Soundtrack research

We experimented with an iPhone app which created music. The app had various settings: guitar, piano and drums. We used the app to create a unique soundtrack that no-one else would have on their trailer.

Film log #6

Film Log Day 6 - Iceland and the Scout Hut

We needed a few shots more to allow us to have enough footage top complete the trailer. After we roughly ordered the intro it was obvious we were lacking in terms of time, so when Matt and Bill were going to Iceland for a weekend and so we wanted them to get some sots of the snowy tundra to contrast what we saw in Dubai. They were able to get some shots from a plane, a car and one from the hotel room to add more depth to the film trailer as a whole. Once they got back we filmed more of Matt and Bill in a scout hut located in Oxshott.

We filmed a few shots at the scout hut mainly involving both characters with the use of guns as to adhere to the action qualities expected in that trailer type. We got both low angle and high angle shots of the characters to portray the balance of power between the characters. We also got some medium and long shots of the protagonist as he is the central character of our film and we wanted that to be prevalent throughout the scenes.

Film log #5

Film Log Day 5 - Esher Common

For the fifth day of filming we ensured that there was a particular focus on the weapons element of our trailer as to suit with the action qualities of our trailer. We did this through the use of a couple of bb guns including an orange and black assault rifle and a black pistol. We decided that the rifle would suit the antagonist as the pistol is so often incorporated into the protagonists preferred weapons in action films. The rifle also gives the antagonist a sense of power and allows us to assume he is the bad guy from the beginning.

We filmed around Esher common as we believed it was a good location as it was away from the main paths as to allow minimal interruptions when filming as well as providing us a good source of natural lighting and it was easy to film as it was an open area. We filmed a variety of shots as we wanted to ensure we had enough shots for our trailer, this included an arc shot, some long shots, a panning shot and a closeup. We wanted to ensure that there were some action scenes between the protagonist and antagonist and thought that this would be the ideal opportunity to film it. We filmed some shots in the trees around us, especially focusing on the antagonist as the darker lighting provokes a sense of fear in the audience whilst the protagonist is shown in the lighter areas contrasting the antagonist to what we believed was a good degree.

Film log #4

Film Log Day 4 - London Establishing Shots

For the fourth day of filming we set about getting the domestic scenes of our trailer, the main location of the trailer is England and so we want to primarily focus on shots across London. We went to London Waterloo by train and ensured we got some establishing shots as we deemed that to be the most important shots we needed at the time. The first major section of London we focused on was the Parliament building as we want to include the landmarks so many people associate with London as to appeal to the audience more in our trailer. We got various different angles of the Parliament building with various shots including the background as to highlight London as a whole. We took a couple of shots on the bank opposite, mainly focusing on the horizontal style of panning. However we also got some dolly shot as to provide more variety for us to possibly use. We also got some shots from a nearby bridge to provide a higher angle which is closer to the building. Whilst we filmed this we also found a good location for a possible chase scene in which it is the water bank located opposite the parliament building and so we could incorporate the landmark in the background.

We also focused some shots on the London eye as like the Parliament building it acts to symbioses what you would want to see in London. We also focused on the panning style shot for the London eye as it gave us the necessary backgrounds we could use from the bridge for the majority of shots. We were also able to get some shots from the top of the London eye however we were hindered because by the time we got up there it was dark and so it is difficult to distinguish London. So the shots will most likely be abandoned as we want to ensure that there is even lighting throughout the trailer.

Film log #3

Film Log Day 3 - Skydiving

For the third day of filming the main aspect of it was the eventual skydive which we two of our group did, we were able to get a prolonged shot of the two characters as the skydive company provided an additional cameraman whom filmed us on the way down. However we are unsure whether it is of high quality as we would of preferred a shot from a gopro as it would of allowed us to focus primarily on what we wanted to film instead of what the cameraman was filming. Ono of the main issues with this scene if it was included is the inclusion of an instructor in the film as we had to skydive with someone professional as a requirement and so this may make the shot not usable in the final film trailer.

Before we actually went skydiving we took some time to film some other skydivers in case we wanted to place a specific focus on the skydive for our film trailer. This included them on the descent down from the plane and them landing to give us options on what to use if need be. When the cameraman was filming we were asked to give an interview and constantly update which could allow us to incorporate some adventure type qualities into our trailer.

Film log #2

For the fifth day of filming we ensured that there was a particular focus on the weapons element of our trailer as to suit with the action qualities of our trailer. We did this through the use of a couple of bb guns including an orange and black assault rifle and a black pistol. We decided that the rifle would suit the antagonist as the pistol is so often incorporated into the protagonists preferred weapons in action films. The rifle also gives the antagonist a sense of power and allows us to assume he is the bad guy from the beginning.

