The trailer will start with 2 girls giggling around, on filming, one on camera, to introduce their project, "the life of Hayley".-Take one. From there, we get the idea that they are filming a documentary for a project, a close up on the girl shows that she is pretty and popular- a prime target for trouble.
Black screen- Two innocent girls...
There is then a montage of short filming in town, walking home, in her room etc which speeds up in sync with a laugh getting louder in the background before stopping on a silhouette in a dark room in front of a computer screen. The frame tightens as the voice over starts (to be decided and posted at a later date).
Black Screen- That are about to be in big trouble...
Voice over starts while a pan around the room shows pictures of the girls on the wall. The pan ends on the silhouette and zooms over the shoulder on to a Face Book page for Hayley, the main character.
Elliptical cut to restart the scene on the same page but in one of the girls bedroom which focuses on a friend request. "ooh someones popular" says the Filmer friends who then tracks the other with the camera as she walks in to the room. "OH shut up you" (throws pillow). Dialogue between them about filming and crushes. Hayley has enough and turns to the screen.
Black screen- Most gripping film for years (5 stars)
Few days has passed (change of costume) Filmer arrives at Hayley's home, camera rolling while merrily bouncing around saying "its time to film, Hayley? Where are you? We have a dead line you know."Rings phone, hears ringing outside. She walks through the Kitchen to the back door where she sees Hayley on the ground with blood on her hands and face (Screams)
Black Screen- The definition of twisted (4 stars)
Flashes of the silhouette between a steady zoom in on a newspaper bulletin reading "Dead teenager found by friend". (Voice over)
Montage of clips of the body on the ground (still shots?) mixed in with the pin board of photos in the room with the stalker.
Black screen as a doorbell rings. We see that the camera has been but on the side board as the girl (Filmer) gets up to answer the door. (Camera is recording).
We see someone barge through and hit the girl as she falls. Ruffles as the camera is turned off.
Black Screen- From the Academy Award winning director
Trailer recommences with the Filmer tied or huddled in the cornor of the room.
Black Screen- Kill to Be...
Out October 28th
We see a glint which looks like a knife and hear the voice over laughing as the camera approaches the girl and switches off.
Black Screen- roll credits
Subject to have screens added or edited out but this is the draft ill use while filming but worked this out to last around 1 minute twenty seconds- 1 minute thirty seconds.
List of items and clothing will be added.
Friday, 3 December 2010
Monday, 15 November 2010
cameras
Played with some camera with microphones attached.
It was good coming to terms with the camera, learning the controls, ect..
will upload footage soon...
It was good coming to terms with the camera, learning the controls, ect..
will upload footage soon...
Friday, 12 November 2010
Change of ideas...
After working with the camera's this week, I've had a change of mind about the direction i was hoping to go in. Not too many drastic changes but a little alteration to the story line.
I have 2 new ideas on how i intend to shoot the trailer.
1.
Instead of a couple, I'm going to have 2 best friends that are getting stalked together.
I will also use a mix of camera's, the professional camera's from college and a hand held camera, shot from one of the friends point of view.
I thought about this after understanding the difficulties there would be in lighting and production on a very low budget. I would prefer to shoot most of the film, including the trailer, in a hand held camera for the idea i am going for, it would be different to see a stalker film through the eyes of the person getting stalked.
Most of the footage will revolve around the 2 friends who are feeling spooked by unknown Foley sounds which end up being the stalker. Obviously, ill need the professional camera to fill in the missing part of the story, such as the stalkers feet and heavy breathing.
2.
Instead of the previous shooting ideas, i would use the same principles of the 2 different camera's, but the hand held one would be from the stalkers point of view that they would watch back on their computer. I would prefer to use this idea but will post a poll to see which proves more popular amongst the audience.
The change that will stay the same is 2 best friends, not a boyfriend/girlfriend scenario like the majority of thrillers similar to this.
I will be posting a story board on soon.
I have 2 new ideas on how i intend to shoot the trailer.
1.
Instead of a couple, I'm going to have 2 best friends that are getting stalked together.
I will also use a mix of camera's, the professional camera's from college and a hand held camera, shot from one of the friends point of view.
I thought about this after understanding the difficulties there would be in lighting and production on a very low budget. I would prefer to shoot most of the film, including the trailer, in a hand held camera for the idea i am going for, it would be different to see a stalker film through the eyes of the person getting stalked.
Most of the footage will revolve around the 2 friends who are feeling spooked by unknown Foley sounds which end up being the stalker. Obviously, ill need the professional camera to fill in the missing part of the story, such as the stalkers feet and heavy breathing.
2.
Instead of the previous shooting ideas, i would use the same principles of the 2 different camera's, but the hand held one would be from the stalkers point of view that they would watch back on their computer. I would prefer to use this idea but will post a poll to see which proves more popular amongst the audience.
The change that will stay the same is 2 best friends, not a boyfriend/girlfriend scenario like the majority of thrillers similar to this.
I will be posting a story board on soon.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Reactions so far
I think that from the research and planning that has already taken place, the audience will have a rough idea of what my media product will be about and how well it should be recieved.
