Research Into Target audience: The Road

Whilst doing my presentation my teacher mentioned 'The Road' as a potential research point as it is a very similar film to the one I intend to create for my trailer. Starring Viggo Mortensen (Lords of the Rings trilogy) an ailing father defends his son as they slowly travel to the sea in a dangerous post-apocalyptic world.

With a Runtime of 111 minutes 'The Road' is based off a novel with the same title and was filmed from the 27th of February 2008 to 29 April 2008. The film had an estimated $25,000,000 budget  and made $1,502,231 in its opening weekend (USA). It was written by Cormac McCarthy (novel), Joe Penhall (screenplay) and directed by John Hillcoat. The production Company was Dimension films and 2929 productions.

The trailer relies heavily on mise-en-scene to create a realistic portrayal of a dystopian world. From the trailer and from watching the film the main setting is in a town surrounded by woodland which is perfect for the locations I am using. 

From the trailer we have a narrative from the main character 'The Man' which gives the audience an  better insight to events that have taken place prior to the film's events and gives the audience information of the status life is in. From the first shot we see a Cristian cross which is a suggestion that their is still hope in the world. From this we are given shots of various isolated environments. The colours in this trailer are dark and grey emphasising the type of world being portrayed here and that everything in this world is dying getting darker as more of the world falls apart.

we are presented with a goal ''To head south'' this is where the characters believe there is a hospitable environment where they can reside peacefully. However this idea is faced with a problem and the trailer takes a take turn as we are presented with ''gangs that are searching for food''. These gangs are presented as humane to some degree as one of them say ''That boys looks hungry'' showing a caring side to other characters which are treated hostile by 'The man'. 

Research Into Similar products: Song choice requirments

Over the past couple of weeks i have been analysing various songs that i could include within my trailer. I have done this for various reasons one being that it is almost definite that i will include a song in my trailer. I want to include a song to enhance the trailer and add to the story that i will be displaying within the trailer. So in this post i am going to discuss the typical codes and conventions for what a song within the trailer should include.


The song should in some shape or form correspond with the film, such as making the lyrics or beat of the song to match with the story of the film and also if the song is quite chilling and slow it may then match with a thriller type of genre of film.
It is also important to not overuse the song to much as it may distract and and draw away from the main point that the trailer is trying to convey.
To try and match the lyrics of the song to the trailer. This can show dedication to the plot and theme of the trailer.
Can be used to imply the attitudes of the characters within the trailer such as their motive and whether they may be good or bad.
So as you know i get around 12-15 seconds to feature a song. This is a perfect amount of time to feature a song in the trailer as i within this timescale i can get the right lyrics and feel to match the mood, plot and theme of the trailer. However i am still looking for the perfect song that i would like to be featured in my trailer although i have some favourites that i am considering i am still very much keeping my options open in case a better song comes along.

From what i know from the plot i need a song that will generate the right amount intrigue and excitement around the movie that will draw the audiences in. I want something thats exciting and creates anticipation to the feeling that anything could happen.

Drafting and Planning : Unintentional Footage

I was at bonfire night this weekend and whilst i was stood amongst the people there to observe the fire works i noticed a scene that could fit into my final piece. Below is that scene

Wide Shot - Gang Bonfire Scene

 

By messing around with lighting on my camera i managed to just have the flames visible with silhouettes of people around it. If removed all sound and put in a fire sound effect a Short but good scene this could be. I was thinking abut putting this at the beginning during grey's speech to contrast what he is saying. Overall when i edit this clip it will probably only last around 1-2 seconds as a convention of an action movie is to tease the audience with quick fast paced scenes to grab their attention. I think this would be perfect.  

Drafting and Planning : Kidnap scene

Another scene I intend to use at the beginning is this scene which will also contrast the speech of the main character. This will link to the speech in the script where he says ''That was taken from me' Which has a double meaning. It implies his brother and the world he lives in. I won't be putting this in as it is as it is not edited yet but you shall see the finished product in the draft 

This directly links to the plot of the story and the bother being taken. I am now one step closer to my finished project.

Drafting and Planning : Defensive scene

In one scene, the group come across a potential threat who makes a remark to the female member of the group, Harley. Immediately jack Sinclair becomes defensive and threatens to shoot the individual where he stands.  I recorded quite a lot of footage for this sequence in my trailer, but i haven't edited down yet . However, there are other clips we are yet to film that go with this scene due to an actor not being able to make it. For this scene we had the camera man say the line that actor would of said so Harry could deliver his best performance and make it as real as possible.

