Drafting and Planning - Magazine

As I have created the masthead for my magazine, I started thinking about the layout and the different codes and conventions I was going to include in my magazine.
I pasted the masthead into Paint.net and started thinking of cover lines and adding bar-codes and dates/prices etc.

After looking at different Total Film magazines I realised the editor tends to make different editions. Therefore, I decided to make my magazine 'The Ultimate Horror Edition' as it relates to my genre of film.

I then created a banner for my magazine which tells the reader of the 4 free posters available which is often what Total Film Magazine do.

I then created an 'Exclusive' which will entice the reader into purchasing my film magazine. I used an image of the flat in which my film will be set.

This is the date, issue number and web address that I will include on my magazine.

This is the bar-code I will use. However, I will place it on the side of the magazine so it doesn't distract away from the main image/cover lines etc.

Drafting and Planning - Poster

I started to research different images of eyes to give me an idea of the type of image I want to create for my poster. I like this particular image as there is a reflection of the symbol for the devil inside. I thought with my image I could put a number six to  represent the devil but also the flat number.

I like this image as I think the red eye reflects the devil and goes with the colour scheme I am going to use. I could replicate this in my image by using red contact lenses.

I then took an image of a normal brown eye and pasted it onto Paint.net. I started editing the eye to make it look more scary so it would be appropriate for my poster.

For this image, I adjusted the brightness and contrast to make the eye appear much darker therefore scarier.

For this image, I adjusted the hue and saturation of the eye making it have a more green/ grey effect. This is effective as is creates a negative/dismal feel. Also, the eye looks subhuman.

For this image, I added the 'posterize' effect which gives a cartoon-like look to the image. I think this is effective as it makes the eye appear bloodshot which gives an eerie feel.

I then made the image black and white and added a number six to the centre of the eye. I chose the image of the six which looks on fire as fire relates to Hell and the devil. I made the image black and white so the number stands out more.

I then added the title of my film and text at the bottom to show a preview of what my poster will look like.

Research - Analysis of Total Film Magazine

Although I have previously analysed the 'Inception' issue of Total Film Magazine, I thought it important to look at the latest issue in terms of the typical codes and conventions used.

Typical Codes and Conventions used:
- Masthead
- Date
- Issue Number
- Main Image
- Barcode
- Main Cover Line
- Cover lines
- Web Address
- Puffs
- Pugs

Typical Codes and Conventions not used:
- Left Third
- Price
- Cover Star Credit






I think the Total Film magazine editor has chosen to place the Masthead in the centre top of the magazine as Total Film is a well known brand name so the masthead wouldn't need to be on show in the shop in order for people to purchase it. The reason why there is no price could be because the magazine is a pay monthly magazine which tries to encourage people to subscribe to them. Although there is no Cover Star Credit in this issue, I think Total Film magazine would usually use this convention especially if the actors in the film are well known and popular.
I will use all of the above codes and conventions in my magazine as I want it to replicate a typical issue of a Total Film magazine.

Research - Masthead

Whilst looking at previous editions of Total Film magazine - one being the edition on 'Inception' I analysed earlier on my blog - I noticed that the editor often tries to create a synergy between the masthead and the film that is being advertised. Some ways in which the editor does this is by changing the usual red colour of the masthead and making it match the colours of the main image. Another way in which the editor creates a connection between the two is shown below. The editor often merges the masthead into the background but still makes it bold and outlined, making sure it stands out. I also noticed that the editor usually places text above the masthead which initiates the different issue of the magazine e.g. 'The Modern Guide To Movies' or 'Special X'tra Cover!' They can also relate to the film featured in the magazine such as 'The Mind-Blowing Issue' relates to the content of the film 'Inception.'

After this research, I started thinking how I could create a synergy between the masthead and the title of my film. As my film falls into the category of horror, and the usual colour for the Total Film masthead is red, I thought I could have blood dripping from the masthead.

I then found these two images and copied them into the programme Paint.Net.

I then merged the two images together to create a masthead which relates to the horror genre. The 'F' of film now looks like it is dripping blood which relates to the content of my film.

Research - Total Film

I have decided I want to use TOTAL FILM for my magazine as I feel it would advertise the film I am going to create. I then decided to do some further research into Total Film and came up with the following:

• Total Film is a UK-based film magazine published 13 times a year by Future Publishing. The magazine was launched in 1997 and offers cinema, DVD and Blu-ray news, reviews and features. Total Film is available both in print and interactive iPad editions.

