Film Schedule

We created a filming schedule in order to structure our filming taking place for this half term. The schedule  includes the scenes we have to include, the actors needed and the props needed for those scenes. If we maintain and stick to the schedule we have outlined, we should have the filming of the trailer finished by the end of the half term.

Production Companies that would distribute our trailer

Warner Bros

Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. is an American producer of film, television, and music entertainment. 

If we had a substantial budget and our film was significant enough to be called a "blockbuster", Warner Brothers would be the ideal production company to distribute the trailer. Warner Bros have distributed similar film trailers such as Sherlock Holmes as seen below. Warner Bros would get the film noticed due to it's dominance in the film distribution industry and would be the best yet most expensive way of distributing the product to our target audience demographic through the actual trailer and other visual advertising such as posters and radio plays. Internationally, Warner Bros have the potential to distribute our film to American and Canadian audiences which would widen our audience significantly as they are large consumers of film products.

PATHE'

Pathe' is a a French film equipment and production company which as of the 1990's is the worlds largest film equipment company.

Whilst not being as big in film distribution as Warner Bros, Pathe' still have a significant position in the world of film production. Pathe' like Warner Bro's would have the ability to distribute our trailer to our target audience but would also enable the possibility of distribution to other European countries such as France and Germany.

FILM4 PRODUCTIONS

Film4 Productions are a British film production company owned by the Channel Four Television Corporation and has been responsible for backing a large number of films made in the United Kingdom.

When targeting domestic audiences in the United Kingdom, Film4 is the ideal film distribution company for our trailer. Film4 have produced and co-produced many well acclaimed British films such as This is England and The Iron Lady. The success of these movies and the ways in which Film4 distributed them make it ideal for the production and distribution of our film.

Potential Sounds of our Trailer

For our film trailer, we planned to use a certain type of music to fit in with our setting, theme and tone. We looked at many similar films and TV show soundtracks, for example, we looked at the Sherlock Holmes soundtrack. However we discovered that these had very expensive copyrighted. So instead I found are pieces of music I have found which would be suitable for our trailer and are copyright free. 

http://www.audionautix.com/transfers/FO-NightRunner.mp3

http://www.audionautix.com/transfers/FO-IntenseSuspense.mp3

http://www.audionautix.com/transfers/FO-TheAngelsWeep.mp3

Survey

We decided to use the website Surveymonkey.com to create a survey for our film.  The aim of the survey is to identify who our target audience is and what they want to see in a trailer.  Once we have identified our target audience we can aim our trailer at that audience.

This is our first question.  We have asked this question to try and gauge our target demographic.  If for example the target demographic is Male then we may need to add elements into the film that Men may enjoy.  also if the target demographic is Female then we may need to add elements into the film that Women may enjoy

We can also identify our target age with the second question which will show us the age group that finds our film most appealing.  For example if people under 10 do not like our film then we are free to add effects inappropriate for children, where as if there is a very big appeal from this film for people under then then we will not be able to include inappropriate elements.  Question 3 outlines whether or not people know anything about Steampunk.  If people do not know much about the genre then this may be a difficulty because then our research may be unreliable.  However if the majority of the people who answer our film know about Steampunk then we can use this as reliable evidence.

The next set of questions ask about what our film will include.  The first question ask if they have ever seen a Jack the Ripper film.  This will show us whether or not our film is original or not.  This will benefit us because we can look at other films that they may have seen and gain inspiration from them and implement it into our film.  Question 5 asks if the film would interest them.  If the majority say no then we may have to re think our film, however if our film appears to be popular then we will know our film will be a success.  Question 6, like question 5 asks about the story in the film.  This question will help our research because if the results show that the this is not a very interesting subject then we may have to make it more futuristic which is possible due to our genre Steampunk that allows us to implement alternative history.  However if it comes back that this is a popular subject then we will make it more traditional.

Question 7 will help us with our trailer editing.  We will be able to find out if a fast paced trailer with a lot of action in it is preferred to a slow trailer or if a slow trailer is preferred.  With this we will know how to edit our trailer effectively.

Question 8 will allow us to see if Hollywood style films are preferred to independent films.  This will show us what style is preferred and therefore show us what we need to include.  Question 9 asks if a website would be beneficial for the viewer.  If it is and the viewers would like this then we will create a website designed for our film so people can view it.  The last question ask what the audience wants to be able to see in the trailer.  This will tell us what things we need to include such as parts of the storyline, cast and date of release.

Once all of these questions have been answered we will have a much better idea of what we will need to include in our final trailer once it is completed.

