2. Contents
• Intertext research: Intertext research 1 – Snakes on a plane slides 3-28
Intertext research 2 – Unknown
Intertext research 3 – The Silence of the Lambs
Intertext research 4 – Panic Room
• Censorship Issues/Certification: Censorship Issues – 12 slides 29-32
Censorship Issues – 15
What I have learnt
• Target Audience: Questionnaire and Analysis slides 34-41
Target Audience theories and profiling slides 42-45
• Planning Text: First Ideas slides 46-54
Drafting Ideas
Organisations
Actors
Locations
Final Decisions
3. Intertext research
• Snakes on a Plane
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Squ9a2kO4
• Unknown
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQj-Xzr29VM
• Silence of the Lambs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQKs169Sl0I
• Panic Room
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP8jyFEDdNw
5. Intertext research 1 – Snakes on a Plane.
• About:
“An FBI agent takes on a plane full of deadly and poisonous snakes,
deliberately released to kill a witness being flown from Honolulu to Los
Angeles to testify against a mob boss.”
• Tagline: Sit back. Relax. Enjoy the fright.
• Trailer:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Squ9a2kO4
• Institutions:
Released: 18 August 2006 by New Line Cinemas
Running time: 105 minutes
Produced by: Mutual Film Company, Meradin Zweite Productions,
Eyetronics
Estimated Budget: $33,000,000
Gross: $62,022,014 (Worldwide)
Review: “Snakes On A Plane isn't the best movie of the year. It's not the
funniest movie of the year or the scariest, but it is a good movie if you're Rating: 5.7/10
looking for mindless fun involving a lot of snakes on an airplane, some (according to
gratuitous gore and nudity, and a few great Samuel L. Jackson moments, www.imdb.com)
check it out.” (317 of 442 said this was useful) Age certificate: 15
6. Intertext research 1 – Snakes on a Plane
• Visual Codes:
This is the first Intertext that I’m looking at which is the trailer of Snakes on a Plane, the
colours are very dark, used to cause tension towards the target audience, the colour scheme
at the beginning is black and white, which contrast where I can apply binary opposition,
where black connotes fear and suspense whereas white is innocent and angelic, the picture is
looking rough and like old time TV, quite hard to see image that’s being shown, for example
someone's facial expression at the beginning. Then when the colours are shown, its quite
dark to causes suspense, where the audience will immediately think the film is scary, or
tension building which is conventional.
The dress codes of the passengers are casual, showing that it was just an everyday flight,
nothing that should stand out as unusual. The FBI agent is wearing a black leather jacket that
connotes toughness and roughness, which also shows that he is in control.
The setting is in two places on the trailer, in an aeroplane, which is conventional with the title
“Snakes on a Plane” which seems very normal to the audience, which then surprises them for
what then happens and also in the FBIs place where the agent is on the phone explaining the
problem.
7. Intertext research 1 – Snakes on a Plane
• Audio Codes:
Audio codes in a trailer or a film is very important in film genres such as thriller. This means
that a situation is more tension and suspense building that keeps an target audience on their
feet which keeps them more interested as the film affects them. At the beginning it uses
diegetic sound of quite low key music, and on dramatic or something that should stand out is
then helped to get noticed by a sudden change in tune which usually would make a target
audience jump and frighten them to keep them interested.
Then non-diegetic sound of someone screaming, which instantly connotes fear, more non-
diegetic sound of people talking in an airport, to show an average day in the airport, then a
door closing which all connotes to the text that is being shown on the trailer for example
“Claustrophobia: fear of confined place” which links with the door closing which connotes
trapped, limited, and restrained. Then it has a non-diegetic of a plane flying, which is then
followed by the low speaking that is very eerie, explaining in small sentences the whole
feeling of the film, that would make the audience either excited to see it, but also quite
scared which is conventional to the film.
