Finished Poster

My Poster

Photography 

Throughout my research into film posters I found that I was already building an idea in my head as to what the expectations were for my final product when targeting my chosen target audience of young adult thriller lovers. 

Checklist

• Some shadowing and darkness 
• Close up of main character 
• Relations to storyline (taken at one of the settings) 
• Captivating and intriguing
• Well used photography with a relevant effective shot and angle
• Edited where and how is needed to enhance colour, lighting
• Give a professional finish  

My initial idea for the main image of the poster was a front on take of the characters full face in the same place and position, I would have then edited so that the poster was split dead in the middle of her face, one side black and white and the other normal colouring. At the time I felt this split image would represent normality or a false front put on to the world compared with someone's real emotion and depression in the case of this character. However, after over thinking into the effectiveness of the shot I felt a front on shot using direct address was too cliché, as the majority of posters will do this as I have already found in my earlier research. I felt it also gave off the impression this character was open and confident when she is in fact quite and recluse.     

Chosen shot analysis

This medium shot is my chosen photo for my poster production to promote my short film. I am very satisfied by the outcome of the photo, the positioning of the camera was steady and straight as I leaned my arms on the side of the bath for stability and a clean level shot. I aided Lucy with her positioning and explained how I wanted the shot to look, this included a level head so the positioning of her head and jaw was straight and aligned rather than stooped and lazy looking. I also wanted her face to be relaxed and emotionless so there was no strain or creases on her face. I worked with Lucy's hair so that it was out of her face and up in a bun.   I was also pleased with the spacing of Lucy's head and the rest of the bath because the black space of bath at the bottom is perfect for placing the title of the short film and other essential print within the strapline, such as quotes from magazines or release dates.           

My wide research and planning into 'What lies beneath' was a clear inspiration for the shot. I found the use of the characters hand loosely hung over the bath, hid identity and also cast a tense and thrilling theme from the off set. Here I am similarly giving a sense of intrigue and slight frustration as to feeling the need to know who the person is as I have cropped just where the facial features begin.     

Also in comparison with 'What lies beneath' is the small yet powerful uses of symbolism with colouring. The black nail varnish on the hand within the poster has a similar effect as the black earing worn at the top of Lucy's ear   

Beginning to edit

In order for me to achieve the professional finish I aspire to achieve for my poster I began editing using  http://www.fotor.com/
This was very useful in helping me create the professional clean cut finish picture I aspire to create. When using the 'Smoothing' option I could freely brush over any imperfections on Lucy's skin or even in the back drop of the photo to tidy it. The example photo shown to the right is evidence of my first attempt in smoothing the picture. I was happy with the effect itself as it dramatically improved the look from standard to professional finish. However when comparing the photo to the original product I found that my editing allowed for the picture to look false and too flawless. There was also mistakes made as the brush went over the line of where her skin ends and the blur is seen to overlap, making it look untidy and lazily edited.




































When attempting to edit the second time it was far more successful and looked like a natural coverage over the skin, rather than an animated and false look. Now that this was complete I could progress onto editing colouring and lighting for the photo.

Other departments of the website enabled me to easily enhance the definition of the photo by experimenting with the brightness, contrast and temperature settings.
I edited in a way that would keep the original brightness and definition of the photo. Giving a clear open eye catching view of the full poster. The overall brightness of the photo can also represent the innocence and purity of her character.
The cream/tanned tint on the bath, background and skin of the character, helps to lesson the dull lifeless pale colouring and it is far more appealing and eye catching than the original photo.

My research into film posters helped me to plan and picture out the overall image I wanted for my final product as noted in my checklist. I realised the importance for certain conventions of the film poster, including

• Clear large title, 
• Eye catching image and 
• Vital information about the film including the main actors name, production company and producer/directors name usually in small writing spaced around the page
• Rating of film

I made sure these were included on the poster but made sure they were unique to my creative ability and the specific codes and conventions my short thriller should offer.

I thought up the name of a production company and introduced a simple yet effective brand image using 'Fonspace' for the professional bold print and used Google images for the animated clock relating to the 'Timelapse' theme. This institution name will also be used at the beginning of my film.