Production Logo Research

A production logo is a logo used by movie studios and television production companies to brand what they produce. We have looked at multiple trailers to identify common conventions throughout the trailers in regard to production logos.



One trailer we looked at is The Last Stand. The Last Stand is a film about a mexican drugs cartel that is heading to the Mexican border and it is Arnold Schwarzenegger job to stop them. The production company for this film is Lionsgate. What we found interesting was that the production logo was not the first thing to appear on the screen. Before the production logo there is a segment of the film. This sets the scene and it can be related to Lionsgate because they are known for making well known and successful films. Also Lionsgate is is an independent film company. This is significant because if we decide to make an independent film trailer then we can use this as research.




Another trailer we looked at was The Campaign. This is a Hollywood film. There are clear differences between The Last Stand which is an independent film trailer and The Campaign which is a Hollywood film. One of the differences is the start of the film. The Campaign starts with the production logo of Warner Bros. The reason for this is probably because Warner Bros is more well known then Lionsgate. This therefore means that the audiences can identify the production logo and recognize it is a good film without seeing any footage because Warner Bros produces it. Also the whole Warner Bros animation isn't actually shown. This represents that the Production logo may not be the most important thing to show in a trailer.

Preparation for Screen Tests

Before we start our main filming we are going to some screen test of our actors to see if they are good for the roles they are going to play.

A screen test is a method of determining if the actor or actress is right for performing a certain role or are good for a film. The performer is normally given a scene or couple of lines to read and to act them in the certain role they are going to portray. Later on the film is evaluated by relevant personnel to see if the person is right for the role. Some screen tests can be to see if costumes and make up look right on the performers.

Here are some examples of screen tests:

Audience Research

From Hell audience analysis

This is the audience research for the film "From Hell".  This film was inspiration for our film which also is based around the Jack the Ripper.  There are significant differences and similarities between the two audience researches.  Firstly, This research has very similar levels of appeal for all demographic categories. The difference between the most appeal to the least appeal is only 0.9.  Compared to our research which showed there was a difference of 3.7.  This shows that From Hell has a wider range to target its film then Blind Mans Buff.  However what this means is that From Hell does not have a target audience due to its potential audience being varied, where as in Blind Mans Buff you can see that the target audience for this film is females under 18.  What this means is that we can now target our film at that age group and achieve success.

Our actual cast...

Dectective Abberline- Charlie Nicholson 

Charlie Nicholson is an actor and performer. He is an up and coming actor with enough charisma and talent to light up the stage in the lead role. Nicholson is a veteran to stage acting, performing with his theatre company the Miskin in Dartford. He has also appeared in shows such as West Side Story, Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire and A Midsummer Night's Dream, his varied roles have given him enough experience to act as a lead role in this film production.

Detective Moore- Sergio Ramos

Ciaran Pinnell is a writer and actor; dabbling in stage work and short films, this is his first feature film role as Detective Moore. Similiar to David Tennant; Pinnell has a lovable nature which correlates with Abberline's cool personality. Pinnell has played roles in stage plays such as a Midsummer Night's Dream and Playing the Victim. He has also appeared in short films such as The Wrong Routine and Mind Heist with fellow cast member Jordan Pace.

Chief Warden Brooking- Jordan Pace

Director, producer and actor; Jordan Pace is currently studying A-Level Theatre Studies, and has produced, directed and starred in a number of short films such as Mind Heist and The Wrong Routine which can be found here

Mind Heist

The Wrong Routine Part 2

 He has managed to show a variety of characters through his acting ranging from comedic parts to the most serious, and so is more than capable to play the authoritative Chief Warden.

Press Officer Carter- Alice Rooke

Actress Alice Rooke is not new to the film and TV business - she has been an extra in several up and coming TV dramas such as Mr. Selfridges and Call the Midwife. This, however, will be Rooke's first big role in a feature length film. Her variety of acting skills and amusing sense of humour, she will be able to play the headstrong Press Officer Carter with ease.

Jack The Ripper-Joe Payne

Joe Payne isn't new to the horror genre; he has starred in roles such as the critically-acclaimed horror film The Something, directed by Perry Dabbs, playing one of the main characters, along with minor roles in many other short films. His experience in horror will make him a perfect choice as one of the Jack the Rippers.

Lewis Duffy-Penny

Lewis has studied GCSE Drama and passed with flying colours, as well as starring in stage plays such as A Midsummer Night's Dream. His adaptableness and work with fellow cast member Ciaran Pinnell will put him straight in the role as one of the Rippers. 

Jakob Margetts

Jakob is new to a career of acting, but his work behind the scenes on the critically acclaimed film Poor Little Daniel proves that he is not new to the film industry. He is therefore ready and raring to go as one of the members of the League of Rippers.

