CONSTRUCTION: QR CODE

I decided to make a QR code to put on my film poster. The QR code would attract audiences, whilst giving them access to our film website and social media pages. In order to create a QR code, I researched the various steps it would take to build one.

Additionally, when creating and completing a QR code it is important to understand the Do's and Don't of QR code making because it will make it easier to apply to posters.

After researching about how to make a QR code and understanding the important Do's and Don'ts, I made my own QR code using QR creator. I decided to use this generator as it is highly recommended, easy to use and it allows me to add multiple links to the code. 

My QR code:

My links:

CONSTRUCTION: BBFC CERTIFICATE

BBFC Certificate by Casey Drewett

CONSTRUCTION: CINEMATIC STORYTELLING

After reading through Jennifer Van Sijll's book, Cinematic Storytelling, we grasped a clearer understanding of powerful film conventions that would make our film stand out from others. 

When reading through the book we focused on shot types and conventions that would work for our Horror/ Thriller film. On on page called 'Film Element: Climate', we learnt how climate is used to create an effect in films and we decided to use this.

The book states that the purpose of climate is to add to a scene/shot and it can raise the volume to create an intense or sinister atmosphere, in both the film and in the audience. This can amplify a character's action by creating physical after effect. The physical world is a great tool to exploit, and using the climate can create an eerie effect. The writer of 'The Sixth Sense', M. Night Shyamalan, uses his climate, especially the cold, to identify a ghost presence and he gives the audience a visual clue with which to track the story progression. In the opening scene, Shyamalan introduces us to the central clue in the film. The protagonist's wife goes down to the cellar to retrieve a bottle of wine. The audience do not suspect anything when the woman breath forms a 'tiny cloud of cold air" and the audience are led to believe that this is happening because the cellar is cold. However, as the movie progresses the audience now realize the importance of the cold and that is connotes the presence of a ghost. The audience then refers back to earlier scenes to grasp a better understanding and are have made the connections ahead of the protagonist. This then builds the tension to the climax, which is the protagonist realising he is the cause of the 'tiny cloud of cold air" and that he is dead. 

We plan to use our climate to create a sinister atmosphere and to do this we are going to use the cold, foggy weather. Similarly to the opening title sequence in 'Silence of the Lambs', we plan to use the fog to show the athlete is alone, or so he thinks he is. Additionally, we are going t use the fog to show the young athletes breathing, when he is tied in a chair, to show his heavy breathing and to allow the audience to see the true meaning behind this. This meaning being the cold air symbolises the cold and bitter feelings from the Serial Killer and that the title of the film is represented through his breathing (His Last mile = His last breath).

CONSTRUCTION: PLANNING TO FILM

In order to know exactly what we wanted to film and how we would go about filming, we went to all the locations where we were planning to film and begin to establish all the different shot types, camera positions/ angles, props/ set positions and lighting. The first location we went to was the abandoned shed and we took some establishing pictures. 

After taking these photos, we began to clear out the shed of big branches, metal debris, as well as the table, so that we could have a bit more space to create a sinister set. We wanted to use this shed as a sinister and ominous room in which the young athlete (called Dan Clifton) is tied up and held hostage by the serial killer. To put this vision into practice we placed a chair in the centre of the shed and placed the camera and tripod opposite. By positioning of the chair in the centre we are able make the athlete look isolated and trapped in the shed and this was inspired by the chair scene in the film 'Get Out'. The reason for positioning the camera and tripod opposite to the chair is so we can create a camera shot to look like her is talking into a camera/ recording and also to allows us to use various shot types and angles to show the panic and fear of the young athlete. With the two battery powered lights, we were able to clearly show the young athletes facial expressions of fear and panic, as well as his restricted movements, in a variety of shot types, such as close up and low angle shot. 

The second location we went to and planned was the woods. This is where we planned both the athletes running sequence and the Detective finding all the dead bodies. When looking at how to film the running sequence, we decided to do crab, pan and tracking shots.

PLANNING: STEREOTYPES AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Social Groups and Stereotypes:

For Stuart Hall, when stereotypes appear in the media such as in films like ours, they reinforce stereotypes. Audiences may decode the messages embedded in the stereotypes differently; however, genre conventions to to repeat and reinforce specific stereotypes.

Stereotypes are used by filmmakers like ourselves for various reasons. They can provide visual short cuts, for example, through clothing codes, that help our audience to understand our characters. in our film the character of Dan Clifton the athlete, dresses in sport wear, for instance trainers and shorts. Stereotypes also help our audience to build character relatability: for instance, the character of Dan's girlfriend, Kit, is strong and independent, which should appeal to our target audience of young women, as will the athletic, likeable character of Dan. genre stereotypes sign post audiences by the use of certain stock characters and the predictability of certain narratives.

