Research and Planning: Teaser Trailer Conventions

Now I have spent some time studying various teaser trailers and full trailers, I now have a rough idea of what is expected in a trailer to give a lasting effect on the audience and make them remember the trailer and want to see the film. The typical time for a teaser trailer would be about 1 minute long, just giving a glimpse of what is to come in the film. In my teaser trailer I would like to include these things:

• Plenty of peaks
• The name of the film 
• The production company which produced our film
• A voice over or titles, maybe both 
• A small insight into the narrative
• Maybe the certificate 

 This teaser trailer of House At The End Of The Street is a good example of a trailer which we would be able to recreate through our editing programs, including imovie or final cut pro. The special effects of this film also aren't extremely advanced despite being a conglomerate film, the trailer also has a lasting effect on the audience as it did on me, meaning that I could make my trailer with just short snippets of the actual narrative and still make the audience want to go and view my film.

Research and Planning: Questionnaire Results

This is one example of a completed questionnaire which we handed out. This is one of 11 questionnaires which we was filled out for us, from these eleven completed questionnaires we was told a lot of helpful information which we can interpret into our film trailer easily due to our constraints on equipment money and time.

1) The recurring answers given to this question included, the performance of the actor/actress, the eyes of the performer being slightly different than normal which can be done by special contact lenses that could be purchased, the hair being wild and crazy and weird behaviour representing a change in the character. All of these can be done by us, as it doesn't seem to be that difficult. Therefore we will try to include each of these in our trailer.

2) The majority of the answers given here was mostly strong. We could have a strong female lead by showing less weeping and less panic coming from the main character, which will definitely be a female.

3) This answer was very torn by the audience, meaning that the decision be left up to us, we have discussed in our group and decided that we will begin our trailer in the day, causing the audience to fall into a false sense of security before beginning the horror and hopefully scaring them.

4) The answer given to this question was to end the horror in the night, meaning that the horror conventions be reinforced in the end and give a lasting effect on the audience.

5) The answer given to this was to have the possession not seen on screen, which is good due to the fact that we could do this easily, as we don't have the special effects or equipment to pull of a convincing possession on screen.

6) The audience said that in the day students would be socializing and watching TV, again easily done by us as it can be easily shown what they're doing.

7) The audience said that there should be a party scene in our trailer as it is students and it would overall make sense that they would be partying. In this scene we could collect a few people and just have people acting excitedly to show a party scene.

8) The last question was again a torn answer, meaning that we will use both titles and a voice over, giving the trailer a better effect, however the voice will have to be deep and like the typical voice on normal trailers.

Research and Planning: Questionnaire Audience Profile

I asked both females and males to help with our trailer due to the fact that our audience isn't aimed at one gender, it is mostly aimed at the both genders. It is also aimed at the 16-18 group, as it is aimed at students who would be in the same situation as the students in the film. The chart above shows the ratio of different ages and genders of who we asked. 

This is a blank copy of the questionnaire which we asked the people to fill in for us, it consists of 8 questions which are closely linked to the narrative of the trailer and how we would represent certain things in our trailer. However, this was a first draft of the questionnaire, we changed the last question to "should we have a voice over or titles".

Research and Planning: Podcast of my Blog so far

This is a podcast describing what I have done in my blogger so far, I have talked through each post in detail.

Research and Planning: Meeting 1

In our first meeting as a group we had to determine who would be in charge of what as it would make the trailer a lot better if it was more organised and sorted, it would also have a better appearance overall, in our meeting we decided that:
I would be in charge of - Sound
Katrina would be in charge of - Mise En Scene
Sophie would be in charge of - Editing

Research and Planning: Coursework update

I have now changed groups, before I was in group which made the pitch which was previously uploaded. However now the trailer which I shall be doing, is a group of students which move into a university house, one ends up possessed and begins killing everyone else on a massacre. The people she kills are her friends, and the main characters are all female including the villain.

Research and Planning: Target Audience IMDB

Out of all the films which are in the this list from IMDB most rated featured films, I would compare my film to that of The Possession as in both films, possession occurs. I would also compare my film to House At The End Of The Street because in both films, movement is present, as is naivety coming from the female characters.  

Research and Planning: Target Audience

Target Audience on Prezi

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Target Audience on Prezi

Research and Planning: Audience Theories

The hypodermic needle: When the media submit a message into the public, it then may cause a change in the audience behaviour and reaction towards the message that they have been given, because they either may disagree or agree with whats being said by the media, or what is being said may have personal effects on the audience. Due to the audience being passive they can't resist the message which is being said by the media.

Cultivation Theory:  This theory suggests that people who tend to watch more television are much more susceptible to believing what is being said by the media. For example, television viewers which watch more violence will believe more violent stories which are being told to them through the media, as it isn't anything different to what they have seen or heard before.

Desensitization: This is when something through the media is made much less sensitive, it also explains the viewers emotional reaction to what they have seen. For example, films such as Human Centipede 2, was put into black and white in order for it to pass the censorship and become desensitization.

Modelling or Copycat theory:  this is the idea that the audience will imitate what they have seen on films or televisions. This is a result of the different reactions from the audience, typical copycat traits include murders or suicides.

Uses & gratification theory: This theory focuses much more on the audience, it shows what the audience takes from the media and that we do not let the media effect us, it is more of what we pick and chose from the media.

Research and Planning: Regulation & Censorship

My film is going to be a 15 certificate due to the fact that the film will be the horror genre, making it instantly not suitable to the younger genre. It also may have strong language, and blood and gore might be involved in the film. My film may also contain violence which fits with the narrative and may not be suitable to be seen by the younger audience.

The trailer, however will be the 12 audience as I want a much wider audience to be aware of my film. My trailer will not involve all the representations of gore and death which the film will, therefore meaning it would be suitable to be seen by the younger audience. The trailer may not contain any strong language, and if any language is involved it will be soft and fitting with the 12 certificate. Due to the fact that the film will still be of the horror genre, the 12 certificate is necessary.

Research & Planning: Trailer Analysis 2

The second trailer I will be analysing is The Ring released in 2002 and rated a 15. The trailer lasts for approximately 2:08 minutes. The director of this film is Gore Verbinski. I think this trailer would be great to take inspiration from due to the mass popularity which the film had.

Genre 

Steve Neales theory is ever present in this trailer as with the one I have previously analysed, the typical horror elements are repeated here, by having the passive woman and the repetition of death. The lighting switches throughout this trailer to high key and low key, it is low key when the tape becomes present in the trailer which adds tension and makes the viewer wary of the tape.We are also able to tell that the trailer is horror by the music, and how it conveys the the scary element and effect on the viewer.  

Representation

The theory of the male gaze is ever present in this trailer, due to the fact that at the beginning of the trailer, it is mostly the woman who are watching the video and the woman which are going to be seen as passive, because they're the ones which are going to die in seven days. The main character of this film, being a woman, is also a single parent and we are shown the responsibility she has of her child, this is normality coming from the males perspective, and a typical stereotype of a woman.

Narrative

The story which surrounds the trailer is that of a video tape. It is said that if you watch the tape you then receive a call telling you that you now have seven days before you are going to die. This is explained in the trailer as the core narrative. The film then dives deeper into the narrative showing how a woman who's niece died from watching the film, takes it upon herself to view the videotape herself, however instead of waiting the seven days in denial, she decides to discover what is causing this to happen. This is shown briefly in the trailer.

Audience

The film has the certificate of 15, meaning that the film is targeted at anyone at the age of 15 and above. This is due to the fact that the film and trailer contain images which are 

• Gory 
• Unsettling 
• Frightening 
• Involve death 

The film appears to be aimed at both men and women, this is because the protagonist in the film is a woman, appealing the females and the narrative of the killer tape appeals to the male. The narrative also contains teenagers, which will appeal to teenagers themselves, as they're seeing something they could perhaps be able to relate too.

Media Language

Cinematography

• The trailer begins with a close up on the tape, introducing the audience to the main reason for the film and also by having the close up it emphasizes some importance on the tape. It then changes to a close up of the girl talking you through what happens if you watch the videotape. Already we are given the main points of the narrative and the importance and effects just from the the opening close ups.
• During the conversation between the mother and son, we are given close ups once more this is to show fully the facial expressions of the two, and the effects of the conversation on both of them.
• There is then a long shot of a video case, showing the video tape standing alone from the others in some space, showing its difference from other videotapes.
• There is then a medium close up of the woman watching the tape which then switches to a point of view shot at a close up, putting us in the shoes of the woman, putting the viewer in a vulnerable position. 
• A close up slow zoom of the phone then occurs quickly after a close up of the womans face has been shown after she had seen the videotape, conveying the horror on her face. There is then a medium close up of the woman answering the phone and hearing that 'seven days', the medium close up allows us to her as unprotected and vulnerable also done by not using tight framing. 
• There is then a sequence of close ups of the little boy and the pictures he had drawn. This gives us the impression that the son has a incline in what is going on surrounding the tape. 
• There is then a fast sequence of mostly close ups and long shots of the protagonist in risky situations, yet not giving too much away in regards to that film. 

Mise En Scene

• The facial expressions of the characters are always shown to be quite horrific and scared. The fear that the character is feeling is then projected into the viewer, increasing the overall horror experience.
• The colours which the characters wear are very neutral and don't appear to be very extrovert. This may have been done due to the fact that it isn't really a happy film and so a neutral and steady mood wants to be kept throughout, and the clothes also reflect the atmosphere of the film, for example the protagonists brown coat and black bag.
• The locations used seem to quite typical and normal at the beginning, for example houses and living rooms. However as the trailer progresses we are given the destinations that the protagonist visits for example the mental institute. 
• The lighting mostly appears to be quite high key lighting all the way through, meaning that the lighting is a paradox of what is actually happening in the trailer, due to the trailer surrounding death. However towards the end when the protagonist visits the places of the tape, we are given a lower key lighting, to show that something may be about to occur.  

Editing

• There is beginning fades whilst some of the contents of the tape is being shown, showing how the tape is symbolic to something coming to end, for example in this case it would be the life of the person who is watching the tape, as they are given seven days to live. A shot reverse shot then occurs whilst the two friends are conversing.
• There is then a series of jump cuts which occur whilst the main woman and little boy are discussing the girl which had previously died from watching the tape. The jump cuts show time periods where she had been watching the tape to the seven days which take place after the video. 
• There is then a jump cut, firstly showing the video stand with the killer videotape isolated from the others, another jump cut shows the woman putting the tape into her bag. The next jump cut shows the woman watching the tape, and the final jump cut shows the woman answering the phone. This sequence of jump cuts show the happenings during a period of time.
• There is then a very quick series of once again jump cuts, the high use of jump cuts show that the film isn't in any chronological order and that the tape has messed with the characters, causing them to be a bit all over the place.

Sound

• The trailer starts with a voice over which is explaining what happens with the videotape, this occurs while the videotape is being shown to the viewer. It then changes into a diegetic dialogue coming from the character, explaining further what happens in regards to the videotape. 
• Voice overs are used frequently in this trailer to keep the viewer fully informed what is happening in the trailer. 
• Sound effects include the phone ringing and the score in the background of the trailer, which occurs whilst the character is explaining what happens if you watch the tape.
• There is non diegetic dialogue which occurs each time one of the characters get a phone call, which tells them that they're going to die in seven days. It is non diegetic as it creates a sense of mystery to the viewer, and engages them deeper into the narrative.    

Research and Planning: Trailer Analysis 1

The first trailer I will be analysing is a full trailer lasting 2:31, this film came out in 2005 and was given the rating of 15, the film was directed by Andrew Douglas. I think this trailer specifically will give me an insight into what a horror trailer will need to be effective, as first time I seen this, it stayed on my mind and gave me a bit of fright. This trailer will help me when it comes to me making my trailer, as I can take inspiration from the aspects used.

Genre 

Despite this film being the horror/thriller genre it is only rated a 15, this may be because they wanted to attract a much wider audience. Steve Neale claimed that 'genre is a repetition with an underlying pattern of variations' this is clearly evident in this trailer. We see this by the typical horror conventions which are used throughout, for example the lighting starts off quite high key, implying a false first impression to the viewer and making them feel comfortable. It then progresses to low key lighting, bringing the audience out of their comfort zone and increasing the horror effect greatly. Another stereotypical horror convention is the music, which starts of very slow pace, yet as soon as the murders are made aware their is a kick-drum sound also included, at this point the pace becomes a lot faster. Other typical traits of the horror genre shown include the big house, being set in the night time, screams, blood etc.


Representation

Laura Mulveys theory is that everything from the other end of the camera is seen through a male perspective. This film relates to this theory in some ways, yet in other ways it doesn't. A negativity of this theory in regards to this film is that it is the husband of the family, who typically is the active lead of the family, is the one who becomes possessed and therefore a much more passive character. However, a way in which the camera does show the male glaze is how the woman is quite passive, and throughout this trailer we see her in a flustered state weeping and screaming. The woman in the film, is also stereotyped as a house wife, shown carrying in washing at 1:03 and predominantly looking after the children.

Narrative 

As with most trailers, we can see that Todorovs theory is ever present here. We are able to see part of the equilibrium of the couple arriving at their new house, which sets the audience up with a rough idea of what the film is about, and gives the audience themes which run through the film, for example movement and horror. Then we can see many disruptions which are made to grab the audience attention and makes them want to view the whole thing, by having the disruptions and peaks stay in the audiences mind. However, no climax or new equilibrium is shown in the trailer, this is due to the fact that it is only a trailer and by showing the climax you're giving the film away and leaving nothing for the audience to think about, or want to go to the cinema to see for themselves.

Audience

This film is aimed at the audience of 15 year olds, this is due to the fact that the film could potentially contain things such as:

• Sex and nudity 
• Violence
• Gore
• Frightening images 

Personally, I don't think that a specific targeted gender was set for the making of this film. I think it has aspects which appeal to both male and female, for example the fright which it gives. Overall for a person to enjoy this film they would have to appreciate the scary and horror genre. 

Media Language 

Mise En Scene 

• The lighting at the beginning of this trailer is predominantly high key lighting due to the enigma at the start. It is not till the full extent of what happened in the house that the lighting changes to low key, which is very stereotypical of a horror film. This is because the enigma is now over. The audience are now aware of what has happened and so therefore the objective is not to mainly scare the viewer, which is done through the lighting. 
• The facial expressions and reactions of the actors show that the trailer is meant to be scary as throughout the actors look worried and frightened by what is happening in the trailer. This again is stereotypical of a horror genre.
• The locations of this film don't appear to be very modern, the house shown is greatly outdated and covered with trees and shadows to emphasise the suspicious feel surrounding the house. The house also stands alone and appears quite isolated, instead of choosing a suburban area which would have been much more packed. 
• The outfits worn aren't very outgoing and stick with the neutral colours of black white and brown. The woman in the film sticks with the casual jeans and t-shirt look, this may be to emphasise on how they're normal people, making the effect on the viewer much greater.

Cinematography

• The trailer begins with a birds eye long shot showing the car travelling towards the new house, the shot then continues to a close up of the couple then back to a birds eye long shot of the house. The opening shots here show connections of the couple to the house.
• There is then a low angle long shot from the couples perspective showing just how much ground the house covers.
• There is now a sequence of jump cuts showing the couple in different areas of the house, these shots are shown in long shots and close ups showing the surrounding area around them, and showing how pleased they are, which is quite a paradox considering the horrific surroundings and upcoming events.
• A flashback now occurs in the form of a small montage to show previous murders which took place in the house, each shots are shown in close ups with tight framing to show emphasize the horror beginning. 
• The house is then shown again at a low angle long shot, this causes the audience to feel vulnerable as the house is shown to be superior over the audience, again increasing horror.
• There once again is a flashback in the form of a family video, showing them to be happy and comfortable in the house, throughout this short sequence there is a repetition of close ups and long shots, however they're all at low angle. As if because they're looking down on us from the house.
•    A camera pan then follows the mother into the daughters room at a medium long shot, the camera then stops static to show the horror girl at a medium close up yet only for a mere second.
• There then occurs an over the shoulder shot of the mother talking to her daughter, from the high angle we are given we can almost assume that the mother is looking down on what her daughter is saying, signifying that at this point, she doesn't believe. 
• The next sequence of shots are mostly close ups and medium close ups of both the mother and scary dead girl, showing the effects the dead girl is having on the mother. 
• We then see the fear coming from the father through a series of close ups on his face, after seeing horror images which too are at close ups, making it more horrific to the viewer.
• After we see the effects on the father, we are shown instantly the effects of the mother through the numerous close ups on her face, showing her being very emotional and quite passive.
• For the next 20 seconds every shot is a close up of each of the characters being quite distressed making it appear a lot scarier to the viewer. The next long shot is of the vicar, by showing him at a long shot, we can almost see that he has power. 

Editing 

• The trailer begins with a fade from the birds eye view to the close up in the car, showing an apparent connection between the two. 
• There is then a series of jump cuts which occur very quickly, to show what had previously happened in the house. In between each jump shot there is a black screen shown, black can symbolise death and upset. 
• Titles then appear on the screen to help the viewer through the occurrences of the trailer, for example they appear at 0.46 and 0.55. 
• There then begins a sequence of fades through shots from the characters the house, showing a clear link between the two and the reason for the horrors, fades also signify the end. Meaning that the house may symbolise the end for this couple.
• There is then shot reverse shots as the mother and daughter converse in the bedroom, typical editing for a conversation.
• There is also again shot reverse shots as the mother converses with the vicar, the shot reverse shots show the horror in the woman's face which rubs off onto the viewer. 
• There is then a lot of jump cuts showing the different peaks occurring through different periods of time. 

Sound

• The trailer begins with a non diegetic voice over, this voice over comes from the male character, who is informing the audience what is happening. This happens throughout the trailer, non diegetic voice overs appear, just to keep the viewer informed on what is happening. 
• At the beginning of the trailer, behind the voice over the score appears to be quite calm and soothing, making the viewer fall into a false security telling them everything is good for now, however this is soon to be stripped away from the viewer, as the score becomes much more upbeat and fast past.
• The intensity of the music increases as we find out what went on in the house before the couple moved in, whilst the shots of the murders are happening. 
• Sounds effects are added over the trailer for example children laughing and gun shots, which are quite typical for a horror film. This is because it increases the horror genre and the horrific feel upon the viewer greatly. 
• Dialogue is also shown throughout the trailer, the dialogue can differ from being quite calm to much more panicky and dramatic, showing the viewer what is happening throughout the trailer.

Research and Planning: Interview Videos

1) On the first interview, we was told that the anticipation makes the film a lot scarier, and as our trailer that we will be working on follows the horror genre, we will include a build up of anticipation to emphasize the 'scariness' as the interviewee puts it.

2) On two of the interviews we was told that the best music pace would be slow building up to fast as it creates suspense, the 3rd interviewee told us that fast heavy metal music would be best as he says it suits more of horror film and that 'daisy pick up music' wouldn't work well, however due to the majority vote, we will be using music that starts slow and ends fast to create greater tension.

3) In all three of our interviews we was told that an 18 certificate would be more effective for a film, as it shows that the film would be 'scarier' 'more gorey' and 'more gruesome'. Therefore, my trailer is going to be an 18, with an emphasis on gore and gruesomeness as each three of our participants would appreciate this more in a horror film.

4) The sound effects which we was told to use, included screams and explosions as it makes it much more 'cinematic' despite it being difficult to include explosions in our trailers, we will try through the editing tools which we have. We was also told that footsteps would be good as it 'ohhh' by this, I think he means that it adds tension. We was also told that 'sudden loud bangs' would be a good sound effect, each of these will be interpreted somewhere in the trailer as it is what the audience want to see.

5) The best conventions of a horror film we was told included possession, which is good as one of our pitches include a possession story. Scariness, which we will try to create to the best of our ability by using the anticipation which was suggested. Finally, we was told that people dying would be a good convention, also being quite good as both of our pitches include death

Research and Planning: Interview Questions

• What are the best conventions of a horror film? 

• What is your favourite horror film and why?

• What music do you think would be best in  a horror film, slow/fast pace and why?

• What do you find is better and more entertaining certificate for a film, 15 or 18? 

• What are the best settings for a horror film?

• What type of sound effects would you find express the horror conventions best?   

• Where would you suggest the best local area to film a horror scene?

• Whats the most effective way to die in a horror film and why?

Research and Planning: Facebook feedback

 

This is the status I set on Facebook asking for any good films which I could analyze, the peer responses I gathered were taken into consideration and I will be certain to analyze one of these films as it is what the audience want. Meaning I could also interpret some of the ideas behind the films I analyze into my trailer. 

Research and Planning: Photoshop Challenge

On my Photoshop challenge, I took a picture from the web, and turned it into my background.
I then used the pencil tool, and changed the thickness so that it was quite thin giving it a better effect, I scratched out the eyes as I thought it would express the horror conventions stronger, as did the colours of the picture chosen from the internet, due to them being predominantly dark . I then went over the black cross slightly, keeping the same thickness in the pencil yet used a white instead of black, to make it look a bit more realistic and more professional.

Research and Planning: The Pitch

This is my pitch that me and Jack developed, taking into consideration the certificate the trailers would be given, the inspiration and research for our trailers, and also some of the cinematography which is included in the bullet points of the pitch.

Research and Planning: The Test

http://hannahmcgraila2media.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/research-planning-test.html