This is our finished final teaser trailer, 'Pranked'.
These are our finished final drafts of our ancillary texts: the magazine front cover and the film poster.
These are our individual evaluations for our A2 product.
Final changes
After looking at all the feedback sheets, we summarised the main points of areas of improvements that we aimed to change. Here is an image of the final changes we decided to make on our trailer before submitting our final version.
After looking at all the feedback sheets, we summarised the main points of areas of improvements that we aimed to change. Here is an image of the final changes we decided to make on our trailer before submitting our final version.
Audience Feedback Questions
Trailer:
1. Who do you think the target audience for this trailer would be?
2. What genre do you think the film would be?
3. Could you understand the storyline within the trailer?
4. Where is it set?
5. Was there anything that you didn't like in the trailer? Why?
6. Does the music match the image?
7. Would you watch the film after seeing the trailer? If not, why?
8. Is there any dialogue unclear to you?
9. What do you like about the trailer?
10. Who is your favourite character and why?
Magazine:
1. Does the magazine front cover look appealing? Why?
2. Who is the target audience for the magazine?
3. Is the colour scheme appropriate for the genre of the film?
4. What would you change about it and why?
5. Do you think that the image is eye catching?
6. Is the language clear?
7. If yu saw this magazine in a shop, would you buy it?
8. How would you improve it and why?
9. What did you like most and why?
10. Is there anything you don't like about it? If so why?
Poster
1. If you hadn't seen the trailer, would you be able to tell that it is for a Chick Flick?
2. Could you see this poster being advertised on billboards, etc?
3. Is the image effective and why?
4. Does the colour scheme fit the genre of the film?
5. What do you like best about the poster?
6. Is there anything you would change about the poster?
7. If you saw this poster advertised, would it encourage you to watch the film?
8. Is all the information clear and precise on the poster?
9. Do you think the poster is missing anything? Why?
10. Do the reviews help you to make a decision to see the film or are they not necessary? why?
All
1. Does the poster, magazine and trailer all go together well? Why?
2. Would you be interested in seeing the film?
3. Do all 3 elements match the genre of Chick Flick?
4. Would you change anything about the pieces? Why?
5. What do you like best and why?
6. Do you like the typeface for 'Pranked'?
7. Is the overall colour scheme appropriate?
Trailer:
1. Who do you think the target audience for this trailer would be?
2. What genre do you think the film would be?
3. Could you understand the storyline within the trailer?
4. Where is it set?
5. Was there anything that you didn't like in the trailer? Why?
6. Does the music match the image?
7. Would you watch the film after seeing the trailer? If not, why?
8. Is there any dialogue unclear to you?
9. What do you like about the trailer?
10. Who is your favourite character and why?
Magazine:
1. Does the magazine front cover look appealing? Why?
2. Who is the target audience for the magazine?
3. Is the colour scheme appropriate for the genre of the film?
4. What would you change about it and why?
5. Do you think that the image is eye catching?
6. Is the language clear?
7. If yu saw this magazine in a shop, would you buy it?
8. How would you improve it and why?
9. What did you like most and why?
10. Is there anything you don't like about it? If so why?
Poster
1. If you hadn't seen the trailer, would you be able to tell that it is for a Chick Flick?
2. Could you see this poster being advertised on billboards, etc?
3. Is the image effective and why?
4. Does the colour scheme fit the genre of the film?
5. What do you like best about the poster?
6. Is there anything you would change about the poster?
7. If you saw this poster advertised, would it encourage you to watch the film?
8. Is all the information clear and precise on the poster?
9. Do you think the poster is missing anything? Why?
10. Do the reviews help you to make a decision to see the film or are they not necessary? why?
All
1. Does the poster, magazine and trailer all go together well? Why?
2. Would you be interested in seeing the film?
3. Do all 3 elements match the genre of Chick Flick?
4. Would you change anything about the pieces? Why?
5. What do you like best and why?
6. Do you like the typeface for 'Pranked'?
7. Is the overall colour scheme appropriate?
Last collection of audience feedback
We gave out some audience feedback sheets which were filled in by a small selection of our target audience (teenage girls). When we collected them back in, we where surprised to see the reactions to our trailer. Majority of comments were positive, stating that the narrative was clear and that we had an effective use of effects such as sound and transitions. We then worked on the feedback to create improvements to our trailer.
We gave out some audience feedback sheets which were filled in by a small selection of our target audience (teenage girls). When we collected them back in, we where surprised to see the reactions to our trailer. Majority of comments were positive, stating that the narrative was clear and that we had an effective use of effects such as sound and transitions. We then worked on the feedback to create improvements to our trailer.
Here is our final film poster. We grouped different images to create a montage of our featured characters and added a slight pink fade to the background. We thought that this would appeal more to our target audience of teenage girls and reinforce this definitely in marketing.
This is our first draft of our film poster.
This is our finished magazine cover. We added in more text from our first draft so that there would be less white space on the magazine cover. We also added in an image of the lead male from our trailer and focused the cover around him being the new 'heart throb' as this is typical of the chick flick genre.
This is our first draft of the Film Magazine front cover.
