Props and set dressing

For our film trailer we require a variety of props and pieces of set dressing to allow us to portray the most realistic and believable post-apocalyptic scenario possible. Below is a list that Tom and I created of all the things we require before shooting:

 

Equipment:

Camera - We shall use my DSLR camera (Nikon D3100).

Go pro camera - Borrowed from a friend of Tom's dad.

Tripod -  School supplied.

Video camera - Tom's own camera, which can be used to acquire alternative angles and viewpoints.

 

Props:

Axe - Sourced from home. (Used for firewood).

Fake blood - Shop bought. Will be used for several scenes, including 'infected'.

Zippo lighter - Shop bought. I shall incorporate this into my film poster, using it as the light source for the page.

Camping light - Sourced from a friend.

Backpack - Already owned.

Cap - Already owned.

Motorcycle - Owned and used by actor in film trailer.

Motorcycle clothing - Owned by actor in film trailer.

Coloured contact lenses - Supplied by a friend. These will be used during 'infected' scenes.

Games console - Already owned. Will be used as a part of a flashback scene.

Microphone prop - Bought online. Will be used as a part of a news report.

Baseball bat - Already owned.

Cheap plates - Shop bought. These will be used in a key scene by the protagonist.

Video camera - Already owned. This will be used by the main character to make a 'video log/diary' of events that unfold.

 

Set Dressing:

This is an important element of the mise en scene of our trailer, so we had to think carefully about how to make the setting seem legitimate. We have thought about things such as:

Boards for the windows as a form of barricade.

'Litter' that can be used to portray the idea of abandonment. In particular, for a scavenging scene I have bought old, did-used books from a charity shop, which I will tear up and place around the room, to add to the ransacked look.

Film Trailer Synopsis

The chosen genre of my film trailer is Horror, with a specific focus on post-apocalyptic survival. Tom and I have taken inspiration from films such as 28 Days/Weeks Later, I Am Legend and Shaun of the Dead, although the latter is less relatable due to its comedy ties.

The plot that we have decided on consists of:
Harry O'Brien is a typical guy just going about his everyday life, when one day when journeying he receives and ominous phone call that changes his life forever. The call is from a secret organisation, that conducts dangerous experiments using chemicals and microbiology for the government, however this is unknown to the character at the time. A global pandemic ensues and seemingly leaves Harry as the only human survivor... as the other inhabitants of earth have either dies or got infected with a mutating virus.

A synopsis: After an ominous phone call, a young man's life crumbles around him as he is thrown into a unknown world where Earth's inhabitants have lost their touch with humanity. In his battle for survival, Harry O'Brien faces the unthinkable and unchartered. Could this have all been prevented? Could all of those lives have been saved? 

Cast List

Main Protagonist

 

Harry Hughan - Harry is a good friend who both Tom and I would be suitable for the role as he is not shy nor will he back away from any suggestions we may give him. He will show a high level of moaturity and we can depend on him to get the job done effectively. The role he will take is that of 'Harry O'Brien' an 18 year-old male who is dropped into a world where he must go to any length to survive.

 

Secondary Characters

 

Shaun Johnson - Shaun will fit the role of news broadcaster perfectly due to his professional and proper manner. This create the desired effect, for a minor yet significant role. It is his news broadcast that will fill feed the audience pieces of the backstory to maintain their interest.

 

Scott Greenwood - Scott will play a mysterious motorcycle-riding character that appears in certain points of the trailer, but little is revealed, giving the audience a sense of mystery and need to know more. It would appear that our main protagonist may not be the last man alive as previously thought.

 

Infected/Zombies

 

Amy Brookes, Oli Fairway and Jack Machell. With other friends who have volunteered to step in for minor roles if we would require them to do so.

Initial ideas and production company name

For the A2 trailer task I shall be producing the piece with Tom Critchley. We agreed that our film genre of choice would be Horror, but more specifically the zombie/ post-apocalyptic sub-genre. We believe that although this would be undeniably challenging, preparation will allow us to create a convincing film trailer for this genre.  

