1. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA
PRODUCTS USE, DEVELOP AND CHALLENGE
FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA
PRODUCTS?
By Georgie Jackson-Nash, Molly Lancaster and Georgina Moore.
2. THE UNINVITED HORROR TRAILER
In order to make a successful horror trailer our group realised that
certain aspects of our trailer would need to be similar to established
and recognisable horror trailers. We researched into many existing
and successful trailers in order to gain inspiration and recognise the
reoccurring genre conventions. We wanted to be able to understand
what audiences expected from this genre and what was imperative
for us to include. However we wanted to present some of our own
originality and challenge these conventions so a stronger message is
brought across to the audience and our ideas weren’t entirely
predictable.
3. THE UNINVITED HORROR TRAILER
Research-
In order to take our horror trailer to it’s highest standard, we carried out
research so we could analyse and take inspiration. We researched into different
sub-genres and the Slasher genre appealed most to us. We came across an urban
legend ‘The babysitter and the man upstairs,’ we found we could base our initial
plot around this but putting our own twist upon it.
We carried out most of our research on YouTube by watching existing
trailers, here we could identify the key conventions which we wanted to involve
in our trailer as we could tell they worked well. The majority of the trailers we
viewed involved key scenes that left the viewer wanting to carry on watching the
full film.
5. WHEN A STRANGER CALLS - 2006
As we had a basis for our film, in terms of the urban legend. We
researched into films that were similar to this, we soon came across
‘When a Stranger Calls’ which was based entirely on the urban
legend we had found, although with a modern twist.
This film was already a remake of the famous original in 1976 so we
knew this type of film already had a fan base and was moderately
successful. We decided to not follow in the footsteps of this film
because it would take away our own originality. Instead we altered
the ideas we initially had, changing key scenes planned for the trailer.
6. KEY ELEMENTS WITHIN THE TRAILER
At the beginning of the trailer we
decided to include the preview
screen. After our in depth
research to existing trailers, we
found that this consistently came
up. Therefore we included the
preview screen within our own
trailer so that it’s appearance
became more realistic. After
reading through our audience
feedback it appeared to work
well, most answers said that they
liked the idea of this and they felt
the trailer did seem more
realistic to them when viewing it.
7. Another key element trailers commonly include is their production logo
before the trailer begins. This is to initially advertise the production
house, giving the trailer a more of a professional look and as a group we
decided to include this element within our own trailer to advertise our
brand and keeping a professional, realistic approach.
The length of our trailer also reflects this of a teaser trailer. Initially they
should last between a minute or a minute and a half. The reasons for are
to entice the audience as much as possible without giving away too much
of the storyline. Our own trailer ended up being just over a minute in
length, reflecting this.
When a stranger calls - Production Logo. Our GMG Productions Logo.
8. Throughout our research into existing
trailers we found that commonly an
extreme close up focuses upon the main
plot focus. When a Stranger Calls uses a
close up of a phone, used and referenced
throughout the film, thus enticing
audience to ask questions like Who’s
calling? Why are they calling?. Mirroring
this, we used the images of the
children, as this is constantly referenced
in our trailer. We wanted the audience to
think about certain questions when
watching this part of the trailer: Are the
Children in danger? Will they be okay
when the film ends? To add more
suspense and to get the viewer to ask
more questions, we added a blood
smudge as this symbolizes danger and
death.
9. When looking at previous media trailers, we noticed each one had a big
moment, a final scare at the end. Although our trailer had lots of big
moments through we wanted to keep the pace going towards the end
and keep the audience engaged till the end , and then end with a big
final moment that tips the audience over the edge for them to say “I
want to see that!” this was only a teaser trailer, so we could not give too
much away so we developed our trailer by adding text, breaking up the
shots. Using a variety of different events within the trailer hopefully
enticed to the viewer to want to come and see the film as the outcomes
were not given away.
This is text from our trailer.
10. • It could be argued our big moment is at the end as she is being dragged
out by the killer, and the previous scene builds up to her being caught by
the killer, although we believe it challenges the key convention of the big
moment as there is no sudden music change and the scene fades out to
black. This develops the convention as although there is no ‘jumpy’
scene, the fade out to black leads to curiosity and attracts the audience to
see the film. Also this teases the audience as it does not give too much
away, therefore we believe it could be more effective doing this way. We
also felt that the scene where the protagonist discovers the intruder
became somewhat iconic to us. Our audience feedback told us that this
was a key scene for the viewer as well, we therefore decided to carry on
that key image within the poster.
11. KEY CHARACTERS PROFILES OF THE
SLASHER GENRE
Killer, identity hidden- It was key from the start that we use a scary killer figure.
In our current modern climate, people find hoodies quite frightening, so we used
this image in our trailer as it was something that most people could relate to be
quite scary, it’s part of society today. The majority of trailers we researched, used
hooded figures, we soon deemed it appropriate to use this kind of killer in our
final trailer.
