Research and Planning: Film Poster Analysis

"Prom Night" Film Poster

The poster follows the typical conventions of any horror/thriller genre film poster, in that the image is something which immediately gives away the fact that the film will be quite scary/jumpy, due to the nature of the photograph. The young woman is screaming, which sets us up as to what to expect from the film. The blue tinge to the image is also something we would usually expect from a horror/thriller film. This being something I may take into account when creating my own film poster. It makes the image seem a lot more terrifying and sinister. 

The poster image also has a very grainy quality to it, in white which seems to look as though there is scratches to the blue tinge of the image. This is very effective as it adds a more fearful aspect to the poster. 

The use of the red font is interesting, due to the connotations which we have with this colour, this gives the poster more of a focus around the danger aspects to the film, making us think of blood and death. Interestingly, the font is very thin, which is effective as it doesn't take the attention away from the image. Also the genre suits the font, for example a big chunky/swirly font would be more suitable for animation film based at young children. The line "A night to die for" works well due to the fact that obviously prom is a big night for people, however the fact that it says "to die for" gives us the impression that people are obviously going to die-the common phrase having multiple meanings here. 

As you can see, the use of the font steeltongs has been used for the film credits, this is something which is typical of ALL film posters of all genres, and something which I will be using in my film poster, in order for it to have the same effects a real film poster would have. Also, film production company logos have been used, in the right hand bottom corner, as well as the website address for the film "ANightToDieFor.com" 

The film date is also at the bottom, in the same font as the film title. This is an important aspect to a film poster as it indicates more information to the audience, making them aware of when they can go and view the film. 

Research and Planning: Location Research

 Whilst I was with my friend, whose car we plan to use for our trailer - we decided to take the opportunity to take some photographs of our ideal location for the car scene of our trailer. We headed to the underground carpark of a local supermarket, which we thought would give quite an eerie effect for our trailer. However, as I did not have a camera with me (was very spur of the moment) I took photos on my blackberry so I apologise for the quality. 

The photos came out quite well I think, however I think the scene should be shot on a darker day, as the lighting is too high-key for our trailer, so this is something which will need to be considered, and I am glad we looked into it before going here for filming.  

Research and Planning: Stalker Clips

One Hour Photo:


Fatal Attraction:


Obsessed:


Prom Night:


One Tree Hill TV Series


Pretty Little Liars TV Series :


In order to continue research for my Horror/Thriller trailer, I have gathered some clips and trailers of films and TV series which have had stalker storylines/or have been based on stalkers. I used TV series as well in order to look at the cinematography as well as the basic narrative structure. I have noticed that in Pretty Little Liars - the fact that the stalker is a woman creates shock - this reflects how the gender of our stalker is not revealed throughout the trailer, only hinted at. I also liked the costume in Pretty Little Liars, the dark hoodie is something we have considered as costume for our trailer.
Also, the recurring idea of the photos all over the wall in One Hour Photo, Pretty Little Liars and One Tree Hill is something which we will use in our trailer. This will immediately show our audience that our film is following a stalker narrative.

Research and Planning: Location examples

Today I noticed that it was very foggy and so I took this opportunity to take a few snaps as location research for our trailer. As I live directly across from a field and the woods, I thought this may act as a more errie location for our trailer. 

Some photos haven't come out very well, but the third photograph I think works well. The fact that it was evening time gives a better lighting for the images. However, after taking these photographs, I am unsure as to whether this location is right for our film. The vast space could work well with the stalker plot line, as it would look as though the girl was isolated. 

Research and Planning: Cinematography Research - Villain Close-ups

 

 

VILLAIN CLOSE UPS

These close ups of well known horror villains, are something which I will consider using in our trailer, as I am the manager of Cinematography. These tight framings allow to see the facial expressions of the villains, which as you can see look incredibly evil. It also allows us to identify what type of character the villains are, we make no mistake in realising that these characters are not victims within the film. As we have discussed masking our villain, I think it will be effective using this type of shot, in order to show strong reactions and so give a sense of violence to our trailer.

