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

The Godfather Poster analysis

The Godfather is considered the most traditional gangster/mafia film ever made. It set the bar for gangster films to come and created its own codes and conventions.


When looking at the poster, our eyes are firstly drawn to the film title. It is in a bold, posh style font coloured white on a black background. The posh font is used to associate tradition and shows that the mafia has a history and is timeless. The use of the puppet strings above the writing also shows how the mafia has power and control and can 'pull the strings' of society. This has become an iconic image in the gangster genre. The fact that the font is white upon a black background allows it to stand out and be the whole focus point of the poster. This is a regularly used marketing strategy that directs focus at the films title in order to increase popularity.

Our focus is then directed towards the picture in the poster. We are shown a man wearing a black tuxedo with the traditional red rose on the lapel. This further highlights the feeling of tradition and timelessness of the mafia. We then see that the person in the picture appears to be holding and stroking a cat. This shows us the contrast between what the gangsters do and the world in which they are in. One side is a man that has a history of crime and violence and the other is a peaceful, domestic animal that is full of innocence and vulnerability. It shows that even gangsters cannot ignore their primary instincts.

At the bottom of the poster we have the films tag line. Instead of using a simple statement as most other gangster films do, this poster has an actual quote from the film. This gives the audience a small taster of the sort of content and dialogue the rest of the film will contain.

-James Banister

Still Photo's - Day 2 of Filming

Here again is a few still photos from our second day of filming. This time we did some shooting within james house where we created a room to represent the main gangster (Harry) place. Showing a higher status to the other characters within our filming, trailer. I think that we need to think out our thoughts and look back at our storyboard to get our ideas going as we didnt have alot props today which we need, because showing props, such as guns ... to show an imagery of our genre. As though our trailer is giving clues to what our film is about.

A location shot of James' house. We use this part of his house to represent the gangsters den. Dark room with a lamp to help create a dark but sophicated place for a gangster to be located in. We have the main chair also for this is show the high status of the gangster, to make him look like the leader, the main gangster.

James Filming.

Looking back at filming.

Three images of Harry on the left and Will on the right. These are still shots of Harry slapping Will, showing a high status and that he is in charge and has power.

Again two other still shots of Harry shouting at Will, showing anger and voilence within our gangster filming.

Below are three images of again the high status that is portrayed by Harry and Will. With also James filming this.

Here i am, playing part of a druggie, we used props also to make this part seem more realistic and work quite well.

Harry the high status gangster. Sitting in an arm chair as this portrays a traditional gangster feel. There are props also around him to show his portrayal of the character that he is playing. But we need to get some more props in next time, like a gun.

After taking these shots and also filming, we really need to get some still shots for our website and poster. Possible shots of each character, the main characters played by James and Harry. Then maybe still shots of objects that give an insight into our trailer, but without giving away too much. Maybe using some of the props we have used, and put then into our poster. I think my next step is to do some sketches of posters to get some ideas. I need to get this together to present a well produced gangster poster.

- Karis Hammond

Day 2 of Filming

Another filming day, Thursday 9th Jan. Today we went back to James' house to continue our filming. From our previous filming day we did shots of James' (Main character now know as Tommy) walking out his house and also shots of the forest, where he goes running.

We have also chosen a name for our film, trailer. ' Running for Charlie ' This is alot of help as we can get base of what type of poster and website can look like with the key base of the title of our trailer.

But on our second day of filming we did inside shooting, within James' house. We filmed the main gangster who is played by harry slapping another man, (Will). Will who is another character but just a low key character as we just needed him to portray Harry character more clearly to our audience. We had filming of Harry slapping Will to show his high status of the main drug/ dealer / gangster.

This part with Will and Harry shows The main drug dealer gettin annoyed at the other man as he hasnt done what he has been told to do. This showing volience and anger. Which are key aspects within a gangster film. Harry then puts Will up against a door to show even more higher status and power.



Our other shots from todays filming was a tracking shot that has a track of objects and pieces to portray our genre. I took part in the filming as i had to make out that I was a druggie. We also had Harry in a arm chair to show his high status too, with objects to portray our film, such as drugs ( cocaine), cigarrettes and matches.

After our two days of filming i think it is time now to start our editing and also plan our next day of filming.

- Karis Hammond