Drafting and planning

This is the storyboard for the final part of my trailer. After researching into film trailers and how they try and build to climax to heighten viewer intrigue: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3664132413503481447#editor/target=post;postID=8472324681389611960;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=23;src=postname I also hope to achieve a climax through conventions like fast paced editing, suspenseful music and an intense sound effect every time the shot switches. at the climax it will cut to black and one line of dialogue from the antagonist will be heard, leading to the most climactic shot of the protagonist lunging at the antagonist in anger.

Each shot will be very brief and will not follow a chronological order as an attempt to bring about variation but they will hint or directly show action or points of particular intrigue, for example the implications of a close up of a knife (shot 2)

Target audience

Trailer ratings

The main movie trailer ratings that appear at the start of the trailer are 'PG 13', '15', 'Restricted 17', 'Restricted' and 'Approved for all audiences'.

However almost all of the drama trailers i have researched fall under the last one, or restricted 17.
The trailers for 'Steve Jobs' and 'Burnt' are both appropriate for all audiences because they don't necessarily target a specific demographic, which is represented in their choice to include no bad language, violence, or sexual imagery.

This is because their drama is focused around non-demographic specific themes and events, Steve Jobs is about the life work of a genius whom every demographic should see and burnt focuses on the rise of a chef, the career path many adults or children alike may aspire to take.

On the other hand trailers for 'Black Mass', 'Trumbo' and the drama 'Truth' are all restricted 17, due to 'bad language', 'brutal violence' (black mass) and 'sexual references' (Trumbo). This is a clear indication of these film's attempt's to target a more mature demographic who are more suitable for the trailer's and the film's serious adult themes, like crime, politics and imprisonment and therefore bad language, violence etc. is expected and indeed necessary.

For my own film and trailer, after taking into consideration my survey response https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3664132413503481447#editor/target=post;postID=669829615124443816;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=2;src=postname i think it would be appropriate to target mainly an adult demographic but being as though many of the teenage demographic can enjoy dramas and appreciate/ handle its themes i must also try and target them as well.

As for the actual content of my trailer and what would be in the film, there would only be limited bad language, which would occur in the arguments but would be no drugs or sexual imagery. However there will be violence between the protagonist and antagonist, (although limited in the trailer) and the scene with the granddad's death could be perceived as 'disturbing'.

When taking into account my research, my prior attempts at targeting an audience and content of my film/ trailer, i think restricted 17 would be necessary, so i can predominantly target adult demographics but also some of the teenage demographics as well.

Research into similar products

Mise-en-scene

Costume

The main protagonist usually wears wears generic, casual clothing, which in dramas is often used to signify the fact that the protagonist is just a normal person within everyday life, setting a more realistic scene and attempting to explore real life themes and events.

Meanwhile the antagonist usually wears dark, ambiguous clothing to try and not only conceal him, which exploits the fear of the unknown but also to highlight him as dangerous, This is because dark colours like black have connotations of death. This is evident in the trailer for the drama 'Captive' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IKJFYegRJk
which tries to contrast the protagonist and antagonist with generic vs dark clothing. I really want to replicate this for my trailer so i can develop distinct lines of contrast and conflict between my protagonist and antagonist

However in the same trailer, the antagonist transforms into a secondary protagonist, and as a result he is seen wearing light coloured clothes. This represents his character development as well as real life themes such as redemption.

I could also use this in a slightly different way by having the protagonist wear darker colours after the death of the granddad or the ghostly scene where he envisages his parents https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3664132413503481447#editor/target=post;postID=8572036683474600818;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=3;src=postname  which could  represent his development as he becomes angrier and more emotional, lmost turning to the darker side within him.

Target audience

Survey monkey

I have used survey on survey monkey to try and target my audience for a drama trailer better.

After collecting 26 results the most initial result that is pleasing is that the drama genre is one of the most popular genres across all the age groups.
However after analysing the individual responses i found that from those who favoured the drama genre, 3 were aged 31-50, 3 were aged 15-19 and 2 were aged 20-30. This tells me that the majority of my target audience will be adults but i should still try to target the younger demographic's as well

meanwhile it appears that all demographic's are favourable towards character development as 6 of those who favoured it were 31-50, 4 were 15-19 and 3 were 20-30, again showing how my target audience should predominantly be of the adult demographic but should still be appealing and appropriate for the teenage demographic, so ill have to consider things like trailer ratings, the level of action, language and the appearance of the characters so that they'll fit both an adult and teenage target audience.

