Voice over

This is the script I wrote for the note initially found in the book, and the script for the message within the book on page 134. I intend to turn this into a voice over to run throughout my trailer.

Below is a voice memo stating why I did not progress in using a voice over in my actual trailer:

Unused shots

Below is a video entailing a selection of shots I did not decide to use, and the reasons why I didn't use them:

Photographs not used - Ancillary tasks

Below are a selection of photographs that I did not end up using within my ancillary tasks for several reasons. 

 For my poster, I knew I wanted to include an image of the location  behind the characters. I took several photographs of the location be it the forest/trees or actual cottage in which we were staying. Above is an image of the cottage, I did not use this image as I felt that it did not convey an eerie enough atmosphere for my poster and found that it looked more effective using a shot of the trees/forest surrounding the cottage. I also found that the mise en scene was more effective, impacting and revelevent when using an image of the trees surrounding.

I was unsure of exactly what I wanted in terms of images for my poster, whether I wanted an individual shot of the main character or a group shot. The above images were taken when filming in Hamsterly Forest. I decided not to use the above images as the quality of them are not good enough for a poster and the shots were not what I wanted for my poster when reflecting on them. The shots were taken with a good quality camera on a smartphone yet still did not do justice to what I was aiming for in terms of a good quality image for my film poster. Using these shots would have made my product look unprofessional.

I decided on going with a group shot for my poster as, within my trailer all characters are given equal (more or less) exposure and it would be relevent to include them all in a film poster. I did not use the above shot (and several others similar) as, although the quality was excellent, the lighting was not great.  Some of the characters faces are shadowed and I felt that this wouldnt be the case in typical media texts/posters. 

I did not use this shot as the character on the far right (Sarah) is looking down and I felt that, to have the most impact on the audience, as many characters as possible should be looking directly forward in order to engage with audience members, and entice them into wanting to view the film. 

 I did not use this shot as, with my actor wearing glasses to suit her character, there was lighting issues in terms of reflecting into the glasses from the flash. This wouldn't be the case in a typical and professional media poster so I decided to not use this shot, and take further shots until the light reflecting was not a present issue. 

 When taking individual shots for character profiles to appear on my website homepage, I found that when reflecting through my photographs, viewers should have as clear a view of the characters appearance as possible. Although I loved this shot, I decided not to use it on my website homepage as viwers can not see this characters (kate) face, blocking them from identifying with her.  

 I decided to not use this photo for the obvious reason of it blurring. Blurred images look professional, rushed and would not be featured in typical media products. 

Shots I did use

Home footage - editing frames

I wanted a section of my trailer to include elements of 'home footage' whereby clips will look to the audience that they have been recorded by the characters, and at this point the characters are aware they are being recorded.

I tried several ways of making it look like home footage just by using premiere pro however it looked unprofessional and not 100% authentic. 

I then tried using Photoshop to create the recording text and frame in separate layers, changing the time and date to the appropriate clip that it would be matching. Having used Photoshop last year, I am more experienced on it and had the skills to do so. To ensure that I had the look of an authentic home footage recording, I researched some other ones to ensure it looked as genuine and professional as possible. 

 I found that typical conventions that I needed to include in mine were:

• Battery sign 
• 'REC' sign
• red recording button - flashing
• Framing around the sides - corner
• Time/date

I imported the layers I had created, into premiere pro and applied them to the frames that I wanted to have the 'home footage' effect. This worked really well. The size had to be altered slightly to fit the frames.

Aside from this, I found that, as I'd recorded the 'home-footage' and actual footage on the same camera, they were of the same quality, which, in a typical trailer/film, this wouldn't be the case. In order to the differ the two, I changed the colour effects on the 'home footage' giving it a slightly bluey tinge enabling it to appear as a lower quality in comparison with the actual footage in the trailer.

Below is the end result, I am extremely pleased with it as I feel it looks authentic and professional: 

 

Progress and Time managment

The image above is a screenshot of the current state of my trailer. I'm very pleased with what I have accomplished in terms of editing in my trailer during the time period given so far. As a beginner, I was unfamiliar and somewhat 'alien' to Premiere Pro yet have acquired skills and general use, during the completion of my product.

I feel my time management has been exceptional in the sense that I have had written goals to achieve each week, whether it be to edit a selected amount of clips, add music or modify the sound, etc. I have followed these in order to complete all I need to, in the time given.

For example, last weeks plan included:

• Finish off editing 'home footage' frames in paint-shop pro and upload into Premiere pro √
• Complete all title slides √
• Modify audio transitions, ensuring they are appropriate and effective √
• Re-add the sound from the clips that was lost and ensure it is in the correct place again √
• Record voice over  (in progress)

  Writing out a set of goals to achieve each week has helped me to stay motivated, focused and keep up-to-speed with my trailer, completing it to the best of my ability, yet remaining in the given time.

Character profiles

In my product there are four main characters, Lauren Sarah Kate and Chloe. I have designed them to all have differing personalities that distinguish them apart in order to enhance the like-ability and recognizable traits of each character.

For my character profiles, I took inspirations from the character profiles on the 'Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' website:

I love the way the text is somewhat casual and cool, yet remains abrupt and straight to the point. When reading these character profiles, I instantly felt a sense of personality and individuality for each one. Having a picture aside each one helped from an audiences perspective as it helped match the description with the face, allowing for greater audience involvement.
 
In terms of character profiles for my characters, I abided to the identity of each character suggested through my trailer. Below are the character profiles that I have written for each character, I plan to place these on my website homepage:

Lauren
Lauren is the girl with masses of spirit. In rain or in shine Lauren is up for a laugh, and more importantly, up for a challenge. Bright and bubbly, Lauren remains the glue of the group, bonding the girls through the hardest of times. With a keen fighting spirit she is often the voice of the group, speaking her mind and defending her friends. Lauren is a modern-day dreamer, with huge aspirations. Laurens hugely likeable nature progressively aids her in obtaining the opportunities that she strives for.

Sarah-Jane
Sarah-jane aspires madly to work within the film industry. Her love of filming and documenting almost everything technologically, has gained her recognition throughout her studies. Her kind nature ensures that she is always there for her friends, yet her mature outlook on life lands her many of times as the voice of reason. Sarah-jane loves to have fun with her friends yet has a sensible and responsible nature and holds this influence over the group.

Chloe
Chloe seeks adventure. Where-ever and whenever, she is the girl that will go the extra mile to find the excitement in almost everything. However, this is not always a positive and unsurprisingly has landed her and her friends in some unstable situations in the past. With a keen dedication to writing and reading, Chloe seeks to find an explination in everything and will not stop until she has done. Curious and inquisitive, their venture to the remote cottage seemed the ideal getaway.

Kate
Kate is a fashionista. With her head in her studies and mind on her money, the getaway to the cottage seems anything but the perfect holiday. Quietly confident, Kate is successful in what she puts her mind to yet can crumble in situations unsure to the norm. From the dark to creepy crawlies, Kates ever-girly nature see's her in fear of many things, relying on her friends to help her out many of times.