The document provides instructions for a film trailer assignment where students must create a trailer for a spoof film. Students are asked to research existing spoof films to understand how they modify genres in a comedic way. They must then plan their trailer by developing a basic story, detailed storyboard, and prop/costume list. The production involves shooting based on the storyboard. Finally, post-production involves editing the footage, adding music and effects to complete the trailer.

1. Film Trailer Assignment
Film trailers are very strong marketing tools. The purpose of a film trailer is to make the
audience want to “come back for more”. Film trailers are the strongest and most
effective way to sell a film. Spoof films are a great way to begin understanding genre.
Spoofs usually over exaggerate genre characteristic to achieve a comical theme.
Task
Create a film trailer for a spoof film. Some good examples are Shawn of the Dead, Scary
Movie, Not another Teen Movie, and Dance Flick. You must be able to film this trailer
in or around school as you will only have time to do your filming during classes.
Research
You must first do some research on spoof films. This can be done by watching trailers
for these films, researching the genre they have decided on using and then understanding
how they changed the genre making the film satirical rather than serious. You must also
consider what type of audience they are trying to target. You need to find out what
attracts that audience to these films.
Planning
The first step in planning is to create a basic story. Figure out exactly what
your film is going to be about, your trailer must demonstrate this. All good film trailers
give you a really good idea of genre and storyline even though you only see little
snapshots of the film. Remember the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid!). Do not
take on a huge project; chances are you will not be able to spoof an epic film unless you
are really clever (that’s where good planning comes into play).
The second step is to create a fairly detailed storyboard. The shots you choose
here should be quite interesting either through visuals or subject wise. When making
these storyboards remember to consider your setting/lighting conditions these things
help set the overall mood of the film. Also, you must consider that you will be shooting
this during class time, so you must think about classes and areas that are free of students.
We do not want to disturb any learning going on in the school.
The third step is to create a list of props or costumes that you may need for
shooting days.
Production
This should be one of the simplest and most enjoyable parts of the project. If
your storyboard is well planned out, all you will need to do is recreate those shots. It is a
good idea to take a few takes of each shot so you know that you will have something
good to work with.
Post-production
This involves editing your clip and bringing in a score, incidental music
(background music), adding visual/sound effects and transitions. This is your chance to
get really familiar with the editing program we have available for your Advanced
Production Portfolio next year.