I created a Pinterest mood board of the social groups, stereotypes (and anti-stereotypes) that we want to include in our film. In our film the characters follow suit of the stereotypes in media. For example; the Detective is an intelligent and respected working class citizen, who follows the stereotype of a stubborn, determined, experienced detective. 

Social Issues:

The mindmap shows some of the social issues that we face in 21st century. We focused on mental heath illness (written in blue), especially loneliness and depression, and how it drives the Serial Killer to do what he does.   

We decided to use the Serial Killers mental state is a clear example of the social issues that are in out piece. In our film, the serial killers have been brought on through feelings of inadequacy because his has lost everything due to the popular boy broking his track records and taking his girlfriend. The Pinterest below shows the emotions of jealousy, envy and anger that the serial killer feels and how this causes his mental health issues.

PLANNING: MY TARGET AUDIENCE

Made with Visme Infographic Maker

PLANNING: MY PROMO PACK

 

Made with Visme Infographic Maker

PLANNING: AUDIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE

The Canva Presentation shows my research on Audience Questionnaires and it shows how I made my own using Google Forms and the data I received from it. 

Purple and Black Simple Technology Keynote Presentation by Casey Drewett

PLANNING: STORYBOARD

 

PLANNING: PROPS

The props we intend to use are conventional and stereotypical for the horror/thriller genre. We chose these to be as authentic to the genre as possible and by using the conventional and stereotypical horror/thriller props we can create realism for our audience.

props by Casey Drewett

PLANNING: TREATMENT

Loading...

PLANNING: CHARACTER CASTING

This slide share shows the actors/ actresses that we have casted, as well as a description about our inspiration for our character and out characters traits.

Character Casting from CaseyDrewett

PLANNING: RISK ASSESSMENT

 

PLANNING: CALL SHEET

 

His Last Mile Call Sheet by Casey Drewett

PLANNING: INITIAL DEVELOPMENT

This mindmap shows our initial plan for our film trailer. we used this as the building blocks to planning the plot and developing our characters.

PLANNING: HORROR CODES AND CONVENTIONS

We looked at the codes and conventions used it horror films to identify how to make out film scary and suit the genre. This Picktochart shows the codes and conventions that we want to use in our film.

Horror Codes and Conventions by Casey Drewett

PLANNING: INSPIRATIONAL FILMS / GENRES

Films and television programmes that influenced out film idea:

• Zodiac - film released in 2007 and is about the Zodiac Killer
• My Friend Dahmer - film released in 2017 and is about the American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer
• The Snowman - film released in 2017 and is about a Detective called Harry Hole, who is investigating the death of a young woman during the first snowfall of winter. However his investigation leads him to "The Snowman Killer", and it his his job to catch him. 
• Prodigal Son - television programme released in 2020 - is about the son (a unemployed profiler) of a notorious serial killer called The Surgeon and it he tries to catch criminals and other serial killers in New York. 
• Mindhunter - television programme released in 2017 and is about  FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, whose job is to get inside and attempt to understand and catch serial killers by studying their damaged psyches.

PLANNING: LOCATION RECCE

The majority of the locations that will be featuring in my trailer are based in the same location and the main reason or this is because of the recent Pandemic and the government restriction that were put in place. As we were able to meet as a group in school and the school grounds had a number of good locations, we felt the the trailer would be easier to film here. As well as this, we felt the locations best suited our storyline. We plan to use the woodland areas in our school to open our trailer and we plan to open our trailer with a tracking shot of the popular athlete running hysterically through the woods. 

 

CIE TRAILER ANALYSIS

Cloverfield:

Cloverfield is a film that uses a found footage motif to follow five young New York City residents fleeing from a massive monster and various other smaller creatures that attack the city while they are having a farewell party.

How does it create a sense of genre?

The film uses hybrid genres of Si-Fi, Horror and an apocalyptic scenario. The film uses handheld camera shots which shows the audiences what is happening from the characters point of view. powerful dramatic sounds of screaming/shouting, monstrous roars and big bangs. The trailer uses short, fast paced hard cuts and has a unique style of camera usage as the film is shown through a handheld camera. This film style is known as cinéma vérité, as it shows realistic and documentary footage which creates an intense and horrifying atmosphere. This realistic style of film creates a sense of genre as it focuses on the horrifying apocalyptic scenario and the Si-Fi element in the film, by showing quick footage of the monster. 

