When making our poster for our trailer we went through various different stages before finally producing our outcome.The main image that we decided to use in our poster was one that we took of the mask that appears in our trailer. We took the image in dark lighting and focused strong lighting on to the mask, this created made the mask stand out from its background and created a bold image to use for our poster.
We imported this image on to photoshop and used the magic wand tool to remove the background so we could create our own behind the image. We then added our film title in the same font used in our trailer. To make our poster more relatable to our genre we decided to add spooky effects to the image. To do this we found an online image editor. On this editor there were a wide range of filters and editing tools. In these four photos you can see the filters we experimented with however we chose the top left filter because we felt that some of them washed out the image to much and we wanted it to stand out.
In order to gain inspiration for our film poster, we researched into existing ones relating to our genre. All of the film posters that we researched held one main image that relates to a main concept/character within the film. In addition to this, they all have the film title in a suitable font, under the image. Most of the posters also have a slogan/statement at the very top of the poster. Furthermore, certain posters hold the names of the producers, or other films that the same producers have made. All of the posters contain who was involved in making the film too. However this information is less visible than the rest. It is normally held underneath the title, in small, fine fonts. Finally, which is compulsory in every film poster, are the small logos shown at the very bottom. This can include the production company logo, the rating and parental warning for the film, the release date and websites.
Due to creating our logo in photoshop, we had great difficulties in transferring it onto final cut pro and fitting it in with our trailer. We therefore decided to recreate our logo however this time use motion to make it flow well with the trailer.
We also decided to change the name of our company, as we thought that it fitted more effectively with the graphics that we chose to include. To make this logo, we added different behaviours to our bold font, to make it emerge in, along with the blue lake in front. We also added a glow behind the letters, which is the same colour as the lake, bringing the whole thing together.
We have come up with a few more ideas in terms of props for our trailer. At the very start of the trailer we would like to introduce the masked man, planning his crimes by circling photographs of his chosen victims and drawing out how he will commit the crimes. To do this we will need various photographs of our characters and a blue print sheet. To get this prop, we will print out a blue print sheet onto large paper, like the one below.
We will also need to gather and print photographs of his main victim, and have the character circling her out, for example: This makes the intentions of the man in the mask clear to veiwers and makes the audience wonder what he is plotting and why.
We ordered our mask and are happy with the product, this will be our main feature in our trailer. We aim to use this as the main element in our poster and magazine cover as it is a very significant part of our trailer and storyline. The main mystery throughout our film will be the question of who is underneath the mask and why are they committing the crimes, it therefore helps to enhance the trailer/movie and leads to the audience wanting to watch on to discover the mystery. We also feel that this mask will create a memorable image for the film, attracting people to view the upcoming film.
To produce our production company logo we used photoshop, we imported images that we had collected that related to our name 'Black manor studios', we got an image of a dark manor house, and altered it by adding effects and removing the background so that the house became a single image. We then layered it on top of another image of dark clouds and a moon, which we also added a filter to, to make it appear even more gloomy and dark. We then experimented with fonts to use in our logo and decided we wanted a bold, eye catching font to make the logo more memorable for viewers. However, without a filter the font was to contrasting to the image behind it, so we added a filter to make the text blend in with the photograph. Finally, to make the logo more significant, we boxed the whole image together and added it to a black background. We then copied the image of the clouds and added it to the background however decreased the opacity so the image became subtle.
This is our final production company logo that will appear at the beginning of our trailer to introduce and give credit the producers of the film.
To begin producing a production company logo, we have researched existing logos in order to gain inspiration. The companies that we have researched are all many based around horror movies and thrillers, which we feel would be an appropriate logo to produce as it will relate to our genre. One company that we have researched is one called 'Twisted pictures' which is an american independent production company mainly creation films of the horror genre. The company was founded in 2004 by 'Evolution entertainments' Mark Burg, Oren Koules and Gregg Hoffman. The company are best known for producing the saw film series, which is a similar sort of film to what we are producing.
The logo of twisted pictures is very effective, we see a bold font, being intensely wrapped by barbed wire with exaggerated sounds of the wire, giving it a scary feel.The font in this logo is eye catching, as there is a strong contrast between the colour of font and background. The text is in the middle of the screen highlighting its importance. The twisting feature gives a sense of being trapped, which gives the audience an idea of the genre of the film.
Another production company logo that has influenced us in producing our own is the production company "Ghost House Pictures'. This logo uses a similar colour scheme with a gloomy, black background and white or grey writing to contrast. This makes the writing stand out giving the production company more credit and making the name more memorable to the audience. The use of the skull in a key hole shape is used in all versions of this company logo, meaning it is a significant image relating to the company name. (as shown in the images on the left). They have many versions of their logo each produced using different colours or different graphical effects. However all continue to have a black background with a contrasting colour for the writing e.g red or white, and the font is also consistent throughout all versions. The third and final production company that we have researched is one called 'Dark castle entertainment'. This company is a division of Silver pictures, a production house associated with Warner Bros. It was formed in 1999 by Joel silver, Robert Zemeckis and Gilbert Adler. The company first began by producing only horror films, however eventually began producing films in genres other than horror. The films that the company have produced include ; 'Orphan', 'Unknown', 'Non-stop' and many others.
The logo again features a dark, gloomy background, which has a strong relation to the name 'Dark castle entertainment'. The dullness of the background also helps to introduce to the audience the types of films the company produces. We also see a significant logo in the centre of the image. It is very bold and shows a bright moon backing a sillohuettte of a castle, again relating to the name of the firm. The font holds a sense of glow, and is in bold capitals making it more eye catching for the audience. From conducting this research, we have decided that our production company logo will follow the pattern of having a dark background, behind a bold eye catching font and image.
To begin the process we have come up with a variety of names for our production company
KINETIC STUDIOS
KINETIC ENTERTAINMENT
KINETIC PICTURES
REVENANT HOUSE STUDIOS
HAUNTED CREEK STUDIOS
SILVER LAKE PRODUCTIONS
BLACK MANOR STUDIOS
The name we felt was the most effective, and relates to our genre the most is 'Black Manor Studios'. The reasons for this, is because the use of the word black, symbolises death, the unknown and ominous force. In addition, the concept of a 'Manor' is often used as a spooky home in many horror films, such as 'The conjuring'. We therefore feel the whole name fits well with our trailer and horror genre.
