Editing The Movie Trailer

Step 1: Setting Up Preferences

To start up with my trailer, I opened a new project and named it my movie title "Love Vendetta". Next up, I setup my sequence page and adjust the measurements according to the assignment criteria. (See Screenshot Below)

I setup the sequence presets and settings based on my assignment criteria. (See Screenshot Below)

Step 2: Creating the Bins

Next up is to create Bins and rename them and save it as folders. I created 6 bins named as followed: Audio, Clips, Film, Images, Sequences, Titles. (See Screenshot Below)

Step 3: Importing Media

The next step is importing the media into the bins. I imported 2 audio files in the audio folder, I had about 20 clips in my clips folder (the clips are marked in and marked out clips from the films I wanted to edit from), I downloaded 9 short films that consisted all the actors, actresses and mini movies that I will use to create and edit my trailer, I had only one image imported but I decided not to use it later on when I was editing the trailer, I had 1 sequence named "Original Trailer" and this was the actual file/sequence I was using. Lastly, I had about 5 titles edited effectively and used through the trailer. 

Step 4: Timeline and Basic Editing

My timeline is a minute long according to the criteria so my clips cant be long, I edited them short and detailed. After editing my clips from the films I imported, I dragged them all to the timeline, these where the clips I will be using and editing. After dragging it all, I snapped them together according to the scenes and all was unlinked because I was not using all of the audio in the clips, it was just some I needed since the audio I imported was used through-out the trailer . Moreover, I added my audio files to the timeline. I had two audio files, the first one I used at the beginning of the trailer and to some part I cut it using the Razor tool. The next audio was snapped with the first one and between I added a transition effect (explained in step 5) and the second audio started after the transition. It played through till the end of the trailer and I used the Razor tool again to end it. (See Screenshots Below)

Step 5: Adding Transitions and Effects

In every step of the way I added transitions both Audio and Video where it was needed. Under the Effects menu I choose the video transitions for the video and the audio transitions for the audio. For the video transitions I choose the Dissolve folder and only used Dip to Black, Dip to White and Film Dissolve was the Transitions I used for the video. For the Audio I choose the Cross-fade folder and used the Constant Power and Exponential Fade. All of these transitions were used accordingly and repeated at times. (See Screenshot Below).

The above screenshot shows the transitions, they are the tiny Grey Boxes through-out. 

Step 6: Using the Tools

I used various tools and functions. I used not alot because my trailer was very basic so the tools used were the much needed ones. The following were the tools I used: Razor tool to cut clips or audios, Pen tool to dot the points for the key-frames (used this to control the volume of my Audio in specific areas, when I needed no background audio this tools comes in handy),  Ripple Edit tool is what I used to edit the videos and audio ( I increase the clip by increasingly stretching the playtime and reduce the clip by decrease the clip), Zoom tool is what I used to zoom out and in my timeline and the Slide tool is what I used to slide my objects around to snap onto other objects. 

Step 7: Adding Titles

In my trailer I have added 10 titles to it. I first did an intro title "When a Man Falls in Love" choosing a Black background and a Still effect, the next title "He does Everything Necessary" was also a Still effect but no background, "Things can get Ugly" was my next; it had a Default Roll effect to it with no background, the next title was "Vendetta Against Men" it had a Default Crawl to it with no Background. "Warner Bros. Presents" was on a Default Roll effect, the other 3 titles where the names of the characters in the trailer. Lastly, "Love Vendetta....This Summer" was the last title which acts as the movie title and adverts when the movie is coming out. (See Screenshots Below).

As you can see the screenshots above are the different types of titles. Every title I create I adjusted the Title properties in the Title Properties Column, I adjust the Shadow, Background, Fill/Font colour and the Font. I used the Trajan Pro font as my font for all titles. I used the alignments of vertical center and horizontal center to align the title position and the Roll/Crawl option to time the frames (See Screenshots Below). I also select the width and height of the title and the preferred position. All the titles where snapped and placed on where its needed in the timeline.

Step 8: Finishing Touches and Final Playback

After editing with effects and transitions I just adjusted the volume controls and I was satisfied with the final playback of the trailer.

In conclusion, this movie trailer was edited in a basic way. It was quite quick unlike the DVD Case and the Label maybe because it was a minute long. Better yet I was satisfied with the whole document respectively.

