Primary Audience
Gender: Female
Age: 18-34
Profession: Demanding and boring 9 to 5 office jobs
Are they typically into the action-adventure genre? No. They find films like The Dark Knight too dark and lacking a strong female character to get them interested. They are into Romantic films and comedies, and would only be interested in action films with strong female characters, preferably as protagonists.
Why will they want to see this? This film has strong romantic elements (Sexual tension between Andrew and Rachel), strong comedic elements (including homages to many popular action-adventure films and TV shows), but, most importantly, a strong and ordinary FEMALE lead.
Secondary Audience: Men aged 18-34 who are into the action genre.
Although its protagonist is more relateable to older audiences, this film will aim for a 12A certificate, and thereby attract 14-18 year olds of both genders, for the reasons stated above.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Action Adventure USP
This film is an antidote to the dark, male-dominated action-adventure films of late, with a strong, relatable, female protagonist and a sense of fun.
Monday, 7 February 2011
Action Adventure presentation
SECRETARY AGENT
(For future presentations, I will cut everything I have in brackets)
For future presentations, I will make changes I have underlined
Iconography: Numerous action sequences, fights and chases, saving the world(or at least the country), escapes from flooding lifts and burning buildings
guns, martial arts and gadgets.
Perfect Budget: $100 million. Why? The film will have an expensive cast and lavish action sequences, but it will mostly be physical action.
Perfect Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Setting: LA. An everyday environment for an everyday protagonist. Busy and mundane
Release date: 3rd February. February is a risky time to release a film, as few films released in that month do well financially, but I have three reasons for wanting to release it at that time
1. In my opinion, the reason most films flop in February is that they either aren't very good or have limited appeal. I want this film to buck that trend.
2. The film is escapism for a time of year people want to escape from the cold into the cinema
3. Due to the lack of quality films at this time of year, there will be less competition.
Marketing Strategy: (First photos released in August, along with teaser trailer and a teaser poster put up in multiplexes (Here is a prototype below) Both of these will Rachel and the changes she will go through.
November: Release of an official poster, which will introduce other key characters like Andrew and Blake
December: Proper trailer attached to major blockbusters,Start of competitions and quizzes related to the film in Men's and woman's magazines (Such as Empire, Total Film and Glamour) for premiere tickets, holidays in L.A and adventure holidays.
15th-25th January: First airings of TV spots,which will, like the trailers, show Rachel evolving into an action icon.There will also be Posters put up on bus stops and billboards and promotions on talk shows by the stars.
29th January: The film will Premiere at Odeon Leicester Square with its stars present)
In the future, I will cut this down to a couple of points on a generic campaign with USP
Characters
Rachel Dekker: (Princess/Prince) Rachel starts the film as a lowly, timid secretary, but evolves into a brave and confident heroine. Perfect Actress: Zoe Saldana. (Why? Zoe has been in many action-adventure films, such as Star Trek and Avatar, Often as strong female characters.)
Andrew Drake: (Helper/Prince/Princess) A CIA agent, Andrew is adventurous and unorthodox and teams up with Rachel. Perfect Actor: Chris Evans. (Why? He's good-looking and an action-adventure regular, in films like Fantastic Four)
Blake Hackman: (Villain) The film's villain, he is, like most genre villains, overconfident and wants domination of some kind (In his case, destroying the competition for his computer company). He is also the boss from hell. Perfect Actor: Val Kilmer. (Why? Although noted for playing good guys such as Batman, Kilmer has a reputation of being very difficult to work with, so would make the perfect tyrannical boss.)
Kate Li: (Secondary Villain)Blake's second-in-command. She is an expert at Martial Arts. Perfect Actress: Zhang Zyi. (Why? She is a regular in martial arts films, and had a similar role in Rush Hour 2)
Paul Arbuckle: ('False Villain'/Helper) Blake's young, inexperienced and incompetent 'Technological Assistant'. when his boss criticises him once too often, he switches sides to help Rachel and Andrew. Perfect Actor: Aaron Johnson. ( Why? Has appeared in action comedies like 'Kick-Ass'.)
