Mr Halsey cover work - Friday 15 November

I'm sorry to miss all our lessons this week but I do have a very good excuse - my son Samuel was born on Wednesday morning and I'm currently trying to learn how to be a parent! I'm hoping to be back before too long so I don't miss too many more lessons.

You need to be getting on with Assignment 2 and that means coming up with your own original film idea so you can then create the film poster and trailer. Work through the following tasks and you will be in good shape for next week:

Task 1
Read these top tips for coming up with your own idea:

1) Think carefully about setting and genre – a sci-fi pitch may be difficult to realise with the time and resources at your disposal.
2) Avoid major stars – you’ll need an original image for the film poster and unless you know Brad Pitt that will be a difficult photoshoot to arrange. 
3) Make sure the film’s narrative is easy to understand and follow – you only have a 30 second trailer to play with. If you can't tell the basic story in one sentence you need to work on it more.

Task 2
Come up with the basic idea for your film - genre, storyline, setting etc. Discuss it with someone else and make sure you can tell the story clearly and easily.

Task 3
You now need to write a film pitch for your idea. This is your chance to sell your film idea in approximately 150 words. 

Firstly, you need to begin with your ‘log line’ – a one sentence summary that will immediately grab attention.

Example log line - from Pirates of the Caribbean: "A 17th Century tale of adventure on the Caribbean Sea where the roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow joins forces with a young blacksmith in a gallant attempt to rescue the Governor of England's daughter and reclaim his ship."

Write a log line for your original film idea.

Task 4
You now need to write the rest of your film pitch. Make sure you include the following:

1) The ‘log line’ (a one sentence summary of the film's narrative or appeal) - in task 3 above.
2) Brief reference to your film's genre
3) Brief reference to at least one similar film
4) Brief reference to the target audience for your film
5) Indication of main characters

6) Brief summary of narrative (what happens in the story)

Task 5
When you have completed your film pitch - and it may take some time because you want a very good, original idea - you need to start planning your film poster and trailer. First, plan your photoshoot and work out who will be in your film poster and when you will shoot the picture. Sketch a draft of the film poster and start writing the text that will go on it.

Extension task
If you've finished absolutely everything - well done! You can use the rest of the lesson time to research film posters and trailers in the same genre as your own film to make sure you are meeting the key conventions of that genre.

Good luck and thanks for staying focused while I'm away!

Mr Halsey