Certificate Research

I have had to research certificates as for my film, it will need an age rating. I have used the BBFC website as a source for this research. I will be reading about three certificates, 12/12A, 15 and 18 even though my film will most likely be either a 15 or 18. I will the have to compare the pros and cons of having my film as a 15 or an 18 as whilst I will be able to have more blood, gore, violence etc in an 18, this will cut off a large demographic of people who visit the cinema. 

Guidlines for a 12A film

• Weapons that can be easily available should not be glamorised e.g. attacking someone with a padlock in a sock as in most schools with lockers, this is an easily available weapon.
• Sexual activity must be brief and discreet and references to anything sexual should be within the limits of what a young teenager should be aware of.
• Some nudity is allowed but it should be brief and discreet.
• Some violence is allowed but should not be focused on or be in much detail and they should not highlight blood or injuries but it can be allowed.
• Sexual violence can only be allowed if it is very brief and essential to the plot.
• Dangerous behaviour which could result in death should not be focused on.
• Drug use should not be glamorised.

• Strong language such as 'F**k' but continued or aggressive use is not allowed and 'C**t' may only be used in a certain context.
• Sexual activity is allowed but not in detail and sexual references and behaviour are allowed unless they are too strong.
• Nudity is allowed but is limited when it is in a sexual context.
• Violence is allowed but should not dwell on the pain or injury.
• Strong sadistic violence is generally not acceptable as well as gory images.
• Drug taking can be showed but should not be dwelled upon, encourage or promote drug usage.
• Discriminatory language is allowed but should not endorse this language.
• Dangerous behaviour should not be dwelled upon.
• Easily accessible weapons is acceptable in certain circumstances.

• Discriminatory language is allowed to be the centre of the film and discriminatory behaviour is permitted.
• There is no limit for strong language.
• Sex, nudity and sexual references and behaviour is permitted.
• Drug use is allowed but should not promote it.
• Violence can be shown with strong detail as well as sadistic and sexual violence.
• Material that breaches criminal law or was created through this way is not allowed.
• Explicit sexual activity which cannot be justified by context is not allowed for an 18.

Cast for Billing

In order to have a billing, I need to first create and form my cast that will be credited for their roles in the film. I will be using real people for it, preferably people who have worked with thriller films before. By using IMDB, I have collected these people to use in my billing.

Producer - Aaron Ryder has produced thrillers such as "Memento" and "The Prestige"

Co-Producer - Brad Fischer had co-produced many successful films, many of them being in the thriller genre. These include "Black Swan", "Zodiac" and "Shutter Island"

Executive Producers - Doug Davison has worked on a wide variety of genres, most notably thriller films. Examples of these are "The Departed", "The Grudge" and "The Invasion".

Olivier Courson has helped with many thrillers including "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy", "Deadfall" and "The Awakening". 

Robert Jones has worked on thriller such as "The Usual Suspects" and other renowned films such as "The Constant Gardener" and "Gosford Park".

cinematography- Darius Khondji has assisted in creating thrillers such as Se7en, Panic Room and Alien: Resurrection. He has also worked with director David Fincher multiple times.

Editor - Fred Raskin has edited Tarantino's 'Django Unchained' as well as 'Guardians Of The Galaxy'.

Production Design - Maria Djurkovic has designed sets for thrillers such as "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and "The Imitation Game".

Casting - John Papsidera has been in charge of casting for the Batman Trilogy and "The Departed".

Music - David Julyan was in charge of the music for thrillers such as "Memento" "The Prestige" "Insomnia" and "The Cabin In The Woods".

Costume Design - Sandy Powell was the costume designer for thriller films "The Departed" and "Shutter Island".

Screenplay - Lawrence D. Cohen has worked on 'It' as well as both the original and the remake of 'Carrie'.