Followers have commented on posts and expressed their ideas and thoughts on what had been posted, for example, on test shots took in the studio of Hayley and Matty, i had comments from others that agreed with my vision and gave me some other ideas such as whether i should follow conventions with a male stalking the female or add a twist using a female stalker.
Followers have commented on posts and expressed their ideas and thoughts on what had been posted, for example, on test shots took in the studio of Hayley and Matty, i had comments from others that agreed with my vision and gave me some other ideas such as whether i should follow conventions with a male stalking the female or add a twist using a female stalker.
Thursday, 4 November 2010
3.
In my head it seemed like a good idea but looking at it now with the characters drawn in, the main couple which the film revolves around are too distant and far away. Also, i have had a lot of positive feed back on the other 2 images where there are tighter frames and framed with tree branches rather than having open fields around them which would suit a rom-com rather than a thriller.
This was my own shot idea so it was my own inspiration from when i sat on top of the hill. My next step on the poster fromnt will be to do some test shots with the characters in place.
I have also been putting shout outs on my Twitter, facebook and around college for actors/actresses and have already found my stalker!
2.
This is the second shot i have choosen which could be my film poster.
Similar to the one of the couple on the bench, i liked this one as the frame is enclosed in tree branches and such giving a sense of clastrophobia.
I have drawn in where the people would be, (the lovers are in red and the stalker is the yellow figure)
I think this frame would work better if taken from just behind the stalker, peering over their shoulder to we can see where they are looking.
I came up with this idea after looking at this film poster.
I liked how dark the lighting is, making the boots stand out, reflecting the title of the film.
I think it it would look better if there was some more tag lines across the poster as it looks a bit empty but that could be one of the effects the creator was going for?
Poster ideas....
This is one of my poster ideas that i took in the walks.
I wanted the image to be as if it was taken from just behind the stalker, (stickman drawn in blue) , looking over at the couple on the bench who should look very deeply in love.
I liked the framing of this shot with the tree to partically obsure the view of the stalker and the tree branch at the top of the frame closes the image in, a foreshadowing effect that the stalker will eventually close in on the couple.
I would like the stalker to be wearing a hoodie so we cant tell the sex of stalker until you see the whole film.
I took this idea from my research lookign at thriller film posters online and exstiting products at home such as the hand that rocks the cradle and the saw film series.
This film poster for the thriller "the Village" is one of my favourites because of the framing. I love how the person is captivated by branches which is a certain effect i took in to account but didnt want the frame completely covered by branches which is why i opted for subtle branches around the edges.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Monday, 1 November 2010
Do as video post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brought a book yesterday which is a pschological thriller and is about stalkers.
It revolves around this guy that has some issues linked to when he was young and targets teenagers as his prey, using a social networking site called rigamole, the equivallent to todays facebook. It is called Fever of the bone by Val McDermid. This also inspired some title ideas. It has connotations which gve a fore warning sense of the person the book revolves around has it in their blood, they are born with it, which we later find out has stemmed from child hood. I have put a poll up to ask for ideas and see what others have sugested.
The top three are:
Kill to BE
Desperate
Pause
These all connotate a sense of being on edge. Kill to Be lead the audience to think of danger, feeling unsafe, knowing that they may be targeted. This was suggested by a voter but came 3rd in the poll.
Desperate has three syllables, an extended word which can be applied to many different things. It can mean a feeling, a desperate mood where morels go out the window, or desperation as an expression, a mind set that they have to conform or are desperate for revenge.
Pause may seem bland at first but i would use the pause symbol like a hand held camera symbol (II). It could only mean one thing- a pause in life/moment. This was the title voted for the most out of the suggestions. I think the reson people voted for it the most was because it suits a thriller, [REC] was a title of one thriller which was very popular, mainly due to its title.
It revolves around this guy that has some issues linked to when he was young and targets teenagers as his prey, using a social networking site called rigamole, the equivallent to todays facebook. It is called Fever of the bone by Val McDermid. This also inspired some title ideas. It has connotations which gve a fore warning sense of the person the book revolves around has it in their blood, they are born with it, which we later find out has stemmed from child hood. I have put a poll up to ask for ideas and see what others have sugested.
The top three are:
Kill to BE
Desperate
Pause
These all connotate a sense of being on edge. Kill to Be lead the audience to think of danger, feeling unsafe, knowing that they may be targeted. This was suggested by a voter but came 3rd in the poll.
Desperate has three syllables, an extended word which can be applied to many different things. It can mean a feeling, a desperate mood where morels go out the window, or desperation as an expression, a mind set that they have to conform or are desperate for revenge.
Pause may seem bland at first but i would use the pause symbol like a hand held camera symbol (II). It could only mean one thing- a pause in life/moment. This was the title voted for the most out of the suggestions. I think the reson people voted for it the most was because it suits a thriller, [REC] was a title of one thriller which was very popular, mainly due to its title.
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Not too late
Had another idea for my film poster after looking at the posters for the top ten stalker films.
I would like to have the couple walking happily along, smiling at each other and in the background we see a blurred figure (the stalker) about 50 yards behind so it is still unknown whether the stalker is male or female.
If not many people liked that idea, thien i want to use one of the girl walking alone in the dark under a strret lamp. The background would be a bigger picture of the stalker, face obsured by the hoodie, with the title inbetween the 2 images.
