Friends With Benefits Trailer

Here is the trailer of an upcoming romantic comedy, Friends with Benefits. I have been analysing this trailer and seeing if it follows the codes and conventions of romantic comedies that I found when I was researching romantic comedies. I believe this trailer does follow most of the codes and conventions and it looks a really good film that I have been lured in to go and watch through watching the trailer. 

The green screen is used at the beginning of every film to let the audiences know that this film is real and has been approved for the appropriate audiences and the rating that the BBFC has put on this film. 

There is a variety of camera shots and angles used in this trailer. An establishing shot is used straight away to let the audience know where this film is taking place and the mise-en-scene that will occur throughout the film. A lot of two-person shots are used in this trailer because there is many conversations that occur and to show the interaction between the two people in the conversation, the two person shot needs to be used. A low angle shot is also used to show the female protagonist looking superior compared to the male protagonist. 

These print screens show all the text and captions that are used throughout the trailer. The colours and the fonts are consistent throughout which is another convention of romantic comedies. I have also found that two colours are often used and that the background is almost always black to allow for the colours used to stand out against the black background. 

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

The basic plot of a romantic comedy usually consists of two protagonists, falling in and out of love, and finally ending living ‘happily ever after’. Often the protagonists, usually male and female, come across an obstacle that needs to be overtaken before they can progress in the relationship. This may involve a plot line where one character cheats on the other, or has to move away, of alternatively, the two protagonists may not realise their love for one another until later in the film, yet subtle sexual tension is suggested throughout. With multiple jokes along the way, as well as heart wrenching moments, romantic comedies often provide audiences with a rollercoaster of emotions, more often than not though, ending happily providing audience members with feelings of joy and optimism.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Plot

The story revolves around Peter Bretter, who is a music composer for a TV show that happens to feature his girlfriend, Sarah Marshall, in the lead role. After a 5 year relationship Sarah abruptly breaks up with Peter. Devastated by this event, he chooses to go on a vacation in Hawaii to try and move forward with his life. Trouble ensues when he runs into his ex on the island as she is on holiday with her new boyfriend.

Romantic Comedy ConventionsThis film follows the conventions of a romantic comedy in that the protagonist faces obstacles and challenges to be with the women he loves, Sarah. To begin, his ex girlfriend is on holiday with another man and this proves very difficult to deal with. Later in the film when Peter starts talking to Rachel (the girl who works in the hotel) he begins to like her and commits a number of stunts in attempt to get her, for example, he jumps off a cliff into the sea, and he gets beaten up by a man after stealing a photo. The film also demonstrates the conventional ‘happily ever after’ as Peter manages to fulfill his dreams in producing a dracula show with puppets, and also manages to rid of Sarah from his life and envelops in a relationship with Rachel. Most importantly though, the entire film has witty jokes and gags surrounding the fluctuating emotions of the protagonist and other characters, proving an entertaining and enjoyable watch for audiences.

BBFC Certificate

Every film must have a classification as set by the BBFC (The British Board of Film Classification)  (www.bbfc.co.uk) The categories are as follows: U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18, R18.

• U – suitable for all. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any threat, violence or horror.
• PG – Parental guidance. General viewing but some scenes may be seen unsuitable for very young children.
• 12A - This category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 must see a 12A film unless accompanied by an adult. These films are not recommended for anyone under the age of 12 yet if an accompanying adult thinks it would be suitable to see for a particular child younger than 12 then this is feasible.
• 12 – This exists only for video works and nobody younger than 12 is able to rent or buy a 12 rated video/dvd.
• 15 - Suitable only for people of 15 and over.
• 18 – Suitable only for people of 18 and over.
• R18 – To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years.

Based on our research and the content that we want to include within our film we have decided to class our film as a ’15′.  The guidelines of a ’15′ classified film are as follows:

• No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.
• Discrimination – The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
• Drugs – Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.
• Horror - Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualized.
• Imitable Behaviour – Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamourized.
• Language – There may be frequent use of strong language. The strongest  terms may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
• Nudity – Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
• Sex – Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely  to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.
• Theme – No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
• Violence – Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualized violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

Ideas for my film trailer!

Last lesson I got given a sheet to propose ideas for my trailer. I have chosen a rom-com genre and create a storyline where two girls are competing for one boy, and also the main part in a school show at the same time. I need to plan out my storyboard and decide on the main plot involved. 

By looking at film trailers such as ‘Along came Polly’ and ‘The proposal’, I was able to see what conventions I need to follow in order to make a good production

!

Storyboard

For the past few weeks, me and Andrea have been story boarding our ideas down that we have so far. The narrative structure of our trailer is coming along nicely and I'm really excited about starting filming. We understand that some of our ideas may change as we move through the trailer, but I like how we can always come back to our storyboards to keep us on track with our story line. 

