AT2: Comparison of Film Posters to their Magazines and Trailers

Film: Maleficent

Film Poster

This film poster only features one character from the film on it. This could suggest that the character shown is the main character in the film. I really like the use of the contrasting colours in this poster with the white/pale grey background and the black clothing of the character. However, a white background isn't featured in the film magazine or in the film trailer. This suggest that the white background was purely placed in order to make the main character stand out in the poster from the use of the contrasting colours. 

Film Magazine

In this film magazine, similar to the film poster, there is only one character featured as the main picture which again suggests that she is the main character. This links back to the poster as the character is holding a similar pose. She is also looking straight out to the audience giving them straight on eye contact which I feel makes them want to look back. In the film magazine, I have noticed that the dark turquoise colours in the background are similar to the background colours in the trailer. The dark colour background of the film magazine already hints at various events and themes which may occur in the film and basically tell the audience that the film may have dramatic fantasy elements in it and that the film will not be a comedy, etc.

Film Trailer

The film trailer for this film hint at the various dramatic fantasy elements which are featured in the film poster, from the use of the colours and the mysterious dark turquoise forest setting. I have also noticed that the title font and colour in the film poster is the same as the title font and colour in the film. It doesn't, however, show this on the film magazine. This could suggest that the picture of the character on the magazine is meant to catch the audience's eye and then make them want to read the magazine to see what the film is called. Also, the film magazine designers may not want to overcrowd the page as also on the front page are various advertisements of other new film which have been released or will be released so therefore, there isn't really much room for the film title in big.

Film: Iron Man 2

Film Poster

The title of the film 'Iron Man 2' is in a different font and colour to the title on the film magazine. The reason for this may be that the title style on the poster wouldn't match the theme of the film magazine and therefore would look out of place. The poster for the film makes the use of some dark colours with a dark cloudy background. This could suggest that  a battle may occur or some sort of dark misfortune may occur. This links to the film trailer, as despite the fun moments near to the beginning of the trailer, the character Iron Man has a fight on his hands as he tries to fight off a bad man who has copied his own design of his Iron Man suit.

Film Magazine

This film poster has an electrical theme/feel to it. This mainly comes from the magazine title but it links with both the poster and the trailer of the film. For instance, the bad man who has attempted to copy Iron Man's invention creates a suit which generates electric beams. This is shown during the trailer of the film and in the centre of the film poster which could suggest that he is the centre of all problems in the film.

Film Trailer

The film trailer, like the poster, presents all of the main characters in the film. It also uses the same title font as well which links the poster and the trailer together. From watching the film trailer, I can see that the colour scheme which is shown both in the poster and magazine front cover aren't the same. This is because the film trailer features more brighter and naturalistic colours. If the film trailer was shown to be too dark then I feel that there wouldn't be any sorts of hope in the film and I don't think it would portray the typical superhero genre which this film provides.

AT2: Film Poster Research

Poster 1

This profile film poster is advertising the film The Avengers. The title of the poster is stated at the bottom. It is in a white/grey colour which is a contrast to the colours on the poster. This makes the writing stand out and immediately tells the audience the name of the film. I also think that the font and the capital letters also makes the title stand out as it looks interesting. If it had just a plain font, it would look boring and wouldn't really go with the interesting outlook of the overall poster. This poster already tells the audience a lot about what's going on in the film. You can clearly see that the characters are in a city which looks as if it is being attacked. This suggests that the genre of this film probably involves a lot of action and adventure. All of the characters on the poster all have a weapon of some sort. This could suggest that they are fighting someone or something whilst trying to protect the city. The man in the red suit at the front of the poster (Iron Man) allows the audience to understand that he has the lead role whilst the others are more like co-stars. All of the characters are all randomly placed around the poster doing their own thing. This makes the poster look really interesting. The colour scheme of the poster mainly consists of darker colours. However, the red from Iron Mans stands out from the poster as well as the green colour of the Hulk (the green monster at the far left of the poster) and also Captain America's red and white shield (the man in the blue costume to the far right of the poster). The names of all the actors are stated at the top of the page which allows the audience to see what actors are featured in the film.

