ELYSIUM - Post modernism analysis

'In the year 2154, the very wealthy live on man-made space station while the rest of the population resides on a ruined Earth. A man takes on a mission hat could bring equality to the polarised worlds.'
There is immediate use of intertextuality from the establishing shot of the ruined Earth, almost an exact replica of the opening scene of Blade Runner also of Judge Dread 2012; they all make use of the classic city scape shot, which is a typical trope of the dystopian genre. This raises the following question; is the producer paying homage to the genre of is he using an overused trope which is on the verge of becoming cliche? I personally think that this dystopian representation has become cliche as it is endlessly a feature predominantly used as establishing shots in the opening scenes of popular sci-fi films today. Another way in which this reflects dystopia is the clear banishment of the natural world from daily life. The type of world Elysium depicts is utopian and idealistic, a place without sickness or war which are aspects of the human condition and race that should not be removed, their world appears unnatural, unachievable as it is so far removed from reality. This is physically reinforced as reality and this elite, perfect place are literally worlds apart. Life on Earth is in a state of social decay and echoes and relates to our own experience. There is a clear caste system, a total divide of the upper and lower class, who live on two polarised worlds. The elite on elysium rule the lower class who are under constant surveillance by robotics. However from the opening of the trailer we see that the presumably main protagonist questions this society and system.
By introducing the automaton, similar to 'johnny cab' in Total Recall, we are aware of the sci-fi genre. Also by using a human replica which has been designed to enhance humanity the film/trailer conforms to cybernetics. The robot featured in the beginning of the trailer is suggestive of Philip K Dick's 'The Android and The Human' as the 'Machines are becoming more human' also there is that clear comparison of human and mechanical behaviour which echoes the ideas of future evolution. Through the use of an authoritative uniform on the robot, there is clearly signified meaning of this that has relevance in the 21st century to the automated response of people in authority who keep strictly to the rule book. This further reflects the fact that the elite class have become lazy and have allowed machines to do their work, removing humanity from them to remove compromise, also this portrays the robots as an unstoppable force of which the human race cannot conquer. Merging the interdependence of man and technology is part of this genre and further informs us of the evolutionary futuristic aspects within the film/trailer. Also since the film is set in the future there is clearly more advanced technology than that of contemporary society; this is more apparent in Elysium where cancer cells are removed instantly through advanced technology - his extremity echoes the hysterical sublime which supports Baudrillard's concept of the 'loss of the real'.
The message behind this seems to stress the dangers of machines gaining too much power and becoming unconquerable. This would mostly conform to post-modernism if there was more experimentation and an unpredictable ending, we know that Matt Damon will save the world which adheres to the metanarrative that humanity will always triumph, and gives a promising future yet not a realistic one and conforms to another metanarrative.
The very essence of this response is in fact postmodern as i am discussing these concepts as if they are real. The opening scene with the city scape shot has been describes as if the viewer is looking at a real landscape although it is binary, and CJI created. Daniel Boorstin said that technology is blurring rather than sharpening our picture of reality. Baudrillard said that we fill our lives not with experience but with images of experience, however these images are in fact illusions and hyperreal representations which links back to the idea of blurring of the boundaries.

Memento film poster analysis

                      Japanese movie release Poster                                                            UK movie release Poster

The font colour and style of the Film Title differs in each poster, although both aren't sharpened and pristine, to link in with the fractured narrative and theme. While the UK title looks imperfect due to the handwritten style, in an almost chalk-board effect, the Japanese title is more striking in the bold red lettering, connoting a disturbance and reinforcing the fractured narrative in the way the ends of the lettering are breaking off and fading; this is particularly effective as parts of the protagonist's memory are also breaking off. The colour red clearly connotes danger but also love and passion, so while there is a foreshadowing of violence and dangerous situations, love is also portrayed as a motive behind his actions as we know his wife is brutally killed, and he is on a quest to find out who did it. However it can be suggested that the handwritten font of the UK poster has more relevance to the film as the main character writes on the polaroids to remind himself of events he is likely to forget. The artist has drawn on this aspect effectively and used the film name and tag lines etc instead. This is clever and creates a very realistic effect that portrays the film's features excellently.

