For my A2 media coursework we were given the task to create a horror trailer along with creating a horror poster and a magazine cover for the film. I had to start the project by doing some research on horror trailers and look at magazine covers and horror posters. i did this to obtain an understanding of horror trailers and the common elements that occur in each of them. We had as a group, wrote up a treatment for the film so that we knew what to include in the horror trailer. The original plot included five friends but due to there being a shortage of actors, we reduced the group to three instead. The horror genre for our horror trailer is teen thriller.
The horror trailer that we created as a group did include many conventions of real media products as we used our understanding of existing horror films to give us an idea of what we were going to base our horror trailer on. As I had done some analysis on exisintg horror trailers, I found that close ups, extreme close ups and medium shots were the most frequently used camera shots in horror trailers. Within our horror trailer, we used extreme close ups and close ups to show anxiety. Moreover we used a birds eye view of when a character was fending off an unknown being which gave the impression that he was being watched but was unaware of where the theat was. As the plot of our film revolves around the idea of isolation, we used medium shots which created a sense of that. We didn't use many camera movements within our horror trailer and this is where we challenged commin conventions of media products. There was little camera movemnt at times. For example where the blood stain of the hand was shown, a panning shot was used. The transition we used were very typical of horror trailers. There was a lot of text, fades and cuts.
With the horror trailers I had researched and watched, I found that the most common horror theory to occur was 'the final girl theory'. So as a group, we thought we would play with this theory and have a man being the 'last person standing' which is very rare to occur in horror films and this also challenges conventions of real media products. Furthermore, by having a man the last person standing, it challenges the male gaze theory. The male gaze theory explains that horror films have been created for the entertainment of men. The male gaze theory has been challenged as we had used a man for the last person standing who had gone through this pain and struggle. We done this with the thought that in the 21st century, many women have also come to enjoy watching horror films, therefore with this in mind, I believe the male gaze theory is a little out dated. We had made the character quite logical and someone who did most things correctly and someone who a male audience could relate to. We edited our horror trailer in a way so that the trailer would show some of the exciting parts of the film. This leaves the audience wanting more which is the objective of all film trailers. The majority of our horror trailer includes common conventions of horror trailers. We didn't want our horror trailer to be too unconventional, otherwise it would not be recognised as a horror trailer.
One other part of my project was as a group we needed to combine a magazine cover and a horror poster with the horror trailer which I think we had acomplished successfully. The existing posters I had looked at showed that all of the victims had a pure white glow around them. I think this was created so that the audience is able to see who the victim or victims are. Our poster that we created showed the victims in a frightenining situation even though the whole situation isn't clear, the character's expressions are. This is how the victims are recognised by the audience. The villain is also shown in the horror poster we have created but as a shilouette figure. The villian is never identified in either the horror trailer or the poster to keep the audience intriuged. The magazine cover we had produced was a complete and utter contrast to the horror trailer and poster we had created. It was a photo of one of the actors in the film as himself, the actor in person rather than as the character. We as a group decided to do this as looking at existing magazine covers, we noticed that male actors are usually presented in their acting rold if they are on the front of magazine covers. As the villain hadn't been exposed in either the poster nor the horror trailer, it inserts the question into the audience's mind as to 'is this man the villain in the film or not?', which then again draws in the audience as the identity of the villain is disguised. I think that even though the magazine cover is very different from the other two media products, it allows a balance and lets the audience see another side to the actor.
Technology was significant in this project as it was used in every single stage of this production. It was used in the research stage where sites such as youtube, wikipeida and imdb had to be used to research and find out about existing horror films and the similarities in horror films. As well as that, I also used microsoft excel to create bar charts when i was analysis horror trailers. This was helpful when I was looking at the similarities in horror trailers and how to challenge those similarities to make our trailer less formulaic. Imovie was much easier to use as I am already fond with it as are other people in my group. We used many transitions, fade to black, quick cuts, slowing down certain parts of the trailer and speeding up some parts. Adding sound and music and syncing it to the fast pace of the trailer was also some editing that was done. We had also inserted a scream for when there was a blackout in the trailer to emphasise the blackout. The trailer was not in linear order, but was actually jumbled up in accordance to our storyboard. I found this technique to occur in many horror trailers so we did the same and gave the audience a quick bit of excitement before having the trailer quite calm and then excelling it again. we wanted our trailer to be quite clear and look fairly professional but due to the camera we were given, some scenes were quite blurry, for example when the party scene occured. Although it was slighty hazyfor the party scene, it did give the impression that every there was slightly drunk or not in their right mind which worked well with what was going on in the scene and the fact it is a teen horror/thriller.