Filming Schedule for 'PRANKED'
Date of filming: 23/11/11
Scenes to be filmed: 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12
Actors required: Alice, Hannah
Resources required: Canteen table
Date of filming: 28/11/11
Scenes to be filmed: 1, 2, 13, 21 , 22, 23, 25, 26
Actors required: Alice, Hannah, Adele
Resources required: restaurant setting, cutlery, bench, brick wall
Date of filming: 30/11/11
Scenes to be filmed: 17, 18, 19, 20, 27, 28
Actors required: Alice, Hannah, Callum
Resources required: Kitchen
Date of filming: 5/12/11
Scenes to be filming: 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 29
Actors required: Alice, Hannah
Resources required: Clothes, bucket
Date of filming: 23/11/11
Scenes to be filmed: 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12
Actors required: Alice, Hannah
Resources required: Canteen table
Date of filming: 28/11/11
Scenes to be filmed: 1, 2, 13, 21 , 22, 23, 25, 26
Actors required: Alice, Hannah, Adele
Resources required: restaurant setting, cutlery, bench, brick wall
Date of filming: 30/11/11
Scenes to be filmed: 17, 18, 19, 20, 27, 28
Actors required: Alice, Hannah, Callum
Resources required: Kitchen
Date of filming: 5/12/11
Scenes to be filming: 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 29
Actors required: Alice, Hannah
Resources required: Clothes, bucket
Narrative Change
We have decided to make a change to our main narrative, as we felt that there was not enough disequilibrium in our original plot to attract the audience.
Here is our new narrative:
- Girl - has a date with bloke
- Bloke dates another girl as well
- The two girls are friends and talk about their dates with each other
- They discover that they are dating the same guy
- They are angry at the bloke and decide they need to take revenge
- They plot to carry out a series of pranks on the bloke which will be recorded
- They plan to upload it to the internet so that the boy loses his credibility
- The video on the internet becomes popular and the boy is humiliated
- Because of the success of the video, the girls set up an anonymous website called 'Bitches2Blokes'
- Wronged girls contact them through the website to ask for their help in pranking boys
- One client asks them to pull an 'extreme' prank - to make her ex fall in love with one of the main girls
- The relationship develops - she ends up falling for him
- He finds out about 'Bitches2Blokes' when he reads her laptop
- He starts a hate campaign against her called 'Bitches!fromBlokes'
- She suffers/ is unhappy
- Apologises to all her victims
- He forgives her
- Kiss. End.
Using our new narrative, we took essentail elements and mixed them around, so that our trailer would inform the audience about the genre and basic storyline, but would not give away the whole film, as the scenes could mislead the audience as to what actually happens and what does not.
Here is our trailer:
- Dates between both girls
- Find out they're both dating the same guy
- Plotting revenge
- Pranks
- Dialogue 'He doesn't mean anything to me anymore'
- Relationship develops with the second boy
- Kiss
- Girl asks them to pull prank on her ex 'make him fall in love with you, then break his heart to make him feel like I did'
- Doubts about pulling the prank
- Boy reads her laptop 'you're the one pulling all the pranks'
- Girl is upset
- Fighting between the two main girls
- Gaze between the second boy and the girl
- Prank
We have decided to make a change to our main narrative, as we felt that there was not enough disequilibrium in our original plot to attract the audience.
Here is our new narrative:
- Girl - has a date with bloke
- Bloke dates another girl as well
- The two girls are friends and talk about their dates with each other
- They discover that they are dating the same guy
- They are angry at the bloke and decide they need to take revenge
- They plot to carry out a series of pranks on the bloke which will be recorded
- They plan to upload it to the internet so that the boy loses his credibility
- The video on the internet becomes popular and the boy is humiliated
- Because of the success of the video, the girls set up an anonymous website called 'Bitches2Blokes'
- Wronged girls contact them through the website to ask for their help in pranking boys
- One client asks them to pull an 'extreme' prank - to make her ex fall in love with one of the main girls
- The relationship develops - she ends up falling for him
- He finds out about 'Bitches2Blokes' when he reads her laptop
- He starts a hate campaign against her called 'Bitches!fromBlokes'
- She suffers/ is unhappy
- Apologises to all her victims
- He forgives her
- Kiss. End.
Using our new narrative, we took essentail elements and mixed them around, so that our trailer would inform the audience about the genre and basic storyline, but would not give away the whole film, as the scenes could mislead the audience as to what actually happens and what does not.
Here is our trailer:
- Dates between both girls
- Find out they're both dating the same guy
- Plotting revenge
- Pranks
- Dialogue 'He doesn't mean anything to me anymore'
- Relationship develops with the second boy
- Kiss
- Girl asks them to pull prank on her ex 'make him fall in love with you, then break his heart to make him feel like I did'
- Doubts about pulling the prank
- Boy reads her laptop 'you're the one pulling all the pranks'
- Girl is upset
- Fighting between the two main girls
- Gaze between the second boy and the girl
- Prank
Final change on narrative.
Despite being really pleased with out narrative, it was too complex to film and one of our members had to leave our group. Therefore, we decided to narrow it down to the following. This way, we feel as though it is clearer for the audience and we are also able to film it better.
Dinner date, one with Hannah and one with Alice.
"We're dating the same guy"
Realising they need to take revenge.
Fantasy of following Callum and then pranking him with water over him.
Laughing about it.
Sign appears: "From the Director of 'Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'
Callum and Alice Kiss
Callum and Alice walking together: seem happy together.
Hannah sees them and she realises they are still together.
Hannah confronts Alice about it.
Hannah gets a text from Callum saying they should get back together.
Hannah rings Callum "back off"
Back to Hannah and Alice arguing "he was only with you to get with me"
Alice passes Callum in the corridor.
