evaluation question 1

1. Evaluation Question 1
In what way does your media product
use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?

2. Coursework
For our coursework we had the choice to make
a theatrical or a teaser trailer. These are the
codes and conventions of both…

3. Codes and Conventions – Theatrical
What does into a trailer?
•Name of the film (title)
•Shots from the film either in linear or non linear (minimum 10 different shots)
•Narrative of the trailer
•Music
•Production company
•Stars and Directors
•Endorsements; positive critical quotes, film festival, famous actors
•Credits
•Age Certification
•Voice Overs
•Launch Date
ACT 1 – lays out the story
ACT 2 – drives the story, usually ending in a dramatic climax
ACT 3 – montage of key moments from the film which grips the audience

4. Codes and Conventions - Teaser
• Short sequence of clips or just one
• Between 30 – 60 seconds
• Pace is usually fast which creates tension for the
audience
• Gives the audience an idea of what its about but
wont give all the general story line away
• Often made when the film is still in production
• May contain scenes which don’t appear in the film
• Only used with Hollywood or large budgeted films
• Released a while before a theatrical trailer

5. Theatrical or Teaser?
I decided to make a theatrical trailer for my coursework.
I chose this because it would be more interesting to
make as more would need to be included. It also helps to
give some of the story line to the audience to make them
want to come see the film.
The Uninvited also had quite a small budget.
We chose to make it a horror genre.

6. Codes and Conventions of Horror
Trailer
• Shows the well known actors
• Victim
• Dark scary atmosphere
• Dialogue such as “who’s there” “what do you want”
• Appearance of authority
• Dramatic camera angles
• Action is interrupted by credits
• Isolated location
• Music
• Titles are shown mainly at the end
• Battle of good vs evil
• High pitched screaming

7. Does my trailer follow these
conventions?
- One of the codes and conventions is that the victim is shown. The victim of our
trailer is our main protagonist so she is shown a lot throughout.
- We have included a dark, scary atmosphere when Poppy runs outside and is
throwing the doll off of the roof.
- Dramatic camera angles are used such as; high angled views when she is running
outside and low angled views when she is playing with the doll at the beginning of
the trailer.
- Some of our action is interrupted by credits towards the middle and ending of our
trailer. This makes the audience jump and creates tension as to what is going to
happen next.
- Music is used throughout the whole of our trailer. This helps to set the atmosphere
and emotions of what is happening in the trailer. It can sometimes create suspense
as to what is about to happen.
- Battle of good vs evil is shown as her mum who becomes possessed and the doll
are both against Poppy. You see her throw the doll off the roof trying to get rid of it
but the doll coming back to haunt her.
- We have used a high pitched scream to enhance the noise of the mum when she
becomes possessed. This could make the audience jump.

8. We were inspired for our film
title through the trailer for the
film Annabelle. Dark
backgrounds have been used in
both and the text is slightly
blurred creating a sense of
mystery.

9. Film Poster
Codes and conventions of a horror film poster:
-Dark colours
-One main image
-Main character shown
-Shadows over the characters face to give a sense of
mystery
-Large contrast in colour
-Use of black and red

11. Does my poster fit these codes and
conventions?
I believe that my poster does fit the codes and conventions of
a horror poster.
- I have used a lot of dark colours to create an atmosphere for
the trailer.
- Only one image has been used which shows the main
character, her face is quite dark due to the way I have edited it
creating a sense of mystery as it hides part of her identity.
- I have used red fonts on my poster which contrast against
the black background.
Overall I am happy with my poster.

12. Film Magazine - Entertainment
• Bold headline and colours
• Date / issue number
• Barcode
• Anchorage of main cover line to image
• One image on the cover

14. Does my magazine fit into the
Entertainment codes and conventions?
I think my film magazine fits into the codes and
conventions of Entertainment as;
-I have tried to make the masthead as bold as possible
by making it white which contrasts against the
background.
-The date and issue number is above in a small font as
it is not an important aspect for the audience to notice.
-I have put a barcode on the bottom right hand corner.
-I only have one image on the cover which anchors to
the cover line at the top right hand side.