This is my finished magazine front cover. I changed the brick wall to a much darker tone to blend in with the top black box and look more harsher and tougher.
Thursday 29 October 2009
Magazine Front Cover (final stage)
This is my finished magazine front cover. I changed the brick wall to a much darker tone to blend in with the top black box and look more harsher and tougher.
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Magazine Front Cover (stage six)
I have now added back my smaller images. As well as that I added white boxe around the famous movie character pictures to make them look more like photos taken, which gives quite a good effect. For the background of the feature article photograph I added a brick wall to make the setting appear more tougher and make it look like it was in a garage like setting, along with the punchbag. I added a transparent white box around the movie strip to seperate the plugs from the main photo subtely.
Monday 26 October 2009
Magazine Front Cover (stage five)
As you can see, I have now uploaded the picture of Chris after cutting the background of the room the picture was taken in. Some images are gone, only because they were being changed at the time I saved this progress picture. I have put a black box at the top of the page to bring out the title more, and with this I had to change the "greatest film characters" to a white font for the reader to be able to see it. As well as adding the feature article photograph, I have added a "Cl" in rockwell font to the "Everlast" to make "cleverlast". I had to select the colour of the actual writing on the punch bag then choose it for my text. Once this was done I had to resize it to fit with it.
Sunday 25 October 2009
Magazine Front Cover (stage four)
I have added more pictures from google images onto the page. Firstly I added the bar code at the bottom to make it look more authentic. I then added the movie frames into the film reel, I thought this was quite a clever and appropriate thing to do for a film magazine. Above this I have "Films of the month". I did this in a blue and black shadowed font of times new roman. I experimented with different fonts but liked this one the most. Below it I have the film names in a blue bold rockwell font. I chose the films because they are out in the cinema at the moment, therefore might be on a films of the month section. At the top I chose to have "50 greatest film characters" along with pictures of famous well known actors in such roles as the "taxi driver".
Friday 23 October 2009
Survey
To find out what my target audience look for in a comedy film I asked 22 12 to 18 years olds to answer my survey.
The survey was:
1. Do you prefer a comedy film that is character lead or story lead?
2. Do you expect to see more action in a trailer or more of an indication of the story?
3. Would you like to see a romantic interest in the film?
4. What genre of music would you like to see in the trailer?
Pop/Chart / Rock / Hip Hip/RnB / Dance / Classic / Other(please state)
5. How serious and realistic do you want the films story to be?
6. How serious and realistic do you want the characters goal to be?
7. What kind of goals would they be?
8. What sort of personality would you want the main character to have?
9. What is your favorite comedy film?
10. What film title do you prefer from the following?
Cleverlast The Transformation The Clever One
11. How would a trailer get you interested in a film? (Can tick more than one box)
Gives away a small amount the plot of the film
Contains a high amount of action
Contains your favorite actors and stars from the film
The film company or well known director who made the film
Instantaneous gratification (e.g a horror movie makes you jump)
The music used
Other (please specify)
12. Do you find the dialogue in a trailer funnier than the physical happenings, such as someone getting kicked in the groin?
13. Does the setting of a film influence the films you would view? If so how positively or negatively. If not why do you feel its not important?
14. When you watch a comedy film what sorts of characteristics would you like to see in the main characters personality?
My results were:
1. Exactly 50 percent for both answers. This shows that the trailer can either focus on the character or story.
2. A majority of people actually said they would rather see action. Indicating that physical comedy is more important in advertising a film than shwoing its plot
3. Again the majority answered no indicating that romance is not an important role in a comedy film, judging from my audience sample.
4. Everyone that answered said that they would like pop/chart. This shows that the audience has more mainstream tastes, suggesting my trailer should follow mainstream comedy conventions
5 and 6. Everybody except one person stated they would like the goals to have hardly any seriousness at all. As well as this, everybody said that they would prefer the story to also have less seriousness, showing that in order for my film to be a success, I need to have a daft plotline.