Meanwhile only 2 respondents were aged 51+ but both were not interested in character development and did not favour the drama genre and so i think my trailer would not appeal all too much to an older demographic and should be capped at adults

Organisation

Film shooting
With October half term approaching I feel it would be an excellent opportunity for shooting some footage for my trailer.

• I have already gathered hardware equipment, my own camera and tri-pod for the filming. I am planning on using an even amount of both still and hand held camera shots so the tri-pod will be required for each shooting location.

• I have already gained permission from each of the current cast members to feature in my trailer and are all prepared to travel to the necessary locations I wish to film at, which are all with in a close proximity, so travel is not an issue.

• The 'granddad's house' location will be prime for the half term break, and is at a convenient 15 minute walk away, and I will use my dad, who is familiar with the functions of the camera, to film the shots which will consist of just me, a part from the climactic shot.

• I am also organising some shooting in a car which my dad is also prepared to film for me and my mom, who will be playing the auntie, is happy with driving the car.

• Meanwhile I have also organised for one of the nights in the break to be used for filming a couple of shots in the woods, probably in one of the week days when my dad is off work.

• Not too many props will need to be organised as it is a drama based on normal everyday life. However an old photo which hints at the origin of the killer and connection with the granddad as well as a large knife for the climactic appearance of the killer have both been gathered although they can be shot individually at a later date if necessary

Drafting and planning

This is my second story for the 'middle' part of my trailer. It will feature a variety of different shots in different locations with more characters, including the auntie and sister.

This part will help build tension up to the final or end part of the trailer where the killer becomes more prominent.
It does so by building the main protagonist's character as he battles his emotions following the death of his grandad, hotly arguing wih his auntie, seeing ghostly illusions of his parents and strongly suspecting a killer, whom he believes is following him, for example the 5th shot in the car.

Meanwhile the 3rd and 4th shot is a ghostly envisaging of the parents which gives further insight into the mind set of the protagonist and how his emotions are starting to take over

Research into similar products

Camerawork

I like how the back to back use of tracking in the trailer for the drama 'burnt' as it gives the audience a sense that they are on a journey with the main protagonist who is in search of something. I think the same effect could be achieved in my trailer when the protagonist is searching the house of his granddad., as it could build suspense and give a sense of adventure

meanwhile i also like the close up used in the trailer for the drama 'captive' because it gives audiences an insight into the emotions of the main protagonist which helps form some  attachment between the audience and the character.

Using a close up would not only help me achieve a variety of shot types in my trailer but will also give my audience an insight into the emotions of the main protagonist as the trailer progesses

Drafting and planning

  This drafted storyboard features the beginning part of my trailer. To describe it briefly the main protagonist is discovering the death of his granddad at his granddad's house, which comes after the tragic unseen death of his parents, leaving very few important figures in his life, however suspicion of the way he died leads him to believe the death is not natural, setting the ball in motion for the middle part of the trailer.

I imagine that the editing would be quick as it builds suspense up to the shot of the body which is also very briefly seen and it will then cut to black

Organisation

 I have selected a number of potential locations for my film trailer, all of which are local and easy to places for shooting, these include:

My house - this is where 'everyday life' shots will happen, which will help set the scene but would also be perfect for any dialogue i.e. arguments between the protagonist and family members like the auntie. I may also use it for one of the killer's appearances, which might help set a dark ambiguous setting towards the end of the trailer.


The woods - This would only be for a one or two shots maximum, but would be a prime location for tense, gritty shots when the killer is maybe in pursuit towards the end of the trailer.


My school - Again this would be used for a limited amount of shots but might help set an 'everyday life' setting for the main protagonist at the start of the trailer


My granddad's house - I imagine a scene where the protagonist discovers the death of his granddad, which wasn't as accidental as it may appear


A basic road - Where I imagine a few shots from a low key 'car chase' but also a quick, intense shot of an attack on the protagonists sister from the killer up against a lamppost

Target audience

As researched in this blog post about drama trailers, https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3664132413503481447#editor/target=post;postID=123303529765925164;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=11;src=postname it is evident that drama films and their trailers often rely and focus on in-depth development of realistic characters and realistic themes, which i aim to do in my trailer, with themes such as family and death.

As a result, it is safe to assume at this early stage that my target audience would be of a slightly older demographic than most, predominately adults but also older teenagers. This is because it would take a mature audience to understand and enjoy the mature themes and characters in my drama trailer. For example the 'Steve jobs' trailer has mature themes of work and family, which often clash and would therefore suit an older demographic who would appreciate these themes.

Being as the trailer will be shot in Britain and the cast are all British my target audience would also be predominately British as they would understand some of the colloquial language and any British values in my trailer.