8. Intertext research 1 – Snakes on a Plane
• Technical Codes:
There are many camera shots that are effective in the trailer, which are very good to causing
suspense and tension within the trailer, which are low angle shots and extreme close-ups
which show expression and reactions from the passengers which can mean it gives us an idea
as the audience to see through the characters eyes, which is also an unusual and interesting
shot. The shots are usually then cut to a narrative part which has text on, which builds tension
and gives information, which leaves the audience with a sense of confusion and panic.
This extreme close-up which is This is an low angle shot of the FBI agent making him
the first cut to a women look more superior and in control, which Is also shown
screaming which is frightening on his facial expression of being serious and stern that
and connotes fear and panic. shows he can be in control because he’s serious about
Which is conventional of a what he’s doing
thriller genre film.
9. Intertext research 1 – Snakes on a Plane
• Action Codes:
The action codes in the trailer are quite sharp, quick sudden movements to create more of an
effect on the audience that would create them to jump as the movement wouldn’t come as
expected which would scare them more as its along with the audio which would create more
suspense. It does sudden movements of what's happening else where for example suddenly
moving from a shot of the snakes, then the pilot not being at the controls, then a snake
shooting towards the screen, to keep the audience in sudden tension and aware what's
happening so its like they’re in the characters eyes all over the plane.
• Narrative Codes:
The narrative is being said, by a male voice explaining how the passengers feel so you are
aware, and able to relate. It shows a passenger sat, as if its just an usual flight, but under the
seat there's a snake, which the audience can then immediately think something that’s not
right. It also shows that an agent is involved, which is weird since that’s not what usually are
called to a problem. The whole narrative isn’t shown so it leaves the target audience with
enigmas for example one would be “Did anyone survive?” “How did the snakes get on the
plane?” which will then make them want to watch the film to find the answers to their
enigmas, which is how trailers work. The trailer also follows Todorovs theory as there's an
equilibrium at the beginning, as the passengers are on the plane, and everything is fine, then
the snakes appear and the disruption starts. But we don’t see how its all recovered so there's
no reinstatement shown. Most films follow the Todorov’s five stages as its conventional to a
film to have these to make it interesting to the target audience.
10. Intertext 1 – Snakes on a Plane
• Industry Research:
• Mutual Film Company:
It was founded on July 1906, and is based Edendale, California. (it was established in 2001 and
incorporated in California)
Did other films such as Lara Croft Tomb Raider.
The company's status is 'Non-trading', with a team of 3 directors. British Mutual Film
Corporation Limited is split between 3 shareholders. They have no known group companies.
• Meridan Zweite Productions:
Only have produced the Snakes on a Plane and that’s all, has no other history of producing a
film.
• Eyetronics
Eyetronics is a 3D Scanning Service bureau to the entertainment industry
Produced films like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
For 10 years, Eyetronics has gained recognition as a premier provider of 3D scanning & 3D
modelling services
Has offices in Europe (Belgium) and the US (Los Angeles)
Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, Julianna Margulies and Nathan Phillips.
Director: David R. Ellis.
12. Intertext 2 - Unknown
• About:
“A man awakens from a coma, only to discover that someone has taken on his identity and that no
one, (not even his wife), believes him. With the help of a young woman, he sets out to prove who he
is.”
• Tagline: Take back your life.
• Trailer:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQj-Xzr29VM
• Institutions:
Released: 4 March 2011
Running time: 113 minutes
Produced by: Dark Castle Entertainment, Panda Productions Inc., Canal+
Estimated Budget: $30,000,000
Gross: $130,786,397 (Worldwide)
Review: “Unknown is a fairly decent mystery thriller. Good performances. Good story for a mystery. Good
music. Good cinematography—I particularly like the whole grey, dreary atmosphere that reflects the film's
location's bleak weather. Good twists. Good suspense— the sound mixers must've had a kick in adding
emphasis on sound effects to startle the audience. The one thing I will note is that Liam Neeson is really
showing his age.”