Sign Appears: 'Coming Soon 2012'
Hannah and Alice follow Callum and soak him in water.
Turns out to be Megan, who they mis-took for Callum.
Run off.
Despite being really pleased with out narrative, it was too complex to film and one of our members had to leave our group. Therefore, we decided to narrow it down to the following. This way, we feel as though it is clearer for the audience and we are also able to film it better.
Dinner date, one with Hannah and one with Alice.
"We're dating the same guy"
Realising they need to take revenge.
Fantasy of following Callum and then pranking him with water over him.
Laughing about it.
Sign appears: "From the Director of 'Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'
Callum and Alice Kiss
Callum and Alice walking together: seem happy together.
Hannah sees them and she realises they are still together.
Hannah confronts Alice about it.
Hannah gets a text from Callum saying they should get back together.
Hannah rings Callum "back off"
Back to Hannah and Alice arguing "he was only with you to get with me"
Alice passes Callum in the corridor.
Sign Appears: 'Coming Soon 2012'
Hannah and Alice follow Callum and soak him in water.
Turns out to be Megan, who they mis-took for Callum.
Run off.
Here are a few fonts that we have tested and considered using for our film title.
We have decided to create some initial ideas of what we could use as our magazine cover based on the research we did on this earlier. We are planning to take some pictures to use as the main image and to create a first draft.
(Megan and Alice)
(Megan and Alice)
Here shows images of possbible locations for filming. The majority of our filming will take place within school grounds, however some scenes will be set in town or on a road outside of the school.
(Hannah)
(Hannah)
Costumes
To make sure that our characters are easily identifiable, we intend to use our costumes to reflect each character. Although we will not be wearing the same outfit throughout the entire trailer, we will need to keep our individual outfits similar in style, so that we do not confuse the audience.
Hannah's outfit: dress and boots, skirt and boots - mainly black with another colour
Alice's outfit: dresses
Lizzie's outfit: skirts/dresses - should be pink
Megan's outfit: casual top - must wear trousers - darker colours with no pink
To make sure that our characters are easily identifiable, we intend to use our costumes to reflect each character. Although we will not be wearing the same outfit throughout the entire trailer, we will need to keep our individual outfits similar in style, so that we do not confuse the audience.
Hannah's outfit: dress and boots, skirt and boots - mainly black with another colour
Alice's outfit: dresses
Lizzie's outfit: skirts/dresses - should be pink
Megan's outfit: casual top - must wear trousers - darker colours with no pink
Props needed:
A car
Phone to receive the text message
Shopping bags
Clothes which don't fit (Hannah's jeans)
Bag
Football
Locations:
School
School Field
Folkestone Town
Bedroom
P.E. Changing room
Pathway to fall down
A car
Phone to receive the text message
Shopping bags
Clothes which don't fit (Hannah's jeans)
Bag
Football
Locations:
School
School Field
Folkestone Town
Bedroom
P.E. Changing room
Pathway to fall down
Introduction to characters: trailer
(Director of the frame)
Frame 1: (Alice)
Music starts as the scene opens: happy, upbeat and catchy.
Girls are at school, sitting down chatting (no sound during this, just a voiceover starts into the next scene.)
Set either outside or in the school canteen.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 2: (Lizzie)
Introduction to the first character: Hannah.
From the long shot of everyone chatting, move into a close up of Hannah (still chatting while voiceover continues.)
“The popular one”
Slow motion of her OR freeze frame.
Voice over: “That’s me, I’m Hannah. Everyone loves me, everyone wants to be me. Let’s be honest, I’m perfect.”
0.05 seconds.
Frame 3: (Megan)
Example of Hannah.
Outside walking or sitting, maybe in the school corridor?
Hannah laughing while other people stare, wanting to be her.
Long shot, walking towards the camera and everyone else walking the other way.
Voice over still continuing from the previous frame.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 4: (Hannah)
Introduction to Alice.
“The gossip”.
Close up of her gossiping to her friends (no sound but voice over starts)
Slow motion or freeze frame.
Voiceover: “That’s Alice, she knows everything about everyone. Even stuff they don’t know about themselves. (still gossiping)
0.05 seconds.
Frame 5: (Megan)
Example of Alice.
Sitting gossiping to a friend,
Close up while voice over continues.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 6: (Lizzie)
Introduction to Megan.
Close up of her listening to Hannah, not looking very interested in what she has to say.
Slow motion or a freeze frame.
Mid shot.
“The Tomboy”
Voiceover: “That’s Megan. She owns more trousers than my brother. I’ve heard that she would rather play football than go shopping.”
0.05 seconds.
Frame 7: (Hannah)
Example of Megan.
Long shot.
Show Megan kicking a ball.
Kicks the ball towards Lizzie.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 8: (Alice)
Introduction to Lizzie.
“The Dumb One”.
Long shot showing her get hit in the face by Megan’s football.
Slow motion or freeze frame.
Voiceover: “and that… is Lizzie. She takes blonde to a whole new level.
0.05 seconds.
Frame 9: (Hannah)
Example of Lizzie.
Lizzie tries to kick the football back to Megan but misses it completely.
Long shot.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 10: (Lizzie)
Introduction to Hannah’s boyfriend.
“The boyfriend”
Long shot of him walking towards the girls sitting down.
Slow motion
Voice over: “And that over there, that is MY boyfriend.”
Long shot
0.05 seconds.
Frame 11: (Lizzie)
Example of the boyfriend.