The use of the 'Droste effect' in the UK poster of images within an image is linked very well with the film's narrative, The protagonist searches for his memories in images, as featured in the trailer; he looks for the meaning behind them and this is certainly what this effect portrays. The fact that the last prominent image within this is of the caption of the poster, this could suggest that there is an inability to see beyond this surface, reinforcing his struggle to find answers. Plus the reality is that this is never-ending, there are more pictures inside pictures, we question whether there is in fact an equilibrium. The image in this UK poster of the main protagonist has an authentic blurring effect, almost as if he is in a daze. This lack of clarity reinforces the confusion throughout. There seems to be a contrast in lighting on each half of his face, having featured of is face both dark and light could be suggesting his duality and propensity to do good or evil.
Both the main images on the posters have a skewed effect, tilted to the side to reinforce disorder.

The main image on the Japanese poster is similar to the draft of my own film poster in the way it presents the mans body titled to the side with no actual direct address, there is a distance from him yet we know so much about him from this single image. From the tattoos across his body, the most eye catching is the text across his chest saying 'Find him and kill...'. From this we are given insight to the plot and narrative already, we can suggest this is the protagonist's main intention and immediately foreshadows the violent content of the film. The black and white effect of the image on the Japanese poster starkly contrasts with the striking red surrounding it. This may suggest that the main protagonist in fact encapsulates danger, and suggests he should be feared. My own 'Distortion' poster draft also links with certain aspects of the Japanese poster for Memento in terms of the black ans white effect, contrasting with the red. Also the sketched writing in the background of my main image is of a similar theme to the tattoos written across the man's body in the memento poster.

The tagline coincides with the polaroid image 'some memories are best forgotten', therefore the idea of the images getting smaller reinforces the idea that these images and memories are moving further away from his grasp, thus again giving more insight to the overall plot, hinting clearly at his amnesia.
The UK poster pays more attention to the cast names that the Japanese poster; the font ties in with the handwritten effect of the film name and is positioned directly above it. This suggests that the actors in the film are of more interest to a UK audience and creating this awareness may be a method to draw in their type of audience. This appeal is not the same for a Japanese audience, it seems that the artwork of the poster would entice them more than the actors.

It is worth mentioning that the billing block does slightly differ in each of the posters, while in the UK poster there is more clarity due to the black text against a white background, in the Japanese poster the white writing against the red background is even harder to decipher with the text also considerably smaller. This is not the most important aspect of the film, hence why it is cast to the bottom and is written in very small lettering.
On the UK poster the appraisals are clear, featured at the bottom of the main image, they refer to the Cannes, Venice and Sundance film festivals. This is something featured to inform the audience that this film has been critically acclaimed, which for some would determine their decision to watch it or not. This is again not the most important aspect of the film poster however it certainly enhances its credibility and suggests it will be received well.
As well as these two other minor aspects there is the inclusion of the film production company logos which are there simply to hint at the success of the film.

Targets for my own poster: 
From analysing these posters i have gained more understanding of the aspects i need to now include in my own poster. My target is to possibly think again about the most important features within my own film trailer and determine whether this main image is the right selection. I need to rearrange my image also to fit in appraisals, cast names, production company etc. I may want to rethink my colour scheme to fit with the mood of the overall trailer i have created.

Basketball scene to be featured

Extension of Father and Daughter scenes

The trailer opens by introducing the age classification and dissolves in to the shot of the young girl, my aim is for the camera to turn 180 degrees for this close up scene. The next scene is of the daughter on top of the father's shoulders, this two shot will show their bond. The shot will transide to a similar two shot, this time a long shot of the father spinning his daughter round. The next scene wil be significant as it will reoccur throughout the trailer, of the girl peeping round the side of the tree. The next shot wil be from a worms view of the daughter being lifted over her father's shoulder, still capturing the father's face in the scene. The last shot that will fade to the next part of the trailer is  a close up of the father and daughter holding hands, their parting at this point will be emphasised, then fading out into the next part.
The next scenes i will work on will be my recreation of the basketball scenes from father of the bride as i feel this is significant to show time passing and his daughter growing.

