Evaluation Of Filming So Far

The footage we have shot mostly so far is jogging and nature shots. The main focus of our trailer is the jogging footage which is the focus point for our title and our storyline.

When filming similar shots on different days we had to be conscious of the weather and of the costumes and props which we used. If we filmed in different weather conditions then the film will look sloppy and wouldnt have as great an effect. Also with props and costumes. We had to make sure that we didnt change the props and costumes used in shot to shot as this may come across once again, sloppy.

Most of the camera work so far has been conducted by myself and Will, whilst Karis has been in charge of taking still images and pictures, with Harry having a more of a director role in filming. So far we havent really been too experimental with the camera, optic mostly for slight camera movement, with the majority being a static camera. However, for this years trailer we have used differnt cammera heights and made more use of the zoom function. In our last project we tended to use mainly hand held camera and medium shots. This year we wanted to try and do something different with the camera, to give the film a more traditional feel.

We have most of the footage needed to make a gangster trailer and will start the editing process as soon as possible.

- James Banister

Filming (James and Harry)

On our second day of filming, me and Harry decided to stay behind and film a few extra shots.

As we were limited to what we could do we decided to film mostly jogging clips and nature clips. We took time and found different ways of filming the shots to create different efffects. For example, instead of having a simple panning/tracking shot for when I was jogging up the road, we decided to try keeping the camera static and using a zoom function instead. We did the same shot twice using both a zoom in and a zoom out.

We then copied a jogging shot that we had filmed on our first day of filming, only this time having the camera at a slightly lower height and extending the time length of the shot. This allowed us to cut between the two shots when editing the footage and create a more dramatic effect.

We also decided to use alot of hand held camera to make it seem as if the shot was from a first person perspective. This is a common camera effect used in gangster films as it implies that someone is "watching".

After filming the jogging and "watching" scenes, we decided to get a few tracking nature shots. These will be used to create a relaxed atmosphere for the start of our trailer, they will help to portray a natural and relaxed mood for the audience.

- James Banister

Day 3 of Filming

Another Day of Filming Thursday 21st of January. Today we filmed mainly in Epping Forest. We filmed the part of our trailer were Tommy finds a dead body with drugs and take the drugs with him. We filmed Tommys expression also when discovering the dead body.

Drugs in a bag

Will laying down, Dead body holding drugs.

Close up of the hand of the dead body holding onto the drugs.

James getting ready to run down to the dead body. Whilst Harry films.

James Running.

James filming close up of his face and expression of when he find the dead body and drugs.

Forest Tree - Location of filming.

James (Tommy) Dressed up in character.

Will dressed up in character.

Harry dressed in character.

Will, James and Harry together in playing their characters.

These last 4 photos we are going to use in our poster.

-Karis Hammond

Our Poster.

This is the finished poster. I created it using Adobe Photoshop. I used original images and fonts.

When it came to actually creating the poster, I had to take into account the analysis's I'd conducted of other posters. I decided to make the image the main focus point of my poster and revolve everything else around it.
To make the image stand out, I too the original image of me, Harry and Will and cut us out of it. I then put this cut image on the background of a photoshop document and coloured the rest of the background in grey. The use of the grey background allows every other layer added above it, to stand out. The title, image and text all stands out from the rest of the page as it is coloured white and is place upon the plain grey background.
Once I'd inserted the image I then added an "outer glow" effect to the edges. This was to give the impression that the characters are separate from the drab, dark background (which represents their childhood/upbringing) and standout in society as power figures and Superior people. I then added a slight "inner glow" effect which made the characters stand out even further from the background. This also allowed me to put text over the image as it wouldn't blend in or be hidden by the image.

The next focus of the poster was the film title itself. I didn't want to use the same font for the title as the rest of the text as it wouldn't stand out. Will designed the font for the website. I thought we ought to keep some similarity between both the poster and the website so will e-mailed me the font which I then used for the film title. I also made sure that the title was coloured white as was the other text, this further kept similarity within the poster and the website and also allowed the text, once again, to stand out. We also didn't want to use a font that was common, we wanted the title to have its own image and therefore chose to create a font solely for use on the website and poster. This further added to the professionalism of the website and the poster.

