Research and influences on my film

For this presentation, I will be showing some research that I have completed on genres and films that have influenced my ideas for my film trailer and plot.

Research on genre and films

I have done some research on films that would relate to my own ideas and would use the same themes and type of characters. In my film, I would prefer to use a character that is alone and isolated in the world that is created, which enables the narrative to focus on this one particular individual. I would also use very little dialogue as this would enable me to create a better visual atmosphere and create a more realistic story (as he would have no one to talk to in the world created).

Survival film genre

I have found that my idea best fits into the survival film genre.

The survival film is a film genre in which one or more characters make an effort at physical survival. It often overlaps with other film genres. Survival films are darker than most other adventure films which usually focuses its storyline on a single character, usually the protagonist.

Some films in this genre are:

The Road (2009)Cast away (2000)127 hours (2010)Gravity (2013)The Grey (2012)Life of Pi (2012)The Martian (2015)

Other films have used these elements in their own narratives which have influenced me to use them in my film. These are films such as:

Moon (2009): The narrative focuses on a man who works on the moon and is completely isolated throughout the whole movie.

I am legend (2007): This film focuses on a survivor of a virus that wiped out the city, his only companion is his dog.

Mad Max: The road warrior (1981): This film is based in an apocalyptic future where one man tries to survive in a wasteland. The main character is this film used a total of 16 lines of dialogue, two of them were ‘I only came for the gasoline’.

Evil Dead 2 (1987): Evil Dead focuses on one man stuck in a cabin who has to face demons he woke from the book of the dead.

28 Days later (2002): This film focuses on survivors of the zombie apocalypse.

All these films have very little use of characters as this enables a main focus to be on individuals. This is obviously successful as all of these films are highly successful.

Research on genre and films

The Post-apocalyptic film genre

This genre has been a huge influence on my final film idea as it really goes well when combined with the survival genre. The Road (2009) is a good example for this. There are many films within this genre which has influenced my idea.

Some films in this genre are:

The Road (2009)Mad Max (1979 - Present)Oblivion (2013)The Walking Dead (2010 - Present)28 Days Later (2002)Doomsday (2008) I Am Legend (2007)

Research on genre and films

The zombie horror film genre

The zombie horror is another genre that fits well with an apocalyptic setting and survival genre as it is most commonly used in film and television.

Some films in this genre are:

28 Days Later (2002)The Walking Dead (2010 - Present)Dawn of the Dead (2004)Evil Dead (1981 – Present)

The Invisible Man (1933)

This film is another influence for my own film as this film constantly follows this characters journey as he slowly loses his sanity with the situation he has caused himself. I would want to use this idea for my character in my film as he is isolated and alone.

In some ways, this film is also memorable for uses of the character style. For example, The Invisible Man is known for his bandages, glasses and smoking jacket. I would also want to create a style for my character so he is unique and memorable.

Interstellar is a huge influence from a storytelling point of view. For example, it is a space travel sci-fi film but it still manages to tell a story about a man and his family.

Both of these films have inspired and influenced my idea for my film and trailer.

Interstellar ( 2014)

Overall

Overall, my film idea will be a mixture of genres I have researched and focus on the storytelling of an individual survivor in a post apocalyptic setting. My film will focus more on the survival of my character and the struggles of being isolated and the effect it can have on an individual (The Road is a big influence on this concept). However, there will be elements of the zombie horror genre as a virus will be referenced throughout the film and some infected will be seen.