Monthly Diary September

During the past few weeks the main focus has been on preparing for our new main project. I have been assigned researching into low and high budget films. Anaylsising the marketing of these films to get to grips with the film industry timetable. We have began brain storming ideas for our film trailer. Thinking of props and settings to incorporate. I have began constructing a powerpoint presentation on ideas for our film trailer. After this was completed the rest of the class was used as a good source of audience feedback outlining areas which they liked and areas which needed to be changed.

Film Industry Timetable

Below displays the process that a film goes through, it is broken down into nine parts. However it is evident that the process takes time and can cost millions.

1)      Idea

Where a writer, producer or director comes up with a “brainstorm” of a film plan

2)      Development Finance

Once an idea has been built, they will then go to a group of investors where the ideas are pitched. If they feel it’s a strong film and want to invest in it, this will give the writers and producers money to develop the idea.

3)      Script Development

An outline which breaks the scenes up. Sales treatment is needed for this, which is a small synopsis that gives the reader a quick/brief idea of what the film entails.

4)      Packaging Moment

The chance for possible merchandise is available for the film. From here the genre can be established, as well as uncover potential cast names for the film.

5)      Financing

Covers costs including investors and the chance for pre-sales as well as completion bonds, which is insurance that covers the film if it doesn’t get finished.

6)      Pre-Production

Storyboarding, casting, equipment, set design and editing.

7)      The Shoot

The filming side .

8)      Post Production

Editing and sound effects are added in.

9)      Getting a distributor

Once the film is finished, searching for a distributor who will release the film successfully and money can be made.

Coursework Brief and Film Pitch

For my A-Level coursework this year, I have been given two options to how I want to go about my course this year. Both can be laid down as packages, with one surrounding around a ‘5 minute short film’ and the other a ‘teaser trailer’. Each package has a further 3 options in which I must choose 2 of these to complete by hand in next April.  These are as follows:

1.      A promotion package for a new film, to include a teaser trailer, together with two of the following three options:

·        A website homepage for the film;

·        A film magazine front cover, featuring the film;

·        A poster for the film.

2.      A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes, which may be live action or animated or a combination of both, together with two of the following three options:

·        A poster for the film;

·        A radio trailer for the film;

·        A film magazine review page featuring the film.

What I think?

The Key to constructing a successful “teaser trailer” is incorporating all the aspects I have learnt from my research and using into my trailer. The trailer I shall create has to suit me as a person being something I am interested in and something that is action packed. Obtaining a well-balanced workload is also vital to the success of anything and is no different within my coursework. My main aim is to make sure I remember focussed and dedicated to my trailer. To save time I have already opted that I am going to choose a “teaser trailer” meaning that all my analysis and research shall be on trailers.

Though I am deliberating this as if I was working on my own, I am actually going to be working within groups for the film or trailer. Group work is vital the more people the more ideas and variety in the trailer leading to a successful effective trailer. My key strength lies within the acting therefore I am likely to be acting in the trailer.

Film Idea

Establishing ideas is a very important role for a trailer. With each of the group taking down possible ideas, allows us to look at a wide range of potential attributes where we can then discuss and mix and match if needs be. One idea could be as follows;

Potential trailer- ‘Live or die’

Genre-Thriller/Horror

Setting- roadside scene, school scene, house scene, abounded building scene

 Props- Plastic bag, cell phone, Pig mask, black and white picture

One key scene- Boy has a bag over his face arms tied up with a question mark on the bag, face cut with blood pouring down clothes torn and blood stained. Out of breathe falls into the road nearly hitting a car. Man rushes out of car running over saying “are you okay?”  Out of breathe man says phone please phone please, calls where’s Jodie? Where’s Jodie?

Unique selling point – The idea of a couple in love the girlfriend gets kidnapped how far will the boyfriend go to save his girlfriend.

Relationship to films-My trailer idea is based around the setup of a girl that gets kidnapped, A call from her mysterious kidnapper tells the boy the rules and how he can get her back. This setup is one similar in the film kidnapped whereby three violent hooded thieves break in their house and hold the Marta and Isa hostage while their leader goes to the bank with Jaime to withdraw money from the family bank accounts in a tragic night of terror.  Although I aim to base some scene footage around this film my trailer has a slightly different storyline that the school couple are separated by the girl getting kidnapped the rich school boy has the choice of never seeing his girlfriend again or paying £100,000 pounds.

 Target audience – My film is targeted for males aged between 18 and 30. The idea of violence and killing is something very prominent within this category and I feel strongly is the suitable age strand and target audience for my film trailer.