Conventions of a Website

A website needs to follow certain conventions so that certain information can get across to the audience in a particular way that is easy to locate. 

The conventions of a good website include:

Trailer 
The trailer must be placed on an appropriate area on the screen, as well as it must start automatically to create a professional feel to the website. 

Layout
The layout must be clear and user-friendly so that the viewer doesn't waste time around the website, and they can find the information that they need to quickly. In addition to his, the website must fit on a screen comfortably and there must be no need to scroll down. 

Critic Reviews
These often appear on a variety of websites to give an insight into the film from related magazines or newspapers. 

Image
An image of a character(s) or location may appear on the website. This may be taken from the film itself, or taken especially for the website. 

Conventions of a Film Poster

Film posters are vital in the combination of a promotional package. 
The film poster must include specific conventions to meet not only the genre, but of a normal website. 

These include:

Typography 
The typography must be effected and easy to read. The Typography must also dominate the screen, but not take over.

Image
An image from the film, or one specifically taken for the purpose of the poster must be included to alert an audience of what they are going to expect from the film. Showing locations, or actors. 

Billing Block
The billing block is vital on each website to give credit to producers, actors, and directors. The main actors may also appear on a separate part of the poster. 

Release Date
A release date is often featured on a poster to alert an audience. This could also be shown as the film is 'coming soon' 

Tagline
The tagline for the film is often shown on the poster to give an insight into the narrative.

Poster Ideas

These two posters are the sources of inspiration for our own. I specifically chose these as inspiration due to the picture(s) that they have used within the website.

 

Shank

 



Shank uses the same picture for their poster as well as their website. Making their image and the characters that are featured recognisable  on different sources of media. The image has been manipulated in a way that looks like a swarm of people are chasing after the protagonists. From the stance and angle of the characters, this therefore creates an action film-like feel of the urban drama genre. From the image we can see the 'sky' and when we look closely, we can see that the sky is not as it seems, it's actually in fact the characters of the gangs that feature within the film. A common convention of film poster images for Urban Drama is that the iconic city - often London - is featured within the background. It may be effective to have this image faded out, so our main focus is on the characters. The dark colours that the 'army' of gangs are seen in is also effective, making it feel as if there is a barrier between them and the rest of London. 

Sket
 

Again we can see the characters that are features within the film are shot at a higher angle the main protagonist. From their clothes we can infer that it's an urban drama and they are of a lower class. The genre is also seen with the estates - most probably in London - that are manipulated within the background. These flats are of dark colours and blend in well to the darker sky which connotes a dark atmosphere with the film. This is juxtaposed with the pink and bold typography that is used within the film's title. Due to the use of the pink and the reference of the derogative term 'Sket' we can tell that the film is referring to women in a bad way. Usually pink would make the audience infer a happy atmosphere, but from the typography it appears the text has been manipulated to make the pink look dirty, and blend into the wall behind it. The protagonist is focused down the right hand side as we see a close up of his face, showing the lack of expression on first glance, but anger when you look closer. 

Here's a rough sketch that uses inspiration for these posters as our own. The film's title, slogan and other various pieces of text are of a draft and may not be our final text that we use. 

I liked the idea of having the protagonist on the side of the poster to draw attention to the poster. I used the golden rule and by having his hate pointing this way, the next thing we see after the image is the text LDN (draft) and our eyes are diverted down the poster. We can then as an audience take more in. The iconic London/estate background is featured within the background and I want to manipulate this in a way that makes it blend into the sky, like many other posters for Urban Drama's have. I liked the idea of having a shot with a car with its headlights on targeting the protagonist as this gives an insight that there will be a chase scene with this, creating lots of tension. 

Film Poster Inspiration and Roles

• Mollie will be manipulating the title that includes selecting the correct typography that will be effective for our urban drama.
• Ella will be taking many pictures as we film with her camera and selecting the most efficient image.
• Shay will be manipulating the image that we will select so our genre is obvious to the audience.
• As a group we will come together to add the specific details to our film poster. 

Inspiration from previous film posters (include the conventions that are met)

Mollie

• The dark colour scheme used connotes the genre of the film, and the red makes the poster and film seem dangerous and connotes blood.
• The golden rule is used as Shank's typography is very structured, allowing the eye to go down to the characters that are recognisable from other films, and then we  go back up to the tag line.
• It's effective having a poster that is horizontal, as many urban drama posters have this common convention, allowing them to recognised, as it's of the minority of posters that are horizontal.
• The text has been manipulated so the gap in the A features a character with a clear knife in their hand. This clears up any misinterpretation about what 'Shank' means.
• By having the manipulated text, this relates to the film's tag line that is used, making the film's main plot known to the audience.
• The large amount of people in the background are very dark and dismal, and the main protagonists are running away from them, reflecting an element of action within the film.
• The sky has pictures that have been manipulated into grey and white, like dark clouds over the characters, but on a close look, we can see that these are characters within a picture. 
• A common convention of Urban Drama film posters is that it will often state the previous films that the directors/producers/distributors have made (or helped to make). In many poster's the critically acclaimed Urban Drama's Kidulthood and Adulthood are mentioned, grabbing the audiences attention. If they liked those films, they will enjoy this film.