Research and Planning: Half Term Plans

As we are now breaking up from college for a week, today I have spoken to my group about the plans of what needs to be done over the week off as we may not see one another.

We have decided that we all need to continue with genre research for our trailer.
Obviously, as I am covering Cinematography, I will carry out some research on shot types independently, for example close ups/ high or low angle shots. As will Paige and Bethan with their areas, Mise-En-Scene and Editing.
I may also go and look at the location for one of the shots in our trailer, in order to see what will need to be done to it before it is ready for filming.
I may also look at the sound within existing trailers, as this is an area which I share with the others in my group.

As well as this, I will be watching films of the Horror nature, in order to view the narrative of the films.

Research and Planning: Production Company Logo

 

 

 

 

 These are examples of existing production company logos, which I will use as research for when I create my own for my trailer. This gives me an idea of what they look like, and so I can use similar conventions for my own. I am thinking of making one similar to twisted pictures, as this is a current horror film production company, as oppose to dream works, which is more of an animative production company, mainly creating childrens films. 

Research and Planning: Costume and Props List

For our stalker, our costume will be...

-A plain white mask - in order to conceal the identity


-A black oversized hoodie
-Any other dark clothing

Our female character (the victim) will be wearing...

-A girly outfit, in order to show her vulnerability


For our trailer, in terms of props, we will need...


-A car


- A laptop


This is just a brief example of some of the props and costume we will be using, Paige - who is in charge of Mise-en-Scene will be aware of the correct props and costume of which we will be using.

Research and Planning: Name Ideas

NAME IDEAS FOR TRAILER:

• Stalk-her 
• Just Around The Corner
• Alone 
• Creeper

Research and Planning: Shots Of Villain

 Our original idea was to show only behind shots of our stalker, very much like the ones in the two above images. We would still like to use a lot of these shots throughout the trailer, due to the fact that it adds a darker atmosphere. This would also leave a twist - as the trailer would not reveal the identity of the villain.

As I am in charge of cinematography, this is an important aspect for me to think about, as this limits the shot types I will be able to use in the trailer, for example - a close up of the villains face would obviously be innappropriate, if the identity is going to be kept as a surprise through the trailer, in order to add a twist.

After talking to another member of my group, Paige - who is in charge of mise-en-scene (and therefore costume) we have questionned the idea of giving our stalker a mask. This would then allow us to use much more shot types throughout the trailer, as oppose to the limited long shots or over shoulder shots.

Research and Planning: Character Ideas

 

Today we spoke about character ideas, and we are considering using a mask for our villain, this adds to the mystery, whilst also adding more of the horror element.
This would also allow us to show a twist, as the audience would be unaware as to whether or not the stalker is a male or female. As we wanted to keep the identity of the stalker a secret - in order to not reveal too much of the film in the trailer, this would allow us to use head on shots of the character, instead of keeping the shots of the villain to be from behind. 

Research and Planning: Equipment and Software List

Blogger

This is where I will document all of my work, including research.


Photoshop
 
Photoshop is the software which I will be using for the production of my film poster and magazine cover.


Garage Band

Garage band is the software which I will be using in order to make sounds for the trailer, including sound effects and music.


iMovie

I will use iMove in order to export photos and and film footage onto the iMac, in order to edit


SLR Camera

I will be using an SLR camera to take photographs throughout my porject, including photographs for my film poster and magazine.


Video Camera

I will be using a video camera in order to film our trailer, seeing as I am in charge of Cinematography, I will be the "cameraman"


iMac

I will be using the iMacs to produce all of my work - including the film poster, magazine and trailer, as well as all research


Final Cut Pro
 
Final Cut Pro is the editing software for which our trailer will be edited on.

Research and Planning: Word Cloud - "Word It Out"

Alice & Paige WordCloud - Word cloud - WordItOut

 

 

These are brief ideas and phrases which we would associate with our film. We thought putting down our ideas in this way would help to give us inspiration for name ideas, whilst also discussing the brief themes of our production.

