1. Teaser trailer, Film Poster and Film
Magazine

2. My media products use forms and conventions of real media products, as I have
included media techniques and elements to create my products. Before setting out
I decided to research the conventions of a teaser trailer, by doing this I was able to
gain a deeper understanding of what a teaser trailer was. I found out that teaser
trailers where released before the film to tease the audience, also that teaser trailers
where shorter than usual trailers. The minimum amount of footage presented in a
teaser allowed the audience to develop an idea of the film and to establish the
genre. Teasers promote and advertise a film, in doing this they are supposed to
cause excitement from the audience which determines the success of the film. This
is also followed by the release of the poster and advertisement in a magazine.
After this I decided to look at the basic conventions of a Horror teaser trailer. What
I learned was that the use of suspense was very important because this would lead
to building up tension, which would then make the audience feel off edge and
scared. The plot usually gave little away, however the through the imagery, music
and editing elements of darkness were presented to entice the audience.

3. Inorder to construct my product I chose to look at three horror teaser trailers which were
Woman in Black, Scream and One Hour Photo. By analysing these would allow me to
develop an idea. From the research I found out that from Horror teaser trailers the story
would start at a slow pace and then build up creating suspense and tension, this allowed
the audience to come with an idea of what they thought the story was about.
Ifollowed the conventions by using a range of camera shots to illustrate the emotion and
the relationship between the characters. I used P.O.V shot to evoke feeling of shock
because I wanted the audience to feel like they were apart of the scene by seeing
themselves as killers. Also I used medium shots and close ups etc.
Here are some
examples of the
camera shot I used.

4. Iused a software called Soundtrack pro to create sounds for my product I also used a
website called Incomptech which allowed me to search for music within the genre of
horror. I challenged the form and conventions by not including diegetic sound because I
felt that it would be a distraction. The music suits the genre and expresses the actions and
thoughts of the characters, also the music builds up as the story unfolds which builds up
suspense. It was important that the music was effective because there was no dialogue for
the audience to relate to.
Incomptech and
Soundtrack pro gave
me a variety of sounds
to choose from.

5. Key props that are usually used in horror films are
weapons that are likely to endanger someone,
however I challenged that convention by not using
any weapons for example a knife. Rather I used a
verse from the Bible which says “You shall not kill” the
audience will automatically read, that the character
is probably thinking of killing or has killed. This causes
confusion and that was my aim.
The lighting often seen in horror movies are low key
lighting. In my product I wanted the lighting to create a
mysterious atmosphere, so I challenged the convention
by setting my film at daytime instead of night time.
However parts of the scenes have areas of low lighting
making it dark and mysterious. My aim was to put
forward that it doesn‟t have to be night time for
something bad to happen.
In terms of location I learned that from my research that
the locations shown in horrors are usually set in isolated
places or a house. I didn‟t want to stray from that
convention so made sure that all the bad events would
occur in the scene at the house.
The main character is wearing dark colours which
represent her as being evil. The audience can identify
that she is a dangerous person. The victim is dressed in
normal clothing, so she cannot labelled.

6. I edited my product using a software called Final cut pro on an Apple mac. I
acknowledged the fact that the basic convention of a teaser trailer is to tease the
audience with short but interesting shots. So baring that in mind I made sure that none of my
clips were long so it wouldn‟t bore the audience. I made changes to the speed in some
scenes, I added some transitions such as fades and dissolves. I used the Cooltext generator
to make my title and the style connected to genre very well.
These shots are
all within
3seconds

7. For my poster I made sure that I would follow the forms and conventions of a real
media product. The image I chose for my poster was vital because this had to link
to the teaser trailer. I was inspired by the poster I analysed called „The Rite‟.
I liked the fact that
the image was
placed as a
background. The
black around his
face created a sense
fear and danger. So I
aimed to create my
poster like that.
This is an
edited version
of my poster.
(NOT FINAL)

8. I established the main characters
name by placing it on top of the title.
Also I kept the colour the same.
This is what would appeal to the
audience.
I used the forms and conventions of a
real media product, in terms of the
structure of my poster. I placed the
credits at the bottom of the poster,
displaying information about the
characters, producer and director.