13. Intertext 2 - Unknown
• Visual Codes:
The trailer I’m looking at is the one from the film Unknown, the colours are dark at the
beginning, until it goes into the hospital scene where its bright, as he then gets flashbacks
which are also bright, the colours vary from blues and whites in the hospital and browns and
greys in the other scenes. Also in scenes where he gets flash backs, they’re very bright as if
they’re only little flashbacks that he remembers.
The dress codes in the scenes such as when he’s going into the party to find his “wife” he’s
wearing casual clothes, but others are wearing quite formal clothes because its an formal
event. Then in the hospital its all the white and blue hospital clothes, and when he’s walking
around he’s wearing quite a long brown coat, which connotes business, as his character is
meant to be a doctor, although in the storyline he has no identity.
The settings are all different in the trailer, the beginning is the reason why he went into a
coma but not in a lot of detail because with less detail the more the audience want to keep
watching, which is what starts of the story off, then it goes to a hospital when they tell him
information about what happened which is a lot of detail compared to the other trailer I
analysed. The next setting is at a formal party, which then sets another enigma in the
audiences head as his wife can’t remember him, this is also a lot of information, which this
trailer all the way through does give a lot, which is unusual.
14. Intertext 2 - Unknown
• Audio Codes:
The audio codes in a trailer and a film make things more exciting than they are, this is due to
the suspense building that make things more interesting and keeps the audience intrigued to
know what's going to happen next, which also means that it creates enigmas especially if the
music makes you think its going to lead up to something, something that’ll make them jump.
The first audio code is the background non-diegetic music that creates effect or make
something more intense, they use it usually to provoke feelings from the audience.
There are also many diegetic sounds the first one is the aeroplane, the stamp the women
does on a piece of paper, then the sound of the difibulator, using to keep him alive after his
accident, then the sound of the accident (sound of cars hitting against each other and falling
over the bridge), sound of a fridge falling off the back of a car, smashing of a table, gun shots,
cars spinning, things getting hit against each other (cars, other objects), kettle squealing, a
sound of a building blowing up, and then throughout the trailer, people talking, which makes
the film seem more realistic with the less non-diegetic sounds.
15. Intertext 2 - Unknown
• Technical Codes:
There are many effective shots in this trailer, especially some close-ups to show the
characters expression and reaction, and also some low angle shots to make the object or
character look more superior. The first effective shot that I noticed was a low angle shot of
the taxi that the main character and his wife had a car accident in.
The shot shows the car sinking further into the river it fell
into, it looks very eerie and it feels like the car is near you
as the audience and is trapping you under water. This
means its effecting the audience that a trailer is meant to
do, which make them want to watch the rest of the film as
they feel moved by the trailer.
The second shot I found that was interesting was a shot of the wife, showing her reaction to his
announcement that he’s her husband, but she doesn’t believe him.
This close-up of the wife's face shows reaction and her
gesture codes that change from when he first talks to her,
and then starts speaking, it means that the audience then
knows that she has either lost memory too, or the main
character is going mad.
16. Intertext 2 - Unknown
• Action Codes:
There is a lot of movement between the scenes of the film, so many that it doesn’t really
focus on one scene so that it keeps the audience on the edge of their seat, as its quite
dramatic in every scene and gets more exciting the more the trailer continues, which is
important or it’ll give too much information away. The changes are sharp, quick movements,
only once it fades and is out of focus which is meant to connote confusion, disorientation
which is what the character would feel when he comes out of a coma, that the audience then
knows in the following scene when a doctor tells him.
• Narrative Codes:
The narrative is quite easy to catch up on with in then scenes in the trailer, which sets out
clues along the way, for example, we know as we watch this that he was in a car accident, and
went in a coma for 4 days which is stated by the doctor, and comes out with no identification,
then we find out his wife doesn’t remember him, and his identification has been taken by
someone who claims to be his wife's husband, but then we find out this isn’t true, and we
know he’s trying to get his identification back. Although because it’s a trailer or a teaser it
means it won’t give out that much information so leaving some information that is essential
was to make sure that the audience wants to find out if he gets his identification and his wife
back and to find this out they have to watch the film.
