Ancillary Task Photoshoot

Here are some of the photos we took for the ancillary tasks of a poster and magazine cover.

Research: Studying Zombie Films

While doing more research on zombies, I came across this PowePoint online which I found very useful and informative. 

It is about zombie representations in films, media and society.

I found it really interesting as it explored different theories about zombies and what their overall meaning is.

I learnt that there are four stages in the Genre Cycle...

1. Experimental/ Primitive Stage - a form is passed through an experimental  stage and its conventions are established.
2. Classical Stage - conventions reach the equilibrium and are understood by the creator and the audience.
3. Revisionist Stage - new forms are used and some of the classical stage is questionned.
4. Self Reflective Stage - where the forms become the substance or content of the work.

I also learnt about Derrida. He said that zombies "blur the distinction between the living and the dead rather than making it clear." I found this point very important because it challenges the stereotype that zombies are brainless. 

I will definitely keep this point in mind while creating our next draft.

The Zombie Look

I conducted some extra research on the typical zombie look in preparation for our ancillary photoshoot.

Example 1

• This look would be simple for us to achieve. 
• We could create this with a white face paint on the skin, and purple and black paints around the eyes to imitate bruising. 
• Contouring the cheekbones with black adds to the sickly, lifeless look.
• The blood around her lips is something we could try in our trailer.

Example 2

• The open wound is something we experimented with before and would love to include it in our final ancillaries and trailer.
• This version has pale lips as opposed to example one which has red. I think the pale lips look more realistic for a zombie.
• There is dark circles and fake blood in this look as well which we will include.

Example 3

• This photo is a male zombie which is useful to look at as Laurel will be playing a boy.
• The fake blood is even more prominent here. We can easily use this in our own make up.
• The cut under the eye is a good addition to the zombie look which I would like to try out.

Draft 1: Reflection on Target Audience Feedback - Trailer

I agree with our target audience that...

• the zombie make up was done well and it was very useful in distinguishing between characters.
• the genre is clear from the beginning of the trailer
• we had a wide range of camera shots - we did this because using the same ones over and over gets repetitive and different shots can convey different things.

In our next draft we will...

• pay closer attention to the music and sound choices and change the volume control in order to make sure everything can be heard properly.
• try and include more funny moments, because although it is funny at points, we don't think it is funny enough.

Draft 1: Target Audience Feedback - Trailer

Harry Jerome, 17

"It was very clear to me that the genre was something along the lines of comedy horror. The music from the very beginning allowed me to establish this, and then of course, the funny scenes and the zombie make up helped!"

Betsy, Brady, 17

"If I had to improve something about this trailer it would be the sound. I thought the music was relevant but the volume was too loud and distracting at points. (For example, in the news report). Otherwise I really found it entertaining!"

Kimberley Ritchie, 19

"My favourite scene was where Keiran's hand falls off. Funny things like this really help to keep my attention throughout the whole trailer and make me want to watch the full movie. I also like the range in camera shots because it makes it seem a lot more professional."

Analysis of Draft 1: Trailer

WWW:

• There are a wide range of camera shots used, which makes it more interesting and gives the trailer an element of professionalism.
• The acting from most of the characters (especially the main ones, Lily and Keiran) was very good and therefore added to the quality of the trailer.
• It is definitely clear what the genre is. There is a good balance of comedy to horror. It's clear there was sufficient research done into the genre.

EBI:

• The green screen in the news report needs to be improved. You can see where the screen was creased during filming, and it does not look like a news studio.
• There are too many shaky shots where the tripod hasn't been used properly or it was really windy outdoors.
• The titles are not relevant to the genre.
• The sound (for example the dialogue) needs to be re-recorded as there is too much background noise.
• The trailer as a whole is very slow paced. It looses my interest quite quickly when I watch it.
• Some of the shots are very over-exposed and do not look professional at all.

Draft 1: Trailer

Draft 1: Ancillary Sketches - Poster

             

Emma's poster idea

Gabriella's first poster idea

What we have included in our sketches:

• Title
• Characters
• Release date for the film
• Tagline
• Credits
• Production company name

To improve these drafts, we must make final decisions on all of the above, and carefully consider fonts, colours and background.

Draft 1: Ancillary Sketches - Magazine Cover

Gabriella's sketch of a magazine cover design.

Emma's sketch of a magazine cover design.

Main ideas:

• Have the main character (Keiran) alone in the centre. This is because most of the magazine covers I have researched have the main character(s) at the front, but don't give much away about the storyline.
• We think our title will probably be either 'Black Juice' or 'Keiran of the Dead'
• We think our tagline will me 'You've been warned'

We will use Total Film because:

• It's a UK based magazine
• It is widely available (in print or online) so is ideal for our target audience
• Showcases many genres, it's not specific, so our comedy horror will fit in well.

Magazine Cover Research

'Total Film'

This Total Film magazine is featuring 'The Huntsman.'

What we can develop from this magazine into our own work:

• Having the main characters at the front
• Having the background relevant to the film - the ice is directly from 'The Huntsman'
• Keeping the magazine title at the top - Total Film
• Having the film title overlapping the main image
• The tagline/caption being smaller than the title - 'Theron and Blunt stone cold witches'

'Zombies'

This magazine is called Zombies and focuses more on zombies in general rather than a specific film.

We can still take inspirtation from the colour scheme, titles, images, layout etc...

• The yellow title and border is very eye-catching and is also a colour often associated with caution, which is relevant when it comes to zombies
• The grey background and undertones gives a dull and lifeless feel to the magazine cover
• The magazine title is white which stands out against the yellow and grey. 
• The title also has a 'rough' and 'ragged' effect to it.

Comedy Horror Poster Research

1 - 'Cooties'

2 - 'Detention of the Dead'

Inspiration we could take from these:

• Long shots of characters to display some sort of action
• Use of props, not just characters alone
• Doesn't necessarily have to be really busy. It could be simple.
• Titles could actually be based at the bottom or the top
• Credits should really be at the bottom
• Titles seem to be mainly in red and white - it relates to the genre

Ancillary Task 2: Film Magazine Cover (Development)

A brainstorm of my initial ideas for my film magazine cover.

What I discovered...

• That the cover will have to include other cover stories besides my own film
• Colours must match throughout (keep the same theme/ colour scheme)
• Lighting is incredibly important when taking the centre image

What I look forward to...

• Experimenting with the lighting to take the best possible photo for the magazine
• Experimenting with different fonts 

Ancillary Task 1: Film Poster (Development)

A brainstorm of potential ideas for my first ancillary task of a film poster.

What I have discovered...

• The placement of titles and taglines are very important parts of a poster
• The focus should always be on the main image
• The title must link to the genre and style (in terms of colour and font etc)

What I look forward to...

• Experimenting with taking long shots and close up shots to see what works best on a poster
• Creating a catchy and original tagline