7. This rquestion had many differernt answers. These were ideas such as finding a lost person/people,
The survey was:
1. Do you prefer a comedy film that is character lead or story lead?
2. Do you expect to see more action in a trailer or more of an indication of the story?
3. Would you like to see a romantic interest in the film?
4. What genre of music would you like to see in the trailer?
Pop/Chart / Rock / Hip Hip/RnB / Dance / Classic / Other(please state)
5. How serious and realistic do you want the films story to be?
6. How serious and realistic do you want the characters goal to be?
7. What kind of goals would they be?
8. What sort of personality would you want the main character to have?
9. What is your favorite comedy film?
10. What film title do you prefer from the following?
Cleverlast The Transformation The Clever One
11. How would a trailer get you interested in a film? (Can tick more than one box)
Gives away a small amount the plot of the film
Contains a high amount of action
Contains your favorite actors and stars from the film
The film company or well known director who made the film
Instantaneous gratification (e.g a horror movie makes you jump)
The music used
Other (please specify)
12. Do you find the dialogue in a trailer funnier than the physical happenings, such as someone getting kicked in the groin?
13. Does the setting of a film influence the films you would view? If so how positively or negatively. If not why do you feel its not important?
14. When you watch a comedy film what sorts of characteristics would you like to see in the main characters personality?
My results were:
1. Exactly 50 percent for both answers. This shows that the trailer can either focus on the character or story.
2. A majority of people actually said they would rather see action. Indicating that physical comedy is more important in advertising a film than shwoing its plot
3. Again the majority answered no indicating that romance is not an important role in a comedy film, judging from my audience sample.
4. Everyone that answered said that they would like pop/chart. This shows that the audience has more mainstream tastes, suggesting my trailer should follow mainstream comedy conventions
5 and 6. Everybody except one person stated they would like the goals to have hardly any seriousness at all. As well as this, everybody said that they would prefer the story to also have less seriousness, showing that in order for my film to be a success, I need to have a daft plotline.
7. This rquestion had many differernt answers. These were ideas such as finding a lost person/people,
Magazine Front Cover (stage three)
I have added the magazine details below the masthead. The price is in a red box, with a shadow effect. The white text inside it is Tahoma. The film4u.com is also in tahoma bold. I chose this font because its quite simple and easy to read. At the bottom of the page I added in a grey box with a "plus" then a selection of actors names. The "plus" has been given an outer glow, only because I thought it looked more interesting and makes the word stand out. The box itself has a shadow effect around it.
Thursday 22 October 2009
Magazine Images
For my magazine I captured two images, both set in Chris' garage involving him and the punch bag.
This is the first image I took. It invloves Chris punching the boxing bag. The picture shows the name "Everlast" which can easily be changed to "Cleverlast" using photoshop. His facial expression shows him smiling in quite a proud way and suggests that he is proud of himself for being tough and training with the punch bag.
This is the second image I took. I shows a proud Chris standing in front of the punching bag. I prefer it because unlike the first picture, he is the main object of the shot, being the biggest and appearing in the middle. The position of the "Everlast" logo will allow me to add a "Cl" to make it cleverlast.
This is the first image I took. It invloves Chris punching the boxing bag. The picture shows the name "Everlast" which can easily be changed to "Cleverlast" using photoshop. His facial expression shows him smiling in quite a proud way and suggests that he is proud of himself for being tough and training with the punch bag.
This is the second image I took. I shows a proud Chris standing in front of the punching bag. I prefer it because unlike the first picture, he is the main object of the shot, being the biggest and appearing in the middle. The position of the "Everlast" logo will allow me to add a "Cl" to make it cleverlast.
Magazine Front Cover (stage two)
Instead of having the masthead right at the top I chose to move it down slightly. Mainly so I could put something in at the very top.
Magazine Front Cover (stage one)
As you can see, I have put the masthead in big bold red text. Apart from this nothing else has been done. I downloaded the actual text from the internet as the photoshop fonts didn't appeal to me for the masthead. The page size I have used for the front cover is 28.5 cm by 23.5 cm. This is a similar size to existing magazines, and a similar size to an A4 paper sheet. Therefore, it is similar to competitors and easily printable.
Secondary Task - Magazine Front Cover
As well as a trailer, we have been given the task of making a magazine front cover which shows our film. I want to achieve a cover which helps the reader see what my main character looks like. When we dressed Chris up as him, he looked very humourous. Therefore I want a picture that sums up the characters personality just by his appearance. By doing this the reader might have some sort of idea of what th film is about, and want to read more about it.
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Target Audience
The target audience my film is aimed at would be 12 to 16 year olds. The young audience is because the film trailer I will make is a mainstream comedy, and very tame. Therefore, like many typical comedies, a younger target market of teenagers are most likely to be persuaded to see the film from watching the trailer. To conclude this, I will set my film certificate as 12A.