My target audience will not be gender specific as my trailer will have an even mix of both male and female characters however i am considering using horror elements towards the end of my trailer which might target a male audience as males stereo-typically enjoy more action and horror in films than females do. However as my trailer will still be predominately a drama, it would still attract females who stereo-typically enjoy drama and family values in films.

In terms of ethnicity, my trailer may automatically become orientated towards the white ethnic group due to the cast currently being all white and will therefore contain drama surrounding a white family and a white protagonist, which people of maybe an Asian or Black  ethnic group wont be able to relate to as much.

Research into similar products

Sound

This is one of the 4 key elements of media language used to shape meaning in drama trailers or to have a direct effect on the target audience.

I like the use of sound in this drama trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1G5E5Eo1wo
which has fast paced non-diegetic whisking sound effects in the background to build tension throughout the trailer. I like it because its climatized by action (see left) where the sound effects stop to emphasise the drama of the scene.

 I could use this use of silence, possibly after fast paced sound effects and/or music to emphasize drama in one of my scenes, possibly if my protagonist gets into a heated argument, with say his auntie, which could emphasize the conflict between the characters or just the level of drama in my film on the whole.

Almost all drama trailers are dialogue driven and often overlap or even sync with music, for example the trailer for trumbo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HnZq6ZiieM I like the combination of music and dialogue as the music builds suspense and adds drama to the statements and arguments taking place at the same time.

Tone can also be changed in a trailer through music, it might start off subtle and slow, easing viewers in before upping the ante with loud fast paced, intense music, ending the trailer on a more serious and thrilling note. I could use this in my trailer as my protagonist grows suspicious of a killer as the trailer progresses and he could encounter him at the end, so i could use this change of music or sound effects to set a more serious tone and to
climax the drama of this moment.

Organisation

Casting and Characters

I have a good idea about what sort of characters i want to construct in my film trailer. As my film will be a drama this will be extra important, as dramas often rely on their character development to create a good trailer and a good film, which i looked at in my drama trailer research https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3664132413503481447#editor/target=post;postID=123303529765925164;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=9;src=postname

Protagonist - me. This is purely because i am the only one with the knowledge of how i want my trailer to play out and so i think i will be the best fit for the main role. However i also think i am the appropriate age for the protagonist, who is someone who is forced to grow up and deal with serious life issues and dangers.

Antagonist - Michael. Despite the fact that my antagonist, the killer, will be largely ambiguous in the trailer i feel my dad will play the role well purely because of his height and build (6ft2).

I imagined the antagonist to be a stereotypical male adult, but of course more fearsome when concealed and so i think many could have fit the role but chose my dad out of shooting convenience.

Protagonist's sister - Olivia. As my actual sister i think she can automatically play the role well, supplementing the main protagonist's emotions as though they were my own.

She is some 5 years older than the me and so i think she'll play the more sophisticated and supporting role i imagine the sister in the trailer will towards the protagonist.

Protagonist's Auntie - Victoria. This is because i feel my mom has the personal qualities to play this character well. Following the death of the protagonist's parents, the Auntie had no choice but to care for their children but was never kind-hearted or enthusiastic towards her new role.

Therefore i feel my mom's temperament and ability to convey a range of emotions as any parent could, will help her play a role of a character acting as a barrier between the protagonist and his life choices as he seeks the truth behind his parent's death, something the auntie got over quickly... too quickly. 

This will hopefully be my main cast for my trailer although additional sub-characters are a certainty and so after i start drafting storyboards and after more research, i will have a greater understanding of what other characters i want to include and who i want to cast them as.

Drafting and planning

Genre

I have decided to choose the drama film genre for my trailer. This is because after researching into the main film genres, drama appears not only the most realistically achievable but also because i like the combination of dialogue and action to convey the plot and appeal to what would be a broad audience.
I also like how the drama genre is open to many conventions and can combine very easily with other genres such as action (black mass) https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3664132413503481447#editor/target=post;postID=57724324311725499;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=2;src=postname

but also horror (knock knock) https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3664132413503481447#editor/target=post;postID=620928611812247011;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=1;src=postname

Although primarily a drama, i may wish to include elements of the the horror genre and so depending on the balance of the trailer's content it amy become a full genre cross-over

Plot

I have drafted a synopsis for my film, and will after some research, decide upon a title for my film. However for the time being the rough outline of the film plot is as follows:

An ordinary teenage boy, not soon after the tragic death of his parents, must suffer more losses before growing suspicion of a killer that leads him to believe that his parent's death was not accidental or of coincidence.  However in overcoming obstacles and fighting his emotions he must discover the truth quickly before he is next to be taken by an unknown force striving to thwart his family name.