Radio trailer script
This is the script that I have created for my radio trailer, I decided to create a script because it will make the process of recording and editing the radio trailer a lot more simple. Furthermore this will create a more professional trailer, which will sound as if it flows more seamlessly.
Narrator: This year…. A new chapter in murder!
Narrator: This year…. A new chapter in murder!
Sound: Knife being unsheathed
Narrator: One man, intimidated for who he is….
Sound: ‘Why me!’
Narrator: 3 of his tormentors, murdered
Sound: Victim’s scream
Narrator: But who’s the killer?
Narrator: starring Matthew Preece and Arron Kite
Sound: ‘All of these people are
dying, but what’s the reason?’
Narrator: From director Alex Senior
Narrator: The Switch
Sound: light switch sound
Narrator: Coming this march!
Sound: Blood spatter
(Murder scenes soundtrack playing throughout trailer in
background)
Equipment list
This post covers the equipment list that I have create in order to summarise most of the equipment that I will be using throughout the production and post-production process. The list features filming and editing equipment, including cameras and photo editing/manipulation software. While creating this list I was accurately able to determine what equipment I needed, allowing me to be more organised when I reach the production stage.
Storyboard
This post covers the storyboard that I have created for my short film, it provides a break-down of every shot. Allowing to plan frame by frame the entire structure of my short film. This piece of planning will prove invaluable to me when I reach the production stage, not to mention that the storyboard has helped me to create a realistic idea of my short film.
Character development
This post looks into the characters that I will be using in my short film, including basic information about the characters and their role within the story. I thought that it was important to create a post on character development due to the amount of planing that is necessary to create a short film. Also having a firm knowledge of the characters in my short film will help me when I reach the planning stage of this portfolio.
Concept title artwork
The images below are concept title for 'The Switch' (my short film), each image represents a different font style that has been used to try and symbolise the short film and its genre (psychological thriller). I decided to use a few different font styles to find the perfect piece of typography, in a way that will meet audience expectations about the conventions of the psychological thriller genre. All of the fonts I have chosen (from: http://www.urbanfonts.com/) have been selected for a specific reason, I have tried to choose fonts that are instantly associated with the psychological thriller genre, embodying the gritty and horror aspects of the genre. Therefore signifying to the audience that 'The Switch' is a psychological thriller. Conjointly I have asked members of my media studies class to pick their favorite fonts and post a comment below stating their favorite fonts. Withal this will help me to choose the appropriate font for the short film when I reach the editing stage of this project and members of the audience will be able to choose the font they want to see in the final production.
Concept title 1
Concept title 2
Concept title 3
Concept title 4
Concept title 5
Concept title 6
Short film title
I have decided to call the short film that I will create 'The Switch', this refers to the short film in a symbolic manner. The title forms a specific link to the narrative, basically throughout the film the audience will be shown shots of a light switch being turned on, this signifies the character's personality change. From reclusive and weak to animalistic and primal, turning him into the killer. Initially the idea was formed during a discussion between myself and Arron Kite, while discussing titles for the short film. The idea of the ''The Switch' was created, as a narrative link and title. I believe that this idea is original and entertaining, throughout the film the repetitious shots of the switch will become an enigma code, the audience will only realize its true meaning when the killer's identity id revealed at the end of the film. Furthermore I believe that the concept of including an enigma code is more entertaining for the audience and is more fitting with the psychological thriller genre, as enigma codes are one of the conventional features of thrillers and psychological thrillers. Besides at the start of this project I stated that I wanted the short film to include an aspect of mystery to both intrigue and confuse the audience until the end of the film, overall I am adamant that this idea and the title adequately fulfill my intentions of including elements of mystery into the text.Tutor feedback
This post covers a discussion that I had with my media teacher, the picture below is a feedback sheet that outlines my target grade (B) and some of the positive and negative aspects of my coursework. This includes targets to improve, such as: "make greater use of audience feedback" and "identify thought process in terms of potential names". I have found this feedback to very beneficial because it has allowed me identify the areas in which I have been successful and the areas I need to improve, allowing me to create personal targets to improve.
Short film concept names
This post covers some of the short film concept names that I have brainstormed, in order to find a suitable name for my short film I had a discussion with 'Arron Kite'. We both contributed some potential, this picture is a combination of all the names we discussed. Furthermore I decided to do this piece of research because when I reach the editing stage of this project I won't have to perform extra planning tasks.
