Storyboard First Draft

This is the first draft of the storyboard for my film. I am happy with many of the shots and will likely not change them for my final draft. However, there are some other details that I would like to include, namely, more 'flashback' scenes to give more of an idea of plot. I will also add more 'action' shots at the end of the trailer, to give it a more dramatic finale. 

Analysis of Survey Results

1)  The results of my first question show that information about the plot in a trailer is what attracts people to watch a film. This supports my competitor research to an extent, as I found that Post-Apocalyptic trailers feature a fair balance between plot and action-based shots. Because of this, I will include mainly plot-based shots in my trailer, but I will also include action shots in moderation.

2)  With my second question I found that the main reason that people enjoy Post-Apocalyptic films is because they show the story of survival against all odds. Because of this, I will make the need to survive prominent in my trailer.

3)  My third question revealed that the element most associated with the Post-Apocalyptic genre is Zombies. However, I do not necessarily want to follow what is mainstream within the genre, so my film will not be a Zombie Film.
Another image commonly associated with Post-Apocalyptic films, according to my survey is empty streets/abandoned buildings. This is also supported in my competitor research, as I found that Post-Apocalyptic films are prominently set in ruined, empty, abandoned landscapes. Because of this, I will set many shots of my trailer in empty or abandoned buildings. However, due to budget, I may not be able to include ruined buildings or destruction.

4)  My fourth question focused on music that people associate with the genre. The majority of people said slow, dramatic or sad in their answers. These qualities can also be associated with some of the music in the competitor trailers that I researched. Because of this, I will choose music for my trailer that has these same qualities.

5)  In this question, I sought to find what my audience's idea of a stereotypical interior scene would be in a Post-Apocalyptic film. Most people described the inside of an abandoned house. I will use the words that people used to describe these interiors as inspiration when creating scenes for my trailer.

6)  In this question, I sought to find what my audience's idea of a stereotypical exterior scene would be in a Post-Apocalyptic film.  Empty cities and forests came up in multiple answers. My competitor research also supports this. Because of this, I will include these as settings for scenes in my trailer.  My competitor research also suggests deserts as being a common exterior location in Post-Apocalyptic films. However, as there are no deserts in Britain, I will be not be able to shoot scenes at this location.

7)  For this question, I wanted to find how my audience would expect a dangerous setting to be established. Multiple answers said that low-key lighting and tense music could be used. However, other than this my audience did not seem to be any predefined ideas of what establishes a sense of danger. Because of this, I will experiment with the ideas my audience suggested (such as making the characters look small against the environment and rapid camera shots)

8)  The results of this question show that my audience think that extreme long shots are the most appropriate shot type for a Post-Apocalyptic film. This supports my competitor research, where I found that long shots were prevalent in Post-Apocalyptic trailers. Because of this I will be sure to include extreme long shots in my trailer. However, most camera shots were deemed appropriate by my audience, and there are no camera shots that I shouldn't use.

9)  The results of this question show that my audience prefer to see 'Character voice over - dialogue from film', 'Character voice over - special for trailer' and 'Speech used as sound bridge' as forms of narration. Because of this, I will have my trailer narrated in these three ways.

10) For my final question, I sought to discover which antagonistic figure my audience would want to see in a Post-Apocalyptic film. Ignoring the answers saying 'Zombies', the majority of people liked the idea of 'The threat of starvation' being the main threat, so it shall be. A large amount of people also liked the idea of 'The environment/nature' being a major threat, however, due to budget, this will not be a viable option for me. Quite a few people also agreed to the idea of 'Raiders/bandits/cannibals' being an antagonist. This is much more achievable, so I will include this as a threat.

Camera Workshop

Today, I participated in a camera workshop. In this session, I learnt some fundamental rules for filming that I should consider in order to make an effective and conventional film:

• Rule of Thirds - ensure that subjects take up about 1/3 of the shot and are positioned on either the left or right side. This makes a less intense shot. If the subject is positioned in the center or takes up more than 1/3 of the shot, then the shot is more intense.
• Talking/Walking room - ensure that there is space in front of where a subject is looking or walking to suggest that the subject is actually talking to someone or walking somewhere. This makes the shot comfortable to watch.
• Zoom - In order to produce 'flattering' close-ups, use the camera's zoom function rather than standing close to the subject, as this can cause distortion.
• Scripting - Make sure your actors are given a script with plenty of time before the shoot, so that they know the lines and they are continuously correct.
• Continuity - Ensure that actors and settings do not change dramatically throughout the course of your shoot (e.g. haircuts or weather).
• Headroom - Do not allow for too much empty space above the subject in a shot, as this is uncomfortable and unattractive.

Trailer Analysis - Delicatessen (1991)

DELICATESSEN



I have chosen to analyse this trailer as although it is set in a post-apocalyptic setting, it is not made inherently obvious in the trailer, and it is not a very important part of the film. The trailer is also strange as the plot isn't described in the trailer at all.

Camera angles, shots and movement

• Near to the start of the trailer, there is a close up of someone holding a knife, this connotes danger.
  
• At the end of the trailer, there is an extreme high-angle shot from behind two people. This again conveys a sense of danger.
  
• Following this, there is a low-angle shot where someone chops down onto the camera with a cleaver. This is an obvious sign of danger.

Mise-en-scene

• The first shot of the trailer is a high-angle establishing shot which shows a swinging sign on the wall of a shop that says 'Delicatessen'. This shot is typically used to show people walking outside a shop, however, there is no one there, suggesting abandonment which connotes a post-apocalyptic setting.
  
• Following this, there is a shot featuring snails on a record player. This conveys the idea of nature reclaiming the earth that is often prevalent in post-apocalyptic films.
  
• Shortly after this, we see two people dressed in 40s/50s clothing. This clothing has connotations of war and nuclear threat, as those things were prevalent at that point in time.
  
• In the same shot, we can see that the room is cluttered. This gives an impression of hoarding, which is a stereotypical element of post-apocalyptic fiction.
  
• Soon after we see a shot of a man sharpening a cleaver, which has connotations of danger.
  
• Following shortly after this, there is a shot of a man listening through a wall. This connotes hostility.

Editing

• Throughout the trailer, everything is in rhythm with the 40s/50s music. This is creative and makes the trailer more memorable, which means that people will be more likely to watch it.

Sound

• Throughout the trailer, there is 40s/50s music. This has connotations of war and nuclear threat as it is music from the time of the cold war, and after the world had witnessed the destructive power of the atomic bomb.

Survey Results Data

Post Apocalyptic Trailer Audience Research

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Stereotypes of the Post-Apocalyptic Genre

From my trailer analysis, I found that many aspects were consistent throughout the four films:

• A dangerous setting is established either at the trailer's opening, or soon after.
• The event the caused the apocalypse is mentioned, but never seen or understood.
• The Post-Apocalyptic setting is established at the start of the trailer.
• The protagonist is male.
• There is often a lack of bright colours.
• There is some hopeful imagery/music so that the film does not appear entirely depressing.
• There is often narration from the protagonist.
• There is usually a fair balance of plot-based shots and action-based shots.
• Characters often wear improvised/rugged clothing.
• There is often religious imagery/references to connote 'judgement day'.
• Long shots are often used.