Voiceover during these scenes:

"I have to believe that when my eyes are closed the world is still here. I have to believe she is still living, breathing, laughing, smiling. 

If I don’t, all hope is lost,

My mind plays tricks, erases our memories,

I forget but she doesn’t; she knows who I was. I wish I could remember through her eyes, Who am I? Where have I been?

All I know Is that it left a void, more intense than a knife sinking into my stomach, I should know. Wounds can heal, but my mind will not repair the damage, I can search hard but my mind will forever be incomplete.

Knowing she exists is enough, it has to be."

Father of the bride: Research of father daughter relationships and scenes

This clip is something that i have drawn inspiration from; i have researched these types of scenes and transitions to gain ideas about different ways to show time passing and the mentality of the patriarch. This clip of the father and daughter playing basketball has given me more knowledge of how to expand the father, daughter scenes at the start of my trailer, also these simple type of effects can be included and referred back to later to emphasise time passing and mental confusion. By keeping the father in the same scene, but the shots of the daughter interchanging there is that clear sense of time passing and the father looking back on memories. For my own scenes i have no intention of the shots showing memories but more so about the protagonist's unstable mind and to show the gaps in time and his relationship with his daughter. Simple things such as tracking the ball to the daughter and having the older girl move into the shot rather than trying to merge the two characters into one is very effective. This scene i will adapt and use for a different intention in my trailer.



In this clip, one of the main things i have dawn on is the father's reaction; i noticed how effective simple effects such as zooming in at critical times can emphasise the state of confusion of the character. Also he blinks to stop himself from seeing something unrealistic. This is something i could use in my trailer, but again for a slightly different purpose when put in the context of the genre. Also by simply switching back and forth between the father and daughter it is seemingly easy to turn the camera back to the daughter as her younger self, having her sit in the same position on the chair. This is something i will attempt to weave into my trailer's narrative.

Where and when would my film be exhibited?

Where?
Niche independent cinema chains
Film festivals

When?
Release date:
Since the genre of my film trailer is psychological drama it would most probably not sell well during the month of February as it would have to compete with romantic comedies of the season.
October would also not be a good time to exhibit this film as scary movies will have much more appeal around Halloween.
The Ideal time to exhibit this film would be before or during summer - during the holidays people are likely to have more free time to take notice of the advertising and go a little further out of their way to watch this film.

Production Company

Considering my film to be marketed is going to be a niche production, the company to produce it will be a small independent. Also there is not a large budget at our disposal therefore the company, for example would be similar to that of warp films who can have budgets of around 4million for their niche productions. By using a niche independent company we are given artistic control over the content of the film. However this also means that there may be problems with distribution and exhibition as only films from mainstream producers feature in multiplex cinemas. The budget will also affect promotion and marketing the film as usually around half of the film's budget is spent on this. The quality may suffer however this means we can use other methods of promotion that target the specific audience. There are film festivals such as Sundance, Cannes and Venice. These are much better methods of promotion as well as viral marketing which was a success for the blair witch project; using social networking, fan based websites, even investing in the films own website are methods to seriously consider for marketing and promoting a niche production such as my own.

Text and Voiceover Ideas

"Do I lie to myself to be happy?"

"I have to believe in a world outside my own mind."

"I have to believe that my actions still have meaning, even if I can’t remember them."

"I have to believe that when my eyes are closed the world is still here."
- I have expanded this with my own thoughts: 
"I have to believe that when my eyes are closed the world is still here. I have to believe she is still living, breathing, laughing, smiling. Even if I forget her, to know she exists keeps my mind at rest, at least for now."

"How am I supposed to feel if I can’t feel time?"

- Taken from the film 'Memento'

My idea for the protagonist's dialogue/voiceover for trailer:

I have to believe that when my eyes are closed the world is still here. I have to believe she is still living, breathing, laughing, smiling. 