18. Intertext 3 – The Silence of the Lambs
• About:
“A young FBI cadet must confide in an incarcerated and
manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial
killer who skins his victims.”
• Tagline: To enter the mind of a killer she must challenge the
mind of a madman.
• Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQKs169Sl0I
• Institutions:
Released: 31st May 1991
Running Time: 118 min
Produced by: Strong Heart/Demme Production, Orion Pictures
Corporation
Estimated Budget: $19,000,000
Gross: $272,742,922 (Worldwide)
Review: “Do not miss this movie. The movie is incredibly
suspenseful and an absolute must see.”
19. Intertext 3 – The Silence of the Lambs
• Visual Codes:
The trailer for The Silence of the Lambs is quite old, so the quality isn’t as good. The colours
are dark and dull, there's no real change in the colour when the characters outside because all
the colours are grey and black, this is conventional to a thriller genre as most thrillers are
eerie and shouldn’t be colourful or it’ll give the audience misleading information. Especially
when the main character is at the prison, talking to a serial killer, the colours and lighting are
very dark to make it seem more scary, because of the situation that it is.
The dress codes of the film are very old-fashioned because of the time it was released (1991)
although the dress codes of the main character are casual and also smart because the she’s
meant to be an FBI agent, although what she’s wearing isn’t what we initiate as a FBI agent
today. The other characters at the prison and people she talks to are smart and also like a
doctor when she's going to see the serial killer, who's dress codes are an all in one pale blue
outfit with a white under top.
The settings in the trailer are similar to each other which are, at her FBI office, the prison with
the serial killer, and in the city. Although she's doing different things in these settings but
they’re all the same to make the film making easier because “back in the day” they didn’t
have the technology we have now.
20. Intertext 3 – The Silence of the Lambs
• Audio Codes:
The audio codes in this trailer makes every detail more dramatic and intense, this is shown by
the beginning when the serial killers face flashes onto the screen twice when the film title is
on show, with a diegetic sharp sound that is similar to something metal hitting another piece
of metal at an intense speed and strength which in some ways is meant to jump the audience
which interests them more because of the way it has effected them, and another diegetic
sound of a gate closing and opening when the main character goes into the prison to see the
serial killer and also ambulance sirens when the narrator is talking about the serial killer she's
meant to find.
Then there’s non-diegetic sound throughout the whole trailer with quite a low key rhythm
with a change in tone now and again which shows suspense when something's going to
happen to also effect the audience who them gets anxious whether something's going to
jump out or not and becomes more of a beat when its on quite a dramatic action part of the
trailer which makes the film seem exciting with a bit of action in so its more enjoyable instead
of too eerie like a horror, which is conventional of a thriller.
21. Intertext 3 – The Silence of the Lambs
• Technical Codes:
There aren't many interesting camera shots in this trailer, the only ones that are interesting
are extreme close-ups of a characters expression and gesture codes. The first one is of the
serial killer:
The extreme close-up of the serial killers face is in some
ways his “trademark” expression that people would know
who he is when he does this. His gesture codes shows that
he’s up to something by his mischievous expression, and
his slight grin. Which is also quite scary which is what this
character is.
This is a high angle shot of a police who looks vulnerable
because he’s showing weakness to the serial killer who's
about to hurt him. When he should seem superior to him
because he locked him up.
22. Intertext 3 – The Silence of the Lambs
• Action Codes:
The action codes in this are similar to other trailers, as at the beginning there are quick
changes between the title and the serial killers face, then then there are quick changes from
each scene that show different characters reactions and also telling a narrative about what
happens in the film by using quick changes to set the story out simply, but not giving away
too much information or scenes to how she finds the serial killer, or how the other serial killer
she went to for help, helped her.