• Each month, Total Film provides a range of features, from spotlight interviews with actors and directors, to making of and on-set pieces for new and future releases. Each issue always includes the Total Film Interview, which is a six-page in-depth chat with an actor or director, along with a critique of their body of work.
• Dialogue: In this section of the magazine, the readers are able to interact with the magazine as letters and emails written by the readers themselves are featured.
• Buzz: This section of the magazine is considered the news section in which the editor features information about upcoming films, includes first look photos or exclusive 'sneek peeks.' Some of the regular features include: Ever Met Tom Cruise? where a behind the scenes person is interviewed and You Talkin' To Me? where stars answer questions posed as famous film quotes and Red Light, Green Light for what is hot and what is not in movie-land.
• Agenda: This section often previews of less mainstream releases and players. 
• Screen: The main cinema reviews section, with every new movie for that month reviewed and rated. Major releases receive comprehensive coverage, with a star rating out of five, the magazine's own Predicted Interest Curve. 
• Lounge: TF's home entertainment guide, including reviews of the latest DVDs and Blu-rays, as well as some games, soundtracks and books.

This information will help me when designing my magazine as I can use it whilst creating my cover lines. I want my magazine to looks as realistic as possible, so I want it to convey the typical codes and conventions of Total Film Magazine. 

Research - Poster Analysis

Lighting:
- The dull/dark lighting relates to the dark content of the film.
- The film is an action/thriller so invoves intense scenes which involve guns/murder etc.

Costume:
- The main actor is in mainly dark, black clothing which has connotations to mystery and relates to him as a spy/secret agent.
- He is also wearing a suit which suggest he has an important/serious profession.
- However, that his tie and top button are undone could suggests a casual approach to his job but also a sense of rebellion.
- This could also relate to him being a 'heart-throb' to attract the female audience.

Props:
- The use of the gun relates to the genre and content of the film. It suggests a sense of action and danger which would thrill the audience.

Facial Expressions:
- The main actor's facial expression is serious and he isn't making direct eye contact with the audience which could reflect his profession as it is against society and secretive.
- The woman is looking towards the man suggesting an affection towards him. This could suggest a possible love interest in the film which would excite an audience.

Blocking:
- The woman is placed in the background of the image which represents her as inferior to him which is typical of gender representation.
- The woman is also dressed in dark clothing which likens her to the man and makes her mysterious.
- Her clothing is revealling which is also typical of female representation. It reflects the objectivcation of women and that she is used to attract a male audience.

Typography:
- 'Casino' suggests gambling, as the activity is risky it creates a feeling of danger and going against what is moral.
- 'Royale' links to royalty so suggests a sense of importance.
- The number '7' is also made to look like gun which relates to the genre of the film - action/thriller.

Drafting and Planning - Storyboard

I then devised a storyboard which I will follow when filming my trailer. I did this because it gives me some form of structure to follow when it comes to producing my trailer so I know exactly what needs to be done.
This will be effective when planning my time as I can only use the school camera's for a short period of time. Therefore, I will not be wasting any valuable time with the camera.

Drafting and Planning - Mise en scene

I then thought about the different body language, lighting and props I am going to use to increase fear and anticipation in the audience. I came up with the following:

• Naturalistic Lighting: I will use natural light at the beginning of my trailer to initiate normal, every day life. The first part of my trailer will be filmed on the train/ in the train station in the natural daylight.
• Body Language: I will concentrate on the girl's body language at the beginning of the trailer to show her vulnerability. She will be messing with her hair/hands showing her nervousness.
• Props:
  - Suitcase: I will use a suitcase at the beginning of the clip as the girl is walking around the train station and as she approaches the house. This shows that she is moving away from home.
  - Cups: I will use cups filled with alcohol (fake) when the girls are sitting around the table getting to know each other. That they are drinking reflects the situation they are in and that they are having fun, it could also present them as vulnerable.
  - Mobile Phone: I will use a mobile phone to show the strange happenings going on. The girl will answer the phone but there will be no one speaking, just heavy breathing. 
• Dark Lighting: I will use dark lightning as there is a change in the equilibrium and the strange happenings start to occur. I may use flickering lights to show a sense of the supernatural.  

Drafting and Planning - Editing

I then began to think of the different editing techniques I will use to create effect. The following are the ideas I came up with:

• Fade: I will fade from the shot of the newspaper clippings to the shot of the young girl travelling on the train. This initiates to the audience a change in atmosphere but in the back of their mind they will remember the murder and that a girl is missing. 
• Straight Cut: I will use a straight cut from the shot of the girls drinking/listening to music/getting to know each other to a knock at the door. This will be effective as it will show a change in atmosphere which is about to happen. 
• Quickened Pace: I will speed up the pace towards the end of the trailer to contrast with the beginning. The fast pace will initiate fear and nervousness as the girls are trying to escape from the house. 

