2. Teaser Trailers
Previous to making our teaser trailer we had to carry out research so we were aware of the different forms of
trailers such as, teaser trailers and a theatrical trailers. We analysed horror theatrical trailers such as, ‘X-men’,
‘Insidious’ and ‘One missed call’ and teaser trailers ‘Saw VI’ such as, ‘Rec’ and ‘Insidious’. This enabled us to
establish the difference between the two trailers, as well as gain an understanding into horror conventions.
We also researched ‘X-men’ the theatrical trailer, as this was a different genre it gave extra knowledge into
other conventions.
When analysing the ‘X-Men’
trailer we compared it with the
horror trailer and its
conventions, when doing so we
realised that they we very
opposite as they use the
following conventions:-
•Action and fighting
•Characters with special powers
•Special effects
•Bright setting
•When analysing theses trailers we came across
the following conventions:-
•Dark lighting and setting When filming our teaser trailer we took the
•Pace Unknown/ mysterious characters majority of these conventions into consideration
•Todorov’s theory -Narrative theory of equilibrium and used it when filming, but we did not necessarily
in the beginning happy and disequilibrium as there make the Todorov theory obvious in the trailer, as
is a tragic ending we believe it was not really significant in making an
•Increase of pace when tension occurs effective horror teaser trailer.
•Propp’s character theory
•Props and costume
•Film title at the end
3. Conventions I have used in my trailer:
Dark lighting and setting:- When filming the trailer we wanted to create
a particular atmosphere that was creepy and tense. Therefore, when filming the
bedroom scene me made sure that the lights were off, and used the ‘night mode’ on
the camera when filming; this was effective in creating the dark atmosphere as well as
enable the audience to clearly see the actions taking place. We also choose to film our
exterior scene during the evening as it would be dark, reinforcing the horror
conventions in the teaser trailer. Whilst filming using the ‘night-mode’ we came across
some issues, for example we had to make sure that the camera was facing at the right
angle when filming as the footage was not always visible.
Props and costumes:- One of the main props that we used was a knife, which
we covered in ketchup as we wanted it to seem like blood stains, the knife and the
blood is part of the horror convention as the knife and blood highlights danger, death
and distress. For the costume, the character is wearing a ripped white shirt with red
marks that is suppose to represent blood stains. By her wearing this particular piece of
clothing this highlight the juxtaposition as the connation of ‘white’ is peace whilst ‘red’
is rage ; also through the use of the colour red we were ensuring that we were keeping
with the colour scheme. By using the laptop this highlight to the audience that this is a
modern teaser trailer, as well as making the, aware that the actions taking place is due
to the mysterious e-mail received on the laptop.
Increase of pace when tension occur:- To create tension and suspense
we increased the pace of this following scene in our trailer, this is to indicate to the
audience that something tragic is about to occur immediately grabbing there attention.
Teaser trailer usually tend to be between 30 sec- 1:30 min, and our trailer is just at the
minimum as it is 39 seconds.
Characters -(Propp’s character theory)- Victims and villain:- The
villain is played by Sandra, who can been seen in the following scene holding a set of keys
which is to access the place where she captures the Victim. Also the character sends a the
mysterious e-mail to the victim Sharmain which makes her panic and fearful for her life .
The conventions that we used in my teaser trailer such as, props
and costumes, shots, props and characters was influenced by the
film ‘One missed call’, also due to the fact that the plot is
cantered around a piece of technology which is mobile phone.
4. Film Poster
Before creating our film poster we carried our research by analysing existing film posters, this enabled us to have
the understanding on how to create a effective film poster that will appeal to our target audience. The film poster
which we analysed were; ‘Fast Five’, ‘Insidious’ and ‘Orphan’.
