The Title Idea

Why I have chosen "Lost" as my title

The reason as to why I have chosen "Lost" as my film/teaser trailer title is because I feel that it relates to the theme and story line of the themes I want to portray.

Connotations of the word "Lost" relate to the feelings of my character, as she doesn't know what she is doing with herself or where she is (as she has just moved from America to England) therefore feeling phased by her new home.

I feel that "Lost" is a good title to have as many other things are lost in what I am showing, such as mis-communication between the media (magazines) and their audience and also the feelings of a normal human-being are also lost.

When I was first coming up with name ideas I hesitated when I thought of lost, purely because I didn't want to have a title for my trailer which was also a title for a popular Channel 4 program. I then forgot about this and tried to figure ways in which it could relate to my work, then coming up with the ideas I have just explained. To conclude, I like lost and feel that it can create an extra effect on the audience.

Experimenting with music

I originally set out to create a depressed sounding mood using one of the various music programs such as Soundtrack Pro, GarageBand or Logic Pro which are available to me. After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that, in order for my teaser trailer to fit in with the particular genre of my film, I would be better suited to add a track which has lyrics and an acoustic guitar or piano which helps to create a certain mood.

Luckily I have contacts with a few local musicians, which has helped me secure a song for the soundtrack of my trailer. The musician is Nikki Loy, who is originally from Devon, but moved to Oxford where she could pursue her solo singing career. She has an amazing voice which I would feel proud to show off in my trailer as the words relate to my theme. Her genre of music is also similar to the one I want to create for my target audience.

To visit Nikki Loy's website please click the image below. The image will take you to her homepage, however, if you would like to be directed straight to her "listen" page then please click here. WARNING: the music will play straight away, so please refrain from having your speakers turned up to full volume. To hear the song which will be used within my trailer please scroll down to track no. 13 "Tempest".

I have been given permission from the singer/songwriter to use one of her songs.

Here is a copy of the email which grants permission for me to use her song.

In order to contact Nikki Loy, I have had to use the social networking site 'Facebook' as she is a low key artist who would be better suited to contacting fans through 'Facebook'

Ancillary Products Revisited - top 4 film posters

Welcome To The Rileys - film poster

The film poster for "Welcome To The Rileys" has caught my eye, mainly due to the colours creating this cold effect, and also creating a 'serious' feel.

I like the idea of using photos on a film poster which have been taken during filming, as it helps to create a basis idea as to what the film is about. I also like how the photos have been edited to give off a 'cold' effect - much like the writing, as it also helps to depict the genre and style of the film as a serious drama.

The layout of this film poster is very basic, however it is effective for the audience, as it captures their eye more.

I like the typography used within this film poster, as it also brings a simplistic but effective element to it. The colours compliment each other nicely, and suggests that there is maybe 'two sides' to the story, as one of them has a bolder presence.

Link to a bigger version of this film poster:

link to "Welcome To The Rileys" film poster

Film Pictures

This still shot which has been taken from a scene in "Welcome To The Rileys" relates to a shot which I have planned for my teaser trailer. I felt that I needed inspiration and ideas as to how I could film a mirror shot without being seen in the mirrors reflection. I also like how they have made the shot look simple, even though it creates the idea of confusion.

I like this still shot of Kirsten Stewarts character, as it shows a contrast between the first still shot which was previously analyzed. I like the orange filter which has also been edited into the shot, as it creates the idea of the film having a 'messed up' theme and character.

Link to full trailer for "Welcome To The Rileys"

Love And Other Drugs - film poster

Similarly to the film poster for "Welcome To The Rileys", I like the simplicity which has been created within this film poster. The colours contradict what was seen in the previous film poster, as a richness theme has been created within this film poster, which differs to the first.

First of all, I really like the typography on the title, which has been used within this film poster. As the title of "Love & Other Drugs" is in the middle, using a bigger font when compared to the other writing, it immediately draws the audiences attention to the title, but also helping to suggest that the main theme of the film is love.

I like the simplicity of this film poster, also using one picture in order to suggest that the film is about a romance, however, also suggesting that it is a bit quirky, which is furthermore suggested by making the centerpiece of this picture the two main Actors, who are well known for starring in less recognized films.

