2. Time Management
TASK WEEK STARTING
Case study of film + analysis of teaser trailers. 1
Analysis of film magazines and film posters. 2
Identifying target audience and primary and secondary
3
research
Planning stages: storyboard, location, risk assessment,
4
casting, props and costume.
Film teaser, create draft film magazine and film poster
5
and photos for magazine.
Create production logo and final drafts of
6
magazine/poster.
Edit teaser 7
Gain audience feedback 8
Make responses on audience feedback 9
Evaluation questions 10
Upload teaser and add links. 11
3. Teaser Trailers
The main differences between teaser trailers and theatrical trailers is the length and content and
release date.
After watching multiple teaser trailers I have answered the following questions:
What is the definition of a teaser trailer?
A teaser trailer is a short trailer used to advertise an upcoming movie, game or television series.
What is their purpose?
Their purpose is to let the audience know that the movie is coming up in the near future, and to
add to the hype of the upcoming release.
How long do they tend to be?
Movie teasers, unlike typical theatrical trailers, are usually very short in length (between 30–60
seconds)
What genre do they tend to be?
The typical genre for a teaser trailer is adventure and large budget film. However it can be used
in any popular theme/genre.
When are they released?
Some teasers have appeared over a year (or longer) prior to the movie's release date. There is
usually a long delay between trailer and release date.
What are their conventions?
The conventions of a teaser trailer are that they are short, and their intention is to tease the
audience.
What information do they include?
Usually contain little, if any, actual footage from the film.
4. Analysis Of Teaser Trailers
Inception:
Short length, no real storyline or plot, a lot of special
effects, loud ‘tension’ music and lots of action
sequences portraying the genre.
Saw 3D:
Short in length, as above no real plot and also
contains lots of screen shots of text. Shows the
genre well and attracts the audience.
Terminator Salvation:
Contains a narrative throughout, Uses an effect
which makes the camera look like it keeps losing
signal to keep the audience interested.
5. Paranormal Activity Case Study
Teaser: http://teaser-trailer.com/movie/paranormal-
activity/
This trailer was released to the UK audience and contained an
original unique selling point (USP). Within the trailer was
footage of peoples fearful, shocked and outrageous from
watching the film in the cinema. Using this as a USP makes
the audience of the trailer intrigued about the cinematic
experience. It contains superimposition which addresses the
audience to make them involved. It has parts of the film
played from within the cinema so the audience gets an
understanding of what to expect in the cinema. It contains
screen shots of reviews and tension music builds heavily
towards the end. All this is continuously reinforcing the horror
genre.
6. Paranormal Activity Website
Analysis The title and strap
line. The strap line
suggests the film is
Website: http://paranormal-activity-movie.co.uk scary but also
encourages groups
Trailer in the middle of viewers, which
of the screen with means more tickets
tension music are sold.
keeps audience
interested
Link to Facebook/Twitter
to promote viral
Release date, so audience
marketing.
know when to watch
7. Paranormal Activity Poster
Analysis A review that gets the
audience very
intrigued and
emphasises the
A screenshot from suspense of the film
the film in black
and white
connoting
darkness/night
vision and time in
the corner which Two taglines, one
shows that its with a rhetorical
recording, giving question, involving
a realism affect. the audience.
8. Terminology
Masthead: The name of the magazine
Strap line: A slogan used to identify the brand
Cover lines: The main story or article in the
magazine
Screamers: Attention seeking headlines
Billing Block: At the bottom of a poster that
has the production company, writers,
producers, along with company logos.
Tagline: A catchy, enticing short phrases used
to advertise and sell a film. There purpose
is to sum up the plot and/or themes of a
film.
9. SAW Poster
Emphasises
Title in genre the SAW saga
appropriate reputation.
font, with tagline Shows that
intriguing the film is
audience. gruesome and
promotes the
horror genre.
No billing block but does
show producers etc.
10. Inception Poster
Tagline is
USP – the relatively
actors vague making
name sells the audience
the film. intrigued
Special effects
used in the film
also give a
slight insight to
film.
Shows actors
holding
weapons,
emphasising
action. Red title,
contrasting
colour to stand
out. Also using
Billing block shows Release date and
director as
the writers, IMAX as selling point
selling point
producers etc. also.
11. Empire Cover Page
USP
Masthead-
follows colour
scheme and
strap line.
Screamer,
bold and
insight to
film
Entire
background
close up of
face, shows Second
actor and USP
makeup and
props connote
action
12. Total Film Cover Page
Masthead
incorporating the
USP films maze like
features
Screamer Small
also used articles with
to sell magazine
magazine
The cover line
Image shows the main
portrays story within the
action (gun) film.
and shows
main actor
13. BBFC
What is the BBFC?
British Board of film classification
What certificates are there?
U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18, R18
What are the main issues they are concerned with.
Issues such as language, discrimination, violence, sex and drugs in films,
DVDs and video games, parental concerns about younger viewers
What possible ways could the BBFC intervene?
They have the power to seize illegal video works.
