I decided to choose this cover layout as the prop (the golden compass) is the center piece of the film and magazine. This is similar to how I plan my story in which a book becomes the prop that changes someones life.
The blocking is good as the characters are looking towards the girl, keeping her the attention of the magazine. But the compass has additional attention as the text shapes round the compass as well as the design becomes the back drop for the Empire logo.
Blue and gold are the trending colors for this magazine. Not only are these contrasting colors, but it demonstrates that the film has made the magazine which is something I'd like to consider.
The Tron edition to Empire magazine involves a lot of medium close up shot's of the key characters. This makes the characters the attraction of the magazine as well as making the cover eye-catching to the audience. I might use a medium close up for my magazine cover as it's a bold way to take someones attention and provides personality to the magazine.
Audience:
The audience is often aimed at females, in my case, young females at the ages between 13-19. Therefore the cast and setting will contain aspects the audience can relate to
.i.e. The school setting with young actors.
Plot:
A typical rom-com plot will contain a 'boy meets girl' scenario.
There'd be 2 protagonists, a boy and girl in which by the end of the film, they'll end up happily together.
The film often is seen in the females point of view.
They will come across various obstacles before they end up together e.g. Arguments or other interfering characters.
At the beginning, they believe that they're not right for each other due to people or social groups.
There will be hints during the film to give the impression that they are a perfect match.
A character will encourage one of the protagonists that they are good together.
A lot of effort is then made so that the characters will declare their love for one another. Sometimes it works out or it takes a lot of time till they meet again.
They will then meet each other in which they confess their love.
If the characters don't end up together in the end, it's called a Platonic Comedy. The two protagonist often meet under un-usual or comic situations.
Mise en scene:
The Location will be set somewhere which the target audience can relate to in a Rom-Com.
e.g. Homes, School or Party events.
The Costumes will be very stereotypical, especially as I intend my story to be school based. The audience will be able to tell the certain character groups in the story; from the popular groups to the geeks, the sporty types from the rebels etc.
I may use Colours such as red or pink are used to represent love, or white for purity.
Camera:
Usually the end shot will show the couple together. As for the introduction, it often provides hints to what type of personality the character has and they're background.
Editing:
The story often shows more of the female characters point of view and how she comes to know the male. Also, there's usually a lot of fades in and out within Rom-Com based films or trailers so to give an idea of turning a new chapter of the characters story.
Sound:
Voice overs are often used to explain the characters and the situation.
In the script sometimes there maybe sexual innuendoes.
Non-Digeticmusic is mostly used, it maybe current music or music that fits with the characters.
I've decided to explore rom-com film trailers to help me understand how they're layed out; this includes trends that occur within this genre and any aspects of the trailer that I liked.
Easy A
The story behind the trailer closely resembles my own story as it's being based in a school environment and how the character finds her way to be recognized. I also like the way we see the character developing from the beginning to the end of the trailer; from someone not noticed to noticed. I hope for my character to go though a similar development in which she finds her role and purpose. Camera:
The beginning of the trailer I really like; it provides the viewer an incite into the character and how she's feeling in a secretive way (by using a hand-held shot). We are kept to her level (using a medium close-up) as if the audience is a friend of her's.
A mid shot shows Olive fall over after being bumped into by a student. This is highlighted as the camera pans down when she falls; as if she's been brought low by everyone- no help or support.
During the party scene, a high angel shot looks down on the crowd of teenagers as they listen in on what's going on behind the door. This makes them appear lost, uncertain and equal as they are all interested in the same event. This also makes the audience feel more knowing as they are aware of what's going on behind the door. Editing:
The beginning of the trailer uses straight-cuts at a similar pace to the beat of the music. This not only brings a connection to the music with the environment of the clips, but takes the audiences attention.
During the trailer, we cut back to Olive in her bedroom as she's telling us her story. This provides a consistency to the trailer as well as a connection with the audience since we reflect with her on her experiences.
As the trailer goes on, we're introduced to all the different men she meets or gets involved with. The length of time we're introduced to these other men are brief, unlike her friend at the beginning of the trailer. This shows that these men had little influence on her life compared to her friend who brought about her new reputation.
Mise en Scene:
The first scene displays a young, pretty girl in her bedroom; straight away this reflects on youth and the type of audience this story is aimed towards. The girl (Olive) is a red hair type in which could symbolize love, danger or a striking appearance. Then again she doesn't wear heavy make up, therefore her natural beauty is emphasized which gives her a 'down to earth' and humbling impression.
Olive's appearance changes so to demonstrate how she has changed. This is emphasized when we learn about the red 'A' which is meant to symbolize adulterer. She takes on this image through wearing tight black clothing, sun glasses and wearing the red 'A'. This emphasizes her bad attitude and sexual attraction.
Sound:
The introduction music begins with a cute, innocent little tune which reflects on how the main character doesn't portray a loud, popular or 'show off' type of personality. It also gives a likeability to the trailer in which draws the audiences attention.
When the party scene begins, the music then becomes more up beat and with attitude; again, this shows Olives personality but, on this occasion, how it has changed. This then progresses through out the rest of the trailer.