Poster 2

This landscape film poster is advertising the film Lincoln. This film poster is really simple with a side profile of a character with a white background. I think that even through this poster is simple, it makes it look really effective. The colour scheme of the poster is mainly in black and white. The title and the actors name are both in a dark yellow/light brown colour. This makes the title stand out so the audience's eye will catch onto it. The title along with the actors name are both in capital letters. This makes them both stand out more. There is only one actors name on this poster and it is positioned directly above the main title in big lettering. This could suggest that this actor is well known as he is more than likely playing President Lincoln who is clearly the main character of this film. Above the actors name A Steven Spielberg Film is stated above it. Steven Spielberg is a very famous and well know director. Most people who see his name attached to a film know that it will be a good film. 

Poster 3

This poster contrasts with the other two posters mainly because it is animated. The colour scheme of the poster mainly consists of different shades of blue which creates an icy, wintery feel. This is one of the many hints in the poster that the film involves christmas and winter in some way. Another hint would be Father Christmas with his arms folded in the background. If the beard doesn't give away anything about him being Father Christmas, tattooed on his arms is a naughty and nice list. This is a stereotypical feature of Father Christmas when he decides whether children deserve any presents based on the fact whether they are naughty or nice. The other four characters which are featured on the poster include a tooth fairy, the easter bunny, the sandman and two little elves. These characters add various yellow, white, red and green colours to the poster. As they all have a dark background behind them, it makes these characters stand out as well as the two bigger characters above them which suggests to the audience that they are important characters which are featured in the film. We can see that the main character is the teenage boy with the white hair and the blue hoodie. This is Jack Frost. The audience can tell that Jack Frost is the main character in this film as he is the biggest character in the centre of the poster. The feature which I really like about this poster is the fact that the characters are all looking straight out to the audience. This is a really eye catching technique because it engages the audience. The title of the film Rise of the Guardians is also in capital letters just like the other posters I have analysed. This makes the film name stand out as well as having the text in a metallic silver colour. This contrasts to the dark background colour and creates an interesting effect on the lettering as it looks almost shiny creating a magical feel. You can tell by the poster that this film is light hearted and happy because all of the characters are smiling and looking out at the audience which creates a friendly atmosphere and inviting effect. I also like the way that the cinema release date has been put directly underneath the title of the film in capital letters with the same metallic silver colour. This tells the audience exactly when the film is coming to cinemas. It stands out but it doesn't overpower the rest of the poster.

AT1: Self-evaluation - Film Review Page

In order to complete it, I have researched various film review pages to assure that my film review page meets the correct needs and conventions of a film review poster. I wanted to make sure that my film review page looked authentic as possible because I wanted to present my film in a good light.

I decided to use the typical film review page double page spread. This is because with two pages, you are able to include a lot of information about the film on them such as basic plot summaries and exclusive photos. These are all techniques which catch the audience's eye and will make them want to read and look at the page. I have used a whole page for photos because if the audience are reading the plot, they will most probably be interested about who the characters are whereas if there weren't any photos and just writing, then the page may not look as interesting or eye catching.

Not only do film review pages tell the audience a lot about the film but they are a good way to advertise a film. This is because on a poster you only see a picture from the film and the film name. On a trailer, you see various clips of the film but the basic storyline can sometimes be hard to grasp. On a film review page, you get a clear list of the main actors who star in the film, a basic plot without giving away any spoilers, photographs from the film, the age restrictions and the five star ratings. These detailed bits of information about the film makes people instantly know whether the film is for them or not.

AT1: Audience Feedback - Film Review Page

Receiving audience feedback on my film review page has allowed me to see how successful it has been in ways like meeting all of the typical conventions of a film review page such as big bold film title, big photos from the film and a non-bias description of the film. It shows to me overall, how professional my film review page has turned out.

AT1: Film Review Page - Final

Double Page Spred

This is my final film review page. 

I have enlarged both page 1 and 2 so that they can be see more clearer.

Page 1 of 2

This page shows the basic plot summary, five star reviews, cast members, age restrictions and the film name.

Page 2 of 2

This page shows some photos from the film. This way the audience can see what the characters look like in the film. They can get a sense of the setting for the film and the many pictures are eye catching to the page and makes the page look interesting to look at.

AT1: Ideas for my Film Review Page

I am going to set my film review page on a two page spread.
The left hand page will include;

• Film title in a big, bold font so it stands out saying 'Betrayed'.