Walking towards the group with girls all stopping to look at him, flirty.
Long shot.
Voice over continues.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 12: (Alice)
Popular girl goes shopping with the dumb girl
Upbeat music playing throughout – laughing and joking around looking at clothes
Long shot
0.05 seconds
Frame 13: (Megan)
Hannah receives text from boyfriend whilst walking with friends but doesn’t tell them.
Long shot of the four friends walking away from the camera.
Looking upset, keeps it to herself.
0.02 seconds
Frame 14: (Alice)
Hannah puts the phone in her bag and then focus on the phone.
Extreme close up of the message.
0.02 seconds
Frame 15: (Hannah)
Hannah falls over.
Long shot of the girls.
Music playing stops when she falls over and starts when she gets back up and carries on.
Happy, quick music.
0.05 seconds
Frame 16: (Lizzie)
Car cuts out.
Hannah screams and throws a tantrum.
Still sitting in the car.
Mid shot and long shot.
0.02 seconds
Frame 17: (Lizzie)
Hannah storms out of the car and slams the door shut.
Still no music
Long shot.
0.02 seconds.
Frame 18: (Alice)
Hannah at home, long shot of her.
Tries to fit into something (a dress or jeans?)
Can’t fit into them.
Long shot, showing her jumping up and down.
0.02 seconds.
Frame 19: (Megan)
Hannah sees Alice (the gossip) with her boyfriend.
Long shot over the shoulder.
0.02 seconds.
Frame 20: (Alice)
Hannah gossips to the other two girls (Megan and Lizzie)
Walking at school towards camera.
Mid shot and then stop and focus.
(SEE SCRIPT)
0.05 seconds.
Frame 21: (Lizzie)
The boyfriend talks to Hannah.
Over the shoulder shot, close up of his face.
(SEE SCRIPT)
0.04 seconds.
Frame 22: (Megan)
Hannah gets spots: shows everything going wrong for her.
Camera acts as a mirror.
Extreme close up.
‘OH MY GOD’
0.02 seconds.
Frame 23: (Alice)
Trying to repair the car.
Hannah opens the bonnet and tries to look like she knows what shes doing.
Mid shot.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 24: (Megan)
Break gossip girl from the boyfriend (Hannah talking to Alice)
Mid shot
(SEE SCRIPT)
180 Shot
0.05 seconds.
Frame 25: (Megan)
Appears with a dirty face from the engine.
Mid shot
0.03 seconds.
(Director of the frame)
Frame 1: (Alice)
Music starts as the scene opens: happy, upbeat and catchy.
Girls are at school, sitting down chatting (no sound during this, just a voiceover starts into the next scene.)
Set either outside or in the school canteen.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 2: (Lizzie)
Introduction to the first character: Hannah.
From the long shot of everyone chatting, move into a close up of Hannah (still chatting while voiceover continues.)
“The popular one”
Slow motion of her OR freeze frame.
Voice over: “That’s me, I’m Hannah. Everyone loves me, everyone wants to be me. Let’s be honest, I’m perfect.”
0.05 seconds.
Frame 3: (Megan)
Example of Hannah.
Outside walking or sitting, maybe in the school corridor?
Hannah laughing while other people stare, wanting to be her.
Long shot, walking towards the camera and everyone else walking the other way.
Voice over still continuing from the previous frame.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 4: (Hannah)
Introduction to Alice.
“The gossip”.
Close up of her gossiping to her friends (no sound but voice over starts)
Slow motion or freeze frame.
Voiceover: “That’s Alice, she knows everything about everyone. Even stuff they don’t know about themselves. (still gossiping)
0.05 seconds.
Frame 5: (Megan)
Example of Alice.
Sitting gossiping to a friend,
Close up while voice over continues.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 6: (Lizzie)
Introduction to Megan.
Close up of her listening to Hannah, not looking very interested in what she has to say.
Slow motion or a freeze frame.
Mid shot.
“The Tomboy”
Voiceover: “That’s Megan. She owns more trousers than my brother. I’ve heard that she would rather play football than go shopping.”
0.05 seconds.
Frame 7: (Hannah)
Example of Megan.
Long shot.
Show Megan kicking a ball.
Kicks the ball towards Lizzie.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 8: (Alice)
Introduction to Lizzie.
“The Dumb One”.
Long shot showing her get hit in the face by Megan’s football.
Slow motion or freeze frame.
Voiceover: “and that… is Lizzie. She takes blonde to a whole new level.
0.05 seconds.
Frame 9: (Hannah)
Example of Lizzie.
Lizzie tries to kick the football back to Megan but misses it completely.
Long shot.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 10: (Lizzie)
Introduction to Hannah’s boyfriend.
“The boyfriend”
Long shot of him walking towards the girls sitting down.
Slow motion
Voice over: “And that over there, that is MY boyfriend.”
Long shot
0.05 seconds.
Frame 11: (Lizzie)
Example of the boyfriend.
Walking towards the group with girls all stopping to look at him, flirty.
Long shot.
Voice over continues.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 12: (Alice)
Popular girl goes shopping with the dumb girl
Upbeat music playing throughout – laughing and joking around looking at clothes
Long shot
0.05 seconds
Frame 13: (Megan)
Hannah receives text from boyfriend whilst walking with friends but doesn’t tell them.
Long shot of the four friends walking away from the camera.
Looking upset, keeps it to herself.
0.02 seconds
Frame 14: (Alice)
Hannah puts the phone in her bag and then focus on the phone.