Brand development
This is post covers brand development, therefore the background surrounding the production company that I have created ('Senior Productions') to use in my short film, film poster and radio trailer. The brainstorm was created using 'spiderscribe' (http://www.spiderscribe.net/), it covers areas such as the influences behind the brand and the target market. Overall this brainstorm looks into some areas that would be apparent if 'Senior Productions' was to become an actual company.
Production company logo
This post covers the production logo that I will use in my short film and film poster, I have created a new logo for my A2 portfolio to show the level of progression I have made since developing my AS portfolio. The first image is the production company logo that I created for my foundation portfolio, this represents basic photo editing using Abode Photoshop, the second is the new logo that I have created (with help from Matthew Preece) for my advanced portfolio. Showing a development in my Photoshop skills, including eclipse effects and text shadows.
(Production company logo for AS portfolio)
(Production company logo for A2 media)
Poster layout draft (ancillary task)
This is a layout draft of the poster that I will create for the ancillary task, I chose to do a layout draft so that when I begin developing my poster I have all of the necessary knowledge to focus on creating a professional-looking poster. Furthermore considering that I will have already created a plan for the layout of the poster I will be able to focus on the creative aspect of the poster, ensuring that all of the poster conveys a message to the audience.
Stylistic influences
This post looks into some of the stylistic influences behind the concept for my short film, including directors and actors that have influenced my idea. Creating the presentation for this post has allowed me to identify the influences behind my short film, allowing me to create new ideas and continue the development of my short film.
Special effects testing
This post features a video of my experimentation with an eye reflection special effect, myself and another student (Matthew Preece) downloaded an effect and incorporated into a short video of myself to test its effect. This was done using Adobe After Effects, I decided to experiment with special effects so that when I reach the post-production stage I have an idea of how to use the relevant techniques.
 |
| Still of special effect |
(Video of special effect)
Location photos
This post contains photos that I have taken of some of the locations that I will use in my short film, along with another student in media class (Matthew Preece) I visited some of the locations that I will use in my project. I decided to do this so that I know where the locations are and the logistics of them; therefore the filming process will become more comfortable, knowing the locations and layout of them.
Target audience
This post explains the target market that I have chosen to target with the short film that I will produce, having a target market will improve the purpose and the content of the short film. As it will allow me to have something to focus on during the filming and editing processes, furthermore having a target market is essential during the distribution and exhibition processes.
Primary research-questionnaire
This post covers the questionnaire that I created and sent out to audience members, this presentation analyses the responses that I received to the questionnaire, finding trends in the answers that I have received. This piece of research has been very useful to me, it has showed me how the audience view the genre I am trying to represent with my short film and how popular the genre is with the audience.
Conventional features of the thriller genre research
This post looks into some of the conventional features of the thriller genre, outlining some of the features that are consistently included in feature films. This piece of research has helped me to understand some of the conventions of the thriller genre, allowing me to decide whether or not to include them in my short film, influencing the way the short film communicates with the audience.
Bibliography (websites used for research):
Genre survey
This is a link to the survey I have created and sent to audience members, the purpose of this survey is to find out how audience members watch psychological thrillers and other information surrounding the genre. The results of this survey will provide me with an insight into how the audience communicate with the genre, to fill out the survey please click on the link below.
Barthe's narrative codes research
Academic theories
Explanation of theory choices:
- Plato's theory of forms-I believe that this theory applies to my portfolio because the idea behind the short film that I will produce is one of the most important elements of the film. This is because I am trying to produce a short film that has a strong narrative and doesn't rely upon excessive use of special effects. Therefore in accordance with this theory I am trying to represent the idea of the 'creator' as opposed to creating a 'copy' in physical form.
- Post modernism-this theory deals with the idea of originality of ideas being absent, this is something that I have acknowledged with my portfolio, I am aware that the current idea I have for my short film is a compilation of different inspirations. Meaning that I am aware that the idea for short film isn't original, however the narrative should be one of the key elements of the short film.
- Syntactic and semantic-I have decided to include this theory because syntactic are semantics and genre neutral, meaning that they don't specifically apply to any genre. Therefore this theory directly applies to my short film, furthermore some of the elements will communicate with the audience-relating to this theory.
History of the short film industry
This post looks into the history of the short film industry, including the rise and fall of the industry and some of its most influential members. This piece of research has been extremely valuable to me because it has allowed me to research the history of the short film industry, providing an insight into the past success of short films and how they are used by filmmakers today.
Marketing methods
This post covers the different marketing methods that are used by short film makers and professional film production companies to market their films. The presentation below features an insight into the different marketing methods and their importance, from conducting this piece of research I have learnt about the different marketing methods used in industry. This research will help me when I reach the marketing stage of this portfolio.
