Feedback on my Production (First Drafts)

After creating the first drafts of my trailer, poster and magazine, I was given feedback on what I could improve: 

-Trailer:

• Add in establishing shots of people walking around in the beginning of the trailer, to show the equilibrium more evidently.
• Add in faster/action packed shots towards the end of the trailer.This will help to keep in with conventions.
• Quieten the non-diegetic sound (music) so that the dialogue can be heard clearer.
• Add in some cinematic sound effects, to certain moments in the trailer. (Like a cinematic boom effect)

-Poster

• Manipulate the face of the protagonist a bit more to see if it will make a more convincing poster. 'Zombifying' the face might help show the genre more clearly too. 
• Change the colour of the font to the phrase in the tagline 'One deadly virus.' To express its significance and importance in relation to the film itself.

-Magazine

• Change some of the fonts used, so that it relates more to the genre of magazine. Make sure fonts used make up a font family. 
• Alter the skyline so that it stands out more at the top and is more interesting to the eye of the audience.

Using Software Packages: Photoshop

Photoshop was the software package I chose to produce both my film poster and film magazine front cover. Like Sony Vegas, I am comfortable with the program and so found it easy to create both pieces of my production, a long the way I also found out new techniques which aided me in finishing my final drafts.

While making my film poster, I made sure the grid lines were showing so that I knew exactly where to place everything as desired from the flat plan. This helped me a lot while creating the poster, as it prevented everything from looking sloppy and as if it were just slapped onto the page (shown in the first still below). I was also able to make the grid lines invisible at anytime incase I didn't specifically need them, shown in the second still below.

For my film poster, I used the lasso tool to help me cut out what was needed for the main image on the front. Because the original image was too wide, the lasso was a big help in helping me fit in the desired image in easily. Although it did take some time, because I didn't want to cut out something I wasn't meant to, it did it's job well and in the end helped me create what I feel is a well displayed man image. You can see me working on this in the screen shot below.

Using Editing Software: Sony Vegas

For all my coursework productions, I used a program that I was comfortable with and had reasonable knowledge in using beforehand. Using these programs weren't too difficult for me, but I had some technical issues while using one of them.

To edit my trailer, I used Sony Vegas Pro 11. This program is for people with at least a basic amount of knowledge and experience with editing videos before, and so I was very comfortable with using it to make my trailer. From the first screen shot below, you can see me adding in a simple 'black fade in' transition. I think this works well with my trailer and I even went that little bit further to change how black and how faded the transition came out. The second screen shot shows me adding in a colouring effect to brighten up a clip in my trailer. It is the same process as adding in a transition, only it focuses on the effect. This effect was helpful for many clips in my trailer, as certain clips were darker than other.

I put all audio and all footage on separate tracks, so that I wasn't confused as to what was where. It also made sure that the certain things that needed specific effects wouldn't be accidentally effected by anything else.

Variety of Shots Used In My Trailer

Here are a few of the shots I've used during my filming process for the trailer. As the filming process has gone on, I've noticed the more shots used, the more meaning you can create in one scene - only in this case a whole trailer. I think that a lot of these shots that I've used is definitely going to aid the way my trailer is viewed to my audience - as they will be able to relate to what is happening.

I used this medium shot in the beginning of my trailer to show my three protagonists at the centre of the shot. This gave them importance as they are the main characters and it will be clear to the audience of who is the focus of the scene.

This closeup shot has been used in this case to show that something alerting/important has happened. I used this shot because I feel it does well to capture the expression of the eyes in the character and my target audience will feel they can empathise or sympathise with what is going on.

The establishing shot helps show where the scene is located. As this is now post the apocalyptic event, it also helps create a realistic setting in the mind of the audience. I made sure to used a dark lighting as well because conveys the 'darkness' of the situation.

Empty Borough - Scenes to Film

I have created a schedule that shows the scenes that I have to film, the script and on which days. 

The Chosen Images

After a lot of consideration of other images, here are the two chosen images that I have decided to use for my trailer and my magazine:

I have decided to use this image for my film poster, because I feel it does well to represent the film and target the audience. As I thought carefully about the composition of the photo, I have made it so now my protagonist will be the main focus of the poster as he is directly in the middle. His body language also connotes the fear that most Sci-Fi/Horror films include.The background behind him gives me opportunity to play around with photoshop, possibly adding in a surreal backdrop.