Then, when comparing my poster the others I have analysed, it does share some similar codes and conventions. For example, the use of the light coloured text and pictures upon a dark background is a common trend in 'gangster' posters. The costume used in the picture is also similar to that of other images used in gangster posters. All the characters in my poster are wearing smart suits, this highlights the 'power' and 'superiority' of the characters.
Another similarity with other film posters is the use of the phrase "From the people who brought you..." this is quite often found on posters that are advertising films from a major pioneering director.

If I could do it again I would change the background of the poster. Although the plain grey is effective in highlighting the foreground, it is however boring and dull looking. I would insert a still image from the film faded into the background.

I would like to think that my poster reflects and holds conventions of traditional, professional gangster film posters. I feel that it shares similar characteristics with other posters and has a professional look.

- James Banister

Storyboard

Here is our storyboard finally got up our inital ideas on our gangster trailer.

This is our first drawing of the character named Tommy, played by James. He first takes his daily jog in the forest. Long shot, Tracking.

We planned to film this part in Epping Forest.

Tommy (James) is also running with his ipod headphones in. The music we are going to use will go along with when Tommy puts his headphones in the music starts. The music also will help build up tension through out trailer. We also hope to also get some voice over onto our trailer. As most gangster trailer have a cockney accent which will we need to produce over our trailer, taking the viewers through our trailer, giving them an insight into the story of our film.

Here is a medium shot of Tommy. We've got a good shot of his face. showing his expression. Whilst Tommy is running he comes across a dead body and drugs on the floor.

He is shocked and unsure what has happen, which is shown through Tommys' facial expressions. As a group we need to decided whether the song played from the headphones stop as a this may create more shock as everything goes silent would make the audience think what is going on if the music was to stop and seeing the facial expressions.

Another long shot of Tommy. Again it is just showing tommys' expressions and also him walking up towards the dead body and drugs.

Here is the dead body that Tommy sees. The body is laying dead beside drugs, cocaine. I didnt draw in the drugs here but this was basically to show the dead body.

Here is the close up shot of the drugs. On the forest floor, beside the dead body. We also have money as well as drugs relate to money.

We are going to put the drugs in a breift case of some sort of luggage bag, because this is what it is like within real gangster films.

Here is Tommy hand, calling the police; 999. I think at this point we decide that we should show Tommy going to call the police, but he doesnt actually do as we think he will and he walks off with the drugs.

Close up shot.

Another close up shot of Tommy. Again showing his facial expression on the matter that is in front of him.

Medium Shot of Tommy Again, with his phone. Deciding on what to do.

Here is Tommys' decision. He picks up the drugs and runs off with it.

Again another shot of Tommy actually picking up the case of drugs and leaving with it.

The filming of Tommy after he leaves with the drugs it fades out and then zooms back into another part of the film.

After the black fade it then fade into Will getting slapped by Harry.

Different shots of this will be taken, getting in Close ups, Long shots.

Last photo, Harry having ago at Will. This is a mixture and different shots and angles to create a high status character played my Harry and a Low status one by Will who is playing Harrys' Underdog. He is also having a go at his for loosing the drugs that Tommy (James) knicked from the dead body scene.


Here are 4 sketches of another little story board we had in mind. A group thought process we thought of a tracking shot going to different iconic objects of drugs, gun, bra, body etc . . . . .

Luggage with drugs in it.

Tiled Flooring, Tracking along to next object.

Body on the floor, we thought of a dead body or even a drugged up person blacked out.

Bra.

When we get filming we will probably change our minds on ideas and situation when it comes to filming. But either way we hope that our final piece will portray a well produced Gangster Trailer.

- Ideas - Karis, Will, James & Harry

-Sketches and Writing - Karis Hammond