1.Horror teaser trailers 2.Film poster3.Magazine front cover

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 theses trailers we came across the following conventions:-

•Dark lighting and setting •Pace Unknown/ mysterious characters •Todorov’s theory -Narrative theory of equilibrium in the beginning happy and disequilibrium as there is a tragic ending•Increase of pace when tension occurs•Propp’s character theory•Props and costume •Film title at the end

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 filming our teaser trailer we took the majority of these conventions into consideration and used it when filming, but we did not necessarily make the Todorov theory obvious in the trailer, as we believe it was not really significant in making an effective horror teaser trailer.

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.

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’.

Analysing these three film posters allowed us to understand the actors of the film are usually the main focus of the film poster, and the name of the film needs to be displayed in a unique ways to grab the audience's attention. When creating our film poster we challenged one of the conventions, as we did not put the name of the film at the bottom but at the top of the image. Also, we went against the conventions also believed that it will be necessarily to include the rating of the film on the film poster, as it enables the audience to be aware of what content to expect in the film.

From analysing these poster and researching and looking at other forms of film promotions, we noticed the following conventions:-

Film title usually positioned at the bottom Film title is usually bold and the biggest Close up of main characters Dark background – unknown setting Credits and extra information at the bottom-vertically Website and credits placed at the bottom of the film poster Close up or extreme close up or an object or main Tagline to make the audience interested in watching the film

The conventions I have used in my poster

We have positioned the film title at the top of the poster, this is the convention that we challenged ,when carrying out our planning an research on film posters. By placing the film title at the top this immediately draws the audience’s attention to the image below which is the main focus, as it allows the audience to have an understanding of the themes and the plot of the film and what to expect.

By placing the name of the website on the film poster this allows the audience to have a chance to gain more information about the characters and the plot, by going on the website and watching the trailer.

The credits which gives extra information by informing the audience who is the producer of the film, the actors names and directors have been place in the convention place which is in the middle of the film poster; by placing it in the conventional place this allows the audience to be familiar with what they are seeing so they are able to identify that it is a film poster.

By going against the conventions we included the rating of the film, as it immediately identifies the target audience, and informs people of what content to expect from the film.

We have included the tagline which is the second biggest font after the film title, as it grab the audience’s attention as well as giving them an insight of what to expect in the film. This also makes it a memorable way for identifying the film.

We have also kept with the colour scheme (Red. Black and white)which can be identified in the magazine front cover and teaser trailer, as the colours reinforces the horror genre. The dark background is effective in making the gruesome image stand out as black represents:-death, evil and mystery. White represents purity and 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 teaser trailer to be able to have a slight understanding of the film before they can watch it in the cinemas.

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

Conventions we came across when analysing theses magazine front covers:-Film’s name over lapping the image of the main characterPrice and the date on top of the magazine Exclusive information is provide inside:-PLUS!Same colour scheme with actually film and trailerMid shot or close up of main character in the filmMagazine name is in large font Other headlines contains information about what is inside the magazine

When creating our magazine front cover we used most of the conventions but we challenged one in particular:- ‘Film name overlapping the image of the main character . As we thought that our magazine front cover will not look presentable if we use this convention, as it will distract the reader from the main focus which is the image of the main character.

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 I have used in my magazine front cover

The ‘Pulse’ immediately grabs

the reader’s attention, as it informs them of the extra information given inside the magazine; regarding other horror films during the current year. we wanted to keep to the colour scheme so we kept the writing ‘white’, which lists the extra information. We also placed this information at the side of the magazine, so it does not over shadowing the main image which is USP.

We have placed a barcode at the right hand corner of the magazine, which is a typical magazine convention.

The date of the magazine release and price is placed at the top.

We have used a close-up of the main character is the teaser trailer, as it is eye catching and gives the reader and insight into the plot. This is commonly used with magazine front cover to inform them of the characters.

EMPIRE- Is the biggest and boldest which we achieve by increasing the font size. We also used the same font which is used in the actually magazine, so it appear professional and recognisable to the reader.

Colour scheme: Black, red and white. This ties in with the horror convention, this colour scheme can also be identified in the trailer.

Provides the reader with background information regarding the main character, this will make them more interested in watching the actually film.

We have challenged the conventions of a film magazine front cover by not included the name of our trailer: ‘The Unknown’, instead we incorporated the name into catchy phrase .