Characters

List of Characters for my trailer.

Jack Marshall: Jack is a 39 year old father of three. An english born business man Jack is aboard United Airlines flight 175departing from Boston to Los Angeles for a business meeting before he is due to return back to England for his son's 13th Birthday. Whilst aboard United Airlines 175 he made several attempts to call his wife, on the third and final time he got through to her, he was talking to her up until the time of impact with the South Tower.

Amelia Marshall: Amelia is a 36 year old mother of three. Whilst her husband Jack is in the States on business she is left back in England to take care of their young family. When she returns home from the supermarket she listens to a message from Jack saying that he is on United Airlines fligh 175 which has been hijacked, she turns on the Tv to see the events that are unfolding live on TV at the World Trade Centre, seconds later Jack phones again and tells her that he loves her. As she is talking to Jack she hears him say "Oh my God... Oh my God, Oh my God" and then witnesses his plane crash into the South Tower.

'United 93' - Camera Shot Analysis

It is important that the message of the film is portrayed to the audience, this is done with the use of appropriate camera shots because depending on the shot will depend on how the audience portray that scene, for example an intense scene may require a close up shot to show worry and stress where as with a medium shot this image may be lost in what is going on around the character.

I have decided to analyse the use of camera shots in 'United 93' as the film deals with an array of emotions that need to be portrayed at the same time which I feel will be important for my trailer. In the shot on the right the audience can see a medium shot of the passengers with one passenger centred in between the two aisles, by doing this the audience understand that this man is informing the passengers what they are going to do to take control of the plane. The shot is also low down in line with the passengers this gives the audience the illusion that they are with the passengers aboard United 93 which allows the audience to connect with the passengers on a personal level.

In this second shot the audience see a close up of a passenger on the telephone. With the positioning of his head resting on his hand the audience are given the sense that the entire weight of the world is resting on this man's shoulders whilst he speaks to a loved one letting them know what is happening to him. He can not believe what is happening to him, that he is in this serial situation, the close up shot is important in conveying this man's emotions the audience are given the understanding of how it must have felt to inform your friends and family that you are on a hijacked plane and that you will probably die. The man is also looking down at the ground which again adds to the stress that he is now under. Without this close up shot the audience may have only seen a passenger on the phone where as by showing him closely to the audience they are now experiencing what every passenger felt on that day.

 The shot on the right is a dutch angle which is often used to portray the psychological uneasiness or tension in the subject being filmed. Which is exactly what the audience can see with this couple. The husband is protecting his wife by embracing her and placing his hand on her head all of these aspects show to the audience that the couple realise their fate, they understand that they are going to die aboard United 93. Also with the use of the dutch angle it has made the husband appear much taller in the shot this shows that the husband is over powering his wife by protecting her from what is about to happen to them both. I feel that this angle works particularly well because the audience are still able to see what is happening around the couple but they are focused in on the couple themselves and the situation that they are in. This shot has also been able to to portray their emotions, despite being scared and angry with the people that are doing this to them, they are there for one another.  

Dramatisation of real events

Due to the context of my trailer/film I felt that It is important to incorporate real facts and events that occurred on 9/11 due to the personal nature of this day. So I will be using real news footage that was broadcasted on the day of 9/11, and I have also Incorporated a phone call that was made by a female airhostess to her husband when she was aboard United Airlines flight 93 but changed it so the husband was leaving the message for his wife.

I feel by incorporating these elements into my trailer it will give a sense of realism to my film, and give the audience an insight into what the families were going through when the events of 9/11 were unfolding infront of their eyes live on national TV.

I will be using the audio from the news coverage at the beginning of my trailer. This is clip is the news coverage from when the first plane hit the World Trade Centre and then all the way up until the first tower collapsed.

