POTENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHS FOR FILM POSTER

Below we have the different images that we collected. We wanted to try out different angles and different proxemics of our characters to see if they would create different effects on the audience.

We had previously learnt about the diagonal 'Z' technique. This is where automatically one's' eyes are drawn to the top left hand side of the page, this is due to the way we have learnt to read and write when we were younger. Therefore, we've been taught to use the diagonal 'Z' technique to drag the eyes down across the page.

This technique can be seen in nearly all film posters, they can be very subtle. However, in our final images it is more obvious as we wanted to make the poster eye catching.

For the background, we chose a very simplistic brick background. This possibly could make the characters very relatable as they're young and are seen to be hanging out anywhere, and not in some 'fancy' place. We also chose their outfits carefully. We wanted to use the outfits that they're seen most wearing within the trailer. For our main female protagonist 'Clio' played by Orla Jordan, we chose her burgundy jumper with ripped jeans. For our male protagonist 'James' played by Toby Payne we chose black jeans, a light grey jumper and a long Parka jacket.

We also tried out two different types of lighting. One we used without a flash, therefore, they came out very orange, we weren't sold on this idea as we felt it didn't reflect the harsh reality that Clio goes through. We then tried with the flash, the harsh lighting was great as it pick out everything perfectly.

From choosing the lighting we then look at different expressions, this mean taking lots of different shots. We did one of them laughing to looking very solemn, we also tried using props like a cigarette to see if this would add anything to our poster. In our final choice we chose the photograph which was essentially a mug shot as they weren't expecting it. However, we felt that this slightly shocked expression helps to en capture the trailer brilliantly.

We particularly favoured this photograph out of the above options.

ANALYSIS OF DRAFT 1 MAGAZINE COVER VS. DRAFT 2 MAGAZINE COVER

As a group we used our collective magazine cover research to help us come up with our
initial magazine cover. This initial magazine cover is shown below. We choose to start by
selecting a light purple background colour which was the same colour we used for the title of
our film in the trailer. We liked the idea of following this purple scheme as it would be
easily recognisable to potential readers. We then placed our symbol for our film trailer centrally
on the page, this choice was potentially going against the conventions of a film magazine
cover as the central focal image is usually a photograph of the main actors or actresses.
This symbol was however also recognisable as we used it at the end of our trailer alongside the
titles. For the masthead of our magazine cover we came up with a unique name of
‘Top Feature’ we particularly liked this as it was similar to ‘Total Film’ which is a successful
British film magazine however different and quirky. We placed the masthead at the top of the
magazine cover and chose to put it in plain white text with a opaque text box. We initially liked
the simplicity of the title but soon decided that for it to stand out on a magazine rack, we may
need to choose a font, design or colour which is more eye catching. Although this
magazine cover did not include all the conventions we did practice the use of creating a puff,
which is used to boost or advertise a certain feature in the magazine.

However we did not like the shape of the puff we used as we thought it didn't fit
with the theme. Overall we think our initial magazine cover lacked creativity, some key
conventions such as tag lines or a skyline and did not have a clear theme or link to our film
itself.Therefore we chose to use this film magazine cover we had created as a practice
one, enabling us to be more creative in the task of creating a new one.

After more thought and practice using Adobe Photoshop to edit our magazine cover we
created a completely different and unique magazine cover which we believe would stand out
massively against competitors. We kept the same name for our masthead however adapted
the design and put the word feature within the word top. We decided this looked more effective
as it took up less space but also gave the magazine cover a unique style.