Ella 

- this poster shows many conventions of the urban drama genre and stays very close to the stereotypes around it.

-The main focus of this poster is the picture that has a red film over it in the brain part of the protagonist s head. This connotes many things to the reader. One of these is that because it is a red film used it lets the audience know that there maybe blood shed in the film. Due to this image being in the back of the head it also may connote the violence in this film is physchological to the protagonist in the poster.

- Another thing to look at in the brain of the protagonist is that the picture being shown is actually of two children, one playing with a gun. This shows that his childhood was obviously not very good and so it caused him physiological harm. Having a bad childhood conforms to a major convention in the urban drama genre. Also by having a gun in the picture it links to the red film over the picture again implicating blood and death.

- the light on the facial features of our protagonist also shows the audience that the film conforms to another major convention that the protagonist is a bad guy trying to be good.

- apart from the brain part of the protagonist there is a dark colour scheme to the poster. this show the audience that the film maybe dark and dangerous. it also connotes the genre of the film as being an urban drama.

- All of the text is in the middle of the left hand side of the poster meaning the audience has to look around for the name of the film forcing them to look at the whole poster not just the name.

- the tag line 'you only get one shot at life' links the whole poster together. By using the word shot it's emphasised and confirms the ideas of violence, guns and death within the film.

- the actual typography if the text is white with little black lines through it. This could be interpreted as a jail bar effect implying that the film maybe be centred around or include prison in some aspect. Although I think that the colours are more significant than what the lines actually mean. By having the white text (innocence) being cut through by black lines (death) it shows the audience that maybe death and bad experiences are what is holding the protagonist back.

Seyi

• Shifty moves rather far away from general sterotypes that are used with urban drama film posters
• The colour scheme is the main aspect that moves away from the conventions of urban dramas, yellow rarely connotes anything sinister or law breaking as the colour is too bright and catchy for the eyes, so this doesn't match the usual posters which use a dark background to show the danger surrounding the protagonist.
• The I in shifty is the part of the title that stands out, the I stretches all through the poster and this has a subtle effect; it separates the two characters but it is less blatant as the I is behind them.
• The tag line gives the viewers a brief insight into the storyline, "24 hours to deal yourself out" is effective as it puts a time limit on the amount of time they have to 'deal themselves out', the phrase deal yourself out can be interpreted in some sort of drug deal way.
• Finally, the poster uses reviews at the top to reinforce the merit of the critics comments.

Mise en Scene Used for Effectiveness

Mise en Scene is extremely important within a film, and within a short amount of time during our trailer we are going to have to meet common conventions for our film through Mise en Scene. By having Mise en Scene that is not used effectively, our trailer will not come across successfully.

• In scenes with groups we need to use a variety of drink bottles, both half full as well as empty. This connotes the young and reckless 'binge drinking' lifestyle that troubled teenagers have (as represented by the British media)

• Drugs, recreate blocks as seen in films such as 'Ill Manors'.

• Cigarettes will also create this representation of recklessness and the lower class within the trailer, for the highest effectiveness, we must use the butts of a cigarette that would be found on the floor on the streets.

• Family photos on frames both on bedside tables and on the wall would connote the family strong family element that is present, which would be broken throughout the film - as shown in the trailer.
• Weapons are common conventions used, such as a bat, a gun or a knife. For our filming purposes, a knife will be used.

• Connotations of Urban Drama's are that the family have quite religious values, we will be able to show this from various religious items being subtly placed around the bedroom and 'flat' that we are using for filming.
• Another convention that is used is the sheer amount of money that comes out of drug operations with the dealings. We will therefore need a lot of money to connote this to the audience, and shoot the main protagonist holding this money.
• Subtle features will also be effective, taken as inspiration from Kidulthood, we could use a character reading the Metro in the background. The free newspaper read by those taking public transport in London.

Payback Season Deconstruction

Football

• As we saw in Green Street, football is a very important game to the British, and in this trailer we see the fame and power that can come through being good at football. The mid shots show us this by showing the celebrity status that can be founded by good footballers. By having establishing shots in the background of the football stadium, it allows the scene to be instantly recognisable to the audience.
• A grime soundtrack is played behind the shots, and a voice over is used in comparison with this. I have found this to be very common within Urban Dramas, and I believe that we would also have to stick to this convention in order for our Urban Drama trailer to be successful.
• Another common convention for this genre with editing includes combining jump cuts with montage editing, allowing a story to be set out. Therefore we are able to see the lavish lifeless that the football player leads from a variety of different scenes.
• A common media stereo type is that successful footballers are good looking - taking the success of David Beckham - and the main protagonist is dressed in a very suave way that conforms to this. Props such as fast expensive cars and champagne are used together to emphasise this stereotype, and to promote a feeling of jealously from the audience for this lavish lifestyle.