How many films did the BBFC cut last year?
9/665 films were cut in 2010.
For my film I would be aiming for a 15 certificate, the restrictions that apply to
this are as follows: No-one under 15 can rent, buy of watch in the
cinema, cannot promote drug use, no sadistic or sexualised violence,
there may be use of strong language, nudity is allowed without strong
detail.
http://www.google.co.uk/images
14. My Teaser Questionnaire
My teaser questionnaire is my
main primary research. The
information gathered from the
questions are mostly
qualitative (rich in information
from open questions) and
some quantitative (nominal
data that is easily measured
from closed questions).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71
948903@N06/6498376969/in/p
hotostream/
15. Questionnaire Analysis
Question Analysis
Gender
Male What do you consider are the main Responses include the use of quick cuts,
conventions of a thriller/horror teaser trailer? dark lighting, tension music and dramatic
Female sounds. I will make sure to use these
conventions with my trailer to fully appeal to
my audience.
What part of a thriller do you find the most Viewers reactions, tension build up, scary
exciting/engaging? actors. I will included these within my trailer
What's most likely to make you to hook the audience.
watch a film?
Teaser Trailer
Book Adaptation
Good Review
What is a particular downfall to a typical Predictability, poor endings, not scary, no
thriller/horror film? use of new materials. To overcome these I
will be sure to build tensions in the right way
and execute them effectively.
16. Secondary Research - UKFC
Above is a segment of one page of secondary research. I have used
secondary research as it would not be possible for me to ask such a wide
range of people. Through the research found people who enjoy thrillers tend to
be over 35 and mainly women. This also table shows that thrillers are the 4th
most popular genre in Great Britain with 63% of the population enjoy watching.
(http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk)
17. My Target Audience
From using Primary and secondary
research my target audience for my film
will be mainly over 35 and primarily
women. I also found out that to get a
possible audience member involved is
through a teaser trailer. My target
audience also believe a good
thriller/horror needs to build suspense to
be successful.
19. Location
The location of the trailer will be at home.
This is appropriate for the film as people
(the audience) see their home as a safe
place, whereas my teaser will contradict
this. This should reinforce the horror
genre.
20. Risk Assessment
As I may use the loft for one of my shots I
am going to make sure the ladder is
stable, and the actor is comfortable with
doing a shot in this environment. I will
also tell Alex (the actor) where to stand
and where is safe. This should reduce if
not eliminate any risks.
21. Casting
I will need approximately 2/3 actors. I have
chosen a main zombie, a victim in bed
and a second zombie.
The cast I have chosen do not have to fit
any certain traits, but must be
comfortable in costume and makeup.
22. Prop List
Bed (from home)
Makeup (mainly white/black/green)
Zombie costume (homemade)
Window (from home)
Door (from home)
Makeup for the zombies
23. Costume Design
The costume for the main
zombie is homemade. This
consisted of a old t-shirt that
was torn up and black/dark
trousers and zombie style
makeup.
Another is bed clothes style
which is supplied by the
actor.
The third costume needs to be
dark so no focus is taken
away from the face in the
window shot.
24. Filming: Day One
Today I completed the main
part of the filming. I dressed
the actors in the costume
and added makeup. I took
several shots of different
ideas but the all related to
the initial story board. I was
very happy with what was
completed today.
25. Filming: Day Two
Today I added a new idea to
the film. After experimenting
different ideas, I decided to
film dripping taps and I am
planning to use the noise to
build tension and suspense
in the trailer. I tweaked a few
shots from the previous day
and re-filmed. I also filmed
the window shot and I am
very happy with the overall
outcome
30. Production Company Logo
MLA = Made
from the
initials of my
name.
The design
is simple
but
professional
looking.
A simplistic design means it can easily be put onto
film products without taking focus away from the
actual product.
31. Film Magazine
http://www.flickr.co
m/photos/7194890
3@N06/64983389
53/in/photostream/
32. Film Poster
http://www.flickr.com/phot
os/71948903@N06/6498
376797/in/photostream/
35. Questionnaire Analysis
(Quantitative answers) (Evaluation 3)
Would you watch the
Did you enjoy What genre is the Did you understand
film?
NO the trailer? trailer? NO the trailer?
0% 7%
NO
13%
Thriller
40%
Horror
YES
60% YES
100% YES 87%
93%
100% of answers The answers The majority said
93% of the audience
were yes, this is a given on this they would watch
understood , but 7%
very positive question were all the film after
didn’t understand
outcome and horror and thriller. viewing my
what the virus did, to
means the trailer is My teaser fits teaser. However
improve my trailer I
successful. exactly into these 13% said they
could consider
categories. wouldn’t but this
making this clearer.
was purely
because they
don’t enjoy horror
films.
36. Questionnaire Analysis
(Qualitative answers) (Evaluation 3)
QUESTION ANSWER
Shot types, tension built, well constructed,
Reason why you enjoyed teaser trailer the costume, lighting and editing used, the
mystery and the length of the trailer.
