Conventions of movie trailers

Conventions of a horror movie trailers:

• Sudden signs of ghosts/ spirits 
• Death and blood
• disruption of normality
• Titles are shown mainly at the end 
• music- indication a frightful moment coming up 
• Isolated location- not many people around
• Action is interrupted with credits on screen
• dramatic camera angles show the characters more 
• always the appearance of authority - police/ denotation of good vs evil. 
• Dark scary atmosphere- stormy day- dark clouds
• Always a protagonist- victim- who ends up surviving at the end
• Usually history has a part to play in the film (old fashioned style/ ancient/ decayed) 
• Non diegetic sound to create tensions and frightening atmosphere 

Themes in a horror movie trailer (common):

• Good versus Evil                                             
• Depression
• Religon
• Childhood issues
• Revenge
• Supernatural
• Beyond Death/ suicide 
• Science gone bad
• zombies 
• Nightmares
• madness
• insanity
• lust/ envy

Horror movie trailers 


Film title: The conjuring 2 
American supernatural Horror film 
Conventions used: 

• Shot scenes with ghosts/ spirits involved 
• lots of different cuts- building up of tensions with longer cuts 
• Sound in the trailer- creating scary mood and atmosphere advertising the horror genre  
• Non diegetic sound- a child counting, links to the visual on screen/ voice over of scary voices saying dialogues such as "I'm gonna get you now", "Clap!".
• Tension build into the trailer as the woman starts finding a supernatural creature rather than her daughter- manipulation of real life situations/ games
• Darkness in the room, with a girl holding a match- links to color of black and the indication of darkness 
• Mixture into childlike innocence makes the film trailer look more scary

Film title: Ouija
American supernatural horror 
Conventions used: 

• Fades into black in situations of panic 
• extremely fast pace at certain parts of the trailer creating tension
• Ionic image of female being hung around her neck with lights 
• Use of non-diegetic sound screaming- shows genre of horror- female scream- shows isolation and fear
• Release date at Halloween- linked to horror in the real world, scaring people. 

Film Title: Dark skies 
American Science fiction horror 
Conventions used:

• Mother character in trailer shown with bruises- shows violence involved in the movie  (Mise en scene) 
• Carrie's mother has bags under her eyes- shows something is troubling her 
• Wallpaper in the room and curtains are old fashioned shows shes traditional and 
• Low angle shot of boy looking at flickering street light shows mysteriousness. 
• The title : written in capital letters, short and snappy, black background, white lettering to stand out, placed between main events in the trailer

 Film title: Hush
British Horror movie
Conventions used: 

• Slow dramatic music used to create scary atmosphere 
• Very dark visual style- as there's no day light in the trailer- only night scenes suggest the world in which they live in is violent and cruel- typical British style of film, appose to the glamorous Hollywood style
• Majority of shots in the trailer are close ups reactions shots showing fear and anxiety 
• Shots are jumpy giving it a thrilling pace and sense of building tension
• mise en scene/ sound- short conversation between the hero (also a convention0 hero) and his girlfriend- narrative structure keeps a good sense of realism- part of the action 
• Audio- pace of tense music reaches the climax scene which then changes to complete silence

Film title: Sinister
British supernatural horror 
Conventions used: 

• Throughout trailer audience is constantly reminded of the sub-genre of horror 
• "Sinister"' movie name- short snd snappy
• Trailer includes possessed and creepy looking children which is a horror movie convention and children are a usually innocent so it makes the movie more twisted 
• Use of religious and meaningful symbols within the trailer-  attributes within the supernatural sub-genre, which can be good and evil and its binary opposites of religious good often features a theme 
• trailer begins with a dark setting of alone house and 2 lights switched on, giving a sense of feeling that the house holds importance
• slow and fast music used to create tension at different times of the trailer 

Trailer to other horror movies:

• Lights out -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrJiltfB_Cw
• The girl in the photographs  -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXk1Q7JhPQk
• Unfriended -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQfjW0DLDr0
• The ring -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymPUAsPsTwg
• Hide and seek- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9uEkTPchIo
• I know who killed me:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZgwl7nlP5E
• The roommate:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E4mAF-JFDI
• The gallows:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD3Wk2qkeX0
• Sinister 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD3Wk2qkeX0
• Paranormal Activity:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR2cc1BwdmI
• Dont breath:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8XwWwPT8LE
• Bite:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf1y_xyqYq4