‘Final Girl’, The survivor- Typically in the Slasher Genre, the main character is a
teenage girl, who has surrounded herself with failure. This convention was a
obvious choice, we wanted a strong female protagonist that was relatable and
likable by the audience. Looking at the Scream trailer, we took some of the
elements of the female protagonist, Sidney, and used some features of her
character in our ‘Final Girl’
Weapon- Much like the Scream Films, we decided to go with the traditional
‘Butcher Knife’ as this has been weapon of choice in most successful horror films.
The Halloween films also incorporated a Butchers Knife, so it seemed perfect to
choose this as the weapon wielded by the killer.
12. CONCLUSION OF FILM TRAILER
• We researched many film trailers in order to gain ideas and inspiration in order to make
our horror trailer to its best potential. We identified the the key conventions and in order to
make our film trailer realistic we used these conventions, such as preview
screen, masked killer ect, However we wanted to develop and challenge these
conventions so we challenged the big moment scene, this improved our film trailer as it
made it unique, however not having a major big moment with sudden dramatic music may
eliminate the suspension and tension. Overall we believe our teaser trailer was a success
as it included many conventions found in real media products yet had individuality as it
also challenged these conventions.
13. MAGAZINE COVER
Knife is clear to the
audience, This follows
real media products
similar to this one as it
shows what genre the
Identity hidden which is
film is.
also a key convention
followed within slashers
on magazines.
To stick with a consistent
theme we used the
‘celebrate horror’ cover
line and specific colour
scheme, which is
red, white and black, all Typical conventions on a
colours connotate magazine have been
danger especially red followed, as we have
and black. This followed • Masthead
the conventions of real • Tagline
media products. • Cover lines
• Puffs/Plugs
• Set colour scheme
• Bannering
Our film is the main These basic conventions
feature on the were a must, in order for
cover, hopefully us to have a successful
encouraging readers to magazine cover.
take an interest in it.
14. MAGAZINE KEY CONVENTIONS
Small sub headings, we have sub headings and
extra information but it is mainly dedicated to
our film in order to attract the audience to the
film more.
Large masthead that stands out.
Sizeable and bold so that the loyal
reader can instantly pick out their
magazine from the others.
Masked killer, main image and focus
point and attracts the audience to the
magazine and film. We have used this
convention, however we have
challenged this as the knife is the
main focus point to represent danger
and a knife is a recognised symbol
that represents death, pain and is line
with Slasher films.
Colour scheme is mainly red black
and white, keeping the dark and
consistent theme of the horror
genre.
15. CONCLUSION
• Our final magazine reflects similar conventions to existing magazine covers
as we wanted to take the most realistic approach possible. With the research
we obtained we could identify the typical conventions needed, such as colour
scheme, recognisable masthead, cover lines, puffs and plugs. So therefore we
included all these conventions in our work. However compared to the
‘Entertainment’ magazine cover on the previous page, we have challenged
some of the conventions as we have included a lot about our film, and have
more information as we believe this will attract more of an audience and
advertise our film more effectively. In conclusion, although we have many
similar conventions to other magazine covers we have also challenged these
in order to attract a bigger audience and make the magazine cover more
interesting. Although we could have challenged these conventions more by a
possible interview with the protagonist or the man from the darkness, giving
the feature a more open feel.
17. CONVENTIONS OF A HORROR FILM POSTER
Dark background
‘Tag Line/ logo’
Danger
represented in a
weapon Killer is main
focus, clear and
masked, here low angle
shot shows status and
Title, bold and empowerment .
contrasts with
surrounding
colour
Credits, all the people
Release date involved with the film
and production and productions.
company logo.
18. Large Title the Under the title we have put our films tag line “You’re not alone”. Here we have
font is Many films include this in order to make there film memorabale, it cropped out a
distorted, this also attracts the audience. silhouette of the
is a key killer, this
convention as challenges the
the title needs conventions of a
to be horror film poster
memorable as they mainly have
and the killer as the
recognisable, i main focus point or
t also needs to the weapon, yet
link with the here our killer
film, here we blends in with the
have background which
red, sharp does not give much
writing away yet it is clear
connotating he is holding a
danger. knife so the
audience can see
what convention it
falls in.
Age Certificate
and
production Also included
logo is a key twitter and
convention, th facebook links so
is makes the Here we have put the production our film will go
poster look Release date was key, so it is name and the people involved viral and attract
realistic and clear to the audience when we within the film, most film posters bigger
professional are advertising for. include this convention and we audience, most film
have so it looks realistic and posters have these
professional logos or barcodes
19. CONCLUSION OF FILM POSTER
• In conclusion we followed many conventions that other horror film posters
use like bold title, catch phrase, however we did take our own approach with
the silhouette of the killer, he is not clear which I believe is effective as it
makes the audience curious, however we could of improved by maybe
making the silhouette more clear, as its not eye catching as it is blended in.
Also I think the font we have chose is effective as its distorted and with the
sharp edges resembles knives/danger, however compared to the other film
posters it doesn’t look as professional, and looks amateur. Furthermore the
colour scheme that we have used is effective as it is dark and the red
contrasts with the black making it stand out more, this is another key
convention film posters use in order to attract the viewers eye. Overall we
believe the film poster is effective and has a stronger message than the
typical film poster as it has challenged the conventions and developed
them, for example our silhouette instead of the killer in main focus.