Although i have already taken some test shots which are yet to be addeed, i wanted to see how an audience would resopond to some close up's for a poster.
I would like to have the couple walking happily along, smiling at each other and in the background we see a blurred figure (the stalker) about 50 yards behind so it is still unknown whether the stalker is male or female.
If not many people liked that idea, thien i want to use one of the girl walking alone in the dark under a strret lamp. The background would be a bigger picture of the stalker, face obsured by the hoodie, with the title inbetween the 2 images.
Although i have already taken some test shots which are yet to be addeed, i wanted to see how an audience would resopond to some close up's for a poster.
Saturday, 30 October 2010
Poster?
Took the photo's yesterday during the day but am tempted to go back at night to get the real effect. Will work on them in photoshop back at college and mark out where the people would stand becuase at the moment they are just long shots.
I took a variety of shots, in my favourite 3 places; one from a distance so we would see the back of the stalker and one as if to look over the stalkers shoulder which would be in the corner.
There are 3 positions i decided on;
I have also put a shout out on Facebook and Twitter, asking friends to give me their opinions and complete the polls.
I took a variety of shots, in my favourite 3 places; one from a distance so we would see the back of the stalker and one as if to look over the stalkers shoulder which would be in the corner.
There are 3 positions i decided on;
- One looking at a bench where i imagine the couple would be sat, with a tree to the side to show why the stalker can't be seen. I liked this as the frame tightened around the couple on the bench becuase of the trees and branches closing it in.
- Another shot was from upon a hill which is called the red mount, the stalker watches from further away, hidden by the wall. What i liked about this shot is it could be taken in reverse; either from behind the stalker of infront of the couple looking up so the audience could see the stalker lurking in ths shadows which would be ver creepy.
- I took some pictures facing towards the arch, the couple would be walking underneath the light post in the middle of the park while the stalker is partically hidden behind a tree. This would have to be taken at night time though because i wanted to connotate good an bad by showing the couple in the light and the stalker in the dark.
I have also put a shout out on Facebook and Twitter, asking friends to give me their opinions and complete the polls.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Ideas
Was walking home the other day in the evening and went though a place called the walks. It triggered some ideas i had floating around my head for where the second part of the trailer could be shot as well as the film poster or where the magazine cover could be shot.
It is really closed in with trees and looks creepy in the dark but i think i could edit the picture to create that effect if i was to take the pictures in light.
In the dark however, it would work very well with the heightened atmosphere which would be the second part of the trailer, the turning point.
From one angle i looked at, i thought of a really great idea for the film poster and a shot for the trailer. The stalker could be stood behind the tree with a hoodie or something on as to not identify them, watching the girl walk hand in hand with her boyfriend. I would do a long shot, from behing the stalker behind the tree. They could hear something and turn around but the stalker would not be there.
As the brief states, all photgraphs must be original and be taken by yourselves for authenticity and copyright reasons.
I have thought about continuetity and weather due to it being a public place which is why i would aim to shoot it in around 2 days, keeping a list of positions, clothing, time ect.. incase any scences need to be re-shot.
The upside to my idea though is that the shots would be taken as if the stalker had been grooming their prey for a while and the most recen shots had been taken over a month so there would be costume changes between takes.
It is really closed in with trees and looks creepy in the dark but i think i could edit the picture to create that effect if i was to take the pictures in light.
In the dark however, it would work very well with the heightened atmosphere which would be the second part of the trailer, the turning point.
From one angle i looked at, i thought of a really great idea for the film poster and a shot for the trailer. The stalker could be stood behind the tree with a hoodie or something on as to not identify them, watching the girl walk hand in hand with her boyfriend. I would do a long shot, from behing the stalker behind the tree. They could hear something and turn around but the stalker would not be there.
As the brief states, all photgraphs must be original and be taken by yourselves for authenticity and copyright reasons.
I have thought about continuetity and weather due to it being a public place which is why i would aim to shoot it in around 2 days, keeping a list of positions, clothing, time ect.. incase any scences need to be re-shot.
The upside to my idea though is that the shots would be taken as if the stalker had been grooming their prey for a while and the most recen shots had been taken over a month so there would be costume changes between takes.
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Blurred
I think now that it has a tighter frame, viewers can see what i mean about looking out of the glass and feeling isolated while searching with their eyes.
WatchOut...
This image was inspired by aclip from the trailer for 'Single White Female' where the actress is looking out of the window in her apartment. I wanted my actors to be blurred and the main focus on the background as it would be anfter they have found out they are being stalked. This would mean the focus is on the outside world and where he (or she) could be.
I want to edit this to remove the window frame on each side so it becomes a tighter frame with the main focus lookingout.
I would have liked for the outside to be a little darker which i tried to do in editing but didn't work out as i planned so i focused on blurring the people a little more.
I would have liked for the outside to be a little darker which i tried to do in editing but didn't work out as i planned so i focused on blurring the people a little more.
Shadows
I experiment with shadows on this image, i mentioned before how i wanted a darker background but this was difficult becuase then i would lose her face and altering contrast just made her look like an orange with hair. I found middle ground here but would rather there be no shadow on her face as it makes it diffiult to see the expression on it but the eyes still shine through which was my main concern.