• Narrative Codes:
There is a voice over the trailer that tells the audience some background or some information
about the film, but not enough because its like a teaser, not giving too much information so
that the audience has to go see it. for example “A killer is on the loose..” “But in order to
track him down.. you’ll have to match wits, with the darkest of all minds” When they also
have scenes where the characters are explaining things too, that explain other details as well.
These only tell the audience what the basic information is, but to know how things turn out
they’d have to watch the film.
24. Intertext 4 – Panic Room
• About:
“A woman and her teenage daughter become imprisoned in the
panic room of their own house by 3 criminals.”
• Tagline: It was supposed to be the safest room in the
house
• Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP8jyFEDdNw
• Institutions:
Released: 3 May 2002
Running Time: 112 min
Produced by: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Hofflund/Polone,
Indelible Pictures
Estimated Budget: $48,000,000
Gross: $95,308,367
Review: This is the best suspense film in a while, and Fincher
once again proves he is at the top of his profession! "Go see
Panic Room!"
25. Intertext 4 – Panic Room
• Visual Codes:
The colours in this trailer are very dark, so dark that sometimes its hard to see most things
that are going on. This gives a sense of suspense and mystery because of the little detail that
is being shown. The colour scheme is blues, greys, and black, the odd colour of a green lazar
and a red button and the characters clothes and objects, which is quite dull but conventional
of a thriller. The dress codes of the characters are casual and formal, the ones in the house
are casual because its just an everyday normal day and weren’t expecting anything out of the
ordinary. The police men and people trying to help the characters getting stuck in the house
have dressed in their uniform (police) and the people trying to help are quite formal but also
casual so they don’t seem to out of the ordinary, but normal people. The characters gesture
codes are always panic, stress, fear, which are what we expect out of a thriller genre film,
their body language is either hunched with fear, quite a superior look when doing something
brave, and especially people who are helping the characters that are stuck, are always finding
a way to get them back, by hitting the doors etc.
26. Intertext 4 – Panic Room
• Audio Codes:
The trailer starts with a narrator starting off saying “Its called the Panic Room…” with some
backing music to add suspense and tension. The narrator sounds like its talking about an
animal for example “Its flesh… 70 tonnes of concrete” although its on about a house which
can confuse the audience and create enigmas in their heads like “What's the Panic Room?” “Is
the narrator on about an animal or a house?”. Throughout half the trailer its just the narrator
describing the house as an animal like creature. Then it’s a door closing, and the background
music becomes more noticeable and louder, and dimmed out voices. There's no other sounds
than the background music that kind of gives me and maybe the audience the impression that
you can’t hear anyone because they’re trapped in the panic room, because although they’re
kicking down doors and throwing things around you can’t hear them. Until the end when
threes the characters voices of “What is he doing?” sounding like a little girl, and “They’re
locking us in.” from an older women that would be the mother. Then the last music is like a
heartbeat getting faster which shows that they’re getting more scared. This then makes the
audience want to hear what's going on and what happened which makes them want to watch
the film.
27. Intertext 4 – Panic Room
• Technical Codes:
The trailer uses a variety of very interesting shots very effectively. There were a lot of close-
ups and extreme close-ups of important objects at the beginning, as if its showing you one of
the vital things they use for example a green lazar, red button, a phone, camera TVs. An
interesting high angle shot that is looking down at the what we think are the 3 criminals from
the staircase to make the audience feel in the characters shoes and are seeing what they’re
seeing, as if they’re hiding too, and the more the audience feel in the shot, the more the
audience feel effected from the trailer and the more they want to see the film.
The shot shows the 3
criminals on the staircase at
an high angle shot to feel
that the audience is looking
down at them from the
staircase as though they’re
hiding with the characters.
28. Intertext 4 – Panic Room
• Action Codes:
The changes between scenes but the scenes are quite slow, so they seem slow, whereas the
action is quick. The characters movements are quite quick, slow when its quite intense and
suspense building although you can’t hear any of their hits or speaking or movements they’re
still effective as they’re strong and confident.
