Critical Analysis of the Animatic Process

An animatic is the technical process that follows storyboarding, which acts as a “mock up” of the trailer. This is a series of still images edited together and displayed in the sequence with rough music and dialogue placed over top. This allows you to see if the trailer will work visually. From the animatic, the group was able to decide what shots worked and what didn’t, in terms of camera angle, location and props. When taking the pictures, being on location gave us a better idea of what each shot would look like, where it gave us new and better ideas throughout the process. Another important function of the animatic is that the group was able to see if the plot could be identified in the trailer without giving too little or too much away. It also prepared us for time management.

   The first step to the animatic process was to ensure we had a clear storyboard of our ideas, as this meant we were able to plan our time effectively, and the whole group shared the same ideas. From this we made a shooting schedule, segmenting the shots according to locations, as this would be most time efficient, and meant we could organise all the necessary props, costumes and actors needed for the shoot. However, we were unable to stick to this schedule as we were limited as to when we could take these photos as a result of the weather. The group then took the photos, where through this stage we took several photos of the same shot from different camera angles. This allowed us to see which worked most effectively visually. These photos were then taken into the editing suite where the group took general discussion of how the plot was panning out and if our ideas were effective. It was at this stage the group realised we needed to make changes to our plot. Although we plan to revise our ideas, it made us familiar with the editing software and transitions, which will be helpful when we come to produce our new ideas.

   Creating and developing the narrative of the animatic all stemmed from the use of the storyboard. This was beneficial as it meant there were no conflicting ideas and every member had a general point of reference. It gave structure to our work and gave the group order. When in the editing suite, we got a clearer idea of the narrative being portrayed, where it was decided to remove some shots and change the order of some. For example, there were two shots of people running, which the group felt was unnecessary.

   Four shoots took place in total, at four different locations. The only props used were the rope and the phone, the rope being the iconographic image. The actors were chosen due to visual appearance and mainly due to reliability, by choosing members of the group we were prepared to take the responsibility and we would all take the roles seriously. As a result of several shoots, particular changes were made to the angle of many shots, this down to the location and which we found was most effective. Several shots were missing from our animatic, as we were unable to take the certain photos, these being the opening shots of the train. This wasn’t realistic to do because of timing and the cost and so decided we would wait until we started filming to include this.

   When it came to constructing the animatic we uploaded all the photos on to the software and then placed them in the correct order. Once we had done this we then adding transitions, intertitles and then incorporated our soundtrack.

   Choosing the length of shots began at the storyboarding stage where we gathered a rough idea of how long we thought each shot would approximately last. It was in the editing suite we then got a better idea after seeing the images physically where we cut many shots down. Many originally lasted around five seconds which we felt was too long, taking too much of an emphasis on particular shots. We also changed the length of the shots where we wanted to change the pace and create momentum. Changes were also made to the transitions. As a group we weren’t aware of how to create flash transitions using the software, and so used fade to black transitions instead. This turned out well, creating a bigger impact and it adopted a more conventional feel.

   The font used for the intertitles was Ariel Black, this chosen because it would emphasise the seriousness with it being a rather bold font. The intertitles were written in white placed on a black background making the text stand out. We used intertitles in order to strengthen the messages we hoped would get across in the trailer. The name of the film “Retribution” appears in red. This was to show the elements of violence and rage that are involved within the film.

   Overall the soundtrack chosen was effective, for example the non-diegetic sound of the heartbeat emphasised the idea of death and created a tense atmosphere. The music also added to and emphasised the pace of editing. At the beginning the music was very slow and created a great sense of suspense, and then the music speeds up as the action builds in the trailer, creating momentum. The only issue we had with the soundtrack was that we were unable to add dialogue. This again was as a result of lacking knowledge in how to do so.

   Our target audience was predominately male, between the age of early twenties and thirty five. This is reflected through the choice of actor, the majority of these being male, and the action element would appeal strongly to a male audience. However, this film could also appeal to a small amount of the female audience, due to the psychological aspect of relationships which they may be able to relate to.

   Before beginning to make the actual moving image trailer, we plan to revise our current plot. When in the editing suite the group realised our ideas weren't capturing or reflecting our chosen film genre of psychological thriller. This was down to lack of research, where we have now closely looked at more examples of trailers and films of this genre to get inspiration and a clearer idea, where we particularly looked at “Shutter Island” as a group. We are currently working on the new plot which aims to stay truer to the codes and conventions of a psychological thriller.
  My main contribution to the task was developing the storyboard. Here I gave a lot of input in which order I believed would effectively work. When it cam to taking the photos, rather than taking practical responsibilities, I contributed more in that I gave guidance or gave advise. In regards to our new ideas, we have taken our ideas back to my original plot, where I am currently writing up the plot in which we plan to work from. 
   
Below are five key images which create meaning for the audience:

This image creates a sense of unease as the man in the picture is presented as extremely vulnerable. This will cause the audience to question why and make them feel concern for the man.

Here the audience are made aware that the man is scared, creating suspense as they will want to keep watching the trailer to find out more.

This image is effective as this shows the death of the friend, which will cause the audience to feel sympathetic for the other character.

