2. Genre Of The Movie Trailer -
The genre of my movie trailer will be horror/thriller. I have chosen a
horror and thriller theme as this is the type of films I am most
interested in and other people around the same age as myself. My
questionnaire also gave me feedback which indicted this. I have
watched a range of movies and trailers to be certain that I will be
able to create a trailer of this genre.
3. Similar Products -
During the research and development stage I have researched a variety of trailers similar to the
type of trailer I w ant to create and also to find w hat aspects of the trailer are used to show the
film is that of a horror/thriller genre. By view ing a range of trailers it has allow ed me to decide
w hat I w ill include w hen creating my trailer. E.g. For ex ample low lighting, shadow ed figures,
w ide range of scenery leading to problems, mystery characters, w eapons, injuries etc. All these
things are typically included in trailers of a horror genre. Including all these things into the
trailer adds a greater sense of mystery to the audience, making them w ant to learn more about
the story line.
Some of the film trailers I have chosen w hich w ould be similar to my trailer include
•The Descent
•388 Arletta Avenue
•Silent House
•Chernobyl Diaries
All these trailer include similar storylines or techniques I w ish to use w hich are typical of horror
or thriller films. The nex t slides ex plains the conventions w ithin the trailers and w hy I chose
these trailers.
4. Other Film Genre’s -
During my research of trailers, instead of focusing on just horror and thriller I also research
genre’s such as; romance, comedy, drama, Sci-fi and action. By researching a wide range of
conventions within different genre’s, it enabled me to understand what I needed to include and
what I shouldn’t include.
An example of a Romance/Drama Trailer I chose was a filmed called Dear John.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0989757/
Audio - The conventions of this trailer were typical of a Romantic genre based on the audio used.
Both characters equally show emotion when speaking to each other. Evidently we see that John,
who’s a soldier on leave, falling in love with Savannah a college student during the summer. The
music used relates to romance. The sound of a guitar relating to love and the setting of the
beach and summer. It makes it seem to be the perfect love story with a twist.
Shot Types -The shot types within the trailer show extreme close up’s of each of the main
characters faces to show the love and emotion. Also long shots show the characters closeness
which is an important feature in the film. The main focus is on the character John and Savannah.
During some scenes everything is blurred out but the focus remains on the two characters.
5. Advertising techniques – TV/Cinemas/Posters/Internet/Newspapers.
Audience – Mainly females around the age of 15-40. Romantic genre is more
appealing to females of this age. Although, males around the same age may watch
the film with their partners. During the opening scene this becomes apparent that it
more suited to females from the cute love story where they both fall in love. Other
aspects of the trailer involved mails when John has to go back to the army. Both
aspects suit both males and females.
Impact – Trailer draws the audience in. Also features a lot of the storyline, but
doesn’t give away the whole story which is what makes people want to watch the
film. People want to know what happens in the end.
Appropriate conventions of a Romance Genre have been used within this trailer, but
based on these conventions I wouldn’t be able to include any aspects based on my
film being a complete different genre. Overall by analysing a romance genre trailer, it
has become apparent to me the variety of conventions used within different genres
and how important it is to include the correct conventions in my trailer.
6. The Descent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5I1q4KhKNU
I chose this trailer as it show s a good representation of convention of horror trailer and it is also
British. For ex ample low light is included through out the majority of the trailer. This makes the
movie seem instantly scary as the audience are unaw are of w hat lurks w ithin the darkness. The
trailer is also set in the middle of no w here w ith large scenery. This is something I w ant to
include w ithin my trailer to show endless possibilities that anything can happen and anyone can
be lurking. The trailer show s that something that w as supposed to be fun, turned w rong.
This is the same theme I w ant to include w ithin my trailer also, as most horror and thriller films
include a storyline w here something unex pectedly goes w rong leading to something bad
happening. The characters are also unaw are of w hat’s about to happen putting them at a
disadvantage w ithin the situation.
Audio –
Characters speak clearly to enlighten the audience of the outline of the story. This show s w hat
their doing and w hat goes w rong. As the trailer progresses struggle appears in the voices of the
characters to show something is w rong. Silence and screams are used to increase anticipation
w ithin the trailer. Leaves the audience on the edge of their seats and makes them w ant to w atch
the full film. Based on the audio it’s evident that the genre of the trailer is horror.