I will also be incorporating a telephone call that took place from United Airlines 93 by Stewardess CeeCee Lyles but change it the womans husband leaving the message; and then eventually getting through to his wife; "Hi Karen, It's Jon I'm... Baby, you have to listen to me carefully. I'm on a Plane that has been hijacked, I'm on the plane, United Airlines flight 175, I'm calling from the Plane. I want to tell you I love you, please tell the kids that I love them very much, and I'm so sorry babe.... Urm I don't know what to say..... I love you.." This is a recreation of the message that CeeCee Lyles left her husband whilst onboard United 93.

Peter Hanson spoke to his father Lee Hanson whilst he was aboard United Airlines flight 175 minutes before it crashed into the South Tower, Peter Hanson was sat on the left side of the plane so could see the plane was heading towards the South Tower . He said "I think we are going down. I think they intend to go to Chicago or someplace and fly into a building. Don't worry, Dad. If it happens, it'll be very fast....Oh my God... oh my God, oh my God." It is the final part that I will be incorporating into the message left by my character.

The message will be heard "Hi Karen, It's Jon I'm... Baby, you have to listen to me carefully. I'm on a Plane that has been hijacked, I'm on the plane, United Airlines flight 175, I'm calling from the Plane. I want to tell you I love you, please tell the kids that I love them very much, and I'm so sorry babe.... Urm I don't know what to say..... I love you..Oh my God... oh my God, oh my God."

Whilst Karen is on the phone to Jon is flight 175 is abruptly banking towards the South Tower, it is at this point at 9.02 am Jon sees the North Tower and realises what is about to happen in which he softly and calmly says "Oh my God...oh my God, Oh my God"

 This video is an interview with Peter Hanson's father Lee Hanson describing the phone call he had with his son seconds before Flight 175 was flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Centre.                     

'United 93'

United 93 is a 2006 fact-based drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Paul Greengrass that chronicles events aboard United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked during the September 11 attacks.


Early on the morning of September 11, 2001, hijackers Ahmed al-Nami and Ahmed al-Haznawi are praying in their hotel room, United 93's skyjacking ringleader Ziad Jarrah reading the Quran, and Saeed al-Ghamdi shaving. The four then leave for Newark International Airport. At the airport, the crew and passengers board United Airlines Flight 93. Shortly after boarding, and the safety briefing, Flight 93 is delayed for 41 minutes because of the high volume of traffic. The three other soon to be hijacked flights, American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, and American Airlines Flight 77 take off. 

United 93 shows the audience the tenacity and determination of the passengers to take over the plane which despite their best efforts were unsuccessful in obtaining control of the plane. 

In the picture on the right the audience see the passengers drowding round one another discussing about how they're going to take over the plane, I feel that In this shot particularly the audience can understand the emotions that were going through the passengers at this time you get a sense of their upset that this is happening to them and the anger with the people responsible for putting them in this situation. 

In the picture on the left the audience see a couple embracing one another you can see that the man is protecting his wife by holding her close to him; this gives the audience the sense of vulnerability that surrounds these passengers, they have been cut off from the outside world and whilst everybody is going about their normal day these people are trapped in a plane that has been hijacked and nobody is aware of this. 

What draws me to 'United 93' is that sense you get of understanding how each individual passenger felt and what they went through whilst aboard united 93. As an audience up until now nobody has really understood visually what it was like for the passengers being on a hijacked plane  all we have had is recordings and friends and family members accounts of phonecalls they recieved from the passengers.                                                                                                                                                       

For more information visit the United 93 national memorial website http://www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm 

'Reflecting Absence' Story Board

Reflecting Absence Story Board 2

A2 Film Trailer - 'Reflecting Absence'

'If you could have one wish what would you wish for? A sports car, a large house, lots of money? But for one teenage boy all he wishes for is to spend one last day with his dad' In the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre a British man is killed when his hijacked plane crashes into the towers; ten years on and all his son wishes for is one final goodbye, but when he returns will his son be able to lose him for a second time and will his Dad be able to come to terms with his fate.