Wide shot - Group Hold Their Ground 

In the focus group blog I talked about the road which was suggested to me by my teacher. There is a scene that i have looked at that i have took inspiration from. Its a similar scene to this where the boy is threatened bu a man and the boy's father threatens him with a gun. This created a lot of suspense and a uneasy tone which is something i would love to try and replicate for my final piece. I am happy with this scene  but i need to film the other parts of the scene in order for it to make sense and then edit it down. 

Drafting and Planning Costumes Part 2

I have already briefly talked about costumes but now i have made my final decisions on outfits for characters.

 I decided that each character would have their own costume to make them look unique whilst keeping the dystopian effect of the wasteland. for example i have used ripped pieces of clothing to convey this to the audience. I also wanted to use a boiler suit with a gas mask to convey the idea that a disaster had occurred and  that precautions were needed to keep safe from radiation etc. I am happy with these costumes and i think it will bring uniqueness to each character.
I also gave some of the characters different gloves to highlight the fact that they are scavenging for anything.

before 

After 

Drafting and Planning: Fight Scenes

A primary Convention of an action trailer is to have some fights scenes in some shape or form which will connote the type of film to the audience. I have shot some basic scenes with my actors but may re-shoot them to choreograph them better. However if they are better when they are edit them and trim them then i may keep them. I also intend to put my music with this scene so it is imperative i get it right and take care when putting it together.

I will see if these shots will make the final piece, or even the draft, but they will be the general idea for my fight scene and will be the foundation for deciding what music to use for the production in a survey which i will link to the survey takers.

Organisation: Location part 2

Birmingham Tea Factory

24/7

I will be using this location to shoot various scenes, such as the characters meeting for the first time at the beginning of the trailer.I may not use this location right away as there are other places to consider but it is useful to have this location as a backup. It is nice, remote and destroyed which suits the ethos of the trailer and I think a lot of filming can take place here.  I have been here multiple times and as I know the area there is no real cause for concern when it comes to safety. As this is a public area no permissions are needed to film here. 24/7 access. I think highly of this area as to me this is perfect from filming.

Research Into Target Audience: Focus Group Feedback

Today i pitched my ideas to a focus group which consisted of my entire media class and teacher. I received positive feedback and constructive criticism which will let me improve my idea overall. 

Everyone who i received feedback from clearly understands my genre and plot line for my film trailer. Overall i received positive feedback on the originality of the idea and how i want to create it however the only criticism i found was common and correlated with what everyone was set was the location of where i intend to film as it may be '' Tricky '' to find a suitable location to film however my teacher said there may be some location in Birmingham that give a dystopian effect and would be able to create a realistic environment in terms of my plot. He said that over the coming weeks i need to find a location suitable to film. He also mentioned a film i should look into called

THE ROAD

Because it has a very similar plot to my own film and is definitely worth me checking it out to see if there are any parts that can inspire my piece  

Drafting and Planning : Title of Film and Typography

I have converged with some friends who understand what my aim is for my project. I have pitch to them my ideas and my possible names for my moving image project. From doing this i have came up with  title 'Underneath The Mushroom Cloud' which i recieved from a survey and have received positive feedback on from my peers. The idea of the title comes from the cloud formed from when a nuclear bomb is detonated. 

Now that I have the name of my title 'Underneath The Mushroom Cloud' I have got to decide on what typography I want to use for my project. I am going to come up with 4 ideas to start off my the title typography of the film. Each variation should be justified in the choices I make. I will give reasons why i have chosen specific fonts and styles.

I have picked these first few fonts as basic first designs for my typography of my film title. They all convey as sense of war and a sci - fi tone which is a sub genre of this film 

However before i decide to go any further with these fonts i should see what the internet has to offer first but at the moment i am happy with what I have found here. 

Research into Similar Products : What Makes a Good Protagonist?