Advertising & Effect of trailer–
Internet, TV, Cinemas and Posters. After w atching this trailer i w ould w atch the film due to the
suspense that is created.
7. Shot types -
Shots are close together at a fast pace to show a lot of action and drama is included. This again
grips the audience leaving them on edge. Something that needs to be included in the horror
genre. The shot types that are included within the trailer include birds eye view shots from above
to show the scale of the area the characters are driving through. The forest area is so much
bigger than they are meaning anything can happen. Other shot types include extreme close up’s
inside the cave as the spaces are so small. This shows the danger and the emotion and struggle
within the characters faces.
Symbolic Codes -
Injuries and struggles between the characters and creatures show horror. A red filter is used on
the camera, signifying death, blood, danger and violence. Lightening is extremely dark as it’s
based in a cave so low lighting from torches showing little possibilities and hope. Dark features
are important aspects of horror films to add suspense. This aspect also shows little opportunity
for the characters to escape.
Structure –
The first scene show’s the characters and how happy and excited they are for something that’s
about to happen. Before the first cut is made a picture is taken of all the girls together. Once the
flash is on the picture freezes and then turn black and white. These dark colour again show that
something bad is about to happen and all is not as it seems. The dark, colour less picture show’s
no opportunity.
Target Audience –
As it is a horror, the age for the film is 18 therefore 18+ is the target audience of this film. It
isn’t suitable for younger age groups because of the content, e.g. It may scare younger children.
8.
9. 388 Arletta Avenue
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1767272/
388 Arletta Avenue is a trailer based on a stalker. The camera shots are filmed from his
perspective adding horror to the audience and show ing someone is alw ays w atching. This is a
technique I w ant to use during the filming of my trailer. The stalker w ithin my trailer w ill film
to show people and surrounding sceneries from different perspectives. During the 388 Arletta
Avenue trailer its obvious that the stalker is filming from a video camera. This technique is
popular in films. For ex ample films such as the Blair w itch project, paranormal activity, REC etc.
388 Arletta Avenue leaves the audience view ers on edge as its a prime ex ample of a thriller
leaving people guessing w hat happens nex t and becoming intrigued w ithin the trailer. This is
something I also w ant to achieve w ithin my film, to make people w ant to w atch the film.
A technique that is used tow ards the end of the trailer is the use of sounds. A deep fast
breathing rate is heard and replicated over. As my trailer is set in a forest, this technique could
be used to show someone w ho is hiding, or running aw ay or that a person they are unaw are of
is present. O verall this technique can be used to show the horror w ithin my trailer.
10.
11. Silent House
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1767382/
The trailer of silent house includes a range of techniques that I want to include within my
trailer. Firstly when I watched the trailer the technique I first found successful was the
voice over at the beginning giving brief information based on the trailer making it seem
more genuine. For example, “One of the most shocking and twisted incident recorded”.
Giving a brief description adds more of a story to my trailer, adding more horror.
Another technique used within the trailer is within the house where there is low light. The
house is dark therefore torches and lanterns are used. The things that produces light
illuminate the emotion within the characters faces. This technique I want to use within my
trailer to show the terror.
Sound effects are also used through out the trailer, e.g. Music and ticking sound effects. The
ticking speeded up sound symbolises time running out and the music represents the build
up of anticipation within the movie. The lack of audio between the characters builds up the
anticipation also.
The final technique I wish to replicate within my own trailer is the use of dark shadowed
figures within the background. This is a common feature used within trailers to show
something out of the usual and the sense of someone watching.
12.
13. Chernobyl Diaries
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1991245/
Chernobyl diaries is another horror film based on a group of friends around the age of 20-30,
exploring an area where there was a nuclear explosion. Based on watching the trailer, several
conventions have been used to make It successful. These conventions I'd also consider editing
and using within my trailer to adapt to my storyline.
Conventions that have been used include one of the characters taking a picture at the site of
the nuclear explosion, and then when she re looks at the picture on the camera a dark figure
appears in the window. This is a technique I think would be good to use during my trailer, to
add more suspense to the audience. When I was viewing the trailer the questions I asked were
who is this mystery person and why are they there when the site is supposed to be abandoned?
If I include a similar convention, more horror and thriller will be added to my film trailer.
