Initial ideas

• After deciding on the Crime and Gangster genre, the next lesson we discussed what we could include in the trailer. We found it difficult to begin with a plot as we wanted this to come spontaneously, so therefore we talked about areas that we could include. We firstly decided upon using a female cast, due to this being easier for us as a female group to take part. Although we could ask a range of people to take part, it may be difficult with unreliability as well as actually finding people willing to act, who need to understand the whole concept and narrative of our trailer. Therefore, we will find it easier to complete our piece as only our group.
• However, last lesson we did discuss ideas still, and how we could reflect our ideas into our piece. From deciding that the three of us would take part in the video, our ideas reflected onto the conventions that we had research and we recognised that usually criminals boss' or victims are featured within these films. Therefore, we discussed the idea that the three of us could play three female gangster bosses, who would be superior to criminals who would inflict criminal acts e.g. diamond raids, bank robberies, murdering the enemy. The three superior boss' would be extremely rich from this, as they organised the crimes and paid the criminals first hand. Therefore, they are working against the law, but we are considering police insiders who tip them and work with them, although from the law side.
• We also considered the idea of one head gangster with two main sidekicks, which would work out well alongside the three of us as a group. We would hope to show various characters, such as other criminals and police, which could be played again by us (but in different costume) or cast other individuals if they're willing



• We have initial costume ideas, that would fit into stereotypical gangster costumes, such as pencil skirts, high heels, fishnet tights, leopard print, big hair, lots of make-up, leather, and various jackets such as a leopard print coat, a leather jacket and blazer. Also cigarettes, guns and big hair would fit alongside our preliminary ideas
• After listening to my music the day before the lesson, I came across the single 'Keep My Composure' by The Chemical Brothers, which has a fast, messy beat which I thought would work well alongside the action-packed, face-paced edits that would stereotypically fit with a crime film. However, after speaking to my teacher we were told that from this year copyright tracks should be avoided for teaser trailers, even though we were searching for how to gain permission for the track. Therefore, although disappointing, we shall not include this track, and may have to conduct our own on Garage Band on the AppleMac's, or else search for a local band that have not been signed and grant their permission instead




From this, we set up further initial ideas by discussing how the trailer could start. As obvious through research, trailers usually open with a slow-paced equilibrium, which is steady and not too confusing, before the disruption to outline the adventures of the plot. Therefore, we conducted an initial idea upon how we could upon up our trailer in a crime/gangster conventional genre:

1. An establishing shot of a room with low-key lighting, showing a desk in the centre with various messy props covering it. A dim light above the desk would highlight this, although the rest of the room should be dark. This shot could open with a 'bang' sound, resembling a gun shot or a simple beat of a drum, which fades away as the shot lingers, allowing the audience to absorb the visual
2. After approximately 2-3 seconds, this shot fades to black
3. A repeat of the 'bang' sound, with a cut-in shows a gun on the table, introducing a crime/violent theme, as well as pondering questions. This is a binary opposite, due to the violent connotation alongside the peaceful, quiet shots.
4. This then lingers for approximately 2 seconds again, until once again fading to black
5. A cut alongside the 'bang' sound follows, showing a cigar/cigarette lit, inside a silhouette of an individuals hand, which is hidden in the dark area behind the table. This adds to further connotations, with the hand casually holding a lit, almost lethal object highlighting power and superior. Added to this, the connotation of a criminal smoking can be found with Marlon Brando in 'The Godfather' as well as Sharon Stone in 'Basic Instinct'


6. Again, this fades to black
7. A cut to the table from a medium shot follows. It lingers for a moment, allowing the audience to take in what is on the table (such as the gun), when a chair situation behind the desk begins to swivel around and reveal an individual. This individual casually swirls around, throws their legs up on the desk and poses, looking at the camera. This is a female, alongside iconic red high heels, dressed in a formal state as well as holding the cigar/cigarette. The individual would smile slyly, and then wait for about 2-3 seconds again, allowing the audience to absorb the non-stereotypical character.

These are initial ideas, and therefore they need to further be discussed. However, we feel we are along the right conventions so far, and are feeling positive about delving deeper towards our plot of the film next lesson.