Final Film Poster

Matt Cardle - Amazing

This is a song I chose to feature in my film trailer. I felt the lyrics are a perfect match for the story seeing as two sisters are once taken from each other but in later years reunited.
The lyrics from the chorus read :
How did you find me?
You came out of nowhere like lightening,
It's kind of amazing how you found me
Through all the noise somehow
The lyrics are very much suited to the trailer and will bring a sense of happiness to the trailer.

Here is the link to Matt Cardle's Youtube chanel and his song Amazing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWtP_1lyghM

Email of conformation

This is a print screen from an email I sent to Matt Cardle's manager asking permission to use his song 'Amazing' in my film trailer. The email address I used was my brothers due to the type of computing device I was using.  

Brief Plan of Movie Trailer

-Two young sisters, around the age of 4, are playing in the garden. The beginning of the trailer will display innocence and simplicity. Some slow motion shots and non diagetic music will be added to give a dramatic and warm feel to the trailer. A voice over from one of the sisters will also be included to introduce the story to the audience.

-One single mid/long shot will show the two sisters in bed asleep and arms creeping around one of the sisters and taking her away. The use of one shot builds tension and doesn’t give away the identity of the kidnapper.

-The trailer then continues to show the remaining sister around 14 years later looking through old photographs. An over the shoulder shot shows her holding a picture of her when she was younger with another little girl (her sister).  The music comes to a holt to show shock.

-Various shots of the sister and her mum are used of them talking around the table, she is upset/angry why she was taken and why she doesn’t remember. Fast paced non diagetic music is used to show her feelings.

-A variety of shots are now shown of the sister writing letters to her lost sister to find her. Gentle non diagetic music is playing softly in the back to mirror her feelings and give a sad feel to this part of the trailer. A voice over of her reading the letter is played over the music to give the impression she is reading it in her head.

-The same applies to the other sister.

-To show time passing, the letters skim/fly past the camera, with shots of the sisters writing underneath these shots. This is a layering technique which I will use to show progression.  

-A shot of the main sister is shown of her leaving the house, with excitement.

-She makes her way to the meeting point where she will meet her sister for the first time in 14 years.

-Various fast paced shots, shown quickly one after another to build tension, of the sisters walking around looking for one another. Non diagetic music plays softly in the background.

-An over the shoulder shot is used of the sisters crossing paths. One shouts the others name and the run towards each other.

-Once they reach each other and hug, the singing begins in the song to give a goose bump effects.

- The trailer then continues to show the sisters happy holding each other with the film title finishing.

(In various parts of the trailer, text will appear to explain, highlight and demonstrate parts of the film)

Magazine Cover 4

Magazine Cover 3

Magazine Cover 2

Magazine Cover 1

Poster Idea 2 (made on computer)

Poster Idea (made on computer)

Film Poster Idea 4

Film Poster Idea 3

Film Poster Idea 2

Film Poster Idea 1

Empire - Pirates of the Caribbean

This film magazine front cover consists of some very bold and bright text. The use of the yellow text demonstrates importance, it is a vibrant colour which makes a statement and draws attention. Using red for the magazine name makes it stand out that little bit more than using yellow or white. The long shot image displays Johnny Depp in character as his well-known part in Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain Jack Sparrow. This single image states that Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain Jack Sparrow or Johnny Depp have a big part in the magazine. The background behind the image is also relevant to the image; we can see that it is an image of a location taken from the film. A small puff is used on the side of the magazine, which is usually used to focus on smaller parts inside; instead it is used to show Pirates of the Caribbean’s fourth film. This should be bigger to match up to the image.

Empire - Hell Boy

The name of the magazine and the image in the middle are very eye catching and drew in the attention of the readers. The fire around the name of the magazine has been added to fit the theme and the name of the film, which is known as Hell Boy. Hell, is supposedly full of fire, which is why the name is crawling with fire.  The mid shot of Hell Boy shows the audience that he has returned in another movie, hence the title below ‘Hell Boy’. The use of the two puffs highlights important articles featuring inside the magazine including ‘Sneak Previews’. Using a bright colour such as yellow on a puff, again draws attention. Smaller text on the side is also on the cover to show what also is inside, these may not be as important as the other text which are more bold. 

Total Film - Spider man

The front cover of this TOTAL FILM magazine is designed in such a way to give the appearance of a comic book. The text font inside the red puff is commonly used in comic books and is featured on a magazine front cover to appeal to a certain audience. Other factors of a comic book feature on this cover such as, comic sketches of characters on the top of the page, comic strips at the bottom and the bright and bold colours and text. This cover is very eye catching, the use of the yellow draws attention and highlights main parts inside the magazine. A background which is typically used for magazine front covers is just simply a white backdrop, however, this challenges the conventions of a magazine by using a black version of Spiderman’s suit.  The cover holds a lot of text to appeal to the audience, it uses up all given space to insure people will buy their magazine.  If anyone is a fan of Marvel and DC comics, this magazine is aimed towards them, there are even mentions of Batman, Iron Man and The Avengers. 

