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
- An upbeat soundtrack throughout the trailer
Actors, Locations, Costume & Props, Equipment & Crew
Actors:
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.
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