Final magazine cover

Here is my final magazine cover. 

In Photoshop I have added a title (I have chosen to change the font to 'Century Gothic'), issue number, date, barcode, price, subtitles, sneak peek of content, and finally... some 3D glasses!

I have also enhanced the vibrancy and contrast of the colours to make them appear more striking.

I have also used the healing brush tool to get rid of a dirty mark on the stencil (I have turned the dirt to white.)

Magazine construction 2

I then began to experiment with the stencil that I had made - I knew I wanted this as the main image, but wanted to add a variety of block colour to make the cover stand out further.

(Please look at my 'magazine influences' post for detailed analysis on my influences.)

I like this aesthetic as it reminiscent of 70s graphics, e.g. David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust.

I then did some further experimentation with the stencil
(however I then decided that I preferred my original design).

Everything here (pictured below) has been done by hand. I have now scanned this into the computer and the rest of the construction will be done on Photoshop.

Magazine construction 1

For my magazine cover, I wanted it to have a homemade look to match the expressionistic, lo-fi mood of my trailer.

I began by selecting an image of James - I chose the strong portrait shot of him looking down the camera, as I thought that this would be a striking image to use for the cover.

I then traced the elements of his face that I thought would work well for a chunky, modern, graphic aesthetic.

From this tracing, I then cut out these facial features to create a stencil (pictured above). I like this as a design in itself, but I am not going to use it as I want to create something with a range of colours.

Using this stencil, I created this image; I have only used three colours (yellow, blue, pink), but five colours have been created (yellow, blue, pink, orange, green.) This adds to the trippy effect and enhances the tricks that this interference plays on the eyes. 

I like this design as it appears distorted and confuses the eyes. It is also resonant of the design that I used for my inter-titles.

I am planning to experiment with this design with coloured papers before scanning it into Photoshop and working with it digitally.

Magazine title

'Nobody knows anything... not one person in the entire motion picture field knows for certain what's going to work. Every time out it's a guess, and, if you're lucky, an educated one'. 

- William Goldman, Adventures in the Screen Trade

My magazine title came from seeing this quote - it made me think that the filmmaking process is full of surprises and accidental ideas, which is amazing as it is not always rigidly formulaic, and therefore allows creativity to shine through.

I also like this quote as it is reassuring that nobody really knows what they are doing! Therefore, I thought 'Mug's Game' would be a witty, satirical name to use - as everybody is really just guessing...

I have chosen to use 'futura' - a modern, sans seriff, lower case font. This is influenced from 'indie', alternative magazines such as 'i-D' and 'the gentlewoman.'

I like this aesthetic as it is simple but bold, and compliments the visuals rather than distracting from them. 

Mood and Tone

I am aiming to make my trailer in the style of an arthouse film. It will be exploring alternate, distorted states of reality - this will be shown through expressionistic visuals, the strong use of colour giving a trippy and psychedelic atmosphere. This will be helped with motif (reflections) and editing techniques such as superimposition. 

This alternative, lo-fi style is based on films such as Enter the Void, Under the Skin, Trainspotting and Only God Forgives. 

Please look at my research and planning posts on these trailers, as well as my other influences, for notes and detailed analysis.

Example shots:

1. Reflections as motif

These two shots show James looking at his reflection. In psychology, mirrors symbolise the threshold between the conscious and the subconscious mind - so, by looking at his reflection, he is looking towards his unconscious and the altered, distorted place which his mind is in. Whilst doing this, he is attempting to reach the part of his mind which is able to access the information which he has been ordered to find. 

These reflections and mirrors also symbolise James being reflective of himself throughout the film, as this gives an idea of a personal journey as well as a physical one.

2. Superimposition

I have chosen to use a lot of superimposition in my trailer to heighten the sense of confusion and a distorted reality. It makes the audience question what is real and what is not, and portrays James' unhinged, drug-addled mind. 

This also helps to heighten the suspense and tension throughout the trailer, and visually draws the audience in as there is more than one image to look at on the screen. 