The clip above is a mock-up of the opening to my movie trailer it will feature the song 'Iris' by Goo Goo Dolls. It shows the news coverage of 9/11 and then sound of a phone ringing; the boy’s mother will answer to hear the voice of her husband seconds before his plane hits the second tower. The camera will cut to ten years late before the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and reveal that the man's son can hear his Dad, with the use of fading the audience will see a series of shots of the boy "goofing" around with his dad who he can see but nobody else can. At the end of the trailer the audience will see that the boys mum is finally able to see her husband before he has to leave Earth for the second time. 


The clip below is an interview with victim Peter Hanson's parents from the documentary 'Flight 175 - As The World Watched'. Peter Hanson was still on the phone to his dad Lee Hanson when United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Centre; his parents reveal to the world the last words from their son before his tragic death; "It's getting bad, Dad. A stewardess was stabbed. They seem to have knives and Mace. They said they have a bomb. It's getting very bad on the plane. The plane is making jerky movements. I don't think the pilot is flying the plane. I think we are going down. I think they intend to go to Chicago or someplace and fly into a building. Don't worry, Dad. If it happens, it'll be very fast....Oh my God... oh my God, oh my God." 

Due to the nature of the events that took place on September 11th 2001 I feel that it is important not only for the audience but out of respect for everybody that lost their lives that day to include as many real events regarding 9/11 as I possibly can; for example in the open sequence when the boy’s mother is speaking to her husband the audience will hear him say the words that Peter Hanson said to his father seconds before his plane hit the South Tower. 

The concept of the man's wife being able to see him only at the end when he is about to go back to heaven is an idea that I got from the film 'Ghost' in which at the end the main protagonist is finally heard and seen by his girlfriend before he has to leave Earth to go to heaven.

Research into Film Trailer

After gathering the relevant research about 9/11 I used YouTube to search for trailers surrounding the concept of love and loss. Youtube proved extremely helpful in influencing my ideas and helping to aid the plot of my film trailer. 


P.S. I Love You is a 2007 American drama film directed by Richard LaGravenese. Holly and Gerry are a married couple who are deeply in love, but they fight occasionally. Gerry dies suddenly of a brain tumor and Holly realizes how much he means to her as well as how insignificant their arguments were. Deeply distraught, Holly withdraws from her family and friends until a cake is delivered, and with it is a message from Gerry. It proves to be the first of several meaningful messages all ending with "P.S. I Love You" which he had arranged to have delivered to her after his death. As the seasons pass, each new message fills her with encouragement and sends her on a new adventure.


Ghost is a 1990 American romantic fantasy drama film starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze), a banker, and Molly Jensen (Demi Moore), a talented potter, are a loving couple who move into a New York City apartment. Sam and Molly are attacked by armed thug Willy Lopez (Rick Aviles) and Sam is killed by a gunshot during a struggle with Willie. Sam's ghost arises from his dead body, which lies next to the distraught Molly; he gradually realizes that he is a ghost whose presence cannot be seen or heard. Sam follows the killer, and hears that he will return to Molly's house. He also meets Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg), a con-artist posing as a medium and realizes she can hear him, although Oda Mae had been faking her abilities until then. He persuades Oda Mae to tell Molly that she is in danger, but Molly is disbelieving and Carl later convinces Molly that Oda Mae is a fraud preying on her grief.


At the end of the film Sam goes to Oda Mae and Molly and asks if they are all right after Molly is nearly murdered, Molly suddenly realizes that she can hear him. A heavenly light fills the room and Sam becomes fully visible to both Molly and Oda Mae. Sam looks behind him and sees hundreds of people, presumably angels, in a portal to Heaven. His task is completed and he can move on. Sam says an emotional farewell to Molly, thanks Oda Mae for her help, and departs to the afterlife.

Premonition Film Review

Linda Hanson (Sandra Bullock) lives the days of an eventful week in her life out of chronological order. On Thursday morning she is told by the local Sheriff that her husband Jim Hanson (Julian McMahon) had been killed in a car crash. When Linda wakes she believes it to be the following morning but in fact it is the monday before Jim is killed; she is shocked to find that Jim is still alive; unsure whether she dreamt that Jim died or not she soon realises that the accident has not yet happened and tries to find a way of stopping Jim from being killed.