Its very differnt to the original idea of DiCaprio looking in to a mirror but i tailored it round to what i would use in my actual trailer.
The original image is very light and in a tighter frame whereas here its wider frame and dark shadows.
Action...
Original photo;
I really liked this photo without editing, just the pure expression on her face (it took around 20 takes to get the correct expression to match Leo DiCaprio expression as he looks in to a mirror for the trailer for Shutter Island.
The light has caught her face at the right angle which makes her expression clearer and her eyes look watery which is ideal for a scared face.
The light has caught her face at the right angle which makes her expression clearer and her eyes look watery which is ideal for a scared face.
edited...
I wanted two lovers in a clip walking happily then for it to stop on an image like this and change to black and white (more white balance than normal) so then next screen would be a white one with a flash montage of clips of the dead body of the guy on the floor. I think, and peers agree, that this would be chilling and unexpected as when this effect is used, it means a change of scenery or end of a scene.
First Picture...
I found some lovely friends to act as a couple for me which i think is great as they already have chemistry which can be seen in this image.
So far, i have altered the lighting, i want them to be light to show the goodness of their relationship. It's not like the clip from the hole when keira knightley is over her boyfriend inviting him to a party but i wanted a 'happy go lucky' romantic image.
So far, i have altered the lighting, i want them to be light to show the goodness of their relationship. It's not like the clip from the hole when keira knightley is over her boyfriend inviting him to a party but i wanted a 'happy go lucky' romantic image.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Photoshop
For a task, we had to re-create 3 clips from trailers that we would possibly use and like. I have choosen three which i think i would use in my storyboard. One of boyfriend and girlfriend walking holding hands, which i have changed from the hole so instead of seeing the couple in the shower/changing room/dancing, they would just be walking. The next would be a close up or the girl, taken from Shutter Island when DiCaprio looks up in to the mirror, look of horror and fear that i want to recreate. Also one of the girl peering out the window like on of the opening clips in Single White Female.
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Trailer research
Beofre researching film magazine and posters, i wanted to have a look at some films mentioned in my Vox Pop and the top ten stalker films to give me some ideas.
The top ten stalker film list is as follows;
1. Fatal Attraction (1987)
2. Scream (1996)
3. Taxi Driver (1976)
4. Cape Fear (1991)
5. The Fan (1996)
6. Fear (1996)
7. One Hour Photo (2002)
8. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (1992)
9. Single White Female (1992)
10. Sleeping With The Enemy (1991)
Looking at the list i noticed that recent stalker films such as Hard Candy, have not made it on to the list, leaving an 8 year gap since One Hour Photo. This is ideally the best circumstance for releasing a film like this as there are no current films like this in the cinema at the moment. It has also been a few years since the last one meaning there is level for it to match up with current film releases.
I also looked at some pschological thrillers mentioned in my Vox Pop, here are the trailers and my comments or ideas i got from each trailer.
This Film is more of a horror film i think from looking at the trailer, however, i did find some aspects that i think can be used in a trailer involving stalkers.
There is no real music accompaning the trailer which i think helps effect the audience to captivate them and listen to sounds in the trailer, part of drawing them in.
They use text throughout (I said previously that i wouldn't want to do this but looking at the trailer for the hole, i found it very captivating and helps the audience keep up with the action)
Jumpy cut shots explain a bigger picture without focusing on one part of the film.
The main thing i noticed about this trailer was their use of a negative shot towrds the biegining of the Volta of the trailer. I loved how it left the audience in suspence but guessing if that person was the antogonist.
Single White Female is 9th on the top stalker list. Its very different to the typical thing to expect of a man or woman stalking the opposite sex but this film revolves around one woman stalking another.
I thought too much of the plot was given away in the trailer and not much was left to the imagination which is how i want my audience to be left.
But, i did like the clip added at the end of the trailer after the credits as i wasn't expecting it and it made me jump, i can imagine it had the same effect on many others.
Althought this isn't a film involving stalkers, it falls in to the pschological thriller section perfectly and had some aspects of the trailer i really liked.
The close up of expressions on Leonardo DiCaprio's face gave me an idea for an ending of my film, i want a close up of the girl sat in the corner hearing a knock on the door, so the end shot would be a close up of her scared face.
I also liked the faded transitions used in the trailer instead of jump cuts or fast cuts.
The top ten stalker film list is as follows;
1. Fatal Attraction (1987)
2. Scream (1996)
3. Taxi Driver (1976)
4. Cape Fear (1991)
5. The Fan (1996)
6. Fear (1996)
7. One Hour Photo (2002)
8. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (1992)
9. Single White Female (1992)
10. Sleeping With The Enemy (1991)
Looking at the list i noticed that recent stalker films such as Hard Candy, have not made it on to the list, leaving an 8 year gap since One Hour Photo. This is ideally the best circumstance for releasing a film like this as there are no current films like this in the cinema at the moment. It has also been a few years since the last one meaning there is level for it to match up with current film releases.
I also looked at some pschological thrillers mentioned in my Vox Pop, here are the trailers and my comments or ideas i got from each trailer.
