him as not being dependent on anyone else. Part of his body has a 'bad connection'/static television effect to it which could suggest a key part of this film is media related. Moreover, shown through the news headline near the bottom of the page "FOX NEWS: SEARCH FOR AMAZING AMY CONTINUES" this theme is continued. Furthermore, this could also suggest that our protagonists (?) is unstable in some way, giving an eerie feel to the film. Both this, the title and the colours (blue/black/white) suggests that the genre of this film is a thriller as it has a cold atmosphere to it. I wouldn't think it was a horror film as there is nothing I find 'scary' about the poster. The narrative of this film is quite clearly given through the name and the faded eyes in the background. A woman, somehow linked to the man, has gone missing. The title is also faded, further suggesting this idea of the woman being missing. I would guess that this film has an audience rating of 15+ as it doesn't look like it would appeal to anyone under that age.

The Maze Runner:

A long shot is used to show a number of the characters, running up and away from the Maze. The slight tilt and large Maze walls behind/surrounding them represents these characters as being in a highly vulnerable and dangerous situation. However, despite this the characters appearance (from clothing to facial expression) also suggests them as being strong and determined, attempting to escape the Maze (Narrative). Both the name title and the colours (blue/green) suggest that the genre for this film is action/thriller, aimed at young audiences (possibly 12/12a) due to the young cast. 

Research and Planning - Location Test Shots

Here are some location test shots where me and Elise plan to film part of our trailer (where the body will be found, as well as some after/following scenes of our main characters returning to the field making the audience question what they are up to). This is situated behind Elise's house, and has a very eerie feel to it, especially at this time of year.