How does the trailer draw attention to the roles taken, particularly star talent?

In the trailer, the audience are introduced to the main character, Robert Hawkins (Played by Michael Stahl-David) through handheld camera. This allows audiences to understand from what perspective we are seeing the event taking place are from and creating a connection to this character. The trailer doesn't focus much on the other important characters in the film, and are all shown through 2-3 second clips from what happened that night of the attack. This not only informs the audience that the reason for not showing these characters is to allows the audience to speculate and question what is going to happen to them. This creates intensity and suspense throughout the trailer.

What essential narrative elements are explained in the inter-titles?

The use of Inter titles in the trailer is very minimal, however, is very important as the trailer begins with an inter title explaining where the footage was found, making the trailer instantly tell the audience that the footage is going to realistic and documentary. The style of the wording makes it seem like it a leaked government tape/ military tape, which they found from a survivor's camera. the only other inter title that is in the trailer, is about who produced the film (J.J. Abrams).

How does the trailer use dialogue?

The film uses fearful dialogue from Robert Hawkins (Michael Stahl-David), showing him documenting what is happening to him and how he is feeling. This realistic way of filming makes the audience feel unnerving, worried and fearful for the young man. During the trailer there is a shot of a horse and carriage and there is essential dialogue used, being 'are you filming...people are gunna want to know.' this shows to the audience that these people are risking their lives to show the world what has actually happened, further connoting the cinéma vérité style.

What institutional information does the trailer contain, such as names of Production Company, talent, director, release date?

Before the film trailer begins, the trailer shows both Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot iconic idents, but have been changed to appear with a glitch and distorted effect, which already creates a sense unease and shows the Horror genre film it is going to be. At the end of the trailer, there is a continued glitch effect as the title 'Cloverfield' appears, as well as the release date and other credits about the film.

How does the trailer utilise accolades or other key hooks?

The film trailer shows that it had a big budget because of the use of clear CGI and sound effect/ editing effects of explosions, screams and smashing of buildings. This trailer connotes the stereotypical of the 'Big Six' films as the budgets for these high quality films tend to be much larger than films made by small production companies (such as Warp Productions) and so more money can be spent on CGI and special effects. Throughout the majority of the trailer there are very little inter titles and is fast, hard cuts of different action and horrifying clips of different situation happening in the film.

Gravity

Gravity is a 2013 science fiction thriller film directed by Alfonso Cuarón, and is about two American astronauts who are stranded in space after the mid-orbit destruction of their Space Shuttle, and attempt to return to Earth. 

How does it create a sense of genre?

The film is a Si-Fi/ Thriller genre and this shown as the trailer focuses on the disastrous scenario of the space shuttles destruction. The who film is based in space which greats a sense of Si-Fi, however, the thriller aspect comes from the constantly gripping and visceral scenario where the astronauts are trying to get back to earth after their ship is hit by space junk and rocks.

How does the trailer draw attention to the roles taken, particularly star talent?

After the beginning inter title there is a hard cut to an astronaut (Sandra Bullock) in a dangerous situation in space and this give an introduction to her character. the trailer shows her as the central character and uses close up shots of her face in the space suit to show her panic and to make the audience feel worried for her. While Sandra Bullock is trying to survive, the trailer introduces the other actor, George Clooney, but he is introduced with only his voice. This is unique and effective as it means the trailer can focus on the situation on screen and most audiences will instantly recognise the voice. 

What essential narrative elements are explained in the inter-titles?

The trailer starts with an Inter title, tell the audience about space, as though it is giving the audience a warning before a hard cut to an astronaut (Sandra Bullock) in a dangerous situation in space. This inter title is important as it gives the audience an idea of how risky their mission is and the consequence of a mistake.

How does the trailer use dialogue?

the main dialogue that is used in the trailer is the commanding, instructive, as well as comforting dialogue from fellow astronaut (from George Clooney), to help the other astronaut to survive the emptiness of space. With his instructive dialogue the audiences are made to feel that he is somewhat in control. The trailer also uses dialogue from the panicked, terrified and uneased astronaut (Sandra Bullock).

What institutional information does the trailer contain, such as names of Production Company, talent, director, release date?

At the end of the trailer the title 'Gravity' is shown by a appearing on the brim of the earth horizon. Similarly with the release date and other credits about production companies and associated companies, they appear on the brim of earths horizon.

How does the trailer utilise accolades or other key hooks?