This Film is more of a horror film i think from looking at the trailer, however, i did find some aspects that i think can be used in a trailer involving stalkers.
There is no real music accompaning the trailer which i think helps effect the audience to captivate them and listen to sounds in the trailer, part of drawing them in.
They use text throughout (I said previously that i wouldn't want to do this but looking at the trailer for the hole, i found it very captivating and helps the audience keep up with the action)
Jumpy cut shots explain a bigger picture without focusing on one part of the film.
The main thing i noticed about this trailer was their use of a negative shot towrds the biegining of the Volta of the trailer. I loved how it left the audience in suspence but guessing if that person was the antogonist.
Single White Female is 9th on the top stalker list. Its very different to the typical thing to expect of a man or woman stalking the opposite sex but this film revolves around one woman stalking another.
I thought too much of the plot was given away in the trailer and not much was left to the imagination which is how i want my audience to be left.
But, i did like the clip added at the end of the trailer after the credits as i wasn't expecting it and it made me jump, i can imagine it had the same effect on many others.
Althought this isn't a film involving stalkers, it falls in to the pschological thriller section perfectly and had some aspects of the trailer i really liked.
The close up of expressions on Leonardo DiCaprio's face gave me an idea for an ending of my film, i want a close up of the girl sat in the corner hearing a knock on the door, so the end shot would be a close up of her scared face.
I also liked the faded transitions used in the trailer instead of jump cuts or fast cuts.
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Music
I have asked around my music friends and have found that one of my guitar playing friends knows some of snow patrols songs and could play what i needed, they can also play piano in case 'ways and means' doesn't turn out right.
Have also started looking at magazines and posters for films, as well as looking at some of the psychological thrillers that was mentioned in my VoxPops. To be posted at a later date...
Have also started looking at magazines and posters for films, as well as looking at some of the psychological thrillers that was mentioned in my VoxPops. To be posted at a later date...
Friday, 8 October 2010
Music
I heard a song on my IPOD this morning that i think would work really well with what i want to accompany my trailer.
It is a song by Snow Patrol called "ways and means", I just want the music without the singing though to play quietly in the back ground so i can still have heavy breathing and camera shots heard in the trailer.
I would use the first 2 minutes of the song as that is how long I intend for my film trailer to be. I'm trying to find a way of getting just the music at the moment to see how it fits with the image of the trailer idea I have in my head.
I really liked this song because of the tranquilising effect it has yet it has a mysterious vibe to it which would work very well with a film trailer about stalkers. I need to write to snow patrol and ask their permission to use this song, if they don't allow me to, I want to find somebody to replicate this music so I can use it.
I will be loading my story board on soon.
It is a song by Snow Patrol called "ways and means", I just want the music without the singing though to play quietly in the back ground so i can still have heavy breathing and camera shots heard in the trailer.
I would use the first 2 minutes of the song as that is how long I intend for my film trailer to be. I'm trying to find a way of getting just the music at the moment to see how it fits with the image of the trailer idea I have in my head.
I really liked this song because of the tranquilising effect it has yet it has a mysterious vibe to it which would work very well with a film trailer about stalkers. I need to write to snow patrol and ask their permission to use this song, if they don't allow me to, I want to find somebody to replicate this music so I can use it.
I will be loading my story board on soon.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
VoxPop's
I have had a lot of difficulty uploading these clips to this blog so I have put them on YouTube and linked them. This could work out better in the long run so that people can comment on YouTube as well as on here. This will enhance Web 2.0 that i want to use as much as possible with designing my film trailer, poster and magazine cover.
1.What is your biggest fear and why?
2.What would you like to see in a film trailer involving stalkers?
3.What is your favourite psychological thriller?
I have mentioned in my previous post what i would change and do differently next time but this was my first go at filming with a camera so next time i will know to set the white balance ect.. before filming.
1.What is your biggest fear and why?
2.What would you like to see in a film trailer involving stalkers?
3.What is your favourite psychological thriller?
I have mentioned in my previous post what i would change and do differently next time but this was my first go at filming with a camera so next time i will know to set the white balance ect.. before filming.
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Mac work
After doing my vox pop mi am now trying to edit the clips together on a mac for the first time, its going surprisingly well just takes a long while to upload- main reason they aren't on the blog yet but will be soon.
Looking back over the footage i've noted some things i will need to work on in future with camera's;
Need to set a white balance before filming- the lighting on the camera makes the people look very yellow and bright which i will remeber next time. Also, would not work for my trailer, i need dark and mysterious.
I need to remeber to turn the microphone on, i had to do a few re-takes as i forgot to turn the sound on.
I also switched from hand held to a tripod half way through, i would have prefered to use a tripod for all the clips but was testing a few quick hand held moves before th vox-pop.
In the back ground, i should have used tighter frames or cleared the surroundings because of all the bags in the shot, it doen't look very proffessional which is dissappointing.
I have booked a mac to continue editing next week so the vox pops will be uploaded soon.
Looking back over the footage i've noted some things i will need to work on in future with camera's;
Need to set a white balance before filming- the lighting on the camera makes the people look very yellow and bright which i will remeber next time. Also, would not work for my trailer, i need dark and mysterious.
