Target Audience

 

Here we have derived a brief demographic overview of our target audience. Using these ideas, our group can create a promotional package that is more suitable for our potential target audience. Therefore, this brainstorm attempts to describe the type of people who are more likely to enjoy the Police-Crime/Thriller genre.

The Pitch Feedback

 

After receiving feedback from our teacher, we now understand that there needs to be more detail in certain areas. For example, we need to go in more depth about specific aspects of cinematography as this will help with creating the storyboard later on in the project. Therefore, as a group, we will take the feedback into consideration and make changes accordingly.

Mood Board

This is my Mood Board for our film Playing Judas; which is a Police/Crime Thriller. The protoganist is a detective and so the plot is based around the federal authorities and the external and internal conflicts. Therefore, the Mood Board has significant imagery of police, crime, investigation and conflict.

Genre Research

Shutter Island Poster Analysis

 I think the colour scheme used is the unique selling point because there are various colours used which all come together to portray the genre of the film. The outskirts of the poster are masked in pitched black; which immediately delivers a mysterious aspect to the poster. The image of the actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, is concealed within the darkness of the poster and this is significant because this is a subversion. The image (actor) of the poster is conventionally the focal point, however, in this poster, the appearance of the actor is restricted and this reflects the story within the film. The subversion implies that the plot does not just resolve around the protagonist but has a bigger meaning and therefore, this idea suggests to the audience that the genre of this film is associated with mystery.

The lighted match acts as the light source for not only the image but the whole poster. The scarcity of light reinforces the idea  that the story within the film is very dark and conspicuous; which notifies the audience that the genre of the film is affiliated with ‘crime’ and ‘thriller’.

Due to the colour scheme, the focal point of the poster is the island. This image clearly shows that the island is secluded as the ocean around it is visible. The text under the island is in a vibrant red that contrasts with the blue sea; which makes the tagline stand out. The release date of the film is also in red to grab the audience’s attention. Conventionally, the name of actor who is the protagonist in the film is clearly stated, this in itself can influence/entice potential viewers as they may be fans of this particular actor and so, they are more likely to watch the film.

Genre Research: Institional Context

IMDb Top Rated Crime-Thriller Feature Films

The Dark Knight (2008) 9/10 (Action)

The Pulp Fiction (1994) 9/10 (Drama)

Inception (2010) 8.8/10 (Action/Mystery)

Gravity (2013) 8.8/10 (Sci-Fi/Drama) 

Goodfellas (1990) 8.8/10 (Drama)

Se7en (1995) 8.7/10 (Mystery)

The Silence of Lambs (1991) 8.7/10 (Drama)

The Usual Suspects (1995) 8.7/10 (Mystery)

Memento (2000) 8.6/10 (Mystery)

IMDb Highest Grossing Crime-Thriller Feature Films

The Dark Knight (2008) $533,316,061

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) $448,130,642

Skyfall (2012) $304,360,277

Inception (2010) $292,568,851

The Beverly Hills Cop (1984) $234,760,500

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) $227,137,090

Sherlock Holmes (2009) $209,019,489

Batman Begins (2005) $205,343,774

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) $186,830,669

Oceans Eleven (2001) $183,405,771  

The most popular Crime-Thriller films (such as Inception and The Dark Knight) are distributed by Warner.Bros in association with Legendary Pictures. The Warner Bros. Pictures Group brings together the Studio’s motion picture production, marketing and distribution operations into a single entity. Warner Bros. Pictures International is a global leader in the marketing and distribution of feature films, operating offices in more than 30 countries and releasing films in over 120 international territories, either directly to theaters or in conjunction with partner companies and co-ventures. The company produces and distributes a wide-ranging slate of some 18-22 films each year.


In 2012, the Warner Bros. Pictures Group grossed $4.3 billion at the worldwide box office ($1.66 billion domestic, $2.67 international) with both its domestic and international divisions crossing the billion-dollar mark for a 12th consecutive year.


Legendary Entertainment has co-produced 29 feature films. In addition, the company is also in the process of producing an additional four films and is developing various other projects. Of the 29 feature films produced, 28 have had theatrical releases and one has had a direct-to-video release. All films that were theatrically released were distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures (except for Watchmen which was distributed by both Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures) and the direct-to-video film was distributed by Warner Premiere. Note that in all cases the distributor or distributors are also co-producers. Also, in all cases the film listed is a work of Legendary Pictures, unless the film's name is followed by a subscript "E", indicating that Legendary East is the production company.

Within the last 10 years, it is evident that Police orientated plots have made a gradual move from films to TV series. Dedicated Police/Crime films are very rare – many current films are classified as ‘Crime-Thrillers’ and have minimal federal involvement. In the late 90s and early 2000s, Police/Crime films were quite popular, however, the protagonist was usually involved in the ‘under-cover’ unit of the authorities; therefore, the inclusion of law officials within the plot was declining. Current Crime-Thrillers such as ‘The Call’, ‘Tunnel Vision’ and ‘Single-shot’ have less ‘Police’ orientated plots.

The Pitch

Film Title:PLAYING JUDAS

Tagline: Think outside the law...

GENRE:

POLICE/CRIME, THRILLER

Production Team: Daniel, Lizzie, Victor, Iuri

BASIC PLOT:

Detective Alex Hudson has a new Chief Superintendent. When his niece, Katy, is kidnapped and he is not allowed to investigate the case, he has no choice but to go outside the law to ensure it is handled properly. Hudson finds credible evidence that incriminates a fellow colleague, Harry Shaw, but Chief Superintendent Adams is dismissive as she thinks it’s simply a personal vendetta between the two detectives.

CHARACTERISATION:

Detective Alex Hudson: Good cop, nice guy. Loves to do his job and do his job properly.

Detective Harry Shaw: Stereotypical ‘bad cop’. Not afraid to hurt others to get to where he needs to be, and very good at his job. Everyone knows it.

Chief Superintendent Adams: Alpha female. New head of department, obviously knows what she’s doing and strict about her rules and regulations, but is untrusted by some others.

Katy: Little girl of 11-14, Detective Hudson’s niece. Looks sweet, unassuming, and gullible. Kidnapped for ransom, kicking the whole plot off.

MISE EN SCENE:

Formal clothes Police badge

Girl’s backpack Guns, holsters

Suits Car

CINEMATOGRAPHY:

Lots of close-ups

Establishing shot of Scotland Yard

CONVENTIONS:

Voiceovers Close-ups

Big music Fast-paced editing

Guns Title appearing from transition

RESOURCES:

Holsters Office/police station Two men

Guns Pavement One woman

Police badge Scotland Yard One little girl

Girl’s backpack Suits Police extras

USP AND RELATION TO GENRE:

Female police chief

Police department settings

Case-oriented plot