Research Into Target Audience: In terms of age rating, what would it be?

Obviously since this is an A-level coursework I need to be careful with the sort of content I can show off; any violence or sexual themes needs to be very much toned down; if anything - especially in a trailer - subltey  and suggestiveness is key, and if there's any violence, or bloodied up characters, it'd all be special effects make-up and fake blood.  

I'll research into the top oldest age ratings, since if my trailer were to be an actual film, it'd either be a 12, 15 or maybe even 18!

What's expected in a 12A

Language

The BBFC's Guidelines state that strong language (e.g. 'f***') may be passed at 12 or 12A, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special contextual justification. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being placed at the 15 category. There is some allowance for puns on strong language at this category.

There may be moderate language (e.g. uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A).

Sex

Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Comedy may lessen the impact of some moderate sex references or innuendo but frequent crude sex references are unlikely to be accepted at this category. There may be nudity in 12A films but nudity in a sexual context should only be brief and discreet.

Sex and sex references are treated the same irrespective of sexuality.

Violence

At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context (for example brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama).

Action sequences and weapons may be present at 12A or 12, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Weapons which might be easily accessible to 12 year olds (such as knives) should not be glamorised in 12A and 12 works.

Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated at 12A and 12. Such scenes must also have a strong contextual justification.

For more information, click here

What's expected in a 15

Any of the following:

strong violence

frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***').

portrayals of sexual activity

strong verbal references to sex

sexual nudity

brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence

discriminatory language or behaviour

drug taking

Language/discriminatory terms:

There could potentially be a great deal. At 15 there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong language (e.g. ‘f***’).

Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (e.g. 'c***'), depending on the manner in which they are used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special contextual justification. However, continued or aggressive use will not normally be passed 15.

There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the work could explore themes relating to this.However, at 15 the work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

Sex
At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category.

Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there will usually be no strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

There can be strong references to sex and sexual behaviour, but especially strong or crude references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context.

Sex and sex references are treated the same irrespective of sexuality.

Violence

Yes, at 15 violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.

There could also be detailed verbal references to sexual violence. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.

Drugs
At 15 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail).

The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances like aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be acceptable at 15.

Dangerous behaviours teens might copy

We consider the risk of potential harm to impressionable teenagers. For example, dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.

Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.

For more information, click here

What's expected in an 18

18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:

  very strong violence

  frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’)

  strong portrayals of sexual activity

  scenes of sexual violence

  strong horror

  strong blood and gore

  real sex (in some circumstances)

  discriminatory language and behaviour

Language
There is no limit on the number of uses of strong (e.g. 'f***') or even very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’) which can be passed at 18. Uses could be aggressive, directed, frequent or accompanied by strong violence.

There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18, and the work could explore themes relating to discrimination.

Though a work as a whole must not be in breach of any relevant legislation, it is possible for discriminatory language or themes to be the main focus of the work, and for main characters to engage in discriminatory behaviour.

Sex

There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Very strong, crude and explicit sex references are permitted at 18.

An 18 film or video might also contain depictions of real sex, as long as the film or video is not a sex work.

Violence
At 18, horror films may contain very strong horror, gore or sustained threat.

Drugs
Yes. At 18 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

Dangerous behaviours teenagers might copy
Though 18 films and videos may cover difficult and strong subjects and themes, harm is still a consideration. Very dangerous or criminal behaviour (for example, behaviour which if copied poses a credible harm risk) may be cut.

For more information, click here

Overall, I think my trailer would be aimed at a 12A audience so far, but at a stretch a 15. The language wont be strong (I don't really like use of strong language in my projects.)

Any violence wont be dwelled on in terms of any 'detail' - and it'd be special effects make-up and fake blood as I mentioned before. 

And anything in terms of sex would only be hinted at very subtley. 

Drafting and Planning/Organisation: Seven Deadly Sins Make-Up, Pride

This one was my favourite to do; it was incredibly tricky since you have to be so precise. But I think Pride turned out the best, in terms of both the make-up, poses and photography!