Evaluation- Preliminary activity

Evaluation- Preliminary activity

Preliminary Activity- Final Video

Annie's murder video

This is my mini video in which I tested the camera for the first time with the tripod, I also used some different angle shots which is how my video is formed. I learnt how use iMovie, to edit my mini video, and until the course I had never used iMovie before so this was a new experience. I think iMovie will help me in the future when making my movie trailer. I cropped some of the parts out of the shots which were unwanted, to create a good series of shots to create the final video of Annie's murder

Camera and Tripods

Setting up and using the tripod and camera:

Tripod:

1. First I pulled out the main stand which expands to make the central column expand to the height that i wanted it at
2. Then to pull out the braces and locked it back into place.
3. Using the quick release lever to remove platen 
4. Next, I attach the planet the camera and switch the camera on and open the lens cover in order to record
5. then I use the crank handle to raise the camera and secure it in place
6. Then I used the pan handle to position the camera shot/ angle of my choice
7. Next I use side tilt locking nut for wanted angles 
8. After recording I can then they playback zoom, pan and tilt 

Camera- all have a on/off button, and the lens of the camera is to be removed in order to film.

The record and pause button and usually the same on a camera

It is important to understand the main controls of the camera in order to film to the best of your ability. I have previously had little experience with camera's which i know will help me further on in the media course. 

Movie poster's

Conventions of a horror film poser: 

Storyboard

Shot 1- Establishing shot - Picture of New Hall Valley, the road Jade and Penny walk home from school. Shot time- 6 seconds

Shot 2- Overview- Jade and Penny talking to each other on the way home, just having a laugh 
Then they walk towards the camera, with a medium shot, showing the two characters fail expressions as being happy . Shot time- 5 seconds

Shot 3- overview - Penny and Jade walking, audience presented with a long shot, revealing they are being followed by someone, shot used is a Long shot.  Shot time- 4 seconds

Shot 4- Shot reverse shot of jade and Penny taking, about Cara, and discussing what they think about her. Shot time- 4 seconds

Shot 5- shot reverse shot 2- shot of the other characters (Penny) talking to Jade 


Shot 6- Tracking shot- shadow of cara, camera lighting up to penny and jade. Shot time- 5 seconds 

Shot 7- Over the shoulder shot- penny talking to jade about how she feels that cara is a mysterious person and that she thinks they shouldn't be friends with her, as she gets bad vibes from her. Shot time- 4 seconds

Shot 8- Low angle shot- of jade because penny is trying to explain to her that Cara is bad but she does not listen which makes her  superior. Shot time- 4 seconds

Shot 9- High angle- On Penny, looking down on her when talking about Cara. Shot time- 4 seconds

Shot 10- Extreme long shot - Of Jade walking away to walk away, to go home, as she has reached her house. Shot time- 3 seconds

Shot 12- Medium close up- Of penny watching Jade walk to her house, and then eventually about to start walking her route further on, to make her own home, little knowing that she is being followed by Cara. Shot time- 5 seconds

Shot 13- Point of view- And object of significance is shown, as the camera is focused on the gun that Cara is holding behind Penny. This shows she is planning to use it against Penny- showing she really is dangerous. Shot time- 5 seconds

Shot 12- Extreme close up- Of penny looking at Cara, in horror, as she has bad feeling about Cara. Shot time- 5 seconds

Shot 15- Extreme close up- Of Cara's face, with a funny expression but serious too, as she doesn't look very happy. Shot time - 5 seconds

Script- Think Twice

OPENING SCENE- NEW HALL VALLEY 

 the audience have an establishing shot of new hall valley as the two girls walk into it. the shot then changes to a medium shot of penny and jade walking, laughing with each other. a long shot reveals that someone is hiding in the bushes around them, watching them. 

Penny:

(bitterly)

So what do you think of that new girl? Cara, i think thats her name. 

shot reverse shot begins during this conversation in close up.

Jade:

Oh yeah cara, shas a really nice girl. i'm looking forward to hanging out with her at Jason's. 

