1. *
Through doing my research and taking what I
have found into account, I have decided to
produce a film trailer of the thriller genre.

2. *
*The conventions I have chosen to include:
The element of mystery: This will play a primary part in my trailer, and I hope to achieve this by using
only non-diegetic sound. This means the only voice that will be heard will be a voice over, and the
dramatic music I hope to include in order to create the correct atmosphere and build tension.
From my audience research I found this was the most popular idea, as it will leave people with many
unanswered questions, making them want to then go and watch the movie in order to get answers.
This will also give my trailer a Unique Selling Point (USP), this is extremely important, as although it is
important to follow conventions, it is important that it includes something that separates it from
everything that is already out.
Location: My audience was given the option of the two stereotypical thriller locations; the woods and
a house. The majority decided a house would be the best location, with one person stating “You will
be able to do more things in a house as the woods can be limited”. This comment helped me a lot
with my decision, as I thought that I may have problems in the woods such as the weather, and limited
resources. Basing the thriller in a house would fit the genre conventions, as they are usually
associated with ghosts and abnormal experiences.
Lighting: I will be including a lot of darkness and dull lighting. This is because it will add to the element
of mystery and help to set the appropriate atmosphere. It also means people will be able to easily
identify the films genre and therefore the target audience will watch it.

3. **Roland Barthes five codes:
The hermeneutic code: This is an element that is left unexplained and therefore leads to audience
with questions. By withholding information, it keeps people interested and also means that when
the answers are revealed, they are more dramatic and the audience get a greater sense of
satisfaction from them.
The proairetic code: This builds tension and interest by implying that something significant Is going
to happen. This is designed to keep the audience guessing and maintain their attention.
The semantic code: This refers to the connotations within the story as way of adding meaning.
The symbolic code: Can be seen as a “deeper” version of the semantic code. This gives elements a
deeper meaning and is mostly done through antitheses which shows opposites in order to create a
contrast and further deepen the meaning.
The cultural code: is „what goes without saying‟/ something everyone knows, it doesn‟t involve
anything that contradicts opinions and adds an element of realism.

4. *
I will mostly be using the hermeneutic code in order to leave the audience with
questions after they have watched the trailer. From my primary research I found that
this is what the majority of people expected from a thriller. I plan to implement this by
hopefully leaving the audience feeling slightly confused through the music, quick shots
and lighting. I also want to do this by also using the proairetic code and implying that
something drastic/significant is going to take place.
I also hope to create connotations through the dark surroundings, dark costumes and props such as
blood and face paint. The reason I want my trailer to include deeper meanings is because I want
people to believe it has been well thought out, and has a clever plot and is more than just blood and
darkness. Through my primary research I discovered many people like to have to think, as they get
pleasure from working out the plot.

5. *
Ellipsis: Allows the audience to fill in any gaps in the story e.g. “December 2015” or “ Five
hours later”. I will be using this technique a lot due to not having any diegetic sound, this
will make the trailer easy to follow and help the audience understand the setting etc.
Narrator: A person who can be heard speaking over the images on screen. They are usually
included to give the audience background/extra information and to help set the scene. The
protagonist will be narrating at the beginning of the trailer so the audience will have a
better perspective of what is happening as they will be given some background information.
Flashbacks: When relevant shots from the past are incorporated to help the audiences
understanding. They are used to give background information to help explain/support the
storyline. I plan to use this so that the audience will immediately be aware of what the
trailer is about, although I also recognise I must ensure I don‟t give to much away.

6. *
The theorist Claude Lévi-Strauss came up with the idea of films containing binary
oppositions. These are opposing values e.g. The Villain Vs The Hero. In relation to
the thriller genre these oppositions are usually A spirit Vs An innocent family/
person. With the spirit or evil element having bad values, and wanting to harm
others and the innocent person/people having good values and being seemingly
helpless.
I am going to include this theory in my trailer as I believe it is one of the most
important conventions of a trailer, and is a basic expectation from the audience.
It also will make it easier for me to incorporate paranormal activity.

7. *
When producing my film trailer I believe it is important to follow the
majority of the conventions as the majority are basic expectations from
an audience. By doing this it will also make it easier for me to make
the genre clear to the audience and therefore give me more freedom
with my ideas because I will not have to dedicate most of my focus to
overdoing elements such as dark lighting to ensure the genre is
conveyed. Through my research I have realised that it is important to
follow these conventions, but I also found that it is also important to
have a USP. This feedback made me realise the importance of
challenging conventions so people will take an interest and be able to
distinguish it from other film/trailers. I decided to challenge my
conventions by focusing on the dramatic sounds, voiceovers and
background music and not by what is being said by the actors. By doing
this it means I will have to put an extra focus on mise-en-scene, to
ensure all the other elements convey the correct message, whilst
maintaining an element of mystery.