So, as you know, I've taken this as inspiration from Klaire de Lys' Seven Deadly Sins make-up series.

I'd think this look would be very tricky to do again on someone else's face; but when it comes to the actual production, I'll do a looser, easier version of these I think. Or do them as best I can at least. After Pride there's just Sloth and Wrath to have a go at!

Pride:

I couldn't pick which ones are the best so just posted a load of them on here. I just love the use of lighting and the angles in a lot of these pics, if I do say so myself. The idea with the chain is that, with the sin of pride, you're chained to thinking of how you're right and other's are wrong in every way possible; the chain idea could be used on all the Sins, but it looked most appropriate here. I think mine is rather different from the original; but I like that about it :)

Here's Klaire's original tutorial of Pride:

Drafting and Planning: Plot-line Draft

In the world of demons, the Succubi and Incubi seduce humans in their sleep to kill for their own gain, but since Angels can fall into darkness, surly demons could arise from darkness and experience the light. 

One Succubus, having had a lot of blood on her hands, done the one thing the demons are forbidden to do; question things. She wondered what on earth they were actually doing. She looked at how humans love one another, and hate one another; how they could all experience the ultimate good and evil. But she was part of the evil, and wondered what good felt like.

Where they were, friendship wasn't heard of, though she believed it could be crafted. Life is like a black market for them; retrieving what is required from the humans, and ruining their lives. 

But she noticed how the only reason they 'enjoy' what they do, is because in their world, they don't experience any emotional connection. Just business. 

After lots of thought and curiosity, one day, she discovered sorrow. Everyone looked at her as if she were a freak, threatening her to go to the asylum if she wont straighten up and do as she's told. After a period of sharp supervision, she finally asked, as if involuntarily 'Why are we doing this?' 

and was sent straight to the cellars; she cannot influence others to think too! She was sent to the head of her order and spoke her mind and immediately saw the disgrace of her surroundings, yet also the pity she had for those like her. And suddenly a sense of strength for having found this out. 

The order done what was deemed worse than killing; she banished to the human world, where she would experience the full spectrum of human emotion, and if she wants love so badly, she'd have to experience generations upon generations of her lovers' deaths, since she'd still be an immortal being. Unless, of course, she isn't really capable of such feelings, and her Succubi form would be permanently visible in the mortal world; she'd be considered a freak amongst them, and tortured in ways worse than the ways of the demon world. 

She, empowered by her new wisdom, entered the human world as if it were an award rather than a punishment; with her head held high and her lungs breathing in the polluted air. As soon as her vision caught up with her, and the white light had faded, she found herself in a forest and she suddenly felt such fear of what to do next.

OR

She didn't question things out loud but simply observed in silence. And used her talent of deception to pretend she's entering a human dream, but instead cuts the dream connection and appears physically before the man in the human world. She fled from his house as fast as possible, destroying any physical connection to the demon world she had [maybe if she removed her horns or tail her connection to the demon world would fail, but these ideas still need to be further explored. I don't particularly want demons coming after her since that'd only cause even more fuss; so maybe she WAS banished instead rather than a run-away demon]

EITHER WAY

she makes it to the mortal world, and learns to discover human emotions and feelings. She was capable of controlling her 'dark' form so the humans would only see her as a fellow human.

She learns what it's like to take human feelings into consideration when talking to others and gaining a connection with them. Without a doubt, many were attracted to her, in which she gained much 'unwanted' attention (though, to be honest, she did enjoy it) and she grew to find her own character.

ONE DAY SHE FALLS IN LOVE

Whether she falls in love with one lucky guy or has the trouble of a many loving her is unknown at the moment, but either way, she tries to restrict herself from acting on her 'Succubi' lustful ways and finds someone worth fighting for [the trailer probably starts showing this cute relationship with a narration of the protagonists views]

AND SHE FALLS INTO HER INSTINCTS AGAIN

whether she kills her lover OR cheats on him and accidentally kills/damages others is unknown, but either way she falls back into her demonic ways and begins to understand the ultimate happiness and despair; especially when others brutally blame her and she goes into hiding. She wanders through

a forest where she hallucinates these strange people going crazy and running around madly, attacking her, and tying her up to a tree. 