• Age rating certificate in small next to the film title, '12'

• A brief tagline directly underneath the film title saying 'Everything's not all as it seems.' or 'If you go down to the woods today...'.

• Star rating of the film

• Page number on the corner of the magazine and the magazine name 'FilmBiz'.

• Details of director, actors, running time and the film company.

• Brief plot summary of the film without giving away any spoilers about the film.

The author's name at the bottom of the article.

The right hand page will include;

• A large photograph from the film of the two main characters Jay and Ashton.

• How good the film is i.e. 'Film of the month'.

• Magazine page number in the bottom right hand corner and the film magazine name 'FilmBiz'.

• Date and edition of the magazine in the top right hand corner.

Colours and themes;

I think that when creating a film review page, it is important to consider the colours and themes which you are going to use. You need to do this so that you can assure that your review page looks professional. If you used lots of different colours and lots of different contrasting fonts, then it would make the page look cheap and look as though the layout hadn't been thought out at all.

AT1: Audience Research - Film Review Page

By completing some audience research on film review pages before I create my own one has given me many benefits. For instance, it has allowed me to understand the positive and negative aspects about the review pages. This is beneficial to me as I can assess what aspects I should include and what aspects I should avoid including.

AT1: Film Review Page Research

What is a film review page?

A film review page is a page in a film magazine which provides profession opinions and information about upcoming new films. The views given in a review page are unbiased so that the audience will have to go and see the film themselves to make their own opinion of the film. You will usually find that in the film review pages, they will provide a synopsis of the film without giving away any spoilers so that the audience can see whether it would be the type of film they will enjoy. There are also various opinions on the actors who starred in the film. People want to see a film which don't only have a good storyline, but also a film which has good actors in. A film review page is also a form of advertising like posters and trailers. 

 

Features of a film review page:

• Large bold film title.

• Release date.

• Film tagline underneath the film title or title of the review. It's an introduction to the film plot to get the readers interested.

• A star rating out of five is given on the review page so that the audience can see whether it is a top rated film worth seeing.

• The author of the review article is typically placed at the bottom of the page.

• Film review pages are usually on a two spread sheet.

• On the two page spread, the left hand side usually has the review written down whilst the right hand side usually has a big picture from the film featuring the main characters. 

• 1st paragraph introduction and summary which includes the location and the narrative.

• 2nd paragraph continues with the plot but doesn't reveal the ending or any spoilers so that the storyline isn't ruined for the audience.

• 3rd paragraph highlights the positive aspects of the film. It includes miss-en-scene, accompaniment, effects, story and the setting.

• 4th paragraph highlights the negative aspects of the film. Again it includes miss-en-scene, accompaniment, effects, story and the setting, but will have significantly less negative comments than the positives.

• It is also important to note that different film review magazines will have different views and opinions of the films.

• Some film reviews are really detailed whilst some are quite basic. Again it just depends on the magazine brand.

• The age rating is commonly found on the film review pages so that the audience know who is eligible to see the film.

Film Review Examples:

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Possible camera shots for my film "Betrayed"

Here I have explored many different types of camera shots which I may use in my 5 minute film. This is really useful as it allows me to compare each shot and make me think how I can portray each camera shot to suit to my film.

Betrayed - Script

Betrayed

By Lucy Dare

Cast

Ashton Smith:      Joe Nourse

Jay Collins:       James Easey

Man 1:             Callum Rulton

Man 2:             Ivan Fellows

Lily Collins:      Saskia Dare

Scene 1

Set in modern day Britain during the autumn season. Two friends walk into the forest to lay some flowers down for a girl who has committed suicide.

There will be flashes of words from a newspaper report showing the suicide of Lily Collins.

There will also be shots of the two friends walking into the forest.

Jay:      [Lies down cross] Lily, you were the best sister I… [Cries and walks off]

Ashton:   [Lays down flowers] I can’t believe you’re gone… Jay he’s really struggling…

A loud scream from Jay is heard. Ashton is suddenly alert.

Ashton:   [Standing up] Jay? [Suddenly runs in the direction from where he heard the scream.]

Ashton suddenly sees Jay laying on the floor unconscious with

two men standing above him.

Ashton:   Jay![To the men] What…[Ashton begins to back away as the two men begin to quickly approach him]What have you done to him?

[Before Ashton can escape, the two men grab him.]

Ashton:   No! Get off me! Help!   