• Narrative Codes:
There's a narrator at the start, until the character are in, as if the narrator is telling the story
at the beginning, describing the “panic room” then they let the characters tell the rest even
though there's not any talking, just diegetic music, to keep you on the edge of your seat and
eager to know what they’re actually saying which will make them want to see the film, to
know if they ever get out.
30. Censorship Issues – 12
Information from http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines/12a12/
• Suitable for ages 12 and over
• Discrimination
Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or
behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.
• Drugs
Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.
• Horror
Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.
• Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or
appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
• Language
Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.
• Nudity
Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.
• Sex
Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young
teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.
• Theme
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
• Violence
Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional
gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly
indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.
31. Censorship Issues - 15
• Information from http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines/15-2/
• Suitable for people ages 15 over
• Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
• Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous
substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.
• Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.
• Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons
should not be glamorised.
• Language
There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by
the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
• Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
• Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references
are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.
• Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
• Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic
or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence
must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
32. Censorship Issues
• What have I learnt?
I have learnt from the information that with the age rated certificate on films we
know from the age what sort of people watch the film, and who would enjoy it, and
also who they are. Therefore it’d be easier to find out who the target audience is,
just by knowing the age.
There are clear differences between ’12’ and ’15’ rated films, ‘12’ rated films are only
aloud to have moderate language, drug use, horror, nudity, sex, violence, in the
films, whereas ’15’ rated films are aloud to show it, but not strong detail.
I have decided that my film will be a ’12’ because there won’t be shown any of the
factors in the issues only a few parts of violence, so there's no need for them to be
shown completely, but just moderately.
37. Questionnaire Analysis
The results from this question shows that my
audience is more female that male, this is a
surprise to me because thrillers are more of a
male based genre, which kind of skews my
idea, but proves a point that females like action
and thrill as well.
These results show that the audience that
took the survey was 16-24, I realised I need to
change the age to 12-24 because of the age
rating I’m going to put my film in which is a 12,
but this helps me know who my target
audience are.
38. Questionnaire Analysis
This tells me that the majority of my target
audience enjoy watching films a “great deal”
and that they would of probably watched other
films, and trailers to films that show they know
what films look good and what don’t., and the
more likely they watch films a lot, the more
likely they’d want to watch mine.
This question is asking how often my audience
watch films, the majority of my audience watch
films weekly, which is helpful because I would
know some films that they would watch if they
like to watch a lot of films, there's also quite a
few on often and all the time, which is also quite
a lot, so it shows they enjoy this type of media.
39. Questionnaire Analysis
This shows me that over half of my
audience enjoy the genre Thriller,
which is good because this is the
genre of my film, and would help
that they enjoy this genre.
This shows why they enjoy the film, these show
very positive for example “Very entertaining”
and “Very good. Exciting” this is hopefully how
they feel my trailer is going to be like, because
its very rewarding when someone praises your
work. This also shows that more people would
watch it because of their opinions on thriller,
because they would think it’s the same as all the
others they have watched.
40. Questionnaire Analysis
This question show me their favourite films,
most are thriller which they said they enjoyed,
and many are quite romantic and action, this
shows different genres they enjoy, that I can
mix in with what's in my thriller that attracts
their favourite film, so that they’re more likely
to watch the trailer and want to watch the film
because of a film they have seen that is its
intertext.
This question is asking who their favourite
actors are, these answers are just giving me
some background information about them
and who they enjoy watching in a film, and
what films they’re in that appeal to them.
41. Questionnaire Analysis
What have I learnt from this?
• I have learnt that the people who have answered my questionnaire are in my target
audiences profile age, occupation and sort of gender.
• I got a little background information of what other films and actors they enjoy watching
and what other films that those films and actors have intertexts with.