SOMEONE FINDS HER

perhaps some innocent person finds her; now a shell of a woman, and asks about her story. Whether her lover is alive or dead is unknown [depending on which plot twist I decide to use] but in the end, I certainly want some happy or hopeful ending. Because an ending based on her tragedies would be rather irritating. Maybe she becomes entirely human in the end.

TWIST:

Maybe she was never a succubi, but actually a HUMAN who was cursed and sent to the demon world and live a life of slavery, but there's always something about humanity that appealed to her--but then that'd contradict the idea of 'maybe demons can rise to goodness'. Or maybe, like some Cinderella story, IF she achieves something, she'll become an actual human. 

BUT

that'd be too cliche. I'd like to think she lived many, many lives by the time someone asks about her 'story'. But I'm still unsure about things.

IN REGARDS TO FILMING,

It would be rather tricky to prepare... I'll need to think about simplifying ideas or getting many to help me out :)

This plotline still has many holes. I think if the 'real' world was based on a world of magic, it'd be less 'weird' for e succubus to come out of no where, and she'd be more comfortable in herself and everyone would know she's a demon; but the 'good kind' so she either evokes admiration or fear into people. There'd be more ideas to play with.

OVERALL

Getting some feedback from others could give me some ideas. If I were to perhaps take more inspiration from my Harry Potter fanfictions [in which she's only visible in the magical (not muggle) world and people slowly learn about who she is but only those closest to her, and she can easily tame her instincts and the wizards made it so she cannot harm anyone with who she is and so she could get involved with all sorts of friendships and relationships without causing too much harm. But there's still be emotional harm if she has a string of admirers! My imagination does go wild, I must say] the story could gain a different dynamic if I follow that dynamic. But I'll still stay open minded. But this is the most development my idea had so far :)



EDIT:

Somehow she gets to the human world (maybe banished from demon world OR maybe some wizard opened a portal between herself and the real world. Maybe she chose this 'world opener' from when she was in the demon world, and met him in his dreams and told him how to get her there. So she entered the real world not to return to the demon world! That'd be cool.) 

And since she's an immortal being she has the punishment that, if she does fall in love, she will do so many times over and will watch all of them die in their lifetime (only just come up with that bit now!)

She goes through all sorts of tragedies and confusion, and has to experience the 7 Deadly Sins and 7 Heavenly Virtues in order to know what it is to be human (and she goes a little mad out of how rough life gets)

But I'd want there to be a happy/hopeful ending.

Drafting and Planning/Organisation: Seven Deadly Sins Make-Up, Gluttony

Again, much like my previous make-up posts relating to the Seven Deadly Sins, I've replicated Klaire De Lys' 'Gluttony' interpretation. I've really enjoyed playing with all the colours with this look, and there aren't many Sins to replicate left; only Wrath, Sloth and Pride :)

I've been experimenting a lot more with lighting since doing the 'Succubus'  look, and I'm rather proud with some of these photos. Dramatic lighting always has a way of adding an atmosphere regardless of where you actually are. 

Gluttony:

It's rather funny seeing the sorts of poses I usually do in my photography; but I could only do some much when I'm holding the camera as well. But these posts are always so fun to make regardless! 

But in terms of the plot of the story, and the inclusion of a Succubus, certain things will change [the Deadly Sins part will still apply though] and my next post will try and explore some different ideas.

But here's Klaire's original tutorial of Gluttony:

Drafting and Planning/Organisation: The Inclusion of Dark Creatures; A Succubus

I know the trailer idea is about the 7 Deadly Sins, but I decided to look a little further into the fantasy genre and look more into my love of mythical creatures. Also, in terms of the storyline of my trailer, I'm wondering whether the main female cheated on her partner on purpose or not. Because if so, the dark creature of a 'Succubus' or Mermaid/Siren could appeal to the main character (if I were to match her with a creature).

