Final Film Main Poster and Character Posters

Having received feedback on the Out of the Blue film posters, we decided to create a new main poster and character posters applying the feedback we'd received and new ideas. 

Some weakness received for the main poster were that the title wasn't clear, the font used wasn't appealing and that the shades of blue weren't nice. So to improve the title the same font and colours of the title which appears in our short film has been used. This was also done to create synergy. The focus of the photograph used on the main poster was described to be not focused, therefore all photographs for all the posters were taken again and this time we made sure all of which were in focus.

It was also stated that our production company logo was missing and so we used the company logo that appears in the start of the film and placed this at the bottom of all the posters; making them all more of copyright to our production company. Another weakness was the billing block, which was said to be too small and so the size of the billing block has been increased in the final main poster. We also decided to incorporate the watch in the background with a ripple effect, linking to the narrative of Out of the Blue, as there is always a ripple effect when the main character Kate time travels.

Through the character posters there is more synergy as the titles font and colour are exactly the same on all of the posters, as well as the Tag line, release date, blue and white background with the rippling watch and the production company logo which appears on all posters. All of the photographs of the characters were taken in relation to their part in the film and the narrative of the film. Caroline is clicking, which she does in the film when doing magic, Kate is turning the watch, which she does on several occasions in the film and Lily is neutral and looks on, as though at another person whom she may be concerned for, relating to her selflessness in the film towards character Kitty.

Final Film Review Page

Empire Review Annotation of Source Code

By Kim Newman

'Groundhog Day. With explosions'- Empire have opened with a brief round up of their opinion of this film so the audience will have an idea of the content of this review. Relating Source Code to another film with a similar plot; readers who have seen this film will be likely to relate to this and have their own opinion of this.

Rating -This film has been awarded four stars on the webpage it's displayed that this means it's excellent.

 Plot -  Brief summary of the films plot, reminding the audience of what the film is about.

Photograph - A screen shot from the film has been placed in the review  as the fire is about to engulf the train.

Review:

Paragraph one - The Science - Fiction genre of the film is discussed, as it is implied that big studios don't actually make science - fiction film, but actually recreate other film genres with their conventional narratives and themes and then add a twist to make it seem as though of the science - fiction film genre, such as robots or advanced technology. There's reference to directors Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas who have all made their own science - fiction films as directors who are unintrested in the genre. James Cameron is also mentioned, director of Avatar wit his of the Science Fiction film genre also.  Science Fiction film fans will be able to understand and relate well to this.

Paragraphy Two - The director of the film Ducan Jones is prasied for his representations of the science - fiction film genre, he's previous film 'Moon' which is also of the science - fiction film genre is mentioned. Jones is prasied for creating films that are distincly of the sciene - fiction film genre alone. The script writer Ben Ripley is also mentioned ans he's previous science - fiction works. Some insight is given into very important member of the crew, as they are the foundation of the film idea and production.

Paragraph Three- The films construction is prasied for its variation of a repetive sequence. Informal language is used, for example 'time-hopper' refering to Colter as he repeatively goes back eight minutes through out the film.

Paragraph Four-  The response that Source code envolkes from the audience is looks at in this paragraph. It is also discussed how the actresses of the film help to portray their characters giving them depth; Farmiga being under orders but still having her opinions and emothiona to battle with and Monaghan coming across as a character who's every easy for Colter or anyone in his postion to fall in love with.

Paragraphy Five- The focus has now turned to the most important member of the cast Jake Gyllenhaal who plays the main character of the film. There is reference a previous film of his 'Donnie Darko' which too is of the sceince - fiction film genre; fans of this film genre will be like to know and have seen the film 'Donie Darko'. Gyllenhaal recieves praise for his performance in the film as the review goes on to look at the importance of his role in the films narrative. His previous film, Prince of Persia. is mentioned too.

Paragraph Six - Selected elements of the film are briefy focused on in the last paragraph and previous statments reinforced, for example the female actresses giving their characters the depth to give the film heart, emotion.

The Verdict - Source code recieves praised and the review is concluded.

Empire Magazine review of Source Code: http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137124

The Village Voice Source Code Review Analysis

 

By Aaron Hills

'Going in Search of Tossed Time in Source Code' – The title gives the reader an idea of Source code’s genre Science-fiction and more specifically Time-travel.