The Notebook
The setting and story is very different to my intended story, however the traditional romance shows through this trailer which I find inspirational. Little things like riding as a pair on a bike and the funny ways to draw someone to fall in love with you (holding onto the Ferris wheel). Also, the idea of someone or something preventing the pair to stay together is something I wish to include in my story.
Camera:
Various romantic, happy scenes are introduced which brings about a gleeful beginning to the trailer. Crane shots over look the couple riding across the river in a gorgeous, calm romantic setting. This resembles it's genre straight away as a traditional, typical love film.
Near the end of the trailer, medium close up shots display the casting of this film. I might not consider this in my trailer, but this was something often used in romantic comedy trailers. Editing:
The trailer begins with 'fades in' and 'fades out' and the length is shortened with each clip. This gives the impression of the past or a memory; that only key moment where remembered, not everything.
Through out the clip, the scene with the older man and woman often returns as they're telling this story. This provides consistency as we're reminded of how this man and woman met and grew to love one another.
The dinner party scene some what cuts the story in half; first it began with just the man and woman but from this point, Noah is then introduced into a high class environment. A cross-cut is used when Noah say's that he earns "40 seance an hour" to the woman eating, then looking up. Clearly this got her attention, but not in a good way; this is when we sense a hurdle in their relationship.
Half way through the trailer, a war zone is shown, with Noah taking part in the combat. A slightly longer fade out is used in which reveals another man in military uniform.This provides a contrast between the two men, one is doing the dirty work while the other is enjoying his time with the women. During this scene, we see the woman build a relationship with this other man, and sadly doing better than Noah.
During the rest of the trailer, headings and text is used to highlight important information and give credit to the making of the film.
Mise en scene:
The carnival scene really emphasizes the man and woman's class and status. The woman; wearing red and sitting on a high Ferris wheel. And the man; wearing comfortable work clothing and standing on the ground, looking up at the woman.
The man is obviously lower class and the woman appears wealthy with high status. But this image changes when the man climbs the Ferris wheel to her; they then become at the same level. This could symbolize the man's ambition to be with this woman; so that he may work his way up to being at the same level as her.
Sound:
The trailer begins with peaceful, happy piano music which reflects on the positive memories of the characters.
Narration is used at the beginning, but what I like is one of the characters is introduce the tale to us; this makes the story seem comfortable and that it's known well.
During the end of the trailer, another narrator highlights important information and key moments during the trailer.
Empire magazine is a British film magazine published monthly by Bauer Media.
The cover often publishes the most popular and anticipated movie of the month. The covers regularly involve one centre piece image displaying a staring actor in the film. I decided to go for Empire mainly for it's cover layout and how they effectively interpret the movie onto their covers.
Total Film is published in the UK every 4 weeks by Future Publishing.
Similarly to Empire, the greatest movie of the month will no doubt be displayed on the cover of Total Film. They're cover layouts vary from medium close ups to long shots therefore making every cover different. It's layouts also involve more cover lines than Empire, yet the cover image is still the centre of attention.
Diegetic sound involves the source of the sound being visible on screen or the source is indicated to be present in the film. Examples of this include characters voices, sound made by objects in the film or music.
Non-diegetic
Opposite to non-diegetic, the sounds source is not shown nor indicated in the story. Examples of this include narrator's commentary, dramatic sound effects or mood music.
Sound bridge
At the beginning of a scene, the sound from the privious scene is carried over to the next scene briefly untill the sound from the scene begins.
Ambient
Ambient sound means the background sound presented in a scene or location. This may include wind, water, office sound, crowds. Ambient sound is very important as it creates a natural feel and prevents an unnatural silence. The sound also provides continuity between shots and reinforces the mood.
Synchronous
Synchronous sound comes from the matched sound of movements occurring in a scene. For example, the sound of footsteps correspond to feet walking.
Asynchronous
Asynchronous sound is unmatched sound in which the source of the sound is not visible. These sounds are included to support the emotions in the situation. For example, the scene may display a couple about to kiss one another, the background sound maybe a heart beat so to highlight the intense emotions within the event.
Warner Bros Pictures Warner Brothers is an American producer of film, television, and music entertainment. Warner Bros also has several subsidery companies including Warner Bros. : 'Studios', 'Pictures', 'Interactive entertainment', 'television', 'Animation', 'Home video', New Line Cinema, TheWB.com and DC Entertainment.
Universal Studios
As one of the 6 major movie studios, Universal Studios is the 4th oldest movie studios that still in continuous production.
Universal Studios also have various locations including Hollywood, Orlando, Japan and Singapore.
20th Century Fox
Fox Film Corporation was founded by William Fox in 1915 and 20th Century Pictures was then founded in 1933.
The company has distributed various successful film series and television series. This includes; Star Wars, X-Men, Fantastic Four, The Simpsons, Glee and 24.
Paramount
Paramount Pictures Corporation produces and distributes films and television stations. It is ranked as one of the largest movie studio's in the world.
It has also invested in production companies such as Dream Works and the CBS Library.
Walt Disney
The American film studio, Walt Disney Pictures, is one of many distribution labels based on The Walt Disney Studios. Walt Disney Studios produce a variety of live-action feature films and are also know for their partnership with Pixar animations in which produce their animated films.
They're notable films include: Pirates of the Caribbean series, The Chronicles on Narnia, Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins. Animated films include Snow White and the seven dwarfs, The Lion King and Tangled.
