Planning for location, props and actors

Updated information
We have developed our initial ideas making them more practical and detailed while different aspects of the trailer. For example we realised it would be very difficult to include the new report about the missing child due to trying to include moving text along the bottom of the screen, we also thought by including this clip it may make the trailer seem more of a film than a trailer and it is acknowledging the child has gone missing and may have included some suspects which may have given the whole plot away to the audience.

Locations

Props

Original ideas

The Location and camera angles
during the beginning of the trailer our first location is going to be an interior shot of a family home. This first shot is a long shot to take in all the surroundings to 'set the scene' this is going to be recognised as the establishing shot. the next shot is a medium close of the mother and child while travveling in the car on the way to the park. the park is our exterior shot, where we will firstly use a long shot in order to grasp the atmosphere and surroundings we will then use a range of camera shots and angles, such as:

point of view/over the shoulder shot of the father watching the child.

extreme close up of mobile phone and mother's face expression.

a jolted zoom in shot of the mother's realisation.

long shot of playground and balloon floating into the air.

close up of the teddy left on the round about.

hand held camera when the father is running through the woods with the child.

low angle shot of feet running.

Props:

• Teddy
• Balloon
• Alcohol bottle
• Car
• Mobile phone

Actors:

• Mother- Nicola Brady
• Father - Declan Heeney
• Child - Tom Hughes
• News Reporter - Mr Koryl/Gerry Brady

Our intended dates for filming is the 24 and 25th  November and will continue over the next few weeks.


Experimenting different camera shots and angles

Within our trailer we aim to include as many of these camera shots and angles as possible. For example long shots and medium shots are prime examples this are going to be used frequently throughout, extreme long shots will be include when the environment and background needs to be include i.e when looking for the son, point of view shots will be used when the father is watching the family in the playground and lastly the extreme close is inspiration for our studio ident.

Panning shot

Circular Tracking shot

Zoom in to close up

Zoom in to medium shot

Zoom out from close up

Hand held shot

Low angle shot

Within our trailer Nicola and I hope to use many of these various angles within our trailer. To show an understanding our different camera shots and angles by using them correctly.

Profile of Target audience

Profile

Our typical audience member would be an adult/parent, due to the fact that the film is based upon a young child being taken, expressing that parents could relate to this as they would feel the same emotions if their child were to go missing, because of how realistic the story line is. Although it may relate to adults and parents, due to the film being certificated as a 12, other audience members of ages 12 and above are likely to watch this as it has mostly low or moderate themes throughout.

The theme is drama/thriller by using this particular genre this creates tension and curiosity throughout the build up of the trailer as the audience questions at first is it the father taking the child? will he be separated from his mother for ever? what is going to happen to him; will he be injured,returned safely or missing forever? this causes the audience to appear active as they are intrigued to know the rest of the story line.



Name: Charlotte Spencer

Occupation: School teacher and mother

Location: United Kingdom

Favourite films/programmes: True movies, soaps and drama sequels

Why she would would enjoy this drama: the film is based on real life events and being a mother can relate to it as she has children. 

Name: Joseph Griffith
Age: 18
Occupation: student
Location: West Midlands
Siblings: 5- Brothers and sisters
Favourite films/programmes: Holby City, thrillers such as disturbia, paranormal activity.
why he would watch this drama: he enjoys working out the plot and ending of thillers, which are based on real life events.

Research Pulse short film Abigail Stafford

Camera shots/ angles
When introducing the title pulse, it is written in a red liquid which drips suggesting the idea of blood and dangerous already expressing the genre of the short film. at the beginning there is a shot of the vitim applying make up, the camera is positioned to be like a mirror- so the victim looks into the camera as if it was a mirror. The close up shot of the girl searching for her coat is a worms eye view this seems very realistc when using the idea of searching. the shot of the legs and feet while running down the stairs is a medium shot and is very important as it shows the victim's build up to leaving the house. The over the shoulder shot signifies the idea of being stalked as a the unidentified characters is learing in the background. In another shot the camera is hand held showing the idea of someone watching from a distance.

Research into Short Films

Short film- Frank

The Plot

This short film is about a lodger named Frank who shares a home with Pete and Laura. Pete and Laura are constantly irritated and hassled by loud music next door, although they complain it never stops. While relaxing in one night together, one of the flat mates leaves to go to the shops. Later, he comes home in the early hours of the morning looking shaken up, disorientated and covered in red stains. The other house mates wondered what has happened as they are ignored when they ask. The next day read in the paper the neighbour next door has died due to a speaker falling on his head. The next day, Frank has brought Laura a mascara which is then revealed on TV/radio that a young woman has been murdered with a mascara brush. due to the TV/radio is not shown in this long shot the sound is categorised as non diegetic as its off stage. At this point is where the pieces of the puzzle begins to fit together, especially when he is found again covered in red stains. Frank then approaches Pete and Laura to explain his motives.