In the trailer a key element is the fast breathing from the stranded astronauts and the ticking sound. both of these combined, build up the climax and create an intense atmosphere. These noises make the audience focus on the panicked and stressed feeling from the astronauts 

TRAILER ANALYSIS

Trailer Analysis by Casey Drewett

RESEARCH: HOW THE CAMPAIGN WORKS

When distributors are looking at HOW they distribute their film, they have to focus on the cost of the campaign. According to the FDA website, there are two factors that distributors focus on when looking at the costs, these are;

1. The Above the Line costs - These are known costs for creating marketing material (such as posters and trailers), buying media advertising (like Websites and website banners, radio adverts or TV spots or newspaper adverting (online and on paper)) and creating an online presence for them (such as official pages on different social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter).

2. Below the Line costs - Publicity in the industry builds further awareness and interest in a film. Some distributors use authored articles or editorial interviews are sometimes more ‘trusted’ than buying media advertising for the film. With premieres, the cost of getting the stars and director to attend and hopefully generate press coverage all have to be covered without any guarantee that the press will write about the film. Such events offer special access to film stars for fans waiting alongside the red carpet for selfies, short videos and autographs. 

Digital 'prints' and advertising (P&A): 

When distributors have decided what selling points they are going to use for the film, they must determine how much to spend on publicity and advertising and on digital prints of the film to send to cinemas.

Three way in which distributors have to factor in when looking at cost:

• They have to credit how much they think the film will take at the box office.
• They have to consider how large the potential audience could be.
• How much money the film will generate in cinema ticket sales.

Distributors supply different cinemas (like the IMAX and the Everyman) with a digital file, when they are booking for that film to play in one or more of their screens. This digital file contains:

• The film
• The soundtrack 
• Subtitles 
• Audio description tracks 

Prints and Advertising example:

Types of release:

Most films release in the UK are launched on fewer than 100 digital copies. Only 5% of films are released with over 500 copies. 

Kezia Williams talks about blockbuster films, and she explains that marketing a blockbuster film is a unique challenge for distributors.
This is because they have to market it across the globe to appeal to larger audiences. This is why it is important to understand what the
main selling points are or the hooks, coinciding with the films themes, so that they can successfully reach their target audience.

In 2014, distributors spent approximately £350 million on advertising their films. Of this, around £190 million was invested in above-the-line media advertising, and the remainder on advertising production, cutting trailers, publicity junkets and materials, premieres, and producing and delivering DCP’s to be projected on screen.

Advertising:

The largest 'spending' of any P&A budget will be on advertising a film. In the UK, media advertising is very expensive. 
The main advertising avenues open to an distributors are:

• Posters
• Trailers
• Press advertising
• TV/ radio advertising
• Website adverting
• Billboard/ shell advertising
• Merchandise and cross platform promotion
• Social media advertising

The Poster:

Posters need to engage audiences by showing key aspects of the film that distributors think the audiences
will like, for example they would put key moments of the film, the stars, credits and often a taglines.  

The iconic image or design in a film’s poster is central to the film’s identity (Which shows the key aspects of
the film) and is an essential feature of its release campaign. A great poster is eye catching, and motivating,
so that it can gain the viewers’ interest in the experience that’s promised by the film.

when making posters for films, distributors have to plan how they are going to present the poster, depending on
the type of film. For an original movie, the poster must consist of bold images, a key message or branding that
will make the film stand out. For a squeal to a film, the poster has to recognisable to the franchise/ saga and it
has to have its own message that differs from the previous film, this is to continue to engage their audience.

The message can be shown on a poster in many ways:

• Quote(s) from the film that will inspire their audience and that will show the message of the film.
• Through the image(s) on the poster.
• The stars of the film (actors)
• The use of colours, sizing and style
• the certificate (rating)

Poster Analysis:

Types of trailer:

The film trailer is probably the most cost effective advertising technique available to the film distributor. When a trailer is being made it should reflect what the viewers might expect to see at the cinema, if they went to see this film. The trailer is usually made after the film is fully developed so that the trailer can show some of the main hooks of the film, which will create a 'want to see' attitude from the viewers. The trailer can give audiences a sense of genre, what the story is about, who is in the film and when it opens. 