From analysing these poster and researching and
looking at other forms of film promotions, we noticed
the following conventions:- Analysing these three film posters allowed us to
understand the actors of the film are usually the main
Film title usually positioned at the bottom focus of the film poster, and the name of the film needs
Film title is usually bold and the biggest to be displayed in a unique ways to grab the audience's
Close up of main characters attention. When creating our film poster we challenged
Dark background – unknown setting one of the conventions, as we did not put the name of the
Credits and extra information at the bottom-vertically film at the bottom but at the top of the image. Also, we
Website and credits placed at the bottom of the film went against the conventions also believed that it will be
poster necessarily to include the rating of the film on the film
Close up or extreme close up or an object or main poster, as it enables the audience to be aware of what
Tagline to make the audience interested in watching the content to expect in the film.
film
5. The conventions I have used in my poster
We have also kept with the We have positioned the film title at the
colour scheme (Red. Black and top of the poster, this is the convention
white)which can be identified that we challenged ,when carrying out
in the magazine front cover and our planning an research on film
teaser trailer, as the colours posters. By placing the film title at the
reinforces the horror genre. The top this immediately draws the
dark background is effective in audience’s attention to the image
making the gruesome image below which is the main focus, as it
stand out as black represents:- allows the audience to have an
death, evil and mystery. White understanding of the themes and the
represents purity and plot of the film and what to expect.
innocence which is a sharp
contrast, as well as the red
representing rage and anger. This informs the reader that the
actually movie is due to be released,
but they will be able to watch the
By going against the teaser trailer to be able to have a slight
conventions we included understanding of the film before they
the rating of the film, as it can watch it in the cinemas.
immediately identifies the
target audience, and
informs people of what
We have included the tagline which is
content to expect from the
the second biggest font after the film
film.
title, as it grab the audience’s attention
The credits which gives extra information as well as giving them an insight of what
by informing the audience who is the to expect in the film. This also makes it a
producer of the film, the actors names and memorable way for identifying the film.
directors have been place in the
convention place which is in the middle of
the film poster; by placing it in the By placing the name of the website on the film
conventional place this allows the audience poster this allows the audience to have a chance to
to be familiar with what they are seeing so gain more information about the characters and
they are able to identify that it is a film the plot, by going on the website and watching the
poster. trailer.
6. Film Magazine Front Cover
Before creating our magazine front cover we analysed existing magazine covers so we were aware of
the conventions of a film magazine cover, by analysing a popular and professional film magazine:
Empire
When researching existing magazine front covers we came
across a problem, as we were unable to find magazine front
cover that covered horror films. Therefore, we decided to pick
magazine front covers that was broad and have similar
conventions to what a horror film magazine will have.
We analysed ‘X-Men First Class and ‘I am Legend’ as each
film magazine front cover uses the colour scheme that is used
in horror film., as the red and black have a connation of
mystery and death.
Conventions we came across when
analysing theses magazine front covers:-
Film’s name over lapping the image of the When creating our magazine front cover
main character we used most of the conventions but we
Price and the date on top of the magazine challenged one in particular:- ‘Film
Exclusive information is provide inside:- name overlapping the image of the main
PLUS! character . As we thought that our
Same colour scheme with actually film and magazine front cover will not look
trailer presentable if we use this convention,
Mid shot or close up of main character in as it will distract the reader from the
the film main focus which is the image of the
Magazine name is in large font main character.
Other headlines contains information
about what is inside the magazine
7. Conventions I have used in my magazine front
cover EMPIRE- Is the biggest and
boldest which we achieve by
increasing the font size.
We also used the same font which
The date of the magazine is used in the actually magazine,
release and price is placed at so it appear professional and
the top. recognisable to the reader.
Provides the reader with
background information We have challenged the conventions
regarding the main character, this of a film magazine front cover by not
will make them more interested in included the name of our trailer: ‘The
watching the actually film. Unknown’, instead we incorporated
the name into catchy phrase .
Colour scheme: Black, red and
white. This ties in with the The ‘Pulse’ immediately grabs
horror convention, this colour the reader’s attention, as it informs
scheme can also be identified them of the extra information
in the trailer. given inside the magazine;
regarding other horror films during
the current year.
We have used a close-up of the
we wanted to keep to the colour
main character is the teaser
scheme so we kept the writing
trailer, as it is eye catching and
‘white’, which lists the extra
gives the reader and insight
information.
into the plot. This is
We also placed this information
commonly used with
We have placed a barcode at at the side of the magazine, so it
magazine front cover to inform
the right hand corner of the does not over shadowing the main
them of the characters.
magazine, which is a typical image which is USP.
magazine convention.