 

Above are the two images in which reveal the alter ego aspect of the film. These shots are cut fast, intriguing the audience as it causes them to look twice. It allowed us to show this element without giving too much away. 

Animatic Process

Through the process of producing our animatic, the group found that our ideas and work so far had not captured or wasn't reflecting our chosen film genre. We feel the main reason for this was our lack of research. For this reason, we will develop our research further and come up with a new idea for our film plot.

American Psycho Film Poster Analysis

 

“American Psycho” is the name of the film, this is obvious due to the clear font, this being the main piece of text on the poster catching the audience’s attention. “Psycho”, a shortened term for psychopath or psychotic, brings to mind irrational and ‘mad’ behaviour, suggesting this to be the cause of danger and disorder in the film. The title also sets up the scene as taking place in America.

   The main image is of what appears to be a businessman holding a knife, where we see his reflection in the blade.  Stood with his head tilted as if hiding away, creates a sense of mystery around the man, the audience presented with an intriguing character.
   The knife acts as an iconographic image, this suggesting a violent aspect to the film. This suggests to the viewer that people are going to be in contact with danger. The reflection of the man also brings about possible features to the film. This could be hinting that there are two sides to the man, having two personas. The idea of reflection also makes you think about the mind and soul, this referring back to the title, American Psycho.  Through the iconographic images, more than one genre can be expected, both horror and psychological elements.
   The names of the stars are not included on the poster. However, there is an emphasis on just one character in the poster, suggesting the man to be the main character and protagonist to the film.
   The man has tilted his head, as if hiding his face. There is a lot of shadowing on his face, making again his character to appear mysterious. He is dressed in a smart business suit, suggesting he has a professional persona. The use of the knife as a prop contrasts against his mode of dress here, making him appear a conservative and professional man, where in fact there is another side to him.
   The poster carry’s the movie’s tagline, “Killer looks”. This suggests to me, after analysing the imagery, that the man is rather materialistic, fitting in with the american lifestyle, yet has another darker side to him.
   The billing block appears conventionally at the bottom of the poster. The director and producer of the film is Mary Harron, who doesn't appear to be that widely well known, so this doesn't appear to be a unique selling point. I think the film's appeal here, and it's unique selling point it the mysterious element. The poster gives very little away, yet gives several hints towards the ideas and concepts behind the film.

Planning the Animatic

• Shot 4 takes place in the school. It’s a medium shot of a man sat down
• Shot 5 also takes place in the school – a close up of a newspaper on the table.
• Shot 7, 8 and 10 take place in the school woods.
• Shot 7 is a long shot of a group of soldiers marching into the woods (taken from the side).
• Shot 8 is medium shot of two soldiers taking cover
• Shot 10 shows a medium shot of Dom holding Alex passionately in his arms.
• Shot 13 is a close up of Dom looking very sad.
• Shot 15 is an over the shoulder shot of Dom approaching Ruth.
• Shot 16 is a close up of Ruth expecting something bad.
• Shot 17 is a medium side shot showing uncomfortable body language.
• Shot 18 is a medium shot of Ruth looking to the side of the camera.
• Shot 19 is a medium shot of Dom looking speechless.
• Shot 20 is a long shot of Dom opening a door and walking through it.
• Shot 21 is a medium close up of the drawer, where Dom is grabbing his clothes.
• Shot 22 is a medium shot of Dom standing sideways looking puzzled.
• Shot 23 is a close up of a knife and rope
• Shot 25 is another long shot of Dom walking through a door
• Shot 26 is a medium shot of Ruth on the phone.
• Shot 29 is a close up of a phone of the floor.
• Shot 50 is a medium shot of Martelle tied up from behind.
• Shot 52 is a long shot of Martelle stood the corner of the room.
• Shot 55 is a medium two shot of Ruth and Martelle tied up.
• Shot 57 is a long shot where we see Dom and Alex talking.
• Shot 58 is a close up of Dom gasping
• Shot 61 is a medium shot of Ruth on the phone.
• Shot 62 is another medium shot of Dom on the phone looking confused.
• Shot 63 is a close up of a note on the fridge
• Shot 65 is a long establishing shot of the woods.
• Shot 66 is a long side shot of Martelle and Ruth running through the forest
• Shot 67 is a medium shot of Martelle and Ruth running
• Shot 69 is a low angle shot of someone getting out the boot of a car
• Shot 70 is an over the shoulder shot where we see Dom push Ruth to the floor.
• Shot 71 is a side shot of Martelle grabbing Dom.
• Shot 72 is a point of view shot of Martelle punching Dom
• Shot 73 is a point of view shot of Martelle behind Ruth untieng her.
• Shot 74 is a long shot of the back of Dom as he pushes himself up from the ground.
• Shot 75 is a long shot from behind of Martelle and Ruth running into the forest
• Shot 77 is a point of view shot of Dom’s hands as he holds the sink
• Shot 78 is a long side shot of Dom staring into a mirror
• Shot 79 is an over the shoulder close-up of Alex staring into a mirror

Film Trailer Storyboard

Storyboarding

After writing our trailer plot, the next process was storyboarding this. When coming to discuss this with Miss, she pointed out that there wasn't much of a psychological element being presented in our trailer. For this reason, we decided we would storyboard our ideas, working from the original film plot, in order to choose the best shots for the trailer to be effective. To make sure the deadline was met, as a group we allocated sections to each member, where we all storyboarding a different section. This also meant that everyone had an input.