Production and distribution methods
Industry regulations
Examples of accomplished directors/producers
Comparable products
This post looks into existing products and analyses them to discover why they are successful and I can learn from their success and incorporate some of the successful elements into my short film and ancillary tasks. I have analysed existing forms of the 3 tasks that I have chosen to complete in order to allow me to analyse existing conventions, these conventions will help me to produce a more successful short film when I reach the production stage. Therefore this piece of research is vital to my understanding of the 3 products.
Short films
The desk This is a short film about two high students that leave messages for each other on a desk in one of the classrooms in their school. This short film uses an interesting narrative concept to engage the audience. This resembles the structure that I want to implant into my short film. I aim to create a short film that uses a dramatic narrative immerse the target audience, instead of relying upon special effects. I believe that too many short films rely upon special effects instead of focusing upon the narrative and incorporating special effects to enhance the short film to the next level.
Sight systems This short film focuses upon a distopian narrative set the future, where humans interact through an interface activated through their eyes. The interface constantly changes everyday tasks into a series of games to complete, providing achievements for completed tasks. For example chopping vegetables and cooking them correctly earns achievements for the user. The film explores the concept of life becoming a game, making everything competitive and forcing the user to try and beat their high score. Culimating in the emotional attachments normally formed by humans being broken and replaced with an agressive and competitive personality, therefore exploring the idea of a distopian future. This short film uses impressive visual effects to enhance the narrative, by portraying the interface that ultimately represents humanity as a regressing species, the visusal effects make up most of the film with the exception of a few conventional shots. Again this links to humanities obsession with technology and with constantly advancing our technology. This short film is very beneficial to watch, it has shown me how visual effects can be combined with a strong narrative to immerse the audience. Nevertheless the film that I will produce won't belong to the 'Sci-fi' (science fiction) genre, however I aim to use some of the techniques used in this film to make my short film more gripping for the audience. For example, the use of lighting in this film helps to add to the distopian/sci-fi concept with the clear bright hues implored by the director. This has shown me that lighting can be used to make comparisons with a genre and change the mood of the film.
The black hole
The black hole is a short film that I have already watched a few times previous to this post, however I every time I watch this film I find another segment to analyse and interpret that I previously hadn't discovered. The short film itself is an example of a professionally made short film, and well constructed they can be. Compared to the arcaic image of an amateur made film that has literally been stuck together with no thought to the construction or genre. The film follows a simple narrative; a conventional office worker is photocopying some documents when a white piece of paper with a circular black hole is created by the photocopier. The black hole allows the user to pass themselves through solid objects, mimicking an inter-dimensional object. As would be expected the office worker uses the black hole to steal items from a vending machine and ultimately attempts to steal money from a safe, but falls into becomes trapped when they cannot get back out through the black hole. The film ends of an semi-cliffhanger because the audience arent sure wether or not the main character will escape from the safe. The director explores the idea of greed through the narrative, portraying how we never feel like we have enough, until we are overloaded with greed. This is represented by the semi-cliffhanger ending, the idea of not being content is constantly referred to throguh the narrative. The main character never feels content with what they have gained, for example, once the character has stolen items from the vending machine and stolen a susbstansial amount of money from the safe they cannot leave with their spoils they have to try and gain more. Connoting a microcosm for human life-constantly wanting more when we already have enough. From watching this short film I have learned that even a simple narrative concept can be very entertaining to watch (e.g. the idea of the black hole), signifying that short films don't need to contain complex plots with lots of twists and sections. Furthermore this is something that I will use in the planning stage of this portfolio, to help refine the narrative that I have started to create.
Posters
How audiences are targeted
This post focuses on the methods used by production companies to target different audiences and how these methods affect the audience. I have chosen to do this piece of research because it will help me to understand how production companies see the audience, furthermore this will help me to produce the ancillary tasks that I have selected.
How these methods are used in relation to short films
The analysis above includes audience targeting methods that are mainly used in feature length films, below is an analysis of these methods and an interpretation of how they affect short films.
- Hypodermic needle theory-this theory is completely applicable to modern short films, as mentioned earlier short films aren't produced by major industry conglomerates, normally amateur film makers and students produce short films. Therefore these film makers don't have the resources to influence the ideologies of the public through the media.
- Inclusion of recognizable actors/actresses-unfortunately short film makers don't have the scope or resources to attract influential stars to their projects, meaning that they either have to use friends or themselves to fill character slots in their short films.
