The film will be a post apocalypse/science fiction picture, telling the story of a single survivor in this desolate world.
The want the trailer to create a very strong enigma, therefore it needs to not tell too much about the story of the film. It will have an interior monoglogue overlayed, perhaps a poem, similar to a trailer I found for a video game (Gears of War 2), shown below.
The personal story of the protagonist will have to kept enigmatic due to this being a teaser trailer and I think I will only show footage of him with shadows obscuring his face.
The film trailer neds to look good thefore I will try to create interesting shots and enigmatic scene setups, as well as some simple dramatic scenes; perhaps a fight or a suicide.
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Audience Profile and TRAILER PRODUCTION - Start 25/09/2012
AUDIENCE NOTE
The trailer would be attached to another film from the same company when it is first revealed to the public in Cinemas, as part of the previews before the actual feature. I am aiming for a 12 Certificate, so it's available to most audiences - usually these would be 12-24 year olds. During the mix of trailers I would need to compete with other productions to catch as much attention as possible, leading to a build up of hype, mainly through the word of mouth of those who see it.
AUDIENCE PROFILE EXAMPLE
-Teenagers (Age: 12-24)
-Males and Females
-Science Fiction Fans
-Fans of the Director (I use my own name as a brand)
The trailer would be attached to another film from the same company when it is first revealed to the public in Cinemas, as part of the previews before the actual feature. I am aiming for a 12 Certificate, so it's available to most audiences - usually these would be 12-24 year olds. During the mix of trailers I would need to compete with other productions to catch as much attention as possible, leading to a build up of hype, mainly through the word of mouth of those who see it.
AUDIENCE PROFILE EXAMPLE
-Teenagers (Age: 12-24)
-Males and Females
-Science Fiction Fans
-Fans of the Director (I use my own name as a brand)
My Production Company
I have previously designed a Production Company Logo for any of my video work. Midnight Pictures. I have a Youtube Channel and a facbook page for this company which are both titled MidnightPicturesAHB. The 'AHB' was to avoid copyright; these initials are of my full name; Angus Hrolf Bentham.
Here is a the opening sequence for 'Midnight Pictures'.
Basically, 'Midnight Pictures' is my equivelant of Christopher Nolan's 'Syncopy Films'. Because of this I will need to also include a major distribution company logo, the likes of Warner Brothers, Universal or Twentieth Century Fox.
I think I will select Twentieth Century Fox as my distribution company because it aesthetically appeals to me. However, it really it wouldn't matter because all of the 'Big Six' are so iconic anyway.
Here is a the opening sequence for 'Midnight Pictures'.
Basically, 'Midnight Pictures' is my equivelant of Christopher Nolan's 'Syncopy Films'. Because of this I will need to also include a major distribution company logo, the likes of Warner Brothers, Universal or Twentieth Century Fox.
I think I will select Twentieth Century Fox as my distribution company because it aesthetically appeals to me. However, it really it wouldn't matter because all of the 'Big Six' are so iconic anyway.
Friday, 21 September 2012
Trailer Music
Most theatrical trailers have epic, awe-inspiring soundtracks which only last around two or three minutes. The likes of 'Two Steps from Hell', 'Future world Music', 'Immediate Music' or 'Audiomachine'. Hollywood has used these music brands a lot in recent years for their Blockbuster 'Epics', like 'AVATAR', '2012' and 'PROMETHEUS'.
Here are some examples of music by these brands which have previously been used as trailer music, or could potentially be if audience taste in this kind of trailer music lingers in the years to come.
TWO STEPS FROM HELL - Heart of courage
This is an short, uplifting piece of music which is made almost sentimental by the stringed instruments at the start. The pace then picks up with a background clap which seems to echo and a new rhythmic tone. Then the vocals come on and it builds up to an epic level at around 1:10.
IMMEDIATE MUSIC - Preliator
This next music track also sounds very 'Epic' and is made to sound almost religious and monolithic because of the latin lyrics. Indeed, most people would not understand what the lyrics were saying but they would understand that the words are associated with either Ancient Rome or Catholicism. I remember a version of this track being used in a trailer for Spider-Man 2 many ears ago.
As I said in the post concerning Editing, I will need to consider what kind of music I use in my own trailer at some point between the end of film shooting and the beginning of the Editing process. These are likely candidates, although I will not decide until much later on.
Here are some examples of music by these brands which have previously been used as trailer music, or could potentially be if audience taste in this kind of trailer music lingers in the years to come.
TWO STEPS FROM HELL - Heart of courage
This is an short, uplifting piece of music which is made almost sentimental by the stringed instruments at the start. The pace then picks up with a background clap which seems to echo and a new rhythmic tone. Then the vocals come on and it builds up to an epic level at around 1:10.