Mary Jane Kelly- Amy Holmes

First time actress, director and producer has already co-created films such as Don't Look Back in Sadness, winner of the RAFTAs 2012. She is therefore a veteran to the film industry and her experience will get her far. Holmes has a fresh, pretty face; perfect for her role. 

Props and Costumes

Props and Costumes
For props we have numerous things we need to prepare for this firstly weapons:

The weapons we were thinking of using for the trailer will guns for the detectives and Ripper will use a knife. The use of knives by the Ripper may show that they of a lower class to the police force who have the money to afford the elaborate guns. Another reason why the Rippers will use knives is due to the they way in which the murders were carried out suggest a knife was used instead.

The style of a Steampunk gun is different to a normal gun

For starters it has a much more elaborate look to it as it is gold and the patterns on it are decorative. The most obvious difference between normal and this Steampunk gun (created by friend Charlie Nicholson who is to star in our trailer) is the light bulb on it which give it the gadget and sci fi feel to it. When asking Charlie how he created this he told me:

"I painted a Wild West gun  specific colours and glue different components on the body of the

gun, like light bulbs or metal drain components, anything I can find that looks like it could be

 used in an interesting way to create a Steampunk prop weapon"

We will use about three or four guns in the trailer; I have two and my friends also have one each.

I think that all the police men will have guns, as well as maybe Press Officer Carter.


When considering costumes I personally asked my friend Ros Tate about for advice of how to create and put together the costumes she told me this:


"Costumes needn't be extravagant (though there's nothing to stop you doing that too if you want
generally think Victorian and then tweak - so for ladies a long skirt (adding frills at the bottom makes them instantly more "Victorian") frills are basically a length of material, gathered with a running stitch and sewn onto the bottom of a skirt. add a frilly blouse and often a corset although you can also use waistcoats and/or a wide belt to get the same effect. Basically what you're after is that Victorian shape of pulling the waist in.
But you could also have ladies in trousers - Hannah wears a pair of 3/4 length tweedy type pair with a frilly blouse and a corset/belt. boots are good

Men ... straightish trousers, collarless shirts or those posh wing collars, cravats, waistcoats and if you can get a hold of them, frock coats (though you can get away with just the waistcoat.
military style jackets work for either men or ladies too and they were around all over the place last year so your cast may well have one knocking around. boots again work - everything from Chelsea boots up to platform Goth boots are good.

Hats: traditionally top hats but bowlers work too ... and pith helmets (fancy dress shops sell ones that look ok. Ladies can also wear mini top hats - decorate with feathers and bits and

bobs -“mothers ruin millinery" is run by a friend of ours and looking at her site might provide inspiration.


Goggles are very popular, industrial ones sprayed a metallic colour are common but I have adapted swimming goggles (take off the plastic bits and paint the rest with acrylic paint to make them look wooden or metallic - i also replaced the elastic strap with a piece of mock-leather, but the elastic would be ok.

Accessories: pockets watches, painted nerf guns (aiming to get the colours to look wooden/metallic again) telescopes, compasses, things that suggest an inventor, and engineer, a traveller, an air-ship pirate, or a monster hunter....





As for where to get stuff - depends on budget and time. Charity shops are a massive help, eBay is a great source but beware of the label Steampunk, it sends the price rocketing! Dav
and I tend to get stuff from all over the place and then adapt it, take it apart, re-sew, re-glue,
replace add bits, take bits off."

Script

Script for Blind Man`s Buff from evieanne24

Location Reece

Location

This is the beginning of where to consider filming our trailer. Due to our group being so close to where the Whitechapel murders actually happened, we could get up to Brick Lane and East London and do filming there; though being careful not to choose spots where it looks to modern. I have personally been on a Jack the Ripper walk which was an interesting experience to find out where all the five murders took place. I will take this knowledge on board and try and find the best spots as well other key points in local area that would look great on camera. For example in Harry Potter part of Diagon Alley is filmed on a certain street which looked great when we walked through it. One of the public house that one of Rippers victims went to just before she was murdered is still open so we may see if it could be used in context of when our trailer is set.

When we go to the location we will take photos, but at the moment we will use photos from a Jack the Ripper walk website.

Another thing we have to think about is where to film the scenes which are internal, one of the location for our trailer is a Police Station. We could maybe find an office - the place where or use a house to make it look like the investigation is having to be done in peoples homes due to the scare? Im not sure I will have to chat with my group.

The Iron Lady Trailer Remake

The Iron Lady Remake Trailer from jake margetts on Vimeo.