Creating The DVD Label

Creating the Label

Step 1

The DVD Label was created successfully using Adobe Illustrator. 
I start off by creating the label with the measurements in the assignment criteria to create a  Template. After creating a new document and naming it DVD Label, I set the document size to 120mm both the width and height.

Step 2: Creating the Template

I selected the eclipse tool from my tools pallet and set it to 118 millimetres. (See Screenshot Below).

I placed the circle in the center, to be accurate I used the transform tool and turned on the center reference point in the center. I then enter 60mm on my X and Y coordinates to place the circle on the center accurately.
 I did the same procedure again creating another eclipse of 117mm and transformed it to the center. (See Screenshot below).

I did the same procedure again creating another eclipse of 25mm and transformed it to the center. (See Screenshot below).

 I did the same procedure again creating another eclipse of 17mm and transformed it to the center. (See Screenshot below).

The above screenshot is my Template for my DVD Label, after I centred all the eclipse accurately I locked the Template layer so it stays and avoid mistakes.
At this stage my Template is done and my next step is to create a vector image to use it as my main image and background for my label.

Step 3: Creating the Vector Image

I made my vector image by tracing an image and expanding it to convert the image to an editable object. I then applied different shades and transparencies using the Threshold option. The result is a beautiful and realistic looking traced stroke that is 100% vector. 

First up, I imported an image to Illustrator to start up and make it a vector image using the method above. See image below.

Then I selected the Object menu and Live Trace, under the Live Trace menu I choose the Tracing Options. In the Tracing Options window, I choose “One Colour Logo” for the Preset, and then bumped the Threshold up to 220. I then clicked “Trace” and saw the result as a solid black shape of my image (See Screenshot Below).

Once I had my image traced,I selected clicked the Object menu and chose the Expand option to convert the trace to an editable object, and reduce the colour to 20% black. (See Screenshot Below).

 With the shape selected I went back to Object -> Hide ->Selection to hide the shape from view. (See Screenshot Below).

I repeated the above steps 3 times, pasting the image on a new layer each time. For each image, I reduced the threshold setting in the Tracing Options window down to (160, 80, and 50) to reveal more detail with each trace. Once it is traced and expanded, I increased the black colour by 20% (so… 40%, 60%, and 80%).

Also, note that when I pasted the image it lands in the exact place the previous images did. Therefore, the resulting traced shapes are directly on top of one another. As shown on the screenshot below.

As seen above the layers are traced and directly on top of one another. It is visible by the colour of each layer and fades slightly in the next layer and so on. (See Screenshot Below).

Now that I have all of my traced images on separate layers, I selected the Object -> Show All to reveal all of the shapes. The image below is the final piece.

Step 4: Creating Bloody Drips and Importing the Title

I started by drawing a spherical shape on an area in my label, I used the eclipse tool, hold down SHIFT on my keyboard and drew a little circle. (See Screenshot Below).

Secondly, I selected all and removed the stroke on the object/circle and applied a colour to it. I choose a bloody colour on my colour pallet. Next up, I selected the Direct Selection tool and click-dragged my top anchor point of my object as you can see on the screenshot above (3 anchor points highlighted). Thirdly, after selecting my anchor point I hold SHIFT on my keyboard to avoid the object to expand and whilst holding the shift key I dragged the object to a preferred height I wanted my drips to be. (See Screenshot Below).

After dragging the object to a preferred height, I selected the Add Anchor Point tool under the Pen tool from my tools pallet and selected the part I want to shrink. I did this by clicking a point on my object both left and right with my Pen tool and selecting my Direct Selection tool to highlight these points and I moved/shrink it in. I did this on both left and right of the object. (See Screenshots Below).

After editing the anchor points and shrinking it, I wanted to apply a 3D effect to it to look like an actual blood dripping look. To start, I selected my Mesh tool from my tools pallet and selected where I wanted the 3D highlight on my object. After selecting the area I wanted I opened the CMYK pallet under the colour pallet and reduce the darkness of the "C" bar, basically I increased the lightness of the specific area of the object to have a 3D effect on it. (See Screenshot Below).