Total Film - Harry Potter

This magazine front cover features a picture of Daniel Radcliff appearing as his well-known iconic character Harry Potter. Surrounding him is an array of colours which give a very magical feel to the picture. We can tell this is Harry Potter due to the use of the wand in the picture and his glasses he is known for wearing. This picture, other than the magazine name, is the only piece which is displayed on the front cover of the magazine. By the use of the picture standing alone, tells the readers that it is a Harry Potter special (maybe released when the final Harry Potter was) or there is a major Harry Potter section inside. The angle of the picture is very unusual for a magazine front cover; a typical shot used is either mid shot or long shot face on. This is challenging conventions of a typical magazine front cover. 

Valentine's Day

The most eye catching piece on this film poster is the pink heart in the middle. The heart symbolizes love and the pictures in the middle suggest there is a link between all the characters. The colour of the heart represents love, peace, femininity and passion. The colour of the names of the female actresses is also pink, which is associated with femininity. The blue text for the male actors represents masculinity. Blue represents peace, calm and loyalty. Blue is widely associated with boys, for example, a new baby boy is given blue gifts and a new baby girl is given pink. This is a stereotypical cliché, but suits the film and poster. The black background is used to be subtle in contrast to the heart, pinks and blues. Black represents sophistication and power, which is demonstrated in the film. By looking at the facial expressions on the characters faces, we can tell they’re happy and or in love, however, a small minority of the characters look sad, in shock or discrete. This tells us that there will be a twist or confusion in the film.

One Missed Call

The image on the centre of the poster is very disturbing, which tells us that the film is a horror. The spot light effect creates a dark/eerie feeling for the audience. It can also show importance to the character. The face of the character displays screaming mouths for eyes. They appear to look like glistening eyes, which would give an innocent feel, however, by having screaming mouths, it makes you double take and realise in fact a horrific character. The way the image seems to be immerging from darkness adds to the horror genre and gives you a sense of loneliness and shock. The black on the background represents sadness, death, unhappiness and evil. The use of the phone on the poster suggests that the character featuring on the poster is killing the people on the other line. The line “what will it sound like when you die?” connects to the audience. The use of the work ‘you’ draws the audience in and shows interaction. It also makes you put yourself in the situation.   

Friends With Benefits

Both characters that appear on the film poster are displaying fairly sexual suggestive hand gestures. The female characters hand signal is known as “okay” which suggests that the idea of friends ‘with benefits’ is an okay idea.The subtle blue on the background and letters represents trust and confidence. Both characters have the confidence and trust to have built a complicated relationship and make it work for them.

The loose tie on the male character represents a comfortable and casual personality; it can reflect their relationship.The male character has a cheeky look on his face, which is quite flirtatious and seductive. He is also smiling which shows how he is fun and maybe isn't looking for a serious relationship. The female character is also smiling showing her fun side and playful attitude. 

The Dark Knight

The colours which are shown on this film poster are used to create a cold feeling to add to scary factor of the film. The blues and whites work well together to make a spin chilling result. Blue represents depression and sadness, which may be how ‘The Joker’ may felt or currently feeling now, which would explain his need to kill and terrorise. The use of the white spot light effect is used to show the characters importance and status. The dark eyes bare symbolize his empty and dark personality. By blurring the face of the character, it creates a mysterious persona of his part in the film.  These are both very strong pieces of imagery which again adds to the scary factor. The famous saying by The Joker “Why so serious?” is written in blood, showing the audience he can and will kill. The blood is associated with death, and the use of the red represents intense emotions.

This poster challenges conventions of a typical film poster, for example, the title of the film is at the bottom of the poster which isn’t as eye catching as “why so serious?” This may be used to catch audience’s attention and make them look at the poster in more detail.



Friends With Benefits (2011) Trailer Analysis

The beginning of the trailer begins with an establishing shot. This long/bird’s eye view shot shows the audience where the film is set. It also opens with upbeat and cheerful non diagetic music. From just the first few seconds, we know as an audience that the film is a comedy.  After the establishing shot, text swipes in reading ‘bad relationships’. Then a cross fade shows a mid-shot of Mila Kunis standing with her current partner who is breaking up with her. Around the same time, Justin Timberlake’s girlfriend is breaking up with him. The mid-shot demonstrates a sad character, but the non diagetic music is asynchronous. If the non diagetic music was suited to the situations occurring, the trailer would not portray a comedy film, it would be more like a drama or a sad love story.

