Planning - Filming Equipment and Software

Other than the props I will need on each of my filming days, I have also created a list of technology (equipment and software) required for throughout the production stage of my film trailer. The range of filming equipment and software shown in my powerpoint presentation below are the main things I will need during the filming and editing processes when producing my film trailer. However, I may decide to use additional equipment when filming (such as microphones and artificial light sources), or a range of different softwares when editing my film (for example, sound editing software, softwares to create production/distribution company idents or film titles).

Although it is likely that I will use some additional filming equipment or different softwares for different stages of the editing process, I did not list these in my equipment list below where I have only mentioned the tools that are required for making my film trailer. Instead, I will mention any additional equipment or software, or changes to what I will use when I come to filming/editing my final product.

Equipment list - Filming Equipment and Software from jessunderwood

Planning - Casting

Within the narrative I have created, there are two main characters needed to make my film trailer possible. Both roles will have to be female to make the concept of stolen identity seem more feasible to the audience; for example, a male character stealing the identity of a young girl would be more unrealistic to that of a girl stealing the identity of another female.
Each girl will have to be around the ages of 15 to 25 in order to make my film trailer relatable to my chosen target audience.

Choosing Cast Members:

Protagonist: Charlotte Underwood (aged 13) 
I chose Charlotte to fulfil my role as protagonist; this is an advantage to me as she has a lot of free time outside of school that I can spend filming her in short notice. Although she is 13 years old and therefore 2 years younger than the minimum age of my target audience, her age will not be revealed to my audience.
Whilst the actor has not done much film work before (in terms of acting), I will not need her to use her voice when she is acting as I plan on having no dialogue within my film trailer. Instead, I will be filming her running away from the antagonist and completing normal activities.
However, she is confident to allow me to use audio of her breathing heavily as though she was running to use over my footage.

 

Antagonist : Molly Braggins (aged 17)

Planning - Location Recce (Internal Setting)

Planning - Health and Safety Risk Assessment

Before I begin to shoot footage for my film trailer, I will need to acknowledge any potential risks that there may be on set or whilst using any filming equipment. I aim to film in two very different locations; one will be an indoor location whereas the second is in a section of woodland outdoors. Consequently, there will be different kinds of risks in either location due to the difference in setting. Therefore, I decided to carry out separate risk assessments when visiting each location, and have identified any potential risks or hazards there may be when filming. I considered each risk and came up with ways in which I could minimise or avoid the risk when on set to ensure that my cast members and I are safe.
When carrying out my risk assessment, I decided to list each risk or hazard, rate them in terms of how dangerous they were, and provided a solution to each potential problem.

Internal Location - House: 

External Location - Farthinghoe Nature Reserve:

Research Ancillary - Film Magazine Covers and their Conventions

Film magazine covers are designed with the same purpose as a film poster; to promote a new films release.

Typical Magazine Cover Conventions include: 

• Colour Scheme: this convention is an important aspect of a magazine cover and the colour scheme often relates to the film it is promoting. The use of colour will also provide an indication of the films genre. Bold and bright colours are commonly used to catch the audiences attention, making it rememberable. However, the use of bright colours could also suggest the genre of the film it is promoting; for example bright colours such as yellow have connotations of joy and cheerfulness so would more likely to be used to promote comedy films rather than genres which have a more serious tone. Due to the fact that my magazine cover ancillary product will be promoting an upcoming horror thriller film, I will need to ensure that the colour scheme I use reflects this particular genre. Ways in which I could do this is by using colours specific to this genre (such as red and black, connoting death and danger), although I could also experiment by desaturating colours in order to create a more ominous effect. 
• Focal Image: similar to a promotional film poster, a film magazine cover also has a focal image placed in the centre of the page which draws the audiences attention. However, in most cases the focal image on the cover of a film magazine portrays the main character, rather than a significant prop or location used frequently throughout the film. This acts as a unique selling point; the use of a famous, well-known cast member will help promote the film due to their popularity/familiarity which will attract the audiences attention. 
• Masthead: this bit of text presents the title of the magazine, and is featured on every issue and copy. The typography should be the same size and font as used in previous issues; the masthead essentially acts as a logo for the magazine so shouldn't therefore be changed. 
• Sell Lines: this acts as a way to encourage the audience to purchase the magazine, which often includes informing them of any competitions that they can enter inside, gifts or promotional offers that the magazine exclusively provides. The cover usually emphasises the price of the magazine itself, making it appear as though it is a good deal for potential consumers. Otherwise known as 'buzz words', sell lines often include the words 'free' and 'exclusive' which captures the audiences attention, making the magazine appear different and unlike any other of the magazine's main competitors.
• Lead Story and Anchorage Text: this refers to any text on the front cover which relates to the focal image/main feature film it is promoting. The lead story is typically the bold, large text which stands out next to the focal image. On the other hand, anchorage text often overlaps the the focal image in support of the lead story and typically includes what the magazine spread for the film will include; this could be a direct quote taken from the interview or article inside. 
• Banner: similar to 'sell lines', the banner also informs the audience of what is included inside the magazine, although this typically includes information on any other articles that feature inside. This text does not relate to the film being promoted on the front cover. 
• Barcode, Price, Date and Issue Number: the barcode is usually placed at the bottom, top or side of the magazine cover and does not interfere with the overall cover design. This is required and enables the magazine to be bought in stores. The price, publication date and issue number is usually situated beside the barcode in a small font so that it does not stand out against the main focal image or text. 