IMMEDIATE MUSIC - Preliator
This next music track also sounds very 'Epic' and is made to sound almost religious and monolithic because of the latin lyrics. Indeed, most people would not understand what the lyrics were saying but they would understand that the words are associated with either Ancient Rome or Catholicism. I remember a version of this track being used in a trailer for Spider-Man 2 many ears ago.
As I said in the post concerning Editing, I will need to consider what kind of music I use in my own trailer at some point between the end of film shooting and the beginning of the Editing process. These are likely candidates, although I will not decide until much later on.
Trailer Editing
Most trailers are extremely fast paced. The editing is quick and dynamic and we see many interesting shots. I'll need to make sure I gather a collection if extreme close ups, close ups, medium shots, long shots and Panoramic shots etc. At the moment I only have vague ideas of what these could be because I've not entirely settled on a Genre yet. And the final concept of the film is still open for thought. By the end of this week I should have settled on an idea and I could begin production.
When it comes to editing I will need to think in terms of smooth continuity, shots will be cut to the rhythm of whatever music is, therefore, once the video has been shot and when I am about to start editing, I will need to have a very clear idea of what kind of music will accompany the trailer.
When it comes to editing I will need to think in terms of smooth continuity, shots will be cut to the rhythm of whatever music is, therefore, once the video has been shot and when I am about to start editing, I will need to have a very clear idea of what kind of music will accompany the trailer.
Trailer Portraiture - Stars as Characters
Close up of characters faces are extremely important in film trailers, they are shot like portraits but usually the character is committing them-selves to a dramatic action. The allow the audience to know who will be in the film and what their roll may be, without giving away too much about their development in the story.
However, as part of the enigmatic nature of a teaser trailer, I could show some characters as silhouettes or else with a strange lighting setup around them.
However, as part of the enigmatic nature of a teaser trailer, I could show some characters as silhouettes or else with a strange lighting setup around them.
Teaser Trailer Analysis - MOON
This trailer for 'MOON' seems to almost be split half way through into two acts. Act 1 is showing what the characters life was like before the agent of change was intorduced. The cross from act 1 to 2 is very short and enigmatic and then we are shown what has happened. The trailer slightly misguids the audience so as to not completely spoil the plot. The way the robot states; "perhaps you are imagining things." Makes the audience think that MAYBE he will be hallucinating. But when you see the film, you realise that this wasn't the case and in fact he had realised something completely different - the robot was lying.
Also, I could put the film festival logos into my own trailer, such as; Sundance, Cannes and Toronto. This would make it seem more official, which is the what I want it to look like when completed.
Teaser Trailer Analysis - THE PROTOTYPE
This is a very recent teaser trailer for a film which really interests me. The genre is science fiction/thriller and it looks as though it is dealing with the story of one character. I'm interested in this kind of story, as it is similar to that of District 9. The protagonist is being hunted down by an authority which nobody else will stand up against, or has no reason to stand up against. The man/machine seems to have the whole world bearing down on him as he fights to escape his hunters and find freedom. Survival could be the theme I deal with in my own trailer Although I need to think of another reason for my character to be hunted down.
I think the text board in this trailer is very catchy and effective for marketing. It combines the events of the trailer with the date the film is to be released on.
IN 2013
MAN
WILL
BECOME
MACHINE
THE PROTOTYPE
Teaser Trailer Analysis - DISTRICT 9
This is the main theatrical trailer for District 9, it moves further away from the enigmatic nature of teaser trailer's as shown in my other two examples.
This trailer says a lot more to the audience about what they will get when they watch the film, good CGI effects, an interesting plot and good characters.
There is information on the backstory for the film told on the text boards which fade in and out at several points throughout the trailer. They read:
-THEY CAME HERE 28 YEARS AGO
-COEXISTENCE HAS NEVER BEEN EASY
-WHY WON'T WE LET THEM LEAVE?
-PETER JACKSON presents a film by NEILL BLOMKAMP
-DISTRICT 9
-AUGUST 14
-DISTRICT9MOVIE.COM
I'll use this in my own trailer so the plot has slightly more clarity. These text boards must sound gripping and explain the backstory as much as possible in as few words as possible.
Teaser Trailer Analysis - THE HOST
This trailer for 'The Host' caught my attention as an effective teaser trailer, it arouses the interest and curiosity of the audience but does not really go into detail on the storyline. It is kept enigmatic for purposes of building hype. Not much should be given away in a teaser trailer, I can exploit this enigma effect to create a teaser trailer of my own which is also extremely enigmatic in nature. The voice-over in this, has dialogue which I don't think will be used in the actual film, I could also use this technique if I do a voiceover in my own trailer, although I will wait until I have edited most of the trailer before I decide on this. Either way, dialogue MUST accompany whatever footage I collect, and I'll try to make the trailer for my own film just a little less enigmatic than this one.