• I also collected information about my genre of film, what age, sort of people I will use for
characters, where I will film it, and the intertexts to my trailer.
• I have also had some constructive criticism that I will take on board and use to make my
trailer as best as I can.
• From this feedback I’m going to use a sort of film along the lines of lies, action, cliff
hangers, excitement, and from a teenagers point of view, that they can relate to.
43. Audience theories applied to my text
• Hypodermic Syringe Theory:
I will be injecting the idea of thrill, excitement, fear, and suspense into the audience
throughout my trailer.
• Uses and Gratifications Theory:
Because of the age rating that my film is going to be, the main characters, and other
characters will be teenagers so they can identify to them, which means they can relate to
how they’re feeling because they would be around the same age, and would know how they
feel in a situation, even though they haven’t been in one like it which is like personal identity.
This also means that they enjoy the film because they can relate to them, and they enjoy the
genre which was shown in my questionnaire, which is entertainment. They will also talk about
the trailer, about how they identify the teenagers how they relate, and how much they want
to watch the film which is social interaction and integration.
44. Audience theories applied to my text
• Two-Step Flow Theory:
The audience will be filtered information from friends and family that they would look up to,
someone they trust the opinion of. However, there are other opinion leaders that can change
and shape the truth for their own benefit, like film critics, or anyone's opinion the audience
know but not necessarily someone they know. So their opinion could cause someone who
likes it to dislike it from something they had said.
• Polysemic Readings:
• Preferred reading: That the audience will find the trailer exciting, thrilling, and
interesting and then this would make them want to watch the film.
• Oppositional reading: That the audience will find it boring, uninteresting, like any
other, and unrealistic and doesn’t make them want to watch the film.
45. Target Audience Profile
• Age: 12-35
• Gender: Most likely to be male because they prefer more action and thrill, but can be
female who enjoy that genre too.
• Occupation: Student and/or part-time job
• Income: Low, maximum monthly income of £200
• Education: GCSE’s and most likely A Levels, and maybe going into higher education
• Demographics: E - Unemployment, Students and Casual workers
• Hobbies and Interests: they would have a wide range of media consumption most likely
to be more internet, TV, and music; other interests would be magazines, and video games.
Also a wide range of films watched particularly thriller and comedy, and sometimes
romantic and rom-con.
• Nationality: Can be any nationality, most likely to be western British, American etc.
47. First Ideas
• First decisions:
• Video-based production: A trailer
• Genre: Thriller
• Choice between :
-trapped underground by a taken over train, from a teenagers point of
view who has lost their family in the incident, trying
to find their parents, meets a group of friends who
fight it out together, fighting the criminals and
nearly losing each other (got the idea from Panic Room)
-setting in a school, teenagers point of view, trapped in a
school, a killer that only one girl can see, and the killer going
around creating notes, not actually killing anyone, just creating
cuts on the girl until she figures a “code” out.
48. Drafting Ideas
• Narrative/story:
I have decided to use the first idea, because 100% of people preferred the idea once I told
them.
The basic narrative is that we follow the girl on the train, with her family behind her, she has
her earphones in not paying much attention like every average teenager so that the audience
can relate to her, there is non-diegetic sound of people talking on the train and slight diegetic
sound of her music, then the train stops, she gets off thinking her family are following her
then the train wisps away (looking at her as the train goes behind her, she turns around
quickly pulling out her headphones look of fear as she notices she's on her own). She looks
around, calling for anyone as she laughs thinking her family are hiding, then looks serious
hearing footsteps. Coming up with text as the scene fades out with “Lost” and then a scene
of the boy coming up to her and him attacking her, then it fades out again “Not Alone” then
them walking and talking together, but we don’t hear them. Then it fades out and the criminal
talks, through a microphone saying “You want to see your family again? I can help you” Both
the boy and girl look up, fades out again then goes back to fighting, quite sharp beat music as
it shows action, and her falling over. Zooms to her hand, and the title comes up.