As for my magazine front cover, I have decided to go with this image. I feel it has that promotional still look that most of the main images used in other film magazines have, (like EMPIRE or TOTAL FILM.) The poses they are sporting represent the film in a hardcore, dark element type of way. Representations such as these, would do well to attract my target audience, as it holds some conventional factors about Sci-Fi/Horror films. In photoshop, it should be easy to manipulate the image, as the composition has helped me once again.

Film Poster/Magazine Photoshoot - The Plan

Copyright and Permission to use Soundtrack

In order to use one of the songs in my trailer, it would make sense to ask for permission because I don't own the song. Copyright is an important aspect in the media world, and people can be taken to court over the slightest things that aren't their own creation. To prevent any issues coming up for me, I have written a letter to the label that would be responsible for the use of the song I intend to use. Above, shows evidence of this.

Flat Plans: Film Poster and Magazine Front Cover

Here are the flat plans for both my film poster and my magazine front cover. To help me set out carefully where specific conventions will be placed, I used gridlines that came with my software package (Photoshop). The gridlines were very helpful, as they gave me a better guide as to where conventions will fit and preventing the case of squashing things on the page while I'm designing.

FILM POSTER FLAT PLAN: 

MAGAZINE FRONT COVER FLAT PLAN:

Masthead Design Ideas

Fonts: Battleground, Zrnic, Hanoi, EA Font

Chosen Font For My Film Logo

After taking a variety of fonts into consideration, I've decided that this is the chosen font for my Film Logo:

I've chosen this font because I feel it does the best to represent the hybrid genre of sci-fi horror It will really appeal to the audience in terms of the scratchy texture. This texture represents the messy situation the apocalypse has left the world in and how hard it will be for the protagonists to get out of said situation. The block letters should also do well to catch the audience's eye as it will stand out on a film poster.

Reviewing the Conventions Included on a Magazine Cover

Sci-Finatic Magazine: The Layout

This is a plan for layout that I've created, showing how I would like my magazine's layout to look like once officially designed. There will possibly be a changes however as time progresses once I've had a lot more thought about what goes where.

The Official Names for My Film and My Magazine.

After a lot of consideration I have finally come up with the official names for my film and my magazine:

Film Name: Empty Borough
This was chosen my most popular choice in my survey as well. I think this name fits best for the film because it isn't as cliche as some of the other possible choices. It also does a good job of conveying to the audience of what the film might be about without really having to do much. The film poster will only be an helpful aid should go very nicely together.

Magazine Name: Sci-Finatic
I've chosen this name because it creates a clever pun between the genre and an adjective. The audience who this targeted at should also be able to notice that the word Fanatic is coined with the word Sc-Fi, meaning that this isn't just aimed at people who might watch a Science Fiction film from time to time, but who take a huge interest in that genre and will expect it to be taken seriously.

Film Magazine Masthead Ideas

I have come up with two potential masthead ideas for my film magazine. Because my genre of film is a sci-fi/horror I made sure to make it clear in the name so it wouldn't confuse my targeted audience in anyway. I decided it will revolve around science fiction mainly because it will be easier to incorporate horror as a sub-genre than vise versa.

Sci-Finatic
This has a clever pun to it and should attract the science fiction lovers because the term finatic is coined from the word: fanatic. This implies that the magazine targets people who are especially obsessed with the genre of Sci-Fi.

SFM - Sci-Fi Film Monthly
This one gets right to the point and makes it obvious as to what my genre will be. It should attract the target audience in terms clearly showing that the magazine will consist of things centering solely around science fiction films.

Planning Schedule

A planning schedule of what needs to be done by what time. There might be changes if things don't go to plan however.

Planning Schedule! from Natashamhunter95

The Pitch

The Makeup

Here is a first attempt at zombie make up I have tested out for my antagonist and I think this will be perfect for when I shoot the trailer. I have tried to only show the early transition of a zombie, for his full transformation won't be shown in the trailer. The purple colour seems to create the added effect I need to present to the audience that this is only a transition of a zombie. Also, I've made this skin on is face veiny, as this is a technique other horror films in the past have used to show the beginnings of a zombie.