In order to improve our trailer, I think we could have firstly used less text and I gathered that fom my audience feedback. Rather than sending out my questionnaire online, I did so by hand by printing it off on microsoft word and later collecting the completed questionnaires. The reason for this is because I did not have sufficient access to the internet so I had to use an alternative to obtain my results. Uploading the trailer on Youtube has allowed people to look at it worldwide and comment on it too.
In conclusion, I believe that our horror trailer was quite successful,. Some scenes did have to be cut out due to the lack of recources but i think we had overcome this efficiently and still produce a good project. Me and my group were quite please with out magazine cover, horror poster and our horror trailer.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Horror Trailer Magazine Cover and Poster
Horror Magazine Cover
Horror Poster
Above are the magazine cover and the poster that I created with my group. We all put in ideas togethe and collaborated them to come to a decision of how we wanted the poster and magazine cover to look.
Horror Poster
Above are the magazine cover and the poster that I created with my group. We all put in ideas togethe and collaborated them to come to a decision of how we wanted the poster and magazine cover to look.
Audience Feedback
I had created a questionnaire on microsoft word and gave it out to my friends to complete regarding my horror trailer. The answers to the questions which they had given are shown below. Five students had taken part in this questionnaire.
1) What gender are you? Male: 4 Female: 1
2) Do you enjoy watching horror movies? Yes: 3 No: 2
3) Does the horror trailer give away too much? Yes: 1 No: 4
4) Does the horror trailer give you an insight as to what the film could be about or include?
Yes: 5 No: 0
5) Does the horror trailer make you want to go and watch the film? Yes: 3 No: 2
6) Do you think that the horror trailer was effective? Yes: 3 No: 2
7) What did you think was effective or good about the horror trailer?
Answer One: Gave the outline of the story but did not give away too much.
Answer Two: There was a variety of different shot types and camera angles.
Answer Three: The music and sounds.
Answer Four: The rapid change of scenes.
Answer Five: There was just enough included in the horror trailer and it didn't give away too much.
8) If you think something in the horror trailer could be improved, what would it be?
Answer One: The quality of the sound could be improved to be more clear.
Answer Two: The quality of the sound.
Answer Three: Less use of text on screen
Answer Four: The acting could be improved.
Answer Five: Better lighting could be used in the trailer. It was too dark at too many times.
Audience Feedback Evaluation
From the answers I received, I gathered that people didn't think the horror trailer gave too much away but still let them know what the film is about or what it includes, which is the initial idea of a horror trailer. I do think that in this sense, my group's horror trailer was definately successful. Three out of five students said they would go to watch the film which suggests that some improvements could be made to grasp the rest of the target audience. Improvements were suggested, such as "improve the sound quality" and for there to be "more use of lghting as the majority of the horror trailer was quite dark". Despite this, three out of five students still believed the horror trailer was effective. However, this statistic does tell me that the horror trailer didn't give the excitement or thrill that it should do, otherwise that statistic should be higher if it did.
Students generally beleived that the horror trailer was good and effective according to question 7 on the questionnaire. The most common answer was that "the horror trailer gave away just the right amount which is neither too much nor too less". By those who like to watch horror films, they said they would go to watch this film as the trailer generally inticed them and gave away just the right amount for them wanting to see more.
1) What gender are you? Male: 4 Female: 1
2) Do you enjoy watching horror movies? Yes: 3 No: 2
3) Does the horror trailer give away too much? Yes: 1 No: 4
4) Does the horror trailer give you an insight as to what the film could be about or include?
Yes: 5 No: 0
5) Does the horror trailer make you want to go and watch the film? Yes: 3 No: 2
6) Do you think that the horror trailer was effective? Yes: 3 No: 2
7) What did you think was effective or good about the horror trailer?
Answer One: Gave the outline of the story but did not give away too much.
Answer Two: There was a variety of different shot types and camera angles.
Answer Three: The music and sounds.
Answer Four: The rapid change of scenes.
Answer Five: There was just enough included in the horror trailer and it didn't give away too much.
8) If you think something in the horror trailer could be improved, what would it be?
Answer One: The quality of the sound could be improved to be more clear.
Answer Two: The quality of the sound.
Answer Three: Less use of text on screen
Answer Four: The acting could be improved.