Magazine influences

Magazine cover influence from Alleyn's School Media Studies Department

Final poster

Here is the final version of my poster.

I have added another Laurel Wreath nomination in order to balance the left and right side of the face.

Further development to poster

I decided that there needed to be more information on the poster, as it looked too sparse to be a proper billing block image.

I first decided to move the title from the middle of the face and place it on the forehead instead, as the viewer will be able to read the face better (as the nose is not covered, etc.) It is very uncommon for a title to cover the main part of the central image, too.

I then decided that I needed to add some reviews and awards, as the poster would not be complete without it. I have included the same credits that I have included in the actual trailer, and have made them small enough to ensure that the text does not detract from the central image.

Poster 1

I really liked the headshot image that I used in my 3rd experimentation, as well as the red neon glowing title.

However, I needed to change a lot of aspects as it resembled a character poster rather than a main film poster.

I have since added credits (for both the actors, people involved and myself), the slate and the release date.

I have also changed the font of the tagline to something more slick and modern, and have decided to place it centrally. I have moved the title into the middle of the image to give a larger impact.

I have enlarged the image slightly in order for James's face to fit the page better. This also makes the poster look more intense and dramatic.

Poster experimentation 3

- After being unsure whether I wanted to use a central horizontal image, I have taken a separate head shot of James, using a similar colour palette. I like the vertical image rather than the horizontal - it feels more authentic.

- Taking influence from the Stranger Things 2 posters, I have included a tagline across the face as well as the release date in the bottom corner, which I think works well.

- The title itself is a problem - photoshop is not allowing me to copy and paste my red neon title which I have created. (Pictured below.) The font on the poster appears too dark and flat, and does not seem to match the rest of the image.

- I have since managed to put this text into the image. I have changed the sizing slightly, and have added a credit. I really like the look of this character poster, but I need to create something which allows more information to be gathered from it.

Poster experimentation 2

- After (reluctantly) deciding to scrap the 60s graphics, I have experimented with a more 'modern' look in order to match the aesthetic of my trailer.

- I have used the same image of James (and, again, enhanced the colours) and have superimposed this on top of a still from my shoot in China Town. I chose to use this image as it includes neon lights which read 'Play 2 Win' and 'Amusements'.

- The colouring is strong and it works very well, as it goes from blue to pink. This could be seen as a suggestion of the left and right side of the brain, and the way that they work differently.

- I then superimposed, twice, the image of James onto the left and right hand sides of the frame. I have done this in order to show disorientation and a suggestion of altered ways of thinking. The three heads also adds further layers of interest to the image - they are not instantly seen and the viewer therefore has to study the poster before they are noticed.

- I experimented with the same font as the previous design, as I thought the contrast between old and new would be interesting. Again, however, the font does not match the one that I have used throughout the trailer (and therefore can't be used).

- I then experimented in Microsoft Word with my original font. I wanted to make it look like neon lights, similar to those in the image from China Town. This neon glow enhances the modern look of the poster.

- However, I do not really like this design that much as I think it is very generic and I feel as if this does not ring true to my trailer. It looks like it could be a poster for a blockbuster, but I want my poster to look more artistic and alternative.

- I am also not sure whether I want my poster to be a horizontal image.

Poster experimentation 1

- I love the aesthetic of 60's psychedelic patterns, and so I selected samples of them and placed them on this image of James. Here are some of the patterns that caught my eye when researching:

- I love the bright colours that are used, and I wanted to incorporate these vibrant block colours to create a poster that is funky and eye catching, whilst also giving a nod to the origins of LSD and hallucinogenics.

- I have used lines from the fourth image on this experimentation. I have resized and rotated these to create a new pattern.

- I chose this image of James as it is centrally framed, and his eyes looking down the camera. The colouring is very strong, with blue on the left and pink on the right. His face appears red and striking, which is strong and perfect for a poster. The space around the edge  allows for elements to be added.

- I have enhanced the colours in the image of James for an even more dramatic effect.