Paragraph one - There's reference to Moon, a previous film of Source Code director Duncan Jones. Readers who have seen the film Moon are informed that the director of that film is the same director of Source Code. Philip K. Dick is then referred to and 'The Adjustment Bureau' a film created based on Philip K. Dick's short novel 'Adjustment Team'. Readers who have read Philip K. Dick's works or seen the film will be able to relate to and understand what is meant by 'Philip K. Dick-like', as they will already know his style of work or have an idea of it and so will also be able to have an opinion as of whether Aaron Hills stating that Source Code is like Philip's style of work is true or not. The term 'high-concept' is used, this is appropriate for readers who have some knowledge of film the industry and not just film as entertainment.

Paragraph two - Begins with a summary of the plot of the film; mentioning actors who played key characters in the film also. This reminds the reader of what happened in the film and informs them of who the actors are. The word “Hitchcockian,” is stated in this paragraph; people who have in depth film knowledge will be familiar with this word and it’s relation to Hitchcock and his creation of suspense in films. These people are of a niche audience and so the review is aimed at a niece audience.

Paragraph three - The screenwriter of Source Code is mentioned, Ben Ripley; those who know of his works will be able to link similarities in Source Code to his previous works and would probably have already known that he was the screenwriter for Source Code; this making the review more suitable for a niche audience, who are interested in film. There is reference to the two films 'Groundhog Day' and '12 Monkeys', which both have similar plots to that of Source Code. Readers who have seen these films will be able to have an opinion on this statement as of whether they agree or not. Hills has picked up on the intertextuality of Source code’s Narrative and that of the films Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993) and 12 Monkeys (Terry Gilliam, 1995).

The language in this film review is informal, as it has been written as though directed at the reader in a friendly manner, for example “…so let’s try suspending our disbelief…” this is in 1^st person and so is more personal to the reviewer as well relating to the reader, as it comes across as though they are speaking to the reader, instead of the reader reading some text.

There is a small screenshot from the film and caption, “Train in vain: Gyllenhaal boards the unknown.” A clever and quick explanation of the screenshot, as the words “Train” and “vain” rhyme and it’s made clear that the actor Jake Gyllenhaal’s character in on a train he knows nothing about. Details come under this, informing the reader who the director is, the production company of the film and the film’s release date.

Paragraph four – Hills concludes the Source Code film review stating that there is a hidden part of the film’s narrative; Gyllenhaal shows compassion to the other train passengers. The reviewer then goes on to state that he “channels his inner Bill Murray,” the actor who played the main character in the film Groundhog Day and again referencing the intertextuality of the film in Source Code.

The Village voice review of the film Source Code: http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-03-30/film/going-in-search-of-tossed-time-in-source-code/

Review Content Analysis (Back to the Future)

New York Times Review

http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F04E4DD153AF930A35754C0A963948260&partner=Rotten%2520Tomatoes

This review is written by Janet Maslin. The sub-heading sets off the full length review and implicitly suggests that this is a time-travel film therefore referring to the science-fiction genre.

The reviewer in the first paragraph starts writing about the director (Robert Zemeckis) and the characters in his previous films. She also adds the story lines that his previous films usually have and quotes them. "Mr. Zemeckis, together with his screenwriting partner Bob Gale, has progressed from teen-age kamikazes willing to risk anything to meet the Beatles (''I Wanna Hold Your Hand,'') to salesmen..." The opening paragraph is written in a formal mode of address and uses words that the target audience might not be familiar with like 'kamikazes'. However the references to the director's previous films will appeal to those who know of him and his work.

In this paragraph, Maslin starts to review 'Back to the Future' and continues praising the director for the work on this particular film then briefly explains the narrative. "Mr. Zemeckis has now gone himself one better with ''Back to the Future,'' about a boy who wonders..." 

Then Maslin writes about the details surrounding the release of the film. ""Back to the Future,'' which opens today at Loew's State and other theaters..." then quickly talks about the narrative of the film. The review's mode of address changes and it is written in a humourous tone to reflect the film's sub-genre which is comedy. In doing this, the reviewer praises the director for keeping the narrative along "But Mr. Zemeckis is able both to keep the story moving and to keep it from going too far." and predicts good things or him in the future as a result of this film. "He handles ''Back to the Future'' with the kind of inventiveness that indicates he will be spinning funny, whimsical tall tales for a long time to come." 