(Other Characters:
The Expert: (Donor) Andrew's MI6 supervisor
Liza Mackenzie: (Donor) Rachel's friend at work. Her husband is implied to be a CIA agent. She gives Rachel a lipstick that turns out to be a concealed gadget.
Sensei Zane: (Donor) A Martial Arts teacher who teaches Rachel.
Anocite:(Tertiary Villain) A Hit-man hired by Blake to kill Rachel.
Flight Instructor: (Donor) A helicopter pilot who agrees to fly Rachel and Andrew as they chase down Anocite)
(Viral Marketing:
Here is a prototype viral advert, to be released just before the teaser. The real thing would appeal to it's target audiences desire for excitement, and establish Rachel as a figure to aspire to.
Later on, I will set up websites related to the film, and use 'Treasure Hunts' across them to find out information (But before the release of the trailler, so it is new and exciting).
Other: Replicas of gadgets, such as a lipstick which can burn through any metal, an IPOD which can be used as a bug, and a digital camera with a tranquilizer dart inside will be sent to critics to get them to review the film)
In the future, I will combine this with the generic marketing campaign.
(For future presentations, I will cut everything I have in brackets)
For future presentations, I will make changes I have underlined
Iconography: Numerous action sequences, fights and chases, saving the world(or at least the country), escapes from flooding lifts and burning buildings
guns, martial arts and gadgets.
Perfect Budget: $100 million. Why? The film will have an expensive cast and lavish action sequences, but it will mostly be physical action.
Perfect Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Setting: LA. An everyday environment for an everyday protagonist. Busy and mundane
Release date: 3rd February. February is a risky time to release a film, as few films released in that month do well financially, but I have three reasons for wanting to release it at that time
1. In my opinion, the reason most films flop in February is that they either aren't very good or have limited appeal. I want this film to buck that trend.
2. The film is escapism for a time of year people want to escape from the cold into the cinema
3. Due to the lack of quality films at this time of year, there will be less competition.
Marketing Strategy: (First photos released in August, along with teaser trailer and a teaser poster put up in multiplexes (Here is a prototype below) Both of these will Rachel and the changes she will go through.
November: Release of an official poster, which will introduce other key characters like Andrew and Blake
December: Proper trailer attached to major blockbusters,Start of competitions and quizzes related to the film in Men's and woman's magazines (Such as Empire, Total Film and Glamour) for premiere tickets, holidays in L.A and adventure holidays.
15th-25th January: First airings of TV spots,which will, like the trailers, show Rachel evolving into an action icon.There will also be Posters put up on bus stops and billboards and promotions on talk shows by the stars.
29th January: The film will Premiere at Odeon Leicester Square with its stars present)
In the future, I will cut this down to a couple of points on a generic campaign with USP
Characters
Blake Hackman: (Villain) The film's villain, he is, like most genre villains, overconfident and wants domination of some kind (In his case, destroying the competition for his computer company). He is also the boss from hell. Perfect Actor: Val Kilmer. (Why? Although noted for playing good guys such as Batman, Kilmer has a reputation of being very difficult to work with, so would make the perfect tyrannical boss.)
("There are two things I would never do again in my life. I will never climb Mount Everest, and I will never work with Val Kilmer again. There isn't enough money in the world." )(John Frankhiemer )
Kate Li: (Secondary Villain)Blake's second-in-command. She is an expert at Martial Arts. Perfect Actress: Zhang Zyi. (Why? She is a regular in martial arts films, and had a similar role in Rush Hour 2)
Paul Arbuckle: ('False Villain'/Helper) Blake's young, inexperienced and incompetent 'Technological Assistant'. when his boss criticises him once too often, he switches sides to help Rachel and Andrew. Perfect Actor: Aaron Johnson. ( Why? Has appeared in action comedies like 'Kick-Ass'.)
(Other Characters:
The Expert: (Donor) Andrew's MI6 supervisor
Liza Mackenzie: (Donor) Rachel's friend at work. Her husband is implied to be a CIA agent. She gives Rachel a lipstick that turns out to be a concealed gadget.