I felt by creating and using a quote given by the Telegraph can allow for the audience to have confidence and trust in an intelligent, knowledgeable perception of the film. This would be a largely helpful selling point by having faith in a comment made by an institution obviously well educated in the film industry and what it should offer audiences. Under this I have included the Telegraphs 4 star rating in bold black to stand out from the lightly lit backdrop.  
I feel happy with where I placed the quote, Telegraph logo and star ratings as it seems to fit well in filling an empty space contained in the mise en scene of the photo. The size and positioning of this is also well structured and I am confident that this looks professional and fits well for my poster.

Poster Analysis

 

This is a screen shot taken from Google images as the most popular results when searching for 'Thriller film posters.' I have watched the majority of the films depicted here which is useful in helping me understand the posters more and the relevance they have in targeting an audience and showing off the film to its full potential without revealing too much of the plot.
Black is very overpowering and predominant at first glance here. Many of the posters have pictures edited onto all black backdrops, I find that is is useful in proving the film casts darkness and is not for the light hearted, it is also useful in emphasising what is on top of the background (a face or a number of characters) as this will now stand out of the contrasting dark back drop.
This research has also emphasised the popularity of using close ups of the main characters face portraying serious emotionless expressions, keeping eye contact with the audience this form of advertising makes good use of a direct mode of address. This is a highly useful selling point when advertising any product, from magazines and leaflets to film and CD album covers.
This serious staring expression will massively single out a target audience of age 15-18 or older and those who enjoy dramatic, emotive, thrilling performances. As from this it is already clear this is not a film of comedy, romance or child like fiction.
Every one of the pictures used above are flawlessly photographed and highly edited to give the best impacting shot they can create.  

Storyboarding

Narration/Speech


I feel that no narration or speech of any kind is best to fit with the effect I am going for within my storyline. Although this is an important feature of a film I feel that silence speaks more emotion in these circumstances than any words could and this will be a large aid in building mystery, tension and emotion. Because this film will only be minutes long I feel there is not a real need of in depth explanation in to a story by a character/narrator, its aim is to impact and give a message/ moral or thrill for a shot space of time.

Props

Clothes - I will supply Lucy with dark casual clothes I see most suitable to wear in the film, this will help reflect the mood she is in. Hooded tops so she can wear her hood up whenever outside. This will show how she wishes to exclude herself from the rest of the world, and show how enclosed her personality is by walking with her head down and back hunched.
When inside I will supply Lucy with black loose fitting clothes

Phone and Earphones- I will give Lucy my Iphone and earphones to use in the appropriate scenes, it is necessary to use an I phone as the large surface area on the touch screen allows whatever is on the screen to be easily viewed on camera. I plan to use the phone in scenes where she may text someone and have no reply to emphasise how lonely she is, and perhaps scroll through photos depicting happy memories that she once had also emphasising the loss of happiness in contrast with the life she once had. I may use the earphones in scenes where she is walking alone and later edit sad slow music to reflect her mood.


Location

The story will take place within home settings, mainly the bathroom and bedroom. As well as fields, country parks and forests where I will have scenes of Lucy walking, collecting her thoughts and having alone time. As well as showing Lucy's emotion and isolation it will be useful to have beautiful scenery shots of sunshine and birds singing to cast contrast over Lucy's sadness in comparison with the peaceful beauty in the world around her.

Actors

My film is totally based around the breakdown in a persons life and how loneliness, mental health issues and stress can eat someone up. Because this is so personal I want to restrict the film to 1 actor so all attention is hers and there is no distraction. Adding another character could take the attention away from Lucy's struggle and this is the whole focus of the film.
Although other people will be seen on photos or on her phone these only pose as memories and signify important memories that make her who she was and what she has become. These people only pose as pieces in the puzzle of why she now is so alone and depressed, and it is up to the vivid imaginations of the audience to put together what they believe to be her story.