Answer Five: Better lighting could be used in the trailer. It was too dark at too many times.
Audience Feedback Evaluation
From the answers I received, I gathered that people didn't think the horror trailer gave too much away but still let them know what the film is about or what it includes, which is the initial idea of a horror trailer. I do think that in this sense, my group's horror trailer was definately successful. Three out of five students said they would go to watch the film which suggests that some improvements could be made to grasp the rest of the target audience. Improvements were suggested, such as "improve the sound quality" and for there to be "more use of lghting as the majority of the horror trailer was quite dark". Despite this, three out of five students still believed the horror trailer was effective. However, this statistic does tell me that the horror trailer didn't give the excitement or thrill that it should do, otherwise that statistic should be higher if it did.
Students generally beleived that the horror trailer was good and effective according to question 7 on the questionnaire. The most common answer was that "the horror trailer gave away just the right amount which is neither too much nor too less". By those who like to watch horror films, they said they would go to watch this film as the trailer generally inticed them and gave away just the right amount for them wanting to see more.
Horror Poster Ideas
Horror Poster Idea 1
Horror Poster Idea 2
Horror Poster Idea 1:
I beleive this poster to be quite effective as it presents all three main charatcers in the film and also has the possesed characters silhouette or shadow in the doorway. Like the horror posters I had looked at, this one also give elements of the film away but not too much which intices and attracts the audience.
Horror Poster Idea 2:
This poster idea includes only two characters, one character who is the central image and the other character being the possesed one covering the victims mouth with cloth. This is very simple horror poster but it also very effective as it discloses less than the one above it and gives a larger sense of the unknown. I do think that upon looking at this poster, the audience wouldnt be able to grasp what the film could be about meaning that as the poster has no structure, the film could be the same and therefore doesn't attract the audience as much.
Horror Poster Idea 2
Horror Poster Idea 1:
I beleive this poster to be quite effective as it presents all three main charatcers in the film and also has the possesed characters silhouette or shadow in the doorway. Like the horror posters I had looked at, this one also give elements of the film away but not too much which intices and attracts the audience.
Horror Poster Idea 2:
This poster idea includes only two characters, one character who is the central image and the other character being the possesed one covering the victims mouth with cloth. This is very simple horror poster but it also very effective as it discloses less than the one above it and gives a larger sense of the unknown. I do think that upon looking at this poster, the audience wouldnt be able to grasp what the film could be about meaning that as the poster has no structure, the film could be the same and therefore doesn't attract the audience as much.
My Group's Horror Trailer
This is the horror trailer that myself and my group have created.We followed a stroyboard to create this horror trailer but did change some elements of the storyboard and added in some new parts to make this horror trailer for the better. I think that we were quite successful in including many obvious elements of horror films within this horror trailer.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Existing Horror Magazine Covers and Posters
As part of my A2 media studies coursework, I had to design a magazine cover and a poster for the horror trailer that me and my group created. I have found a few similarities in horror film posters and horror film magazine cover, having looked and researched a few. I did find that men and women are both portrayed in very different ways and this is explained below.
Magazine Covers
Within the two magazine covers above, both actors are presented in different ways. The role that Halle Berry takes part in is a strong character and so is the role that Christian Bale takes on. The difference is on the cover that Christian Bale is on, he is presented as the character he plays and on the cover that Halle Berry is on, she is presented as an actress. I beleive that when a women is on the front of a magazine cover promoting a film, sex appeal is usually used to attract audiences. Looking at the dark knight cover, Chrisitan Bale is his character that he plays. As seen from the above examples, it is clear that magazines user men and women in very different ways to attract their audiences.
Horror Posters
Both of the horror posters above have many simliraities. Both of the posters have women as the main or central image and they also have a glow around them. This could suggest some kind of purity, specifically for the women holding the child in the orphanage posters. Looking at both posters, the impression of the unknown is given. I came to this thought as on the Eden Lake poster there are figures in the background approaching the women and on the Orphanage poster, there are arms reaching for the women coming from behind the curtains. I think both posters are effective in inticing the audience and give elements as to what the films are about or what could be about and at the same time do not give too much away.
Within the two magazine covers above, both actors are presented in different ways. The role that Halle Berry takes part in is a strong character and so is the role that Christian Bale takes on. The difference is on the cover that Christian Bale is on, he is presented as the character he plays and on the cover that Halle Berry is on, she is presented as an actress. I beleive that when a women is on the front of a magazine cover promoting a film, sex appeal is usually used to attract audiences. Looking at the dark knight cover, Chrisitan Bale is his character that he plays. As seen from the above examples, it is clear that magazines user men and women in very different ways to attract their audiences.