The Costume

The costume for my film is an interesting thing to think about as it will be centered around an apocalyptic event. I have to take into consideration the location and the plot of the film, and so in my case, the clothes of the characters will be quite simplistic and modern stereotype.

As it will show mainly be one day the characters will be wearing the same clothes for the majority of the trailer. My four protagonists will be teenage boys. Their characters will be based 

off of the stereotypes for boys living in London and so hoodies, trainers, jeans etc. Also the colours will be quite bland to represent the lesser thought teenage boys put into fashion. Clothing will be bloody and messy once the apocalypse has happened, and so there will a handful of scenes where this is included. Here are some examples of the types of costume to be expecting:

                                                   
                                                       

As for my antagonist, I have decided to use ripped clothing as a result from the apocalypse. It will be one of the first living Zombies, and so costume will represent the transformation into that.

Ideas for the Soundtrack

The soundtrack for the film trailer is something that is usually overlooked as being important though can help in terms of attracting the audience. The type of music used in a film trailer has to be conventional to the genre of film or else this could leave the audience confused. I have a few ideas in mind for the soundtrack already and have a range of ideas as to what they should be used for.

Using the website Freesound.org I was able to find a range of sound effects that would be fit just right with my sci/fi horror trailer. I found this small 'Epic Ending' Sound effect that I think could be potentially perfect for the climax of the trailer.



I also found this beat that can be used to introduced the disequilibrium of the trailer. I feel it makes sense to use as the dubstep beat of the track will probably do well to capture the interest of my audience. (Because dupstep is becoming increasingly popular amongst the age range of 15-25 aka my target audience.)




This song by the band Enter Shakari is also something I am strongly considering. It may also be quite fitting when nearing the climax of the trailer, as the pace of it will match well with certain clips. (The Instrumental Version)

The Location

For the location I have made sure to particularly look out for specific areas that would be perfect for the post apocalyptic event. This is essential for trailer, as most of it will consist of the disequilibrium aka said apocalyptic event. As of so far, I have found the area of Haygate near Elephant & Castle (In London) to be a suitable for my filming shoots.

Here are some pictures I took of a of the few roads located near Haygate. You can see that because they're secluded, it will give off the perfect illusion of a post apocalyptic event in which no human life is around. This wide area of space can be put to great use for running shots and long shots from afar.

                           

                      

I also took a picture of a rundown estate. This will once again serve great for a location spot, as it will represent the chaos and the mess the apocalypse has left in its wake. This is aided by the broken windows I managed to spot, and the doors being taken off of their hinges. Also, the fact that no one is living here once again helps re-enforce the illusion of no humans being present.

Transcript Delevopment

My first development of what the trailer will consist of.

A Risk Assessment

When making a film, there are many risks that can prevent your success rate and it can also depend on the genre of film as well. In this risk assessment I have analysed a few of these risks and ways to prevent them.

A Storyboard For The Trailer

In this storyboard I have included some of the shots that i will be using in my official movie trailer.

I have also made sure to include the seconds they will be shown for as I want certain things to be remembered most by my target audience.

Film Name Ideas and The Plot Overview

My film is going to be revolving around the sub genre sic-fi/horror in an apocalyptic event. So that would mean the name of the film needs to have a good relation to genre. This aspect is important, as it's what the target audience will most likely notice first about the magazine, and if it isn't up to scratch then this maybe be off putting, causing people to not even bother to check out the film further. So far I have come up with these possible names:

1)The Survivors
2)Survive
3)Abandoned
4)The Last 4
5)The London Apocalypse
6)2016 
7)The Humans and IT
8)Take it Down
9)Silent London
10)Empty Borough

At the moment, I'm leaning towards number 2 and number 4. Number 2 because it gives off an impression very easily as to what the film might be about to the audience, and to this specific audience, they may find themselves attracted to what this might imply in terms of a sci-fi/horror. I have also highly considered number 4 because if coupled with the movie poster it will make it obvious to the audience that this is an apocalyptic type of film. Also, it has a very appropriate ring to it, as it make sense if you coin it into relations of what happens in the plot.