If I don’t, all hope is lost.

My mind plays tricks, erases our memories,

I forget but she doesn’t; she knows who I was. I wish I could remember through her eyes, Who am I? Where have I been?

All I know Is that it left a void, more intense than a knife sinking into my stomach, I should know. Wounds can heal, but my mind will not repair the damage, I can search hard but my mind will forever be incomplete.

Knowing she exists is enough, it has to be.

Areas for development

I feel i need to include more shots that emphasize the mental struggle of the protagonist, although i have featured some close ups, i think there needs to be more simple but effective shots that portray the turmoil of his psyche. I need to further research ways in which i can shoot to create distorted effects.

Also i feel that my trailer contains too much dialogue, i have realized that too much of this will lower the clarity and add more confusion and clutter; there is enough confusion/enigma within the sequencing and flashbacks.

I also wanted to extend the shots of the father and daughter playing at the beginning, i think that this will heighten the contrast with the brutal fight scenes and will also make the flashbacks unexpected.
This means that i may reorder the events and start with the equilibrium itself with more shots of the father and daughter playing, this gives me a bigger basis for any flashbacks i want to use of this later on.

Also i have noticed that i have not made home footage obvious, i need to make this more apparent, i could use an camera recording effect and make the shooting less stable. This may possibly be a good way to introduce the voice of the mother figure, we could hear her instructions or involvement but the shots are entirely on the father and daughter.

BBFC Age Classifications

12/12A films contain material that is not suitable for children under the age of 12; a child under 12 may the view the film if accompanied and given consent by a parent. The following content should be expected for this rating:

- There should be no discriminatory language of behaviour included.
- The misuse of drugs may be included but must not be glamourised or give instructional detail.
- The film should not promote potentially dangerous behaviour for children to copy.
- There should not be any glamorisation of weapons such as knifes.
- There should be no endorsement of anti-social behaviour.
- There may be moderate language, some strong language is permitted within context, and as long as it is justifiable.
- There may be nudity, however it must be discreet and brief in a sexual context.
- Sexual activity may be discreetly portrayed, moderate sex references are permitted.
- There may be moderate physical ad psychological threat and horror sequences, although some scenes may be disturbing, the overall tone should not be.
- There may be moderate violence however it should not be detailed with no emphasis on injuries or blood, however occasional gory moments may be permitted if justifiable.
- Sexual violence may only be implied and must be justified.

15 films contain material that is only suitable for those aged 15 or over. The following content should be expected for this rating:

- The work as a whole should not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there ay be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.
- The work should not encourage drug misuse although it may be shown. Misuse of easily accessible dangerous substances such aerosols is unlikely to be seen.
- Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self harming) should not be detailed. Factors such as realism, context and setting will be considered when justifying the depiction of weapons.
- There may be strong language, also very strong language may be permitted, depending on context and justification.
- Nudity may be featured with no constraints, however may not be detailed in sexual context.
- Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. Verbal sexual references are acceptable, however the strongest references will not be accepted unless justifiable.
- Strong threat and horror is permitted, however a sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.
- Violence may be strong but should not emphasise the infliction of pain or injury, meaning the strongest gory images are not likely to be accepted as well as strong sadistic violence.
- There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but its depiction must be discreet and justifiable.

Chosen rating of film to be marketed:

I have chosen to rate the content 15, according to the BBFC Classification guidelines. The reasoning behind this is in regard to the depiction of violence and the explicitness of the language during fight scenes. Although my trailer may not portray the extent of these features, the film to be marketed will. I think that in order to be able to portray the violent fight scenes for maximum impact on the viewer, this rating is essential; especially for helping the viewer to piece together and understand the plot and connect emotionally.