Trailers can be classified in many ways:

• The teaser trailer
• The full trailer
• The TV spot
• on-set bios or videos posted by the cast or crew

Trailer analysis

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - the trailer is very effective because through the content, editing and sound, the trailer shows an interesting adaptation to the Novel 'Pride and Prejudice' that no one would have have thought to have done. Due to the reason that the film is based on a best selling Novel by Jane Austin, many history/ romance genre loving audiences are most likely to be attracted to the film. However, the film trailer highlights the film has zombies, so this shows the film also has horror, which will attracted those audiences as well. This shows that the trailer is grabbing the attention of a wide range of audiences. The trailer begins with orchestral music, showing the stereotypical women of that time period and it shifts to a survival against zombies, via a black out and narration about how the women in this story are going to have to change. This leads into an action pact sequence showing these women breaking the stereotype and are becoming strong independent women. This shows that the films main hook is the strong female figures, which grabs the attention of more female audiences. Furthermore, Lily James plays the main character in this film and the trailer mainly shows her throughout so audiences who like her in films will be drawn to see this different adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. 

In the Hear of the Sea - this trailer is effective in that through the use of sound and editing the trailer is shown as more cinematic and it creates tension throughout the trailer. The trailer begins with natural noises of the sea but when the whale comes towards the boat and the boat begins to break there is a build up to a climax, where at the crescendo, there is the start of a cinematic score in the trailer. This film is based on the book Moby Dick and this is a huge selling point for the film because it draws in myth and history audience, as well as adventure audiences. The hook of the film is how the men survived after they encountered Moby Dick. In the trailer many famous actors are shown, such as; Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy and Tom Holland. By having these famous faces be shown in the trailer, they attract in audiences who enjoy watching them. Furthermore, the incredible use of CGI for the whale and the sinking ship animates the exciting but sad story and as it is so realistic it makes audiences want to see the film. Alternatively, the use of sophisticated and clear inter-titles, audiences and see who directed the film and the audience is encouraged to the see the film through clear titles such as; 'comes one of the greatest true stories'.

The 33 - this trailer is effective as through the use of sound and shots, it shows a true story of life or death for a group of miners in Chile, who were trapped in the mines with very little chance of escape. This heart-warming trailer makes the audience feel inspired and hopeful and it attracts audiences who relate to the film or have Spanish/ south american heritage. This film shows how the Chilean government did not act quick enough to prevent this incident and how the women of Chile felt the leadership in their government was not good. The hook is how the miner survived with very little supplies and light and how they showed unity in a time of crisis. This could be a metaphor to the audience to tell them to always work as a team rather than individuals in any struggle in life. The song, Say Something (I'm Giving Up On You), begins playing in the trailer when there is a news report about the incident. The use of this song is to create a sense of hope in a dark moment, not just for the people in the film, but for the audience too, so that they can connect with the film on a more emotional level. With the emotional and deep lyrics in the song, the audience is made to feel sympathetic for the miners and their families in the film, as well as in the world because this film is based on a true story. The film has only one major actor, Antonio Banderas, who plays the main character, which attracts his fan base to watch the film, whilst attracting other world wide audiences. 

The Trailer Maker

On the FDA website, I took on the task of trailer making, which enabled me to use my creativity and i could understand how to pick out key selling points to show in the trailer. the trailer maker used clips from the 'Suffragettes' film trailer and i could change the sequence of clips to make it my own and i could add a score in the background. This task did not allow me to put transition in between clips, which made it difficult to make the trailer run smoothly, however, it was enjoyable to do. Here is my finished trailer for the task.

On-line Marketing

Chris Besseling, Director of Marketing at Pathe UK, states that digital marketing needs to be at the forefront of distributors thinking. He says that social media platforms allow for millions of voices to be heard and that a film needs to work hard to maintain its deserved position in that space. Distributors are able to further engage their audiences through digital means, as they can use their digital platforms to interact with their audience on a general or personal level. For example, on social media platforms, film pages can discuss with audiences about current affairs and situations that are happening in the world. One major current affair is the BlackLivesMatter movement, which has had huge online coverage. in the fight for justice for Black people, the actor John Boyega joined in a peaceful protest, in London, and made an emotional speech about how black people need to look after each other. Many film companies have been supporting the movement and have create video content in support. with this interaction, companies are gaining more attention by the audience, which will publicise the film better.




Kezia Williams discusses that digital is an important element of engaging an audience because everyone uses it in everyday life. she further explains that it is hard to distinguish the difference between digital activity and non digital activity as it cross over everything we do in our day. On the internet more audiences are looking at trailers rather than seeing them at a cinema because they use social media and websites everyday. with this in mind, distributors have begun to post trailers on online websites such as Rotten Tomato and IMDb so that they can get the attention of their audience. Furthermore, distributors will post film hashtags or tweet about aspects of their film so that they can engage their audiences on different social media platforms, like Twitter and Facebook.