This paragraph focuses a lot about the narrative of the film but in more detail. He talks about the main character's (Marty McFly) performance and includes his real name in brackets, so the audience who are familiar with him are attracted to watching this film. "Once Marty (played winningly by Michael J. Fox) steps into the specially equipped DeLorean..." Also there is a quote written in brackets to link to the review and this again is written for comedic effect. "The local soda jerk thinks anyone who orders a Pepsi Free (''If you want a Pepsi you gotta pay for it!'') is being a wise guy." This paragraph refers to the science-fiction genre by writing about the use of time-travel when describing certain scenes and the differences in time. 

The reviewer then talks about the mise-en-scene in particular the location and set design and how this contributed to achieving a time travel film. It was essential that the differences of the present day and the past were evident in order to achieve this. "While keeping the film well stocked with similar witticisms and giving the production the muted, well-groomed look of 1950's advertising and television..." The paragraph ends with Maslin mentioning the other characters and praising particular actors on their performances. "Dad (Crispin Glover) is a nerd, while Mother (Lea Thompson) is a demure beauty; it should be noted that Mr. Glover and Miss Thompson are funny and credible both as parents and as teen-agers."

The next paragraph continues to explain the narrative and the characters in Back to the Future. "But there is a danger that they will never meet, particularly since Marty's arrival has permanently altered their history. This, and Marty's decade-hopping rapport with the mad scientist (Christopher Lloyd) whose DeLorean he borrowed" Maslin hints the end of the film by saying "it still manages to end with a surprise." The mode of address is something that the target audience can appeal to because it evokes their curiosity and makes them want to watch the film.

The review closes with the reviewer summarising how the film makes you feel and what it achieves. "One of the most appealing things about ''Back to the Future'' is its way of putting nostalgia gently in perspective." She continues by taking this idea to praise the director again. "Like Marty, Mr. Zemeckis takes a bemused but unsentimental view of times gone by. And he seems no less fascinated by the future, which is understandable. His own looks very bright."

Empire Review

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=132692

Before the actual review begins, the reviewer Adam Smith briefly explains the narrative under one of the headings (Plot). He explains it uses standard English that the general reader is used to reading.  The mode of address is simple therefore easier to understand which the target audience can appreciate. "Marty McFly helps out his friend Doc Brown, and ends up being taken back in time by Doc's time-machine. Marty, a boy of the 80's, has to come to grips with being in the 50's and get his parents to fall in love to set straight the damage his presence has done to the events of the past."

In the first paragraph of the actual review which is written under the heading (Review), Smith mentions the director (Robert Zemekis) and then talks about the pre-production stage of Back to the Future specifically about the casting issues for the protagonist. When doing this, he compares what the director wanted with that they had and presents it in a comedic way. "He was saddled with a lead actor who just didn't cut it as a happy-go-lucky, wisecracking teen. He was more like an angst-ridden 40-year-old struggling to make sense of existence in a godless universe."  The target audience as a result feel comfortable when reading this because of the mode of address used. 

The next paragraph continues talking about the casting issues and mentions an actor the director wanted for the role and why. This is information that the target audience can appreciate because it shows that the decision was based on the influence of the those who would consume the film and make it money. He mentions the actor, Michael J. Fox and his work on a TV show that the target audience would be familiar with. "To make matters worse he'd seen a young actor perfect for the role. Michael J. Fox, then the star of TV sitcom Family Ties radiated youthful joie de vivre and frankly, for a movie with a solid teen base, was just gosh-darned cuter."  However the tone of the review slightly changes, as Smith uses more advanced vocabulary like 'joie de vivre' which is French for enthusiasm and this is something the general reader wouldn't be so familiar with. The review continues talking about the decisions surrounding the casting then moves on to talk about the genre and praises an actor, most likely the protangonist for his work in Back to the Future.  "An almost perfectly wrought slice of old fashioned escapist fantasy, it not only announced the celluloid arrival of the finest light-comedy actor of his generation..." The reviewer talks about the film's time of release and uses humour and popular culture. The mode of address eases the readers. "...one of the very few films made in the avaricious, style-challenged 80s that transcended and survived the ugly extremes of its era (skintight stonewashed jeans which, one unkind critic remarked, "look like they've been masturbated over by a troupe of boy scouts" excepted) and which remains an utterly beguiling little gem."

