1. Connotations of
Ancillary Drafts
By Tim loe

2. Draft 1 - Poster
• The direct address of the protagonist is conventional, used in
many film posters of the horror genre, such as Insidious.
• The shadow of the antagonist is behind the protagonist, and
using the rule of thirds, the audience’s attention will be
brought to it.
• The mise ene scene of the shot (pyjamas and teddy bear)
connote that the boy is vulnerable, emphasising the sinister
atmosphere of the poster.

3. Draft 2 - Poster
• The second poster draft is similar to the first, however
composition of the shot is different.
• The boy is closer to the camera, and again there is direct
address, this presents a menacing tone, and implies that the
boy is possessed (a similar concept to the poster of Insidious).
• The background features the bed, and the shadow of the
antagonist, presenting a similar sinister atmosphere to the
first draft.

4. Draft 3 - Poster
• The final poster draft is a medium close up of the boy in his
bed with his teddy connoting he is young, and potentially
vulnerable.
• Again there is direct address for reasons already mentioned.
• The background is a wood, with the antagonist lurking in the
distance. This unreal environment has connotations of the
supernatural, and also implies that the boy is in a nightmare.
• The wood connotes isolation and presents a conventional
location to the audience.

5. Draft 1 - Magazine Cover
• The image of the boy is a medium shot, that will be masked
out and put on a picture of the wood. The image as a whole
(wood and antagonist) will be masked out on the edges onto a
black solid (similar to a vignette) connoting entrapment.
• There will be direct address (protagonist), a conventional
feature of horror, and an uncanny gesture emphasising the
sinister atmosphere.
• The wood will not only prove as aesthetically pleasing, making
the cover more eye catching but it will also portray a feeling of
isolation.

6. Draft 2 - Magazine Cover
• There will be direct address again for mentioned reasons, and
the mise on scene will be similar to the posters, connoting
vulnerability.
• The shadow of the antagonist will be featured in the
background (similar to Paranormal 3 poster), and applying the
rule of thirds the antagonist will be placed in the top left
corner, bringing the audience’s attention to it.
• There image will be masked out to black (similar effect to
vignette) to connote entrapment, and compliment the colour
scheme of the text.

7. Draft 3 – Magazine Cover
• This draft features a medium shot of Arran, with direct
address.
• There is a shadow in the background building enigma for the
film, since the antagonist is not shown.
• The image will have low key lighting, and the background will
be a colour close to black, allowing the shadow to be seen.
This presents an atmosphere of entrapment, and also
connotes that the antagonist is present, driving the fear the
cover presents.

8. Conclusion
• I feel that the most effective drafts are:
• Draft 3 of the Poster
• Draft 3 of the Magazine
• I feel that these drafts are the most effective in portraying our
film, and conventions of a horror genre.