Sensei Zane: (Donor) A Martial Arts teacher who teaches Rachel.
Anocite:(Tertiary Villain) A Hit-man hired by Blake to kill Rachel.
Flight Instructor: (Donor) A helicopter pilot who agrees to fly Rachel and Andrew as they chase down Anocite)
(Viral Marketing:
Here is a prototype viral advert, to be released just before the teaser. The real thing would appeal to it's target audiences desire for excitement, and establish Rachel as a figure to aspire to.
Later on, I will set up websites related to the film, and use 'Treasure Hunts' across them to find out information (But before the release of the trailler, so it is new and exciting).
Other: Replicas of gadgets, such as a lipstick which can burn through any metal, an IPOD which can be used as a bug, and a digital camera with a tranquilizer dart inside will be sent to critics to get them to review the film)
In the future, I will combine this with the generic marketing campaign.
Friday, 4 February 2011
Action Adventure-My Film Pitch
My Film Pitch- Secretary Agent
'Secretary Agent' is an action-adventure comedy,
Equilbrium:Rachel Dekker is a secretary working for her demanding boss,computer tycoon Blake Hackman.
Disruption: One day in the office, she discovers a USB with evidance that Blake is a criminal mastermind planning to bring all the other computers in the state to a standstill using a computer virus and cause chaos in the process. After an attempt on her life by a hitman hired by Blake, she finds herself having to team up with adventerous CIA agent Andrew Drake, and discover her own inner action hero. They are helped by Paul, Arbuckle, Blake's former assistant.
Resolution: Rachel and Andrew defeat Blake. Rachel joins Andrew in the CIA.
Influences: The idea of placing an ordinary woman into a world of action and excitment was used in the likes of 'Romancing the Stone' and 'True Lies'. Secretary Agent will also copy the two film's lighthearted, action-packed tone, and reference several other popular action-adventure films as well.
The idea and tounge-in-cheek tone were also infliuenced by the feeling that most action-adventure films these days, such as 'Casino Royale' and 'The Dark Knight' are too dark.
'Secretary Agent' is an action-adventure comedy,
Equilbrium:Rachel Dekker is a secretary working for her demanding boss,computer tycoon Blake Hackman.
Disruption: One day in the office, she discovers a USB with evidance that Blake is a criminal mastermind planning to bring all the other computers in the state to a standstill using a computer virus and cause chaos in the process. After an attempt on her life by a hitman hired by Blake, she finds herself having to team up with adventerous CIA agent Andrew Drake, and discover her own inner action hero. They are helped by Paul, Arbuckle, Blake's former assistant.
Resolution: Rachel and Andrew defeat Blake. Rachel joins Andrew in the CIA.
Influences: The idea of placing an ordinary woman into a world of action and excitment was used in the likes of 'Romancing the Stone' and 'True Lies'. Secretary Agent will also copy the two film's lighthearted, action-packed tone, and reference several other popular action-adventure films as well.
The idea and tounge-in-cheek tone were also infliuenced by the feeling that most action-adventure films these days, such as 'Casino Royale' and 'The Dark Knight' are too dark.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Action Adventure Clip Genre Analysis
'Men In Black' is an Action-Adventure Sci-Fi film. It reflects sci-fi convention in its use of aliens and flying saucers, and is also very comedic, with a running gag about the idea of famous celebrities being aliens. However, it is predominantly an Action-Adventure film.
The Narrative follows the conventions of the action adventure genre, and reflects Todrov's narrative theory.
Equilibrium:James Edwards (Will Smith) is a cop for the NYPD
Dispruption: After a run-in with a criminal who can scale walls and blinks like a bug (Shown in the clip) James is recruited into 'Men In Black' an organisation which moniters extraterrestrial activity on earth.Now named Agent J, He is paired with the experienced Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones).