Drafting and Planning - Shot List

I began to think of the various shots I will use throughout my trailer and why I will use them. I thought this important as when I begin filming I will therefore know what to do with the camera and not miss any important shots out. The following are the main shots I will use:

• Establishing Shot - I will use an establishing shot of the flat in which the majority of my trailer will be filmed.
• High Angle Shot - Shot of the house making it look superior and large. 
• Close Up - I will use a close up of my prop of newspaper headlines to inform the audience of the girl who was murdered in the flat. 
• Medium Close Up - I will use a medium close up of my main character travelling on the train to her new flat. 
• Close Up - I will use a close up of the girl's hands, she will be messing/ fiddling with her hands showing her nervousness. 
• Wide Shot - I will use a wide shot showing the girl in the train station looking around, showing her as vulnerable and lost. 
• High Angle Shot - I will use a high angle shot of the girl arriving at the house, showing her to be inferior towards the house. 
• Wide Shot - I will use a wide shot of all the girls together for the first time, showing them getting to know eacother 
• Shot Reverse Shot - Shots of the girls reactions as strange things start to happen (door knocking/ phone ringing.) 
• Canted Angle - Girl running down the stairs trying to escape. 
• Extreme Close Up - End with close up of 'baddy'/ her eye. 

Drafting and Planning - Sounds

The website I will use to get sound for my trailer will be: http://www.freesound.org/ 

Footsteps:
http://www.freesound.org/people/tmkappelt/sounds/85687/

http://www.freesound.org/people/Abolla/sounds/164100/

Door Slamming:

http://www.freesound.org/people/bennstir/sounds/80928/

http://www.freesound.org/people/winsx87/sounds/152015/

Screaming:
http://www.freesound.org/people/timtube/sounds/59164/

http://www.freesound.org/people/ERH/sounds/31135/

Heavy Breathing:
http://www.freesound.org/people/AdamWeeden/sounds/162428/

http://www.freesound.org/people/bevangoldswain/sounds/54776/

Light-bulb Smashing:
http://www.freesound.org/people/nnus/sounds/126552/

Eerie Music:
http://www.freesound.org/people/ERH/sounds/32899/

http://www.freesound.org/people/RichardCulver/sounds/198927/

Drafting and Planning - Ideas for Tagline

As I have decided I want my film to have a tagline, I researched the definition of a tagline. Wikipedia defines a tagline as 'a memorable, dramatic phrase that sums up the tone and premise of a visual/ audio product.'

I then decided to research some of the most well known horror films which have taglines and found the following:

• The Strangers - 'Because you were home.'
• SAW - 'Let the games begin.'
• Paranormal Activity - 'What happens when you sleep?'
• The Last Exorcism - 'Believe in Him.'
• The Ring - 'Before you die, you see the ring.'
• Scream - 'Don't answer the phone. Don't open the door. Don't try to escape.'
• Jaws - 'Don't go into the water.'
• The Cabin in the Woods - 'You think you know the story.'

I then started thinking of my own taglines and came up with the following:

• 'The girl that never left.'
• 'You are never safe.'
• 'There are no safe havens.'
• 'You are never alone in Flat 6.'
• 'What would you do for revenge?'
• 'What was that?'
• 'It wasn't you...' 

Drafting and Planning - Ancillary Product Planning

Initial Magazine Ideas:

http://chloeoneill1996.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/blog-post.html

http://chloeoneill1996.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/blog-post_26.html

After looking at the above magazines and analysing them, I decided to draft some ideas for my own film magazine:

• Masthead: 'Total Film' or 'Empire' - I think my film will appeal to a mass market audience as it will contain similar content to that of the film 'Paranormal Activity.'
• Colour Scheme: Red, black,  white,grey - I think I will stick to these colours as they are similar to the magazines I analysed which will create a professional feel. I think 'red' is a vital colour to initiate to the audience that my film is of the genre horror as it has connotations of danger, anger, passion and blood. The colour black also relates to the genre horror as it has connotations of mystery and darkness. 
• Main Image: My main image will be that of my main 'evil' character (the baddy.) I will use make-up and props to make my character look particularly scary and will use body language to make her look superior. 
• Typography: For my main cover line I will use the title of my film 'Strange Happenings.' I will use a bold, quite simple font which has a possible 'Gothic' element to suggest some horror but not make it too comical.
  For the other cover lines, I will use a tagline to initiate fear in the reader and increase their interest in wanting to watch the film. This tagline will also be used in my trailer to create a correlation between the two.