The film title appears towards the end of the film to insure that the audience will have a better chance of remembering the name of the film after watching the trailer.

The orange text represents open mindedness and also portrays an experimental personality. Both characters are being open minded about trying new things, such as having a sexual based relationship with no feelings or attachments involved. Only using orange on the first letter of each word makes a bold statement and is in contrast to the white, which represents innocence and purity. Sexually speaking, the colour orange signifies passion, aside to the colour red which also represents passion and erotica, a more powerful image of their relationship. Hence, using orange rather than red shows the fun and open mindedness of film. The Black symbolizes sophistication, sexuality and power in Western and European cultures.  

Whenever a joke or comedic comment is made in the trailer, the music comes to a sudden halt. This is a trait commonly used in comedy trailers, to make sure the audience can hear it the dialog that is used to make the audience laugh.

This long shot of a living room shows low lighting which is a cliché setting for a romantic atmosphere. The dimmed lights create a more passionate/romantic setting suggesting there is an ambiance between the two characters. The mise en scene in this shot is also suggestive. Both characters are in their underwear which suggests their comfort with each other or it can also be a sexual gesture.  The female character is wearing a black bra which is a powerful and sexual colour, it also represents sophistication.

Later on into the trailer, we see a change in moods for the characters. This shows the audience there is a complication in the film. A long shot of a mother and her daughter is displayed showing what seems to be a deep and meaningful conversation. The daughters body language demonstrates a fed up attitude, and the mother is sitting next to her, trying to make eye contact to show she cares. Through the dialog, we can gather there is a confusion with the young woman and Justin Timberlake’s characters ‘relationship’.  The purple shirt symbolizes creativity and independence. This may suggest that she may have felt the need to prove her independence by experimenting with different types of relationships. We can see here feelings may have been involved due to not being used to being ‘creative’ in a sexual sense.

To remind and bring the audience back to the genre of the film, a quick change in shots and locations is demonstrated. An over the shoulder/long shot of the mother dressed in role play is shown to shock the audience and remind them it is a comedy film trailer.

Towards the last minute or so of the trailer, the music changes to a more gentle sound with a man singing, it has a warm and ‘lovey’ feeling to it. The change in music adds confusion to the audience, wondering if they will fall in love, loose their friendship or stay the same. The change in music is also a comparison to how the characters are feeling.

Insidious (2011) Trailer Analysis

Insidious begins with one character whispering “are you ready” to another characters. Even though the opening line is directed towards a character, the power of the line addresses the audience too. The start of the tension building begins with a music timer ticking slowly with a mid-shot of a man breathing heavily. The screen shot from the trailer displays cold and dull colours to generate a certain feeling for the audience. For example, when I watched this trailer it gave me a cold feeling due to the gloominess of the set. The trailer demonstrates very plain and dark colours to fit the conventions of a horror film and also portray sad, scared and worried feelings. 

Horror films are usually set in an abandoned or isolated location with perhaps a hidden meaning behind the particular location. Using these stereotypical location ideas in a horror film gives the audience a sense of loneliness and builds tension. Insidious does not follow all the conventions of a stereotypical horror film, instead of a barren home in the woods, they decided to use a normal family home in America. Using a normal family home in a town in America adds to the realism to the film. Also, by using a family home, it gives the audience the idea that this could well be their situation and makes them wonder and think more into the film. 

These long shots are made to look as if they are from a characters point of view. This technique showing an empty room create a tense feel and you as an audience expect something to appear or happen. It also expresses fear and involves the audience. During these panning shots, no non diagetic music plays, it is silent, which again creates tension, except from the sound of the rocking horse swinging rapidly. Once the character stops the rocking horse, there is a short silence and shortly after spin chilling sounds commonly used in horror films starts. This technique is used as a shock factor. 

The trailer continues to shock and scare the audience. This long shot of a dark room shows a shadow/silhouette of a man standing in front of a window. Once this image becomes clear, atmospheric music begins with a fast pace to scare the audience and form uneasy feelings. A long shot of a woman in a hall way keeps the audience of edge wondering if something will appear. Instead, a quick change in shots demonstrates a close up of a baby monitor, which again builds tension and worry of knowing something will shock the audience. Faint whispers appear from the baby monitor and then a loud shout. The height of frightening emotion works in comparison to the fast paced cutting from one shot to another to express how the character feels.