As you can see the above screenshot shows that the drip is looking quit realistic. Next up, I needed to replicate the drips to have more than 1. I clicked on the drip and Hold down ALT on my keyboard and dragged and drop it to a desire place. This is the method I did to have multiple drips. Lastly, I edited the drips by reducing the size and shrinking different ones so they wont look alike. Basically, to make the drips look realistic. (See Screenshot Below).

The above screenshot shows the multiple drips with different sizes, length and width by editing the anchor points on each one but with the same effect. This made it look unique.

Title Importation

Next up, I needed to export my DVD Case Title on my label. I saved it after cropping it off my case and I imported it by going to File->Place->Choose File "Title" option and the Title is imported safely. (See Screenshots Below).

After going through the importation, my title is imported as you can see the screenshot above. I placed it at the bottom-center of the label.

Step 5: Importing the Vector Image onto the Label

After creating my vector, I need to import it to my label to fit and represent as both the cover and background of the DVD Label. I opened the Label and selected all the layers, copied and pasted it to the label. After pasting, I placed it to the center of the label and dragged out the corners (as you can see it highlighted) to make the backgrounds grey so the vector will stand out uniquely. (See Screenshots Below).

After importing and placing the vector into position, I moved the Blood Dripping layer underneath the vector image layer so the blood drips will be on top of the vector  as seen above. Then as you can see the Label have some tiny text around it, it was quit simple. I typed some movie copyright notes and pasted it using the Text tool and the Type On A Path tool, I then rotated it to align and fit like a semi-circle just like the original DVD label.

Step 6: Importing Logos 

Next up, I needed some logos to paste it on the Label so it can look realistic. I edited some logos on Photoshop like a DVD logo, Warner.Bros logo, Dolby Digital Logo, DTS logo, Parental Advisory logo and an Age Restriction (18) logo. I created 6 layers and imported them one by one from Photoshop after saving it. (See Screenshot Below).

Pretty much, my label was looking great and I was satisfied with it.

Final Look

Final Look above, as I finished this document. 

Creating The DVD Case (Front, Spine and Back)

In this post, I am going to show you how I created my DVD Case. The final look is the image above ready to be publish and printed. The next steps is how I designed, create and build the case into completion.

Creating the Template and Layers/Groups

Firstly, I created a new document on Photoshop and adjusted my bearings like the width, height, resolution and colour modes etc.  Secondly, I constructed my DVD case template (as seen below) using the measurement criteria on the assignment brief. I used the tools like the guides, rulers, grid-lines and move tools. 

After creating my template I created a layers and two groups which I will be working on. I named the groups Front and Spine, Back and the layer Background as seen below. I also created sub-layers and folders in those groups as I was creating the case.

Moreover, I created a layer mask in both Front & Spine and Back groups(as seen above) so I can organise the sub-layers and folders in the groups. At this stage I used the hide all option under the layer mask option and whilst the layer mask was selected I used the rectangular tool and selected the front and spine area and clicked delete, this made the front and spine only visible and lock the back layer and vise versa. The advantage of this is it hides the other groups and make them separate entities it also makes you work on that layer to avoid any unwanted objects snapping in the other layer. This made my work smooth and fast.
Lastly, I changed the Background layer colour to Black preferably. I did this by holding Ctrl-A on my keyboard to select the whole template and hold Alt-Delete key to fill the selected area with the foreground colour which was Black.

Creating The Front and Spine

Step 1: Firstly, I brought some elements into the front cover. I open and went to images to select my main character for the movie and dragged it into the front cover. After pasting, I resized it using the Transform tool and held the shift key so I wont lose the resolution and proportion of the image . I placed it into a preferred position as shown below. Secondly, I created a layer mask for my image and selected reveal all under the layer mask option to see what I was masking, the reason why I created a layer mask is because I wanted to gradually fade out the image effectively and apply effects to it. Thirdly, I used the the Gradient tool to fade out the outline of the image, the gradient I used is the Black&White (Foreground to Background). With the gradient mode set to normal, I drew a straight line moving inwards the image to fade out the parts I want.

Up next, I imported my second image I wanted and that's the sub-character of the movie as shown below, I did the same procedure like the first image (Layer Mask -> Reveal All -> Gradient Tool etc.) 

