Request for a composer for our film

• Tittle:


• We're doing a teaser trailer, approximately a minute long


• Synopsis: A film set in the early 19th century about a young woman who meets a gentleman who she instantly falls in love with but he leaves before she can discover his name. She later discovers that he's marrying her best friend. The young woman and gentleman decide they have to be together but they'll have to leave their current lives behind.


• Genre: Romantic period drama


• Comparable to: Pride and Prejudice meets Sliding Doors


• What type of music we'd like: Obviously with our film being set in the early 19th century we don't want anything modern, possibly piano or strings. We'd like it to be romantic and reminiscent. Possibly something similar to the music used in Pride and Prejudice the film.


• Blog address: lornasa2bloggy@blogspot.com

Music

For our trailer we'd like a romantic melancholy composed piece of music that would fit in with our early 19th century setting. We thought that due to the fact that our time setting is quite unusual it might be best to have someone compose a piece of music for us rather than try and find a copy right free piece that already exists that fits our trailer. We also thought it would be more personal and specific to our trailer and could add something very special and affective to the trailer.

Actors

Our main female protagonist needs to have a look of innocence and youth. Our actress who has appeared in various Upstagers productions is perfect for this role. She has the curled hair that fits with the style of the early 19th century and she is also very petite which seemed to be common among wealthy upper class young women in that era.

Our main male protagonist needs to be an imposing character. He needs to have dark hair and have a somewhat conspicuous look. Although he also needs a softer side that is protective of the ones he cares and loves for.

We're still in the process of casting our main male protagonist so details on this will follow.

Mise-en-scene

The mise-en-scene is vital for our teaser trailer due to the period drama genre. We need to ensure that no modern day features are seen in the background. We plan to ensure this by filming all our scenes outside. This will limit the chance of any modern day fixtures being seen in the mise-en-scene and it is very unlikely we could find an inside location with early 19th century fixtures. The only possible place to find this sort of location with the correct mise-en-scene would be somewhere like a National Trust stately home but it would be nearly impossible for us to get permission to film somewhere like this.

Below is a podcast with further details about the mise-en-scene of our teaser trailer.

Make-up

For our main protagonist, the young woman we would like the make-up to be quite youthful to signify her innocence similar to that of Kiera Knightley's in Pride and Prejudice. Rosy cheeks may also be a interesting concept to play with do to her immaturity that may be visible and the embarrassment that she may feel. Although we want to reach a youthful look we still would like the make-up to be visible as our main protagonist is of upper class.

Make-up will not be especially needed for the male protagonist although possibly powder to reach a more pale look.

Costume

As our film is set in the early 19th Century it's vital we get the costume correct. This means allot of research is needed to be done into the costume. We are aiming to borrow costume from the local acting group - upstagers.

Women's Costume

Here are some of the usual codes of dress for women between 1795 - 1820 which is the time setting of our film:

• Laced corsets were abandoned in favour of of high waisted dresses, similar to the natural figure
• The main clothe styles were based on the Empire Silhouette, dresses were close fitting just below the bust then falling loosely to the ground
• The dresses usually had soft flowing skirts and usually white almost transparent muslin
• As our main protagonist is of Upper class we need to look at the difference between morning dress and evening dress which was a must for women of this status
• As our main protagonist is a young woman we need to concentrate on making her appear like this, young women wore softer shades of colour such as pinks, light blues and lilacs
• The hairstyle for our main protagonist is vital. The style was mass curls worn over the forehead and ears, with longer hair drawn into a loose bun

Men's Costume

Here are some of the normal codes of dress for men between 1795-1820:

• Cut and tailoring became allot more important as it was seen to show quality
• Tightly fitted leather riding breeches reached to the boot tops and were replaced by trousers for more informal wear
• Coats were short at the front and had a tail behind and had a tall standing collar
• Shirts were made of linen with a collar and usually worn with a cravat tied in various styles
• Waistcoats were usually high wasted and squared off at the bottom
• Older men wore wigs still but younger men tended yo have their hair short with curls and long side burns

The podcast below gives more detail on the choice of costume for the teaser trailer.