- I have used the font from the 1967 film 'The Trip', as it matches the style of the patterns. The white is striking on top of the rest of the vibrant colour.

- However, I am not going to use this design for my poster, as the aesthetic is too 'old'. My trailer is very modern, and therefore this poster is not coherent to my film. The visual references to the 60s does not match, and is therefore irrelevant.

- Also, the font I have used does not match the font that I have used throughout my trailer. Therefore I cannot use the font I have chosen here (as they must match).

The Trip - Trailer

Here is the final cut of the trailer.

End slate

This is the end slate for my trailer. I have incorporated my 'production company' name from my thriller opening from last year, as well as giving each person in my class (and my teacher) a credit.

Some of the first credits are genuine:
- A film by myself
- Actors: James and Andrew Greenhalgh
- Soundtrack by Chris Hughes
- Sound director: Hannah Faja

The rest have been made up.

I have used the classic 'SF Movie Poster' font, in order for the slate to look more authentic.

I may also change the colours of the release date, so this flashes to match the other inter-titles throughout the trailer.

Titles influence (part two)

In continuation from my Prezi on titles and graphics, I have chosen to use Enter The Void as my influence to how my inter-titles will actually be presented on screen.

I loved the use of vibrant, bold colouring and wanted to use the same neon tones rather than settling for black/white.

For inter-titles to work, they must move in some way on the screen in order for the 'action' and movement in the trailer to continue to flow. 

Therefore, as well as having the colour flash and change, I also added another layer of writing to give a '3D' / interference effect. This gives the notion of double vision which reflects the theme of my film.

In FinalCut, I have written my inter-titles on a 'basic title' text box. To create the strobe effect, I have repeated this text over and over (in four different colours), each one lasting 0.2 seconds. On every third text box, I have added the second piece of text in order to create the interference.

You cannot see here, as these images are stills, but the colours flash as if they are a strobe.

(Please see my research and planning post on Enter The Void for detailed analysis).

This GIF gives a better idea of what the titles look like in the trailer.

I wanted to give the same strobe effect for my end title - this would give an intense, dramatic, punchy ending.

Potential poster images

Poster influences

Poster influences from Alleyn's School Media Studies Department

Filming schedule

Rough cut 4 with notes

For this edit, I have created inter-titles throughout, using the same technique that I did for the title. However, with these I have added an overlay in alternating colours on top of every third piece of text - this is to give the effect of the font moving, or 'shaking'. This is in order to keep the movement rolling through the trailer, otherwise the action will appear to stop when the inter-titles appear, and would look jolty when the visuals began again.

I have also included my ident, where in which the soundtrack starts a few seconds before this ends (i.e. a sound bridge.) I may add a 'whooshing' sound effect at the start of the ident to fill the silence.

There was a slightly out of focus shot at the start (walking through China Town). This was intentional, but, to make this clear, I have added a 'blur' effect on this shot to enhance the effect.

Some of my audience feedback included the shots of the cup - they said that it appeared 'lame', and 'not dramatic enough' compared to the rest of the trailer. I am going to change these shots for something more exciting, perhaps some ink blooming through water.

I have added further superimposition as well as tightening the edit to the soundtrack. E.g., I have intercut two shots (around 0.5 seconds each) to give a 'jumpy' effect to synchronise with the guitar. This adds disorientation, and appears very jarring, which is the look that I am aiming for.

I have also extended the title slightly at the end, to give this more time to be read on the screen.

I still need to add the end slate with the credits.

Rough cut 3 with notes

In this cut I have edited the soundtrack and the visuals further so they fit together better. I have also added the 'montage' in the third section, which helps majorly to pick up the pace.

I have also changed the ending further, by adding a coloured portrait of James over the strobe - this brings the ending together well as the colour scheme (blue / red / pink) returns.

I have included the title in my chosen font, and have repeated it at 0.2 seconds in different colours in order to create this strobe / trippy effect.

I have added further superimposition throughout.