Now that I have looked at the antagonist its time to look at the protagonist. We all aspire to be a hero as everyone has thought of themselves saving someone's life. but what makes a protagonist interesting? How does one create a protagonist that is relatable, realistic and interesting enough so the audience feels engaged with their journey from the beginning to the end.  I will be exploring the reasons to why some protagonists are successful and why some ain't. This will then allow me to apply what's effective to my protagonist. An protagonist shouldn't be just cardboard cut out of a "good" person. they are worthy of facing the antagonist yet still conveying an interesting character arc to the story.

 From doing various amounts of research I have found some strong traits of an protagonist:

• He/she has a problem that they need to solve before its too late.
• He/she has a motive to act against the problem. this also may require the help of secondary characters 
• He/she always has something to lose. In the case of my main character his brother is something he can lose if he is not successful
• He/She has something to gain from their encounter with the antagonist therefore leading to eventual change due to their victory 
• He/She has a compelling quality that makes them interesting along with an interesting flaw to accompany
• He/She has a secret that creates interesting tension between characters and creates mystery for the audience 

Some successful protagonists that are memorable due to their look 

Indiana Jones from the Indiana Jones Franchise. Wears a fedora which suggests an investigator type of character which is seen as a good member of society who is looking to solve a problem. This is different to our usual hero as he doesn't have guns and body Armour. This became the symbol of the franchise known globally and became instantly recognizable when the hat was accompanied by the whip in which he carries. the light colours of his clothing suggests at heart a good character who want to do right by people however the dark clothing suggests there is a dark side to this character as he feels no shame in killing people who get I his way and putting innocent people lives on the line if needed. He is a character which is intimidating yet brave and daring. For viewers an element of sex appeal may be present for female viewers. 

 Obi - Wan from Star Wars is a good protagonist as he appears to be older then a lot of characters from the star wars films which suggests he is old yet wise. His outfit is a beige colour which connotes the goodness within him yet the simplistic lifestyle as a council member he has. The brown scarf round his neck implies a gritty and hands on individual who is willing to get involved where he is needed.  It may also suggest that their is a darkness within obi-wan and that he is still willing to take up arms against his enemies, which we see at the end of episode 3 and throughout. He appears as old and not that dangerous yet has experience which aids him greatly.  He is brave and quite quirky making him relatable to the audience

James Bond is one of the most well known action stars of all time. What sets James Bond different from other protagonists is the formality of his character. We constantly see him in a suit or shirt in his films. This suggests a level of discipline and sophistication therefore leading to audience members looking up to Bond as he is portrayed as the perfect man. The colour of his clothing varies throughout his films. Some would say this shows a battle within him between him as he has lived with trying to come to terms with the death of his parents. This would create pity for the character but also admiration for the character as he carries on even though he's been through tough times. He is brave.

Captain America is a stereotypical protagonist as he appears fully equipped to take on the antagonist. His outfit however is unique as it shows a patriotic look for Captain America. It implies a sense of liberty as he is representing America with his colours. He is clearly physically capable and has the ability to act. He also has a unique shield which sets him apart from other protagonists. His outfit is bright suggesting a good character overall. His outfit looks to be military in nature therefore showing a soldier background

Conclusion


Overall what I have learnt that protagonist in action flicks have some form of distinguishing feature that makes them immediately identifiable and sets them apart from the other characters. Clothing itself can suggest a lot about the different protagonist and implies the protagonist's ethos through light colours and colours which connote messages and ideas such as 'white' is pacifism and light. Some protagonists have a backstory which can create pity towards the characters and makes them relatable.

Research into Similar Products: What Makes A Good Antagonist?

Making an antagonist takes more then what meets the eye. What makes a villain interesting? Is it you see yourself in that fictional character. Are they relatable to you and a wider audience? Or is it the sheer originality of the antagonist that makes them an effective one? I will be exploring the reasons to why some antagonists are successful and why some ain't. This will then allow me to apply what's effective to my antagonist. An antagonist shouldn't be just cardboard cut out of an "evil" person. They're worthy of the hero, colourful in their own right, and they might even make us like them throughout the course of a film.  