Mise en scene/Camera shots and angles/Edits/Sound

The location of the filming is set inside a nicely decorated 'cosy' home. The characters are wearing casual clothing for every day wear. The audience are able to recognise the time of day through low and high key lighting as well as the type of clothing the characters wear for example wearing pajamas shows the early morning. Within the house is 3 people, two of the three have a close relationship and get along very well while the other has hardly any interaction portraying to the audience he is strange and different to the others as he is the mysterious character in the film. Throughout the film the lighting is either naturalistic (day light) or low key lighting through use of TV or lamps etc.

At the start of the film Laura has authority as she complains to the neighbours and has a strong, forceful attitude (swearing) within the household. However when it is revealed what Frank has done the position of authority switches to Frank and the couple now become inferior towards him due to his violent acts. he orders them to "sit down!" within a moment they do. To show his authority the camera angle is taken at a worms eye view.

when Frank has committed his first crime which the audience knows of, the camera is held in first person by using a point of view shot staring down the stairs (worms eye view) to see who is at the doors this signifies his feeling of fear that it may be the police.

The establishing shot is of the couple Pete and Laura sitting comfortably in the kitchen. This is shown by a medium shot of Pete drinking what looks to be a hot beverage while Laura rests her feet on him while reading the paper. this signifies a stereotypical couple in an average sized house portraying how and what  mid 20s to mid 30's couple would be doing while corresponding with one another.
There are constant fast cuts/edits during the opening scene as the characters talk to wanna another this is produced to convey the idea of when a character is speaking the close up shot of the camera switches to that particular person.

Halfway through the film is a long shot of the couple eating dinner in the lounge with high key lighting, an edit is then used; it fades to the couple now sitting relaxed in front of the T.V with low key lighting (only the television) this portrays the idea that time has passed and it has grew further into the night.

Before

After

during the credits at the end are images of the 'weapons' used within the film, as well as the actors, editor, writer, producer, sound specialist, cinematographer and director. To show the images of the weapons and the individuals involved the edit used is of medium speed and its as if someone is taking a picture due to the use of non diegetic sound and white flash shown to continue onto next screen shot. this effect of camera flashes and sounds is used to portray the idea of a forensic investigation of a crime committed. resulting in the genre it is trying to pursue; thriller/crime.

Our Questionnaire

Questionnaire for my Film Trailer

(Circle which applys to you)

How old are you?

Under 12            12-14             15-17          18-24       25-29     30+

Are you male or female?

Female                Male 

What is your favourite film genre?

Comedy        Romance        Drama       Adventure          Fantasy        Action          Sci-fi            Thriller              Horror

At the beginning of the trailer you are shown a clip of a Mother and Father arguing about their son. Later that day the mother and her son go out for the day to the dark; but the unexpected happens…

 Can you guess the ending???

a. The Father joins them and they enjoy their day in the park [   ]

b. The family are kidnapped [   ]

c. The child is taken [   ]

d. They are attacked by dogs in the park [   ]

e. The Mother's car breaks down so they cannot get home [   ]

What is your least favourite film genre?

Comedy        Romance        Drama       Adventure          Fantasy        Action          Sci-fi            Thriller              Horror

Can you think of any inspirational ideas to include in our trailer?

Completed Questionnaire

Our initial Ideas

My Story Board

Synopsis

·  Mother and Father have just split up and are arguing about which of them will look after their son.

· The mother takes the child to the park, the child is holding a balloon.

· The child goes on a round-a-bout ride, the camera shows the father looking at his son in the background.

· The mother goes to buy a drink leaving her son alone playing on the ride.

· The camera zooms in and out on the father highlighting his existence.

· The mother comes back, the ride is still moving, the balloon has drifted up into the air. The child is no where to be seen.

·  Black Out

· Mother standing, screams his name. This is followed by a shot of the mothers feet running through the park.

· Shot of the father and son running fast through the woods.

· The child falls and the Father picks him up aggressively.

· Shot of the mother at the police station and the Police Officer replies, 'well if hes with his Father, hes okay'

· Father pushes son into the car and shouts, 'keep ya head down!'

· Shot of the mother in her sons room, shaking back and forth with a photo of her son and crying.

Different types of genres

 Within the filming industry there are a variety of different genres to target a range of audiences.

Thriller: psychological thrillers evoke fright they cause the audience to feel emotions of guilt and fear due to the emotional instability it creates tension with what is about to pop up on screen next enabling the audience to feel part of the film. This is achieved by the way in which it is produced. For example thrillers include suspense which builds up the narrative usually done by the use of eerie music, loud bangs/noises which are usually diegetic to suggest it has been caused by someone near by, this is then followed by fast scenes of action however not all important aspects of the film is shown this is known as ambignity which then allows the audience to discover and work out the plot or characters involved causing them to be an active audience rather than passive.