Sound- heartbeat to drip. More varied text,
What do you feel needs improving? more shots, more explanation, less
explanation.
Quick shots, editing, lack of speech,
What do you feel was a particular strong
lighting mise en scene, camera angles and
point?
sound effects.
From all these questions and after analysing each one I have learnt that even though my
teaser is effective, it still needs some improvement. The responses said I needed to be
more clear, however I chose not to give any more information away to give the audience
a hook. Most respondents said I needed to change the sound effects within my teaser, I
acted upon this by making the heartbeat less intense and adding a dripping noise.
37. Film Teaser (Final Draft)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSul0KI
_2eI
After analysing my audience feedback I
have made adjustments to create a
hopefully, more effective teaser trailer.
http://www.google.co.uk/images
38. Masthead is following
Evaluation (1) conventions of a real
magazine, in terms of font
choice and positioning
The picture is the USP of
the magazine, as is the
one from empire
magazine.
I followed the colour
conventions and mise en
scene to also show the
genre of the film, much like
Empire magazine
I followed other main
conventions of a
magazine such as a
strap line, barcode.
There are also similarities with the
inside stories and how it is presented
39. The colours follow
Evaluation (1) conventions of a horror
and it is essential to keep
this throughout my
The picture is the main products.
focus of the Poster, it
shows the genre and a
basic outline of what to
expect in the film.
I tried to keep the poster minimal
like the SAW poster. This is to
keep the focus on the genre and
also produce a ‘hook’ for the
audience to want to now more.
I challenged this poster but also developed
further by following other main conventions of a
poster such as a billing block website and
release date.
I have also included my production logo,
like the SAW poster and will use this
throughout my products.
40. The colour conventions
Evaluation (1) (dark, gloomy) of a horror
are consistent within both
teasers and it is essential
The words are a main to keep this throughout my
http://www.y
focus of the Teaser it products.
outube.com/
builds the tension but
watch?v=BS
also informs a basic
ul0KI_2eI
outline of what to expect
in the film.
It also contains lots of quick shots
to follow conventions of a typical
horror/thriller trailers. I also
developed this further by
containing a large sum of quick
shots to build tension. http://www.
I followed other main conventions such youtube.co
as film website, release dates and m/watch?v
green band title card. =zg0go2b3
ekY
I have also included my production logo,
like the SAW teaser and will use this
throughout my products.
41. Evaluation (2)
The costume and
lighting within all
three products
relates to the genre
Each product is
not giving much I have the name of
of the storyline the film and tagline
away, this is part in my poster and
I used the main teaser to get the to
actor within the of my marking
campaign to keep want to understand
teaser and more.
magazine, but I’m the film very
not using it to sell mysterious.
I used the
the film, only to get production logo
the audience with my poster
familiar with the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSul
0KI_2eI and teaser to
style and genre of show
the film consistency .
42. My Marketing Campaign
(Evaluation 2)
After analysing other media products, in
particular ‘paranormal activity’ I have
decided to create my own marketing
campaign.
The campaign will be very mysterious, I
will use viral marketing to produce a
‘hook’ by making the target audience
want to know more. The aim will be to
get people talking about the film to
increase it’s fame.
43. My Marketing Campaign
(Evaluation 2)
The campaign will be split into several sections each section will be
called an ‘UPDATE’. They may not necessarily be in the following
order:
Poster release – I will release a poster as my first form of
advertising.
Website – The website will contain eye-witness stories about the
‘virus’ making people question whether its a true story.
Magazine – As the main article of a magazine, the campaign
followers start to know more about the updates and a small insight
to the film this will hopefully make the followers be craving to
understand more about the film.
Teaser trailer – This will be where the followers start to get a real
insight of the film, but still don’t understand too much.
The film - Released around Halloween of 2012 to relate to the
horror genre and feel of the season.
45. Research
• Computer (hardware) for the
Evaluation (4 continued)
primary and secondary
research using the internet
primarily for secondary
Evaluation research.
• Computer (hardware) I used software packages to record my • Microsoft packages such as
evaluations. Word to create my
• Microsoft packages (software) I used these to analyse and present my questionnaires.
evaluation. • I also read and analysed
• Apple Packages (software) I used this to edit my evaluation podcasts. other sources of media
including magazines and
poster examples to help
develop a wider breath of
knowledge.
• Scanner (hardware) to upload
questionnaires onto
PowerPoint.
• Microsoft PowerPoint
Construction (software) to record the
• Scanner (hardware) to import the
research.
pictures for Magazine and questionnaire
hard copies.
• Smart phone (hardware) To take the Planning
picture for magazine. • Scanner (hardware) to upload storyboards onto PowerPoint.
• Microsoft Publisher (software) to create • Microsoft PowerPoint (software) to record storyboards,
the magazine and poster. location, risk assessment, casting, prop list and casting
• iMovie (software) to create the teaser design.
trailer. • Computer (hardware) Internet to find ideas for poster image.
• Smart phone (hardware) to give photographic evidence of
planning stages.