Link to "Love & Other Drugs" official trailer

Link to a fuller version of the film poster

Screen Grabs taken from the Official Trailer (click picture to enlarge)

1

I like how simple the typography is within this teaser trailer. I also like how the simple effects have been used to also create an effect for the audience. Grab number 2 is also a screen grab of the typography, howeve, I have included this as the text is either different or it is capital letters. I felt it was important to show the difference between the two.

2

3

The reason why I have decided to "screen Grab" this into a still is because i like the camera angle, where it is behind the objects looking at the character. Example, looking into a fridge with the camera already there, for it to be a point of view shot from the fridge.

4

I like the mis-en scene of this still, therefore I have screen grabbed it and added it to my blog. Again, relating back to the idea of simplicity, I like how the colours are neutral, which contradicts what is represented on the film poster.

5

Never Let Me Go - film poster

After watching the trailer for this film, I felt that I had to research into its film poster in order to resolve the confusion that I currently have towards this.

The film poster suggests that the film is about two characters who are either enjoying life or are running away from something. The way that the picture used has been edited creates the illusion of the film being set in a different context, instead of the 21st century.

The plot for this film is:

"An alternate history of a woman who, as she reflects on her private school years in the English countryside, reunites with her two friends to face the dark secrets buried in their communal past. With no contact or knowledge of the outside world during their years and the boarding school, they discover they are clones, born and raised for the sole purpose of providing organs for transplants."

See youtube "Never Let Me Go Official HD Trailer"

After seeing the genre of this film to be branded as a Sci-Fi/Drama, I have come to the conclusion that the film poster, nor the trailer, represents their genre idea. This tells me that, as long as your trailer has some relation to your theme and overall ideas for your film, then it doesn't have to release the full idea.

I like the typography which has been used within their poster, however, I do not see how the font which has been used for the main title fits in with their idea. On the other hand, it could create the idea of simplicity - then the "go" which has been broken could perhaps suggest how they can't go because there isn't a real road to follow.

The Killer Inside Of Me film poster

I really like this film poster, as I feel that it fits in with the style that I feel they are trying to create. It creates the idea that the film is about a love triangle, with the idea of the people being placed in the proxemics of a triangle within this image.

I also like how the photograph has been edited, also using further photoshop editing in order to make the picture look less unreal, which could fit in with the film idea, with it being all "messed up".

The official trailer for this film is here for you to watch.

I feel as if the typography used within the title doesn't quite fit in with the normal conventions of a film poster, as the normal text for a film poster is more structured and gives off a serious effect, much like the film poster I have analyzed for "Welcome To The Rileys and also "Love And Other Drugs."

Whilst watching the, what I think is the teaser trailer, I saw an effect which I really liked, however, I don't think that it would be achievable within my media work. The effect starts at 1.23 and continues until 1.33/1.34.

Snaps of this effect and how it shows progression:

- number one is at the bottom, so please scroll down and then up

This effect shows how the writing of the film title unravels through the image which is displayed on the screen.

The four snaps which I have taken show the progression in a small amount of time.

First Research Into Film Posters

Within my coursework, I have to include two ancillary products as well as a teaser trailer which comes into a 'promotional package' - of which has to look professional, using the normal conventions of a real promo package.

Here, you are able to see a selection of film posters which I have researched into. By looking at examples of film posters, I have been able to state what the conventions are.

Considering the fact that I have looked at the teaser trailer for (500) days of summer, I felt it appropriate to have a look at the rest of the promotional package for this film. Whilst researching into the film posters for this film, I came across many film posters. I decided that I would analyze this poster because it has more going on, hence I am able to decide on what the normal codes and conventions of a film poster should be.

The idea of the picture being one of the lead roles of the play, who is also well known for playing Cameron James in "10 Things I Hate About You" is so we get tempted to watch this film because of him being in it. He has been described by The New York Times as being "one of the hottest young stars in the indie firmament" which would suggest that the genre of this film is also indie - creating a certain Mis-en scene and feel using the location and clothing (which has been seen within the film and teaser trailer).

The front cover of this poster relates to the idea of the film, as it is a montage of the 500 days that the character of 'Tom Hansen' spent with the character of 'Summer'. The fact that there are different pictures which have been taken from the film can help to suggest the story line of there being a lot of different locations included and also emotions.

The idea of the guy looking down at the shirt suggests that these are actually snippets from the film.