Production schedule

Date	Location	Shot	Resources	Actors and Costume	Health and Safety
Sunday 30th Nov 2014	Natural setting, grass, trees, walking through woods type of setting.	Father and daughter scenes - piggyback and playful scenes. low angle shot, high angle shots and close ups of facial expression.	Camera and tripod.	Main male actor and youngest girl actor. warm winter attire.	Slip hazards if the ground is wet also trip hazards.
Thursday 4th Dec 2014	Indoor setting for the voice-over scenes and the simple shots of man. Outdoor setting to make a start of the fight scenes.	Beginning and end slow shots of the main protagonist. Voice-over for the father and daughter scenes and make a start on fight scenes.	Camera and tripod. Night-mode on video camera.	Main male actor, plain black attire for simple indoor shots and jacket and boots for outdoor shots. An old top that can be ripped.	Trip hazards., especially because it will be dark. Also if it is extremely cold or wet there may be slip hazards. Also because of fight scenes things need to be carried out properly to avoid accidents
Friday 5th Dec 2014	Street situation and an area that can be made to look closed in and dangerous. Then indoors in a kitchen and a living room for the other scenes.	Shoot the opening scene and fight scenes. Father and eldest daughter scenes in kitchen. Shoot the scenes of the footage he leaves for himself. Possibly shoot the argument scenes and close ups of his frustration.	Camera and tripod.	Main protagonist and his wife for the argument scenes. Also another male actor or two for the fight scenes.	Trip hazards. No knifes or guns will be featured, i have decided to use a bat of some kind, although this is still dangerous. This should be organised well to avoid accidents.
Sunday 7th Dec 2014	Open area or back garden.	Polish all father and daughter scenes, shoot the running scenes and the basketball scenes,	Camera, tripod, basketball net and a ball.	Two girls, the youngest and the oldest and the father as the main male actor. The two girls wearing similar coloured winter clothes and the father in winter attire.	Trip hazards as they are playing a sport and possibly slip hazards due to the possibility of wet weather conditions.
Saturday 13th Dec 2014	Home, looking through the photos on a table or on the floor, whichever looks most effective and for the other shots he will be positioned against a plain wall.	After printing images of the father and daughter scenes, film him looking through the images and watching the tape and message he left for himself.	Printed images, camera and tripod.	The protagonist looking over the images, in casual clothes in his home. Plain T-Shirt to create a very plain frame for the message.	Being aware of the surroundings for trip hazards. Making sure the camera is on the tripod properly so it doesn't fall and cause harm.
Sunday 14th Dec 2014	Indoors so that i can adjust lighting to get the shadows right on the face and body.	Filming the protagonist facing the back with his head tilted, so i can edit the skeletal drawing over the top.	Camera and Tripod. Also any lighting that may be available, i will do this by moving different locations within the house and using torches.	Just the protagonist, again in a plain shirt as only the top half of his body will be in the shot.	Again, being aware of surroundings and making sure the camera is on the tripod securely.
Saturday 20th Dec 2014	Go over any shots such as the father and daughter scenes as there are many, to see if they need to be re-shot for more clarity/stability etc.	Assess whether the close-ups are effectively shot, making sure the viewer doesn't feel distant from the situation.	Camera and tripod.	- Unknown, but the majority of the shots of the father and daughter scenes are filmed outside, so warm winter attire.	Depending on what shots may need re-shot there may be trip and slip hazards if we are outside and the weather conditions are foggy, icy etc.

Film package: Poster draft

Original Art-work for the poster.

The image to the left is the photograph of original artwork produced throughout the study of Art at my school. This work is part of a portfolio investigating human anatomy; this particular aspect i think helps to portray the complexity of the mind, hence why i have chosen to use it throughout my film package.

Storyboard

Trailer Name & Fonts

Final Name and Font

Why have i chosen this name and font for my film package?

The name DISTORTION relates to the distorted, unstable life and mind of the protagonist, therefore fitting in with the psychological aspect of the genre. The name in itself connotes confusion and an unclear reality. This helps the audience to understand the content from the outset. The name will foreshadow and/or predict the distortion, or more so disturbance, within the narrative.

