Inspiration for storyboard - Sweeney Todd

Here is a follow up on the inspiration for my storyboard. This time my inspiration was Sweeney Todd. I had previously read a lot about Sweeney Todd and know lots about him. He is of great interest to me. Parts of this murderers habits, so to speak, were subconciously integrated into the storyboard. I have watched the film and will watch it again to gain ideas for lighting, camera angles, music etc. For now, it is sufficient enough to have a look at the trailer seeing as that is what I shall be producing. The film is mostly about revenge which could be a good idea for my trailer.

Here is the trailer:

This trailer is the perfect example of a thriller that is also enjoyable. It is a story of revenge, as mine could easily be based on the idea of 'Kate' as mentioned in my pitch.

Throughout this trailer, the lighting is dark, except for a couple of shots in which the characters are happy. The lighting depicts the emotions and moods of the characters. As the story is of death, revenge and hate, the lighting is all dark and gloomy with colours ranging no further than black, grey and dark browns. Red is used for the gory details of blood but none is seen in the trailer. The slash of his barbers knife is seen but with no blood. As this preview is for all audiences, this is probably why you dont see blood.

First 10 seconds:

This is where the 'preview' notice is shown. It states that this preview is suitably watched by all audiences. If I were to put this on my trailer, I shouldn't really have any very disturbing features included. The film producers logos are then shown. This is a common convention of film trailers and they are always shown at the beginning of the trailer. Here they all are:

I think the producers for this film are unusual as other horror films usually have horror specialised producers such as Twisted Pictures. However, the characters in this film are usually associated with such producers.

10-20 seconds:

The music starts, the scene is established and the narrator says 'This is a tale of...' 'Benjamin Barker his name was' says a dark female character in a close up to show her despair. She speaks in past tense because that character we hardly understood at all has changed.

20-30 seconds:
The narrator carries on explaining Sweeney, and why he is now Sweeney Todd and no longer Benjamin Barker. The lighting is bright and there are many flowers and happy colours in the shots of his memories with his wife and baby daughter. The memories of the court are dark and grey as the rest of the film as his Sweeney is coloured (or not, more to the point). The frame freezes and there is a church 'Gong!!' The screen is grey and the director is credited.

40-50 seconds:

Sweeney starts speaking his own story. His old name is repeated by the woman from earlier and he says 'Not Barker.'

50 seconds to 1 minute:
'...Sweeney Todd now. And he will have his revenge.' Him speaking in the third person shows his madness. The gloomy colours show made times are coming and there is a small tinge of orange in the shots with the woman in them. Orange depicts anger, pleasure, passion, aggression and a thirst for action. Three beats are heard with a shot for each beat. Action is building up, as is suspense. The scenes with his wife in are coloured, without her they are not. However, the main colour in her shots is red, perhaps foreshadowing blood. His daughter is shown and introduced. Sweeneys angry face comes in on a three shot zoom with a three beat in tandom.

1:00 to 1:10 minutes:

Sweeneys face is reoccuring with each beat, working at something that is obviously not meant for good. 'In these desperate times, desperate measures are called for,' he says. This has a great impact on the audience. 'What is he going to do?' it gets one asking.

1:10 to 1:20 minutes:

The actors name is introduced against a black (to mean evil) background. He starts to sing, it introduces the musical part of the song. But the contrast of singing with evil lyrics is rather disturbing 'Sweeney's waiting, I want you bleeders.' His face is angry, he is prowling around 'looking for prey' with his razor. With the dark colours and the music, it is rather disturbing for the audience.

1:20 to 1:30 minutes:
'Welcome to the grave. I will have vengeance...' This is about the middle of the whole trailer and his purpose is explained. He wants revenge.

1:30 to 1:40 minutes:

The music is upbeat suddenly, there is colour. The message is that his gloom and need for revenge will take the colour out of each victim until he gets to the person he wants. This reminds me of my own story. Innocent lives taken for one person.

1:40 to 1:50 minutes:

Suddeny, there is lots of colour, particularly blue. Blue represents power, integrity, and seriousness. The music is still quick, like a fiddle of some sort. 'You're barking mad' she whispers after some murder scenes have been established at a quick take pace.

1:50 to 2:00 minutes:

Sweeney and the woman are shown together. Shots of her as the focus are coloured yet shots of him as the focus are not. This could suggest she feels something for him yet he does not back. He is just set on gaining that revenge. 'Gong!' 'Never Forget.' comes up on the screen as Johnny Depps name had.

2:00 to 2:10 minutes:

Him holding pictures of his family, looking sorrowful and of a woman behind bars. 'Gong!' 'Never forgive.' 'Gong!' (The gongs occurs every 5 seconds.) The time of release is announced 'This Christmas.'

2:10 to 2:20 minutes:
The music gets more tense increasingly and at higher pitches. More suspense is created. There are keyhole shots, close ups and then 'How about a shave?' An angry image of him slashing and red splats come on the screen. The title is put over the top of the blood with the strapline underneath. 'At last, my arm is complete again.' overlaps the titles entrance.

2:20 to 2:30 minutes:

A bit of humour is used and the colour is regained a little bit, ranging past black into browns. His happiness at being reunited with his razor. The humour helps to remember the film a little better. It takes the complete seriousness out of it and the audience isnt left resenting the pure horror of this film. A little lightheartedness also explains why horror producers weren't linked with this film and only institutions usually linked with cartoons. The shot zooms out over London with him in his window, arm up and razor in hand with fast pace music again. Symbols and credits come on against a black background. The music goes off with the trailer.

Music and lighting are so important to this trailer. They let the audience understand the suspense and horror that comes with the film. Most dialogue is in whispers which makes it all more creepy. Shouting wouldn't be as scary at all in my opinion.

Overall, this is a very good trailer well constructed to tell a story even if they were to leave out the over voice narrator. It is a good example to go by for my own preview.