9.  The image for the poster meant a lot in the success of my product. After filming I took a
range of photos using a digital camera.
 All the photos I took were close ups just at different angles. The photo I chose came from
the influence of „The rite‟ ,I liked the fact that the close up of his face allowed me to
identify the sort of character he was.
 I made sure that I would portray that through my image. After selecting the picture I
wanted to use I then edited it with a program called Photoshop, I changed the colour to
black by muting out the background.
 I made her face warmer but it still revealed darkness, this contrast with the background

10.  My magazine follows the forms and convention of a real media products. I researched
film magazines using Google. I chose to analyse Total Film, Empire and Sight and Sound
I chose these three because they all had different approaches. After analysing all
three of the magazines I decided to follow the conventions of sight and sound.

11.  I was intrigued by the fact that sight sound had the very sense of
simplicity but still had highlights of horror through the use of colour.
and I was inspired to transform this into my product.

13. Masthead –
sight and
sound.
Main image –
Carlen Harris.
Taglines – these
will attract the
viewer.
Main
cover lines
– used to
promote
the film.

14. How effective is the combination of your main product and
ancillary texts?
 The correlation between my teaser trailer, poster and magazine is clear. By watching
my teaser trailer the audience will be aware that there are religious aspects in the
narrative. My magazine connects with my point closely, the image is a close up of the
main character called Carlen, she has a cross in her hand and a cross on her face. This
links to the bible in my teaser trailer. The poster links with the teaser trailer and the
magazine because the image on the poster and magazine are both close ups, her
eyes are consistent through both of those products, her eyes also reflect a shot towards
the end of the teaser trailer.

15.  The style of my title on my poster stands out, I wanted the title to establish the genre so
instead the colour red I used grey. The audience are able to establish the genre by
looking at the title. I approached my film magazine differently. The title on the
magazine is white and is not the main focus, however I drew attention to the tagline
“murder” this was large and red. The colour scheme of my film magazine establishes
that the genre of my teaser is a horror because I have used black and red colour
scheme.
The title on my poster.
The colour
scheme of my
poster.
The title on my magazine.

16.  I used black red and white to stick with the colour scheme of horror conventions in my
film magazine. The picture was important because there had to be a correlation to the
poster and the film. I chose this picture because I felt that the audience would be able
to recognize the link because she has crosses in her face and she has a bible in the shot
 for the image I darkened her face because I didn‟t want to take away the dark effect I
wanted to paint her as a vile sinister person however I didn‟t entirely mute out the
background.

18.  Once completing my ancillary task I conducted a focus group survey. I shared my
ideas for my teaser trailer with my focus group, there I was able to gather thoughts of
what they liked and did not like. I was able to discuss my overall ideas and my focus
group were pleased with the results of my film magazine and poster. Prior to that I
showed my focus group „Scream‟ this is what influenced my ideas.
 They liked the fact that there were different stories told which created a sense of
mystery, also that the text guided them through the narrative. Their feedback
enabled me to incorporate their ideas into my product. For example I decided to
present text on a black background.

19.  After completing my media product I conducted some questions from
selected viewers, I played my teaser trailer before handing them the
questions. The questions asked were:
 • Do you think the Magazine, Poster and teaser trailer follow conventions
of a real media product.
 • Can you spot the links between the poster magazine and teaser trailer
 • What are the advantages and disadvantages of the poster, magazine
and teaser trailer
 • Do you think the poster, magazine and teaser trailer would make an
effective campaign for advertising a film

