1. 1.In what ways does your
media product use, develop
or challenge forms and
conventions of real media
products?
2. Question 1 is divided 3 sections which are the trailer,
magazine and poster which are all the media products we
constructed to make a campaign. The trailer would be
analysed in individual sections which help make trailer,
which in total has 10 sub sections within the trailer
section. This would be presented with images and screen
grabs too where I can show you all the shots we had in
place, editing, etc.
Trailer
3. As a group we had many debates on what to name
our trailer because it has to be something that was
suitable for our trailer. Since we had a action thriller
trailer, it had to be something very mafia type, and
the brainstorm of ideas is placed on the side whilst
we were planning.
Many trailers place their title at the end of trailer as it is
most catchiest to put after the entire shots, therefore we
decided to put our title at the end of the trailer, which was
‘Ramone.’ It was presented in white text with buildings in
the background in green and blue which are the main
colours of our campaign as a whole. This title was made on
Ribbet which is a image editing website, as we had found the
image elsewhere and then edited the colours, text and
adding better filters that gave it hat lick look to the title.
Title of the Trailer
4. As a group we worked extremely hard on our mise en
scene for the trailer, as we didn’t stop searching for
locations until they were perfect and matched our shots
just how we planned them to be. Our first ever shot was
taken in central London where we got off at embankment
by the Thames near the parliament square and London eye
to give it that urban look to a thief’s character traits
(Viney). This is shown in the trailer as you can see on the
trailer. We chose this location for this character because he
is the play boy, rich and spoilt type of character, therefore
such big buildings urbanised areas would put this across
perfectly. Many of Viney’s shots came from this setting.
Setting/Location
5. We also visited and shot in other locations other than London, each character was
shown in different characters in order to bring across each of their individual
character traits. This can be seen in the shot below which was used as one of the
introductory shots. In this location we see Caterina at her, Viney in London and
Rilwan in a park. We put all these shots together to save time and increase quality.
Viney In
London.
Caterina at home.
Rilwan In St
Chads park.
Setting/Location
6. All these shots placed below have been taken at City Pavilion which we found was
highly suitable to our purpose of trailer and task. We made the most of this
building as we shot in their car park, banqueting suite and stairs. The atmosphere
of this place was amazing therefore it fits well with all our shots.
Setting/Location
7. Many of Caterina’s shots took place at home where she filmed her own character
introductory shots. Some of them were on her driveway, kitchen and bedrooms.
Her house is in Marks gate, where she specifically filmed her shots. The locations
worked well as the mise en scene of her character traits cam across well.
Setting/Location
8. We also filmed some shots at the golf range nearby Warren School to make Luke’s
character traits look more strong and strengthen our mise en scene. Golf being a
very upper class sport, showed the fame and richness of Luke’s mafia don
character.
We also filmed a shot on Barley Lane bridge to film cars which we later can edit at a
fast pace to give it that sense of action and thrill and makes it look very slick. These
little shots help the trailer meet its purpose.
Setting/Location
9. We also filmed shots in St Chads park which looked really good, for example it gave
off as a good mise en scene location for Rilwan’s character as he’s on his own
working on his laptop. Caterina also featured in some of these shots. This really
does make him look like a genuine geek who goes to the park to study or work on
his mission than enjoying the weather, etc.
Setting/Location
10. We also used our school facilities which made up for many of our shots. This
location s was majorly used to present Rilwan’s character as we had to give away
his nerdy character therefore we filmed in the science lab and classrooms where
he’s working with chemicals and wires.
We also used the drama block to film the ending shots of when everyone is around
the jewel and eventually someone takes the jewel away with gloves on at the end.
It worked really well as it was dark and looked very well, the only downside was
that we didn’t have laser beams however it still looked good.
Setting/Location
11. As a group we worked extremely hard on our mise en scene which also involves
costumes and props as well as settings and locations. Since we’re all playing
differing roles in the trailer it is important that we all dress up differently in order
to put across our character traits to the audience. We have a player, spoilt yet rich
character, a deceiving and cunning femme fatal character, a nerdy yet double
crossing character and a posh mafia don. Therefore all these have to be put across
with clothing they wear and props that support the character traits.
Costume and Props
12. Viney’s character was one of the most flashy characters in the trailer and this can easily be
seen from the costume and props used to put this across. He was dressed with a chain
coming out on a white designer t-shirt with a baseball jacket to give that rebellious look.
The use of props to portray this character was a t a high standard as you can see from the
screen grabs below, where he has a cigarette, gambling dice, sports car, gambling cards, slick
glasses and a chain. All these props easily present him as that spoilt, rich, player and
smuggler type of character.
Setting/Location
13. Since Luke was the big, posh mafia don, we had to portray him as the most
powerful out of everyone and as boss. This included him dressed in a suit or shirt
and tie. On top of the suit he would wear a black formal jacket which made him
look rich. Additionally his props must look very classy, therefore in some he has
wine and glass, then he’s playing golf with the golf stick, etc. All these props and
costume allow the audience to identify his character traits very easily.