Codes and Conventions of teaser trailers

To be able to make our own teaser trailer we need to understand the usual codes and conventions of them. Therefore I'm going to look at a variety of teaser trailers all from different genres to establish what codes and conventions we should include in our own teaser trailer

• What is a teaser trailer?
• A teaser trailer is a short trailer advertising a film
• They're usually very short in length anything on average between 30 to 60 seconds although this can vary
• The aim of the trailer isn't so much for tell the viewers what happens in the film but is more aimed at letting the audience know when the film is going to be released
• They're usually released months before the film itself
• A teaser trailer can entice the audience to their film by using narrative enigma's
  

Borat

• The non-diegetic music sounds foreign this suggests that the film will not be set in a English speaking country to begin with


• The main protagonist is speaking to the camera this signifies a documentary style film


• Mise-en-scene: there is a cow in the house this is anchorage that the film isn't going to be realistic and that it may be a comedy

The Hangover

• The first clip in the trailer sets the scene of the plot for the viewer


• Titles appear saying '2 days earlier' the titles are in bright neon like lights which could signifies Las Vegas to the viewer


• A clip of a littered room with beer cans and the characters looking rough signifies that they have been drinking


• The main title of the film appears in bright lights again signifying Las Vegas again and possibly comedy

The Dark Knight

• The trailer starts with just a blank black screen


• There are non-diegetic voices from the film over the trailer


• Blue lines of light move from the centre f the screen out, throughout the trailer these become larger and more frequent


• The light reveals the Batman badge, the audience will realise this due to their prior knowledge of the film


• As the light becomes brighter the Batman sign begins to break up, as is brakes altogether a joker card appears this signifies that the joker may destroy Batman

The Haunted Airman

• Link to the trialer: http://au.video.yahoo.com/watch/6186250/16060206


• All the shots in the trailer have a blue tinge this gives anchorage to the genre of horror


• The titles appear in white on a black background although along with these there is what appears to be fog at the bottom of the screen, this is an object the viewer may associate with horror but also adds mystery to the trailers content


• There are also shots of other objects associated with horror - there's a shot of a full moon and a spider


• The non-diegetic music is also stereotypical horror music to add tension to the trailer


• One title reads 'what will rattle your nerves' this is done to involve the viewer in the trailer and to get them engaged with whats happening


• Another title says 'Twilight's Robert Pattinson' this could attract a new audience who are fans of the actor


• As the trailer reaches a climax the editing becomes faster and the shots become more disjointed signifying the mental instability of the main protagonist

What Happens in Vegas

• Non-diegetic narrative voice used to explain the plot, stereotypical movie voice


• Editing is quick between two characters signifies that these are the main protagonists


• The characters come together and the editing gets quicker


• There is a revelation that they get married to each other then the editing slows


• The trailer gives away a majority of the plot except for the final outcome


• The clips show a majority of the theme of comedy this is anchorage that this is the main genre of the film


• The title of the film appears in what the viewer will see as the stereotypical 'Las Vegas' style - colourful and bright lights

Juno

• Link to the trialer:http://www.juno-themovie.com/


• The trailer starts with who appears to be the main protagonist making a phone call


• The main protagonist reveals the main factor of the film then the non-diegetic music starts


• Although it is quite a serious subject being covered in the film the diegetic speech and the music is quite light hearted and funny this signifies the genre of comedy to the audience


• The editing becomes faster as the trailer goes on and the story builds up to a finale


• Most of the plot is given away in the trailer, the film is based more on the comedy content rather than the plot content

Love Happens

• The trailer starts quite fast with what appears to be one of the main protagonists applying a facade as he is in the public eye


• It then goes to him being interviewed and he appears to let his guard down - non-diegetic music starts which is quite slow and reminiscent


• There's no narrative voice the clips from the film tell the story


• The non-diegetic music becomes faster and more upbeat so the editing becomes faster

Drag Me to Hell

• The first shots of the trailer are covered by non-diegetic music that sounds mysterious this is done to intrigue the viewer


• Fast editing and loud diegetic sounds are used to scare the audience


• The pace of the trailer gets faster throughout until it reaches a climax


• The titles are black but the style of them resembles that of flames this links to the stereotypical image the viewer may have of hell

The Proposal

• The titles are typed on like they were written by a type writer this signifies that the film may be based around a publisher


• The non-diegetic music is up beat this gives anchorage that it is a light hearted film


• The trailer gives away most of the plot to attract the viewer - the only narrative anigma is: will they get married?

