Our Teaser Trailer - Paths

This below is our final teaser trailer , as a group we are pleased with the finished project we felt as if it displayed we set out to have within it at the start of our A2 course

Please comment upon this and give feedback on what we did well and you may have changed or added.

Our Magazine Cover

This as pictured above is our magazine cover , although the colour scheme is quite dark we felt as a group this was suitable considering the genre which we had created for our teaser trailer , we used our research and planning into real media texts that related closely to our  product and found that many of the magazine covers we analysed such as that of 'Bullet Boy' (2004) and 'Kidulthood' (2006) tended to stick to one colour throughout both magazine cover and film poster , as a group we felt it was important to stick to the conventions of our genre in order to make it easy to relate to from the angle of the audience.

We used the popular editing software 'Adobe Photoshop'  to create this , I personally feel as though it is a easy program to use and allows users to create projects which are very aesthetically pleasing.

Our Film Poster

This as pictured above is our film poster , questionably the hardest to create out of both film poster and magazine cover this is because as a group we had so many ideas of we all individually felt it should look and the conventions in which it should follow ; however we eventually agreed upon the fact that we should make it relate closely to our magazine cover although this isn't necessarily a convention within the media industry for magazine covers and film poster to relate to each other because even though they both are aimed towards the same demographic they have different purposes.

We tried to play on our 'film title' within the poster itself by using lines and so forth insinuating a path to the audience themselves without actually pointing it out as a obvious feature of the poster as we didn't want to detract away from the background off the poster ,allowing the audience to decide what influence the 'estates' have on the characters life and how it effects both their lives in different ways hence why they are both looking out from different angles.

Evaluation Question 4 - 'Paths'

How did you use media technologies in the planning and research, construction and evaluation stages?

During the planning and research stages modern media technologies were used such as that of 'YouTube' and 'Google' both of which were used to research... similar real media texts as well as being able to assess the construction stages of our production as we were able compare and analyse through the use of websites such as 'YouTube' ; 'Google' provided a wealth of information easily and quickly added ease to the construction stages as well as aiding in the organisation of our groups construction stage.

Social media sites such as that of 'Twitter' and 'Facebook' allowed us to share our media products amongst friends ; which is a source of distribution used by the biggest film producers so it isn't just solely used to the benefit of low budget films ; it works because it is effective in spreading the 'word' and creating a 'buzz' around the product.

In the production stages of our film we used a non -linear editing system 'Final Cut Pro X' which to begin with was difficult as we had never previously used the software and was used to a similar yet different editing software 'iMovie' ; however we quickly picked up the 'controls' and soon enough editing was under way , 'Final Cut Pro' allowed us finer cuts such as the blade tool which could trim within the millisecond contrast this to 'iMovie' the software allowed us to make a much more aesthetically pleasing final production.

We had the benefit of using HD cameras (Panasonic HDC-SD700) which coped well with the changing weather conditions which we experienced throughout our filming , something I wish we had the benefit of using is 'boom mics' as it would have improved the dialogue within the film.

To create our magazine cover and film poster we had used 'Adobe Photoshop' it is software we were already familiar with before the production process which meant it was easy for us to get started ; the result was pleasing we felt as if the finish was 'glossy' and 'professional' and conveyed the genre of our film well.

Finally YouTube is a website which I personally used very frequently as it allowed me to easily access other real media texts in order to analyse and compare , most notably it allowed us as a group to distribute our media package around the world globally; the videos which accompany my evaluation are all embed through the 'YouTube' , I used technologies which are part of my 'day to day'  I regularly use 'Face Time' which is essentially the same as the Director OneToOne's I have provided as a part of my evaluation process.

Evaluation Question 3 - 'Paths'

What have you learnt from your audience feedback?

Audience feedback proved to be an invaluable tool throughout the post production stages it was easy for us to get 'side tracked' as a group ; we easily got caught up in what as media students we wanted the product to look like without actually taking into consideration what the audience would enjoy. 

However audience feedback allowed us to take on constructive criticism as well as positive feedback effectively allowing us to see what we did well as well what we could possibly improve upon ; although we also used audience feedback before our production process to see what our target demographic were expecting to see from a teaser trailer relative to our genre , this was helpful in more ways than one as it allowed us a group to concentrate on specific ideas without going 'creatively crazy'.