I need to remeber to turn the microphone on, i had to do a few re-takes as i forgot to turn the sound on.
I also switched from hand held to a tripod half way through, i would have prefered to use a tripod for all the clips but was testing a few quick hand held moves before th vox-pop.
In the back ground, i should have used tighter frames or cleared the surroundings because of all the bags in the shot, it doen't look very proffessional which is dissappointing.
I have booked a mac to continue editing next week so the vox pops will be uploaded soon.
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Ideas
After the results i received from the questionnaire, i decided that after decideing on the genre of film that was most popular, i would need to look into rival products such as trailers on youtube and thriller marketing campaigns which were most successful.
After asking what kind of thriller they would like to see at the cinema, the majority of people were up for anything. I have decided to do a trailer for a film about a stalker.
The main plot will revolve around a teenage girl getting stalked by this talk, shadowy figure who is obssessed with her, following her around town, in her home, walking down the street ect... I have a clear idea in my head and want to get some test shots to see if where i would like to film, whether the sound and surrounding would work.
Im now starting to look art music to accompany the trailer.
I want it to be classical to starrt but then speed up the pace at the volta point in the trailer where some action starts to happen.
I have come up with 3 questions i want to ask people about as well before i maike any more plans.
What is your biggest fear?
What would you like to see in a film involving stalkers?
What is your favourite pyscological thriller and why?
I came up with these questions so i could see what really gets people clinging to their seats, not just by watching the trailer but have elements of what would be in the film in the trailer.
I wanted to know what people would like to see the trailer as well, not just the usual conventions of a thriller.
The favourite thriller question is so i could look at the trailers for the films they answer to incorporate some ideas from them but not mirror the trailers.
I think im going to film these questions being asked, as a vox pop, so i can get use to the camera's we'll ber working with.
After asking what kind of thriller they would like to see at the cinema, the majority of people were up for anything. I have decided to do a trailer for a film about a stalker.
The main plot will revolve around a teenage girl getting stalked by this talk, shadowy figure who is obssessed with her, following her around town, in her home, walking down the street ect... I have a clear idea in my head and want to get some test shots to see if where i would like to film, whether the sound and surrounding would work.
Im now starting to look art music to accompany the trailer.
I want it to be classical to starrt but then speed up the pace at the volta point in the trailer where some action starts to happen.
I have come up with 3 questions i want to ask people about as well before i maike any more plans.
What is your biggest fear?
What would you like to see in a film involving stalkers?
What is your favourite pyscological thriller and why?
I came up with these questions so i could see what really gets people clinging to their seats, not just by watching the trailer but have elements of what would be in the film in the trailer.
I wanted to know what people would like to see the trailer as well, not just the usual conventions of a thriller.
The favourite thriller question is so i could look at the trailers for the films they answer to incorporate some ideas from them but not mirror the trailers.
I think im going to film these questions being asked, as a vox pop, so i can get use to the camera's we'll ber working with.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Progess!
I have finally finished finalising my questionnaire results. Last week when i found out about the coursework, i came up with a questionnaire to ask around 25-30 people about film trailers/posters/magazines.
The questions were;
Gender and Age - to determine which demographic i was appealing to most.
Favourite genre of film- Thriller, Horror, Rom-Com, Comedy, Action, War, Mystery (I only included the genres i would be able to make a trailer for with the resources and time that i have to complete this project)
Favourite film of that genre?
Second favourite film?
Do you like fast paced trailers that build suspension throughout?
Favourite film magazine?
What do you look for when buying a film magazine? Interviews, Film news, Previews, Reviews, New releases, Freebies?
What do you look for on a film poster?
I based my questionnaire around the main elements i would need to appeal to a wide audience, mainly to do with the film trailer because the poster and magazine will need to be genre specific. I can add to the poster and magazine with conventions of the genre of film trailer rather than surveying more people for 2 more questionnaires. Instead i decided that i will get feedback from people during the stages of development.
I stood out side my local cinema on a Monday because that is half price night and lots of people turn out to see the films such as 'Resident Evil' and 'The Other Guys'. This worked well because people who turned out to watch Resident Evil was mainly young 20 year old with girlfriends and middle aged men whereas generally females and a few males turned out to see 'The Other Guys', meaning i got varied results which is what i wanted.
I asked 20 males and 18 females to complete a questionnaire (which they did happily)
The age was ranged between 15-48
The top 3 genres was Horror/Thriller, Comedy and Rom-Com's
There were a mixture of favourite films but quite a few people went for Nightmare on Elm street and more recently Paranormal activity. Other popular favourites included Inception, The Grudge and the Bounty Hunter.
From this i can gather who my target audience will be; it will generally appeal to the younger generation (around 16-30) as they are most likely to be attracted to a thriller and would watch television more so would see the trailer and be sucked in to the campaign from being the audience who are targeted most by advertising.
The poster and film questions had a very wide range on what people went for but most answers revolved around colour, photo's and household names.
From this i can now decide which direction I'm going in and make some real progress on planning for my promotional package.
The questions were;
Gender and Age - to determine which demographic i was appealing to most.
