Editing the photos for Film Website

Firstly I 'messed around' with the 'curves' of the image so that the silhouette would stand out more against the background.
Secondly, the title, and the menu bars were placed on top. I decided that the 'HOME' should be in red, as it is the present location on the site.
I wanted the 'facebook sharing' idea which I had seen on other sites, so I incorporated that in too. The original Weatherprint Pictures text was too big, and I made that smaller when I put it on the website. Afterall, the typical font size on a website is just 11px, and the text was a huge 30px, which looked silly.
The first draft of the site looked a little bare.
I then decided on putting the rating, and additional links for the MPAA and terms of use. These are common features of websites, so it seemed a good idea to put these in.
Then I realised that the menu words were far too big. Even though they were meant to stand out, they were dominating the page, and that was no the original intention.
I then changed the size and added the rating and bottom links:

(click to enlarge)
I wanted to show what would happen if you were to 'rollover' the videos section and select something, as it's difficult to describe. The video section and other sections like images, would all have this subsection opening allowing the user to access smaller sections of the site.

I also wanted to see what would happen if they did click on trailers and a page popped up with the trailer:

I looked at typical video players. All of them had the time, a play bar, pause and play button (all one button), an enlarge button and a sound button. Therefore, I used these in my player. I also added a 'X' so the player can be closed. The 'buffering' is typical of a video player and in red it looks dramatic and creepy.

Creation of Film Website

After choosing a draft, which is actually draft one on the previous post, I have decided to go with the idea of a main image and a menu bar underneath. The image is of a silhouette coming up to a glass door. The idea of 'don't let them in' (my tagline) inspired this choice as it clearly reflects something trying to get in. The colours will be mainly black, white and aqua - giving it a chilling effect. Red will be present, but only to make particular things stand out.

After deciding my idea, I took these photos for the main image. The one I chose is the last one, simply because it looks most like a silhouette and also the placement of the hands looks the best.

Drafts of Film Website

The first draft (the one with the feet if this is unclear), is a basic design that has two bloody footprints. The footprints and the hand of the poster linking together. The trailer is visible as this is a common feature of a website. A news index was also placed so that fans could be kept up-to-date with recent news.

The second draft (this one is not intentionally cut off, my scanner failed many times to scan completely), is similar to the first draft however I decided to experiment with the menu bar this time. I incorporated hands into this draft so it again would fit in with the hand idea in my poster.

The third draft looks at the idea of a main image with the menu bar underneath (like with the Battle:Los Angeles website). The text I want to stand out on a black background, which is what I found often with other film websites as it gives a dramatic effect. The title and the company logo must remain the same to the poster.

The last draft has the same features as the first two with the trailer embedded in the homepage. However, I decided to add a countdown feature which I have found to be included -not always-in some official film websites. The countdown can help spread 'excitement' about the film.

Film Website Analysis 2

Battle: Los Angeles (2011/Jonathan Liebesman)

The website is what is being seen more and more often. The main feature of this website is the huge main image and in the case of this website, the main image changes like a slideshow. The slideshow settings can also be changed, so you can view your favourite images. The images give nothing away, but are unlike movie posters; the images are just bits taken from the film with no real message. However, they do make the audience wonder ‘what’s going on?’ which makes you want to find out. This of course is the purpose of the website. The images are also over-whelming, bold and ‘troubling’.
One of the best things about the website is the music. Music is a rarity for websites, however, not for official film websites. To add to the creepy theme, the music is slow, deep and metallic. It could perhaps be referred to as chilling, and the website and the sound collaborate to give a very dramatic, spine-chilling feeling.
There is a colour theme, yet because the main image changes and also dominates the website, this is no so obvious. The main colour is black with grey and white writing. Again, this is dramatic as it is white on black and these two opposite colours used together appear bolder and are often used in more dramatic things.
The menu bar is slightly different to ‘conventional’ menu bars on most websites. Most menu bars are vertical and those that are horizontal appear at the top. This one is at the bottom and also horizontal. However, this is no the only odd feature; the menu bar appears to be a ruler or measuring device of some sort because of the evenly spaced lines on it - much like those on a ruler. A red vertical line sweeps across the menu bar, red of course connotating danger. Overall it looks like a device you may find in a helicopter or military vehicle, which I think is the idea; the main images often show helicopters and other military transportation and the title including ‘battle’ a give-away, this film is about a battle involving the military. The pages too reflect this. W.A.T.C.H, the capital letter and full stop text is a common military style and another page says ‘unidentified enemy’ which again is military ‘talk’.
The main title is also military like, with the font much like a stamp, like what you would see on the side of tanks or on military weapons.
Much like on the Saw 3D website, this site allows you to connect to Facebook, share and like the site. As explained in the Saw 3D website analysis, this attracts more people. You can on this site too, connect to Myspace, Twitter, Delicious, Digg and StumbleUpon. Again, this helps spread the word virally.
Just like with a film poster, the site should advertise yet also inform. The pictures, the music and the additional content advertise while the ratings (PG-13), the links to parent’s guide on ratings and the disclaimers inform. This website fit’s the category of ‘military’ but also action from the music and sci-fi from the modern fonts and main images. It serves it’s purpose well; I feel like I want to know more and consequently want to see the film. I also know what rating it is, what day it is released and I can view trailers, images and even find out more about the cast and crew. It’s just like with the Saw 3D website; a more detailed version of a film poster.

Filming (Feb Half Term)

Filming for the scientist beginning has been completed and I have found a wide variety of zombie noises:

http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=86247
http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=86245
http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=86241
http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=82772

Filming the close up of hand, syringe and limp hand (the additional storyboard) will be done sometime in the next 2 days.
The parts were the child and the man (who most likely be a women now) are in the car hopefully will be filmed on Friday.
The close-ups that appear often through the trailer will also be filmed.