The classification guidelines for 12A from the actual BBFC website are :
Theme: Mature themes are acceptable, but their treament must be suitable for young teenagers.
Language: The use of strong language (eg 'f***') must be infrequent. Racist abuse is also of particular concern.
Nudity: Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet.
Sex: Sexual activity may be implied. Sex references may reflect what is likely to be familiar to most adolescents but should not go beyond what is suitable for them.
Violence: Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.
Imitable techniques: Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror: Sustained moderate threat and menace are permitted. Occasional gory moments only.
Drugs: Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or instructional.
Discrimination: The film or DVD as a whole must not approve of language or behavior that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability. Aggressive use of this type of language and behavior is unacceptable unless clearly not approved of.
Judging by my plan, the film deals with younger, more school like themes, as well the fact that it does not even slightly push the boudaries of the guidelines, therefore 12A is the certification I will choose. I could probably get away eith choosing a PG, however, the target audience would probably want to see a 12A film more, due to the nature of young teenagers .
The classification guidelines for 12A from the actual BBFC website are :
Theme: Mature themes are acceptable, but their treament must be suitable for young teenagers.
Language: The use of strong language (eg 'f***') must be infrequent. Racist abuse is also of particular concern.
Nudity: Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet.
Sex: Sexual activity may be implied. Sex references may reflect what is likely to be familiar to most adolescents but should not go beyond what is suitable for them.
Violence: Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.
Imitable techniques: Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror: Sustained moderate threat and menace are permitted. Occasional gory moments only.
Drugs: Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or instructional.
Discrimination: The film or DVD as a whole must not approve of language or behavior that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability. Aggressive use of this type of language and behavior is unacceptable unless clearly not approved of.
Judging by my plan, the film deals with younger, more school like themes, as well the fact that it does not even slightly push the boudaries of the guidelines, therefore 12A is the certification I will choose. I could probably get away eith choosing a PG, however, the target audience would probably want to see a 12A film more, due to the nature of young teenagers .
Friday 16 October 2009
Film Magazines
I have inserted the front pages of two well known film magazines, EMPIRE and TOTAL FILM. As you can see by these film magazines, they are all of a similar layout, and follow similar conventions. For example, they will all base their layout and colourm scheme around the featured film, all have included plugs as well as the main feature article photograph and all with the exceptioon of the total film page have the main image overlapping the masthead. Showing that they are already well known, established and recognised magazines.
Film Posters
sThis film poster is for the film Norbit. The poster is quite simple as it is a picture of the two main characters, a question relevant to the film, the films star and the film title on a white background. This is all the viewer needs to know about the film. Also, as both the main characters are played by Eddie Murphy, his name is shown twice at the top of the poster, to give a humorous effect. The question “Have you ever made a really big mistake” and the facial expressions of the two characters already gives an idea of what the film is about.
This poster is for the film Hot Fuzz. It involves both main characters, in an unknown rural background, with a phrase at the top and the film title and stars at the bottom. The poster involves lots of mise en scene as characters are in police uniform, with sunglasses whilst holding a gun. This along with the facial expression creates a serious look to them. However, the phrase “They are going to bust your arse” gives a much less serious impression and creates a big contrast. 
Thursday 15 October 2009
Trailer Conventions
Sounds
Almost every comedy trailer will use a form of sound, whether its diagetic, such as a character speaking, which basically would be there in the setting, or non diagetic, like music that’s been added in. The music used would match the speed, setting or tone of the film, for example an action film would use a fast paced song where as a historic drama might use classical music.
Diagetic Sounds
Diagetic sounds are really important for making physical comedy funny. Sound effects such as a hitting sound are added in to humorous moments where something has happened physically. For example a character getting kicked in the groin. These sound effects are used as a main part of physical comedy. The sound might be emphasised in the trailer more than the film as it plays a much more important part to the trailer. Most of the physical happenings featured in a comedy trailer are not that relevant to the films plot. However a trailer is used to sell a film and to most audiences of a comedy film, something like a man getting hit in the face with a ball, can make the film appeal more to the audience. The other main diagetic sound is the characters speaking, or the script. This can play a key part in advertising the film as it can give away the films plot, give the viewer an impression of the main character and add humour if the script is funny enough.
