Research & Planning: Production Documents

Below are the production documents (incomplete) that I will use to help me when I create my movie trailer.

Actor Release Form

Shot List

Location Recce

Shooting Schedule

Risk Assesment

Editing Log

Music Cue Sheet

Research & Planning: Initial Movie Title Ideas

Below are some possible names for the movie trailer we are producing. These are the ones I came up with:

1. Home For The Holidays
2. Going Home
3. Back To Her
4. Double Ex
5. The Ex 
6. Seeing The Ex
7. Meeting Your Ex

Research & Planning: Production Company Logos

I have created three iterations of possible production company logos. As I highlighted in a previous post, we have decided to use 'Picture House' as the name of our production company. I have created these logos in Adobe Illustrator CS6, which proved easier to use than older versions of the program. So far I have kept the logos in black and white, though I will probably experiment with colours and different back drops when I have consulted with my partner and we choose a logo to carry forward as our final logo.

My partners logo designs: http://rebeccafiska2media.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/research-and-planning-production.html

Research & Planning: Podcast 1

Research & Planning: Social Networking Feedback

Earlier this evening I posted this tweet asking for people to comment on my blog:

Please could you quickly go over to http://t.co/p77wfh3Fo9 and write a short comment on how you think the blog is looking? Thanks! #PleaseRT

— Jake Thompson (@JakeRedLetter) October 25, 2013

From this I got this feedback:

Click to enlarge

Research & Planning: Analysis of 'The Bounty Hunter' Poster

Genre

Upon first glance it is easy to mistake this as a poster for a high-action movie; but in reality it is a poster for the romantic comedy 'The Bounty Hunter'. As you start to look closer at the poster; there are several big give aways. First of all, the actress that plays the lead female character is Jennifer Aniston; who is renowned for performing in rom-coms; so much in fact that the very sight of her on a film poster could be enough to define it's genre. As well as this, we also have an appearance from a male character, played by Gerard Butler. The presence of a male and female character immediately insinuates a romantic relationship. The humour of this poster comes from the handcuffs that, literally, 'join' the two people together. This, together with the partnering text 'It's a job, it isn't personal...Well, Maybe a little...' leads the audience to believe that this is a funny film with elements of comedy and action, but overarching romance.

Representation

We can see clear stereotypical representation within this poster. Firstly, the female character is looking up to towards her male counterpart. This could symbolise that the male character has power over the female character; though this seems unlikely as the two are bound together by handcuffs. Other aspects of stereotypical representation include the blood on the male characters clothing. This is stereotypical of male characters in films because men are seen to be violent and dangerous. One final aspect of representation is the name of the actual film itself 'The Bounty Hunter'. In the storyline of the film, the female character is described as the 'Bounty' which the male character has to collect. This could be seen as possessive and possibly a sign of objectification of women. I don't believe this is how the poster is intended to be viewed and instead it is meant as a light-hearted joke playing on words and pre-conceptions.

Narrative

From what we can see on the poster, we can presume that the two characters will eventually fall in love. What is also clear is that there will be obstacles stopping the two from getting to that 'happy ever after' ending. The facial expressions of both of the characters lead the audience to believe they may not like each other very much at the beginning of the film, with the idea that the two will spend a lot of time with each other over the course of the story to the point that they fall madly in love (or back in love) with the other. The presence of handcuffs and blood, along with the title of the movie 'The Bounty Hunter'; the audience is aware that the movie will include some references to violence and illegal activity; though it appears to be in a fun/comedic way.

Audience

Due to the star studded cast of Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler, I would presume the target audience of this movie (and poster) to be a mixture of males and females aged between 15 and 24, though primarily males because of the inclusion and depiction of violence in the poster (which is stereotypically more favoured by men than women) as well as the attractive female character played by Jennifer Aniston. I think females will watch the movie because of the attractive male character played by Gerard Butler, but also because they will recognise Jennifer Aniston from other rom-coms, and of course, the hit TV show Friends.

Media Language

The mise-en-scene of the poster indicates straight away that this isn't just an ordinary romantic comedy. The depiction of violence through props such as the handcuffs and blood-covered shirt cause the audience to think the film may have a crime twist - which isn't common for a rom-com. This could possibly be further strengthened by the choice of clothing for both of the characters; they are both wearing dark (black) coloured clothes; which connotes negativity and bad behaviour. This is in contrast with the sky blue background and striking yellow, red and white colours that adorn the rest of the poster - which remind the audience that the film is in fact a romantic comedy suitable for the whole family.