This is how I came to this idea. While watching movies, I often invent a character of my own in my head for it, and see what could change in the story if this character existed. At one occasion, I imagined a Succubus character in the Harry Potter series (yes, I'm a weird 'fan-fictioner' in that way...) and I'm thinking that this character could actually be a brilliant protagonist for my trailer (the audience doesn't need to know where she came from just yet. It is a fantasy).

What if the main character wasn't a normal human girl, but infact a Succubus who wants to go against the conventional ways of her kind and wants actual love and to be human rather than seducing and potentially killing. But one day she 'succumbs' into her nature (see what I did there?). I suppose her being a mythical creature could relate to how us humans can harshly judge one another, as if we're freaks/inhuman for making some of the dumb mistakes we make (not making light of terrible things, but daft things people get labelled for). But that's just another little updated idea.
I originally replicated this Klaire De Lys look of a Succubi because I wanted to see how it looked on me, but now I'm thinking I might actually use it for my trailer.

Succubus (Human Form): 

Succubus (Dark Form):

The addition of horns, elf hears, talons and fake blood would be brilliant to finish the look but this is a prototype as usual; and was the most fun one to do! It's great trying to look all pretty but scary and disgusting; it'd be a great change of dynamic to the plot-line.

A little definition of a succubus for those who don't know:

"A female demon who seduces men and often kills them/gives them grave illnesses in the process"

Any more info about them is a little bit too 'mature content' to talk about here, but you could use your imagination.

I also considered the protagonist being a Siren instead (a malicious mermaid which lures sailors to their deaths with their gorgeous appearance and singing voices) But I'm not capable of getting myself a mermaid tail, a ship or even an ocean for that matter! So a succubi it is. And it's a bit less of a cliche and more of a tragic idea to work upon. Especially since I heard Succubi give their men dreams of their potential lusty-antics together, so perhaps her partner is haunted by her in his dreams after she 'betrayed' him.

[Note: Of course these sort of things would only be suggested, like, he could say 'I dreamt of you last night... It felt so real' or something like that... that sounded worse than I thought it would]

For those interested, here's Klaire's original make-up tutorial for any time you want to look both pretty and icky at the same time. Or for general 'freaking people out' purposes:

Note: and maybe the 'Queen' character in her head is actually her 'hard core' Dark Succubi mode - with more 'grandios' clothing and aura or something! It's great when you see things come together just by one new idea.

Research Into Similar Products: Favourite Trailers

There are SO many great trailers these days! I always look forward to seeing them in the cinema before the main feature-- they can give you such a buzz, hold in it's firm grip for up to three minutes and then throw you back into your seat making you turn to your cinema buddy and go 'Ooohh... That looks good...' (and if you're dedicated enough to go to the cinema on your own, well, just gasp to yourself then)

And what can make matters more confusing, is that many TV adverts these days can look like movies; so movie trailers are always in competition not only amongst the film industry, but compete with general adverts on TV to get the right slot on the most viewed channel and be remembered, especially within all those crazy adverts.

So here're a set of trailers which grasped me the most and had an impact on me; I'm rather sentimental over trailers.

The Hobbit Trilogy Trailers: 

An Unexpected Journey 

After watching Lord of The Rings in 2012, it was as if my love for fantasy video games has transferred into movies all in one trilogy (the books took a great deal of time to get through though). And after I discovered The Hobbit trailer out of no where, shouting 'Oh! it's thingy from Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy!' (Martin Freeman) I fell in love with film entirely and officially became a fangirl (especially when Thorin started singing in his manly tones...)

What I adore about this trailer, is not only the sentimental opening with the Shire music (which always makes me cry), but the steady pace throughout the trailer aswell; showing how in this film, you'll be slowly breaking into getting to know Middle-Earth again, along with the characters and story. The addition of male dwarves singing divides this film from most adventure films; giving the story an eerie yet raw and beautiful appeal. The ending with the iconic character Gollum would make those Lord of the Ring fans go extra crazy for the film. 