Rough cut 2 with notes

In this cut, I have put the trailer to my own soundtrack. This has not been perfected - I need to chop and change the track in order to make it fit better with the visuals, i.e. the beat will be in synchronisation with the visual edit.

I have added another scene which involves running up and down staircases, as well as a 'car chase'. This has added a lot more movement to the trailer which builds atmosphere and tension.

I have changed the 'main scene' to black and white - I think this works well as it clearly shows the difference between the 'conversation' and the rest of the montage scenes. I also think that the monochrome effect helps to build the atmosphere.

I have changed the ending to something more dramatic - I felt as if the strobe close up of James's face worked much better, as the tension built throughout and so it felt wrong to slow it right back down again for the end. This is also a lot more punchy, and will keep the audience on their toes.

I still need to add another ten seconds of footage - I am planning for each clip to be one second long, meaning that this third section of the trailer will be the 'montage' part. Here I will add more superimposition to enhance the feeling of the trip, and to give the notion that everything is becoming more overwhelming. This will also help to build the speed and suspense.

Rough cut 1 with audience feedback

Here is the first rough cut of the trailer.

Notes from feedback:
- I am going to change the 'brightly lit scenes' to black and white in order to create a more atmospheric mood. This should also give a clearer contrast between the scenes, which will solve any confusion between them.

- I am going to replace the train shot with something that appears within the conversation scene (perhaps the drug), so this transition will run much more smoothly.

- I will alter the shot length / timing of the voiceover to sync the audio and visual together.

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot seven, part two)

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot seven, part one)

Titles and graphics

Here is my Prezi explaining my influences for font and graphics ideas, as well as experimentation with similar found fonts.

Rough cut 1 with notes

Here is my first rough cut of the trailer.

I do not have my personal soundtrack yet, so I have used copyrighted music - the same tracks that I have used in my animatic. This will be changed in the next cut.

I still need to add the inter-titles throughout as well as think of a title for the film. (The ident needs to be added at the start - I have made this but have left it for out for now, purely to speed up the upload time).

I still need to add around 10 seconds of footage - this will be another scene intercut with the strobe lighting in the third part of the trailer.

Audience feedback from my peers included comments about the amount of movement within the trailer. Therefore I want something that will add fluidity and tension, and am planning to film a scene with a lot of movement in the camera. This will be done in some sort of stairwell / building block - this footage will give me different levels (moving up / down stairs) as well as motion (running) within the frame.

I also want to change the ending (with James drinking the tea), as it does not fit with the rest of the trailer, especially after the pace has been building throughout. I am planning to make the end more dramatic, perhaps with editing in some more of the strobe scene.

I may take out the ambient sound as it seems distracting to the soundtrack and voiceover. However, I do like the sounds of the train and the tap dripping.

Soundtrack

My friend Chris Hughes created my soundtrack for the trailer. He describes it as manic, dissonant and an ode to the early Canterbury scene - an early British Psychedelic movement in the 60s - that experimented with different tonal dissonance and effects on electronic instruments.

We may mix the music further with the sounds on FinalCut.

Soundtrack inspiration

There are three tracks that I have used for inspiration - one for each part of my trailer.

Sound from re-shoot

Sound from China Town

Even though I did not end up using any diegetic sound from my China Town shoot in my trailer, I still recorded a lot of audio from that day. Here is some of the best sound from the shoot in the video below.

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot six)

Rough cut of footage and notes (re-shoot of main scene)

Sound bites needed

These are the sound bites that I need to record myself. I have found clips from YouTube to use for this video.

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot five)

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot four)

Water footage - clips and tests

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot three, part two)

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot three, part one)

I love the colours in this footage, and I now want to use more of these shots in my trailer than I originally planned. I am therefore going to do another shoot under these lights, with more experimental angles and close up shots.

Rough cut of footage and notes (shoot two)

I am happy with the quality of these shots - I have also filmed a lot more than I need, so I will have lots of extra establishing and continuity shots if needed.