From doing various amounts of research I have found some strong traits of an antagonist:

• The antagonist is trying to accomplish something that benefits them yet may not benefit the protagonist or wider society. 
• A strong antagonist is flawed in a relatable way. For some audience members this may create pity towards the antagonist as it may suggest they are not the way they are on purpose. The audience can tap into the antagonist's 'Human side' and understand the situation from their point of view. They becomes more real and readers can see their side of the story. 
• An antagonist is in the path of the protagonist’s goal. At some point these two will come face to face and only one will win.
• They have a personal desire that they wish to accomplish and what motivates them to act. Like the protagonist they have a goal they would like to accomplish. However both the Hero and the villain's intentions cannot exist in the story together as one will stop the other towards the final act of the film.
• Antagonists think they’re the protagonists. this could be seen by the audience. Some antagonists are similar to the protagonist and if we saw the film/series from their POV they may appear as the protagonist therefore reversing the roles. However some antagonists are clearly not protagonists even if they believe they are.

Some successful antagonists that are memorable due to their look 

For this list I have looked at antagonists that are not too out there. For example I haven't used the Xenomorth from Alien as this is an antagonist that I couldn't recreate. but this is an antagonist that is effective for audiences due to its unique look.  

Mola Ram from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Wore a headdress made from the skull of a Ram. He wore ceremonial robes which were accompanied by bone necklaces and bracelets. Primarily red is used as the main colour of his outfit. Suggests he has an evil nature. The Ram supports this as a ram is a common satanic symbol, which is seen as evil. He also has the ability to open someone's chest with a ritual and take their heart from them. Suggesting supernatural abilities. This antagonist is effective as his physical appearance is intimidating and unusual for an audience member viewing it for the first time. He is also highly original and has not been used in other films.  

Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare On Elm Street. He wears what some would consider casual clothes. Including a black fedora. However these pieces of clothing are also using the colours of red and black, which suggests an individual with a sinister agenda. To reinforce this he carries a bladed glove which creates an intimidating look creating a sense of fear for the protagonist and the audience. A distinguishing feature of Krueger is his charred skin. Immediately audiences will wonder "how?" which is addressed in the film. This also creates a sense of anxiety and fear for audiences as he has a different look from other antagonists that makes him scary. To some degree he is original as he incorporates the use of 4 blades and has clear damage to his tissue.

My next antagonist is Franz Oberhauser from the James Bond film franchise. What makes this individual unique is that he looks like your average man for the duration of the film. We learn of his back story and childhood mainly in Spectre, which makes him relatable however he has a scar running down his right eye causing his eye to go milky. This changes the characters look completely and makes him appear terrifying and dangerous. Whilst he appears as a normal individual his injury changes our view of him and the tone of the character becomes darker as we can compare him to an earlier version where he has no scar. This de-humanises the antagonist, a shadow of his former self making a frightening characterisation and something that will shock the audience. He doesn't have any bright colours on his outfit and only goes full black when his injury occurs suggesting a full turn to evil at this moment.  We see him in a navy blue implying he is not all evil at that moment.

My last antagonist I am looking into is Bane from the Dark Knight Rises. He also has dark colours for his outfit suggesting immoral nature. He has an obstruction covering his face constructing mystery around the character yet gibing him a memorable look this therefore muffles his voice creating a intimidating threat and initial dehumanises the character of bane as we may not fully see him as human due to his mask. he is a large man and this creates a threating interpretation and suggest his raw strength creating tension for the audience as he may be more then a challenge for the protagonist.

Conclusion

Overall what I have learnt that protagonist in action flicks have some form of distinguishing feature that makes them immediately identifiable and sets them apart from the other characters. clothing itself can suggest a lot about the different antagonist and implies the antagonist's ethos through dark colours and colours which connote messages and ideas such as 'red' is violence and death. Some antagonists have a backstory which can create pity towards the characters and make them relatable however this may not be included as the antagonist may want to appear without weakness and showing their past and relatability may make them appear less intimidating and frightening   

Organisation - The First Shooting Days

To be able to have enough time to edit my final piece I must have all the filming done Before Christmas. This means that I must begin shooting my trailer as early as possible.

Nov 4 and 5 

Using these dates, I can now create a call sheet for the actors describing the shots that will be filmed on these dates and where they will be located. I am confident that two days will be enough time to film all of the content for my trailer, however if I do not get everything shot I can contact the actors and discuss further dates to film additional shots. Starting early means I have enough time to rectify anything later on if needs be. Anything mistakes means I will have enough time to go back and reshoot any scenes I feel need re-shooting. currently I have a script in development with some scenes which need to be filmed from it. However, it is no where near finished therefore i will Finish this ASAP.