- Genre appeal-this method can be applicable to short films but on a much smaller scale than major blockbusters. For example, a short film maker could produce a horror film that would appeal to a few audience members, however the film wouldn't have enough power to generate mass audiences. Consequently short films have to rely upon 'hardcore' fans to support their continuing existence.
- 'Word of mouth'-again this method does affect short films, but on a much smaller scale than superior films. Some short films may grab the attention of the public, causing them to immerse themselves in this film and tell their peers of it. Subsequently increasing the popularity of the film, famous examples include The Black Hole.
- Marketing-short film makers generally don't have budgets large enough to create an elaborate marketing campaign, meaning that they cannot advertise their films to the audience on a grand scale. However, they can use resources like film festival (e.g. Sundance film festival) to showcase their projects to the public.
- Viral campaigns-this method is perhaps the most relevant in relation to short films, short film makers can create viral campaigns to create cost-effective marketing. Using social media and social networking sites allows the film makers to advertise their film to large audiences without having to have a large budget. Successful marketing campaigns can lead to the 'word of mouth' phenomenon increasing the publicity of short films.
(This is the short film: The Black Hole, the film is an example of how a successful viral campaign can generate effective publicity)
Audience consumption habits
This is the research that I have conducted for audience consumption habits, this research features an in-depth analysis of how the products (Short film, poster, radio trailer) I have chosen to produce are watched/viewed by the user, when they are watched/viewed by the audience and how they are watched/viewed by the audience. I have chosen to do this piece of research because it will give me an insight into the audience that I am targeting with my main and ancillary products, this will allow me to produce products that the audience can empathize with.
Audience theories 1 (applied to existing products)
Audience theories:
- Hypodermic needle theory-this theory applies to the trailer due to the societal issues mentioned in the trailer, basically the trailer focuses on the issue of teenagers taking drugs and the impact this has upon society. This is apparent because the media has created the idea that teenagers constantly take drugs and as result wreak havoc. This trailer appears to explore this issue and how it affects the public.
- Reception theory- this theory applies to theory because different audiences will form different interpretations based upon their gender, age, ethnicity, class and upbringing. Therefore older members of the audience may perceive the trailer as an accurate reflection of current events. However some younger members of the audience may form a different interpretation of the trailer, they may perceive the trailer as a tragic interpretation of 'real-life' issues that only affect a small minority of teenagers. Therefore believing that it is unfair that all teenagers are perceived to behave like this.
- Todorov's theory of equilibrium-Todorov's theory of equilibrium applies to this trailer, however this trailer doesn't seem to follow the conventional structure. The start of the narrative seems to follow the conventional structure (disruption of equilibrium), represented by the protagonist starting to take amphetamines. However the trailer ends with the protagonist beating another character, this isn't the conventional restoration of the equilibrium-making the narrative structure unique.
- Good vs evil theory-this theory applies to the trailer in an unconventional way, for example the protagonist appears to be evil due to the actions he inflicts upon others. On the other hand the character may be inherently evil, his actions may be solely down to the amphetamines. Therefore the characters in this trailer may not be as easy to diagnose as the theory suggests.
- Stereotypes-in terms of stereotypes the characters in this trailer are very stereotypical, for example the main character is a teenager who previously acted normal became more rebellious as a result of taking ampethamines. Therefore highlighting conventional stereotypes, this links into the the hypodermic needle theory, due to the public's opinion's of teenagers.
Ancillary tasks
Preliminary idea
Brief selection
- a poster for the film;
- a radio trailer for the film;
- a film magazine review page featuring the film."
Extract from the booklet provided by the teacher, containing all of the briefs that are available choose.
At this point I haven't decided which of the three ancillary tasks I will complete, however I will post more information about this when I have decided which ancillary products I will produce.
Brainstorm
Research plan
- Market research (5 days min-7 days max)
- Audience theories (4 days min-6 days max)
- Consuming habits (5 days min- 7 days max)
Institution:
- History (3 days min-5 days max)
- Comparable products (3 days min-7 days max)
- Case studies (14 days min-20 days max)
- How is the industry regulated (3 days min-5 days max)
- Production process (3 days min-7 days max)
- Distribution process (3 days min-7 days max)
- Marketing and promotion ( 3 days min-7 days max)
- Examples, producers, directors etc ( 3 days-7 days)
- Conventional features (4 days min-8 days max)
- Analysis of 3 existing products (7 days min-12 days max)
- Academic theories (3 days min-7 days max)
- Selection of appropriately chosen theories ( 3 days min-5 days max)
- Explanation of why I chosen the theories (3 days min-5 days)
- Primary research (7-days min-14 days max)
- Secondary research (5 days min-7 days max)
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