Shot List

Recee

Act 1 of my trailer involves my main character outside of Wandsworth Prison, because of the difficulty of filming outside such a secured site I chose not to recee there, so that when I go to do my real filming I will be able to go out film the scene quickly and sufficiently without any problems. This is the same situation as a scene in my montage of shots at the end of my trailer when Luke and Stacey are emerging from a local pub. This again is not in my recee and will be filmed for the first time when I go out and do my final filming. It was therefore vitally important that I planned thoroughly in my storyboard, shotlist and use of locations.

Graphics Planning

Graphics are an integral part in trailers to help tell the narrative and to attract audiences. The graphic seen above is taken from the trailer for 'Shame', a simple white text graphic on a black background is a technique that I plan to use because of it's simplicity and it stands out as it breaks up different scenes. The words used are also vital in attracting an audience, here this graphic is used early in the trailer as it grabs the audiences attention early so that they do not flick channel or divert their attention away from the screen.

Though with 'Shame' being an American production with a big production budget behind it, there are other film trailers that use the white on black graphic to help the audience understand the narrative better. This graphic seen above is taken from the trailer for the film 'NEDS', a low-budget British film that highlights the simplicity and gritty nature of the film by using graphics with no glitz or glam.

From looking at a number of trailers, there is a recurring theme ... the use of separate graphic screens to help tell the narrative or show off awards that the film has won. Something which I have paid particular attention to in graphics in trailers is the use of colour, background images, font and terminology. In the trailer for 'Descendants' the graphics seen are put on a patterned blue background with images of Hawaiian flowers. The graphics here help establish location and perhaps themes of the film with the colour blue normally reflecting a cool, fresh theme whereas grey may represent an eery, moody, gritty theme. 

The ident scene above is taken from the trailer for 'Shank', an urban action film set in the decaying future London. Again the use of white on black, however this time I want to draw attention to the font and effect used on the words. The slight glow and smudge to the writing gives the ident a sort of futuristic look to it, which can also be seen in films like 'Star Wars'. Although I am not going for a film set in the future I believe the font here with the effect is something that I may look to use in my trailer.

A recurring scene in my trailer is a running scene with my main character where drama is heightened and a feeling of determination is established. Having looked at the trailer for 'Shame' I saw that these running scenes may be the best time to put in some reviews of my film, with just a few words from famous magazines or newspapers.

The background is darkened and the graphics are emboldened and stand out because of their white colour. The terminology is vital as these words are going to stick in the minds of the audience as they are influenced as to whether to go see this film or not, and there is no greater influence than positive reviews from respected magazines.

The final graphic of my trailer will be the arrival of the title of my piece, the billing block and the date that my film is due to be released. This screen shot seen above is taken from the trailer for 'London River', having used white on black throughout my trailer I would want the final graphic of my piece to be no different. There are effects used on these graphics again with a slight fact to the edges of the words. This is something that I would aim to use because I believe it gives the graphic something extra rather than just being writing on a screen, it gives it some depth.

Shooting Schedule

Date	What to shoot?
October Half Term	Recee
3rd December	Scenes with Luke and Best mate
23rd December	Scenes with Luke and Stacey
5th January	Scene at Wandsworth Prison

This is the outline of my shooting schedule for my trailer. The dates of shooting my trailer were influenced by the availability of my actors, the availability of my loactions, weather conditions and also availability of technical equipment. For instance, when shooting my recee recently I had to cancel a day I had planned to do filming because of the adverse weather conditions outside with heavy rain and strong winds, the technical equipment were liable to be damaged so I cancelled the day of shooting.

Sound Research

The opening to my trailer is very slow-paced and emotional. Luke Ryan has just come out of prison and his life really doesn't show any signs of improving, as he ponders over what to do with his life now as a three year stint in prison has turned him into a more matured individual. The opening scene outside the prison gates as Luke looks down to his hands and sees a picture of his young daughter is one which really grips the audience, and therefore I needed to choose a track which would have the same effect on the audience as the images being shown on screen. An example of a track that I want to use is that from the film, 'The Social Network', the opening scene in this film is of Jesse Eisenberg, playing Mark Zuckerberg (the creator of facebook), being dumped by his girlfriend and then in retaliation writing on his blog his real opinions of his now, ex-girlfriend. This opening scene is filled with strong emotions of love, frustration, anger and jealousy, and the opening mood to the film is supported by the slow-paced "Hand covers bruise" track seen above. This dramatic, slow-paced track is one that I would like to be used in my trailer because it will heighten the contrast between the pace at the beginning of my trailer and the end of my trailer when things begin to quicken and build to a climax.




The second type of track that I plan to use in my trailer, is in Act 2, when Luke is approaching his ex-girlfriend, Stacey Greene's house. The pace begins to build in Act 2 as more of the narrative is revealed and an argument takes place between the two main characters in my film. The purpose of this act is to enlighten the audience to more of the narrative and outline the mood and atmosphere of the film. This track seen above is a slow acoustic guitar performance which suits the slow, emotional, thoughtful, romantic beginning to my film. This track will also help build to the climax of a montage of shots at the end of my trailer.





My final act will be accompanied by a track similar to the one seen above in the film trailer, 'Never Let Me Go'. The shots used in my final act will be a montage of clips showing the struggle that Luke Ryan has to prove to his ex-girlfriend that he is worthy of being accepted back in to her life. There are scenes of hope where Luke is seen enjoying time spent with Stacey, yet there are also scenes of despair as Luke turns back to his old ways and is seen holding an innocent man up to a wall. With my film being a romantic drama, this sound clip called, 'Chalk Stars' is an ideal track for my final act as it is a very moving piece of music that builds in pace and therefore completes the ending to influence the audience to go see this film when it comes out at the cinema.

Studio Research

Film London

“Film London is the capital's public agency for feature film, television, commercials and other interactive content, including games. Our aim is simple: to ensure London has a thriving film sector that enriches the capital’s businesses and its people.”

This quote is taken off Film London’s website and it shows that this production company would be ideal to have for the production of my film because of the location of my film, with all scenes taking place in the urban capital city of England. They are there to support aspiring and emerging directors who make low-budget films located in London and to give them the economic boost to offer the film the best possibility to become successful in the low-budget, indie film market. Films that Film London have given financial help to include Shifty(2008), Foxglove(2009) and Gin & Dry(2010).

Film4

“Film4 develops and co-finances films and is known for working with the most innovative talent in the UK, whether new or established.”

This quote taken directly off the Film4 production company website tells me that despite Film4 being involved in the production of such high-budget and well-known films such as The Iron Lady(2012), The Inbetweeners Movie(2011) and The Eagle(2011); they also give financial support in the production of lesser known directors’ films and up and coming British talent. This is evident in their role in the production of films such as Richard Ayoade’s Submarine(2011), Attack the Block(2011) and Tyrannosaur(2011). Therefore, this along with other British production companies that offer financial support to films which show off British talent would be ideal in the economic backing for my film because of their ethos to help unknown, unheard of British talent become successful.

DNA Films

This is a British film production company founded by Duncan Kenworthy and Andrew MacDonald. It has given financial support to a number of relatively low-budget films compared to the millions spent on Hollywood blockbusters. Films that it has given financial support to include Never Let Me Go(2010), The History Boys(2006) and Love Actually(2003). These films have gone on to be both successful in the UK and in the US, despite my film not particularly being aimed at an American audience, with the financial support from a number of British production companies there is no reason why my film cannot be successful in the US like other low-budget British films which offer the Americans an insight into British culture and filmography.