Favourite genre of film- Thriller, Horror, Rom-Com, Comedy, Action, War, Mystery (I only included the genres i would be able to make a trailer for with the resources and time that i have to complete this project)
Favourite film of that genre?
Second favourite film?
Do you like fast paced trailers that build suspension throughout?
Favourite film magazine?
What do you look for when buying a film magazine? Interviews, Film news, Previews, Reviews, New releases, Freebies?
What do you look for on a film poster?
I based my questionnaire around the main elements i would need to appeal to a wide audience, mainly to do with the film trailer because the poster and magazine will need to be genre specific. I can add to the poster and magazine with conventions of the genre of film trailer rather than surveying more people for 2 more questionnaires. Instead i decided that i will get feedback from people during the stages of development.
I stood out side my local cinema on a Monday because that is half price night and lots of people turn out to see the films such as 'Resident Evil' and 'The Other Guys'. This worked well because people who turned out to watch Resident Evil was mainly young 20 year old with girlfriends and middle aged men whereas generally females and a few males turned out to see 'The Other Guys', meaning i got varied results which is what i wanted.
I asked 20 males and 18 females to complete a questionnaire (which they did happily)
The age was ranged between 15-48
The top 3 genres was Horror/Thriller, Comedy and Rom-Com's
There were a mixture of favourite films but quite a few people went for Nightmare on Elm street and more recently Paranormal activity. Other popular favourites included Inception, The Grudge and the Bounty Hunter.
From this i can gather who my target audience will be; it will generally appeal to the younger generation (around 16-30) as they are most likely to be attracted to a thriller and would watch television more so would see the trailer and be sucked in to the campaign from being the audience who are targeted most by advertising.
The poster and film questions had a very wide range on what people went for but most answers revolved around colour, photo's and household names.
From this i can now decide which direction I'm going in and make some real progress on planning for my promotional package.
Friday, 17 September 2010
Trailers
After researching at home and watching some films like Cloverfield and [REC], i have taken a real interest in the hand held camera effect. I would like to use this for my trailer, maybe for a trailer about a stalker (thriller) or for a trailer about the end of the world (apocalyptic) .
I have added the trailers off of YouTube below.
This is the trailer from Cloverfield. It starts off at a party and then the accidents happen. I like how the chain of events follow and the last line "I'm going to be the best man ever". Personally i prefer the film's cinematography as opposed to the trailer as i got most of my inspiration from that so i would know what shots to use for my trailer.
This is the trailer for [REC], what i loved about this trailer was that there was no music just the sounds of movement which i think is more effective than a voice over or music. In this trailer i really like the text is incorporated through showing facts about the Spanish fire brigade and fires. After watching the film itself, i think the trailer could have done it more justice and given away a bit more about the film but i still think that the amount of information included in the trailer is enough to leave the audience in suspense.
After class today i also wanted to look in to films about stalkers and how their trailers worked. The 2 which i found most interesting an effective was One Hour Photo and Hard Candy. I have seen Hard Candy which is why i chose that trailer because i love the sound of the camera snapping and the effects of quick cuts between scenes towards the end which i would use if i do a stalker film or thriller in general.
I especially like the opening as well with the computer screen. I think this really captivates the audience, it caught my attention. It contains a lot of dialogue but still doesn't give the whole film away, just back ground information on the 2 main characters. The sound is effective as well towards the end of the wind blowing the curtains because it leaves a lot for the audience to predict what happens.
I really liked 2 things from this trailer which i had already thought about using for a horror/thriller film trailer, i liked the way the camera zoomed in to the camera Robin Williams was using and then show the text on screen and i like how at the end he is watching the family from outside their house with a camera. We know its outside as there is foliage in the corner and can see him on the outside of the window.
I found that hand held cameras are really used for horror/thriller films as thast is the only convention they fall in to, except for documentaires. I would need to do a trailer for them genres of films for me to use that effect but after talking to friends and family and work collegues, i am leaning towards the horror/thriller genre from their comments.
I have added the trailers off of YouTube below.
This is the trailer from Cloverfield. It starts off at a party and then the accidents happen. I like how the chain of events follow and the last line "I'm going to be the best man ever". Personally i prefer the film's cinematography as opposed to the trailer as i got most of my inspiration from that so i would know what shots to use for my trailer.
This is the trailer for [REC], what i loved about this trailer was that there was no music just the sounds of movement which i think is more effective than a voice over or music. In this trailer i really like the text is incorporated through showing facts about the Spanish fire brigade and fires. After watching the film itself, i think the trailer could have done it more justice and given away a bit more about the film but i still think that the amount of information included in the trailer is enough to leave the audience in suspense.
After class today i also wanted to look in to films about stalkers and how their trailers worked. The 2 which i found most interesting an effective was One Hour Photo and Hard Candy. I have seen Hard Candy which is why i chose that trailer because i love the sound of the camera snapping and the effects of quick cuts between scenes towards the end which i would use if i do a stalker film or thriller in general.
I especially like the opening as well with the computer screen. I think this really captivates the audience, it caught my attention. It contains a lot of dialogue but still doesn't give the whole film away, just back ground information on the 2 main characters. The sound is effective as well towards the end of the wind blowing the curtains because it leaves a lot for the audience to predict what happens.
