Planning: Mind Map

For our first part of planning to get us started we created a mind map combining our ideas of what we believe would make our A2 coursework effective and ideas for what our trailer is going to be based on. These are initial ideas that we thought were liekly to come up in the horror genre after all the reasearch we done including from our AS media coursework of an opening scene to a horror.


The mind map we have created includes a variety of possible settings used in horror films such as isolated buildings, woods, deserted houses, hospitals ect. I liked the idea of using a hospital for our location. Films such as 28 days later are located in hospital however they use more than one location, as we may also use more than one, in some cases this will help attract a wider target audience. The title of the film trailer is properbly one of the most important issue especially when trying to targer your audience. The film title needs to be right and catchy for your target audience to even acknowledge your film. This is because some people prefer certain genres to others and this can be shown from a film title. Mise en scene will also need to be considered carefully, things such as the make up will give the character their identity as talked about it recent reasearch talking about the 'joker' in the dark knight. Depending on the characters role play depends on what their hair, costume and make-up will involve. For our trailer we have came up with the idea of having a mental patient in a hospital therefore, the make-up will involve the character to be pale and ill looking and portat a pale complextion.


We plan to use alot of these idea's within our trailer as we have decided to base it on a mental patient who has been abused through her childhood and has now turned 'nasty'. This is where out horror genre comes in as she is out to kill!

Questionnaire & Results

I have conducted research in to my target audience through a questionnaire. The results from my questionnaire informs me of various information relating to film trailers, age groups and personal preferences revolving music, genre, actors and storylines. Our results will be very useful to evaluating different people opinions of all different ages, genders and ethnicity's. I will take into consideration of these opinions and take action when producing our film trailer.


This is the questionnaire that we design for respondents to fill out. The results from my questionnaire into target audiences shows that the most common places an audience watches film trailers are on the internet and at the cinema and therefore this would be the best platform to release my production through. Additionally, I found that most individual's of all ages enjoy watching film trailers as they are able to see future releases, predict good films to watch and watch there favourite actors. In general the public enjoying seeing the main actors in the film as it is this they is more likely to attract them and want to pay to see the full viewing of the movie.. This is good for publicity when it is a well known star as it creates a buzz amongst the public and generates a fan base. My sample for my questionnaire said they prefer to see a 1/2 of the storyline, as it enables them to know the genre and style of the film however it allows most of the film to be a surprise when they go to watch it. The sample also felt a range of locations used in the trailer made the film more appealing as it showed diverse parts of the storyline and actors. It was also more enjoyable and exciting to watch. Additionally to this they felt the use of titles in a trailer are important in order to get the main information across such as title of the film, release date and main actors. Out of the 12 questionnaires, 8 people said that they prefer fast pace trailers as opposed to slow pace Within a trailer they expected to see the main actor, titles and a range of locations. The information they expected to gain from the trailer was the basic narrative outline, the genre of the story and additional info such as release date etc.

This results for this pie chart asked the respondents 'what do you enjoy about film trailers?' The majority of people answered to build up an insight about the film, which then encourages them to go and watch the full film. Our aim will be to produce a film trailer with a clear storyline without giving away to much so people are left in suspense and want to watch further. We need to ensure that we make our film trailer exciting to help build up insights for the audience so they want to know more about the film.

This graph asked the quesion 'who do you prefer to see in your trailer?' The majority of people said they thought film trailers are more effective when the main character is introduced. I totally agree with this as introducing the main character will draw the audience in therefore i will take this into consideration and i will follow the respondants view and will include the main character in our film trailer.

This line graph shows the respondents answers from the question 'do you prefer fast pace or slow pace trailers?' The majority of people preffered fast pace trailers which is resonable as film trailers need to build up excitment for the audience. In our film trailer we will use fast past to build up tension and excitment but slower pace in cartain shots for the audience to have a good idea of what is going on.

This graph asked 'how much of the narrative do you prefer to see?' Many respondants answered 50%, this means half of the storyline to be shown which is a significant amount of the story. However the audience would want to know what they are going to watch. We will use peoples opinion to help support our trailer to help it become successful, we will include a strong narrative so the audience understand what the film is going to be about and if it is there type of film they are likely to watch it, however we dont intend to include the full narrative as this gives away the film and less people are likely to go ahead and watch it as they feel they have already seen the majority.