 Audience feedback with hindsight is something which I would have used more frequently throughout the post production stage because more than anything if your target audience doesn't enjoy your media product it is destined to fail and wont be a commercial success.

Evaluation Question 2 - 'Paths'

How effective is the combination of the main product and the ancillary tasks ?

The main product and the ancillary tasks go hand in hand ; finishing our main media product 'Paths' made it easier for us as a group to know the specific features we wanted our magazine cover and film poster to have ; From a creative point of view it allowed us to have much greater direction as we already knew the major theme running throughout our media product and we wanted our ancillary task to convey this. 

The combination of both ancillary tasks and main media product with hindsight turned out be beneficial as it resulted in a overall 'media package' which seems concurrent and there isn't a piece within it which doesn't seem to fit or match with the others however it must be mentioned that within the media industry it isn't unusual for teaser trailers and trailers alike not to follow the same pattern as their relative magazine cover and film poster.

We took inspiration from films within our genre we found a pattern within the trailers and film posters of those particular films 'Adulthood' and '4.3.2.1' as examples of this they all shared the fact they used dark backgrounds which could be an extended metaphor for the trouble and sense of unknown experienced by the main characters ; we felt as if this was relevant to our project and as a results of this based our themes upon similar colour schemes.

                                           

Evaluation Question 1 - 'Paths'

In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products ?

It is important we identify the genre of our teaser trailer which is actually quite hard as it doesn't easily fit into any one genre ; however as our group we felt this was to our advantage as it meant we were able to use conventions of genres which wouldn't necessarily be associated with our media product such as the changing pace throughout the teaser which is normally related to 'Thrillers' ; this was effective in creating suspense and gave the audience a sense of uncertainty we further developed the use of changing pace by adding in 'slow-mo' coupled with the non - diagetic sound it was extremely useful in creating emotion with the scene.

Most notably but not obvious is our character casting which went against usual conventions , however it would be easy to argue that it also reinforced conventions ' one of our main protagonists was off Asian decent which although is becoming more common within modern British media it is still an uncommon sight as the only cases which come to mind within our genre 'urban drama' would be 'Ill Manors' (2012) and 'Shifty' (2008) both played by Riz Ahmed ; Although as I mentioned earlier the convention of character casting is reinforced by the fact our genre is a 'urban drama' and it is typical within this genre that ethnic minorities are cast in the main roles as is the case with 'Kidulthood' , 'Bullet Boy' and 'Top Boy' as well as many other low to medium budget dramas set within the inner cities. 

So overall it could be suggested that although our project does follow many conventions of real media projects which are relative to it ; it is also successful in challenging this conventions effectively as well as possibly creating no ones.

Our Storyboard - Paths

These Below Are Our Completed Storyboards.

Analysis of Film Poster .. Iron Man 3 (2013)

This is a interesting film poster as the colour scheme used doesn't match that used in the first two films is this to signify the end ? it is obvious from just glancing at the two posters below that the colours used are very much similar using dark blues and black ; however 'Iron Man 3' (2013) uses oranges and whites which could be used as a extended metaphor for the sense of redemption throughout the film in contrast to the first two films.
                                       

However that aside the poster does follow suit of its predecessors as it does have all the 'Hollywood' faces on show to the audience in order to catch the audiences attention and feature one of films main 'selling points' ; however again differing from the first two posters it doesn't feature the actual 'face of iron man  something which would have been wanted by comic book fans 

Analysis of the teaser trailer 'Django Unchained'



I recently watched the trailer of 'Django Unchained' a Quentin Tarantino film , I was pleasantly suprised it displayed everthing a convential teaser trailer needs , gave a brief outline of the story without giving too much away and spoiling it for the target demographic , its fast cuts between scenes coupled with the building up of music signalled towards to an oncoming cresendo and was successful in creating a sense of anarchy and choas , very effective in drawing the audience deeper into the story.

The colour scheme the film uses is mainly deep reds , blacks and whites ; used directly in reference to the blood , sweat and tears ; Quentin Tarantino films are notoriously filled with blood , explosions and gory scenes ; however it could be said they are also used as extended metaphors for the rage ; anarchy or anguish the teaser trailer displays.