Step 2: Adjustment Layers and Effects

After importing the both images I created an Adjustment Layer (as shown above) and selected the Hue/Saturation option, I then used the different levels to adjust the hue, saturation and brightness of my image to my preferable tone (as shown below). I then added a blending mode to interact with the adjustments of my images so it can look more original, I liked and choose the hard light option in that instance.

Next up I needed something to grunge the cover and make more lively, I decided to create a new layer and import another image which was a city view artwork and I over-layed it with my two main images. After transforming it to the front cover size I then applied a blending mode to and dragged it underneath the two layered images so it can lay under them. (Shown Below)

Step 3: Creating the Title

After creating a new layer and named it as Title and selected the Text tool to type in my movie title "Love Vendetta". In creating the title I opened the Character pallet to guide me select my type of font, font size, colour and effects. 

In the character pallet I choose my font as Trajan Pro, colour as White and set my preferred font size and positioned it were I wanted it.

Overall I wanted to made a glow effect to the whole title, I choose the Outer Glow style in the Layer Styles Menu (as shown in the screenshots below). 

I set its blending mode to Normal, the opacity to 100, the spread to 2 and the size to 55. 

That's how it looks (Above) but I wanted to add some more modifications to it. I then right clicked on the title layer and choose the Convert to Smart Object option. I needed to do some tweaks with the title that's why I went for this option so any changes I make will be applied to the object. Next up, I applied a smart filter to my text under the filter menu, I went for the Blur effect and specifically Motion Blur.

I set the angle to 90 degrees and the distance to about 210 pixels.

As you can see the screenshot above, that's the result of the Blur effect and additionally I sharpen the text edges found in the filter menu. These two effects complimented the title effectively. I adjusted the opacity of the text and added a drop shadow effect too. Next up, I wanted my title to be unique and link with what it really means i.e. Vendetta is a word I can use to make a bloody effect because the meaning of it links with the effect chosen respectively. With this concept, I edited the word "Vendetta" and started with a blood colour, I choose 9f0404 on my colour pallet which was a perfect bloody colour. Secondly, I selected a sizeable brush from my brush pallet and drew dripping lines off each letter, I drew multiple lines off each letter to make the dripping look more original. 

The above screenshot is the result after editing the text using a bloody colour and drawing dripping line with the brush tool. After this, I selected the liquefy option under the filter menu and that's the screenshot page above. I then adjusted my tool options of the right upper corner of the page and adjust the Brush Size to 40, Brush Density to 25, Brush Rate to 28. Up next, I selected the Pucker tool and hold shift on my keyboard and then go over every line with the pucker tool, what this does it shrinks the line and make a drippy look and the tip of the line. Lastly, I selected the Bloat tool and clicked-hold the drip end, what this does is it makes the drip thicker and make it look more original. (As seen Below).

After using various tools and effects, my text was looking good but I wanted to tweak it more by adding a blending mode to it. I added few effects to it like a Drop Shadow effect, Bevel&Emboss and Inner Shadow. I tuned the opacity level and set the blending mode option to Hard Light. (As Shown Below).

After applying a blending mode my text was looking Perfect and its look linked with its meaning. The below screenshot image is the final look of the "Vendetta" text. 

As you can see, the title is looking more professional after all the editing I put in to it. Lastly, I added a slogan to the movie and I placed it underneath the title. Quote "Vendetta Against Men" to define movie. (Seen Below).

Title and Slogan

Step 4: Creating the Cast Names

At the top of my front cover I wanted to add some cast member names like the actors and actresses in the movie just like the normal DVD cover looks like. To start, I created 5 layers and selected the Text tool. On each layer, I created text and an actor and on the next one I did the same. I did this on all 5 layers, lastly I applied some effects to it like Bevel&Emboss, Stroke, Drop Shadow and Inner Glow so they could look better than its original look. (See Screenshot Below).

The Spine

After successfully creating and editing the title I needed the same title on the spine, it was quite easy. I duplicate the title layer and placed it on the spine of the cover, whilst placing it I used the Transform tool to select the text and rotated it to fit the spine. (See Screenshot Below).