Moving on to the plot, here is the general plot idea I have for my film:

"It's 2016 in London, and four teenagers find themselves to be the last survivors of an apocalyptic event. Everyone in the area has vanished, and it looks like they will have to find a way to get back their friends and family - or in other terms the human race. However, this won't be easy once they also find out that they must find a way to also survive against what must be the first flesh eating zombie. Will they be able to survive such an event? Or will they all be taken down one by one..."

I feel this is an appropriate type of plot for the type of genre I am trying to convey to my target audience. It has specific conventions of a sci-fi/horror film that they would be expecting to see and as many film plots shouldn't, it doesn't give away the ending.

High Concept Films

The type of film I am trying to portray through my trailer is a high concept. This is when a film asks the question 'What if this supposed circumstance were to happen in an average person's life.' Since I am doing a Sci-Fi/Horror trailer and my theme is an apocalyptic event, my obvious question to explore would be "What if there were to be an apocalyptic event?"

From research and investigation, I have found a few requirements that have to be met in order to make a successful High Concept Film overall.

-An original and unique idea: This would mean that the idea for the film should have some originality to it. Even though my idea can be said to be a traditional one, it has been tweaked so that is has it's own twist. In my case, the general apocalyptic aftermath won't be like what is usually seen in other hit films.

-The idea appeals to chosen audience: It's no good if my idea doesn't appeal to my audience, this means that I have to make sure that it is accepted by my targeted audience through my promotion of the film. As well as the trailer, I have to think carefully about how I present my film poster and magazine too.

Brainstorming Ideas

Film Name Ideas: A Survey and It's Response

In order to gain help in finding out what name for my film will appeal to my target audience the best, I did some first hand research by sending out a survey with the five title names that I have narrowed down from the previous ten (After careful consideration in all aspects, I believe these 5 are the best)

-Survival!
-The Last 
-The London Apocalypse
-Silent London
-Empty Borough

Here is the survey that I sent out.

I made sure to send it to people in the age ranges of 15-25 and so sent it out to students in year 10-13 as well as a few adults.

The feedback I got was very helpful. This chart analysis shows the final result:

As you can see from above, people either voted for 'Empty Borough' or 'The Last 4'. This is interesting to note because not a single person went for any of the other suggest title names which implies that these are definitely most likely to catch a person's eye or perk of someone's interest. Overall however, it was Empty Borough that got the most votes and so I will take this into huge consideration; because potentially, this is the name that would most likely attract my target audience.

Audience Theories

Now that I have a target audience I am aiming to please, I have also looked in further and considered theories that revolve around general audiences. This should help me in understanding how other film makers attract their audiences.

The Hypodermic Needle Theory - this theory suggests that the media sees us as passive audience, and so they try to inject messages that they want into our minds. This is where things such as stereotypes and conventions are applied, as the media want us to see things a certain way. Relating to my target audience, I would say this is one of the reasons as to why the rating to a typical film in my chose genre is a 15 or an 18. Because, the age range of 15-25 is so easily influenced by the media these days they wouldn't really question why certain things are portrayed. (Like an active audience).

Uses & Gratifications Theory - This theory states things that are completely opposite to the theory above. Instead of passive, the audience is active and uses the media text to its advantage. The audience uses media texts to gratify they needs, e.g escapism, to fit in, comparing lifestyles etc. I could use this to my advantage, as I can make sure all the pieces in my production will attract my audience in all these areas. After seeing the trailer they may want find a way to fit in with others by talking about and getting the word spread about the film. They may also want to use it as a way to escape reality, and so will pay the extra money to see the film in the cinemas.

The Target Audience

Analysis - Conventions of a Film Trailer: The Road

The trailer made for the film ‘The Road’ is what is to be expected of a film that has an apocalyptic theme. It manages to target their audience well, using conventions that other films such as this would apply to their own.