Smith praises the director and briefly outlines the genre. He uses academic language and the mode of address is quite formal even though the film is targeted for teenagers. "Among the plethora of innocent charms on offer, there's the near perfect script by Zemekis and Bob Gale which not only negotiates its time travel paradoxes with deft, exuberant wit but invests the light-hearted plot machinations with a seasoning note of honest drama..." When he explains the genre, he describes a scene in the film to support his review. This informs the target audience of the film consists of so that they are aware if they go and watch it. "(Doc's death within the first 10 minutes throws the comedy into pleasing relief and provides welcome dramatic release when we find, at the end, that the worst isn't true). "

In this paragraph, the reviewer describes some of the key moments in the film "...a plethora of memorable set-pieces — Marty's premature invention of the skateboard as he rips the top of a young kid's box-cart; his introduction of rock 'n' roll which develops into an anachronistic, Hendrix-style guitar solo ("Maybe you're not ready for that," McFly admits, "but trust me, your kids are going to love it.")" Smith  uses another quote from the actual film to explain the film and support his review. Also this is used to create a informal mode of address for humour and appeals to the target audience.

Smith talks about the impact of Michael J. Fox's performance as Marty, claiming that he is the "heart of Back To The Future". Smith uses a quote from the film said by Fox ("Why can't they just call me short?") and uses this for comedic effect. "Fox established himself here as quite simply the most charming screen presence of the 80s." 

The review concludes with a verdict under the heading (Verdict). "To put it bluntly: if you don't like Back To The Future, it's difficult to believe that you like films at all." 

Audience Feedback video

Poster Analysis (Back to the Future)

The connotations of the title, ‘Back to the Future’ shows that time travel could be a theme present in the film. Also the title is contradictory because ‘back’ is usually is associated with the past which is the opposite of the ‘future’, so it could suggest that there is journeys made to the past and future in the film. The font of the title is suitable for this film because it looks like it is in motion due to the warm colour gradient which is similar to time travelling.

There are 3 taglines: "He was never in time for his classes" "He wasn't in time for his dinner" "Then one day... he wasn't in his time at all." All of these different taglines have a similar theme of time running through them and communicate the genre conventions of science-fiction. The last tagline suggests that he has time travelled somewhere in the past or future.

Since there is only one character on the poster it suggests that he is most likely to be the protagonist in the actual film. His body language shows that he is on the move and his facial expression reveals panic and shock as he looks at his watch suggesting again that time may be important in the film. This again is typical of the science-fiction genre because it is expressing a reaction to the unbelievable things that occur in sci-fi films as well. The representation of gender is typical because he is the main character and looks like he is active and out on a mission. These are usually the roles that are assigned to males.

The target audience is most likely to be 14-25 year olds because the character on the poster looks like he may be a teenager. Also it could connect to males more because the character is male. Also the top of the poster is in cold colours like dark blue which is usually associated with boys. This displays the genre because it symbolises the night and mystery. As you move down the poster has warm colour such as orange and red symbolising danger. Science is said to be dominated by males so the choices in the poster could reflect this.

The genre is communicated through mise-en-scene as it shows a DeLorean next to trails of fire. This also acts as the USP because it attracts the target audience and convinces them to watch the film. In addition to this, the watch Marty is looking at communicates the time-travel sub-genre in the science-fiction genre. The use of this convention makes the audience know that it is a film of this genre and they are comfortable when going to watch the film because they are familiar with the content and therefore avoid potential disappointment.

Steven Spielberg’s name on the poster could be seen as a USP because he is well known in the film world especially for films in this genre. This attracts fans of him and his work. The same goes for the director (Robert Zemekis) as well.

The written communication in the form of a billing block is one of the conventions of a film poster used to inform the target audience who is involved in the making of the film. There is also an age certification [PG] which clarifies who can watch the film.