Promotional Packages of Successful Romantic Comedies

Today, I have been looking at specific romantic comedies and their whole promotional packages including their trailer and their film poster. Previously, I looked at films like Titanic and Twilight which was useful, but now, I have narrowed down my research to only looking at romantic comedies as this is the genre of my trailer. I have found this EXTREMELY useful as I can see how the codes and conventions of romantic comedies are incorporated into both their trailer and their film poster, giving off an all-round professional and successful effect. I believe the excellence of the trailers and the film posters has aided to their successful nature with the amount of money each film below has grossed. this has helped me further in thinking about my trailer and how I'm going to film and edit my footage and then finally put it all together. This research has also helped me to think further ahead about my ancillary products of my film poster and my magazine front cover which are also just as important as the trailer in creating the full promotional package. 












LOVE ACTUALLY 

Love Actually is a 2003 British romantic comedy film written and directed by Richard Curtis. The screenplay delves into different aspects of love as shown through ten separate stories involving a wide variety of individuals, many of whom are shown to be interlinked as their tales progress. The ensemble cast is composed predominantly of British actors.

Set in London, the film begins five weeks before Christmas and is played out in a weekly countdown until the holiday, followed by an epilogue that takes place one month later.

It's budget was $45 million and it grossed $246,942,017 million worldwide

JUST GO WITH IT 

Just Go with It is a 2011 romantic comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. The film was released on February 11, 2011

On a weekend trip to Hawaii, a plastic surgeon convinces his loyal assistant to pose as his soon-to-be-divorced wife in order to cover up a careless lie he told to his much-younger girlfriend.

The film's budget was $80 million and the film grossed $214,918,407 million

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 Canadian and American romantic comedy film written by and starring Nia Vardalos and directed by Joel Zwick. The film is centered on Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos (Nia Vardalos), a middle class Greek American woman who falls in love with a non-Greek upper middle class "White Anglo-Saxon Protestant" Ian Miller (John Corbett). A young Greek woman falls in love with a non-Greek and struggles to get her family to accept him while she comes to terms with her heritage and cultural identity.  The film's budget was $5 million and the film grossed $368,744,044 million

Looking at example trailers

Now I know that I want to create a romantic comedy film trailer, I have been researching romantic comedy trailers on the internet and on YouTube. I have looked at both professional ones that I know have been succesful and I have also looked at once produced by other students too. This has been really useful as it has helped me to get a clearer vision on how I want my trailer to look and they have also given me some inspiration for our own narrative and storyline of our trailer. 

Research into Camera Shots and Movement

Today, I have been recapping my knowledge on camera shots, angles and movement before I start to actually film my trailer.  This is important because it has been a while since I have looked at camera shots and angles and because it is vital that I use a variety of camera shots and angles in my trailer, I need to know about the different shots and be able to use them. 








Camera Movement

TRACKING SHOT: Tracking in entices audience in to the scene. Tracking out allows the audience to know the narrative is over at this point and it will move onto the next part of the narrative

SIDE WAYS TRACK OR CRAB SHOT: Following action along- movement, keep pace.

TILT SHOT: Upwards; sense of height and power. Follow someone's point of view

ZOOM: Alternative to tracking shot

CRANE: High up. Enables director to follow action in a vertical direction

PANNING: Across ---> left to right or vice versa

Camera Shots

EXTREME LONG SHOT/ ESTABLISHING: Exterior, establishing time and setting

LONG SHOT: See character from head to toe. Relationship between character and their environment

MID SHOT: Waist up, enables audience to become more familiar with their character and the motivations within their character through their facial expressions and body language.

TWO SHOT: Two characters and their relationship with each other

CLOSE UP: Usually head and shoulders. Attention on character and their emotions. Frame an object of significance to the narrative

POINT OF VIEW: Someone's view point. Engage audience to their motives

EXTREME CLOSE UP: Tend to not overuse it, intense to audience. It draws audience further in to character's emotions. The attention is focused completely on character (eyes mostly)

Promotional Packages of Successful Films

TWILIGHT

HARRY POTTER

TITANIC

Here I have been researching successful films and what it is about them that makes them so successful. I have looked at films such as Titanic, Harry Potter and Twilight and I have researched their promotional packages including their trailer and their film poster. This research has really helped me as it has given me inspiration for my own trailer and my own film poster. 

More Codes and Conventions of Romantic Comedies

Codes and Conventions of Romantic Comedies

The genre of movies "Romantic Comedies" have a wide range of codes and conventions that usually appear in them, these codes and conventions define the romantic comedy genre.

Camera

The opening shot of most romantic comedies is an establishing shot of the location it is shot in, the camera is usually fixed and steady. The first shot is usually followed by a close up to introduce the main characters in the movie.

Editing

There isn't many instances of editing in romantic comedies, however there can be a cross cut to another main character of the movie, or from an establishing shot of the setting to a long shot of a characters home.

Sound

Romantic comedies almost always begin with a non diegetic soundtrack or score, it will usually be a strings instrument or a jazzy piece of music, it will be upbeat and light hearted. The diegetic sound will usually be quiet or muted until the shot changes to a shot of a character. Dialogue or a voice over will usually be used to introduce them.

Mise en Scéne

The mise en scéne of romantic comedies differs depending on where it was set. Those set in England play on stereotypes of British middle class people, however those set in America usually feature the stereotypes of a suburban person, or a businessperson. The lighting is usually mid key or high key, which gives a light hearted feel to the movie.