Extreme close up of the message.
0.02 seconds
Frame 15: (Hannah)
Hannah falls over.
Long shot of the girls.
Music playing stops when she falls over and starts when she gets back up and carries on.
Happy, quick music.
0.05 seconds
Frame 16: (Lizzie)
Car cuts out.
Hannah screams and throws a tantrum.
Still sitting in the car.
Mid shot and long shot.
0.02 seconds
Frame 17: (Lizzie)
Hannah storms out of the car and slams the door shut.
Still no music
Long shot.
0.02 seconds.
Frame 18: (Alice)
Hannah at home, long shot of her.
Tries to fit into something (a dress or jeans?)
Can’t fit into them.
Long shot, showing her jumping up and down.
0.02 seconds.
Frame 19: (Megan)
Hannah sees Alice (the gossip) with her boyfriend.
Long shot over the shoulder.
0.02 seconds.
Frame 20: (Alice)
Hannah gossips to the other two girls (Megan and Lizzie)
Walking at school towards camera.
Mid shot and then stop and focus.
(SEE SCRIPT)
0.05 seconds.
Frame 21: (Lizzie)
The boyfriend talks to Hannah.
Over the shoulder shot, close up of his face.
(SEE SCRIPT)
0.04 seconds.
Frame 22: (Megan)
Hannah gets spots: shows everything going wrong for her.
Camera acts as a mirror.
Extreme close up.
‘OH MY GOD’
0.02 seconds.
Frame 23: (Alice)
Trying to repair the car.
Hannah opens the bonnet and tries to look like she knows what shes doing.
Mid shot.
0.03 seconds.
Frame 24: (Megan)
Break gossip girl from the boyfriend (Hannah talking to Alice)
Mid shot
(SEE SCRIPT)
180 Shot
0.05 seconds.
Frame 25: (Megan)
Appears with a dirty face from the engine.
Mid shot
0.03 seconds.
Analysis of Film Posters and Magazine Covers
Conventions of a film poster
Through our analysis of chick flick film posters, we are now clear as to what codes and conventions we should include in our own film poster. We have chosen to conduct an analysis of the posters for Mean Girls, Love Actually and Bend it like Beckham as we feel that these chick flicks have a similar target audience to our film trailer. We have notces that all the film posters use the main characters on the posters with the main character usually being central, however in the Love Actually poster, all the cast are featured on the poster, because no one has a bigger part as the film focuses on each story. I am not sure whether this will work for our film poster, as we do have Hannah as the main character so she should be central on the poster surrounded by the rest of the main cast members. In the Mean Girls poster, the names of only two of the cast appear, as opposed to the Love Actually poster which has all the cast names under their individual image. The reason for only two names appearing could be to entice the audience through the names of the two most successful actors in the film whereas the Love Actually film most of the actors/actresses are well known so their names appear under their thumbnail. In all the film posters there are connotations of friendship, which links to the Chick flick genre, especially the Bend it like Beckham poster where the two friends are laughing together. The colours used on the posters link to the colour theme throughout and also the theme of the film, for example Love Actually uses red to signify love and the pink in the Mean Girls poster signifies the stereotypical ‘girly’ girl.
Conventions of a film poster
Through our analysis of chick flick film posters, we are now clear as to what codes and conventions we should include in our own film poster. We have chosen to conduct an analysis of the posters for Mean Girls, Love Actually and Bend it like Beckham as we feel that these chick flicks have a similar target audience to our film trailer. We have notces that all the film posters use the main characters on the posters with the main character usually being central, however in the Love Actually poster, all the cast are featured on the poster, because no one has a bigger part as the film focuses on each story. I am not sure whether this will work for our film poster, as we do have Hannah as the main character so she should be central on the poster surrounded by the rest of the main cast members. In the Mean Girls poster, the names of only two of the cast appear, as opposed to the Love Actually poster which has all the cast names under their individual image. The reason for only two names appearing could be to entice the audience through the names of the two most successful actors in the film whereas the Love Actually film most of the actors/actresses are well known so their names appear under their thumbnail. In all the film posters there are connotations of friendship, which links to the Chick flick genre, especially the Bend it like Beckham poster where the two friends are laughing together. The colours used on the posters link to the colour theme throughout and also the theme of the film, for example Love Actually uses red to signify love and the pink in the Mean Girls poster signifies the stereotypical ‘girly’ girl.
Conventions of Magazine covers
In our analysis of the magazine covers, we have looked at contrasting covers to try and define the codes and conventions. We have used magazines which feature reports on Love Actually and Mean Girls, as their magazine covers were the most contrasting which means that we can therefore take aspects from both. With the Love Actually magazine cover, the magazine METROLIFE has done a big feature on the film, offering a free DVD with ‘exclusive previews’ of the film, which means that the most of the main cast is on the front cover, although the subheading does only mention Hugh Grant ‘in the comedy of the year’ rather than anyone else’s name, which is an option for our magazine cover. In both the Mean Girls covers, the magazines are focusing on the actresses rather than the film itself. Both the shots show the actresses as glamorous, with the colours used linking to the film poster. In the Mean Girls magazine, although there is a simplistic feel to the cover, there is use of the colour pink which is used in the poster. In the Love Actually magazine cover there is also use of colours which link to the poster, as red and white are used In the subheading which promotes the film.