We filmed around Esher common as we believed it was a good location as it was away from the main paths as to allow minimal interruptions when filming as well as providing us a good source of natural lighting and it was easy to film as it was an open area. We filmed a variety of shots as we wanted to ensure we had enough shots for our trailer, this included an arc shot, some long shots, a panning shot and a closeup. We wanted to ensure that there were some action scenes between the protagonist and antagonist and thought that this would be the ideal opportunity to film it. We filmed some shots in the trees around us, especially focusing on the antagonist as the darker lighting provokes a sense of fear in the audience whilst the protagonist is shown in the lighter areas contrasting the antagonist to what we believed was a good degree.

Film log #1

For the fourth day of filming we set about getting the domestic scenes of our trailer, the main location of the trailer is England and so we want to primarily focus on shots across London. We went to London Waterloo by train and ensured we got some establishing shots as we deemed that to be the most important shots we needed at the time. The first major section of London we focused on was the Parliament building as we want to include the landmarks so many people associate with London as to appeal to the audience more in our trailer. We got various different angles of the Parliament building with various shots including the background as to highlight London as a whole. We took a couple of shots on the bank opposite, mainly focusing on the horizontal style of panning. However we also got some dolly shot as to provide more variety for us to possibly use. We also got some shots from a nearby bridge to provide a higher angle which is closer to the building. Whilst we filmed this we also found a good location for a possible chase scene in which it is the water bank located opposite the parliament building and so we could incorporate the landmark in the background.

We also focused some shots on the London eye as like the Parliament building it acts to symbioses what you would want to see in London. We also focused on the panning style shot for the London eye as it gave us the necessary backgrounds we could use from the bridge for the majority of shots. We were also able to get some shots from the top of the London eye however we were hindered because by the time we got up there it was dark and so it is difficult to distinguish London. So the shots will most likely be abandoned as we want to ensure that there is even lighting throughout the trailer.

Film vlog #3

Film vlog #2

Film vlog #1

Actor interviews

Questions:
Which character are you playing?
Why are you interested in this role?
What is your favourite genre of film?
What is your favourite Action/Thriller film?
What can you bring to this role?
Do you take inspiration from any Actors/Actresses? If so, who?

This is a compilation of our interviews with our actors/actresses that  feature in our film. We have asked them questions that are relevant to our film. 

Audience research

Action film- one of the most popular genres of film, there is a wide variety of people from all classes, age ranges and backgrounds who would enjoy the action genre. The core target audience for an action film would be young males as they are most susceptible to the appeal of violence, car chase, guns, fight scenes, and quick paced editing. Usually men would go see action films with other men as they usually have a very masculine themed story-line, you could argue that the James Bond films are an exception as they have developed over time to be accepted by both genders. Films such as fast and furious are predominantly aimed at men as the stereotypes conformed to appeal more to the violence initiated men. Usually the middle class see the action genre more as they have money left over in order to fill their media palette and they may also have more spare time, for example working class people may work more. Another reason why the majority of people who watch action films are male is because the main character of the film is usually male, this means that a male audience can relate far more to the character at hand.

Thriller films are different compared with action films, they are aimed more at both genders rather than just men and promote a sense of excitement, thrilling, tense, nerve wracking, intriguing and interesting entertainment. however the different sub genres make it difficult to nail down what specific thriller we are looking for, the action thriller films would definitely appeal more to a male dominated audience with violence and guns etc. Target audiences expect to be thrilled out of their seats by what they are about to see, if the film does not achieve this then the film will probably not be successful unless it has a very specific name to the series which is loved by many, e.g. James Bond for action films. The characters in thriller films usually need to be relate-able to the target audience and therefore have a very distinctive story-line which the audience can relate to in a way where they believe they are the character on the screen.

Stereotype expectations

In our film we plant to implement various stereotypes throughout the trailer to appeal to the audience and also allow for the them to possibly link the trailer with its chosen genre. The main features of the trailer are showcased through two main characters and so the stereotypes are obviously focused around them but also with the other characters we are including in the trailer. The protagonist is shown to represent the more sophisticated style of action hero as to fit in with the idea of him being a government agency. He will represent the typical masculine styling you expect from the protagonist in an action film as well as playing a pivotal role in explaining the storyline to the audience.

The main antagonist in our film plays a similar role to his protagonist counterpart as he represents another masculine character whom furthers the plot across the trailer and helps contrast the protagonist as an equal force. The antagonist also serves the audience in setting up and contrasting the other characters present in the trailer as he will be portrayed immediately as the threat in the trailer, this will be portrayed through a fight or chase scene between him and the protagonist. He may also subvert these stereotypes in a way as we plan on incorporating some sort of dialogue between him and the protagonist as we want to showcase the relationship these characters have as in the background of the plot they were close friends.

We will also be including the typical damsel in distress in our trailer as to portray a significant love interest to the protagonist. This character will most likely be subject to the so called evil in the trailer, so she may be abducted or in danger in some way so that it sets up the protagonist to save her if it was in the actual film. We would want the love interest to contrast the protagonists masculine and violent way in our trailer and so she would highlight the cause of the violence as she is in trouble. This helps the audience directly relate to the protagonist, personalising him more as a whole and adding greater emphasis on what he does in the trailer.