Setting/Location
14. Rilwan’s character was to be shown as a clever nerdy criminal and
is the brains of the group. This is clearly shown from the
costumes and props we have used to portray this. He is presented
in formal wear most of the times in all shots with shirt and tie,
and there is also shots of him in a science lab, therefore he's
wearing a lab coat, with test tubes, and chemicals in his hand.
Sometimes he’s on the laptop which is one of the props and his
big glasses are always worn which is a stereotypical geeky prop to
use.
Setting/Location
15. Close ups
In this trailer we’ve used many close up shots, this is simply due to the fact that it pays
close attention to detail therefore it was required because we had to portray character
traits and introducing characters across to the audience. Close ups have had a very
effective impact on our trailer as it really looks very slick at times and helps us meet our
purpose of introducing characters and their traits.
Camerawork
16. Mid shot/Long shot/Extreme long shot
Many of the long shots were used to show characters doing something, for example on the
screen grabs below we can see characters entering or leaving their cars, this was done to
show these nice sports cars to give it that extra slick look. Mid shots were used to show
what characters are doing in some shots for instance just walking on the screen grab below.
And last but not least we had used an extreme long shot, this was used for the fast paced
motorway shot which adds that fast pace to the trailer, and cars look cool therefore it was
done for this purpose.
Camerawork
17. Aerial shot (bird-eye-view shot)
This shot was found footage which required research and hard work to make it fit into our
camera resolution, etc. This aerial shot shows the embankment location over the river
Thames, London eye and parliament. This is in place to show that London is under a threat as
big criminals are above them and are looking to rob this precious jewel, this shot had strong
representation therefore we used this to meet the purpose and story of this trailer. And it
gives a very cool look to the trailer as it goes over big buildings.
Camerawork
18. Panning shots
We had a panning shot on Luke's character which is of the big mafia don, and this was
done when he was playing golf. The camera simply pans upwards from his shoes to
his face whilst he’s on the phone. This simply shows authority and power of his
character therefore it was used as it has strong representation.
Camerawork
19. Traditionally, thriller teaser trailers follow something called the three part structure which is
simply in place to structure the entire trailer. The first part is simply introducing settings
and characters, second part is when it hits the peak and is where all the action takes
place, and last but not the third part where it ends with a cliff hanger or just the end of a
trailer.
Additionally, the purpose of a trailer is to break continuity as it isn’t a thriller opening, and is
a trailer. This would be difficult as our brain functions things to be in order however we
must break this, also bearing in mind that we have been skilled to work with continuity in
our AS project, therefore it was harder to do however we done well.
Editing
20. 2
3
Three part structure
Below you can see how the three part structure took place between shots and editing.
Also using template for the first introductory shot, then using fast paced editing on
the cars and later ending the shot on a cliff hanger when someone takes the jewel but
nobody knows who took it. Therefore we used the three part structure and also
mastered other skills on the way.
1
Editing
21. An example of where we broke continuity on Rilwan’s introductory shots which clashed
with Luke’s shots, however mixed them both up and edited in such way that it looked
really well. Luke would be walking down the stairs, then Rilwan’s shot is put in, later we
see him come down the stairs completely and closer to the camera. This required precise
editing. But most importantly is breaks continuity.
Editing
22. Captions are an important part of a trailer because they are
what make a trailer, a trailer. This is simply because it gives
you actual feel about a trailer, as if audience just see random
shots, it looks incomplete and like a thriller opening.
Therefore captions are highly important.
When we as a group were putting in captions, we didn’t want it
to be boring with just words pooping up on sides, therefore
we had create a whole new caption through online websites
and then just imported it onto the system. However we did
have a problem with colours, as it was originally blue
however we went with green because it matches our
campaign more strongly and is the colour of the jewel
therefore it meets the purpose. However we later decided to
have both blue and green colour captions, as all characters
would be blue captions since we have some blue in our
posters and magazine cover.
Captions
23. The captions below show how they look, as after each shot they appear like this and
zoom in as they are presented like this. The colour co-ordination was perfect and it
looks very powerful because it has that thriller type of look to it with that
blue/green blazing light upon our names or other captions, and looks slick.
Captions
24. The genre we as group selected to go for was an action/crime thriller.
How we have done this is by firstly selecting a strong story-line for our project,
having everyone from different ethnic origins within our group, we took
advantage of this and created criminal characters from all over the globe to put
together in this trailer. The trailer suggests this genre by the way everyone is
presented, we’re all good for differing skills, as in the first shot we have
established that there is a mission set for criminals to go accomplish. Some of
the shots simply connote power, description to characters and money. The mise
en scene, costumes and props were highly strong to portray this to the audience
as well as the soundtrack used through-out the trailer with voice-overs talking
about characters and criminal-like dialogues. Editing was done well, and had fast
paced shots which gives it that extra thrill therefore I think we have met our aim
and have produced an ideal action/crime thriller.