Non Diagetic Sounds
Non diagetic sounds are used much more thoroughly in comedy trailers. This would mainly include music, and voices from narrators and characters who aren’t currently on screen. A main concept of many trailers is to include serious or dramatic music at the start of the trailer to create juxtaposition from this music and the silliness of the actual film. After the serious music stops, there tends to be mainly diagetic sound until another song comes on. This song is usually a much less serious song which most probably would have been in the music charts at some point. Some trailers might even just include the instrumental of the song. As well as the serious music at the start there is sometimes a narrator with a deep voice. This can humorously fool the viewer into thinking the film isn’t comedy for a brief amount of time. Another effect used in most trailers is to show a quick shot of a character saying part of the script and then showing other scenes from the film whilst the character is still talking. This is usually used to give away the plot from the characters perspective whilst at the same time showing as much of the film to the viewer as possible.
Characters
The main character/characters are often portrayed as “losers” or “idiots” being the hero/protagonist. The antagonist of the film might also be an idiot who is not very intimidating, a contrast to other film genres such as horror where the antagonist is very scary and intimidating. However, for a comedic effect, the trailer might have tense and scary music if he or she is shown. Which acts in the same way the dramatic music does. In some cases the characters might be played by the same actor, for example many of Eddie Murphy’s films like the “Norbit” and “The Nutty Proffessor”. The actor must play many different types of characters for this to be funny though as the diverse range of characters is a key comedy element.
Mise en Scene and Locations
This depends on the type of comedy film it is. If it is a setting based film, for example a film set in a well known city, then many shots will involve the city. However, in films such as “Dodgeball”, the actual location is not included.
The mise en scene can also be different as some films that are character based might have funny clothes on the character to stand out. However, other subgenres of comedy films might not focus on the clothing of characters as much. Most mise en scene will help covey what sort of setting the film has been shot in. For example, the typical comedy character protagonist are usually lazy "slobs". Therefore their house might be shown with litter in it or beer bottles and junk food in the fridge.
Plot
Most main stream comedies have a very similar plot. Most plots are based on a boy that has a girlfriend, which he loses and then goes through a lot to get her back, and finally does. Examples of this could include Run Fatboy Run. Another similar plot featured in many comedies is that the main characters want to do or get something and end up going through a ridiculous amount of hardship to do so. Examples of this could include Dodgeball and Harold and Kumar. These two plot types are foundations of a comedy films story which are used in many different ways throughout main stream films of the genre.
Lighting
Lighting can be an important tool in a trailer when conveying what sort of film it is. For example, a horror movie has a very dark tone in most cases, therefore dark lighting would be used. However, something like a romantic comedy, which is very light hearted would use much more bright lighting. Comedy trailers would typically use bright lighting unless they are showing something like a messy house, where the tone would still be lighthearted. Black comedy fims, however, would most probably use more darker shots to suggest a much darker tone.
Almost every comedy trailer will use a form of sound, whether its diagetic, such as a character speaking, which basically would be there in the setting, or non diagetic, like music that’s been added in. The music used would match the speed, setting or tone of the film, for example an action film would use a fast paced song where as a historic drama might use classical music.
Diagetic Sounds
Diagetic sounds are really important for making physical comedy funny. Sound effects such as a hitting sound are added in to humorous moments where something has happened physically. For example a character getting kicked in the groin. These sound effects are used as a main part of physical comedy. The sound might be emphasised in the trailer more than the film as it plays a much more important part to the trailer. Most of the physical happenings featured in a comedy trailer are not that relevant to the films plot. However a trailer is used to sell a film and to most audiences of a comedy film, something like a man getting hit in the face with a ball, can make the film appeal more to the audience. The other main diagetic sound is the characters speaking, or the script. This can play a key part in advertising the film as it can give away the films plot, give the viewer an impression of the main character and add humour if the script is funny enough.
Non Diagetic Sounds
Non diagetic sounds are used much more thoroughly in comedy trailers. This would mainly include music, and voices from narrators and characters who aren’t currently on screen. A main concept of many trailers is to include serious or dramatic music at the start of the trailer to create juxtaposition from this music and the silliness of the actual film. After the serious music stops, there tends to be mainly diagetic sound until another song comes on. This song is usually a much less serious song which most probably would have been in the music charts at some point. Some trailers might even just include the instrumental of the song. As well as the serious music at the start there is sometimes a narrator with a deep voice. This can humorously fool the viewer into thinking the film isn’t comedy for a brief amount of time. Another effect used in most trailers is to show a quick shot of a character saying part of the script and then showing other scenes from the film whilst the character is still talking. This is usually used to give away the plot from the characters perspective whilst at the same time showing as much of the film to the viewer as possible.