We replaced the icon for our film with a main focal image of our main actress. The image is
extremely powerful as it massively represents the two sides to our main protagonists life
through the use of her makeup. The perfect side shows her makeup o be flawless and to
create an alter ego that everything about her life is okay. The imperfect side shows her
makeup to be smudged and smeared through the use of lipstick and mascara. This side
represents everything that is wrong with her life or the struggles she faces on a day to
day basis. We chose to distort the image at an angle as we believed it worked well with
the storyline of her distorted life. Unlike our original magazine cover, we used a number of
taglines and skylines. All of which were used to offer exciting additional features within the
magazine. The font we chose linked throughout and didn't overpower the main focal
image, however it was subtle enough to stand out on the page as secondary information
for the reader to appreciate. We changed the style of our puff to once again coincide with the
theme of our magazine colour. It was a similar light purple colour as the background image
and other text amongst the page. Interestingly we chose to change the font and placement of
the title of our film.


However we kept the opaque text box, which added to the simplistic feeling
the magazine cover was portraying. We chose to place the icon beside the title as this is
the same in our closing titles of the trailer therefore following the trend and becoming
recognisable for potential readers.


We also added a film strip down the right hand side of the
magazine cover, this was effective as we think it gives a snapshot of certain scenes from
the film trailer. These snapshots are enticing to the reader as they may appeal to our
target audience of teenagers approaching adulthood, as they reveal certain issues such as
alcohol. It also highlights to potential viewers that this is a film magazine and not s social
or gossip magazine.

    

                                               Draft 1                                                 Draft 2 

IMPERFECT PROMISES FILM POSTER MOCK/ INITIAL PLAN

When we initially begun researching coming of age film posters, we quickly realised that the posters from the most popular films consisted of a picture of the main characters together, on a fairly plain background such as a brick wall, with the title in the centre and a maximum of four colours in their colour scheme. Furthermore, due to the western eye being trained to look to the top left of the poster first, they have put the most important information there and then encouraged the eye to be dragged down using some sort of diagonal line. In technology, this is referred to as the golden triangle. For example, on a web page such as google we tend to select the first three results most often as that is where eye is naturally most attracted to – hence why companies pay lots of money to have their webpage sponsored to appear in that spot. Because of this, we understand that it is important to put any irrelevant information to the right hand side of our poster, and put the most important information on the left hand side and along the top, as demonstrated by the diagram to the right. You can then use the diagonal technique (shown using red line) to drag the eye down, by adding a character or two for example.

As seen below, this is a potential idea for the layout of our film cover.

EMPIRE MAGAZINE COVER PRACTICE

We decided to use Empire film magazine covers as a basis to what we will base our final
product on. We had previously analysed different film covers to see what works initially
in professional magazine covers to entice an audience. From trying to make our own version
of an Empire magazine cover, we learnt that we should keep the colours basic.
Alongside this, we found using a simple background works. We could then pull colours from
our background to add it to our text or box colours. We also learnt not to make the cover
really busy or it will be overpowered and our message wouldn't get across.

Using eye catching colours helped as it made the magazine cover stand out. We used
the technique using Photoshop where you can get the exact same colour for your text as
in the background using a colour drop tool.

TOTAL FILM MAGAZINE COVER DRAFT VS. FINAL PIECE

Draft:

Final:

We decided to make a magazine cover in the style of total film to help decide what kind of look and style we wanted to take with our magazine. As a result of this, we have learnt that we really like the concept of having our title slightly cross over behind our main image. We have also learnt how effective it is to use just four colors in our cover as it creates a professional look. We learnt that we didn't like the concept of using a white background as you feel you have to fill all blank space. Overall, we have learnt a lot from copying the style of total film and has focused us on making sure our magazine looks professional but still unique.

ANALYSIS OF FORMER A2 MEDIA STUDENT THEATRICAL TRAILER, MAGAZINE COVER AND THEATRICAL POSTER

We decided to look at Nick Ashurst final theatrical trailer, magazine cover and theatrical
poster. We chose to look at his final pieces as he achieved a high final grade.

Film trailer analysis: - ‘Osiris Unbound’

Highlights:

- The trailer opens with 5 medium to long establishing shots. Combined with
non - diegetic slow/ tense music and the start of a character voice over.
The establishing shots and non - diegetic music are calming and relaxed.  