Genre
25. Character traits are shown through-out the entire trailer as we aimed to show
introductory shots of each character to show traits. This is done for each character, as
well as giving the story-line so that the audience can understand why we are showing
individual character traits. In this trailer we have shown character traits to present
different skills each individual character has, as we have shown this by costume and
props, mise en scene, the types of shots used and voice-overs. From all these listed
above the audience can clearly see each character’s character traits.
Character Traits
26. We’ve used a plenty of special effects in our trailer, this could be via moving shot by
shot, or generally used to look better. We’ve used fade in/out (on shots and
captions), fast pan (on aerial shot), increasing motion on shots, audio gain.
These special effects have enabled the trailer to flow and move shot by shot.
Another special effect we have introduced is putting in place a template which
enables to put on three shots in one shot to save time and enhance quality.
Special Effects
27. Our trailer had exceeded the 1 minute boundary and was 1 minute and 40 second long
teaser trailer. This 1 minute trailer length is put in place as it is a conventional limit of
teaser trailers however ours exceeded it due to many other reasons too. Firstly we put in
place idents in the beginning of the trailer which increases the duration of trailer. The
idents are 10 seconds long, the “Enigma pictures” ident was made by us to present our
own company, which looks professional and at a high standard. There many other
trailers that exceed the 1 minute teaser trailer limit, therefore it has been done before.
Duration of Trailer
28. In our trailer have included a soundtrack that matches our genre
and aims and purposes. The soundtrack is inspired from a
Bollywood action beat, which is very catchy and has a great feel
of action in it. Therefore as a group we went with this
soundtrack as we had other options but this one sounded better
than others, as we had look for the perfect soundtrack, which
wasn’t too fast and too slow. This is called the tiger remix. This
was found from a Bollywood movie, therefore it is copyright
patent however we still decided to play it in our trailer.
Additionally we put in voiceovers that enhance our trailer, as this
was done for all characters. Most of the characters had done this
to portray their character traits in a more stronger way however
many of Luke’s voiceovers were done because they were difficult
to hear when originally shot, therefore we put voiceovers on
normal shots which looked absolutely great, genuine and of
good quality as it matched.
Soundtrack
31. As you can see we have used the original masthead of what Empire
actually use. We have placed it at the top of our magazine to make it
look like an authentic magazine.
Also we decided to keep it red because we felt it looked like an original
Empire magazine that you could find in a store, although we were
thinking of making it white at one stage to make it link with the colour
scheme of our whole campaign but in the end we stuck with white. Like
a real Empire magazine we used the top of ‘M’ of the masthead to add
in the date and price of the magazine as this is what they do on a real
Empire cover. Also we added the cover line at the top ‘Incredible 2014
Preview Issue...’ which is all capitals in white as almost every Empire
magazine has this. We thought we had covered this part of the
magazine successfully and are very pleased with it.
32. We have made sure that we put the main
image in the centre of the magazine. This is
because of we followed the rule of third, we
understood that the context was very
convenient as it helped us use a template for to
place our image so that all characters are
visible with out being blocked by other
magazine conventions.
We have also included a pug which we made it
grey, we chose to have a random colour so that
it stood out just like a real Empire magazine.
Then we chosen to use a barcode and place it
the high centre left so it doesn’t get in the way.
In addition we added the website behind the
image so that you can see only part of it. Plus
we decided to add information advertising
other films.
33. At the bottom half of our magazine we knew it that is
where we were going to put the title and so we did as
you can see it says Ramone as it does on the trailer and
poster.
Then we put in the cover lines underneath the title and
extra information at the bottom of the magazine so that
it had not been left empty.
35. The first thing we did was choose a suitable background
for our poster. We chose a bright coloured city
background that would suit the urban setting of our
teaser trailer. Many Thriller posters typically add their
setting to their posters to give off a certain atmosphere.
36. We each selected an image that we felt would suit our
characters portrayal in the trailer for the poster like
many thriller posters do. Thriller posters typically add
their staring actors in poses that suit the personality of
the characters they portray.
37. We then edited the poster background to be more eye
catching as well as adding the lines that would divide
our characters. There are a number of Thriller posters
that have dividing line between each of their featured
characters.
38. We then added a large bold title that stood out like
many other posters do to make themselves more eye
catching. Thriller posters usually have titles that stand
out from the background in terms of colour in order to
make it more eye catching.
39. After adding the individual images, we began fading
each of them to make us blend in. We felt this would be
a nice effect for the poster as we had seen several
Thriller posters previously that had used this technique
on its images.
40. We added the billing block and “Coming Soon” to make
the poster seem more genuine. Thriller posters generally
have this feature as a method of building momentum of
excitement within the potential audience.
41. We added in a 5 Star review like many posters do to
promote the film and make it seem more appealing. It is
typical of Thriller films to add in highly favourable
reviews in its poster as a method of promoting the film
to a potential audience.
42. This is our final result. It carries many of the key features
of typical Thriller posters discussed in previous slides.