I really liked 2 things from this trailer which i had already thought about using for a horror/thriller film trailer, i liked the way the camera zoomed in to the camera Robin Williams was using and then show the text on screen and i like how at the end he is watching the family from outside their house with a camera. We know its outside as there is foliage in the corner and can see him on the outside of the window.
I found that hand held cameras are really used for horror/thriller films as thast is the only convention they fall in to, except for documentaires. I would need to do a trailer for them genres of films for me to use that effect but after talking to friends and family and work collegues, i am leaning towards the horror/thriller genre from their comments.
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Criteria
Produce a viral marketing campaign for a new film, aiming to attract an audience primarily through social networking sites and YouTube. The trailer and website will be the primary marketing tools to be disseminated via the Internet. The poster and magazine cover will be the secondary phrase, adopting mainstream ‘above and below the line’ marketing techniques after the viral marketing campaign has secured media interest.
This is the criteria we must follow for our coursework. I took this to mean that we will need to make a film trailer (I guess that will need to be around 2 minutes) for the primary marketing tools and create a poster and magazine cover for the secondary phrase which will advertise the film.
I decided to look into some institutions already established which use the web (viral marketing) to create a buzz around the film.
I decided to look into some institutions already established which use the web (viral marketing) to create a buzz around the film.
This was used for 'Cloverfield', a low budget film that unknown actors and actresses starred in, shot from a single point of view from a hand held camera. I t was such a success just from the promotional package. The producers also created myspace pages for the characters in the film so people could track their events and lives.
I want to incorporate some factors of viral marketing which 'Cloverfield' used as that is one of the most successful films to be promoted by viral marketing. I could also take inspiration from The Dark Night, they set up a website for The Joker, the villain in the film, which contained a to do list, raising suspicions and hype about the film. This could be a good idea but i would need to see what others think by using a questionnaire. Also since it is not part of the brief that we were given, i dont think it would be necessary for this assignment as the main focus will be on the trailer, poster and mag cover.
While researching the Dark Knight, i came across the teaser trailer, i loved the idea of having just a voice over for the trailer but will need to decided on a genre first.
While researching the Dark Knight, i came across the teaser trailer, i loved the idea of having just a voice over for the trailer but will need to decided on a genre first.
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Essentials
Been studying trailers last night and researching what must be included in mine for it reach the high standard i have set out to achieve.
They need to include:
A studio and/or distrubutors logo
Images/clips from the film itself
Contain background information without giving the story away (can be done by using a voice over, text or dialogue from the film)
Music- suited to the genre of film
Directors name
Actors and actresses that star in the film
(NB. Promote the name that people would recognise more such as in Avatar, they played on the fact that it was from the director of Titanic)
Rhythem change- suited to whats happening, could create suspense or create a different atmosphere
Title of the film
Release date- need to research when films are released such as block buster seasons ect...
Credits and websites
They don't have to be in that order as they can be altered to tailor the type of trailer I am creating.
They need to include:
A studio and/or distrubutors logo
Images/clips from the film itself
Contain background information without giving the story away (can be done by using a voice over, text or dialogue from the film)
Music- suited to the genre of film
Directors name
Actors and actresses that star in the film
(NB. Promote the name that people would recognise more such as in Avatar, they played on the fact that it was from the director of Titanic)
Rhythem change- suited to whats happening, could create suspense or create a different atmosphere
Title of the film
Release date- need to research when films are released such as block buster seasons ect...
Credits and websites
They don't have to be in that order as they can be altered to tailor the type of trailer I am creating.
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Getting the basics down
First lesson back and we're researching the film industry and how to create trailers. We have also watched work from the students last year to help inspire us and give us a target to aspire to.
I have been looking at the different genres of films, and conventions of certain genres. See attachment for spider diagram.
I also watched some film trailers from YouTube. I have added links to the trailers i liked certain features of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0e8SfWvXdM
I really liked this trailer of Gothika, a horror film, because the text was incorporated in to the trailer with out disturbing their voice over which i don't want to do in my trailer if i can help it. Also the text on screen and the short takes are features of the video i want to incorporate if possible and if it suits the conventions of the trailer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBvRuPGMSgM
This trailer of the Bounty Hunter is a good trailer, in my opinion, because it uses lengthy takes from the film to explain the film instead of a simple voice over. However i didn't like the titles of the director and cast popping up between scenes, i would like them to all be shown at either the bigging or the end.
I have been looking at the different genres of films, and conventions of certain genres. See attachment for spider diagram.
I also watched some film trailers from YouTube. I have added links to the trailers i liked certain features of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0e8SfWvXdM
I really liked this trailer of Gothika, a horror film, because the text was incorporated in to the trailer with out disturbing their voice over which i don't want to do in my trailer if i can help it. Also the text on screen and the short takes are features of the video i want to incorporate if possible and if it suits the conventions of the trailer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBvRuPGMSgM
This trailer of the Bounty Hunter is a good trailer, in my opinion, because it uses lengthy takes from the film to explain the film instead of a simple voice over. However i didn't like the titles of the director and cast popping up between scenes, i would like them to all be shown at either the bigging or the end.
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