Film Poster Analysis: Panic Attack

Film Poster Analysis: Logan

Layout of a Film Poster

I have looked at the typical layout of a film poster. Above is a template of how a film poster should look like. This includes all the general information that must be shown such as the title, tagline, actors and the crew names. 

Usually the Title would be on the lower third and large so it stands out immediately to the viewer. This is followed by important names and credits. The institution logo and name would also be on there along with the website links. It enforces convergence as viewers would be moved from one platform to another through the link.

Certain features of the poster would be used as a selling point such as the awards which shows that the film is good. Some film posters would use a well-known director or actor's name to encourage fans to watch as well.

For my short film poster, I will try to stick to this layout to make sure it conforms to the codes and conventions of a typical short film poster. This layout would ensure that it is visually appealing the the audience.

Rough Cut Feedback

After showing the rough cut to the class, I got feedback on what I did well and how could I improve.

The feedback I got was that there was a range of shots. However, the running shot was not in focus so I would need to re-film that. Also the some of the sound doesn't sound realistic such as the walking part. 

The current grade of my short film is a level 3. To improve, the sound needs to be much more realistic. I also need to finish off filming and add credits so that the audience understands the narrative.

Verbal feedback suggested that I add a better transition so that it looks like the camera shutter. Alternatively, I could add an overlay of a camera screen so the idea is made clear to the audience.

Case Study: Panic Attack

I have looked into the short film called 'Panic Attack' to see what makes a short film succsseful in terms of how it is distrubuted to the public.

Back in November 2009, advertising director Frederico Alvarez produced Panic Attack. The narrative of the film was a robot attack in Montevideo with the genre of Action.

The overall cost of the film was $300, most of the budget going towards the extras as he needed a large amount of people in order for it to be effective. The visual and sound effects were added alter in post-production also by Alvarez.



Alvarez posted the film online on a visual effects blog and within a few days of it going online, a became very succsseful due to its popularity. By releasing it online, it caught the eye of Kayne West who acted as an opinion leaer and tweeted about the short film to his followers. This is the two step flow theory where it consists of the fact that the public form their opinions under the influence of opinion leaders through mass media, and in this case, through the use of social media. For Alvarez, his distribution method proved to be successful, leading to more profit. This could be partly becuase of the popularity of social media- word can get around easier. The film was also distrubuted to Youtube.

After a few days, Alvarez recieved calls from Hollywood to direct films. In less than two weeks, Alvarez travelled to LA with his new agent. A contract was set up with Mandate Pictures and Spider-Man director Sam Raimi to create a $30 million feature film. The film was set to be about an alien-invasion in Buenos Aires which was due to be released in the coming year.

Evaluation
I have found that distributing my short film online can be qutie successful as a lot fo the social media platforms link which can lead to wide media coverage. Therefore, I will be distributing the film online on platfroms such as Youtube. I will also be creating a promotional package to help during the distribution process.

Two-step Flow

The Two Step Flow theory was first introduced by Paul Larzarsfeld, Bernard Berelson and Hazel Gaudet. It was then further developed by Katz and Larzarsfeld.

There are two steps to this theory hence the name of it. Mainly, it starts with something on media where an opinion leader notices it and shares it with other individuals. this leads to transferring this information to others which ultimately leads to this circulating other media platforms.

For my short film, I will be distributing it on media platforms such as Youtube. However, it may be hard for the Two Step Flow model to apply to my short film.

Production Log: Week 5

Re-filming dates

Again, I have used whatsapp to clarify filming times as Caitlin would be able to reply quicker.

House Scene: Recce's

I have taken photos of the location for the house scene. I have chosen the school pavilion becuase it looks quite house like. It is also easily accessible- it would be easy to film during school hours and it is close by so no of us have to travel.

This will be where the characters are sitting. I have positioned it so none of the school posters can be seen.

Production Log: Week 4

Credits in a Short Thriller Film

Contact

Contact is a short Thriller film. I have looked at the credits to see how the style suits the genre.

In short films, the title comes up either at the start or at the end. In this case, the title comes up after the short film. The title fades in written in bold capitals with a slight blur to the edges. It then changes to the first few credits. These are the most important names which are shown on screen by itself to draw the audiences attention. It is displayed on a simple black background with white text. The font of the text matches the title and suits the Thriller genre. Each title lasts for a few seconds and fades away.