Trouble Caused

• The dominance of power with the main protagonist is shown at the start with the low angle shots. However when opposition is met, this power is threatened and therefore his shots become high angle, therefore diminishing him, and then his opposition is shot with a high angle. Showing that juxtaposition of power that is now between them. 
• The soundtrack is still played as non dietetic sound, however the voice-over is no longer heard, and we hear from the characters instead. This soundtrack is played at a much faster pace, adding more tension to the scene where power is being threatened. 
• Crosscutting between the opposing characters is an effective way to show that they are not on each others sides, this also allows us to see the anger that is felt by the opposition, against the fear that is felt by the main protagonist. 
• We can tell that the once lavish lifestyle is no longer present as much due to the mise en scene of the characters costumes, where tracksuits becoming more prominent and worn by many more character. The gold chain that some characters use are also a common convention that we place upon certain stereotypes. 

Running Scene

• Running scenes/chase scenes are also very common, however in this trailer it doesn't seem that the character running is being chased. We can see this from the medium shots combined with close ups as the camera pans back with him, we can only see the character on his own. 
• The trailer is now in it's climax during this section, and we can tell that the music is becoming more fast paced, and the genre of grime is becoming more clear. 
• Montage editing is still in place, and the cross cutting during these scenes becomes faster. Visual effects are also used to emphasise objects in a scene, they are also slowed down which juxtaposes to the fast soundtrack. 
• Violence is used and therefore weapons are also used like batons. The stereotypical media location of flats is also seen in the background. I think this is another convention that we are going to have to include within our trailer. 

Time Lapse Test 1

Using an app for first time lapse
This is my first attempt at a time lapse. Done on the app OSNAP! on my iPhone to get an idea of how to shoot and what the best times are in order for the time lapse to become effective to the audience. The sun setting is found in many urban dramas, for example in Ill Manors which highlights landmarks of London, or iconic buildings that make the genre instantly recognisable. 

 



Evaluation

Through experimenting with this app, and outside conditions, the sun setting poses as a very effective way to open our trailer. As I used my iPhone  this was not the most effective and professional way to film a time lapse  the cross winds coming from the lake made my phone drop at one point, therefore affecting the whole time lapse - which was on a timer to take a photo every 30 seconds - so during filming using our Cannon, we will have access to a tripod, so winds wont pose as an issue. 

Youngers Trailer Deconstruction

The British urban drama TV show Youngers shown on E4 displays exaggerated conventions found in a typical urban drama.

 

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Location Camera angles feature establishing shots of London, and this trailer is no exception, as we are firs met with the sky line of several high rise flats, shot at night-time, making the genre instantly recognisable for the audience.

Urban drama's allow the audience to have a social relationship with the character with the medium shots combined with close ups that are used. This allows the audience to make their own judgement on the characters, and having them shot close to the camera makes them more relatable to the target audience of a younger generation. 

Family relationships are also often shown within urban dramas, and the two shots of the teenagers and their parents shows how there is a level of respect for the parents, and how they mean a lot to the teens. Long shots of chase scenes are often found and raise the level of tension within a scene, however on this estate, a car is used instead of two people running, adding a more modern and more tense effect to the scene.

Sound The sound we hear first mimics that of an explosion or a gun shot as violence is a common convention, but as the trailer goes on, no violence appears to be shown. A voice over is also used throughout the trailer which is not uncommon, it aids the trailer in having a story line that the audience can follow along with.

This voice over is combined with a combination of music tracks from the same generation, more commonly featuring rap, or grime music. Characters used in urban dramas are conventionally black or mixed raced boys.

The mum featured has a strong African accent that is exaggerated to show how her traditional views juxtapose the views of a westernised teenager. "Endz", "Bruv" and other slang words are used that also aid the genre. 

Editing
Montage editing is used as with all urban dramas, this allows a story to be set out and the audience are able to meet the characters that will feature within the programme, and the jump cuts show the various situations that the characters are faced with. 

Mise en Scene
Mise en Scene is very important when it comes to urban dramas as characters become defined by what they wear and what they surround themselves with. In urban drama's, the tracksuit/snap back combination is very common and conforms to the media representation of young people.

However we see a character in a suit, this subverts from what we expect, and moves him away from the same expectations that are placed upon other characterised.

The type of car that is used is important as well, as connotations of a boy racer type come with it, however it would not be such an expensive car, as that would be unrealistic to use within the drama. 

Urban Drama conventions

• Usually a main character, either part of a group or just a single person.
• May have a negative outlook on life due to social class and environment.
• From a dysfunctional home
• Usually features rival groups/people
• Deprived areas; inner-city/ghetto era that contains negative aspects such as drug dealing etc. Use of council estates, alleyways, broken buildings, night-clubs, bars, prisons, drug houses, squats and gang territory. 
• Establishing shots to show environment.
• Cross cutting and jump cuts to jump from scene to scene in tense moments. 
• POV and eye-line matches used in tense moments.
• Mise-en-scene;
• Hoodies
• Trainers
• Tracksuits
• Hats
• Guns, knives, weapons
• Dogs
• Cars
• Sound;
• Diegetic sound; 
• Colloquial
• Loud
• Not RP
• Non-diegetic sound;
• Hip-hop
• Grime
• Bashment
• Garage
• R&B
• Music from regional artists, e.g Tinie Tempah.