In our analysis of the magazine covers, we have looked at contrasting covers to try and define the codes and conventions. We have used magazines which feature reports on Love Actually and Mean Girls, as their magazine covers were the most contrasting which means that we can therefore take aspects from both. With the Love Actually magazine cover, the magazine METROLIFE has done a big feature on the film, offering a free DVD with ‘exclusive previews’ of the film, which means that the most of the main cast is on the front cover, although the subheading does only mention Hugh Grant ‘in the comedy of the year’ rather than anyone else’s name, which is an option for our magazine cover. In both the Mean Girls covers, the magazines are focusing on the actresses rather than the film itself. Both the shots show the actresses as glamorous, with the colours used linking to the film poster. In the Mean Girls magazine, although there is a simplistic feel to the cover, there is use of the colour pink which is used in the poster. In the Love Actually magazine cover there is also use of colours which link to the poster, as red and white are used In the subheading which promotes the film.
CHARACTERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE TRAILER
We have decided that we will be the protagonists within our own trailer as it is far more convenient for us all to ensure we meet up and are aware of our own schedules, rather than struggling if an actor isn't avaliable. We will need one male figure for the trailer which will feature in a small part and a few background characters to help to make the scene look more realistic and not to stray from verisimilitude. An example is the scene in 'Mean Girls' when they are walking through the school corridoor:
MUSIC IDEAS
Initially, we agreed on a mutual liking for the soundtracks of 'Juno' and '500 Days Of Summer'. A song which we particularly took inspiration for our trailer soundtrack was 'Anyone Else But you' - Michael Cera and Ellen Page, included below.
However, after doing extensive research, we decided that the genres didn't quite suit our concept of a 'teen-chick flick' as these are quite indie films. As a result, we have decided to use a a backing track without any lyrics called 'yearbook' on Soundtrack Pro.
Audience Profile
So that we could fully understand the audience of our chick flick, we decided to create an audience profile:
Age: Teenagers (15-19)
Gender: Predominately females
Hobbies/Interests: Fashion, Celebrity, Shopping, Hanging out with friends, boys.
Music: Pop, Indie, Acoustic.
Clothing: Follow the trend, Branded Clothing; Fred Perry, Jack Wills. Topshop, New Look.
So that we could fully understand the audience of our chick flick, we decided to create an audience profile:
Age: Teenagers (15-19)
Gender: Predominately females
Hobbies/Interests: Fashion, Celebrity, Shopping, Hanging out with friends, boys.
Music: Pop, Indie, Acoustic.
Clothing: Follow the trend, Branded Clothing; Fred Perry, Jack Wills. Topshop, New Look.
From continuously looking over our survey results, we were able to get a clear idea of what our intended audience are expecting from a Chick Flick film.
Research
Once settling with a genre, Chick Flick, we started researching other films and reviews to see audience's opinions of this genre and what they expect to see. A popular Chick Flick, Love Actually has had many critics debating over it. These include:
"Love Actually is irresistible."
"For the cuddlers out there who like things a little too light and fluffy."
"Funny? Maybe. Not to me."
This shows that despite the continious humour, not all audeinces appreciate it and don't find it funny. Looking at this, our group need to cautious when trying to add humour as it needs to reach a large target audience and suit all.
Another film that critics were keen to comment on was 'Bridget Jones' Diary'. This also has a comical element. Examples of critic's comments include:
"One of the most genuinely funny romances for some time."
"Provides a few laughs but failed to make me care on which loves-me, loves-me-not petal this film ends."
"It's so aggressive you don't even have to like it; the movie likes itself well enough for the both of you."
We continued to research to see what audiences prefered in a Chick Flick and to see what they didn't like in a film of this genre. We found that humour is a good element but too much can make it 'cheesy' and it is no longer. Obviously, we would like to avoid this and come out with an equal balance to suit all audiences.
Once settling with a genre, Chick Flick, we started researching other films and reviews to see audience's opinions of this genre and what they expect to see. A popular Chick Flick, Love Actually has had many critics debating over it. These include:
"Love Actually is irresistible."
"For the cuddlers out there who like things a little too light and fluffy."
"Funny? Maybe. Not to me."
This shows that despite the continious humour, not all audeinces appreciate it and don't find it funny. Looking at this, our group need to cautious when trying to add humour as it needs to reach a large target audience and suit all.
Another film that critics were keen to comment on was 'Bridget Jones' Diary'. This also has a comical element. Examples of critic's comments include:
"One of the most genuinely funny romances for some time."
"Provides a few laughs but failed to make me care on which loves-me, loves-me-not petal this film ends."
"It's so aggressive you don't even have to like it; the movie likes itself well enough for the both of you."
We continued to research to see what audiences prefered in a Chick Flick and to see what they didn't like in a film of this genre. We found that humour is a good element but too much can make it 'cheesy' and it is no longer. Obviously, we would like to avoid this and come out with an equal balance to suit all audiences.
Collecting our Survey Results
After distributing our survey out around the school we've been able to take into consideration what our target audience expects in a teen chick flick. These are our results:
After distributing our survey out around the school we've been able to take into consideration what our target audience expects in a teen chick flick. These are our results:
As well as asking people to choose an answer, we decided to let the participants give their own vews about what they personally associated with the chick flick genre. We asked questions which we believed would be beneficial for our group when making decisions as to the planning and filming of the trailer.