After the first few credits, rolling credits appear in the same style. The role is on the left with the person name adjacent to it. The rolling credits start with the cast and then follows with the crew names.

The credits follow the codes and conventions of typical closing credits in a short film. It is quite simplistic and lasts less than a minute.

For my short film, I have decided to use rolling credits at the end. However, my title will appear near the beginning of the film. I will use a plain black background with white text. The credits will only last around 30 seconds.

Changes in Casting Choice

After looking over the timetable, I found that it was really hard to find a time where all three of us was free at the same time. As Jace lives quite far, it would be difficult to travel late. Therefore, I have decided to change the actor to Sean. As he goes to the same sixth form, it would easy for us to film during the school day rather than after school.

Credits in Short Films

Most short films do not have opening credits. If they do, it would usually be the key titles which are kept short. Otherwise, credits would come up at the end. Due to the length of short films, the credits would have to be kept short so it only lasts a minute or so.

Here is the general order that follows:

Directer
Writer
Producer

Cast (either in order of appearance or importance)
Director of Photography
Editor
Production designer
Composer
Sound Designer
Makeup
Location Manager

Title Design

Visual Effects

Special Effects

Music

Produced at

[Logo]

An example of credits in a short film is:

The credits are really simple with a black background and simplistic text in a basic font. Each title flashes on the screen for several seconds before changing. The titles show the role and the person for that role. It lasts for 13 seconds.

Another example is:

This short film has rolling credits at the end instead. The most important name and role is the first title to appear. It is then followed by the cast names and the crew. The role is written first on the left side followed by the name. Again, it is on a black background. It lasts for about half a minute.

From this research, I have found that short film credits are quite short and simple. I will need to make sure to use the key titles in my credits and follow the style of typical closing credits in a short film.

Rough Cut

Post-Production: Sound

I imported sound effects and background music from Youtube. I made sure that they were copyright free. To do this, I used a software called Youtube to MP3 converter.

Most of the sound I used was from the storyboard animatic. However, from the feedback, some of the sound effects wasn't successful. Therefore, I replaced the sound was another alternative.

I created soundscapes by layering the tracks. I also altered the volume to create crescendos and diminuendos. 

Post-Production: Editing the Clips

To begin with, I first started to edit the clips together. It was fairly quick and easy to do. 

However, once I watched through the clips, I realised that I broke the 180 degree rule in one of them. This made the clip transition look a bit disorientating. This was easily fixed by flipping the video around.

My time management was quite well as I finished editing the clips together quite quickly. I also found that the clips fit well so we didn't need to re-film anything. 

Filming Diary: Part One-Day Two

Filming Diary: Part One

Costume Preperation

As I already had the costume planned out in advance, I asked Caitlin to put together an outfit as close to the one in my previous costume planning. Caitlin took a photo to confirm that the outfit was the right look.

Organisation of Filming

As I will be filming the forest scene first, I needed to confirm filming dates. Instead of email, I have decided to use Whatsapp as we are able to communicate more quickly and efficently. That way, we can easily discuss filming times.

Synergy

Synergy: When two companies work together to mutually benefit each other.

The stages of production are as followed:

Production -- Marketing -- Distribution -- Exhibition

Synergy works when different elements within media conglomerate promote linked products. The typically have a larger effect than if one product was released on its own.

A conglomerate is when a production company owns a number of other companies and a subsidiary is a company owned by another production company.

I have decided to work in synergy to BFI, because, as an independent company, I have a limited budget so I will need support to help distribute and exhibit my products.

BFI also gets funding from the National Lottery and awards the funding towards all levels of production. It will also maximise my audience as it is a well-known company.

Risk Assesment

To prevent any risks or hazards, I made a list of things that I need to be aware of so I can film safely.

Production Log: Week 3

History of Thrillers

 

Copyright

Short Film Institutions

Feedback on Trial Shots

After filming my trial shots, I got some verbal feedback from my target audience.

• There was a range of camera shots.
• The compostion of the shots were good.
• To stabalise some of the shots as they were shaky.
• Make some of the shots longer to draw out the tension and suspense.

From this feedback, it will help me improve in my filming as I will be aware of these things.

Trial Shots

After reading the feedback from my animatic, I have filmed some trial shots to test out how it would look. I used the grid mode to make sure the composition is pleasing to the eye and I filmed it in my chosen location so I can get a sense of what the real thing would look like.