Initial Poster Ideas:
http://chloeoneill1996.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/blog-post_30.html
http://chloeoneill1996.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/blog-post.html

After looking at posters for the films 'The Conjuring' 'The Eye' 'The Strangers' and 'Sin City' I decided to draft some ideas for my own film poster:

• Colour Scheme: Red, black,  white,  grey - Like the four posters I analysed, I will make sure the colours I use for my poster will be dark reflecting the nature of my film. Again, I will use red because it had connotations to danger, anger and blood. 
• Main Image: For my main image, I am thinking of using a close up of my main 'evil' character/ 'baddy's' eye. Like the poster for 'The Eye,' I think this will create fear and catch the interest of the viewer. 
• Typography: I will use the tagline I will use in my trailer/magazine.

Drafting and Planning - Concrete Target Audience

My teaser trailer will be certificate '15' and will be aimed at people aged 15-21. Both males and females will be interested in my film but I think females more predominately. I think this as my trailer will contain mainly a female cast meaning female viewers can relate to the characters and empathize with them when faced with fear. I think my film will appeal to a mass market in terms of my characters being average, teenage girls which people can relate to.

Research - Further Research into Target Audience/BBFC Guidelines

I have already looked at the guidelines the BBFC use in terms of classifying films which are of certificate '15' and '18.' I then decided to look at some horror films which I think will be similar to mine and see what age the BBFC certificated them and what comments they made. 

I think the series of 'Paranormal Activity' films will be similar to my own film and the content which it will contain - mainly that of the supernatural. With the exception of the first film, all of the 'Paranormal Activity' films were certificated '15' by the BBFC and were passed uncut.
The films were mainly passed at '15' because of the following:

• Strong language and threat 
• Strong threat and menace
• Moderate sex references - no nudity 
• Strong violence 
• Scenes with a Ouija board
• Brief scene of pot smoking  - no glamorising of the drug 
• Several brief images of apparitions 
• Sounds of breaking bones
• A character being chased by a demonic figure

I then looked at the series of 'Saw' films which were all certificated '18' by the BBFC. They were certificated '18' because of the following:

• Some scenes of death which dwell on the infliction of pain and injury
• Substantial amounts of blood
• Strong bloody violence 
• Violent and gory deaths 
• Scenes of decapitation and mutilation 
• Frequent strong language
  
  After this research, I have come to the conclusion that my film will more likely be of the certificate '15.' I think this because the content of my film will be more similar to that of 'Paranormal Activity' compared to 'Saw.' There will be little, if any, gory, bloody violence in my trailer and will mainly consist of the supernatural and brief images of apparitions. 

Drafting and Planning - Further Ideas for Film Content

When thinking about my initial ideas for my film, I thought it important to try and think of a way in which I could express to the audience that the 'baddy' in my film is actually a young girl who was murdered in the flat currently occupied by the new University students. Therefore, I thought of opening my trailer with an image/ words of a newspaper article about a mystery, brutal murder of a young girl.This tells the reader more of the story and gives them a better understanding.
After the image of the newspaper, I was thinking to change into a shot of the main character travelling on the train, looking out of the window. She is anxious/excited to start her new life at University far away from home but this is ironic as she should be nervous for much worse reasons.
As the character gets off the train, I may film her walking around the train station trying to find her way in a new city. This could be effective as it presents the girl as vulnerable and away from her typical settings.
I will then do a shot of the flat in which the main part of the story will take place. I may do a high angle shot of the girl standing outside the flat making the flat look much bigger than her. This will be effective as, again, she will be shown as vulnerable but this time to the flat and the strange happenings which are about to occur.
I will then do a shot of all the girls together, I may play some happy/upbeat music in the background which could represent the typical University lifestyle and show the girls getting to know one another.
I will then contrast this equilibrium by cutting the music and changing it to more dramatic and eerie which initiates to the audience that the atmosphere is going to change.
I will then start to show the start of the strange happenings. I will show the girls possibly sitting in the kitchen together, the door knocking, someone going to answer and no one being there. I may do this various times to initiate a strange feeling.
I may also show the phone ringing, one of the girls answering and no one speaking other than a strange sound.
I will then speed up the pace of my editing to try and create fear as strange things begin to happen more frequently.
I may then use a shot of one of the girls going crazy and running out of the flat down the stairs from the chasing 'baddy' - here I may use the device of footsteps. I may then use a scene in the life where one of the girls is trying to escape by frantically pressing the buttons but it does not work. I could then use a shot of the 'baddy' standing in the mirror and then cut.
I will then cut my trailer to the title of the film and then possibly think of a tagline for my film. I got this idea when analysing the film 'The Strangers.' The tagline for this film is 'because you were home' which I think it effective as it creates a particularly eerie feel.
I will then cut to a final image of the 'baddy's' eye and then cut to the release dates.

Research - Analysis of Sin City Poster

I decided to do an in-depth analysis of the poster for the film 'Sin City' to aid my understanding of the typical conventions of film posters.