Here are some of the most common responses to our open questions:
What films would you associate with this particular genre? (we got 37 responses)
'Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. Wild Child Mean Girls Clueless'
30/9/2011 10:02
'Mean Girls The Sleep over Cinderella Story Wild Child Angus Thongs & Perfect Snogging Confessions Of a Shopaholic'
30/9/2011 9:35
What stereotypical female characters would you expect to see? (we got 42 responses)
'The plastic and The underdog'
28/9/2011 15:20
'The bitchy ones, the normal group of girls, the weirdo'
2/10/2011 17:54
Here are some of the most common responses to our open questions:
What films would you associate with this particular genre? (we got 37 responses)
'Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. Wild Child Mean Girls Clueless'
30/9/2011 10:02
'Mean Girls The Sleep over Cinderella Story Wild Child Angus Thongs & Perfect Snogging Confessions Of a Shopaholic'
30/9/2011 9:35
What stereotypical female characters would you expect to see? (we got 42 responses)
'The plastic and The underdog'
28/9/2011 15:20
'The bitchy ones, the normal group of girls, the weirdo'
2/10/2011 17:54
Survey
We have devised a questionnaire, consisting of 10 questions about a chick flick and what people expect to see in a chick flick film. We sent it out to girls aged between 16-18 as this is our target audience. There are some multiple choice questions and others where they are required to give their own opinion. Once we have gathered all the data, we will have a clearer idea of what is expected of a chick flick film.
Our survey can be seen by clicking on 'Survey' on the left hand side of the page.
We have devised a questionnaire, consisting of 10 questions about a chick flick and what people expect to see in a chick flick film. We sent it out to girls aged between 16-18 as this is our target audience. There are some multiple choice questions and others where they are required to give their own opinion. Once we have gathered all the data, we will have a clearer idea of what is expected of a chick flick film.
Our survey can be seen by clicking on 'Survey' on the left hand side of the page.
Inspirational trailers
The first film that we were keen to take inspiration from is 'Bend it like Beckham', which like our plot, follows a group of girls but also has a comedy element. This films includes a love interest which we would also be keen to include. The film is popular with teens, mostly girls, which is our target audience for our trailer.
This is the trailer for 'Bend it like Beckham'.
The first film that we were keen to take inspiration from is 'Bend it like Beckham', which like our plot, follows a group of girls but also has a comedy element. This films includes a love interest which we would also be keen to include. The film is popular with teens, mostly girls, which is our target audience for our trailer.
This is the trailer for 'Bend it like Beckham'.
Another inspirational film that has already been mentioned is 'Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging'. This film also has a group of girls, a love interest and a mix of a comedy element.
Here is the trailer:
Here is the trailer:
The next example isn't a film, it is a TV teen drama called 'Skins', but it relates to our target audience and follows the same storyline. We like the way the characters are equally and clearly identified in the trailer and the pictures show this. We would strongly consider doing something similar in our trailer.
The next example is a typical chick flick that most girls have watched before they reach late teens, 'Mean Girls'. Our group liked the idea of the exaggeration of stereotypes, which often happens to teenagers but the film exaggerates it a lot more for comical purposes. The film has a very sucessful comical element and we hope to create something that can have an impact like that on an audience.
The last piece of drama we looked at for inpiration is 'The Inbetweeners'. Like 'Skins', it is a tv teen drama with a large comical element. Their is a trademark in this trailer for the characters, this being the yellow car. We like the idea of having some kind of trademark as it is easily recognisable and it can be used on the poster aswell. We would consider this as an option for our trailer.
Chosen Genre and development of possible storyline
After much discussion about the possible genres we could followed and a group vote, it was decided that we settle for the concept idea for a Teen Chick Flick film. We are happy with the choice of genre and the suggested concept as this was the most flexible and the one we would be able to pull off the most successfully as we are all teenagers anyway. Also, we are more able to establish what our audience want to see as we are all in the same age range. We can relate to what happens in the plot and hopefully our audience will be able to aswell.
To develop our plot on further, we have decided that instead of following one genre, we would like to create a hybrid with comedy and chick flick. We thought of this after watching film trailers such as Mean Girls which has a extreme comical element. All four of us would feature in the film with the assitance of more people to also be in the film. We aim at having an equal balance between boys and girls and being able to show a realistic image of 'teenage life' and a possible love interest between a boy and girl. The comedy element would then be mixed in with this.
After much discussion about the possible genres we could followed and a group vote, it was decided that we settle for the concept idea for a Teen Chick Flick film. We are happy with the choice of genre and the suggested concept as this was the most flexible and the one we would be able to pull off the most successfully as we are all teenagers anyway. Also, we are more able to establish what our audience want to see as we are all in the same age range. We can relate to what happens in the plot and hopefully our audience will be able to aswell.
To develop our plot on further, we have decided that instead of following one genre, we would like to create a hybrid with comedy and chick flick. We thought of this after watching film trailers such as Mean Girls which has a extreme comical element. All four of us would feature in the film with the assitance of more people to also be in the film. We aim at having an equal balance between boys and girls and being able to show a realistic image of 'teenage life' and a possible love interest between a boy and girl. The comedy element would then be mixed in with this.
Inital concept for a Teen Chick Flick
We set about discussing initial planning for possible concepts on different genres. We came up with the idea of a storyline following a group of friends, all girls, who meet a group of boys when on a roadtrip. They are in their final year before going off to University and there are many challenges on the way which conflict their decisions on whether uni is the right choice for them. We like the idea of this concept as the storyline is adaptable and it will be easier as we can relate it to ourselves. Despite this, there is the difficulty of finding possible extra characters to feature in the trailer.