During this, I practised the tracking shots as that was something in the feedback that I needed to be careful about. It was hard to keep the camera steady whilst running so it made it look a bit shaky. However, this may be effective to show the hectic scenes.

My Budget

To keep track of my budget, I have create a list to see how much it would cost to produce my short film.



As you can see, most things are already owned or borrowed. This left my total budget of £9.50.

Budget of Short Films

Budget of a Typical Short Film

Short films will vary in budget. This depends on things such as cast, crew members, props, and equipment.

As shown in the image above, in GBP, a minute of short film can vary from around £362 all the way to £725 per minute of film. However, some short films have limited crew members to take on several roles to reduce cost. Some producers may create their own soundtrack and music whilst others may have to pay for a licence for copyrighted music. Furthermore, the use of special effects will add to the cost. All of these factors will affect the budget. 

Editing Techniques in Thrillers

Cutting:

Eye-line match: This is similar to shot reverse shot an refers to the path of where the eye is looking. The camera films a character looking at something and then cuts to their direction of gaze. This is often used in Thrillers to add to the suspense before it reveals what the character is looking at.

Cross-cutting: To alternate one action when editing to show two sequences. In Thriller films, this is used to follow several actions at once. It's normally used when there is a lot going on in different locations. It also creates anticipation because the audience would want to see what happens next - the cut between the sequence would add to the suspense.

Cutaway: This is the interruption of a continuously filmed action by inserting another shot of something else. It often is used when there is suspense, to interrupt the scene so the audience is left wondering what is going to happen next.

Insert: This is when there is part of a scene filmed from a different angle or length from the original shot. It is often used in Thriller films to emphasise different aspects of the scene. For example, when an antagonist pulls out a weapon, an insert might be used to focus on the weapon close-up.

Jump cut: A jump cut is the transition between two shots which appears to have skipped a few frames due to the way the shots are framed in relation to each other. The frames are often similar but not the same to create a jumping movement.

Other Editing Styles:

Slow motion is also often used in many films, particularly when there is a lot of action. This is often to highlight a key moment in the film or to dramatise it to create suspense. Some Thrillers use this editing technique to add to the tension.

Some shots may be in shallow focus. This is when the background is blurred out so only the things in the foreground are sharp and in focus. This draws the audience's attention. Shallow focus is often used to show something important. This can be a person to show their facial expressions or it can be on a prop to show the importance.

There are usually a variety of long takes and short takes. Long takes are often used to draw out the suspense and tension whereas short takes usually reflect on the hectic situation.

Short Film

For the short film to be successful, I would need a range of editing styles. I will be using cross-cutting in the short film during the video message scene. This is because it reveals the situation slowly which creates tension. There is going to be an eye-line match near the end of the scene to show what Adena is looking at.

For the beginning, I am going to have long takes, then changing to short takes during the chase to emphasise the chaotic scene.

Costumes

Character: Adena

Location/scene: At home preparing the house for moving day.

Int his scene, Adena would be wearing a white T-shirt to suggest innocence. This would be paired with dark blue jeans. I have chosen this because it is a typical outfit for a teenager to wear so it would make her more relatable.

Character: Adam

Location/scene: At Adena's house, helping her pack.

Adam will be wearing a dark blue T-shirt with black jeans. This is because I want the costume to be casual. It is quite simplistic and also a typical outfit to wear.

Character: Adena

Location/scene: Walking through a forest.

Adena will be wearing a grey hoodie along with dark blue jeans and trainers: This is becuase her intention was to go camping so she needs to keep warm. The costume is also practical as it is suitable for trekking in the forest. 

Timetable

I have create a timetable of each of our schedules so I know when to arrange filming dates.

Emailing the Actors

To confirm that the two actors have been cast for the role, I have emailed them.

Casting Choice

I have reviewed the auditions to see who would be more suited for the role:

The role of Adena:

I have chosen Caitlin for the role. This is because her schedule is more open. She is also my classmate so it would be easy to contact her. Furthermore, she has a lot of experience in acting.

The role of Adam:

I have cast Jace as the role of Adam because I found that his audition went very well. Jace is natural in front of the camera.

After the auditons, I got both actors to interact and run through some of the scenes. They worked really well together.