 

We have began to plan ideas for our 'production company' whose name will feature in the trailer through the form of an ident as well as during the credits at the end of the trailer. One of our better, and most probable ideas is 'Antidote Studios', with the ident consisting of a vile falling over and pouring down a plug hole. As our film is specifically related to a mass infection/virus/pandemic, we believe that the combination of a vile and the name of 'antidote' will have suitable connotations, and will allow the audience to create the necessary links about our film. The significance of our ident is that it will portray an 'antidote' (Antidote Studios) being lost down a plug hole, giving the impression that there is no cure or solution to the crisis being experienced in the film and it's trailer. This begins to subliminally portray to the audience the feeling of stress or danger that is being experienced by the characters on-screen, before they have even watched the entirety of the trailer.

 

We may use the a professional distributor such as Warner Bros Pictures (who disturbed I Am Legend for example) as this would give our trailer a more mainstream and well-produced feel, as opposed to being a smaller more independent production.

World War Z trailer analysis

Synergy in the marketing of films

Synergy is the cooperation between different sections of the same company, that results in the production of an idea or item that would not have been possible by either section individually.

The marketing used in the film industry is some of the most common as well as the most effective. After years of trial and improvement, which continues to this day, film producers are able to effectively and successfully market their films to their target audience. Synergy is so important to this industry as it allows film makers the opportunity to have the largest possible reach into the public and gather the largest audience possible, with the great thing being, each poster, trailer, magazine cover etc all acting as sign posts leading to the same place, the actual film itself. The reason synergy has become such an important part of any films marketing campaign, especially as technology continues to diversify, is the variety of different platforms/medias that synergy makes available to the marketing scheme of a production. For example, a trailer may have been created through synergy, and then released on YouTube, this could then be shared on Twitter, as well as being advertised by IMDb. This is only the online aspect, as posters, articles, and billboards etc will create interest when someone physically sees the item, but this may then prompt them to go online for further information. Television cannot be forgotten, nor pre-movie trailers in cinemas as these are two of the top areas of advertisement for a trailer that has been produced for a film. 

The most effective aspect of synergy within the film industry, is its ability to create a sense of unity and coordination throughout the entire marketing campaign. Being able to target an audience when they go on YouTube, social media, buy a magazine or even go for a walk and pass a poster or billboard, is something that is priceless to the producers of films who make every effort to ensure their film is watched byas many   people as possible, synergy makes it that little bit easier.

Marketing campaign for World War Z

My chosen genre for my film trailer is horror, but more specifically the sub-genres of Zombie/Apocalypse type films. I intend to focus upon the survival aspect of these films, rather than the scare factor, although that will always be present. With many iconic 'zombie' films being quite aged, such as Dawn of the dead, 28 days/weeks later, even I am legend. It is due to this, a more contemporary example in the form of World War Z, released in June of 2013, starring Brad Pitt, would be more suitable for me to look at.

 

For World War Z's marketing campaign, as with many films, prominently consisted of trailers, of which were accompanied by posters, magazine covers, billboards etc. What is unique about this campaign in particular is their viral video titled 'Crisis Zero' that talked about a pandemic/crisis similar to that seen in the film, however put it a real-world context. This video is made in a mock-documentary style, that explains a global 'infection' that has ravished Indonesia. This is made to look like a current event that is occurring right now, and the viewer should be concerned. Such a technique creates worry, and prompts the video to go viral online. This video appeared online four weeks before the release of the film, to create interest and encourage people to discuss the film. This video created a very much real link to the audience, avoiding the term zombie, instead focusing on the idea that a 'viral infection' had caused the pandemic. Such a realistic video is something that is unique for a film's marketing campaign, which has made it stand out from those who stick to more conventional methods. What is special about this kind of method, is the appeal for it to be used to play tricks on people, this continues to spread the advertisement for the film.

The official trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md6Dvxdr0AQ

The 'Crisis Zero' viral video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7TUqP8J86o