- A low angle shot reveals a male protagonist triggering a gun combined with the non
diegetic music which heightens becoming louder and faster. This dramatic music is
followed by a mixture of close up and medium shots cut together to show a car speeding
towards a male character who pulls out a gun and shots the driver. These fast pace
shots are effective as it shows clearly what happens but creates tension and excitement
for the audience as they are watching.

- After a dramatic section, a blackout is followed by another male character walking
through the woods. This medium angle shot combined is combined with a voiceover from
a different character.

- A number of close up shots focus on the use of weaponry in the film trailer.
This reveals and confirms the action genre.

- Subtitles and text is added effectively in between tense sections. This looks professional.

Magazine Cover:

- Interesting layout and proximities of characters used for the main focal image.
One character has been placed higher up potentially revealing they have greater
power and authority over the other characters.

- They chose to copy the background image and layout of an actual Hollywood
reporter magazine cover.

- Coverlines are scattered around the main focal image, the typography used it
simple but looks professional.

Theatrical Poster:

- Title of the film runs along the bottom. The typography used is effective as it looks

futuristic and would insinuate the film follows an action genre.

- The main image is a medium shot of 4 characters placed in a pyramid layout.
The main character is placed centrally and is the biggest. We really liked the way
they have layered and used proximities to show what characters are more important
than others. They have also chosen to use props, the props used are weapons which
also conform to conventions of a action genre.

- The credits have been placed under the main image, this looks professional and realistic.

The background image of a city skyline with the clouds being eyes is extremely
clever and unique. It helps to create a setting for the film.

FILMING DIARY DAY 1

On our first day of filming, we all decided to meet at 10:30am

so that before the actors arrived we could plan what part we wanted to film.

Immediately we ran into a problem as we realised we didn’t have our script

that we had planned in class.

However, we overcame this as we decided to try and improvise it.

We wrote down roughly what we wanted to include in the film trailer,

then let the actors adapt what we said.

We also realised our script was mainly set in the evening,

yet we also decided that we could say that it was ‘early morning’ as outside it was light.

When the actors arrived we briefed them on what we were going to do,

then we set to work.

We decided to start at the beginning where Clio comes home

and gives James the money, we had to film this multiple times where they’re wearing

different clothes to symbolise that each shot is on different days.

This took about 40 minutes as we had to change clothes and had to do multiple takes.

We then moved onto the shot of Clio rummaging in her bag when she’s upset.

We had Eloise directing this section as seen in the video below.

This was effective as we all were participating and helping out in different ways.

Afterwards we filmed Clio walking up to her mother,

whilst her mother is passed out with bottles around her.

Gemma ended up playing the ‘Mother’ as one of our actors had to drop out last minute.

This wasn’t a problem as it was such a minor role.

We then took a 40 minute break, then started to film the last few shots.

This started with Clio having her argument with her ‘ex-boyfriend’.

She slams the car door whilst screaming at him.

We had to be careful as it was in a quiet neighbourhood and we didn’t want to attract

too much attention.

Our last shot took place at Stoneleigh station.

This shot is just of Clio waiting for the train. This is to be placed at the end of our film trailer.

This is to create an effect of mystery about Clio, as to create suspense for the audience.

FILMING DIARY DAY 2

We completed our second day of filming late one Friday night in February, to ensure
that the weather and atmosphere was correct and as we had envisaged for our film.
We began our filming in Sainsbury's car park where we had planned on capturing both
long and medium shots of Clio as she walks out of the store, bags in hand and heading to
the car where James was waiting for her. These shots were quite simple to achieve and add
a concept of realism. The area that we filmed in was well lit for the look we were trying to
achieve, so this was a positive. The only negative for these shots was the fact that the
general public could frequently be seen in our shots. However, this no longer became
an issue as this made it more realistic.

Other shots that we achieved during our day 2 of filming were in the car park where the
car is seen to beep and make the babysitter jump. This took a little while to get as we
had to time it correctly. Furthermore, we had to make sure not to distract other drivers,
and hence, there was quite a bit of waiting around to achieve this shot.