Sound

I hope to edit music on top of certain scenes where the character will have headphones in and walk listening to her songs. I have found music to be incredibly powerful for creating emotion or reflecting someone's mood, in and out of film. The genre of song will usually fit the emotions of the listener as a source of comfort, and similarly to film it gives a sense of release or escapism and this is very important. I have always had a large interest in soundtracks and songs used in films and I feel that without them our most loved scenes in classic films would not be the same.
For Lucy's character this is essential as she is so uncomfortable with who she is, slow/meaningful songs that have lyrics she can relate to played only to her will draw her away from reality even more so than she already is.
I have songs in mind when envisioning the film, examples such as slow typical wreckless youth songs that are often used in teenage films from 80's to present day. These can vary from slow unique eerie sounds to contrasting upbeat passes with emotive lyrics.  

Example







https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_eUyo8aWTQ





In the opening scenes of Donnie Darko, it begins with the camera following a road overlooking a remote urban area and someone yet unknown lying in the middle of the road. The lightening would suggest it is in the early hours of the morning as there is little light, only casting from the distance. There is silence now, only for a constant calm ringing sound creating an echo to suggest remoteness, loneliness and some tension.As the camera creeps closer we see the character start to rise from the ground. Just as this occurs a soft majestic piano sequence begins, to me this automatically gives importance of the life of this character as he moves letting the audience know that he is alive as some may have assumed it is a body on a road from the earlier silence and stillness and tense music.
The camera is constantly moving getting closer to and surrounding the character slowly circling him until we come to know his face and identify him.
Just as the title of the film is viewed the scenes jumps cuts to Donnie riding a bike, this now takes the audience into another mood and is put at ease as a tune starts to play. This is 'The killing moon' by Echo and the Bunnymen, as the scene and with it the song progresses, the haunting singing and low tuned sounds of the song give a alternative post punk vibe, fitting with teen culture of the early 90's.
Although the song is fast passed the emotive lyrics change the vibe. I find that this is a clever use of music in film and take it as inspiration as a feature I wish to ad to my final product.
However I may struggle to settle on one as most of the songs I would contemplate are copyright and this creates an issue for editing.

Research and Inspiration - What lies beneath analysis

                              What lies beneath



Characters Norman and Claire Spencer are a seemingly happily married couple, until they uncover a terrible secret that leads Norman to use a paralysing drug on Claire and leaves her with the bath running to drown looking like suicide. The shots during this climactic scene are varied with dramatic effects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irr4b40Ok7E&list=PL84629EA1FA286907&src_vid=vPTTP3gSLJc&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_990866

These two shots run through 10 second intervals and are very effective in showing the full scale of the situation. This birds eye view follows the characters as the paralysed victim is taken and set up as though they are committing suicide. The majority of high shots are used in order to cower over characters that are being made to feel insignificant, small or threatened. In this case, it is effective for showing a full view of the main most important character of the scene, the victim.  
The shot is very powerful in terms of mise en scene, in that it establishes a full shot of the setting for the evidently climactic events, and gives it importance, making the audience want to now focus and be fully involved in the tension. It gives visual aids as to what could happen next, and by gradually feeding more and more knowledge to the audience as the climactic tension increases.
 The lightly coloured nude and white clothes worn by character 'Claire' help to connotate even more the innocence and angelic nature of the victim.  

The lighting here is very effective in its casting contrast between the walk way the character takes into the bathroom. This could emphasise even more the importance of the setting and what it is about to unfold as the character walks from the dark shadows into a bright white lit room.
Having the limp lifeless hand hanging at the top of the shot creates a much more chilling atmosphere, as well as the dark coloured clothing of the male.  

This is a perspective shot, taken as if the camera is the eyes of the victim (Michelle Pfeiffer,) this is very effective in giving a sense of realism, connecting the audience to the character by giving you her view of what is happening. The stillness of the shot acting as her head is effective in emphasising her loss of movement and vulnerability in comparison to the fast flowing tap and rippling water, the rushing water is all you can hear throughout the shot, it is common within tense, thrilling scenes such as this to have the perspective shot with heavy breathing or a strong racing heart beat edited in. However this scene again highlights the paralysis and vulnerability of the character by having silence because her breathing is decreased.

The shot then swaps to view a close up on her face at a low level as if the camera is floating on the water, this is effective in giving the scene a sense of realism as the audience is there in the bath with her. The use of a close up shows the full horror and fear her face expresses, as the face is frowned slightly and eyes filled with tears.