Trailer Plot

The trailer begins with the production companies name. There is a diegetic sound of a train and someone listening to music. The next shot then shows a man on the train listening to music through earphones, the music is just loud enough to hear. A man then walks past with a newspaper relating to the war and a close up shot shows the story before the train goes through the tunnel and the scene fades out.
There's then a flashback of a squad of soldiers walking through a forest where they are ambushed. There is a gunfire which marks the fade out of the scene followed by an inter title with the background of the woods, reading 'the death of a friend'This then fades again and the main character (Mark) holds him in his arms as he dies . It fades back to the train and shows a close up of him starring into space looking sad.
   The inter titles 'pushed over the edge' show in between cuts and it changes to a cut where his girlfriend tells him she's cheated on him. This then cuts to the inter titles "it's time for a new war", then a scene shows a close up of him packing his knife and other equipment into a sports bag/rucksack. Then it shows Lisa on the phone and we hear the diegetic dialogue, "Thomas, he knows". Then it cuts to Thomas' house and a close up on his fridge with a note saying "That's the problem with best friends, they know all your secrets, I'm coming for you." After reading this Thomas runs out of the house and as he runs past a blind corner he's struck down and tackled/punched. Then it cuts to a scene were we see him being held under the water. The next cut shows the inter title "This time he's not the only one fighting to survive."
   There is then an establishing shot of woods at night. The next scene shows Thomas hitting mark and running away through the woods. As he gets around the corner Mark is stood there with a bloody nose staring menacingly at Thomas. He charges at him knocking his phone out his hand which he's using as a light. While he tries to get signal, as the phone hits the floor, the light goes out and everything goes black. The words "he will have retribution" appear at the end with the word "retribution". 

Final Film Plot

The film begins in a greyish colour at a war zone with troops advancing under enemy fire. The commander gives the order to advance through a smoky forest and the main character's friend, Matthew, gets hit by grenade. As they head through, he runs to him but it's too late and he dies in front of him. The gunfire fades out and so does the scene.

The next scene is in normal colour and present day in front of the commander. The main character, Mark looks shaken up and the commander tells him he's in no state to continue his service and to go home and spend time with his girlfriend while he gets over losing his friend.

Since after his friends death, Mark had been experiencing flashbacks of him and he imagines he's having conversations with him regularly. This false representation of Matthew tells Mark his girlfriend, Lisa, is cheating on him. He tries to forget about it but he himself has been noticing she has been acting different since he's returned from war.

He finally confronts Lisa and she admits to cheating on him with one of his best friends, Thomas while he has been away at the army. It's at this point he storms out the room and heads upstairs to pack his bag. He begins by just packing his clothes but on later inspection notices other stuff such as rope and knives. This is when Mark says out loud, “ What, I didn't pack these!” and Matthew speaks to him and says, “I know, I did”. He tries to remove them but eventually, after they keep reappearing he leaves them, as it is no use.

He leaves the house and pushes his girlfriend out of the way as she tries to say she's sorry. He yells “It's over” before slamming the door.

The next scene shows her on the phone to Thomas warning him and telling him to watch out because Mark knows and he's not himself. Thomas hears something while on the phone and turns round to his fridge/mirror and finds a note saying “that's the problem with best friends, they know all of your fears. Scared of the dark?”. After he reads this the lights go out and he hears running. The door shuts before power returns.

Scared and on the phone to Lisa the whole time, Thomas tells her what he has witnessed and only Mark knows about his embarrassing phobia of the dark. Lisa rings Mark and confronts him about it, this where he tells her he's been sleeping while this has been going on and hasn't been anywhere near Thomas before hanging up. He goes back to sleep and has a weird dream with him and Matthew in it. In the dream, Mark and Matthew plant a letter in Thomas' house before turning off the light and rushing out through the front door. Matthew talks to Mark and Mark tells Matthew all about how he's struggling to cope. He tells Mark, “Thomas will pay, I'll see to that”. Mark then wakes up and finds the words “Die. Suffer. Pay” repeatedly carved around where he was sleeping and looks at his hands to find them bloody/muddy ( this depends on location as to whether he sleeps in a house or sleeps rough in the wilderness).

Stuff like this continues to happen until Thomas becomes enveloped in fear. When a final note says, “I'm coming for you soon”, seeing this he runs from his house only to be ambushed in an alleyway and suffocated with a bag until he passes out.

He regains consciousness and is tied up in his own bathroom where Mark, with a slightly different darker voice says, “Scared of drowning too, wasn't it?”. He looks over to see a bath full of water and Mark laughing. He looks terrified at this point and begs him to stop, but Mark just laughs harder and says, “Let's see how long you can hold your breath for?”, before dragging him over and pushing his head under water. At this point, Lisa runs in and pulls him off. He turns to her, and he says, “Oh god Mark, what's happened to you?” before backing away. He throws her to the floor and she hits her head, losing consciousness. He then moves back to Thomas, who is coughing and spluttering, and hits him in the side of the head knocking him out.