The teaser trailer is defintely one which I would recommend any media student to watch as it clearly outlines what a good example of a teaser trailer is although it is a 'hollywood blockbuster' it is something which could be used as a benchmark for me to work towards.

Shooting Schedule

This above is our shooting schedule which as a group we need to pay close attention to and make sure is followed to closest detail to ensure everything is done correctly and to good standard .

Actors Contract

This above is our actors contract something which necessary withing thin the media industry and makes sure actors know what it is exactly they are going to be doing and to ensure they fully understand everything.

Product Research ... How does it effect us ?

The information we gained from the analysis of films similar to that of ours or within the same genre has become valuable to us ; it showed us as a group what we have to work towards and highlighted features which we felt were vital to have , conventions within our type of film teaser trailer such as that of fast paced cuts and the fact that majority of teaser trailers don't actually follow a narrative ; Narrative is something which we followed closely in AS because it necessary when creating a 'opening sequence' ,  however A2 doesn't require this.

We did take inspiration from some films although they may have not been in the same genre as ours such as maybe using the scene in which there is use of a car boot 'Pulp Fiction' (1994) as we felt as if this would be effective to use at the end of the trailer as it would create a sense suspense.

 

Overall I believe product research was beneficial to us as it allowed us to to see what exactly as a group we wanted the teaser trailer to have within it , effectively allowing us to add the 'final touches' 'glossy' to our teaser trailer.

Analysis of Film Poster - 'Lucky Number Slevin' (2006)

This film poster uses a red and black background colour very much a convention of its particular genre ; it has themes of revenge throughout the film and this is maybe suggested in the poster , as the shadows which are present over the characters could be an extended metaphor of revenge or could be reflective of the mystery of each of the characters themselves.

It is apparent from the film poster that violence is going to play a big role in the film itself , the use of props such as guns and weapons is effective in conveying a sense of chaos and danger.

Although this film isn't necessarily similar to ours it is easy to see how we could gain and take inspiration from it , as a direct result of this film poster we have now begun to think as a group that we may include props such as that of guns to imply anarchy and bedlam.

What kind of films might have a teaser trailer?

Films which usually have teaser trailers are those have a multi-millon budgets , popular sequels or adaptations such as 'Superman' ; 'Avengers' ; 'Incredible Hulk' and Spiderman.

These films require the use of teaser trailers as they are effective in creating 'buzz' and excitement around the arrival of an anticapated film ; teaser trailers allow film fans to get a 'sneak-peak' without giving too much away a vital tool in the media industry , as film makers directors and production companies alike dont want the public see to much into their new hollywood blockbuster however they also dont want it too lose interest amongst film fans this where teaser trailers work well and are quite effective.

It is unlikely that small budget films will have teaser trailers as from a film maker point of view it just doesnt seem viable or make any sense ; because it wouldnt generate any media or public attention , it is easy to argue that teaser trailers are new within the media industry and something which came about as a result of demand for more pre film footage as films grew more and more popular throughout the 20th century.

In relation to our film it is unlikely a 'urban thriller/drama' would have the need or use of a teaser trailer ; teaser trailers are overall quite unconventional within the media industry.

Letter To XL Recordings

XL Recordings
One Codrington Mews,
London , W11 2EH

RE : 'Adele - Hometown'

Dear Sir/Madam,

As a media studies group we are contructing a 'teaser trailer' for our A2 Media course , Ernest Bevin College

We understand that you own the rights to the musical compistion mentioned above ; 'Adele - Hometown' and we wish to include this within our short media film 'Paths' , the entire song will not be used only a small sequence at the start the trailer , the sequence is approxiamtely 1:00 in length and will be used as background sound within the trailer itself.

As we are on limited budget , distrubution of the teaser trailer will be restricted to students and administration of Ernest Bevin College , we would be very grateful if you would allow us to use this without any charge as it would be extremly beneficial to us ; However if this is not possible please contact us with a fee which would be required in order to use of the music.

Your signature below , under "confirmed by" would indicate that you agree to permit this use without payment of a fee ; please let us know if you have any questions concerning this license. Also would you contact us as soon as possible if this song cannot be licensed so that artistic changes may be made in the songs to be included in the production.

Thank you for your help with this matter and we look forward to hearing from you.

Very truly yours,

Ainsley Willis