Soon they are on their first mission. A vicious cockroach-type alien called 'The Bug' has disguised itself as a human and stolen a galaxy, hidden in a diamond owned by the member of another alien race called the Arquillans. The Arquillan government gives J and K one earth hour to find the galaxy, or they will destroy the earth
Resolution: Agents J and K take on 'The Bug' at the site of the 1964 world fair. with the help of Laurel (Linda Florentino), a medical examiner who has found out about the organisation and existance of aliens, they destroy it and retrieve the galaxy. Agent K tells Agent J he has decided to retire.
Restoration:The film ends with Agent J working with Laurel, now Agent L
The familiar action-adventure concepts of finding an important object and saving the earth are blended, and there is also no shortage of action, with car and foot chases, explosions, and very powerful guns.
The guns and explosions fit very well into the traditional action iconography. The Men in Black wear smart black suits and Ray-Ban sunglasses, and carry 'Neuralyzers' which they use to wipe people's memories. There is plenty of CGI in the action sequences, but conventional make-up is also used for the aliens. In the chase at the beginning, James is dressed in a casual white shirt with orange tracksuit trousers. The difference between this and the smarter clothing he wears as a Men in Black agent showcase the changes James has to go through as Agent J
The character types reflect Propp's character conventions
Hero: James (Agent J). Like most heros in the genre, James is confident, athletic and handsome. He also gets most of the comedic dialouge in the film
Helper: Agent K. Agent K is an experienced MIB agent who serves as James's mentor
Villan: The Bug. Like most action-adventure villans, The Bug, who poses as a human named Edgar for much of the film, is searching for power through the galaxy, which serves as an energy source, regardless of the consequences
Princess: Laurel. Laurel is a relativly unusual variation on the princess sterotype. She is a doctor, and quite intelligant. Futhermore, she helps Agent J and Agent K defeat The Bug.
Donor: Jeebs. Jeebs is an alien who sells Agent J and Agent K their weapons.
The film is set entirely in New York-the banaility of the location is juxtaposed with the unusual nature of the aliens seen to create comedy. As is typical of the action genre, the buildings often have an exaggerated height.
To conclude, Men in Black uses the conventions of Action-Adventure well, but combines them with Sci-Fi and Comedy in an interesting and original way to make a unique and enjoyable film.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Homework 1 - analysis of comedy clip
The Muppet Movie is primarily a comedy. In this clip, Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear sing a humorous song whilst on a journey to Hollywood, where they hope to become stars. There are sight gags (A literal fork in the road) and comedic dialouge sung or spoken, primarilly by Fozzie ("Aah.. a bear in his natural habitat...A Studebreaker")
The film's characters reflect Propp's conventions...
Prince: Kermit the Frog
Princess: Miss Piggy
Villain: Doc Hopper
The Helper: Fozzie Bear (And the rest of the Muppets)
The Donor: Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
The plot reflects Todrov's narrative theory...
Equilibrium: Kermit lives a simple life in a swamp, but dreams of making it big (Reflected by the "Rainbow Connection" song)
Disruption: A talent agent recommends that Kermit persue a career in Hollywood. He sets off on the journey there, meeting the other Muppets along the way, whilst being pursued by Doc Hopper, the owner of a frog-leg restaurant chain who will do anything to have Kermit as his spokesperson.
Restoration: The Muppets arrive in Hollywood after a western-style showdown between Kernit and Hopper, Which Kermit wins after Animal, turned into a giant by one of Dr. Honeydew's inventions, scares off Hopper.A Studio executive hires them to make a movie based on their experience.It is a success, and they become famous.
The film has a fairly conventional storyline,but, as part of it's humour, breaks the fourth wall using meta-references. For example, Kermit and Fozzie give the script to another Muppet, who uses it to help them when they get lost in the desert. This is common nowadays in the genre, but was relatively fresh and unique when the film was released in 1979. It was also the first to feature humans and puppets interacting at real-life locations.
Though the narrative is conventional, the use of The Muppets and the distinctive humour help it stand out, and The fact that the Muppets aren't exactly typical stock characters (Miss Piggy is an expert at karate, and able to defend herself a lot better then most princesses)allows the movie to be both familiar (The Muppets were already popular when this was released) and unique, ensuring the movie's success and longevity.
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