Analysis - Conventions of a Film Trailer: Prometheus

Analysis - Conventions of a Film Magazine Front Cover

Analysis - Conventions of a Movie Poster

Analysis - Conventions of a Film Poster

Influences and Inspirations of Similar Films

Linear Narrative Sequence of a Runner

Here is my practice on editing, using the linear narrative sequence of a runner

Film Poster Influences

In order to help with my own film poster, I have decided to look at good examples of other Sci-Fi/Horror film posters. I have narrowed down my search even further to look at film's who's plot revolves around a post apocalyptic event. Here are a few things they all seem to include:

-A main image that consists of the main protagonist or the antagonist (the antagonist most likely to be a zombie or alien)
-More than often they have a tagline
-The actor's/actress' name at the top (this is what is used as the USP for the film if it's a well known actor/actress)
-A billing block is located at the bottom
-The typography for the film name is either thin and narrow or big and bold
-Colours used are very bland and dull
-The lighting tends to focus on the post apocalyptic setting

Themes, Codes and Conventions - Sci-Fi.

Looking Into Hybrid-Genre's in Film.

Since my film will be a hybrid-genre type film (Sci-fi/Horror) I have looked into what hybrid-genre is and how a good hybrid-genre film plot can be created. This has given me a clearer understanding of what I have to do to achieve this.

A hybrid genre is a combination of two (In some cases more) stylistic, themed categories. In order to make sense, certain guidelines are followed when creating a hybrid genre film and common features of each genre are present within certain aspects of the film.

Almost any major genre can be combined to create a hybrid genre in films. Like me in this case, makers or horror films often use actual scientific principles as a foundation for many of the bloodthirsty creatures found in the horror - and vise versa.

The Media Student Book even says "Media forms have consequently become more and more cross-generic or hybrid, as audiences have grown accustomed to a huge amount of media output, so that different kinds of music, television and film clash and mix genres" This is an interesting fact in relation because it informs us that hybrid genres are becoming more popular and expected in today's film industry. This gives me an advantage when it comes to my film, as it will then attract the audience with the idea of two popular genre's being combined.

Movie Poster for the Sci-Fi/Horror film 'Alien',

Alien is a good example of a successful hybrid genre film. Like what I plan to do, it mixes the genre's sci-fi and horror in order to create a good plot that intertwines both genre's. The science fiction element focuses on the aspects of space, going onto another planet, and meeting aliens. What makes it a hybrid genre however is interlacing horror elements to the plot such as the the expected tension and anticipation of a horror film in a few of scenes. Also the amount of killings and the open ending that is given at the end is what people would usually expect to see in a horror film. Alien has also been congratulated of its use of the hybrid genre, which encourages me further to go along with the hybrid genre idea for my own film.

In order to create a successful hybrid genre film, it is noted that the right balance of both genre's is included. So it could either be a perfect 50/50 balance between the two or a heavy input of one genre that adds elements of the other. Either way, it is vital to think about as it can effect the success of your film.

Understanding of Genre

To define the word genre, you would say that it is what classes a certain type of something - in this case film. I have looked into what defines the sci-fi (science fiction) genre. Science Fiction in films usually revolve around the elements of science and technology. They mention laws of theories of science that are then exaggerated to make the film more interesting for the audience.
The plot of a sci-fi film usually has a problem created by the science fiction element which is then either resolved in the end or continued on in a series of films. The plot also normally includes a human element that shows the the journey of finding out about a new technology or species.

Rick Altman's theory suggests that genre offers us a 'set of pleasures'. These are categorized into emotional pleasures, intellectual puzzles and visceral pleasures. A few of these apply to the genre of sci-fi one way or another. Emotional pleasures suggest that people will gain specific emotions while watching the film, and so in a sci-fi film the audience may feel suspense and wonder seeing such an altered version of our reality. Visceral pleasures are when there is a physical effect upon the audience, and this can be described as 'gut' response to what they are seeing. In relation to the sci-fi genre this can be seen as the way the audience receive the plot of an altered version of reality. Physical responses can be brought out in specific examples of typical sci-fi plots: e.g if a character is seen to not make it back in time from the future, or if an alien who turns out to be a good force for earth tragically dies.

I have chosen the sci-fi genre for my media trailer. In order to be able to do so I am going to have to do a deep research on the genre to make sure my trailer captures its essence correctly. This will also apply to the film poster and magazine front cover that I am also creating.