The next scene shows Thomas looking out of the car boot as it is opened, and Mark drags him out. He sees a forest and Lisa tied, and on her knees blindfolded. He is forced on his knees next to her. Matthew says, “Since you had no problem choosing between me and her, let's see how easy it is for you to choose between you and her. One of you dies”.

Thomas manages to break free and hits Matthew who falls to the floor. He then frees Lisa and they run through the forest away from Mark. He catches them up and pins Matthew to the floor, hitting him over and over again. Meanwhile, Lisa is screaming “Stop it! This isn't you!”. He has memories of the four of them (Him, Lisa, Thomas and Matthew ) This somehow seems to wake Mark and he releases Matthew. As he does this, Matthew screams at him, “Finish this, finish it you coward! If you don't I'll get them when you're sleeping , you can't stay awake forever!”. He replies with, “I know” and we see him walk towards an edge by the river. We see Lisa watch him, then look to Mark to check he's okay. We hear a splash , and when the camera pans Mark is gone. The film ends with the camera cutting to the side of the river where Mark has been washed up. It ends on a close up of his face and his eyes fling open, where he gasps before it ends. 

Conventions of a psychological thriller

After analysing several trailers of our chosen film genre, psychological thriller, I can now establish the generic codes and conventions of this genre.

• Tend to have a heavy focus on the unstable emotional states of character, whilst bringing in elements of mystery and thriller.
• Characters are no longer reliant on physical strength to overcome their enemies, and more reliant on mental resources.
• The suspense of psychological thrillers tends to come from two or more characters preying upon one another’s minds. This is either by playing deceptive games with the other or by trying to demolish the other’s mental state.
• There is often a back story to the film, this being the history before the start of the film. This deepens the psychological element of the film as it means the audience is able to get a better understanding of the character. It can reveal his/her intentions and how their past has shaped the present.
• There are common themes which can be seen in psychological thrillers: reality, perception, mind, existence/purpose, identity and death.
• These help shape the characters personalities.
• Dark and sinister music used to create tension.
• Films are most commonly certificated 15 or 18.

Individual Group Plot Redraft

Mark, a man in his early twenties, is returning home after serving in the army for four years. When him and his best friend, Jack were younger, there was an incident that took place where they had been out for the night and were driving home, when Jack ran a man over in the street. Mark was passed out at this point, due to being heavily drunk. Jack sees this as an opportunity to blame the accident on Mark, by placing Mark in the drivers seat, making him believe it was his fault, making him feel guilty for something he hadn't done. He decided to join the army, as a way of getting away from this. However, experiencing death first hand, and the events of war, this has a great effect on Mark.

   Mark has several flashbacks to his time spent in the army. His time spent serving in the army had a great effect on his mental state, and as result he was sent back home. We see Mark walking down the street, where he appears to be seeing a flashback. He bumps into another man bringing him back to reality, now appearing startled, and a little confused.

   Mark had returned home to his girlfriend, Claire, who had not seemed to be acting her usual self. A couple of days after returning home, Claire tells Mark that when he had been away, she had been having an affair with his best friend Jack. This angers Mark, after Jack already causing such a big impact on his life already, this finally caused him to want to confront Jack and get his own back. Claire is concerned by Mark's reaction, as this very much out of character, and so rings Jack to explain what has happened and tells him to be careful, worried about what Mark might do.

   Mark breaks into Jack's house the next day, where he finds his journal. On the date in which the accident happened, Mark writes, “I know what you did” repeatedly on the page. Jack returns home to find this his journal has been moved, to find the message. This concerns Jack, leaving him in a paranoid state. Not feeling safe in his own home, he makes his way up stairs to check if there is anyone in the house. Jack sees nothing and so returns downstairs.

   Odd behaviour continues to happen, for example, he will receive a  phone call at the same time every night, but when he answers no one appears to be on the other end of the phone. At this same time, Jack will also receive text messages with the same message as before, “I know what you did”. The time is significant as this is the time in which the incident occurred.

   Mark now takes this to a further level, where he tries to confuse Jack by changing the times on the clocks, this being the same time he received the messages and phone calls. Each time, Jack will change the clocks back to the right time, however, they continue to read the same time. This continues to happen, Jack now is in a very vulnerable state, making him doubt himself and start to think he is becoming forgetful and confused. He walks into the kitchen where everything seems to be like when he last left it. However, soon after, he turns around to notice a message written on the fridge saying “Don't worry, your secret is safe with me”.

   It is at this point when everything comes to much for Jack. Mark's plan had succeeded. At the appointed time, this time all the clocks went off in the house. This creates an exaggerated chaotic sound, and it is amongst this, we Jack finally breakdown. Jack is stood in the middle of the living room, with his hands on his ears shouting, “Make it stop!”. It has finally got the better of him, he now feels the guilt he should have felt years ago. Mark wanted him to know what it felt like to be damaged by the ones you love, the ones you had always trusted.