Characters
The main character/characters are often portrayed as “losers” or “idiots” being the hero/protagonist. The antagonist of the film might also be an idiot who is not very intimidating, a contrast to other film genres such as horror where the antagonist is very scary and intimidating. However, for a comedic effect, the trailer might have tense and scary music if he or she is shown. Which acts in the same way the dramatic music does. In some cases the characters might be played by the same actor, for example many of Eddie Murphy’s films like the “Norbit” and “The Nutty Proffessor”. The actor must play many different types of characters for this to be funny though as the diverse range of characters is a key comedy element.
Mise en Scene and Locations
This depends on the type of comedy film it is. If it is a setting based film, for example a film set in a well known city, then many shots will involve the city. However, in films such as “Dodgeball”, the actual location is not included.
The mise en scene can also be different as some films that are character based might have funny clothes on the character to stand out. However, other subgenres of comedy films might not focus on the clothing of characters as much. Most mise en scene will help covey what sort of setting the film has been shot in. For example, the typical comedy character protagonist are usually lazy "slobs". Therefore their house might be shown with litter in it or beer bottles and junk food in the fridge.
Plot
Most main stream comedies have a very similar plot. Most plots are based on a boy that has a girlfriend, which he loses and then goes through a lot to get her back, and finally does. Examples of this could include Run Fatboy Run. Another similar plot featured in many comedies is that the main characters want to do or get something and end up going through a ridiculous amount of hardship to do so. Examples of this could include Dodgeball and Harold and Kumar. These two plot types are foundations of a comedy films story which are used in many different ways throughout main stream films of the genre.
Lighting
Lighting can be an important tool in a trailer when conveying what sort of film it is. For example, a horror movie has a very dark tone in most cases, therefore dark lighting would be used. However, something like a romantic comedy, which is very light hearted would use much more bright lighting. Comedy trailers would typically use bright lighting unless they are showing something like a messy house, where the tone would still be lighthearted. Black comedy fims, however, would most probably use more darker shots to suggest a much darker tone.
Existing Comedy Films
For my research I will focus on five comedy trailers and posters to help me find out what conventions to look for.
1. Norbit
This film stars Eddie Murphy playing two main characters, Norbit and his obese, dominating wife, Rasputia (who he is very unhappy with). The film relies on many elements of the three subgenres I am focusing on. The character comedy is throughoout the film (as both main characters are quite humourous, along with other characters featured), especially as many parts are played by Eddie Murphy. This gives a very funy effect as the viewer knows this and can see the variation between each character. The physical comedy elements are throughout the trailer as there are many quick shots of mainly Norbit getting hurt or embarressed by Rasputia. For example a montage of clips where she jumps and squashes Norbit on a bed is used. The repetion emphasis the humour of the situation by showing it happens to him all the time. Many of these clips also tie in with cringe comedy.
The trailer shows the quiick overview of the films plot line revolving around the main character "Norbit". Many comedy devices are used, for example montages of physical comedy e.g him being lept on by his massively large wife Rasputia. Many shots go into each other from the use of a swipe effect, which gives the trailer a sense of speed. The trailer performs very well at characterizing Norbit. The viewer gets a very clear view of the main characters personailty, background and situation just by watching the first half of the trailer. I hope to achieve this too in my trailer.
1. Norbit
This film stars Eddie Murphy playing two main characters, Norbit and his obese, dominating wife, Rasputia (who he is very unhappy with). The film relies on many elements of the three subgenres I am focusing on. The character comedy is throughoout the film (as both main characters are quite humourous, along with other characters featured), especially as many parts are played by Eddie Murphy. This gives a very funy effect as the viewer knows this and can see the variation between each character. The physical comedy elements are throughout the trailer as there are many quick shots of mainly Norbit getting hurt or embarressed by Rasputia. For example a montage of clips where she jumps and squashes Norbit on a bed is used. The repetion emphasis the humour of the situation by showing it happens to him all the time. Many of these clips also tie in with cringe comedy.
The trailer shows the quiick overview of the films plot line revolving around the main character "Norbit". Many comedy devices are used, for example montages of physical comedy e.g him being lept on by his massively large wife Rasputia. Many shots go into each other from the use of a swipe effect, which gives the trailer a sense of speed. The trailer performs very well at characterizing Norbit. The viewer gets a very clear view of the main characters personailty, background and situation just by watching the first half of the trailer. I hope to achieve this too in my trailer.
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