20.  Do you think the Magazine, Poster and teaser trailer follow conventions of a real media
product?
I think all your products follow conventions of a real media product because the information
shown on each product is none other than a real media product. I understand what is being
presented.
,
 Can you spot the links between the poster, magazine and teaser trailer?
The eyes of the character link throughout all your products, by watching the teaser trailer and
looking at the film magazine. I can tell that there are religious aspects. I can identify that the genre
is horror. The colour scheme, title and image is what stand out for me.
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of the poster, magazine and teaser trailer.?
ADVANTAGES
I like teaser trailer. The story it connects well with the genre .
The poster is striking and says a lot about the narrative.
The magazine is good, I like the fact you used MURDER to emphasise the events in the narrative.
DISADVANTAGES: The teaser trailer could have included dialogue this would have been more
effective. The poster should have included the release date of the film. The film magazine could
have had more information about the story.
 Do you think the poster, magazine and teaser trailer would make an effective campaign for
advertising a film?
There are many links to the genre which makes it effective, through the poster, teaser trailer and
film magazine. It will be successful in advertising the film

21.  From the feedback I have learnt that my products follow the forms and conventions of
a real media product. This is something I aimed to do, so I am glad that it has been
recognised.
 I found out that I should of used dialogue in my teaser trailer, also I should have
included the release date of the film on my poster and I should have made my film
magazine more detailed. I personally did not want to include dialogue because I felt
that it would be a distraction, I agree with the points that u should have out the release
date on the poster and made my magazine more detailed. I was following the original
product of sight and sound I liked the way it was simple but had horror influence.
 I have taken all the points into account so that for my next task I able to do the things I
didn‟t do.

22. How did you use new media technologies in the construction and
research, planning and evaluation stages?
What I learned from the feedback is that all my products interlinked, they could identify the
connection to the narrative and the genre. I was pleased to hear this because this is
something I aimed to do, I did not want to break the connection of three of my
products.

23. RESEARCH & PLANNING
I entirely depended on media technologies during the construction, research, planning
and evaluation stages. For research and planning I used the internet to surf search
engines like Google and a video sharing website called YouTube. This benefited me a lot
because I was able to conduct research on teaser trailers, Horror teaser trailers, film
magazine covers and posters. Google allowed me to search for professional film posters
that related to my genre, I then could screenshot what I wanted onto a word document. I
used YouTube to search for professional teaser trailers, after finding the teaser trailers that
were of the genre I chose I could then start my analysis and take screen shots.
I used Slideshare which is an online slide hosting
website, to present my work. I was experiencing
problems with posting my poster analysis onto
Wordpress, so I decided to use Slideshare which
solved my problems. Wordpress was where I
presented all my work, I created my own page and
uploaded material onto the blog. I was able to
store and upload pictures securely on my blog
space which saved me time from uploading
pictures over and over again.
Microsoft word, PowerPoint and excel were very
convenient, with these programs I was able to
produce graphs for my target research, set out
information and make presentations.

24. CONSTRUCTION: FILMING & POST PRODUCTION
 Throughout the filming process i used equipment such as a tripod and camcorder. I
followed the shots I set out on my storyboard, however I did film a range of shots from
different angles so that I would have a variety to work with. I did not struggle with filming
any of the shots because I already had these skills from my AS project. After I finished
filming I had to import my recording into Final cut pro, this would then allow me edit. My
recording was up 25 minutes so it took a while to import. Final cut pro is software that is
available on Apple Mac. I used the razor tool to cut shots, I included transitions, fades, I
changed the speed for various scenes and for a flashback in the narrative. I did not
struggle using Final cut pro because I had used it in my AS media project.
I used Vimeo to upload my teaser
trailer.

25. I used Soundtrack pro to search for music relating to the genre horror, after choosing the
piece I desired I exported, then imported it into final cut pro. I used the fade out tool
some the music didn't sound off key.
First I exported the sound so it
could be an MP3. Then I
imported the sound into final
cut. I then dragged it into my
timeline. In order for it to work I
had to render it.

26.  I created my magazine and film poster using Photoshop on Apple Mac. Without having
previous experience with this software I struggled, however I used tutorials from YouTube to
help me achieve what I wanted to do. I was able to several things like adjust the brightness
and sharpen the picture etc. By using Photoshop I have learned new skills and I believe that
these skills will help me in the future also I will be able to develop new skills.

27. Overall I am pleased with all my products, using by Apple
software I have learned new skills from this task and developed
previous skills from my AS task. All that I have done will help me
in the future.