Individual Group Plot

Mark had been in the army for two years and during this time has witnessed his good friend die in battle. Mark finds this difficult to deal with and as time goes on, begins to feel more and more guilty, believing he should have done more to help his friend at the time, although completely out of his hands. This eventually becomes to much for Mark, so is sent home as he can no longer deal with what has happened.

   Mark returns home to his girlfriend, Claire. On his arrival, he is greeted with more bad news from Claire. Here, she tells him that whilst he has been away, she has been having an affair with his best friend, Jack.  As expected Mark doesn't take the news too lightly, angering him tremendously. Although this was expected, Mark still appears to be acting out of character. Concerned of his reaction, Claire phones Jack to explain what has happened, and to be careful, worried what Mark might do. Already in a depressed state of mind, this news has made matters even worse.

   Mark gets increasingly angry, he can't believe his best friend would go behind his back in such a  way. Mark wants to get his own back, wanting Jack to understand how it feels to be hurt by someone you have always trusted. In order to do so, he decides to break into Jack's house, where he begins tormenting his friend. At first, he does this subtly, for example, misplacing items in the house, leaving lights on and doors open, to confuse the man. Jack begins noticing these things, starting to believe there is someone in his house.

   This unusual behaviour continues to take place, leaving Jack in an even more paranoid state. Jack has lost all sense of safety, even in the confines of his own home. The behaviour gradually gets worse, when one day Jack walks into the kitchen to find a message written on the fridge. It's at this point Jack decides he needs to face his fears, this being Mark.

   The message leads Jack to the woods, where he meets Mark. Here we see Mark's rage and anger reach it's height. He torments Jack even further, tying him to a tree whilst blindfolded. Mark confronts Jack, trying to play tricks with his head. It is at this point, Mark has a realisation. He has a flashback, which causes him to realise what he has been doing. We now find out that the side of Mark that had been tormenting Jack, was in fact his alter ego, however he was unaware of this in his natural state. Now, rather than killing Jack, he shoots himself instead. The audience will hear a gunshot in the trailer, but it won't be revealed to the audience who is shot. Mark was horrified with his behaviour, unable to face the fact he could damage the lives of those closest to him. He doesn't like the man he has become. As a result, Mark kills himself, while Jack escapes the dark torment.

Individual Plot Second Draft

The film begins where we see a middle-aged man, who is a reclusive, isolated to the confines of his own home. We see him go about his everyday life as normal, alone yet content. For this reason, the film takes place nowhere other than his home. As the story develops, unusual things begin to happening around the house, the lights switching themselves on, doors opening themselves, and finding objects in places they weren't originally placed. The man doesn't think any more of this, thinking he was just being overly suspicious.

   However, this odd behaviour around the house continues yet gradually getting worse. One afternoon he answers the door to his neighbour where they have a brief conversation. The man happens to mention he hasn't seen his neighbour in a long time, and much to his surprise the neighbour replies saying he had spoken to him the previous week and had acted out of character, so had come round to see how things were. This confusion starts doubting the man about the other occurrences, making him believe he has just become forgetful.

   The man returns to his kitchen to find the mornings post open, which he had no recollection of doing.  While doing so, he comes across a note on the table which doesn't seem familiar to him. He then walks further into the kitchen to find the magnets on the fridge reading a message. This is a hidden message, within it a date seeming oddly familiar to the man. At this point, the man is now convinced there is someone in his house trying to confuse him, leaving him in a paranoid state.

      Tension and momentum increase as the man becomes more paranoid and noticing more things out of the ordinary. As time goes on, the audience then see the man looking into a mirror, where his reflection doesn't appear to be him. It is now revealed to the audience the peculiar behaviour was a result of his alter ego, the person seen in his reflection. The man had  witnessed his partner get killed, leaving the man distraught, unable to deal with what happened. With the difficulty of dealing with this, he blanked it from his memory, and so it is through his alter ego he would vent these feelings, while being unaware of them in the natural state going along with life as if nothing had ever happened. These feelings being so strong however, he was no longer able to hide his feelings behind the alter ego.

   More odd behaviour is happening, but now a lot worse. The time that appeared in the message, is in fact the time at which his partner's death occurred, this being a prominent memory. The alter ego begins making the man feel guilty for his partner's death, making him feel it was his fault for not doing anything. The alter ego starts tormenting the man, one way in which he does so, is by confusing him by setting the clocks at the same time as that in the message, acting as a constant reminder. It starts playing with his mind, making him feel responsible. It eventually sends the man crazy, now convinced  it was his fault. After now having done such permanent damage to the man's mental state, we then find out it wasn't his fault, but in fact the older sister. This ends the story, leaving an innocent man in such a state for something that was completely out of his hands.

  

Individual Film Plot

The film begins where we see a middle-aged man, who is a reclusive, isolated to the confines of his own home. We see him go about his everyday life as normal, alone yet content. For this reason, the film takes place nowhere other than his home. As the story develops, unusual things begin to happening around the house, the lights switching themselves on, doors opening themselves, and finding objects in places they weren't originally placed. The man doesn't think any more of this, thinking he was just being overly suspicious.