Horror Posters
Both of the horror posters above have many simliraities. Both of the posters have women as the main or central image and they also have a glow around them. This could suggest some kind of purity, specifically for the women holding the child in the orphanage posters. Looking at both posters, the impression of the unknown is given. I came to this thought as on the Eden Lake poster there are figures in the background approaching the women and on the Orphanage poster, there are arms reaching for the women coming from behind the curtains. I think both posters are effective in inticing the audience and give elements as to what the films are about or what could be about and at the same time do not give too much away.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Horror Film Theories
Final Girl Theory
The final girl theory is present in many horror films. This theory suggests that a female always survives. This theory came from Carol J.Clover. The final female surviver has ordinarially has got some sort of connection with the killer from the beginning of the film and the female usually has a unisex name. A unisex name for the female gives the impression that the female has a bit of a masculine side. Within horror films the 'final girl theory' explains that the final girl is a quick thinker, recourseful and become a person who is willing to kill to survive. With a horror film using the 'final girl theory', male viewers are much more likely to empathise with a female and want her to succeed. If a male was left last, then I beleive a male would be more competitive and would feel as if the male should be able to defeat villain or killer with ease. Feminists will argue that many horror films, if not all horror films have an element of sexism as a women is always being terrorised or brutally slaughtered in horror films. All horror films give off the impression that the women is initially being blamed for the villains rage, so therefore, I shall also be using an element of this in my horror film trailer. Although it will look like the female is being punished or blamed for the deaths of the other victims, she will not be the last girl 'standing' if you like so we as a group have tried to subvert from the typical final girl theory which is present in a lot of horror films. More frequently, the last person 'standing' in horror films are becoming to be male, which is occuring more in the 21st century. In my groups horror trailer, the last person standing is male and therefore doesnt follow the final girl theory.
Male Gaze Theory
It is said that horror films are made for male entertainment. There is evidence of this statement which is that in a horror film, there is always a terrorfied woman and it is thought that it is not what the woman represents but what the woman provokes in the villain. The theorist name for the male gaze theory is Laura Mulvey. She states that the audience view the horror film from a heterosexual point of view and that women are objectified in horror films for pleasure of the male viewer. This theory is less obvious in horror films now and an example of this the film Eden Lake. In Eden Lake it is true that the woman is very scared and frightened, but near the end of the film she is also very brave and couragous and attempts to tactfully get out of the situation she is in which presents her as a heroine.
The final girl theory is present in many horror films. This theory suggests that a female always survives. This theory came from Carol J.Clover. The final female surviver has ordinarially has got some sort of connection with the killer from the beginning of the film and the female usually has a unisex name. A unisex name for the female gives the impression that the female has a bit of a masculine side. Within horror films the 'final girl theory' explains that the final girl is a quick thinker, recourseful and become a person who is willing to kill to survive. With a horror film using the 'final girl theory', male viewers are much more likely to empathise with a female and want her to succeed. If a male was left last, then I beleive a male would be more competitive and would feel as if the male should be able to defeat villain or killer with ease. Feminists will argue that many horror films, if not all horror films have an element of sexism as a women is always being terrorised or brutally slaughtered in horror films. All horror films give off the impression that the women is initially being blamed for the villains rage, so therefore, I shall also be using an element of this in my horror film trailer. Although it will look like the female is being punished or blamed for the deaths of the other victims, she will not be the last girl 'standing' if you like so we as a group have tried to subvert from the typical final girl theory which is present in a lot of horror films. More frequently, the last person 'standing' in horror films are becoming to be male, which is occuring more in the 21st century. In my groups horror trailer, the last person standing is male and therefore doesnt follow the final girl theory.
Male Gaze Theory
It is said that horror films are made for male entertainment. There is evidence of this statement which is that in a horror film, there is always a terrorfied woman and it is thought that it is not what the woman represents but what the woman provokes in the villain. The theorist name for the male gaze theory is Laura Mulvey. She states that the audience view the horror film from a heterosexual point of view and that women are objectified in horror films for pleasure of the male viewer. This theory is less obvious in horror films now and an example of this the film Eden Lake. In Eden Lake it is true that the woman is very scared and frightened, but near the end of the film she is also very brave and couragous and attempts to tactfully get out of the situation she is in which presents her as a heroine.
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