Codes and Conventions of a ‘Romcom’ movie:
- Appeals to anyone who has ever been in love or who hopes to be so soon.
- Characters in love are distracted and liable to do daft things – comedic value.
- The plot of a romcom will see an obvious couple taken through a series of
misadventures designed to keep them apart until the ending (usually when they
get married).
- Happy ending (marriage and children).
- Target audience: Young Women
- Plot involves male protagonist after female protagonist he fancies and having to overcome obstacles and rivals for her affection.
- Typical male and female, heterosexual relationships.
- Male protagonist offers comedic value due to his incompetence or struggle to attract female protagonist.
- Soft, romantic music.
- Stereotypical gender/sexuality roles.
- Attractive protagonists, particularly female.
- Very cliché and stereotypical of the idea of ‘Love’.
- Begins with introduction of 2 characters to fall or in love or the protagonist (male seeking woman).
- Twists to relationship, including a period where it seems the relationship is over until the end when they reunite and are happy together.
- Filmed in a big city/town location (e.g. London/New York)
- Flirting common throughtout film (usually one-way.)
- Costume is smart and sexy, appealing to the opposite sex.
- Soppy, light-hearted and lovey-dovey plot.
- Another male (usually more attractive, clever and wealthy) to compete for females attention, underdog eventually wins.
- Male protagonist fails in his attempts to be romantic.
- Unlikely couple from audience’s point of view at beginning of film, get together at end of film.
- Scenes of nudity, sex and intimacy.
- The colour red represents love, hearts, sexuality and passion.
- The colour white represents innocence, purity
- The colour pink represents love, romance and femininity.

Codes and Conventions of Romantic Comedies

Throughout my research of romantic comedies, I have looked at sample trailers of romantic comedies that have been successful in their acheivements. I have also looked in detail at the codes and conventions of romantic comedies so I can bring these ideas into my own trailer for my own romantic comedy.






Colloquially known as “romcom” this is a cross genre in which a romance story generally emerges and is presented in a comedic way. The purpose is particularly aimed at a female audience and often ridiculed as a “chick flick” for this reason. They explore ideas of gender, relationships, sexuality and status.

o Prologue introduction into love theme – Occasionally voiceover
o Main characters introduced
o Credits continue love film – style of text e.g: hearts, flowers, wedding bells, etc
o “Boy Meets Girl”
o Two Protanganist Characters – Man and Woman hesitant to become romantically involved
o Hints that they may be a good love match
o Part ways due to some form of an argument or disagreement
o Ultimately reunite
o One of two makes the grand “gesture”
o Live Happily Ever After






Codes and Conventions of Romcom's
-Narrative: A romcom is a hybrid genre in which a romance story generally emerges and is presented in a comedic way. There is an archetypal formula that romcom’s follow in terms of narrative. The narrative that can be observed in a romcom has a typical three part structure. A boy and a girl will meet, and for some reason, they will be torn apart. Throughout the film, they will realise that they are meant to be together, and try and back to each other. In the resolution of the film, although it might not be a happy on, the characters will meet again and work out went wrong between them.

-Main Characters: The audience must be able to connect with, and relate to, the characters in a romantic comedy. They need to be likeable and down to earth, so that the audience support them.

-Cinderella Story: The two main characters in the film are likely to be of different social classes. This could be portrayed as one of the main things keeping them apart. One of the characters will be from a middle class background, as this makes them more relatable to the audience.

-True Love: Throughout the film, there will be an underlying theme of true love conquering all barriers that are encountered. Also at the centre of the plot, there is a theme of morals/life lessons being dealt with.

-Other Characters: The audience are usually introduced to the best friends, and maybe some family members, of the two main characters. Although they are there to offer their support, they are usually the main source of humour in the film. The audience can relate to the best friend in the film, and they would consider what they would do in that situation.

-Lighting: Majority of the film will have a happy tone/atmosphere, so the lighting will be used to reflect this. Romcom’s are less serious than other genres, and are designed primarily to entertain the audience. There may be certain points in the film when a scene goes darker to mirror the tone, but this won’t happen very often.

-Soundtrack: Horror films tend to have a score, where music (e.g. orchestra) is used instead of songs. In romcom’s, there will only usually be songs used. The songs that are used in the film will usually be well known pop songs, so that the audience can recognise them easily. They must relate to the story being told in the film. The songs can even assist in the story-telling process.

-Resolution: Normally, the conclusion of a film will be happy, with the two main characters getting back together. However, it is getting increasingly popular to show the reality that sometimes, it doesn’t all work out exactly the way we want it to.

-Setting: Romantic comedies are usually set in a big, well-known city. The most common place to set a romcom is London. It is a place that, even if people haven’t been there, they can picture. In a place like London, there is always something going on, so it is easy to believe that the events in the film could happen.

-Time of year: Most romantic comedies will be set around Christmas time. At this time of year, families and friends gather together. Some romantic comedies are set around Valentine’s Day as well, for the same reason.









Examples of Romantic Comedies

Just Go With It (2011)

Love And Other Drugs (2010)