We are keen on the idea of the filming to take place somewhere such as Eastbourne (as where Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging was filmed) or Brighton. This, however could be a challenge to get to our selected location and to film there.
Initial concept for a Thriller
On discussion about a concept for a possible thriller film, we settled with the idea of a storyline based around the reflection of mirrors. Our aim would be to confuse the viewing audience with twins as the leading roles. This way we can experiment to make the filming look realistic but also confuse. The limitations to this are that the idea is hard to be expanded and this would be hard to show in a trailer and to make it look appealing to the public. However, we do have the advantge of knowing twins who would be willing to participate in the filming, so this would save us time working on special effects and split screens.
Initial concept for a Historical film
As our last chosen option for a genre choice, we found it difficult to devise a structured plan as there is a wide choice of periods in history that we could have chosen to base our trailer on. As well as this, costume, props and scenary would all be hard to replicate to the accuracy needed. Despite this, we came up with the idea of basing it around a more modern past event rather than historical. An idea was social networking and the effect it has on the public and the recent London Riots.
We set about discussing initial planning for possible concepts on different genres. We came up with the idea of a storyline following a group of friends, all girls, who meet a group of boys when on a roadtrip. They are in their final year before going off to University and there are many challenges on the way which conflict their decisions on whether uni is the right choice for them. We like the idea of this concept as the storyline is adaptable and it will be easier as we can relate it to ourselves. Despite this, there is the difficulty of finding possible extra characters to feature in the trailer.
We are keen on the idea of the filming to take place somewhere such as Eastbourne (as where Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging was filmed) or Brighton. This, however could be a challenge to get to our selected location and to film there.
Initial concept for a Thriller
On discussion about a concept for a possible thriller film, we settled with the idea of a storyline based around the reflection of mirrors. Our aim would be to confuse the viewing audience with twins as the leading roles. This way we can experiment to make the filming look realistic but also confuse. The limitations to this are that the idea is hard to be expanded and this would be hard to show in a trailer and to make it look appealing to the public. However, we do have the advantge of knowing twins who would be willing to participate in the filming, so this would save us time working on special effects and split screens.
Initial concept for a Historical film
As our last chosen option for a genre choice, we found it difficult to devise a structured plan as there is a wide choice of periods in history that we could have chosen to base our trailer on. As well as this, costume, props and scenary would all be hard to replicate to the accuracy needed. Despite this, we came up with the idea of basing it around a more modern past event rather than historical. An idea was social networking and the effect it has on the public and the recent London Riots.
3. Conventions of a Historical Film
Historical jargon.
Low key lighting.
Periodic mise on scene.
Historical Lexis.
Memorable events that shape the future.
Some form of message, distinct difference from modern day.
Basic editing.
Steady camera use, no technical movements.
Real life stories.
True and accurate representation of the time.
Historical jargon.
Low key lighting.
Periodic mise on scene.
Historical Lexis.
Memorable events that shape the future.
Some form of message, distinct difference from modern day.
Basic editing.
Steady camera use, no technical movements.
Real life stories.
True and accurate representation of the time.
2. Conventions of a Thriller
Dark Scenary to encourage imagination.
Dramatic Music to set the scene.
Suspense for the audience/element of surprise.
Deep, male voiceover.
Strange sound effects with no necessary relevance to what is happening on the screen, i.e an Owl hooting and trees rustling.
Stereotypes: the villian, the vulnerable and the hero. Usually affects the person alone the most.
Shadows: creates tension and sinister mood.
Obtrusive Editing.
Quick cuts.
Rapid changes in the camera angle.
Use of Black and White as opposed to the traditional colour film.
Flashbacks.
Tight spaces to create a sense of claustrophobia.
Dark Scenary to encourage imagination.
Dramatic Music to set the scene.
Suspense for the audience/element of surprise.
Deep, male voiceover.
Strange sound effects with no necessary relevance to what is happening on the screen, i.e an Owl hooting and trees rustling.
Stereotypes: the villian, the vulnerable and the hero. Usually affects the person alone the most.
Shadows: creates tension and sinister mood.
Obtrusive Editing.
Quick cuts.
Rapid changes in the camera angle.
Use of Black and White as opposed to the traditional colour film.
Flashbacks.
Tight spaces to create a sense of claustrophobia.
1. Conventions of a Teen Chick Flick
Designed to have an innate appeal to women.
Usually consist of a female protagonist and a dating storyline or troublesome relationship.
Up-tempo music in the trailer.
Examples are Mean Girls, Love Actually, and Angus Thongs, and Perfect Snogging.
Often include different extremities of characters; very girly girls, tomboyish girls and outcasts in the movie. Emphasise stereotypes.
Some sense of realism, however, very hyperbolised.
Romance, friendship and everyday life highlighted in the trailer – ie. Work/school.
Feminine colours and text.
Voiceover which narrates an overview of the story.
Usually turns bad, gets worse, then ends up better than it was to start with.
Everything resolved at the end.
Highlights of fashion, events, friendship groups, careers/school and relationships.
For our blog we took pictures our ourselves so that people viewing the blog can see who we are. The final picture is displayed as the header of our blog.
For our A2 Media Studies Coursework, we are choosing between two ancillary tasks: a magazine front cover, film poster or web page. We have decided, alongside our film trailer, to produce a magazine front cover and a film poster. This is a blog that we have created to showcase our progress and communicate our ideas and opinions on our developments.