Research Ancillary - Film Posters and their Conventions

Other ways in which distribution companies advertise and promote their upcoming films is through the use of ancillary products such as posters and magazine spreads; two examples of heritage marketing. Unlike film trailers and teaser trailers which have to be viewed digitally onscreen, ancillary products allow distributors to promote their films physically, allowing them to reach potential audiences during their own day to day lives. The primary purpose of an ancillary product is to encourage potential consumers to watch the film when it is released. For one of my ancillary products, I have chosen to create a film poster alongside my film trailer to promote an upcoming horror thriller film. Therefore I must ensure that my film poster is eye catching so that it captivates the audience and prompts them to watch the film when it is released. 

These images are examples of film promotion through the use of ancillary posters in a variety of ways. The first two images show film posters used traditionally; the first image shows a promotional film poster for the 2013 horror thriller 'The Purge' on the wall of an Underground station, whereas the second image presents a (poster) billboard for 2012's 'The Dark Knight Rises', located at Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. The design of this particular billboard is considered groundbreaking, giving the illusion that the iconic Batman logo silhouette is smashing through the billboard. 

Depending on the genre of the film that a distributor is promoting, there are many codes and conventions which are followed in order to successfully advertise a new film. In some circumstances, a films genre will cause a promotional poster's layout, and therefore its overall look to appear significantly unconventional compared to other posters promoting a different genre of film. The poster should be designed to attract the largest audience possible.

Typical Film Poster Conventions include:

• Focal Image: there is usually a focal image placed in the centre of the poster which draws the audiences attention. The focal image of the poster generally shows the main character(s) of a film, a significant prop/location used frequently throughout the film, or something which summarises or represents the main theme of the narrative. For example, the poster for 2012 horror thriller 'The Cabin in the Woods' uses a focal image of a distorted version of the main location used throughout the film (a cabin in the woods) which also happens to be the main subject of the films narrative. 
  
• Large Title Font: the films title should be in a large font that stands out; this will make it clear to the audience what the film is called which guarantees awareness. The films title should usually be one of the main graphic features of a film poster (other than the focal image) and the title should therefore appear bold and striking. The typography should be in keeping to the rest of the poster, and will be relevant to the film's genre. The image below shows a close up of the title used in the film poster above. 
  
• Relation to Genre: the film poster should make it clear to the audience on what type of film it is promoting (for example, comedy or action). The poster will clearly define the genre of the film through the careful use of colour, image and typography, and will use common stereotypes of the films genre to convey this. An example of this is through the use of common horror thriller stereotypes in posters to advertise a film of the same genre; the poster will typically include dark colours such as red and black to connote death, danger and blood which are common themes within this type of film. The posters relation to the genre of the film it is promoting allows the audience to decide whether or not they would like to watch the film, as common themes or content in some genres are more feasible than others. 
• Release Date: there will usually be an indication of the films release somewhere on the poster. This could include 'Coming Soon' or an indication of the period in which it will be released, for example 'In Cinemas this Summer'. However, the majority of film posters will present the films confirmed release date. In the film poster advertising 'The Cabin in the Woods' shown above, the release date is the third most prominent aspect and appears bold in comparison to the rest of the billing block. This stands out to the audience and immediately informs them of the date of which the film will be released.  
  
• Production Information: production information, as well as the name of the director and any cast members are usually displayed on a billing block at the bottom of the film poster. 
  
• Star Personas: this particular convention acts as a unique selling point on a film poster. Conglomerate production companies particularly based in Hollywood rely on well-known 'A list' cast members to help promote their films. Film posters could also include reviews and examples of other (successful) films that the production company has made. 
  
• BBFC Certificate: an age certificate is usually clearly labelled on a film poster which will make it clear to the audience of the age restrictions of the film. This will provide the audience with an indication of the potential themes in the film including sex or drug use, which are more likely to be included in films rated the 15 or 18 BBFC classification. 
• Tagline's: A small section of text which is used to promote the film. 

Initial Planning - Ideas for Props

There are only a few props needed for consistent use throughout my film trailer. Examples of props I shall use throughout the duration of my film trailer include: 

A selection of props that are essential to the protagonist's identity.

This could include a pair of glasses, a wig or a piece of distinguishable clothing (e.g. a bright red jacket). These props must be key to the protagonists appearance as the audience will pick up on different aspects to her image (such as the fact that she wears glasses) continuously throughout the start of the trailer where the focus shall be on her. My intent is for the antagonistic character to steal the girl's identity towards the end of the narrative, so I would have to use props that are specific to her own appearance. I plan on the scene showing the stalker stealing her identity to appear ambiguous to the audience; instead of revealing the antagonist's full identity, I shall include footage of them picking up certain items and then placing it onto themselves (e.g. a close up of the antagonist raising a pair of the protagonist's glasses to their face). Although I have not yet chosen the cast for my film, a wig could be useful if the protagonist is clearly shown to have a different hair colour to her stalker, therefore allowing the audience to assume that the antagonist would have to possess the same qualities as the protagonist to make her appearance seem more convincing. I could experiment with using different saturations of light within the scene to allow the audience to focus on particular (brightly coloured) pieces of clothing.
At least one prop that is essential to the protagonists identity shall be featured in the film. However, this particular prop will be finalised when I come to planning my protagonist's costume, when I have a clearer idea of how she will appear onscreen visually.