After carefully analyzing this film posters and also looking at the other examples above, I have come to the conclusion that a film poster should include:

1. The film title
2. The actors/actresses names who are starring in the film - either at the top, bottom or next to their picture
3. Should include a still picture from the film or the picture should be relevant to the subject of the film
4. Should include any nominations or awards that the film has received at the top or bottom - near where the actor and actresses names are
5. They should also give the audience some direction as to when the film is being released
6. The use of a tag line e.g.: The Boat That Rocked which at the bottom reads "setting sail may 2009". The "setting sale" part relates to the idea of it being set in the middle of the ocean.
7. Should be seldom suggestive of what the genre of the film is. Could use colours, font, mis en-scene (such as the clothing, make up and hair in the pictures) and also the look - simple or busy.
8. Age certification should be displayed - usually in the bottom right corner of the poster.

Note (according to wikipedia):

There may be several versions of a film poster for one film - as it can vary depending on country, size of poster and also the content of the film.

Which, could mean that the poster is one of the first things made (after a rough cut) which can be based on what the film includes, however, if they add in a new/different scene then that could effect the film poster due to the different meanings.

Different types of a film poster:

• Teaser poster: gives off some idea about the film.
• Character poster: using the poster to promote some of the actors who are in the film.
• Motion poster: a new style of poster which is animated.

Story Board

Casting Ideas

Grace Sommerfeld:

My friend Grace is the first person who I have taken a video and pictures of, in order to decide who I want to cast as my main character. Fitting in with the style of what I want to create, I asked her to converse with me in an American accent. The reason why I felt it appropriate for her to speak in an American accent is because many of the indie-independent teaser trailers and trailers that I have looked at use voice overs.

edited left side

non edited left side

edited front

non edited front

non edited right side

edited right side

(video yet to be posted)

I felt that her American accent was good, however there are a couple pronunciation errors with her accent where she uses R's and L's. The video which was taken on Monday the 4th of October 2010, was lost shortly after production, so I don't have any evidence of her American accent.

Hannah Carpenter (12/10/10)

Hannah has the look which I want to use within my trailer, however she doesn't have the accent of an American. Instead of using an American accent, I asked her if she would mind using a posher english accent. Here you will see two videos for her casting call, as I didn't have a digital camera with me. I will take mug shot pictures on a further date.

Conversation

Hannah was not able to do an American accent, so instead I asked her to talk in a stereotypical 'posh' English accent which helped me to decide whether I wanted my character to be English or not. Her speech is very clear and I think that she would be good for the role which I am putting in place. You can see that her 'look' would fit in with the style of work I want to create, as she gives of this normal look, however, also owning elements of a 'quirky' girl. Her look is not fully girly, which means that it could allow me to make her look 'ghastly' and rough.

Liane Davis

I have been considering other possible candidates for the role of my Bulimic character, exploring size, skin coloring and gender. I feel that Liane is too 'girly' in order for her to play the part, however, if it was a less serious trailer I would most probably consider her as she studies Theatre as an A-level. Fitting in with her stereotypical girly self, she would not take her hair down in order for me to see a more 'messy' look, therefore I could not decide whether I should cast her or not.

Adam Harris

I had the idea to address not just girls with my teaser trailer, but boys also - showing how men also get it, but its not recognized as much in the media. This is why I have decided to cast my friend Adam, as he is studying Theatre Studies, and I feel that he would be a reliable candidate doing what I asked of him.

Instead of photographing Adam with normal hair, I photographed him with messy hair as well. In order to create a 'rough' look, I felt it more important to do so. Personally, I do not feel that Adam's look is appropriate, as he doesn't give off the look which would be seen within a drama.

What the full film would be

Short Summary

The film would be about a girl who has moved from America to England. During her time in England her family encounter some problems, one of which is when their younger son is having problems at his new school.

The main character states that she is fine and has made friends, however, this character is bulimic. Therefore, she is able to hide her real feelings very well. Little do we know, no body else is aware that she has bulimia, apart from her new english boyfriend.

It takes her a long time to confess to her boyfriend that she has bulimia as a result of her finding the move to England hard. When the girl then unexpectedly dies, her boyfriend is left traumatized and feels that he has to break it to the family at her funeral.

The parents and the son stay in England, however, when their son then commits suicide, they move back to America, as they feel that England was bad luck.

The Teaser Trailer

The trailer would address and symbolize the idea of Bulimia within the main character. I want to imply to the audience that she could have been effected by pictures in the media of skinny models, in order to want to be skinny. Therefore, I have planned to start my teaser trailer with a track of a collage put together showing runway models etc etc.