Penny:

Are you serious? I have a really bad feeling about her. 

tracking shot across path, revealing a shadow. then goes to over the shoulder as penny and jade stop walking.

Jade:

(confused)

Oh shut up, why you saying that?

Penny

I just have this feeling like-

Jade:

(low angle)

oh stop being jealous, Penny 

Penny:

(high angle)

can't you just listen to me for once?

the two carry on walking, getting closer to Jade's home. Jade walks in front of Penny

Penny:

Honestly, I think we should stay away from her. Please just listen.

Jade:

(rolls her eyes, medium close up)

Fine, whatever. I'm going home now. See you tomorrow, love you

Penny:

(sighs)

Love you too, Jade. 

the camera then goes to a point of view of cara, watching Penny walk  away. Once Penny is on her own, cara speeds up after her. there is a close up on cara's hand revealing the knife.  cara trips over, hurting her knee. 

Cara:

oh sweet nibblets, i cut my knee

Penny:

(extreme close up of her as she turns around and sees cara)

oh shit!

penny then breaks into a slow mo run 

cara jumps back up, and slowly runs after her.

Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task: HORROR/ COMEDY

Characters:  Hannah as Penny,
                   Kiran as Jade, 
                   Trinity as Cara

Plot outline: Two friends Penny and Jade are walking an discussing what they think about the new girl in their friendship group, Cara, but penny already decides she does not like this girl, and feels bad about her. Little do they know Cara if following them and listening to their conversation. Jade gets home and goes inside, Penny is left alone walking, which is when Cara comes out of hiding and Penny turns around and sees her.

Location: New Hall Valley

Costumes: Penny and Jade- Posh/expensive clothes, makeup, boot, handbags,
                Cara- all dressed in black                                                                                                                                      
Props: Knife

Shots: 
Shot 1- Establishing shot/Panning- New Hall valley, by the bridge 
shot 2- Medium shot/ Long shot- Penny and Jade walking, laughing 
shot 3- Long Shot- Penny and Jade walking, revealing they are followed by Cara
shot 4- Close up (Shot reverse Shot) - Penny and Jade having a conversation
shot 5- Tracking Shot- shadow of Cara, camera lifting up to Penny and Jade
shot 6- Over the shoulder shot- Penny and Jade talking, switches
shot 7 low angle - Low angle on Jade- because she is superior 
shot 8- High angle- On penny, when talking about Cara
shot 9- Medium Close up - Jade walks to hurt door, Penny stands for a moment on her own
shot 10- Point of View- Cara's point of view when she's looking at Penny as she walks away 
shot 11- Low angle shot/ closeup- Object of significance with a knife, showing she's planning to use the knife on Penny
shot 12- Extreme Close Up- Cara's face and Penny's face

Preliminary Activity

Preliminary Activity

For the preliminary activity you will be working in groups of three or four.

You will be producing a moving image product for a short narrative within a genre of the following:   

• A western gunfight 
• A horror chase
• A romantic encounter
• A gangster deal

The product must be no longer than 60 seconds and the work should be planned and divided between the group.  All members must develop their practical skills in the use of the camera, tripod, editing and sound.  Each member of the group will produce their own edit.

The project must include;

• a shotlist
• a storyboard
• a script
• 2 characters
• use of all of the camera shots/ angles and movements listed below
• dialogue 
• titles
• a soundtrack
• mise-en-scene
• a final product

Shots that you must include:

1.Establishing shot

2. Long shot
3. Medium shot
4. Close-up
5. Extreme close-up
6. Low angle shot
7. High angle shot
8. Medium close-up
9. Tracking shot
10.Over the shoulder shot
11.Point of view shot

Project Brief

20% Research and planning

60% Construction 

• 40% Main products: theatrical movie trailer ad teaser trailer
• 10% Ancillary products: billboard poster and A4 poster
• 10% Ancillary products: a movie magazine front cover and DVD front cover

20% Evaluation 

In this course I am going to be promoting a movie for a optional campaign, also involving advertising promoting a movie which I am going to develop the script of and put forward many different ideas and interpretations. I am going to work with a production company to produce all necessary products to promote my movie. 

I will be deciding and getting actors alongside sorting out costumes, props, in my project, and sorting out makeup and locations.I will also be working with my team as part of the advertising campaign.