[One of the men holds him whilst the other punches Ashton around the head knocking him semi-conscious.]

[Ashton is now on the ground facing upwards. He slowly turns his head to the side. As he does this, he can see three figures standing there, but before he can do anything, he falls into unconsciousness]

[Sounds of a person being dragged, mumbling voices, a car boot slamming and a moving car can be heard. Nothing can be seen on screen]

Scene 2

The location has changed to a run-down disused warehouse. It is later on that same day.

Ashton awakes to find himself in this place. His hands are tied behind his back and he is on the floor. He tries to free himself but cannot. Suddenly, he sees a dark figure standing over him.

Ashton:   Where… where am I? Where’s Jay? What have you done with him? [Silence] Hey! I’m talking to you!

[The dark figure crouches down beside Ashton. The figure is

then revealed to be Jay]

Ashton:   [Sighs with relief] Jay! Oh my god are you alright? Those men took me and you! Quick, let get out of here before they come.

[Jay blankly stares ahead]

Ashton:   [With urgency in voice] Jay come on! Untie my hands, we need to get away now!

[Jay slowly turns to look Ashton in the eye. He has a

threatening look on his face which makes Ashton feel uneasy]

Ashton:   [Worried] Jay, what’s going on, stop messing around!

[Jay punches Ashton around the head]

Ashton:   Agh! What are you doing?     [Confused]

Jay:      [In a threatening tone] Think about it, you’ll understand.

Ashton:   Jay, whatever you’re doing [Shouting] just stop! You’re scaring me!

Jay:      [Chuckles] You think this is all a big joke, don’t you.

Ashton:   [Confused] What?

Jay:      [Angry] Revenge, I want revenge on you for helping Lily to kill herself and I hate you for it, [Shouting] I HATE YOU!

[In anger, Jay continuously kicks Ashton in the stomach]

Ashton:   Agh! Stop, please Jay, please…

[Jay stops kicking Ashton and walks over to the wall in an

attempt to calm down. Ashton is whimpering silently trying to

come to terms with what has just happened. Suddenly, Jay paces

over to Ashton and grabs his hair tightly]

Ashton:   Agh! Get off!

Jay:      [Pulling out a gun. Ashton freezes with fear] Why did you do it? Huh? [Raising his voice] Go on then!

Ashton:   [Says in an antagonising way] She really struggled after your parents died and you didn’t make it easy for her when you took your anger out on her. She came to me to get away from you, but I guess that she was just too depressed to carry on with her life.

[As Ashton talks, Jay’s rage begins to build]

Jay:      [Let’s go of Ashton’s hair] You’re lying [Shouts] you’re lying. You’re nothing but a cold blooded liar and my sisters dead now and… [Focuses back on Ashton and pushes the gun to his head] You know, I could shoot you right now!

Ashton:   [Fearful and whispering slightly] Please don’t Jay… Jay please, please… [Shuts his eyes tight but is still pleading].

Jay:      Aghh! [Drops the gun and throws himself to the ground crying]

[When Jay gets up, he has a plain sorry look on his face. He

Gets up, pulls Ashton to his feet and unties his hands]

Jay:      [Avoiding eye contact] Go…

[Ashton just stands there in silence looking at Jay]

Jay:      [Shouts] Just go!

Ashton:   No Jay. No I’m not leaving you like this…

Jay:      [Grabs hold of Ashton and pushes him out of the building] Go…

[Ashton listens to Jay and begins to slowly walk away with his

back to the building and holding his arm on his bruised ribs.

A sudden shot is heard which halts Ashton walking leaving a

pained look on his face. At this point we don’t know if Jay

shot Ashton or if Jay shot himself.

Fade out, credits.

 The End

Plot Summary of Betrayed

This is a basic plot summary of my five minute film, Betrayed. I have presented my work as a radio show with a presenter interviewing Lucy Dare (me) the director of my film. 

Betrayed Final Storyline

Cast:

Ashton Smith: Joe Nourse

Jay Collins: James Easey

Man 1: Callum Rulton

Man 2: Ivan Fellows

Lily Collins: Saskia Dare

Ashton and Jay are both really close friends. They are both going through a difficult time at the moment as Jay’s sister Lily recently committed suicide due to depression.