Rough cut of footage with notes (shoot one)

After shooting the main scene last week, I have decided that the light conditions are too dark, which makes the footage appear grainy. There is not enough crisp contrast in the saturation, and I am therefore going to re-shoot this scene with key and filler lighting.

I also lost the sound recordings for this shoot. Sound is extremely important for making a film look professional and high quality, so this is another reason for re-shooting. (As I would not be able to sync up the sound correctly if I do not record the audio and visuals simultaneously.)

Filming permission for office shots

I decided that, for the office shots, I would ask my dad if I was able to get permission from his work to film in an empty office in his building. After some liaison, I have managed to get it and have organised it for the evening of Thursday the 5th October.

The first email that I sent:

This was then forwarded on to the relevant people who have kindly organised the location for the shoot:

(I have erased names and email addresses for privacy.)

Updated shot list

(Voiceover)

1. China Town - establishing shots; chefs cooking/preparing food

2. Close up of knife chopping fish

3. Close up of food in pan - sound bridge from sizzling to crowd sounds

4. China Town - James (protagonist) walking through crowd

5. Shot from back - motion

6. Close up (front) - motion

7. Shot from above (from window if possible)

THESE SHOTS HAVE BEEN CUT OUT DUE TO LOCATION CHANGE...

9. Close up of Andy (boss) sitting at table

10. Waitress walks in front of the frame. We see James sat opposite him when she leaves frame (James speaks)
11. Close up of waitress walking with tea tray - motion
12. Wide shot of table as waitress arrives, places tea down
13. Cutaway of waitress walking away
(Andy speaks)
14. Close up of tea cups from above... their hands then take the cups from the tray, taking them out of the frame
15. Over the shoulder shot of Andy
16. Cutaway of flower painting/artwork on wall

... AND HAVE BEEN UPDATED WITH THESE:

(Voiceover) 

17. Long shot of James on tube home
18. Shot of James in mirrored lift
19. Wide shot of James at computer screen (side profile, framed by window?) - light shines on face. Can hear computer keys tapping
20. Close up of eyes - screen reflected in it

21. Wide shot of James silhouette in bathroom doorway. Clicks on the light
22. Cutaway of tap - slowly dripping
23. Shot from above - James lying on bed, coloured lights saturating shot. Can still hear tap dripping
24. Shot from above of the sink - James's hand gripping sides (as if it is his POV)
25. Shot from side of sink - arm in the frame. Pan up to see James's wet face staring in the mirror
26. Wide shot of James sitting on bed, leaning against wall, coloured lights saturating shot. Can still hear tap dripping
27. Close up of James's face in mirror. Water dripping down face
28. Cutaway of lit up water
(inter-title)

(Returns to the scene)
29. Over the shoulder shot of Andy

(Voiceover)

30. Cutaway of strip light flickering
31. Wide shot of James walking down empty office at night
(Inter-title)
32. Wide shot of James walking through formal party 
33. Cutaway to extras within scene - close up of drinks in hand
34. Close up of file draw opening
35. Medium close up of car door opening, James getting out of the car
36. Close up of hand flicking through files
37. Two men in suits in party - both turn to look at him. Hold
(inter-title)
38. James looking out of car window driving at night. Can see reflection of face and street lights 
39. Shot of James banging on mirror. Lights are saturated
(inter-title)
40. Shot from above - James face underwater in bath. Both the lighting and water will be saturated
41. Close up of James's face, eyes closed and head lifted. Brings head down and opens eyes (under theatre lights)
42. Shot from above - James face underwater in bath. Both the lighting and water will be saturated
43. Close up of James staring down the camera (lit with theatre lights)

(Returns to scene)

THESE SHOTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED DUE TO LOCATION CHANGE...

44. Close up of James
45. Cutaway of him picking up cup
46. Close up of Andy
(Andy speaks)
47. Over the shoulder shot of James. He drinks the tea
48. Close up of James as he drinks - can see Adam's apple move when swallowing
(inter-title)

AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THESE...