   However, this odd behaviour around the house continues yet gradually getting worse. One afternoon he answers the door to his neighbour where they have a brief conversation. The man happens to mention he hasn't seen his neighbour in a long time, and much to his surprise the neighbour replies saying he had spoken to him the previous week and had acted out of character, so had come round to see how things were. This confusion starts doubting the man about the other occurrences, making him believe he has just become forgetful.

   The man returns to his kitchen to find the mornings post open, which he had no recollection of doing.  While doing so, he comes across a note on the table which doesn't seem familiar to him. He then walks further into the kitchen to find the magnets on the fridge reading a message. This is a hidden message, within it a date seeming oddly familiar to the man. At this point, the man is now convinced there is someone in his house trying to confuse him, leaving him in a paranoid state.

   Tension and momentum increase as the man becomes more paranoid and noticing more things out of the ordinary. As time goes on, the audience then see the man looking into a mirror, where his reflection doesn't appear to be him. It is now revealed to the audience the peculiar behaviour was a result of his alter ego, the person seen in his reflection. The man had  witnessed his partner get killed, leaving the man distraught, unable to deal with what happened. With the difficulty of dealing with this, he blanked it from his memory, and so it is through his alter ego he would vent these feelings, while being unaware of them in the natural state going along with life as if nothing had ever happened. These feelings being so strong however, he was no longer able to hide his feelings behind the alter ego.

After discussing our individual film plots as a group, we decided we would draw all of our best ideas together into one. To do this we decided to all write a new plot of our own individually, to then choose the best idea to adapt for the trailer plot.

Silence of the Lambs Trailer Analysis

Silence of the lambs is another example of a psychological thriller. The genre can be identified through the references to the mind showing the psychological element of the film, and the mystery provided, a common theme, shows the thriller side of the film.

   The film is certificated 18, and for this reason I think the films target audience ranges from 18 to about late thirties. The film is quite dark and so I think it would appeal to the older age slightly more than it would younger teens.

   The trailer lasts for 1 minute and 44 seconds, with around 90 camera shots. The most frequently used transition between these shots is the jump cut. In many cases, these jumps cuts speed up drastically for a very short amount if time, showing a collection of short clips. This intrigues the audience, as it all happens so fast. It will make them want to watch the full length of the trailer.

   A sense of narrative is created through the use of a voiceover. This allows the audience to come to grips with the general basis of the film, and reveals information about the characters. The trailer reveals enough of the plot to the audience to keep them intrigued, but doesn’t give away the outcome and consequences within the film. We see that an FBI agent has been given the case to find a serial killer who tortures people. However, in order to do so, she needs the help of Hannibal Lecter, a psychiatrist charged of murder. The narrative shows us that she appears to have some difficulty, creating a code of enigma for the audience.

   The first character we are presented with is Hannibal Lecter. At the very beginning of the trailer, the first shot is a close up of his face, which then flashes to black and then flashes once more to his face again. This gives the audience the impression he is a mysterious character, intriguing them to find out more later on in the trailer. In the diegetic dialogue, we hear, “Believe me, you don’t want Hannibal Lecter in your head”, this suggesting there is a lot of negativity surrounding the character. This is strengthened through, “the darkest of minds”. This not only provides a way of establishing the psychological element of the film, but makes it clear from the very onset of the film, that Hannibal Lecter is a mentally unstable character. Although presented in this way, I find there is still something intriguing about his character, due to all the mystery.

   The FBI agent is female, which could be argued to be rather unstereotypical. At the start, when asked if she gets spooked easily, she replies saying no, presenting her as a strong individual. However, it is the woman with the power, who is later seen as vulnerable.

   The mood and expectations of the film are set up through the dialogue of the trailer. For example, “He’s impulsive, he’ll never stop”, along with “He’s a raging maniac, God knows what he’ll do”, create a sense of danger and fear for the characters, causing the audience to believe something bad is going to happen. The mood of the film is very dark and mysterious, creating tension. As the film starts, at the end we again see a close up of Hannibal Lecter’s face. In this shot, we hear him say “Thank you Clarice, thank you”. This is said in a whisper, creating a spooky atmosphere, leaving the audience feeling as if something is unsettled.

   The non-diegetic music of the trailer changes as the action in the trailer does. There is a slow, ghostly, eerie sound playing at the background at the start, setting up a tense and unsettled atmosphere, giving the impression something isn't right. The repetition of the non-diegetic thud-like sound at various points of the trailer adds to the tension.

   The intertitles give information about the actors of the film, this possibly being some of the unique selling points of the film. No hints towards the film are given through the titles, this is left down to visual and voiceover.