Here is the trailer remake of The Iron Lady. Enjoy!

Storyboard

This is the first scene from our storyboard.  It shows a newspaper saying the Ripper has been caught.  This is significant because it tells the viewers what will be included in the film.  Also due to the Ripper never actually being caught it intrigues the audience and makes them watch on

The transition from the first scene to the next scene will represent a flashback.  The story then begins about what will happen.  Starts with another murder by Jack the Ripper.  This will be how the audience will be able to see that it has gone back in time because to their knowledge Jack the Ripper has been caught

The next scene is a scene of a murder.  This also introduces you to Detective Abberline who is the main detective in the story

The next scene is a pan shot which shows the Detective working on the case and trying to solve it but with no luck

The next scene shows the detective witnessing a murder by two jacks.  This shows the viewers something that is not generally believed in ripper history and this is part of the steam punk genre because it is alternative history.

No one believes Abberline's story and suspect him of the murders.  He is kicked out of the police station and must fight the rippers alone.

Abberline receives a letter from Jack.  it outlines that there are multiple Rippers and they will never be stopped.  This letter will be read out by a narrator so the audience get a clear picture of what is really happening.

The title then comes up on screen so that the viewers know what the film is called.  Also a date will be displayed below.

This man is god

Viggo Mortesen is god. If our film had a budget, he would be the star name I would cast in all the roles in our trailer. Not only does he have a distinct look which would attract the female demographic of an audience but he also has superb acting qualities as was evident in his portrayal of Aragorn in Lord of the Rings leading to multiple awards. This is why he is god

If we had money for a decent cast

Detective Abberline- Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch has been in several TV dramas and film which hone in on the idea of him being perfect to play are main detective in our film; such as Sherlock who was one of our inspirations for Abberline. Cumberbatch has also been in films such as Atonement, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and the latest BBC drama Parades End; all of these have an element of crime or history to them. The typecast of Cumberbatch as a head detective makes him suitable for the role of Abberline.

Detective Moore- Michael Sheen

Michael Sheen would be my personal preference in the role of Detective Moore. He is a class actor who can be a supporting protagonist yet still have immense stage presence. Sheen can perform many roles to such an extent you forget he is portraying a known individual such as when he portrayed Tony Blair in "The Queen" and Brian Clough in "The Damned United"

Chief Warden Brooking- Timothy Spall

Timothy Spall has a distinct look to him which would make him stand ot for our trailer. He has been cast in films such as Peter Taylor in The Damned United, The King's Speech (as Winston Churchill) and Fagin in Oliver Twist; all of these roles have a form of authority to them which would seem fitting for our chief Warden. Spall also has qualities of acting which make him a prominent character in films he's in despite not being the lead protagonist or antagonist.

Press Officer Carter- Michelle Dockery 

Michelle Dockery is a suitable actress for the role of Press Officer Carter as she is able to multi-cast and has been well acclaimed for her role in Downton Abbey.

Jack The Ripper-

Stephen Graham

Stephen Graham is a lesser known actor then other Jack The Rippers cast but he is an incredible actor and has the look and skill for a brutal side of Jack The Ripper. Graham has been critically acclaimed for his portrayals in Snatch, Public Enemies and The Damned United.

Jeremy Irons,

A well established Shakespeare actor, Irons is a national treasure and has been up for numerous awards for his roles in films such as Lion King, Brideshead Revisted and Elizabeth I. With his varied and long career, Irons would show another side to the Rippers.

 Andy Serkis

Voice actor and screen too, Serkis is the voice of the menacing Gollum in The Lord of the Rings; also voicing characters in Planet of the Apes, King Kong and playing Hare in the Burke and Hare; Serkis would maybe show mad side to Ripper.

I disagreed with Evie's choices of Alan Rickman and Gary Oldman as Jack the Ripper as they were far old for the part and the way in which they act deters from my vision of the roles. Instead I decided on these alternatives.

Richard Armitage would be more suitable for Jack the Ripper's clinical side than Alan Rickman due to his ability to invoke a response from the audience to his actions and his method acting approach involves him performing his own stunts which is excellent in a realist performance.

John Simm like Andy Serkis would be effective in portraying a more psychotic Jack the Ripper due to his ability to revert from a hero to a villain in an instant and can reflect dark emotions and madness to the same extent as Serkis making both suitable

Mary Jane Kelly-Lucy Griffiths

Innocent but sophisticated, Lucy Griffiths  is beautiful and could be seen as a victim but with a strength  and determination not fit into the stereotype of a young actress. Griffiths is a lchoice but is probably the most worthy young British actress to play Rippers last known victim Mary Jane Kelly.