Horror: in most horror films the focus is on the graphic images rather than the narrative, whereas in a thriller the narrative is much more important in order to create the fearful sense of enigma. a horror is designed to evoke suspense with more blood and gore as it targets to startle the view by playing on the audiences' fears. due to the vivid and graphic images it creates less excitement because the audience are constantly shown violence therefore will gradually become desensitised towards it.

Drama: this genre concentrates of the emotional relationships between characters dealing with day to day issues in society to signify elements of realism. Each different characters have completely different characteristic's and personalities to express their specific role in regard to the storyline. most drama strive to be emotionally moving to make a connection with their target audience.Within a drama the storyline is often about some kind of conflict between groups of people that has not be resolved this then allows for climax to occur to still attach the audience to the plot. At the end of most genres a resolution has been found creating a happy or pleasant ending.

Romance: this genre focuses on the relationships between two characters in regard to love. However is isn't always based on the theme of love at first sight it includes many different themes of love such as forbidden love for example Romeo and Juliet, relationships of hate that develop into true love for example 10 things I hate about you, love at first sight for example P.S I love you, an affair for example it's complicated and many other different aspects of it. Regardless of whether the ending is cheerful or catastrophic the aim of a romantic genre is to create the audience to display strong emotions towards it.

Fantasy: this particular genre integrates themes of magic, fictional characters/places and imaginative storyline. these films are usually targeted at young children however some films are targeted a large scale of audiences for example the movie Avatar. the inspiration for these films often comes from mythology or desires which are then created into reality in films. The illustrations are heavily relied upon in this genre because audiences are likely to watch something that is presented with fantastic images and storyline rather than just the storyline itself, because through advancements in technology there is is a lot of competition so the more vivid and imaginative that are the more publicity.

Me and Nicola have decided on the genre drama because it can easily establish a narrative especially when we have decided to produce a trailer, the narrative needs to be quickly understood so audience are well aware of what has happened and want to find out the ending result. it also is a genre that it very heartfelt which can connect with audiences, it can also easily be a hybrid so we have decided to use it alongside thriller as being a trailer will create suspense and explain the narrative making it equally as important. 

Short films and Trailers

Within a short film the narrative should have a beginning, middle and end this is a main convention of a short film to show the development of the storyline. Short films are often produced in chronological order so it is an understandable and clear storyline for audiences to follow, in my opinion sometimes short films can be predictable when it comes to the ending result as certain factors can influence giveaways; for example a mysterious character is revealed or the idea that most films tend not to end on a bad note therefore can predict it will be a happy ending. This is why me and Nicola have decided to produce a trailer. Editing the scenes so that they are in different orders is much easier, as the narrative doesn't have to be told and the audience can be active is deciding on what is happening and what is going to happening therefore will develop their own ideas. Trailers are often not predictable as they are usually left on a cliffhanger so people will go and watch the film in cinemas to find out the true underlying plot. Within trailers it is unusual for audiences to become bored of  them because of how short they are and that they don't drag on about the narrative, this is done by only allowing the best parts of a film to be used within a trailer such as the comical jokes or the build up of tension, this is shown through only showing short clips of the film. 

Creating a trailer will be challenging however will be enjoyable once scenes are recorded and all is left is to edit them to create an emotional response we hope to see off target audiences.

Narrative Theories

Narrative is the organisation given to a series of facts. The human mind needs narrative to make sense of different everything in life in order to understand it. We connect events and make interpretations based on those connections. There is always a beginning middle and end in every part of life it just depends on how we approach events for them to result in the outcome we desire. 

Narrative Conventions:

• Genre
• Character
• Form 
• Time 

Roland Barthes

He was a French semiologist who suggested that narrativeworks with five different codes that activate the reader to make sense of it.

The Five Codes

1. Action- a narrative device by which a resolution is produced through action for example a shoot out.

2. Enigma- a narrative device that teases the audience by presenting a puzzle or riddle to be solved, it works to delay the ending result of the narrative.

3. Symbolic- a narrative device that connotates what a storyline could portray, an individuals interpretation.

4. Semic- a narrative device that denotates the true meaning of a storyline, no need for predictions.

5. Cultural- a narrative device where the audience can recognise as being part of a culture this is due to relating to certain aspects of a film.

Claude Levi-Strauss

He was a French social anthropologist who studied myths of tribal cultures. His research has been adapted by media theorists to reveal underlying themes and symbolic oppositions in media texts. He examined how stories unconsciously reflect the values, beliefs and myths of a culture, these are usually expressed in the form of binary oppositions. Binary oppositions is the conflict between two terms/qualities, for example in 1970's western films everything was categorised:

Todorov

He believed there were three main parts to a narrative:

1. The text begins with a state of equilibrium where everything appears to be regular or calm.

2. There is some kind of disruption or disequilibrium - this is often a threat to the normal situation or it could be just a setback.

3. A new equilibrium is produced to end the narrative. in the best narratives there is some kind of change for the better perhaps in the main characters' behaviour or outlook on life. The narrative is recognised/seen as circular.