Research & Planning: Analysis of 'Friends With Benefits' Poster

Genre

This movie poster is based in the 'romantic comedy' genre, though it hints at more romance than comedy. There are several aspects of this poster that reveal it's genre; the biggest 'give away' is the presence of a male and female character. This immediately hints at a blossoming relationship; which is further enforced by a longing look from the male protagonist and a cheeky smile from the female character; which also insinuates that there will be some elements of comedy in the film.

Representation

The positioning of the male and female characters gives an insight into the storyline of the film. The female character is positioned at the same height as the male character on the poster, which is unusual as males are typically taller than females (and is indeed the case between Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis). This could represent the female character as strong and independent; which, if you have watched the film, is an accurate description of Mila Kunis' character. The poster also portrays the female character to be cheeky and fun, whilst it portrays the stereotypical image of a man falling desperately in love with one of his best friends.

Narrative

Because the male and female characters are separate, we are lead to believe that the two are not together in the beginning of the film. Their facial expressions cause us to question this relationship and makes us wonder whether they will end up together by the end of the film (which of course, they do). The way the male character is dressed hints at the narrative; he is wearing an unbuttoned shirt with a loosely tied tie and at the beginning of the film the male character is looking job. it is the female character who finds him one; she looks much smarter in comparison (a possible representation of power?)

Audience

I would say the primary audience of this film (based on this poster) is males aged between 16 and 25, who occasionally visit the cinema. They fall into socio-economic group E; which consists of largely students and un-skilled workers; though I think the film is aimed more at students. That said; I do believe the film poster was created with the idea that females will also want to go and watch the film because of the male character, who is played by Justin Timberlake, is attractive, and they may also look up to or aspire to be Mila Kunis.

Media Language

The use of a medium shot on the two characters instead of a two shot could show that there is an obstacle between the two characters falling in love. This idea is strengthened by the black banner that splits the two shots apart. The use of high key lighting indicates that the film will be upbeat and cheery, and further strengthens that the film is a rom-com (as high key lighting is typically used in romantic comedies).

Research & Planning: Location Ideas

Locations we need:

• Exterior of male protagonist's halls of residence/university
• Countryside shot
• Male protagonist's dorm/student bedroom (male)
• Parent's kitchen
• Parent's dining room
• Parent's guest bedroom
• Parent's front door
• Parent's living room/lounge
• Parent's bathroom
• Parent's drive way
• Ex-girlfriends living room w. sofa

Exterior of male protagonist's halls of residence/university:

1) Parkway Gate Student Accommodation

50 Chester street,

Manchester,

M15 6JH

2) Manchester Metropolitan University Cambridge Halls
41 Cavendish street,
Manchester,
M15 6TT

3) New Medlock House Student Accommodation
1 Wilmott street,
Manchester,
M15 6BD

Countryside Shot

1) Werneth Low

Hyde,

SK14

2) Etherow Country Park

George Street,

Stockport,

SK6 5JD

Male Protagonist's Dorm (Bedroom)

Because I haven't yet visited or taken photos of possible locations for the male protagonist's bedroom, I will use images available online that show what I will be looking for.

Parent's Kitchen

Again, because I haven't yet visited or taken photos of possible locations for the parent's kitchen, I will use images available online that show what I will be looking for.

Parent's Dining Room

Again, because I haven't yet visited or taken photos of possible locations for the parent's dining room, I will use images available online that show what I will be looking for.

Parent's Guest Bedroom

Again, because I haven't yet visited or taken photos of possible locations for the parent's guest bedroom, I will use images available online that show what I will be looking for.

Parent's Front Door

Again, because I haven't yet visited or taken photos of possible locations for the parent's front door, I will use images available online that show what I will be looking for.

Parent's Lounge

Again, because I haven't yet visited or taken photos of possible locations for the parent's lounge, I will use images available online that show what I will be looking for.

Parent's Bathroom

Again, because I haven't yet visited or taken photos of possible locations for the parent's bathroom, I will use images available online that show what I will be looking for.

Parent's Drive Way

Again, because I haven't yet visited or taken photos of possible locations for the parent's drive way, I will use images available online that show what I will be looking for.

Ex Girlfriend's Living Room

Again, because I haven't yet visited or taken photos of possible locations for the parent's kitchen, I will use images available online that show what I will be looking for.

Research & Planning: Trailer Plot Storyboard

We have produced a story board overviewing the plot of the movie trailer scene by scene. I think this will help us a lot when producing/shooting and editing the trailer as it will serve as a guide.