The Final Destination

• There is no use of a narrative voice so the audience has to rely on the content of the clips shown


• The clips are broken up by a plain black screen shot with a non-diegetic beating sound this adds tension to the trailer


• The clips tie in with the titles - when a tire flies towards one of the characters the titles appear with blood on them this signifies the fate of the character is death


• There is blue light on the titles which is anchorage to the genre of horror


• Fast editing is used in dramatic and significant parts of the trailer


• The trailer ends on a cliff hanger leaving a narrative anigma - what will happen to the characters?

Something's Gotta Give

• Upbeat music signifies a light hearted comedy


• Main protagonist narrates the trailer - begins with him describing himself, he portrays himself as an over confident womaniser due to the clips that are shown that link with the description that the voice is giving and the lyrics of the non-diegetic music


• Binary oppositions are shown - the main protagonist care free and happy compared to the old couple who look solum

The Duchess

• The non-diegetic music is dramatic signifying the film's main genre may be drama


• The diegetic voice introduces the main protagonist 'The Duchess'


• In one particular shot the main protagonist is framed by candles on either side of her this gives anchorage of her famous status within the film and that she is the main focus of the plot

Mean Girls

• There is the use of a non-diegetic narrative voice of the main protagonist


• The setting of a high school for the trailer may attract a young audience


• The whole plot is revealed in the trailer


• The editing gets faster near the end of the teaser trailer as the plot reaches a climax with action


• The non-diegetic music is paused when there are clips that contain comedy - this gives anchorage of the main theme in the film

August Rush

• The trailer has a non-diegetic narrative voice which is done by the main protagonist


• Non-diegetic music is used in the beginning of the trailer while the scene is being set for the viewer


• The narrative voice stops and reminiscent hopeful non-diegetic music is played over clips from the film which are edited at a faster pace


• When the titles appear musical notes drift, across this gives anchorage, along with the variety of non-diegetic music, that the film is based around music itself

The Stepfather

• There are binary oppositions in the trailer in respect to the feeling represented - it starts of positive and family orientated but then it forms a darker slant on the plot when the main protagonist has a revelation


• The editing becomes faster signifying horror rather than an upbeat family drama which may be what viewers may have thought due to the opening clips of the trailer


• The trailer ends on a cliffhanger leaving a narrative anigma which will intrigue the viewer

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

• The non-diegetic music in the background is in low key and quite dramatic - this signifies to the audience that the film could be of a dark nature


• The clips in the trailer tell the story of the film


• Fast editing is used again to give anchorage of action

Twilight

• Fast editing signifies the genre of action


• There is also the use of blue light on the titles which gives anchorage of the super-natural genre


• There is no use of a narrative voice this adds drama to the trailer and confusion to the viewer as they have to interpret the clips and figure out the plot for themselves

Meet the Fockers

• The non-diegetic music says 'memories may be beautiful' this is dramatic irony as the clips on the screen show different


• The trailer recaps on what happened in Meet the Parents - this informs viewer that haven't seen the film about the plot and refreshes the prior knowledge other viewers may have


• There's no non-diegetic voice that narrates, instead clips from the film and titles are used

Adventureland

• In this teaser trailer the titles set the scene '1987' this may attract a nostalgic viewing audience


• The narrative voice is non-diegetic


• All the clips in the trailer are based around comedy - this signifies that comedy may be the main theme in the film


• There's binary oppositions in the trailer - at the beginning the middle class setting of the family then to the working class setting at the theme park