The Shining Analysis

The Shining, released in 1980, is a psychological thriller, which since its release has been regarded as a classic within its genre. Psychological thrillers typically focus on the unstable emotional state of character, along with elements of mystery and thriller, and it is from these themes the audience is able to identify the genre of film.
   The film was given an age certificate of 15, suggesting to me the target audience to be 15 to late thirties. I think the film reaches it audience, as the film is based around one family and their relationships, in which all can relate to.
   From the trailer we learn that a man is moving to a hotel in the winter with his wife and son. The audience is told that the previous caretaker that worked there, due to a mental breakdown caused by such severe isolation, had killed his wife and kids. This back story is revealed to the audience through a voice over, however, the back story is important as it shows the history behind the situation the viewer will be presented with in the film, and it deepens the psychological aspect of the story. The use of a back story is a key convention often used in psychological thrillers. It may hint towards the characters motivations and his current situation. However, many questions are left unanswered to the audience, but it is clearly shown to the audience that something has led the man to violence in which he aims at his wife and son. Nothing is suggested at to what has led the man to such madness, or the significance of the back story. Is there a link between the two? There is a great code of enigma created here, and I think it is the mystery of the trailer which is the films unique selling point.
   The film trailer lasts one minute twenty eight seconds, consisting of eighty four camera shots. Particular types of camera shots are used frequently within the trailer, one of these being the long establishing shots of the hotel. Whilst simply setting the scene to the audience, it shows the hotel stood by itself, emphasising the isolation and remoteness of the hotel. Close ups are very frequently used, this usually on the characters faces. Showing their facial expressions, these usually showing fear, creates tension and causes the viewer to ask the question as to what is causing them to feel scared. Several medium two-shots are used, this establishing the relationships between the different characters.
   The most used transition between the different camera shots within this trailer are jump cuts. To begin with, the editing is rather slow whilst establishing the back story and introducing us to the characters. However as more is revealed to the audience, the faster these become, creating a great sense of momentum. This will excite the audience, leading them to the big climax. As well as this fades to black are occasionally used. One prominent use of this, is when the shot of the main male character, appearing rather menacing, is repeated, zooming in closer each time. After this we see a fade to black. This creates an uneasy atmosphere, as it emphasises his suspicious character. The audience will question his intentions and what has caused him to act in this particular way, this therefore intriguing the viewer, whilst adding to the dark mood.
   Both diegetic and non-diegetic sound is effective in creating the mood of the film. At the start of the trailer, there is the non-diegetic, ghostly eerie sound, as we hear the back story to the film. This gives the audience the impression that there is something unsettled from the very beginning, intriguing the reader to find out what this will lead to. The high pitched screeches and the repetition of the bell ringing create a tense atmosphere, as alongside this is a repetitive drumming sound. As the drumming picks up pace, so does the speed of the camera shots. This builds a lot of momentum, creating a sense of excitement for the audience. This is showing a build up to a climax, which is conventional to a psychotic thriller.
   Many expectations are created through the diegetic dialogue, for example, just after we see the main character strike an axe into a door, the camera then cuts to the scene, where he then says, “I can assure you Mr Ullman, that's not going to happen with me.”. The audience learn this is not the case, and in some way or another, the man's behaviour becomes aggressive, which hints to what causes the drama within the story. The audience are expecting something bad to happen as a result of the man. When the boy says, “Is something bad here?” the audience will question this too, now becoming intrigued to find out the answer.        
   The viewer is shown two sides to the main character, seeing the pleasant man talking civilly to his boss, alongside his dark, menacing side. This can been seen when we see him striking an axe into the door, and then the camera jumps to him in the office, as it shows the strong contrast between his two sides. This creates a sense of suspicion about his character, making the audience question whether we can trust him. His personality is not made clear to the audience, and it is made obvious here that he is likely to be responsible for the drama and tension of the film. The mother and son are presented as the weaker characters, which is rather stereotypical, while the controlling male takes control. It is also good to note the fact that not very much interaction is seen between the father and son compared to that seen with the mother. This suggests a divide between the characters, the reason unknown to the audience.
   The mise-en-scene is another effective way in which mood and atmosphere is created. We see the hotel appearing lonely, in the middle nowhere. This creates a mysterious atmosphere, creating a sense of intrigue to the audience. Mazes are often seen as something where the outcome is always uncertain, so the use of the maze adds to this sense of mystery. It also suggests there lack of safety, as it could go either way. The use of props, such as the axe, knife and baseball bat, all symbolise violence, but they also emphasise their unsafety as they feel the need for protection and a form of defence. This adds to the drama.
   The inter titles reveal no hints towards the plot of the film, this is left purely to the visuals and dialogue. The titles just give the viewer information on the production of the film, e.g the director, giving an even greater sense of mystery, providing even less unanswered questions.
   The film studio has used a trailer in order to market its product as it's the most effective way of capturing the initial interest of the audience, and creates a sense of excitement and sets the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the film. Moving image and sound is the most effective way to do this, as it allows them to stir the emotions of the viewer, in which still image wouldn't be able to do.
   The film trailer was successful in targeting its audience, allowing them to relate to the different relationships seen in the trailer. Overall, the trailer is a very effective promotional device for this film, as it establishes the film genre as thriller due to the mysterious atmosphere, causing the audience to become excited. It also presents its unique selling point as the mysterious aspect, wanting to make people go out and watch the film. The Shining is a critically acclaimed film, and to this day still has an influence on popular culture.

Group Discussion

Here, we shared and discussed our individual film plots with the group, in order to come up with a group film plot. However, two members of the group weren't in. I will upload my original idea on a later date.