In horror trailers, certain techniques are used to frighten/fabricate anxiety the audience. For example, Insidious use an effect, which has been used before, which there is no sound, no music but only a character talking. They then say maybe a line or two which is vital to the film and distinctive music plays. In this trailers case, the ticking of the music timer is non diagetic and faint and only that is heard for a while. Then one of the characters says “It’s not the house that is haunted” and a pause follows, which seems like a long time due to the tension created. After the pause, the non diagetic sounds stop and she then says “it’s your son”.

Quickly after the character has finished talking, the fast paced atmospheric music begins again which creates a spin chilling feeling. Also varies shots are rapidly shown to add to the effect. Some shots include a close up of a child’s foot on the bed with a bloody hand print next to it, a long shot of a hallway with two girls standing dressed in white and a bird’s eye view shot of people performing a séance.

The Notebook (2007) Trailer Analysis

The Notebook trailer begins with a shot of a man on a lake by a white house with white birds surrounding him. This shot demonstrates simplicity and peacefulness. The white portrays innocence and purity. This establishing shot gives the audience a sense of what the film will be like. The non diagetic music is a gentle piece on a piano which creates a soft and loving feel. During the trailer, a voice over from an elderly man paints a picture of what the film is about in the style of a story. He describes the background of the main characters and then a long shot shows the man telling the story to a woman around the same age as him. 

Once the characters have been introduced, the elderly man continues to tell the story of Noah and Ally of how they met and fell in love. The same non diagetic music continues as various shots of Noah and Ally are shown. Some shots included are long shots of the two of them by the lake, a medium shot of Ally on a rope swing and another long shot of them jumping of a boat. These shots portrays innocence and simplicity. These shots are very stereotypical ideas of couples portraying innocence.

In this screen shot, Ally’s swimming costume represents wealth. Purple is a colour associated with the rich and royal. Ally is from a wealthy home, however Noah is from the country. Noah’s hat is a light grey which represents sadness and poverty, he may have been feeling lonely or gloomy before he met Ally. 

This long shot shows a contrast in characters and lifestyles. Every person present in this shot is wearing white, except Noah. The white in this case shows power and wealth, and the black shirt Noah is wearing portrays an out casting image.  Noah is also towards the end of the table which represents where he is placed in society. Because Noah is poor, he is looked down on. 

As we begin to understand the story, the voice overs pause for a while to let the fast paced editing create tension. The music becomes more uplifting and louder to generate a certain mood for the audience. 

The two shots above are of Noah and Ally and the elderly couple. The cross fade effects goes from the elderly couple to Noah and Ally to show the similarities they share. Noah and Ally are both wearing red which stereotypically is associated with love. Red can also symbolise passion, excitement and strong emotions which Noah and Ally and the film explore. 

My Sisters Keeper (2009) - trailer analysis

The beginning of ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ opens with various shots of a family on holiday. These shots have been edited to look as if the clips were taken from a home video. The home video effect gives a sense of verisimilitude. The background music is gentle music played on a piano which gives a peaceful vibe. All these techniques create a happy and simplistic feel.

Throughout the beginning of the trailer, Anna Fitzgerald, the sister, voices over the trailer to give the audience a summary of the film. She explains how most babies are accidental, but she was born to save her sisters life. The music suddenly changes after she says “save my sisters life”, there is a short pause and the music then introduces other instruments to change the mood of how the audience are supposed to feel.   

After the change in music, the father’s voice over begins. He explains how having a child with an illness such as cancer is a ‘full time ocupation’. Various shots are shown of the family playing in the garden, laughing and having fun. Some shots include mid-close ups, long shots and close ups. This is a very sterotypical idea of a close family, however the film does not follow the steroetypes by adding a character with a terminal illness.



This shot of Kate Fitzgerald shows a bright and postive image of her, even though she has been diagnosed with cancer. The yellow represents joy, happiness and hope. We know that this was intentional because Kate also have a big smile on her face and is involved in the fun in the garden with the family.

During this shot, kate’s voice over says “I don’t mind my disease killing me, but it’s killing my family too”. This use of the powerful metaphor shows the cracks in the family since she bacame ill. This over the shoulder shot shows a shocking image of kate looking very ill and showing her pain. This creates tenstion and sadness for the audience. The colours used are dull and create a lifesless feel. Kates grey clothing symbolises sadness and the white on the walls symbolise innocense. The white walls can also create a hospital feel to the room, which is where kate soon spends all of her time. Kates sister Anna is wearing a green top, which symbolises health, her colour of clothing is in complete contrast to Kates.



Towards the end of the trailer, the music becomes more uplifting to create tension and give the audience a sence of sadness. The fast paced editing work in colaboration with the music to add to the tension. The last four captours from the film show how close the family still are even though Kate has days left. These close mid shots and the long shot show lovingness and a strong bond.