Research and Planning: Treatment

Treatment.
Proposal One (Added elements of proposal two)

We have decided to choose proposal one, where she is being stalked by her personal tutor, however we have added elements from proposal one, in that one of her friends is also a suspect, as well as her ex boyfriend.

-Trailer begins with a montage, which shows mainly her happy shots, with her friends high key lighting- in order to portray a normal atmosphere: including very quick shots of her feeling uncomfortable, showing how quickly things can "turn sour"- this being receiving a text message from her "stalker", with her ex boyfriend, her math tutor, or with her friend who has began to act strangely. This allows, from the beginning, the audience to get a feel for the film - and question over what is making her uncomfortable.
-Ambiguity over who the stalker is, use of a mask
-Change to low key lighting.
-Shots of the girl going about her daily life, brief flashes of stalker in background of shots, or her getting messages from him. Showing how much he is taking over her life
-Extensive use of Close-ups in order to show reaction
-Shot of her in her bedroom/house while the stalker is at the window.
-Cut to shot of the shed, with her photos everywhere, jump cuts to show confusion and intensity of situation, this being the part where we are aware of the severity of the stalker.
-Trailer ends with massive "bust-up" between the masked stalker and the victim, struggle as the villain puts her into the car. Jump Cuts used here.
-Fade to black, and date the film is released appears

Research and Planning: Treatment Ideas

Research and Planning: Proposal

IDEA ONE:

Mysterious stalker begins to follow a teenage girl

He is her personal tutor, comes on too strong, tells him to back off – he won’t leave her alone.

Mise-en-Scene

Wooden shed with photographs of the young girl (murders lair)

Underground car park

Busy Place e.g shopping centre, college

Teen’s house

His house (He’s her personal tutor)

Editing

Slow editing at the beginning (set scene)

Fast editing towards the end when tension and action is taking place

Straight cuts

Jump cuts

Fade at the end (suspense)

Cinematography

Close ups of victims face

Close ups of the villain

Long Shots of villain, to portray him to be in the distance, yet always watching

Pan of the scene

Low angle of victim

High angle of villain, show his power over her

Sound

Screams of girl

Footsteps of stalker

Heavy Breathing

IDEA TWO:

Within a group of friends, one is hiding a secret. She becomes completely obsessed with another friend, and wants to be her. She works on isolating the rest of the group so that she can have the girl to herself. Giving her time to kill her, and take her identity.

Mise-en-Scene

College

House party at beginning

Wooden Shed

Modern day

Editing

Straight cuts

Montage

Dissolve

Jump cut

Shot-reverse-shot

Cinematography

Close ups of the girl’s emotions and reactions to show group dynamics

POV shots

Medium shots

Sound

Recordings of the girl who is being preyed on

Screaming

Music at the beginning – quite girly, shows the group

Banging of doors

IDEA THREE:
Halloween party gone wrong, everyone is pretending to be someone they are not, yet they are unaware there is a real killer underneath one of the masks.
Mise-en-Scene
Factory for party scene
Street
Police car
House - getting ready for the party
Costume - Halloween outfits
Editing
Fast pace
Straight cuts
Jump cuts
Cinematography
Close ups
Wide Shots
Tight framing
Sound
Loud party music
Screaming/pleas for help
Phones ringing - trying to get hold of the police

Research and Planning: BBFC Talk.

Whilst in London we also visited the BBFC. (British Board Of Film Classification)

We had a talk about how films are classified and this helped in gaining an understanding of what rating our film would receive, and the contents it would need to be of the rating we want.
This has shown our group which I have chosen to work with for the trailer, that we do not want to have our film as an 18 - due to the fact that it would narrow down the audiences which would be able to watch the film, but also due to the talk we recieved from the BBC, which showed us just how gruesome the film would need to be for an 18.

Research and Planning: London - British Film Museum

Between the 3rd and 5th of October, I visited London. 

Here I visited the British Film Museum, which helped me get some inspiration for my horror trailer.