Back to the Future

• The teaser trailer has many narrative anigmas at the beginning, this is done to keep the audience interested in the trailer


• The titles are very plain - simply just white writing on a black background


• The non-diegetic music signifies sci-fi as a genre


• The diegetic voice answers the question the viewer may have had

Pride and Prejudice

The trailer gives away a large extent of the plot

It begins with quite a slow pace but picks up as both main protagonists are established

The titles make reference to the fact that the film is based on a well known book and gives titles of other books written by Jane Austen

It also makes reference that the film is produced by the some producers who made Love Actually, which plays to the viewers prior knowledge

When the trailer signifies that the protagonist has changed her feelings towards Mr Darcy the non-diegetic music also changes, it becomes more romantic and reminiscent giving anchorage to the viewer of how the character feels

(500) Days of Summer

• This teaser trailer uses a non-diegetic voice which is your stereotypical movie voice over which is similar to that in The Invention of Lying


• The non-diegetic voice leads the viewer through the trailer giving insights into the plot


• There's also non-diegetic music which links with the story being told in the trailer for example when the lyrics say 'a laugh' and the shot is of Summer laughing this brings all aspects of the trailer together


• The titles are simple but affective - they appear on a plain black screen where the titles appear and flash different colours - this adds a factor of fun and creativity to the trailer

Fame

• The teaser trailer starts with diegetic music which signifies that it could be a film based around music


• The diegetic music is slow but then the trailer pick up in pace and the music becomes non-diegetic and more up beat


• The trailer consists of clips from the film, all of which are of dancing and singing which gives anchorage that the film may be a musical


• There's also a clip of a boy and girl kissing which signifies romance

The Invention of Lying

• At the beginning of the teaser trailer the non-diegetic voice leads the story


• The titles are quite elaborate and link with what the non-diegetic voice is saying for example when he says 'big lies' the titles get bigger


• The non-diegetic voice is also your average 'movie voice' its a deep American voice which the viewer may associate with a blockbuster film


• The genre of the film is quite clear - comedy the clips from the film in the trailer don't exactly tell the story but they're more based on funny events in the film

Couples Retreat

• 
• This teaser trailer goes into more depth about the actual plot


• It gives away the majority of the plot to try and entice the viewer


• It contains both diegetic speech and non-diegetic music


• The non-diegetic music is well suited to the location of the film - a sunny beach


• Although the main theme of the film is quite a serious one of marriage problems the trailer puts an amusing slant on it signifying it more a comedy than a drama

• New York, I Love You
• 
  

• The teaser trailer uses shots of New York that are well known such as the skyline, the subway and Brooklyn Bridge - it uses the viewers prior knowledge
• The editing is fast this signifies the fast pace of New York as a city
• The titles are brought onto the screen with what looks like a train from the subway which again is an important signifier of New York
  
• The names of the actors/actresses are listed possibly attracting a new audience who recognise actors listed

Toy Story 3

• 
  
• The teaser trailer for Toy Story 3 incorporates the titles and release date into the mise-en-scene
  
• The characters personalities come across very effectively - Buzz and Woody play to the viewer’s prior knowledge from the previous films
  
• Binary oppositions of Buzz and Woody, Buzz is the clever, confident and good at everything and Woody is genuine and tries his best but doesn't match Buzz's ability
  
• The preferred reading is that that the relationship between Buzz and Woody this may cause light hearted conflict in the film as it has done in the previous films

Initial first idea

A film set in the early 19th century about a woman called Martha who is in the late teens. One day she goes for a walk by the river and falls. She is helped by a young gentlemen who she instantly falls in love with. They spend time together but then he leaves without giving his name. Martha feels a sense of loss that she may never see who she believes to be her true love again. Martha attends her best friends engagement party and when her friend introduces Martha to her husband to be it is the same young gentleman. Both Martha and the young gentleman whose name she finds out to be, William cannot stand to be apart and realise that they have to leave together. But Martha has to face the facts that she will loose everything is she leaves with him.