Conventions of a horror

Above shows conventions of a horror in which out group may use some of these ideas in creating our A2 coursework.

Research: Targeting and audience & My chosen genre

TARGETING AN AUDIENCE

Films chose a target audience to help them specify who their film is going to be aimed at and how they are going to promote and market the film to get the audience drawn in. A target audience involves age, gender or ethnicity ect. By chosing a target audience it allows film makers to communicate and attract certain social groups, products such as adverts/film trailers/junkets/colours/layouts help promote a film as shown in research shown of magazine front covers and film poster. Advertisment is a main technique used for film makers as it gathers a wider audience. New technologies such as 3D is a huge francentise to attract new audiences, for example people are likely to go and watch a film at the cinema's because they are able to watch it in 3D. Films such as toy story 3D was a successful hit making the film popular and having a wide audience.

MY CHOSEN GENRE

For my A2 coursework my chosen genre for our product is 'horror'. The reason for this choise is because we previously carried out lots of research in our AS media coursework and produced a good opening scene to a horror therefore i think we could work well at completing a successfull product in this course. Horror is an easy genre to go for as conventions used in the genre are clear and easy to portray than other genres that I have researched. Horror is easy to identify as for instance mise-en-scene that can be used is simple such as the use of murder weapons (knifes ect). Also the iconography is easy to reinforxe as the use of cotumes and props such as blood is easily reffered to.

The audience of horror films are interested mostly due to the thrills and the adrenaline rush from being fearful. The usual age demographic is usually teenagers and young adults. Mostly horror films are reviewed negatively yet sell well as teenagers may find appeal in certain aspects of the film that a critic may negatively review, they might be interested solely in the terror and killings. Because of this, most horror films are targeted directly towards the teen demographic as they will accept the faults of the horror genre more so than an older audience and critics would. Horror films such as Final Destination and 28 Days Later are popular amongst teenagers because they appeal to teenagers. Though they may be targeted towards an adolescent crowd, older generations still enjoy the horror genre almost as much. Through research i have discovered that the majority of horror films have a 15 or 18 age restriction certificate.


CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HORROR GENRE
Themes: There are themes of good vs evil, normal vs abnormal, male vs female and dark vs light. Often these themes lead to the messages and values presented in the movie. Usually the basic theme for the plot will be for one character or a group of characters to overcome fear or evil an antagonists evoke to them.

Setting/location: The setting/location of the film from the Horror genre is typically set in an isolated environment. The atmosphere is usually intense and fast pace, the disturbance of peace in a quiet location.

Characters: The characters usually each play a specific role in the Horror genre. There is an antagonist which is the villain of the story, 'the bad guy' and the protagonist which is the character that tries to overcome and 'defeat' the antagonist. The role of a woman portrayed in the Horror genre is significant, usually in the beginning of a Horror plot the woman is seen as weak and feeble but then as the plot unravels she is seen to be strong and is the character that defeats evil. This follows the 'Final Girl Theory'. The heroes or heroines have different attitudes towards the antagonist than the 'Human Fodders'. The protagonists usually run away at first to either find a more destructive weapon or an effective method to overcome the antagonist. In addition the other characters that accompany the protagonist depend on them to keep them alive.

Iconography - This is what features in the film to represent that specific genre. With the Horror genre the use of props, music, camera shots and settings can signify that specific genre. The use of iconography can be heavily symbolise conventions of the Horror genre, for example the use of blood symbolises death which then can signify a theme from the Horror genre.

Sub-Genres of Horror
Haunting and Demonic Possessions - These types of films play and evoke the audience's fear of the unknown, superstition and the idea that evil forces such as ghosts and spirits exist in the world. These forces are usually portrayed in a spiritual presence of the dead such as witches, spirits, ghosts or demons. These kind of plots include the fight between good and evil by referencing religion. For example in films like 'The Grudge' which includes an American nurse being exposed to a mysterious supernatural curse.

Apocalypse - Mankind is threatened with extinction of the human race by inhuman creatures of monsters. The antagonists in plot may consist of creatures out of space or a threat of a plague or virus that can spread and wipe out man kind. Films like 'Resident Evil' or 'Rec' portray this sub-plot and the film usually ends with mankind dying out and the disturbing noises of the creatures dominating.