Teaser Trailer Analysis - PROMETHEUS
The first trailer I'm analysing is the 'Prometheus' teaser. It was released in December 2011, following much speculation about the status of the film.
I really like how enigmatic the trailer is, as is expected from teaser trailers. There is barely any dialogue - the small amount that there is gets mostly distorted by static and transmition interuptions.
The imagery however is very powerful, and it's clear from the very first shot that this is of the SF genre.
The music used has a very strong impact, with it's electronic buzz and low bass sound effects. Also the howling noise makes the film seem like it will be very eerie and distressing.
The way which the title appears is exclusive to the Prometheus/Alien universe so I wouldnt consider the title of my own trailer appearing in this format.
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Examples of previous Poster work - Extraction
This September, I captured a house spider in a glass I had used to mix paint. The left over paint had dried to create an interesting pattern. I then turned the lights in my room off and pointed a more focused LED torch into the glass, which created a really interesting effect.
This first one was a photograph which I'd used digital effects on to make look more surreal. I Copied the image, maximized a zoom blur effect and then pasted it back on to the original with a 70% transparency setting. The text was then added last.
This first one was a photograph which I'd used digital effects on to make look more surreal. I Copied the image, maximized a zoom blur effect and then pasted it back on to the original with a 70% transparency setting. The text was then added last.
This second poster is a straight photograph of the spider, with increased contrast and added darkness. The dried paint on the glass had a very sinister effect and maked this look like a good horror film poster in my opinion.
Example of previous trailer work - No Mans Land
In May 2012, I used some of my free time over the weekend to produce a small trailer. It was made in three days so I didn't really have time to think of a complicated storyline. I kept the dialogue vague and tried to film a collection of interestng shots to edit later on. All the footage I took my-self, taking advantage of weather and climate, as well as small events like the helicopter flying over the moorland in one shot. I dubbed ober the dialogue to give some sence of story, even if it was vague. I then used a music track called 'Knights and Lords' by 'Audiomachine', to give it an epic feel.
The locations included;
1. Black Stone Edge (Pennines) - My brother was getting taken back to leeds university so I tagged along and brought the camera and tripod with me. My younger bother, and dad were also coming.
2. Billinge Hill (Lancashire) - this is literally a ten minute drive away from where I live so I took advantage of the clear sunset. I used my younger brother to act.
HERE IS THE TRAILER: NO MANS LAND
The locations included;
1. Black Stone Edge (Pennines) - My brother was getting taken back to leeds university so I tagged along and brought the camera and tripod with me. My younger bother, and dad were also coming.
2. Billinge Hill (Lancashire) - this is literally a ten minute drive away from where I live so I took advantage of the clear sunset. I used my younger brother to act.
HERE IS THE TRAILER: NO MANS LAND
Coursework Initial Brief - Begin Pre-production
Over the next three months Im going to be building a collection of material which I can use to make a film trailer. Accompanying this I must also create a sample of what would be part of the films marketing scheme; a poster and a magezine cover.
I understand that there are three kinds of trailer; Firstly, Teaser Trailers - the short, enigmatic and quite often vague taster of the film, shown to the public on average about six months before the cinematic release. Secondly, there is the theatrical trailer - which essentially summarises the plot to the audience. Sometimes there are three of four of these released within the last two months of marketing. They aim to build up hype the most before release and get people excited to see the film.
Thirdly, ther are the TV spots. These are short, fast paced glimpses of the movie shown on TV which are only really treated to the major blockbusters.
Movie marketing lasts around 6 months and it is used to build up hype and get people wanting to see the movie. There would also be viral campaigns online and interviews with cast/crew about the film in magezines. Large posters would be put up on road side billboards and in bus-stops, as well as being sold in shops or cinemas.
I understand that there are three kinds of trailer; Firstly, Teaser Trailers - the short, enigmatic and quite often vague taster of the film, shown to the public on average about six months before the cinematic release. Secondly, there is the theatrical trailer - which essentially summarises the plot to the audience. Sometimes there are three of four of these released within the last two months of marketing. They aim to build up hype the most before release and get people excited to see the film.
Thirdly, ther are the TV spots. These are short, fast paced glimpses of the movie shown on TV which are only really treated to the major blockbusters.
Movie marketing lasts around 6 months and it is used to build up hype and get people wanting to see the movie. There would also be viral campaigns online and interviews with cast/crew about the film in magezines. Large posters would be put up on road side billboards and in bus-stops, as well as being sold in shops or cinemas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)