Storyboard

Once I had written my script and shot list, I drew up a storyboard. This will help me in numerous ways such as for shooting and in the editing process. As I will have written what shots to shoot, I will have a good idea as to what to film when I have to as well as how long each scene and shot should last for. As I have found in my research that most teaser trailers last for around a minute or two, I have calculated that mine should roughly last that long. I have also written in my shot list the music and dialogue to include which will greatly assist me in the editing process.

Actor and Prop List

Actors

• Mindy - Louise 
• Ian - Chris
• Police Chief - Alex 
• Unnamed man - Jamie 

Props

• Meat cleaver
• Stanley knife
• Keys
• Phones 
• Microphone head set
• Papers
• Cup of tea
• Balaclava
• Coats

Billing/ Credits Analysis

After analysing numerous posters and teaser trailers, I have noticed that they all have billings on them with a huge bundle of information and names on them. In order for my poster and teaser trailer to look as authentic as possible, I have analysed two sets of credits from films that are of the same genre, Sin City: A Dame To Kill For and November Man. I also noted that there is a set order for my billing which I will be following for my own credits.

Script

Opening credits/ billing. can hear a phone ring

two takes, close up from one angle, EXT close up focusing on eyes“Hello what emergency service do you require?... And where are you calling from?... Is anyone else injured?... Thank you I’ll send somebody along right. They should be with you in the next five to ten minutes”

close up. telephone ringing

med close up. Mindy talking on phone “Hello what emergency service do you need?” (Police, police now!)

over shoulder shot. computer with police stuff on - maps and charts “Where are you calling from?”

close up. Mindy’s face  (I’m at.. Girly screams and shrieks because brutal murder)

extreme close up. Mindy’s eyes looking scared

extreme close up. Mindy’s mouth talking and giving instructions

(hear the murder over the phone)

close up. Mindy looking shocked and scared

extreme close up. eyes going everywhere

Distressed woman “There’s a man in the house... he has an axe… he’s hit my dog with it… i’m locked in my bathroom… help me”

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP

cut to med shot. Mindy and her fiance, Ian, walking in a park

close up. Mindy’s teary face “it’s too hard dealing with this death and murder all the time”

close up. Ian’s face “it’s alright you can do it”

Cut to med shot. Police chief looking pissed off, paperwork all over his desk, stereotypical faces and string attaching all the links together

MS ZOOM TO CU - Chief on phone being threatened

CU - as above

MCU/CU - of wife looking distressed and with hand on her face, she reacts disgustedly

MS - Chief screams and smashes on table, papers go everywhere

over shoulder.

MS - Mindy walks in to office and says she might know who it is

MCU -  Chief completely ignores her

close up. Mindy looking annoyed and frustrated

Cut to Mindy and Ian in park together

MS/LS of the two walking/ on a bench talking

High angle/ multiple different shots of police chief’s wife tied up/ in danger

Close up of boss’s phone ringing

Med close of him picking it up and answering

Cut to overhead. Mindy and Ian lying in bed. She chats about what happened

cut to extreme close up. Mindy’s eyes opening, look of terror

med shot. Mindy sitting upright ‘gasp’

handheld from Mindy’s side of the bed. Mindy looking over to Ian’s side of the bed, he’s not there

one of Mindy, one of hand moving the duvet, reaction shot

close up of Mindy’s nervous face

MONTAGE:

close ups of knives

doors opening

keys in doors

knife coming down to camera

keyboard typing

man putting balaclava on

man running down road/alley

coats being taken off hooks

phone hanging up

Mindy crying

Police chief looking angry

Mindy looking shocked

Potential Production Company Research and Analysis

Now that I have a few potential tagline ideas for my production, I need to find a suitable production company to 'produce' my film. The production company needs to be suitable for my film e.g. a large, multi-media conglomerate producing an independent British film. The production companies logo will be on both my teaser trailer and poster. After researching production companies, here is the list that I have come up with. 