The Human Monster - This deals with the horror of abnormality of the antagonists personality such as psychopathology and murder or psychosis and insanity. This plot explores and takes the audience inside of the mind of the killer who appears to be insane, usually these sort of antagonists seek out revenge on innocent victims. The characteristics of this sub-pot portrays the idea that some people are born with no sense of morality therefore leading them to become a cold-blooded murderer.

Research: Campaigns (Brand Images)

Saw...

Brand image is key across all media aspects, Including film, trailer, poster, magazine and other promotional medias . The key in brand image research is to identify or develop the most powerful images and reinforce them through subsequent brand communications. Effective, powerful brand images that attract the eye are instantly evoked, are positive, and are almost always unique among competitive brands. Brand image can be reinforced by brand communications such as packaging, advertising, promotion, customer service, word-of-mouth and other aspects of the brand experience. A brand which is widely known in the marketplace acquires brand recognition.
An example of brand image is saw. The same text is shown amongst the trailer and the advertising campaigns including the posters, magazines and billboard etc. Additionally the same concept of the posters is carried on through the sequels and the sequels advertising.

Case Study

Paranormal Activity

Trailor Research

I have researched a few film trailers in order for me to create and idea about what I need to include in our film trailer. I will be able to look into depth to see what film trailers acknowledge and try to achieve for example capturing the key shots and sequences in order to attract the audiences attention.

High School Musical 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9hKOL75lGI&feature=player_embedded#at=11

Micro features:
The media conglomeration for the collection of 'high school musical' films belong to Disney. Disney is associated with children's films. HSM3 definitly lives up to the expectations of a Disney film as it connotates loads of bright colours and a cheerful atmosphere. The colour scheme for this film is bright colours such as reds (primary colours) to pull the audience in.

The film opens with a montarge of dark establishing shots of different loacations to show where the film is set.We generally get an idea of what happens throughout the film. The scenes are very slow at the beggining of the trailor, as this is the leavers year and it trys to portray an emotional atmosphere to the audience. However, as the trailor progresses the lighting becomes brighter and the past become faster to build up excitement. The emotional atmoshphere at the start of the film soon changes to happy and lively. The lighting becomes very high key as the trailor moves on. There are loads of fades of different scenes from the film used in this trailor, however, there is not much detail revealed in the film trailer as the aim is to make the audience want to watch the film.
There are many songs played throughout the film trailor, songs that are from film soundtrack. High school musical films use there own sound tracks making the audience more attracted, especially those that love musical films.

Macro Features:
The main setting for this film is in a high school, during the film trailer there are numerous edits and locations each showing snips of the parts of the film in order to make this trailer attractive and making the audience want to watch it. The locations which are shown are mainly areas within the school such as the gym. The main character of 'Troy' played by Zac Effron has become a huge fan after the first release of 'High School Musical' which was shown on the Disney Channel. The genre of High school musical 3 is a teenage romance musical as we can gather from the film title itself. There is a lot of singing and dancing involved with all 3 High School Musical films having their own soundtrack. The target audience for this film is children and teenagers, Zac Effron is a role model for many 'tweens' so this is a big advantage for people going to watch this film. The film is aimed at both genders, girls are attracted to the music and dancing in the film and the boys will be attracted to the sport scenes of basetball. The hook is a musical, involving singing, dancing and laughing. However, if they watched this film with their parents they may also enjoy the film so it can be aimed at families too. High School Musical films have become huge franchise by releasing products such as barbie dolls and toys to promote the film and musical tours for audiences to watch the film live. This is a popular successful film of Disney.

Dark Knight

Dark Knight is a 'superhero' comical action film. Based on the comic’s of Batman. It was filmed primarily in Chicago, as well as other states in the United States, United Kingdom and Hong Kong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrJL5JxEYIw&feature=player_embedded#at=20

Micro Features:
The beginning of this film trailer opens with the iconic of the makers of the film including the production and company names. The production company of this film is 'Warner Brothers', this is a successful company which has produced a majority of popular films. By showing the production company in the in the opening of the film trailer may instantly be attracted to watch the film. The other iconic is then 'Legendary Pictures' sign this appears and then fades to black which instantly shows a thriller type film to the audience.