At the end of the film Linda wakes up once again on Wednesday morning to realise that it is the day that Jim is going to die she goes in search for him. Jim then calls the house and leaves the message from the beginning of the film. At the same time, a frantic Linda is trying to rea
ch Jim. After hearing a beep signaling that he has another call, Jim hangs up realizing that it's Linda. He answers the call. The two have a touching reconciliation, Linda asks him to pull over to the shoulder of the road and Jim pulls over. Linda notices that they’ve reached the "Mile 220" sign and tells Jim that if he trusts her, he must turn around. Jim does so, but not before narrowly being missed by a speeding car. He stops the car and is unable to get it started again. Linda notices a fuel truck approaching and she is now hysterical, screaming at Jim to get out of the car. Jim sits and keeps on trying to start the car. Realizing that he's losing time, Jim frantically tries to open his car door, but he can't. The truck slams into Jim’s car, crushing its roof and presumably killing Jim. The truck then explodes on impact, causing the car to explode on impact also. Linda breaks down and starts to sob uncontrollably.

The movie ends with Linda back home asleep on a mattress with no sheets, her daughters run in and tell her that the moving truck has arrived. Linda kisses her daughters and comments with a smile that her daughter's scars from the accident are healing well. The girls then leave the room and do not close the door. Linda moves to sit on the edge of the bed when suddenly Father Kennedy's voice runs through her head, saying that every day we’re alive can be a miracle. She smiles slightly, and gets up slowly, exposing a pregnant belly.

'City of Angels' Film Review

Also the concept used in 'City of Angels' starring Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage in which a woman (Ryan) and see an angel (Cage) even though nobody else can see him. It is this idea that I will be transferring over to my production.


City of Angels is a 1998 German-American romantic fantasy drama film directed by Brad Silberling. The film stars Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan. Set in Los Angeles, California, the film is a remake of Wim Wenders' 1987 German film Wings of Desire  which was set in Berlin, Germany. In Los Angeles, Seth (Nicolas Cage) is one of many Angels who watch over humans and protect them in unseen ways. Seth's main responsibility is to appear to those who are close to death and guide them to the next life. While waiting to escort to the other world a man who will not survive heart surgery, Seth is impressed by the efforts of the surgeon, Maggie Rice (Meg Ryan), to save the ill-fated man's life and her sincere anguish at her failure to do so. 


Soon after Seth becomes human Maggie is killed by a truck whilst on her bike. Seth apparently senses that Maggie is in trouble and runs to her aid. He arrives in time for Maggie to tell him that she sees the angels who have come to escort her away. Although Seth is no longer able to see the angels, he knows they are there and begs Maggie not to look at them. Maggie tells him that she's not afraid anymore and that when they will ask her what her favorite thing in life used to be, she will say it was Seth. Now grieving and alone, Seth is visited by his former colleague and friend, the angel Cassiel. Cassiel offers comfort and asks Seth if he knew this would happen, would he still decide to become human. Seth answers: "I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss of her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it." It is this that I want the audience to feel and realise at the end of my trailer. 

Chosen Brief for A2 coursework

A promotion package for a new film, to include a teaser trailer, together with two of the following three options: 
- A website home page for the film 
- A film magazine front cover featuring the film 
- A poster for the film 


After much discussion I came to the conclusion to make a movie trailer as I felt it would follow on from the work I did for my AS coursework. For this project I will be working by myself, I feel this could work to my advantage as it gives me the ability to express my personnal views and portray the film trailer as I can imagine it. By working by myself I will also have to produce, film and edit all of the footage myself which could become time consuming as I will not have anybodyelse to help with the filming or editing of the trailer. 