Whilst at sainsbury's, we also decided to take the pictures for our film poster as there
was a brick wall that we had planned to use as our background. Obviously it was late at
night, and so we struggled to achieve good lighting. However, we decided that our favorite
pictures were ones that had the flash on as they created this 'mug shot' style picture
which really captured our characters roles and moods.

Lastly, we had to capture the shots of the car being "destroyed". By the time we had
driven back to our house it was very late and the roads were empty, which created this
ironic setting of calmness amongst the craziness which was about to begin. We had quite
a big problem with lighting at this point, and despite parking the car underneath a street
lamp to get the shot as bright as possible, the shots came out looking much darker than
we had originally planned. Additionally, we had planned on "spray painting" the car but we
were unable to get hold of these props, and couldn't find a place that we could film
without actually getting accused of destroying a car.

In general, we were happy with the shots that we achieved and thought that we had a fairly
successful filming evening, despite struggling with lighting and actually getting our
actors in the same place at the same time.

SCRIPT AND SHOTLIST

Clio, James, Clio’s Ex, Stan, Clio’s Mother

Establishing shot of Clio’s road           

Voice over (Clio): this was my life. Getting up, going to school,

working 4-8 and coming home.

Day 1 of girl walking in door wearing outfit number 1

Day 1 of girl handing over money to babysitter

We have this babysitter, named James… I think?

He looks after my little brother whilst I’m at work

and my mum is pissed on the sofa. My dad died …

& this is what my mums turned into

Day 1 of boy walking out of house

Day 2 of girl walking in door wearing outfit number 2

Day 2 of girl handing over money to babysitter

Day 2 of boy walking out of house

Day 3 of girl walking in door wearing outfit number 3

Day 3 of girl handing over money to babysitter

Day 3 of boy walking out of house

Walks up to mums bedroom

Shot of mum lying in bed with bottles and photograph in hand

Clio picks up photo and kisses it

Clio pulls blanket over her and turns off light

When it happened … everything changed…

BLACKOUT “everything changed”

Car screeching outside

(Car screeching SFX) – Background music

James’ head suddenly turns to face blinds

Close up of blinds being opened

Point of view shot of him looking outside at the situation

Clio: I hope she was worth it!

Clio’s Ex: Yeah she was! She gave me what you never did

James: OH SHIT…!

Clio: I’m glad I never gave it to you asshole

(Slams car door)

Shot of car door slamming and James closing blinds at the same time

Clio is seen walking up the drive

(Heavy breathing, jangling of keys)

Bag on shoulder – medium shot of Clio getting her purse out of her bag…frantically struggling

James: Is there anything I can do?

Both look up – Kuleshov effect (Upbeat music)

Close up of car keys being grabbed off side (Emphasis of sound of grabbing keys)

Shot of car pulling away (Car pulling away SFX)

Pulling into a car park space (Engine off sounds)

Over the shoulder from Clio’s point of view as James asks why they are here

James: What’s the plan?

Over the shoulder from James’ point of view as Clio replies

Clio: Revenge

Clio pulls down sunglasses

Long wide shot of Clio walking out of Sainsbury’s

(That girl is a problem)

Music pause - long shot of James leaning on car with headlights on

(Car Alarm) James fumbling “Car alarm goes off eg hazard lights” long shot of James jumping

Clio: *Laughing*

(That girl is a problem)

Pulling up next to house where boyfriends car is

Look at one another

Clio: You ready for this?

Series of shots of vandalising car – montage

Get back into car

Clio + James: *Laughing/heavy breathing*

Clio point of view, James looks shy

James: I’ve never had that much fun

Music and singing – montage

Clio+ James: *Singing/ laughing*

Music cuts out

Slow motion shot of her walking away Clio turns back & smiles

Voice over (James): That was the last time I saw her…

The next day I went round to babysit again but she never came home…

(3/4 shots max, different activities)

PARALLEL EDITING – James texting to ask where she is and her receiving them

Long shot of her at the train station