In this film trailer there is use of panning and tracking shots in order to add the speed of the editing this creates a sense of tension for the audience and for them to be able to see different locations and characters within this trailer giving them an insight of what happens in Gotham City. There is numerous edit and acton which carries through the trailer until it reaches a climax this creates a hook to the audience making them want to watch futher.

Camera angles that are used are very catchy and show the different status of the characters, for example when the character of Batman is shown in high angle shots giving him the most power and this continues throughout where as the camera angles used to clarify the joker tend to be low angled shots showing him as being evil and as the antaognist.

The lighting used within the trailer is very low key adding alot more tension. Dark gritty colours are used throughout making the shots seem more misterious. The characters indicate the particular colours of green, purple, brown and black in their costumes, hair and make-up of batman and the joker.

Also, voice-overs from the characters in the film are used to narrate the trailer it not only gives a brief summary of the story but creates another hook as the characters are well known from pop culture so the audience will begin to get used to these interpritations of them.

Macro Features:
Although the main setting of the Dark Knight takes place in Gotham city there are different locations shown within the trailer such as back streets, a car park and bat mans house. The locations throughout the trailer are shown in dark light in order to immediatly showing the theme of an 'action thriller'. There is a juxtapostion shot within the trailer od the Joker in prison and Harvey Dent at a upper class party which balance the good and evil characters within the film with Batman playing a grey line down the middle.

The Joker is shown as evil throughout the whole trailer however, the context of which the Joker is shown adds comedy to the film. The make up of the Joker gives him his identity, he has a huge smile painted across his face and clown expressions, his costume is very run down meanso he is a main character although this gives the insight of him being a 'joker'. Batman is also a main character and has the iconic black all in one suit and cape. This equalling to Batman clearly standing out more than the Joker and his role of the more proffessional hero is shown.

Throughout there are 69 edits, starting of with less edits at the start of the trailer to ease the audience into action then it picks up with alot more edits between the middle and ending making the audience want to see more. Fades are used within the opening of the traile these are indicative of superhero films.

The genre of the Dark Knight is a superhero action film, this has a clear sense of good and evil within the film and the motives behind it. The characters costumes add the sense of identity to their individuallity and type of their character. The superhero's true identiy is conceal with their flaws and are iconography of this genre. Batmans costume indicates his high power compared to the Joker and shows he is more moral and is the good guy. Batman is the central character and his costume is part of his superpowers.


Research into a horror film trailer

The Omen...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv2CQ4ljvDM

The omen trailer in my opinion is basic but effective. You are able to tell the main character and the genre through various macro and micro techniques used. The only camera shot used throughout this trailer is a mid shot combined with a tracking movement which is constant throughout the visual images in the trailer. The shot starts by showing a dog sitting on a step and then the tracking movement moves the shot on to a boy swing on a swing alone, it then moves the shot around the boy firstly covering his back angle which shows the abandoned scenery and tracks around to the front of the boy. The shot is then focused on the boy as he makes visual contact with the camera. The shot is then ended by a black title screen being entered. This is the only camera shot and movement throughout the trailer. The lighting is natural in the trailer as its in an outside environment, however its a dark dull day which is reflective of the genre of the film. There is only seven edits throughout the trailer which is very basic. The music used within the trailer is sound effects of the wind, and the swing swinging. Music is added towards the end of the trailer to make a dramatic ending. There was one location used throughout the trailer as the main purpose was to focus on the boys movements.
The mise en scene used was the dog in order to create a sense of danger, and the swing set to show that the boy is in fact a child. The costume fitted in with the class of the boy and the fashion at that period of time.
The titles used in the trailer were at the ends to show the release date and the tagline of the film. Additionally there was titles at the front of the trailer showing us the producers of the film which is 20th century fox. From the trailer we are able to establish that the young boy is the main character of the film and the narrative revolves around him.
From watching the trailer we are able to establish that the storyline revolves around a horror relating to the devil due to the name of the film and the titles featured at the end of the trailer relating to 6.6.6. which is commonly known as 'the devils number'.
The setting of the shot is important to the storyline as its the boys home and it adds a sense of danger as it implies the area is surrounding by land as there is no other signs of buildings which would be the perfect location for a dramatic event to occur.