The main topic of the film trailer is about coping with the loss of someone close to you and longing for the chance to say goodbye to them, for me this come from a personal experience of my dad suddenly dying in 2001, I felt that I was not given the chance to say goodbye and tell him how proud I was of him, this is something I wish I could get the opportunity to do. Regarding the back drop of 9/11 I realised that this is an event that not only changed the world but it changed the lives of the families of the 2,996 victims of 9/11 those lucky enough to speak to loved ones were able to say their goodbyes but for many this wasn't the case. 


Unlike many 9/11 based films for me withou degrading 9/11 it is not the main focus of the film it is a sub plot for how the main protagonist lost his life, the main focus of the film is showing how a family and specifically the man's wife deal with life after the events of 9/11 and how they are trying to reshape their family to fit in with this event. The film then goes on to show the husband and wife being reunited for one day only to say their goodbyes allowing them to both accept their futures. 

A2 Documentary - Idea 'What Comes Next.....?'

What Comes Next......? This is the big question what happens next to people, where do people go. Everyday at school, work and in the street people walk past one another and yet do not interact with one another. It is human nature to people watch but what you never get from that person is their past, their history as they say 'everyone has a past' everyone has a story to tell no matter how tragic, happy or inspiring but what does come next for that person.

In my documentary I will be looking into people's past whether it be tragic or happy, the concept is to know something about somebody that very few people know about them, find out how it has changed their lives and to then ask the question "What comes next...?".

The documentary is to engage the audience in to the realisation that we all share this world together and that there have been events in people's lives that have changed their lives for good, changed the direction their life was taking and how they have had to change their life. Everyday we walk past these people in the street, at work or at school and yet have no realistion of what has happened to them, and what their next move, 'What Comes Next....?'

'Who Do You Think You Are' is a BBC One documentary that explores celebrities family trees and uncover events that have impacted on their family through the generations. It is this concept that I will be using for my documentary.

My documentary will be mainly filmed as a one to one interview rather than the person being interviewed speaking to other people. But will follow the same concept as 'Who Do You Think You Are' by exploring the interviewees life and covering events that have changed their life and made them "the person they are today"

The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off

On September 26th 2003; Jonny Kennedy lost his life to a rare inherited condition known as dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (EB or DEB). He was born with no skin on his left leg. Kennedy ultimately died of skin cancer caused by EB. The Channel 4 documentary first shown in March 2004 attracted around 5,000,000 viewers and helped raise £500,000 for the EB charity DEBRA. 
Jonny invited Channel 4 to share and document his last four months of his life; Jonny died in his wheelchair, whilst being filmed for the documentary. 
This documentary gives audience a deep and meaning full insight into Jonny's last months....

The Millionaire and the Murder Mansion

On August bank holiday weekend of 2008 Christopher Foster committed a double murder; killing his wife Jill and 15 year old daughter Kirstie.
Chris Foster lost his piping company Ulva Ltd. the previous year, following this he ran up debts totaling over £2,000,000. A week before the August bank holiday weekend he received a letter telling him that his £1,200,000 country home was being repossessed, the fabricated life he created for his family had been taken away unable to witness his daughter lose her beloved horses he decided to take all of their lives, subsequently burning their house, stables, shooting both the dogs and the horses in the head and returning to his burning home, where he lost his life. 
This documentary reveals the events that took place at Osbaston house.....

The Man Who Predicted 9/11

Rick Rescorla was a retired United States Army officer of British birth. In the 1980's Rick became security chief of the World Trade Center for the financial services firm Morgan Stanley, Rick anticipated both attacks on the towers and implemented evacuation procedures that are credited with saving many lives. He died in the attacks of September 11th 2001, while leading the evacuation efforts.

Rick had most of Morgan Stanley's 2700 employees as well as people working on other floors of tower two safely out of the building by the time United Airlines Flight 175 hit at 9.02 a.m This documentary shows Rick Rescorla's predictions of 9/11 and his actions that saved over 2700 people but subsequently lost his own life in doing so.....

A2 Media Studies

Media Studies - A2 Course Layout