Jay takes Ashton into a forest where Lily’s favourite place was. Here, Jay places a cross with Lily’s name on it. He pauses for a few moments after he has laid the cross down thinking about Lily. He then gets up and lets Ashton lay down some flowers next to the cross.

Suddenly, there is a loud scream from Jay. Ashton abruptly stands up and realises that Jay isn’t in sight. Ashton calls out for Jay and begins to run in the direction where he heard the scream.

When Ashton finds Jay, he is laying on the floor unconscious with two men in dark clothing standing above him. Ashton begins to edge closer to Jay shouting at the two men. As he does this the men begin to walk hastily towards him. With that Ashton begins to back away and goes to run when the two men grab him. As Ashton attempts to escape from them one of them holds him whilst the other punches him in the stomach to stop him from struggling, and then punches him around the head, knocking him semi-conscious.

Ashton is on the ground facing upwards and his vision is blurred. As Ashton turns his head slowly to the side, a point of view shot from Ashton’s point of view show that there are now three dark figures standing together. As Ashton begins to regain consciousness, he groans as he tries to get up. With that one of the three come over and kick him hard in the head which knocks him out completely.

Sounds of a person being dragged, mumbling voices, a car boot slamming and the sound of a moving car can be heard. There will be nothing but sound at this point as it is meant to represent what Ashton can hear.

When Ashton awakes, he is laying on the floor with his hands tied up behind his back. As he attempts to free his hands, he suddenly stops and realises that there is someone standing over him. Ashton begins to shout at the figure about where he’s been taken and where his friend Jay is.

As the figure crouches down next to Ashton, it is revealed that the figure in fact is Jay. Ashton sighs with relief and asks if he’s ok. He goes on about how the men took him and how they need to escape and quick before the men come.

But Jay just stares at Ashton with a plain expression on his face. With confusion, Ashton badgers on at Jay to un-tie his hands so that they can get away quick. Suddenly, the distant expression on Jay’s face turns to look at Ashton with an angry look. Ashton stops talking and begins to feel slightly threatened by Jay’s expression.

When Ashton asks Jay what he’s doing, Jay violently punches Ashton around the head which makes Ashton yelp with pain. Confused, Ashton asks Jay what he’s doing. In response Jay tells Ashton that if he thinks about it, he’ll understand.

Feeling scared, Ashton asks Jay to stop whatever he’s doing because he’s scaring him. Angrily, Jay shouts at Ashton he just wants revenge, revenge over his sister’s death. Jay explains to Ashton that he knows that he was trying to convince his sister to commit suicide and he hates him for it. In anger, Jay punches Ashton several times more whilst Ashton is lying on the ground pleading at Jay to stop, almost in tears.

Jay stops punching Ashton, and quickly walks over to the wall where he is trying to calm himself down, but then suddenly paces over to Ashton this time grabbing his hair tightly resulting from a cry of pain from Ashton. Jay pulls out a gun from his pocket and aims it at Ashton’s head before asking him why he did it. Ashton starts to plead his innocence and begins to explain the real reason why Lily killed herself. He told Jay Lily went into a depression because Jay was putting too much pressure on Lily to do well. He told Jay that he had also become quite violent towards Lily which made Lily frightened. Ashton then explains that Lily came to him to get away from Jay, but Lily eventually became too strongly depressed with her life to carry on.

In a building rage, Jay shouts at Ashton and tells him that he’s lying. He tells Ashton that he could shoot him dead right now, but Ashton just stares at Jay and quietly pleads with Jay not to shoot him. In realisation that he’s the real one responsible for his sister’s death, Jay lets go of Ashton and screams as he throws his head to the floor, before crumbling down and crying.

As Jay sits up, once again he has a plain sorry look on his face. He pulls Ashton to his feet and unties his hands. Avoiding eye contact, Jay tells Ashton to go. Ashton just stands there in silence looking at Jay. Suddenly, Jay looks at Ashton through his crying eyes and shouts at him to go. Ashton tells Jay that he doesn’t want to leave him in the state that he’s in. With this, Jay pushes Ashton out of the building and once again tells him to go more angrily this time.

Ashton listens to Jay this time and turns his back to the building and begins to slowly walk away with one arm placed on his bruised ribs. A shot is suddenly heard which halts Ashton from walking leaving a pained look on his face. At this point, the audience won’t know if Ashton has been shot by Jay or if Jay has shot himself.