49. Drafting Ideas
• Title Ideas:
• Trapped
• Locked In
• Confined
• Font Ideas:
• Example One - Chiller
• Example Two – Courier New
• Example Three – Microsoft PhagsPa
50. Organisation
• Characters/actors:
• Caitlyn Moon (played by Charlotte Luke) the girl who gets lost, quite defensive, and more
like a hero but also the princess when she meets the boy according to Propp Theory,
when she suddenly falls through a hole in the ground and the boy has to help her while
fighting off criminals.
• Nathan Grant (played by Matt Smith) the boy who has been trapped there too, came from
the last train that was hours ago, trying to find another human. Starts off as princess,
when he is afraid of Caitlyn then becomes the hero by the end according to Propps
theory.
• Criminal (played by Rebecca Hornsby) doesn’t have a name, but talks through speaker to
them, ordering them to do things to get back to their family, then meets with them and
attempts to kill them is the villain but is also a fake hero according to Propps theory. Very
unconventional for a criminal to be female, which would make the film more interesting
and different.
51. Organisation
• Locations:
• Keynsham Train station (part that is undercover, along the track not side by
car park and side by car park) – the side by car park would be where they first get
on the train, along a bit would be where they get lost, looks more urban.
• Cabot Circus (more of the old part, to look more deserted and not as modern
as where they came from) - when they look around the place they have turned up
in, where they also meet the criminal.
• Costumes:
Simple, casual, everyday clothes that the audience can identify with, and relate to, For
example jeans and a t-shirt with a coat. Criminals wearing all black, with a mask so they
don’t show their identity.
• Props:
That are appropriate to the settings, for example Caitlyn's rucksack she has with her
when going with her family. Their phones, other things in Caitlyn's bag, and any
weapons they use to attack the criminal not really any main props.
52. Actors
• Caitlyn Moon: Charlotte Luke – One of my friends, took drama at GCSE, enjoys drama,
fits into an average teenage girl who goes about life taking it relaxed, but can be very
strong minded and confident. Doesn’t look out of the ordinary, and that something will
happen to her which is helpful so she doesn’t stand out. Its conventional of a thriller to have
typical people.
• Nathan Grant: Mathew Smith – Also one of my friends and took drama at GCSE and A
level, also enjoys drama, fits into a lost confused boy who looks very innocent but turns out
to be a hero, helping Caitlyn and being confident and brave.
• Criminal: Rebecca Hornsby – Also a friend of mine, took drama at GCSE, very
unconventional of a female criminal, but makes the film stand out as its out of the ordinary,
and she fits into the role as she's quite good at the voice of a criminal, sounding mysterious.
54. Final Decisions
• Final Title: Confined
• Final Font: Example
• Final Narrative:
I decided to keep the idea I had before where we follow the girl (Caitlyn) on the train, with
her family that aren’t really in the shot behind her, she has her earphones in not paying much
attention like every average teenager so that the audience can relate to her and identify her,
there is non-diegetic sound of people talking on the train and slight diegetic sound of her
music, then the train stops, she gets off thinking her family are following her then the train
wisps away (looking at her as the train goes behind her, she turns around quickly pulling out
her headphones look of fear as she notices she's on her own) and things fade out to black. It
then fades back in of her looking around, calling for her family as she laughs thinking her
family are hiding, then looks serious as she hears footsteps where it then blacks out, Coming
up with text as the scene fades out with “Lost” and then a scene of the boy coming up to her
and him attacking her, then it fades out again “Not Alone” then them walking and talking
together looking serious, but we don’t hear them just non-diegetic sound. Then it fades out
and the criminal talks with no other sound, as if through a microphone saying “You want to
see your family again? I can help you” Both the boy and girl look up to where they think the
speaker is, then it fades out again then goes back to the boy and girl fighting the criminal,
quite sharp beat music as it shows action, and her falling over. Zooms to her hand, and the
title comes up.