Hammer Films Productions

Hammer Films Productions are a British film production company and are best known for their Gothic films from the 50's to the 70's. However they are not a one trick pony. They also produce thrillers, film noir, science fiction and comedies. At the peak of their success, they ruled the horror market with the aid of distribution partners in America such as Warner Bros. In 2007 they were bought by a Dutch media tycoon John de Mol who intended to inject £25 million into new films. They have recently produced successful horror and thriller films such as Let Me In, The Resident and The Woman In Black.

Big Talk Productions

Big Talk Productions are a British film and television company founded in 1995 and is one the the UK's most successful and highly regarded production companies. They have made great achievements throughout film and TV. Examples of these are Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz, Attack The Block and Sightseers.

Lionsgate Entertainment

Lionsgate Entertainment is a Canadian-American company formed in 1997. It has been awarded the most commercially successful mini major film and television distribution company in the USA and Canada. Lionsgate have produced a wide variety of films ranging from horror and thrillers to rom-coms and action. 

Potential Taglines

Now that I have researched existing taglines for the thriller genre, I now have to create my own taglines for my film. Using the information that I have collected, I will be putting the conventions that I found into my tagline which I will be using for my marketing campaign.

Here is my list of potential taglines.

Caller id: UNKNOWN

As the protagonist of the film works in a Police call centre, I tried to use phone related lingo for the tagline. The 'UNKNOWN' is used to create mystery and make the audience unsure as to who the antagonist could be.

Who Will You Call For Help?

With the use of 'You' and the question in general directly targeting the audience, this should make them feel more involved and make them feel vulnerable as they are in need of 'Help'. 

This Is 999, How May I Help You?

Again, I tried to intertwine the fact that the protagonist works in a Police call centre into the tagline as well as addressing the audience. I also feel that in this context, a normally reassuring sentence can put the audience on edge.

Forever Left On Hold

This tagline has no ending due to the 'Forever' and in the audience's mind, this could go on for an eternity which could be frightening especially as they are  waiting for something. 

ARE YOU LISTENING CLOSELY?

This one also targets the audience directly and due to it all being in capitals, it could be interpreted as sinister or angry. 

There's More Than One Way To Send A Message

As it is an open ended tagline, it can trigger the audience's mind and imagination to go on overdrive and think of many different circumstances. It can also attract their attention as they would want to know the other ways to send said messages.

Sometimes You Just Need To Hang Up

By directly targeting the audience, they can already feel attached to the film especially with the 'Hang Up' as it is part of life about having to let something go so they feel an emotional value to the film. 

NOT EVERY CALL IS WANTED

There is a lot of mystery in this tagline whilst giving very little information about the film. This could lead the audience to be more likely to watch the film so that they know what the tagline was about as it caught their interest. 

Existing Thriller Taglines

After analysing 21 existing taglines for thriller films, I have found many similarities and conventions which I will consider and use for my potential taglines. What I have discovered is that many taglines are all in capitals. This is so that they stand out and stick with the audience. Another common feature is that there is a lot of direct reference to the audience by using the word "you". The taglines give very little information about the film but they give just enough information so that audience can get a gist of what is to come.

• The Silence of the Lambs - To enter the mind of a killer she must challenge the mind of a madmen 
• Seven - Seven deadly sins. Seven ways to die
• The Usual Suspects - Five criminals. One line up. No coincidence

• The Sixth Sense - NOT EVERY GIFT IS A BLESSING
• Shutter Island - SOME PLACES NEVER LET YOU GO
• Psycho - A new and all together different screen excitement!!!
• The Prestige - ARE YOU WATCHING CLOSELY?