Creating the Back Cover

To start with the Back cover I created a tagline of text on the top part of the back cover named "Love, Liberty and the Pursuit of Vendetta..." that links with the movie title and movie it self. Basically, its a slogan for the movie. (See Screenshot Below)

Step 1: Still Images

Next up I wanted to add some still images on the back cover, to do that I started by selecting the Rectangle tool from the tools pallet. I then created 3 rectangular objects beneath the tagline to import the images on to the objects, the rectangular object fitted the position with equal distance apart and created a clipping mask on each of them. I then named my layers picture 1, picture 2 and 3 in the layers pallet. These are vector shapes so next up I imported my images into these shapes, when I imported the images they where big in size so I had to crop it; before resizing it I wanted to clip them with the shapes so moved the first image layer on top of the picture 1 layer and hold the Alt key on my keyboard. This indicates an icon to paste the object within the mask, when I clicked whilst pressing the Alt key the image is pasted within the shape and its locked within the shape. This allows the image to be edited within the shape and where you move it, it stays inside the rectangle shape and this saves you time. I then resized the image by using the Transform tool (Ctrl-T) and moving the image within the shape and resizing it till it fits in the shape perfectly, I did this whole process in the other two images namely (picture 2 and 3) inside the other two rectangles. (See Screenshot Below)

As you can see the screenshots above as explained. Lastly, I added a Stroke effect to each rectangle as seen above. I created the stroke colour as White, 5 pixels, positioned outside, Blending mode to Normal and the Opacity to 100%. These 3 still images are all dragged in a group named Still Images in the layers pallet after editing. 

Step 2: Movie Description/Text

After creating my still images I then selected the Text tool to create my movie description underneath my still images, this process was quick as I have typed my description on Microsoft Word already. After pasting my text into the text box, I changed the font size to 10, colour to White and the leading to 12. (See Screenshot Below).

After adding the movie description text, I added an Image onto the back cover background. The image was a bloody letter V image to icon the name vendetta. (See Screenshot Below).

 I then created a new layer and imported the image and added a blending mode to it so it can match the original case background which is Black. (See Screenshot Below). 

After added the background image I added a Text below the back cover and this was the Cast and Credits of the movie. It was quit easy, just like I did on the movie description. I created a layer and selected the Text tool , this process was quick as I have typed my casting crew names and other details on Microsoft Word already. After I pasted my text into the text box, I changed the font as Arial and the size to 12, colour to White and the leading to 12, narrowed the text to 40 and adjusted the paragraph settings. I reduced the size of some text like with,and,presents etc to size 9 so it can have the DVD script-like look.(See Screenshot Below).

Step 3: Creating The Montage

To start off with, I created a layer group and named it Montage. A blank layer was created next which was inside the montage layer group, next up was to edit the area of the montage and I did this by selecting the Brush tool and selecting the "Chalk 60 Pixels" from the brush pallet. I checked the Shape Dynamics and adjusted the size jitter, I checked the Scattering and adjusted the scatter, count and count jitter. By doing this  I was seeing the preview of the effect on the bottom of the page and I was satisfied with the effect. (See Screenshot Below).

Next up I started painting the area of the montage as I know I will create a clipping mask after painting to tweak it a bit. (See Screenshot Below)

After the painting is done I imported some images I wanted to paste on the montage, I imported a Heart image and resized it with the Transform tool and positioned the wanted part of the image over the image. The heart image was on its own layer and the montage painting too, so with these two layers I clipped them by holding the ALT key on the keyboard and clicked in-between the two just what I have done on the still images and the picture was pasted within the painted area of the montage. (See Screenshot Below).

Next up I imported two images I've already edited on Photoshop already, after resizing both images I placed one image on the end of the montage area and the other on the opposite end. I positioned both images with the heart in-between them and symbolising the love as the movie entails. I then added a clipping mask and then created a Gradient effect on both imaged using the Gradient tool, before starting the gradient process I add a blending mode of Darken to both images so I can apply a gradient from left to right of the image so they can blend in with the montage. (See Screenshot Below).

Lastly, I added 2 adjustment layers of Colour Balance and Hue&Saturation and clipped them with the other layers and objects. This spice up the montage a bit and I was satisfied with the look.

Final Look

As you can see the above screenshot shows the final look of the DVD Case. I added a DVD Icon, Ratings, Age Restrictions Icons, Sponsor and Region Information on both the front, spine and back cover.