The Blair Witch Poster Analysis

The Crucifixion Poster Analysis

Trailer Progress

Today, we had added new footage to our trailer, focusing on the two protagonists. With the help of a Final Cut Pro tutorial video, I have acquired the basic skills needed to create my own content successfully. Using different transition features such as a 'cross dissolve' or 'fade to colour' we have added in a range of smooth transitions to break up the different shot types. This effectively leaves the footage flowing smoothly to create a well-balanced and cohesive image. Limited due to a lack of footage of the characters, we decided to learn how to confidently work our way around the different and more complex features intended to be used in the near future. This included changing the duration of shots, added in sound effects and layering different images.

Final Cut Pro Practise

During this session, I have learnt how to use the Final Cut Pro software. Using an online tutorial video, I have acquired basic skills to learn how to complete a project. The video was a guideline to how to easily work with the software to create my own content, construction images together. Primarily learning how to add the clips into the software, I could easily understand the programme and decided to plat around making the content more complex. Adding transitions and filters to the clips was extremely easy once I could work my way around the tools, due to the video explanation. Despite my previous knowledge in constructing content together, the video was very helping in the process leading up to my own production. Basic skills that are key to the production of my trailer were acquired from watching and following the guidance video, resulting in a beneficial activity.

Shooting Script + Health & Safety

Storyboard + Feedback

Feedback:

 - Good timing on each shot. To improve, use more range of shot types and more detail

 - Good use of time (original). To improve, add more information on sound, camera movement and        dialogue

 - Good timing and use of imagery through the pictures; makes it more visual for the audience

 - Timings are perfect and good idea using shot numbers

 - I really like the overall storyline that is coming through, to improve you could aim to add even            more shot types for a variety

Character Profiling

Character profiling for two of the characters of our trailer. As I working alongside Alisha, we have split this task. I have completed the character profiling for Emma and Alisha has completed the profile for Maddie.

Deliberate mise en scene choices will be made to reflect the character of Maddie’s attributes. We will purposely make Maddie’s make-up quite eccentric to shadow her outgoing and loud character, her clothing will match this and make her character stand out- for example, we will dress her in a leopard fur jacket and Dr Martens to reflect her unique sense of style thus acting as a visual metaphor for her unique personality.

To reflect the qualities of the character Emma, the mise en scene choices will be completely different to Maddie to represent the reserved and shy character. We will intentionally use lighter colours on the character such as blue and white, reinforcing the simplicity of the character. Again, the make-up will be simple and limited to reflect the characters and attributes.

Overall, the qualities of both of the characters will complete opposites in order for both of the characters to stand out in their own ways. The use of clothing is extremely important, as this is what sets the characters apart, similar to the contrast in their personalities. Each character will have their own sense of style which is presented differently to the audience to reinforce the difference acting as contrasting images.

Undergraduate Feedback

As part of our research, we thought it would be helpful to receive feedback from two undergraduate students who have gone through the same process and course as us. This was an extremely beneficial talk as it gave the opportunity to pitch our initial film to two experienced students. This allowed the students to make corrections and give additional support on how to improve the initial ideas.

There were few concerns raised by the students which I responded to with solutions to fix the gaps and problems within the film pitch. Provided the situation we were in, the students were extremely empathetic as they, similarly had been in the same situation during their trailer production. Overall, this was a successful activity as the amount of information and improvements provided by the students will be taken into account in the near future.

Filming Permission

As Alisha and I have based out trailer around the theme of a church, we thought that it would be necessary to contact for permission. The trailer primarily focuses on two friends who regularly attend church and have a Christian background. As the church is local, it is easily accessible for the both of us to film at any time, sensitive to it's function.

IT (2017) Trailer Analysis; Psychological Appeal

IT (2017) Trailer Analysis; Psychological Appeal

The trailer opens with a close up of a paper boat created by a young child. This is then followed by a two shot of young brothers. The use of this specific camera angle heightens the relationship between the brothers as we can immediately connect with them and relate to the situation. This then cuts off to an establishing shot of the younger boy going out in the rain, alone.

The use of the non-diegetic sound is used to create an effect over the images, creating tension and suspense.  On the other hand, the diegetic sound is used to create verisimilitude, which is reinforced through the rain.  Pathetic fallacy is presented through the use of the weather, which creates the idea that; something bad is bound to happen. The music comes to a sharp stop where danger is awaiting.  This further emerges with a sting of music when the clown appears suddenly. The use of this iconography is extremely successful as typically clowns are the most frightening symbol in a horror.  Relating to the psychological appeal of horror, the audience is the one who chooses to consume the product as typically ‘they can either succumb (to the frightening images) or learn to manage’.

