My original plan of filming a promotional video for the company of Gorillas has changed slightly. While I will still be filming in the location of Gorillas, I will be creating a promotional video for an academy that's been started up by one of the Gorillas trainers, the academy is called Alpha Weapons Academy. The academy currently consists of two classes, one beginner class that is considered as traditional weapons training, where Dave (the trainer) teaches the students the techniques of using martial arts weapons with specially designed sticks - for health and safety reasons. The other class is a controlled fighting club for more advanced students, who 'spar' with more realistic sword-styled weapons while wearing full armour. The company is currently looking to expand and begin a grading system, so they are looking to promote themselves through film to explain who they are and what they do through visuals, with the end result being to gain more attendees interested in martial arts weapon training. On Sunday 31st of January I attended Gorillas to witness both classes in action and have a meeting with Dave about the promotional video. It was extremely helpful to witness both classes for myself to take notes on how to approach the film, the type of shots I can get, certain features to focus on and what can be discussed by staff and students in the video.
Traditional class
After discussions with Dave, with my 'artistic' input, we concluded that he would like the video to consist of approximately the following...
A 2-3 minute video in a documentary style
An upbeat and friendly tone to the film, while remaining professional
Interviews with the staff
Brief interviews with students while out of breath from classes
Interviews with students before attending classes
A large variety of shots of both classes to show exactly what goes on in both
Beneficially for me, this company knows what kind of promotional video they want, but are allowing me to take control of shots etc. and approach, so this allows for me to have guidelines to follow as they know what they want, while still having creative control. I'm looking forward to creating the promotional video for them and will be moving forward with creating a documentary style script, shot list and story board before meeting with them again.
Sparring class
Current dates:
13th of March - Meeting with Dave to go over script etc.
20th of March - Filming
23rd of March - Filming if required
Another meeting will be held during post-production for editing input from the company.
A test shoot of the promotional trailer for Teach 'Em A Lesson is going to be created by myself, the DOP, a VTs director and a VTs camera person. We have chosen to create a test shoot of the trailer instead of the opening titles as practising the use of POV will be very helpful and beneficial for the final trailer. As previously explained, the overall idea for the trailer is this...
A 30 second to approximately 50 second long piece - as per average television trailer / advert times
POV (point of view) based footage using a GoPro helmet
In a similar style to the opening titles, there is a slow reveal that there is an adult getting ready for school
However, this is through POV footage of someone small going through a typical morning for a child. E.g. eating kids' cereal, putting on a school uniform etc.
This leads into them arriving at their classroom still in POV shots to see a teacher (the presenter) saying they're late and to sit down
They look over at their classmate - who's an adult, and as they look back the shot switches to a high angle medium shot of the two adults sat at their desks with the 'student' used for the POVs saying "sorry" in a high pitched voice - changed in post production
The logo appears and the presenter has a voice-over line, e.g. "The teachers are going back to school and it's time to Teach 'Em A Lesson! Starting this Wednesday at 4:30pm on CBBC!"
GFX appearing throughout in a checklist style. E.g. 'School Morning Rules' 'Eat a healthy breakfast! (tick)' 'Brush your teeth! (tick)' 'Don't be late! (cross)' in the style of the chalkboard logo
The trailer will be deliberately comical to relate to the production's style and heavily stick to the theme of adults in a school environment to roughly and quickly explain the type of show that Team 'Em A Lesson is. This idea will also be easy to follow and understand for children, as it would be aired on CBBC.
The test shoot of the trailer will be simplified in location, actors, props and costume, as the main focus will be on camera technique, directing and editing. The decided roles for the shoot are as follows... Director: DOP (Patricia) Co-Director & Sound: VTs Director (Mary) Camera: VTs Camera Person (Harry) POV/Student Actor: Producer (Myself) Second Student Actor: Harry Teacher Actor: 2nd year student (Jordan) Producer & Editor: Myself
Between all of us, we have also decided on the running order of the test shoot trailer. Which consists of the actor (myself) doing as follows...
GFX (blackboard shot for test shoot) 'School Morning Rules...Wake up on time!'
Waking up
Blackboard: 'Have a healthy breakfast!'
Eating childish cereal
Blackboard: 'Don't forget to brush your teeth!'
Brushing teeth with childish toothpaste & toothbrush
Blackboard: 'Dress smartly!'
Putting on uniform
Blackboard: 'Don't forget your school supplies!'
Packing bag with school supplies
Grabbing a childish backpack
Blackboard: 'Don't be late!'
Feet running to school
Sound of school bell as approaching door
Open door to see moody teacher saying "You’re late!"
Blackboard: '...Oops!'
Takes seat
Pair of adults sink in seats and look at each other, revealing it’s adults
The POV student says "Sorry" and pulls awkward face at camera
Logo appears with voice-over consisting over a line such as "The teachers are going back to school and it's time to Teach 'Em A Lesson! Starting this Wednesday at 4:30pm on CBBC!"
Aside from beginning work on the style bible, one of the first tasks I started was brainstorming ideas with the DOP for the production's trailer and opening titles. The main features of the opening titles idea are the points below:
A 30 second long piece - as requested by the producer
Footage of two adults getting ready in the morning - seemingly for work
Eventually, clips of school-based items (such as lunch boxes, pencil cases etc.) reveal that the adults are preparing for school
The adults rush into a classroom and take a seat in front of a board - which transitions into the show's logo as a link into the show's intro
Shot transitions will be featured - for example a book being put down in one location, and being picked up in another to link to the next 'scene'
The opening titles will be created and shot second, as the promotional video needs to be created first in time for it to promote the show itself. I will be going into further detail of my research and planning of the opening titles after other tasks are completed.