• The Departed - COPS OR CRIMINALS. WHEN YOU'RE FACING A LOADED GUN WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
• No Country for Old Men - THERE ARE NO CLEAN GETAWAYS
• Sin City - THERE IS NO JUSTICE WITHOUT SIN
• Bourne Supremacy - THEY SHOULD HAVE LEFT HIM ALONE
• Bourne Ultimatum - THIS SUMMER JASON BOURNE COMES HOME
• The Maze Runner - GET READY TO RUN

• The Purge: Anarchy - WELCOME TO AMERICA  WHERE ONE NIGHT A YEAR  ALL CRIME IS LEGAL
• The Cabin in the Woods - You think you know the story
• Inception - YOUR MIND IS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME
• Memento - SOME MEMORIES ARE BEST FORGOTTEN
• The Machinist - How Do You Wake Up From A Nightmare When You're Not Asleep?

• Zodiac - THERE'S MORE THAN ONE TO LOSE YOUR LIFE TO A KILLER
• The Game - ARE YOU READY TO PLAY?

Fonts Focus Group

As I have to use a font throughout my marketing campaign, it is vital that I choose the perfect and ideal style for it. I printed out ten copies of each font with the film title on an asked my peers and teachers which one they find the most suitable.

Charlie Don't Surf

HVD Poster

Louis Cypher

Stamp

 Paris Old Style

 Old Typography

 Stamp

After conducting my research, I found that they thought Stamp, Old Typography and Louis Cypher would be the most appropriate fonts for a police themed thriller. Once I had narrowed down my research to those three fonts, I applied the fonts with the chosen colour scheme and decided that Stamp would be the most appropriate font for my poster and teaser trailer.

Analysis of Thriller Trailers - The Adjustment Bureau

• There is the stereotypical action movie voice over man
• Very quick and rapid editing
• Not a lot of information given about the film 
• The non-diegetic music increases in pitch and tempo until finally cutting out near the end
• There are plenty of impact sounds
• There are plenty of montages 

Analysis of Thriller Teaser Trailers - Inception

• The non-diegetic music is bass heavy and comes in as thuds whilst there are strings which are increasing in pitch which suddenly cut away at the end whilst the thuds from the bass continue
• There is very little footage from the film shown
• Of what footage is shows, there are clips of a fight
• The only sound is the non-diegetic music
• There is reference to the director and what he has directed
• There is virtually zero information given about the film
• There is only reference to the biggest actor in the film, Leonardo DiCaprio

Analysis of Thriller Teaser Trailers - The Cabin in the Woods

• There is very little information about what happens in the film but there is plenty of action, screaming and bloody faces
• The editing is very faced paced
• Plenty of impact sounds
• The taglines which are split up in the trailer seem old and eerie with the background of them being related to this film
• Whenever the tagline is on there is slow creepy music which contrasts the rest of the clip
• The tone of the teaser trailer suddenly changes from a cheerful spring break to screams and action
• The later tag lines and references to producers use a scary and creepy looking font and a red background
• The non-diegetic music picks up in pace and that even has screaming in

Analysis of Thriller Teaser Trailers - The Silence of The Lambs

• There is a deep and unsettling voice over which says a few key points as to what the film is about but says very little information about it
• There is a high pitched, string sound in the background which increases in pitch and tempo and suddenly stops near the end
• Only the actors names, the director and finally the film title are shown in the teaser trailer
• No actual film is played
• The only imagery shown is the skull made up of humans and the main image of the woman with the wasp on her mouth
• There is reference to the source material

Fonts

I would need to use one type of font throughout my marketing campaign and I had to make sure that it would be appropriate for the genre and type of film I'm making. Using dafont.com and the eroded section, I found a variety of fonts that I can use.

Louis Cypher

Stamp 

Press Feeling Eroded

Old Typography

Paris Old Style

HVD Poster

Charlie Don't Surf

Potential Poster Designs

After researching both general film posters and genre specific posters, I now have a good and developed understanding as to what film posters should look like and what they should consist of. Using this information I have sketched four layouts for my potential poster. I have drawn inspiration from both thriller posters and other genre types as to what my poster looks like. There are also a number of factors that I had to have in mind whilst creating these posters such as what type of film it is, if it is a mainstream or independent film and the target audience.