Following the black inter-cut, there is a birds-eye shot above the town the film is based in. This progresses with a tracking shot of the centre of visual interests at first glance; the children. Each scene is specifically separated by a black fade, which slows the overall pace down creating a dark and eerie mood. The non-diegetic soundtrack heightens the horror effect creating tension to build the fear; this is an expected convention in a horror trailer. The clothing choices are specific to the time period (70s) leaving the audience aware of intended era. Followed by a cross-action shot, the use of dark lighting juxtaposes the scene against a bright flashlight used to ‘protect’ the characters. The contrasting images effectively heighten the fear, as typically, the light is a protector against the dark. The audience expect and thrive off the fear, which is reinforced through the content and narrative structure. “The pleasure comes from the relief that follows,”  “It provides a cathartic effect, offering you emotional release and escape from the real world of bills and mortgages and the economy and relationships.”

Around halfway through the trailer, the main selling point is mentioned; ‘the clown’. This is almost forbidden to mention as it is used to sell the product, leaving the audience anticipating what is to come. With the use of a close up, the audience becomes more involved in the scene as they can relate to the characters facial expression when the terrifying word ‘clown’ is used. This again reinforces the typical horror appeal as specific iconography is used against the viewer.  With this being said, the audience consumes the product to gain something out of it; ‘you choose your entertainment because you want it to affect you’. Within the sound choices, a loud sting of music is used to break up the scene and cuts to a typical horror setting with eerie music played on top- following the typical conventions a horror trailer should have.

As the eerie music follows, the plot becomes more intense as the characters reveal more about the forbidden topic ‘IT’. This continues with a close up of one of the characters fearfully using his inhaler to regain his breath. Here, the audience find themselves in the text as the information is revealed to them the same time it is to us, further creating verisimilitude. Relating this part to the psychological appeal of horror films, this part of the trailer leaves the audience ‘feeling nervous and unsettled’ despite the anticipation to ‘excite and arouse’. This particular scene leads into continuous flashing of both images and music to reveal the first image of the terrifying antagonist. The clicking of the music almost resembles the audience’s emotions, as it is face pace, intentionally heightening the fear.  This is key to a typical horror trailer as it is intentional to make the viewer’s heart racing, similar to the pace of the trailer.

As the trailer ends with the protagonist running from the villain, the audience is left with anticipation of what will happen in the end. This is an expected and important convention in a horror trailer, as the audience wants to be left wanting more. The fact that the outcome of the ‘hero’ is not revealed intensely heightens the suspense for the release of the film, going against the idea that “negative feelings created by horror movies actually intensify the positive feelings when the hero triumphs in the end. 

Romeo and Juliet - Use of Imagery

The trailer for Romeo and Juliet explores the key features of post modernism, particularly as we see post modernism as being aesthetic. The trailer can be seen as kitsch throughout blending high art and culture effectively. A prime example of this is the costume choices as we immediately notice an astronaut costume and also an angel costume. This contrasts from Shakespeare’s original Romeo and Juliet as typically we do not expect to see this in a classic play. Again, this reinforces the kitsch aspect as intertextuality is used blend the high art and popular culture. This is a key example of a post modernism text as there is no respect given to the original text; anything can be constructed together.

The trailer, as a whole breaks the typical conventions that a romance trailer should stick to. Also, the fact it is based on the classical Shakespeare play, the audience has expectations of what it should be. People expect a slow pace trailer which has a calm tone and follows a typical structure of the romance genre; this is broken. The trailer increasingly becomes faster which overall changes the meaning of the content, balancing the classical aspects with the more modern content. Relating back to post-modernism, the trailer uses bricolage to construct and create new meanings from a diverse range of things.

Intertextuality is a key theme presented in the trailer which effectively works well in post-modern texts. Key aspects from the original Shakespeare are integrated throughout such as gun shots and fancy-dress costumes. This changes the text completely making it more contemporary and post-modern. Iconography also widens the trailer through the use of bricolage. For example, the use of a religious symbol constructs something from a diverse topic. The trailer follows a certain structure and uses repetition effectively to mould the trailer into a post-modern text.

Within my trailer, the use of repetition will be key to make sure the images are easy to decode and suit the needs of the audience. Despite the difference in genre, both trailers will follow a certain structure and have the same outcome.