Total Film Reviews

The above review is one i found in Total Film magazine. Also a very well known and very respected brand of magazine within the film world. The review example i have used is for the recent release "Unstoppable" directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington. I really liked the layout of this page however i did not wish to use this magazine to imitate for the graph incorporated seems unnecessary to me. although it makes the page look more informative, it just seemed to tell the reader that at different plot point the film gets more thrilling? I'd rather use clever language in a written review than a graph that isn't even relevant to every viewer.



This is a page from the same magazine reviewing two films. The layout is clear and nice to look at and for a magazine filled with reveiews it is good to use however i am only recreating one page from a magazine; so to show my skills to the fullest i need to use a more jam packed layout. This will then illustrate my ability to put together a review page.

Empire Magazine Layout

This is a different layout from the same magazine. I also like this page as it is clear and spaced out.

Empire Magazine

This is an example of a review page from Empire magazine. Empire is a popular and very well known magazine for film reviews and up to date information on the latest relaeases.
I chose this to use as an example of inspiration for my own film review as the layout of the page is clear and looks realistic for a film magazine. In addition to this, the film being reviewed at the top of the page is alled "Due Date" and it has two characters that can relate to the double act in my own film. They haven't been friends for years - actually the exact opposite - but their relationship is very similar to that of Frank and Charlie's. Meaning one has brains and the other really doesn't.
I have seen the film due date and found it hilarious so i don't completely agree with all of the opinions of this particular critic, but maybe that's more my dark sense of humour. To learn from this review i annotated it and decoded the essentials so i can ensure i incorporate these into my own work.

Online Review

In order to create a review for the film i had to research existing reviews to get an idea of layout and language relevant to mine. Here is a review i found online for Jackass 3D and it was written by Matt Glasby for TotalFilm.com.



The title of the film is at the top of the text alongside the rating out of 5 stars. A snapshot from the film has been used to give the reader an immediate idea of what the world of the film is like. I think the picture is an important element of the review as its the first impression the reader has of the film if they haven't seen it yet. Additionally, the film details are to the right of the picture and these include the age certificate, the release date and the genre of the film.

All of these components make the review what it is and i must use these codes and conventions for my own work.

The actual language of the review is punchy and to the point. Glasby begins by focusing on the 3D aspect of the film and explains how it works at some points of the film and at others it just enhances the "buckets of bodily fluids" - not so much a bad thing, more of an observation! He also talks about the Jackass crew and how maybe they're becoming to old for this line of work. After numerous episodes and now 3 movies he questions, and i quote, "they're probably getting too old for this shit." Nevertheless he gives a final conclusion basically stating the film was good considering it was not a life changing watch. He then ties the end of his review up with the beginning and says, "Thank God it's not in smell-o-vision..." Which clearly links to his initial point of 3D technology!

From this i have learned that the review has to be to the point and relevant because too long a review gets boring and too short doesn't tell the reader what they need to know.

Casting Issue

One of the main characters (Charlie) who we had initally organised to be played by David Deller, cannot make it to the two designated days of filming. He considerably decided to tell us TWO DAYS BEFORE! so the manic rush to find another Charlie began but luckily Yasmin and I had a friend who already had some acting experience...



Meet Jack Glister! He has played parts in numerous television adverts and is used to the busy schedule of a day shooting.
He was thankfully available to help us out so we found a last minute Charlie!

Issues on Location

CASTING

For the part of Big Pete we wanted a typical gangster type that wasn't too serious but still fit the part. I pictured a comical Godfather figure. Someone who had a run around to do his dirty work but younger than Marlon Brando who actually played the Godfather. We had to find a character built enough to be feared but young enough to seem funny that he was known as 'Big Pete'.

So meet Lewis Plaster. Another friend of mine who, as well as looking Italian, is quite well built to fit the part. The look of him reminds me of Fat Sam from Bugsy Malone who is also a crook in the sense Fat Sam owns a speakeasy which was illegal in the time which the film was set. As you can tell by the picture below you "look" of the characters are very similar. Lewis is just older!In addition to this, the costumes the characters wear in Bugsy Malone are similar to those we wish to use as Frank and Charlie have to "dress up" in order to be worthy of Big Pete's company.

The final character we needed to cast was Big Pete's side kick who would play the role of the gangsters run around. Obviously because gangsters never do the dirty work, this character is the one that Frank and Charlie follow to be led to Big Pete.
His real name is Matthew Partlett and he will be playing Big Pete's right hand man. We felt we needed this extra character to make Big Pete's reputation more believable.

Lewis and Matts relationship is similar to that of Montgomery Burns and Smithers from the Simpsons. One has all the power and the other is completely loyal no matter how badly treated he is.

CASTING

For our cast we needed a double act that had the necessary chemistry between them in order to portray their closeness on screen.

The pair we found are close friends of mine and Yasmins and as well as this they are best friends! Once we finalised our story ideas and knew we needed a dynamic comedy duo; these were the first two we called!
This is Ashley Walker and he will be playing the part of Frank. The "brains" of the programme. As you can see by his picture he is a funny character that is confident as well as AVERAGELY intelligent and suits the role of Frank perfectly. When we addressed him to ask him to be a part of our film, we gave him role models such as Derek Trotter from Only Fools and Horses as this is who his character is based on.

This is my dear friend David Deller who really tells all just by this photograph. He is a lovely person with an appetite for food and fun! Perfect for what Charlie's character is going to illustrate. These two indiviuals are very close friends as well and this should work in our favour when it comes to filming. Being around them is always humourous so this is beneficial for our film as they really are each others energy! Not as similar to Rodney Trotter in appearance but his sidekick essence is what we need for Charlie and Frank to work as successfully as Del Boy and Rodders.



The proof is in the picture! Ashley and Dave have actually been friends for years!



... And here's Yasmin with them too :)