We also want to include some minor characters whom provide us the necessary background information to further the plot and showcase it to the audience. This includes the supposed leader of the Syndicate who will be constantly shown in a dark room, ensuring you cant see his facial features to keep his character an enigma but allowing the audience to automatically assume he is a bad guy. He represents a strong individual and seeing as the audience can only make out his voice prominently they would assume he is mysterious but strong willed.

The leader of our so called good corporation acts as the major source of information as he is the narrator at the start of the trailer, providing us the basic outline of the story. He also represents authority as he is shown to direct the protagonist throughout the trailer on what he should do.

Research and Planning Feedback

I can see that you are really enthusiastic about your film and your planning of it - make sure you have developed analysis of media texts to match this evidence of your capability.

Mood board

This is the mood board i have created that is of the action genre. From this mood board we can see that it is mainly males that take the lead in action films as they are portrayed as strong and determined. this helps conform to stereotypes as the man is normally seen as protective over the woman and children

There is always guns featured in action film as the antagonists are always shooting at the protagonists and vice versa. This helps us to conform to stereotypes as in action and thriller films there is always characters who have weapons, well known films such as James Bond and the bourne series revolve around the use of weapons.

Questionnaire of the thriller genre

Questionnaire of the thriller genre 

1. what's your favourite type of thriller film?

please specify ________________________________

2. what do you look for in thriller films?

please specify ________________________________

3. what stereotypical characters do you expect to see in a thriller film?

• protagonist/relate able character 
• innocent character who gets blamed
• character who has evil intent
• woman who catches the characters eye
• useless kid

other? 

please specify _________________________________

4. How do thriller movies make you feel?

• excited?
• intrigued?
• tense?
• curious?
• interested?
• engaged?

other?
please specify _________________________________

5. who do you like watching thriller films with?

parents?
siblings?
friends?
alone?
partner/spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend?

other?
please specify _________________________________

6. which setting intrigues you the most in a thriller film?

• plane
• cargo ship/boat
• train
• foreign country
• city
• streets

other?
please specify _________________________________

7. if a thriller movie is based of real events does it appeal more to you?

• yes?           
• no?
• not really?
• sometimes?

8. do you like watching the trailer of a thriller film before you see the actual film?

• yes?
• no?
• sometimes?
• maybe?

9. what's your favourite thriller film?

please specify _________________________________

Questionnaire of the action genre

Questionnaire of the action genre 

1. what's your favourite type of action film? (e.g. action/thriller)

please specify ________________________________

2. what do you look for in action films?

please specify ________________________________

3. what stereotypical characters do you expect to see in a action film?

• hero
• villain
• strong character 
• love interest
• leader of international organisation
• spy
• people to ask questions along the way

other? 

please specify _________________________________

4. How do action movies make you feel?

• excited?
• enthusiastic?
• happy?
• intrigued?
• interested?

other?
please specify _________________________________

5. who do you like watching action films with?

parents?
siblings?
friends?
alone?
partner/spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend?

other?
please specify _________________________________

6. which setting excites you the most in a action film?

• forest?
• house?
• abandoned place?
• pub?
• bathroom?
• alleyway?
• school?
• busy road?
• high rise building?
• by the ocean?
• by a river (river Thames chase scene)

other?
please specify _________________________________

7. do you like watching the trailer of a action film before you see the actual film?

• yes?
• no?
• sometimes?
• maybe?

8. what sort of character excites you the most in action films?

• protagonist
• antagonist
• character who changes sides
• love interest 
• others

other?

please specify _________________________________

9. what's your favorite action movie?

please specify _________________________________

Examples of establishing shots-Dubai

The establishing shots we got here were good to establish the United Arab Emirates as a main part of our trailer, the Burj Khalifa being the identifiable landmark in this shot

The next few shots are establishing shots based from the observation deck on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa, these shots are significant because it sets the scene for what the trailer involves, the fact that we catch the desert in the shots helps to emphasize where we are and therefore makes it easier to set the tone of what we will see. The reason we took more than one shot is because we wanted different length shots to greatly emphasize both how high we were and how vast the city was, the strangest thing about the city was the fact that it changed from city to desert so quickly showing how it was literally built out of the sand.

Sound research

Sound research

Music isn't the only copyright free sound we will need for our film; we will also need sound effects. Like the music, we want the sound effects to be subtle and not immediately noticeable.

The first sound effect we want is a quiet ambient noise that plays during the 'IFM Studios' image.This is simply to add sound to an otherwise needlessly silent part, and also makes it seem more professional.

Even though this year we have changed the logo of our production company to better suit the interests of the group we are still looking for some sort of background sound to make sure the opening to the trailer isn't silent. This is essential in a trailer as there needs to be constant sound whether or not that is music or other non diagetic sound such as the implementation of a sound such as a gunshot after the trailer has been filmed. This sort of sound is essential in the editing part of the trailer, we want the trailer to attract maximum attention and in order to do this we need there to be a constant running theme or sound.