Imaginary Friend - Short Film

Here is the finished short film that was made over the past week. I enjoyed creating this video as it gave me more experience using the equipment and experimenting filming different shots. In the film I have demonstrated different shots, angles and movements which I can now use to help plan the storyboard and my ideas for my trailer. This way I can try to include a variety of the shots used into my trailer.    

Diary Entry #2

FILMING UPDATE

Today I have finished editing the short film which was made to practice using the camera and tripod together. This then creates shots that aren't shaky, whereas using a hand held camera might produce shots that move too much when they're meant to be still.

Diary Entry #1

I've decided to produce a short film clip made up of different shots using a tripod. So today me and a few friends went out and shot some footage around our school practicing using the tripod so that when it comes to making my trailer the shots aren't shaky and are focused. Tomorrow I am going to go and edit them together.

Genre Conventions Of A Teen Romantic Comedy

Initial Ideas For My Trailer

Beauty And The Beast (2017) Teaser Trailer Analysis

The film starts with the iconic Disney logo appearing in the snow scene, this instantly aware's audiences that the film will be from the same creators as the original film of Beauty and the beast (1991). The lighting used suggests that this version of beauty and the beast is going to be a lot darker than the original and is targeting an older audience because of its lack of bright and cheerful colours compared to the animated film. It tries to engage the generation that grew up with the original who will be the main audience interested in the creation and release of the film.

A scene of the ballroom along with the non-diegetic piano version of Beauty and the Beast Prologue which is played at the beginning of the original film is shown, this creates a feeling of nostalgia as the audience anticipates what the outcome of this film is going to be compared to the animated version. It also reminds audiences of the first time Belle entered the castle and became sheltered and safe from the outside threats and makes us take that same journey. The singled out piano draws focus which makes you think it could be symbolic and important for the film. The change in lighting is also noticeable as it's now brighter with sun shining through the windows suggesting safety from inside the castle, whereas the outside may be more threatening and dangerous. 

The music continues as a sound bridge over the next few shots to link together whats being shown on screen, it's showing the viewers glimpses of what the castle looks like and takes you through the different settings. The cuts are slow to match the slow soothing music. The candle stick is the most obvious object in this shot which would then make audiences link to the character in the film and would again raise excitement. 

A long shot is used to show of the painting of the family we assume has some relation to the castle and scenes we are being shown. The theme is still dark and the only light is coming from the candlesticks which could suggest that they are the only life around. 

There's a close up of a face from another painting suggesting that this person may be of more importance that the previous people featured as there's more focus towards this character. Diegetic sound effects are used when the painting gets torn, maybe implying the dark nature of the film by the use of destruction. The trailer then cuts to a black screen as the music stops.

A slower pace and tone is then continued, suggesting that a sense of tranquillity is intended and anticipation. A wide shot is used to show the first view of Belle in the trailer so far which raises the excitement as to who is casted as Belle. Voice overs are heard over a black screen, using the recognisable characters from the original film which strengthens the sense of nostalgia. 

We then see the final shot with Emma Watson trying to reach for the rose, this is a memorable scene from the original film and shows the audience how well the cast is suited for the roles they were chosen for. The music has now changed to a piano version of the song 'Tale as Old as Time' from the original film, which is slow and and goes together with the video shown so that it doesn't reveal the storyline.

The final credits show the words 'Be Our Guest' which is the name of a song from the first movie. The name of the film doesn't need to be mentioned at this point, it already has the audience's attention and the target audience would be intrigued by the music and shots that resemble the first film. This also focuses attention of the genre which is a Romantic Fantasy with the use of symbolism of a rose suggesting love. 

I wouldn't use a teaser trailer as the style for my trailer because mine won't be a film that the audience can instantly connect with, they would need an insight into what the film will be about and a little bit of a story line. This style works well for the Beauty and the Beast Trailer because the audience only needs a few ideas that resemble the first film in order to become interested. I will need to provide them with something that will make them want to watch the film and so will have to include more narrative to the trailer.

The Shallows (2016) Theatrical Trailer Analysis

The trailer starts with a deserted beach which create the sense of tranquillity and peacefulness. The lone character is isolated which suggests she may be an outcast and likes her own company. The establishing shot highlights that there is no one around so if something happened there would be no one to help the woman. 

Throughout the trailer a variety of shots are used, this would be something I would do as it gives the audience a good idea of what the film is going to be about very quickly.  Having a woman as the main character subverts to the stereotypes that women are weak and men are strong and sporty. 

A bird's eye view shows that the main female character is destined to be alone and isolated throughout the film as she is deliberately shown by herself. Through dialogue this is then emphasised as when the two other characters call her over she turns them down. 

The use of syncing sounds create tension linking the scenes together. When we were about to hear the sound of a shark biting into the characters leg, it switches to a scene of her biting an apple, this suggests that there may be something that makes this film unique from all the other shark films that the audience may not expect. 

The sound effects used are short and sharp and fit in well as a sequence together, they also highlight the clean cuts between each shot. 

The scene then quickly changes from paradise to a nightmare, this is shown by the sudden change to dramatic music and darkening of the lighting. This all suggests a darker path has been set for the film and it's not going to be a normal holiday for the character. 

The theme of the sea being dangerous is continued as it changes to red, this symbolizes danger, death and destruction, also highlighting that the film is a horror with the use of deathly colours. This footage is accompanied by a beeping the sound you would hear with an explosion, suggesting that the characters life is at risk and that all around her is crumbling.

The unique selling point is focused on that this film is similar to jaws but uses a female lead which is different than most horror films as they're usually seen as weak and vulnerable. 

I think that the variety and range of shots used would be something I could involve in my trailer as well as the use of music to change the audiences emotions. However, I would not use similar locations from this trailer nor create this type of film as I feel it would be extremely hard to complete with the resources available and the editing software that would need to be used. My film won't be based on special effects and so I will have to create a film based more on situations that revolve around the locations I will be using.