What is the function of a trailer?

Trailers are a promotional device to advertise for new and upcoming films, which are designed to capture our attention in order to get us to go out and watch the film in the cinema.  Other marketing techniques, for example posters capture the initial interest of the audience, however, it is the film trailer which conveys the excitement and atmosphere of the film. Moving images stirs the emotions of the audience and creates a great sense of excitement that still image can't.
   The trailer is also important in giving the audience information about the film, e.g what the story is about, what actors are in it and the genre of the film. It is important for the trailer to portray the genre of the film, as this is going to determine whether the audience decide to watch the film. This will also mean expectations of the film can be set up.

Codes and conventions

• The film company logo can always be seen at the begginning.
• The sequence of events in the trailer is never the same as that in the film. It is placed in the order which will excite and intrigue the viewer most.
• Intertitles give hints towards the plot of the film, and also provide information on the release date, producer/director etc.
• Trailers establish the genre of the film.
• Many trailers include a voiceover which provides a narrative and helps in gettng the basic plot across to the audience.
• Most trailers include music, as this allows the trailer to create the right atmosphere for the film and can help cretae expectations. It often brings elements of the film together, and often runs with the action of the trailer.
• The names of the stars often included (this through intertitles)
• They allow the film to show it's unique selling point.
• Allows us to establish the main and most important characters, and also those we will feel sympathy, empathy for etc.
• They end with a billing block, a list of the principal cast and crew.

Shutter Island

This is an example of a trailer for a psychological thriller. The trailer lasts 2 minutes 23 seconds, consisting of 141 camera shots. The genre can be easily identified by the audience. Dialogue such as, "All I know is it's a mental hospital" and "for the criminally insane", is the first thing revealed to the audience, presnting us with the psychological element of the film. The conventional scenes where characters jump at the unexpected and the conventional theme of mystery provided in the trailer, allow us to establish this movie as a thriller too.

   Between each camera shot, a fade to black is used. This is effective as it adds to the great sense of mystery. The fade to blacks creae suspense, as the audience are waiting to see what comes next. This is going to intrigue the audience, keeping there attention for the full length of the trailer. As the trailer progresses, the speed of this picks up pace, and by the end, fast jump cuts are used, where tension has reached it's climax.

   The trailer has no voiceover, leaving the plot to be revealed through dialogue and visuals only. The intertitles provide no hints either. The audience learn that two federal marshalls are investigating a case that has taken place in the mental hospital of Shutter Island. We are told that a woman has gone missing in the past twenty four hours, with no idea or understanding how she would have escaped her room, where the two investigating the case begin to interview the other patients at the hospital. The narrative tells us no more than this, but shows us that the the two are trying to find out what has happened, giving no clues at to what. This creates a great sense of enigma, leaving the audience eager to find out what happened to the woman, and what conflicts they come across while doing so.

   The two federal marshalls seem to have a strong working relationship, their body language in the medium long shot when approaching the island, suggests they are comfortable in each other's company. We learn more about the one than the other, the main focus being on the character in which Leonardo DiCaprio plays. At the start of the trailer, he seems to have a very professional nature, focused on the task he was assigned with. However, as the trailer progresses we see his character change. He appears much more determined and his character becomes alot more forward, an increase of anger. It suggests the need to find the answers of this case are getting the better of him. This can be seen in a number of shots, for example, we see the character grab a gun off the desk in rage, shouting "Don't move! Don't move!" This behaviour constrasts with that shown earlier on in the trailer. It is also clear thats there is something which has effected the man outside of this case, or this atleast suggested. There is a long shot of him, cradling a woman, who then deteriorates to ashes. This suggests he has possibly been affeced by the loss of someone whom he was incredibly close to. There are also many characters shown in the trailer in which nothing is hinted as to who they are, or there importance/ significance in the film. This adds to the great sense of mystery and intrigue for the audiemce.

   There is medium shot, where we see the two marshals and an officer stood over them. After this we hear the officer tell them " You are hereby required to surrender your fire arms". With the officer showing superior power to them, this particular camera shot shows they have lost the normal form of defence. This creates a sense of tension.  

   The intertitles, as stated before reveal no hints towards the plot of the film, focusing on the origin of the film and it's actos. The only actor mentioned is Leonardo DiCaprio, suggesting this to be the films unique selling point.

   The is a non - diegetic ghostly/ eeery sound throughout the trailer, creating a tense atmosphere, giving the audience the expectation that something bad is going to happen. The exaggerated sounds of screaming and gun shot emphasise this.

   Many expectations are provided for the audience through the dialogue. The diegetic dialogue of "Whatever it is here, it's bad" is one example. The Audience are know expecting something bad to happen in the film, and so will be intrigued to go and find out by going to watch the film. When DiCaprio says, "No one will talk, It's like they're scared of something", this creates a mysterious mood, giving a sense of unknown to the audience.

  

  

A2 Media Course

For the A2 media course, the coursework consists of making a movie trailer for a new film, and along with this, we have to produce a poster, and a magazine cover featuring this film. In doing so, we have to aim to attract an audience primarily through social networking sites and YouTube.