1. For our A2 Media Studies coursework we are to create a movie
trailer (of any genre we wished) and 2 other tasks to go along with it
(in this case, a film poster and a magazine cover).
My group and I chose to create a “Faux Found Footage-Thriller”, so
we had regular meetings to develop our ideas into a feasible and
interesting plot, which we could then create a movie trailer for.
Upon some research we manages to conjure up some research of
codes and conventions of faux found/ thriller trailers.
- Create a sense of enigma/ suspense
- Contain some fast paced action
- Tension is built up throughout the film
- There will be scenes that thrill the audience (perhaps making
them jump)
- Fast paced editing (especially during the end of trailer)
- The protagonist’s tend to be male, possibly with a female
counterpart.

2. What other factors may be considered for this genre if we were
to make it in this genre?
-Mind games (could be between the character, but may also
involve the audience)
- A sense of danger and enigma
- Dark settings
- Isolation
- a sense that their not alone
- Brief glimpses of an antagonist
We will discuss further which of these would fall best into our
plot and what wouldn’t!

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4. Upon Research a teaser trailer as such should have follow
these points, which we are to use to make an effective and
interesting opening.
- We should not show the whole storyline, a trailer is only
meant to work on the audience’s appetite and not make
them feel like they know the whole story already.
- Include many different quick shots in the shortest space
of time as possible, whilst still making the viewer want to
see the film.
- Establish some kind of comprehendible narrative.
- Include information about actors/ actresses, the
distribution and production companies.
-Leave the viewer wanting to see more.
As a group we feel a lot more comfortable knowing what the
codes and conventions of a thriller/ faux found would be and
what is generally expected within a trailer.

5. Tension is built up throughout the trailer:
A typical device used within trailers to build up the tension is the
use of different editing speeds. Typically, a trailer will begin with
slow shots that establish the storyline, develop character and
introduce the themes within the film. By the time you have reached
the end of the trailer, there will be many quick cuts (that can range
from half a second to 3 seconds) that build up the tension. These
build up tension as the audience may not understand why certain
shots have been included and this could lead to confusion, they may
also feel overwhelmed by the amount of scenes and actions that are
being thrown at them in such a short space of time.

6. Sound:
The use of sound within any trailer is crucial in engaging
the audience whilst also giving the viewer hints as to what
genre the film belongs to and what emotions they should be
feeling whilst watching.
Two typical conventions of trailers include:
-A change in music to suggest a change in atmosphere
- Diegetic Sounds to give atmosphere to the environment
- Sound bridges to add an Enigma.

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ilm Po
F az ine
M ag
F ilm Co ver

8. Film Magazine Cover:
Before our group even
started planning the
design for our cover I drew
out a typical structure for a
film magazine cover, this
way we knew we’d be
making a professional
looking product as we
would be following the
conventions of a film
magazine.
I’ve pinpointed the main
key points that would be
of any integral use of any
magazine!.

10. Here I’ve analised
the magazine in
higher detail,
picking out the
sections and
mentioning how and
why they have done
what they have. And
how this makes it
effective

11. Film Poster:
Film poster can take on many different shapes and forms, so there was no set
way of laying things out. There are, however, a few conventions that all posters
follow. These include:
- An image relating to the film (typically a character)
- Studio credits at the bottom of the poster
- The title of the film
- Date of release (if it is a theatrical poster, not a teaser poster)
Here are a few examples of posters that follow these conventions…

12. As our main task
was to create a
teaser poster, I
analysed one in
depth to gain an
understanding of
the conventions
of a typical teaser
poster. Here
were my
findings…