Film Magazine Moodboard

I have found a few magazines with a range of different designs for a specific issue that they have sold to their audiences. Each magazine has a USP in which aids them to appeal to said audience but not all of them have used certain conventions as a tool of attraction. 

Little White Lies is an unconventional magazine as it only has a main image, a masthead, a skyline and a barcode on the front. All these conventions are set on the page in an area which we as typical magazine reader would not expect for them to be. This is probably because the makers of the magazine are trying to stray away from what is expected, and trying to challenge conventions of a magazine. Entertainment Magazine has also challenged conventions slightly. Like Little White Lies it has moved certain things around to an unconventional place.

The other two magazines however play it safe and stick to the expected conventions of a magazine. They all include a masthead, coverlines, a skyline, a main image. etc. The creators of these magazines may feel that sticking to conventions is a better idea as magazine readers will notice them for what they are and confusion won't be a problem. Also, they can still use the conventions of a magazine and present in a way that makes them stand out and appeal to their target audience successfully.

Looking At Sound

We've now touched upon the aspect of sound. We know that there is two types of sound that can be used when adding them into a film piece. One of them is known as diagetic sound. This is basically the natural sound that is heard in normal life, and what the viewer is expected to hear within the film piece. Examples of this would be dialogue within a scene or footsteps of a character walking etc. The other type is non-diagetic sound which is the opposite definition to the first; this is the type of sound that we wouldn't hear in real life and that has been added over the film piece. Examples of this would be the most common form of diagetic sound - music. This is usually used to help create meaning and emotions within the scene so that the viewer will grasp upon them and understand what is genre is trying to be created. On my first try with sound, I've added sound effects using some from this website: http://freesound.org/

Storyboard - Paper Version

First Try at Basic Continuity Editing - Story Board

First Try on Basic Continuity Editing - Reflection

The Material

We had to come up with an idea that involved the techniques shot reverse shot, match on action and the 180 degree rule. My group and I created a video sequence of such, showing a person walking into a room, greeting their friend and then walking across the room to sit down next to them.

The File Format and Using the Online Converter
The file format that clips were in were .MTS, but I was able to work with that in Windows Movie Maker because that file format and pretty much every other file format apart from WMV isn't compatible with the program. So I had to go online to find a converter that was able to change the format from .MTS to .WMV. This wasn't very hard to find, and the process took about ten minutes altogether since each clip wasn't too long. To use the converter, I used these simple steps:
1. Clicked on 'browse' and selected the video clips I wished to convert.
2. Then, simply clicking convert the clip was converted to the WMV format in a matter of seconds.
3. After it was converted, the video clip now a WMV was automatically downloaded to my hard drive.

Uploading the Files to Windows Movie Maker and Editing
Uploading the files was also very easy. I simply clicked on the option 'import video' and selected all the clips that I wanted to import. The files then loaded into the program and showed up in the location 'collections.' Once they were loaded into the program, I began to edit the clips together. I found this to be quite an easy task since I am very familiar with editing and skills via editing. I only had to use the splitting tool to cut the pauses we took in between shooting. This was the only editing tool I used and this was so I was able to create continuity between each clip.


Creating the 180 Degree Rule, Shot Reverse Shot and the Action Match Shot
After getting feedback from the class, my group and I were told that we had gotten the shot reverse shot and action match shot spot on, and the editing showed that greatly. However, the 180 degree rule wasn't applied correctly, and so it  maybe would have confused some a real audience. From this feedback I'll be looking at how to follow the 180 degree rule successfully.

The Result:

First Try on Basic Continuity Editing - The Stills

Here is the draft story board that our group came up with for the short film. This is an important part of the process when it comes to editing, as it help you plan out the shots better.

These two shots is show the video camera recording the character walking past the camera to enter through the door. you will see how this connected through the next shot.

This is a close up of one of the actors entering the room, you can see from the behind as the video camera shows the back view of the character entering. This creates continuity with the previous shots showing her walking into the room

We then show a front shot of her entering the room, once again creating the continuity and the illusion that this her entering the room is happening in one go like it would in real life.

We then show a close up of the character as they turn to face the other character. This part of the continuity leads on to the other character, showing the 180 degree rule and standing on one side of the imaginary line throughout the scene.