The main features of the trailer idea are the points below:
A 30 second to approximately 50 second long piece - as per average television trailer / advert times
POV (point of view) based footage using a GoPro helmet
In a similar style to the opening titles, there is a slow reveal that there is an adult getting ready for school
However, this is through POV footage of someone small going through a typical morning for a child. E.g. eating kids' cereal, putting on a school uniform etc.
This leads into them arriving at their classroom still in POV shots to see a teacher (the presenter) saying they're late and to sit down
They look over at their classmate - who's an adult, and as they look back the shot switches to a high angle medium shot of the two adults sat at their desks with the 'student' used for the POVs saying "sorry" in a high pitched voice - changed in post production
The logo appears and the presenter has a voice-over line, e.g. "The teachers are going back to school! It's time to Teach 'Em A Lesson! Starting Thursday at 4pm on CBBC!"
GFX appearing throughout in a checklist style. E.g. 'School Morning Rules' 'Eat a healthy breakfast! (tick)' 'Brush your teeth! (tick)' 'Don't be late! (cross)' in the style of the chalkboard logo
The trailer will be deliberately comical to relate to the production's style and heavily stick to the theme of adults in a school environment to roughly and quickly explain the type of show that Team 'Em A Lesson is. This idea will also be easy to follow and understand for children, as it would be aired on CBBC.
Research for Trailer
CBBC trailers:
Dixi Trailer
This CBBC trailer is an extremely useful example of POV shots used in children's television. While the POV shots are represented as the point of view of the gadgets the actors are using, such as their mobile phones and laptops, this captures the type of appearance that would be used for Teach 'Em A Lesson's trailer.
Features to be used that are involved in the above trailer:
Breaking the fourth wall - the teacher/presenter in our trailer will look directly into the camera as if to be addressing the student
Static shots as well as the POV shots e.g. the last shot of the two students will be a static medium shot
The Dixi trailer is extremely helpful for our own as it proves effectiveness in using POV in children's TV and especially in CBBC, as well as inspiration for camera angles and actor placement.
Chart Show Trailer
This trailer is a prime example of how a lot of entertainment can be provided in just a 30 second advertisement, and that a visuals based advertisement with minimal dialogue can be very effective as opposed to using a large amount of dialogue.
Features to be used that are involved in the above trailer:
Again breaking the fourth wall
Tracking shots to follow the subject's actions and move with them, instead of static shots focusing on their movements
A soundtrack to liven up the trailer
A voice-over at the end of the trailer to briefly explain the show
A humorous, easy going and fun atmosphere is the anticipated outcome for this trailer, as is the outcome of the trailer above, which greatly inspires the features that will be used in our trailer.
Up All Night Trailer
The fast paced feel of this CBBC movie trailer is a great example of how lively a trailer can be made when the tempo is fast, along with the addition of an upbeat soundtrack and GFX between shots.
Features to be used that are involved in the above trailer:
A lively soundtrack laid over the shots
An upbeat tempo to keep the attention of the audience, as well as creating the realistic feel of the morning rush for students
GFX between shots to give an extra spark to the trailer - to avoid just a montage of shots
This trailer will be referred back to when creating the Teach 'Em A Lesson trailer as it provides great inspiration for creating a trailer that's never dull and holds the audience's attention throughout.
POV Examples:
Eating a Salad by College Humour
While this example of POV includes hearing the character's thoughts, it's a very similar representation of the visual aspects that will be included in our trailer.
Features to be used that are involved in the above POV example:
A large use of the character's hands carrying out activities - as typical in POV
Sounds effects such as the slurping of a drink to be added in post production to create realism
Every day activities carried out including eating
Actors looking into the lens, breaking the fourth wall, to simulate looking into the character's eyes (as mentioned above)
This example is a great guideline to follow when testing out creating POV shots for the trailer.
I Got U - Duke Dumont
This is another example of how a combination of visuals and a soundtrack can be very attractive for it's audience without needing dialogue. This is also great inspiration for how to approach the features of a POV trailer.
Features to be used that are involved in the above POV example:
Shots of the character included, such as hands, feet and chest - for when our character puts on a school tie
A variety of activities carried out, such as eating, drinking, walking to destinations
I plan to cast the production's presenter as the teacher where available, as it allows the talent and main contributor of the show to be featured, as well as him recording a short voice over for the outro.
I also plan to use a mature first year student from our course to act as the POV character, as she has experience with cameras to use the GoPro as well as acting in other student's films, is small in height - which allows for the impression of a child before the reveal and will be easy to work with as well as likely availability.
Locations:
I plan to use a lecture room at Maidstone Studios as the classroom setting due to the ability to dress the set however it's needed and it's classroom style chairs, whiteboard etc.
I am currently unsure as to where to film the at-home parts of the trailer, but it will most likely be at a fellow student's house due to accessibility and availability.
Costume & Props:
Costume for the students will be a basic look of a school uniform with a tie, shirt, jumper, black trousers and shoes. While the teacher will wear a smart shirt, tie and black trousers and shoes. Both portraying a realistic appearance of the characters.
Props will include items such as kids cereal, children's toothpaste and toothbrush, child-like backpack, pencil case and lunchbox and school supplies etc.
Equipment & Crew:
The equipment used will be a GoPro and headmount for all POV shots, along with a Rode Mic and Zune to capture sound, and a Sony EX1 to capture the non-POV shots.
The will consist of our DOP as director, a camera person from VTs as the camera and due to availability I may need to act as sound.
My next steps are undergoing a test shoot of this with the DOP and two other students, gathering actors, locations, costume, props, equipment and crew, and writing a script for the trailer with the inclusion of the DOP.