But I also adore the second trailer release:

I adore the switching in pace and dynamic, showing the whole range of the film and I also adore the diegetic narration of Thorin Oakenshield at 1:50, ending his narration with a long shot of him in a majestic, powerful moment. That inspired me to take a piece of significant dialogue from a major character and slot it in the midst of my trailer in a similar way with the trailer above!

The Desolation of Smaug:

I love the opening to this trailer; Bilbo fearfully trying to butter up Smaug; the simple dialogue breaks the audience in gently yet, the visual and emotional vastness of this moment hooks in the audience immediately. And this trailer does build up much more than the previous film's one. The dramatic music and dialogue gives the audience glimmers of what's in store. Finally, the slowing down in the end with Thorin leading to the debut of hearing Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug really drives the audience's anticipation for the film! I mean, Cumberbatch does such an amazing job with Smaug's voice (there was only a tiny bit of editing added to it in post production); I got shivers everywhere with this trailer. 

The Battle of the Five Armies:

I never watched this trailer until I saw the film (I wanted NO spoilers when it came to the third Hobbit film, regardless that I read the book) but when I did watch it, I took to mind the pieces of film they did select; often really poignant, emotional moments despite the fact it's a battle. This reminds me of something Martin Freeman said that Peter Jackson doesn't let an action sequence happen at the expense of an emotional moment. Yet they never use all the BEST material (they always need something tucked up their sleeves so they wont spoil the whole film obviously).

I love, not only how the beginning, again, is slow and meaningful yet vast in emotion and silence (silence really can capture an audience's attention when used right) but the fact, like I said before, that eventhough it's a film about a battle, it doesn't cram the trailer with repetitive battle sequences; but shows the story weaving through and relationships. And any moment of battle shown looks creative; not the typical sword slashing stuff. It's so well thought out. The dramatic music carries the speed again as it builds up, and the ending this time is rather different, that it just cuts at it's most heightened point to show the film title. 

In Contrast To This:

Mockingjay Part 2 Trailer:

I do love this trailer; the range from showing the battle sequences to individual character relationships and peaceful to dramatic moments, but part of me thought the battle sequences seemed a tad repetitive and some of the dialogue was quite predictable and visually quite repetitive; yet since it's part of a series, they do have to recap what the task at hand is; defeating the Capitol and President Snow. I just think they could've varied the content a little bit more. But I know you can only do so much with a dystopian genre I suppose, and there're rules to obey according to the book, environment and circumstance of the characters.

Another trailer which grasped my attention was the recent

Suicide Squad Trailer:

I haven't read the comics so I could sound a little ignorant but I just adore the concept of the film, trying to manipulate the villains to do what the authorities want. But what I loved about the trailer was the beautiful opera singing, as well as the character introductions (so fun seeing which villains getting involved, and I found the first glimpse of Harley Quin dangling from a white fabric during the opera music rather beautiful and striking). The peaceful singing really does contradict what's going on; yet it compliments the fat that villains are contradictive within themselves, and often feel a sense of not belonging anywhere. It compliments their inner depth and sadness in a way. And again, an ending with the character everyone anticipates; the Joker.

Drafting and Planning/Organisation: Seven Deadly Sins Make-Up, Envy

The other day, I attempted Klaire's 'Envy' make-up look on my sister, Charlotte, and I've got to admit; it took over two houres to do... But 75% of that time was spent with her laughing and fidgeting, making the process last much longer. But it still turned out rather well using what tools I had to hand! I just wish I had a proper photography room. Oh well, but here it is!

Envy:

I'm pretty proud of how this prototype turned out. But, it did take a long while to do it, and considering I have to do the same to 6 more people [maybe including myself], I just need to make sure I can do it as quick as I can-which I'm sure I can! 

Here's the original look in the tutorial itself: