Evaluation - Question One
- 1. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCTS USE, DEVELOP AND CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS? By Georgie Jackson-Nash, Molly Lancaster and Georgina Moore.
- 2. THE UNINVITED HORROR TRAILER In order to make a successful horror trailer our group realised that certain aspects of our trailer would need to be similar to established and recognisable horror trailers. We researched into many existing and successful trailers in order to gain inspiration and recognise the reoccurring genre conventions. We wanted to be able to understand what audiences expected from this genre and what was imperative for us to include. However we wanted to present some of our own originality and challenge these conventions so a stronger message is brought across to the audience and our ideas weren’t entirely predictable.
- 3. THE UNINVITED HORROR TRAILER Research- In order to take our horror trailer to it’s highest standard, we carried out research so we could analyse and take inspiration. We researched into different sub-genres and the Slasher genre appealed most to us. We came across an urban legend ‘The babysitter and the man upstairs,’ we found we could base our initial plot around this but putting our own twist upon it. We carried out most of our research on YouTube by watching existing trailers, here we could identify the key conventions which we wanted to involve in our trailer as we could tell they worked well. The majority of the trailers we viewed involved key scenes that left the viewer wanting to carry on watching the full film.
- 4. WHEN A STRANGER CALLS - 2006
- 5. WHEN A STRANGER CALLS - 2006 As we had a basis for our film, in terms of the urban legend. We researched into films that were similar to this, we soon came across ‘When a Stranger Calls’ which was based entirely on the urban legend we had found, although with a modern twist. This film was already a remake of the famous original in 1976 so we knew this type of film already had a fan base and was moderately successful. We decided to not follow in the footsteps of this film because it would take away our own originality. Instead we altered the ideas we initially had, changing key scenes planned for the trailer.
- 6. KEY ELEMENTS WITHIN THE TRAILER At the beginning of the trailer we decided to include the preview screen. After our in depth research to existing trailers, we found that this consistently came up. Therefore we included the preview screen within our own trailer so that it’s appearance became more realistic. After reading through our audience feedback it appeared to work well, most answers said that they liked the idea of this and they felt the trailer did seem more realistic to them when viewing it.
- 7. Another key element trailers commonly include is their production logo before the trailer begins. This is to initially advertise the production house, giving the trailer a more of a professional look and as a group we decided to include this element within our own trailer to advertise our brand and keeping a professional, realistic approach. The length of our trailer also reflects this of a teaser trailer. Initially they should last between a minute or a minute and a half. The reasons for are to entice the audience as much as possible without giving away too much of the storyline. Our own trailer ended up being just over a minute in length, reflecting this. When a stranger calls - Production Logo. Our GMG Productions Logo.
- 8. Throughout our research into existing trailers we found that commonly an extreme close up focuses upon the main plot focus. When a Stranger Calls uses a close up of a phone, used and referenced throughout the film, thus enticing audience to ask questions like Who’s calling? Why are they calling?. Mirroring this, we used the images of the children, as this is constantly referenced in our trailer. We wanted the audience to think about certain questions when watching this part of the trailer: Are the Children in danger? Will they be okay when the film ends? To add more suspense and to get the viewer to ask more questions, we added a blood smudge as this symbolizes danger and death.
- 9. When looking at previous media trailers, we noticed each one had a big moment, a final scare at the end. Although our trailer had lots of big moments through we wanted to keep the pace going towards the end and keep the audience engaged till the end , and then end with a big final moment that tips the audience over the edge for them to say “I want to see that!” this was only a teaser trailer, so we could not give too much away so we developed our trailer by adding text, breaking up the shots. Using a variety of different events within the trailer hopefully enticed to the viewer to want to come and see the film as the outcomes were not given away. This is text from our trailer.
- 10. • It could be argued our big moment is at the end as she is being dragged out by the killer, and the previous scene builds up to her being caught by the killer, although we believe it challenges the key convention of the big moment as there is no sudden music change and the scene fades out to black. This develops the convention as although there is no ‘jumpy’ scene, the fade out to black leads to curiosity and attracts the audience to see the film. Also this teases the audience as it does not give too much away, therefore we believe it could be more effective doing this way. We also felt that the scene where the protagonist discovers the intruder became somewhat iconic to us. Our audience feedback told us that this was a key scene for the viewer as well, we therefore decided to carry on that key image within the poster.
- 11. KEY CHARACTERS PROFILES OF THE SLASHER GENRE Killer, identity hidden- It was key from the start that we use a scary killer figure. In our current modern climate, people find hoodies quite frightening, so we used this image in our trailer as it was something that most people could relate to be quite scary, it’s part of society today. The majority of trailers we researched, used hooded figures, we soon deemed it appropriate to use this kind of killer in our final trailer. ‘Final Girl’, The survivor- Typically in the Slasher Genre, the main character is a teenage girl, who has surrounded herself with failure. This convention was a obvious choice, we wanted a strong female protagonist that was relatable and likable by the audience. Looking at the Scream trailer, we took some of the elements of the female protagonist, Sidney, and used some features of her character in our ‘Final Girl’ Weapon- Much like the Scream Films, we decided to go with the traditional ‘Butcher Knife’ as this has been weapon of choice in most successful horror films. The Halloween films also incorporated a Butchers Knife, so it seemed perfect to choose this as the weapon wielded by the killer.
- 12. CONCLUSION OF FILM TRAILER • We researched many film trailers in order to gain ideas and inspiration in order to make our horror trailer to its best potential. We identified the the key conventions and in order to make our film trailer realistic we used these conventions, such as preview screen, masked killer ect, However we wanted to develop and challenge these conventions so we challenged the big moment scene, this improved our film trailer as it made it unique, however not having a major big moment with sudden dramatic music may eliminate the suspension and tension. Overall we believe our teaser trailer was a success as it included many conventions found in real media products yet had individuality as it also challenged these conventions.
- 13. MAGAZINE COVER Knife is clear to the audience, This follows real media products similar to this one as it shows what genre the Identity hidden which is film is. also a key convention followed within slashers on magazines. To stick with a consistent theme we used the ‘celebrate horror’ cover line and specific colour scheme, which is red, white and black, all Typical conventions on a colours connotate magazine have been danger especially red followed, as we have and black. This followed • Masthead the conventions of real • Tagline media products. • Cover lines • Puffs/Plugs • Set colour scheme • Bannering Our film is the main These basic conventions feature on the were a must, in order for cover, hopefully us to have a successful encouraging readers to magazine cover. take an interest in it.
- 14. MAGAZINE KEY CONVENTIONS Small sub headings, we have sub headings and extra information but it is mainly dedicated to our film in order to attract the audience to the film more. Large masthead that stands out. Sizeable and bold so that the loyal reader can instantly pick out their magazine from the others. Masked killer, main image and focus point and attracts the audience to the magazine and film. We have used this convention, however we have challenged this as the knife is the main focus point to represent danger and a knife is a recognised symbol that represents death, pain and is line with Slasher films. Colour scheme is mainly red black and white, keeping the dark and consistent theme of the horror genre.
- 15. CONCLUSION • Our final magazine reflects similar conventions to existing magazine covers as we wanted to take the most realistic approach possible. With the research we obtained we could identify the typical conventions needed, such as colour scheme, recognisable masthead, cover lines, puffs and plugs. So therefore we included all these conventions in our work. However compared to the ‘Entertainment’ magazine cover on the previous page, we have challenged some of the conventions as we have included a lot about our film, and have more information as we believe this will attract more of an audience and advertise our film more effectively. In conclusion, although we have many similar conventions to other magazine covers we have also challenged these in order to attract a bigger audience and make the magazine cover more interesting. Although we could have challenged these conventions more by a possible interview with the protagonist or the man from the darkness, giving the feature a more open feel.
- 16. FILM POSTER
- 17. CONVENTIONS OF A HORROR FILM POSTER Dark background ‘Tag Line/ logo’ Danger represented in a weapon Killer is main focus, clear and masked, here low angle shot shows status and Title, bold and empowerment . contrasts with surrounding colour Credits, all the people Release date involved with the film and production and productions. company logo.
- 18. Large Title the Under the title we have put our films tag line “You’re not alone”. Here we have font is Many films include this in order to make there film memorabale, it cropped out a distorted, this also attracts the audience. silhouette of the is a key killer, this convention as challenges the the title needs conventions of a to be horror film poster memorable as they mainly have and the killer as the recognisable, i main focus point or t also needs to the weapon, yet link with the here our killer film, here we blends in with the have background which red, sharp does not give much writing away yet it is clear connotating he is holding a danger. knife so the audience can see what convention it falls in. Age Certificate and production Also included logo is a key twitter and convention, th facebook links so is makes the Here we have put the production our film will go poster look Release date was key, so it is name and the people involved viral and attract realistic and clear to the audience when we within the film, most film posters bigger professional are advertising for. include this convention and we audience, most film have so it looks realistic and posters have these professional logos or barcodes
- 19. CONCLUSION OF FILM POSTER • In conclusion we followed many conventions that other horror film posters use like bold title, catch phrase, however we did take our own approach with the silhouette of the killer, he is not clear which I believe is effective as it makes the audience curious, however we could of improved by maybe making the silhouette more clear, as its not eye catching as it is blended in. Also I think the font we have chose is effective as its distorted and with the sharp edges resembles knives/danger, however compared to the other film posters it doesn’t look as professional, and looks amateur. Furthermore the colour scheme that we have used is effective as it is dark and the red contrasts with the black making it stand out more, this is another key convention film posters use in order to attract the viewers eye. Overall we believe the film poster is effective and has a stronger message than the typical film poster as it has challenged the conventions and developed them, for example our silhouette instead of the killer in main focus.