The white text against the black background creates a stark contrast and helps emphasise the intricate lines of the font design. The circles and crossing lines are similar to the red lines and circular designs on the artwork. This creates a continuous style throughout the package so that aspects aren't disjointed. My aim for the font was for it to be bold and suitable for the genre, i think i have achieved this with this choice.

Progression to the final font choice:

 These are the other fonts i considered for my film package. I deliberately went for the fractured style to reinforce the name. The imperfect style fits in with the genre and foreshadows the disturbance within the plot. However this type of font did not link in with other aspects i aim to include in my film package, such as the poster. Hence why i chose to go for a font that would make the overall film package more consistent. Also this appeared too bold in comparison to the intricacy of the final font. This type of font would connote a more action based genre, therefore is not suitable for my trailer.

This font is similar to the one above, however contains more of a splatter effect which may connote bloodshed however is not particularly linked to my genre, this type of font would be more likely to be seen in a horror rather than a psychological genre.

This idea was triggered by the use of nature in my trailer, so while the overlapping lines create distortion, they have a fluid natural style, therefore this font has a dual effect. This type of font would be seen in historical or natural places; possibly carved in stone or featured in middle English works, even featured somewhere like a graveyard. I decided that this was not the most suitable of fonts, however i was inspired by the line spacing, simple block writing and the surrounding design, this lead me to my final font, which is very similar in layout and spacing but the letters have a more intricate surrounding/background consisting of both circles and lines. Also i decided that it would look more striking with white font and black background. 

Product treatment

My trailer does not follow Todorov's narrative structure in that there will be an equilibrium and a disturbance but a new equilibrium will not be restored by the end of the trailer. Also the trailer will not follow linear chronology, the scenes will keep flashing back and forward, in order to emphasize the protagonist's unstable psyche; this will add clarity to the genre i have chosen which is the psychological drama. Also I have decided not to restore equilibrium as i think it is important for a trailer to have an active viewer, one that is provoked by the content and questions it; intriguing the viewer is important to give them that lasting impression of wanting to know more. I will use a recurring motif or symbol for effect, the specific effect in my trailer will be to show an aspect that is consistent while everything else is in constant change. I will use an everyday task such as buttering some toast and use the unexpected simplicity of the sound of the knife scraping to factor in at different times, possibly to build tension. The kuleshov effect will be beneficial to my trailer in order to contrast different scenes and to effectively show time passing. This is a way that i will portray the vagueness and confusion of the protagonist's mind with out actually confusing the viewer, they need to have a visual of time passing. Although the characters will show this there needs to me more clarity due to the complexity of the plot.

Overall content of film to be marketed:
The main protagonist is 32 year old man named Karl who has suffered brain damage, a  suspected case of amnesia. At this point in his life his daughter, Evie, is 6 years old, they have a loving relationship and she is the epitome of 'Daddy's Litte Princess'. At the start of the trailer and throughout, the viewer will will gain snippets of the cause of Karl's brain injury through a series of flashbacks which are sections of brutal fight scenes where Karl is attacked unexpectedly. Karl also has a wife who will appear in the trailer briefly, however my main aim is to focus on the state of the protagonist and the breakdown of his relationship with his daughter from this point. The narrative shifts to two to three years later where Karl wakes up having lost the past two years of his life. While his daughter remembers, he doesn't due to his brain injury. The effects of this on Evie is shown through her conversation with her mother and through close ups of her changing facial expressions. The narrative shifts forward further, Karl wakes up again and has forgotten an even larger and considerably more important chunk of his life and relationship with his daughter. Evie is now a teenager, as a father Karl has not mentally had the time to adjust to this change and causes a breakdown in this causes a breakdown in their relationship. This shows Evie slowly drifting away, gradually becoming more disconnected with her, Karl suffers the consequences of his brain injury, however his relationship with his daughter suffers more. This shows his attempts to battle his case of amnesia, trying methods such as looking back over pictures and memories and leaving notes for himself for the next time he forgets. Overall this trailer focuses on the emotional impact of a loved one's brain injury on their life and their families, and the struggle to overcome these problems and carry on with life.