Captain's Log - 19/12

Over the weekend, we filmed most of the scenes on the pier. This includes the first scene, and most of the flashbacks, apart from the final one. We decided to cut one of the flashbacks out, as it was too similar to another, both involving Wesley attacking Lucas first. I will adjust the preceding "real" scene, either choosing the most important one, or combining them.

I have also been looking at examples of reviews for our ancillary task, analysing the layout of images, text and the structure and content of the review, as research for when I will do the review of our film.

Review Analysis Research

  Empire Magazine

• Clear layout, splitting the review into several parts for easier digestion.
• Both the synopsis and verdict are very brief, easier to quote and reference elsewhere in the magazine.
• Star rating appears twice, first and last.
• First paragraph focusses on the background of the film.  Second, a more detailed synopsis of the narrative. Third, actual review and references to other films. Fourth, negatives. Fifth, final positive point.
• Details on the film at the sides, as well as a DVD release date and a short summary of the DVD's advantage.

Gorilla Film Magazine

• Single image at the very top of the page, below title.
• Simple layout
• 1st paragraph details the premise and basic plot of the short film. 2nd immediately targets a flaw in the film's presentation and premise. 3rd paragraph compliments the themes of the film, but does not discuss the film particularly. 4th paragraph criticises the presentation further, particularly the mise en scene and how unrealistic the vision of the future seems. The 5th rounds out the review, tying the discussion of the films into the criticisms of the film and the acting.

 New Empress Magazine

• Simple layout, just a straight review.
• Rating in images, much larger than everything apart from the picture.
• 1st paragraph is a short summary. 2nd  is a synopsis of the plot, the 3rd a review of the film's overall approach. 4th more specifically reviewing cast and directors and the 5th concluding the review and rounding out the opinion.

Total Film

• Image relatively small compared to others
• Humorous subtitle.
• Star rating emphasised and directly below title.
• Release date at the start of review.
• 1st sentence in bold.
• Much more informal tone.
• Humorous caption on image
• 1st paragraph explains premise of film, mentioning similar works. 2nd paragraph goes through the plot of the film, reviewing a performance at the end.
• Short, easy to read summary at end "In Short" section.
• List of facts and information about the film.
• Two wide columns of text, with image at the top of one.

Little White Lies

• Image at the top, dominating the top third of the page.
• Title in bold
• Original title in original language as subtitle.
• Small details about film below title; director, star and release date.
• 1st paragraph referencing similar works, and a very short summary of the review. 2nd and 3rd paragraph list plot. 4th and 5th much more analytic than review. 6th adds context of director and actor's previous work. 7th paragraph final summary.
• Review split into three sections: Anticipation, Enjoyment and In Retrospect. Each given a short descriptive and a numerical rating.
• Three columns, with a fair amount of white space between image and text.