This is the end of the month September podcast. Me and Louise have gone over the most important blogs we've done and have talked about what we will be doing for the future of our horror trailer by looking at the pitch ideas, other teaser analysis, questionnaire results and the interviews we each recorded.
Friday, 30 September 2011
Research and Planning: Teaser Trailer Conventions
For the coursework section this year I will be creating a teaser trailer, a magazine cover and a film poster.
- Saw 1 Trailer
As you can see from this trailer I will not be able to make a teaser trailer of this standard. I will not be able to achieve this as there is heavy CGI used. This trailer uses subtitles, a voice over and also dialogue from the film. This trailer is just over a minute long, which is a usual convention, it also shows the production company and studio (Lions Gate and Twisted Pictures).
- Paranormal Activity Trailer
This could be easier to achieve as there is only subtitles and dialogue from the film shown, this film was also made on a hand-held camera which makes it possible for me to achieve this level of excellence. The trailer like the one above is also just over 90 seconds long. It shows the studio who made it - Paramount. The editing techniques are possible to achieve as it is mainly jump cuts and a montage of pictures.
- Saw 1 Trailer
As you can see from this trailer I will not be able to make a teaser trailer of this standard. I will not be able to achieve this as there is heavy CGI used. This trailer uses subtitles, a voice over and also dialogue from the film. This trailer is just over a minute long, which is a usual convention, it also shows the production company and studio (Lions Gate and Twisted Pictures).
- Paranormal Activity Trailer
This could be easier to achieve as there is only subtitles and dialogue from the film shown, this film was also made on a hand-held camera which makes it possible for me to achieve this level of excellence. The trailer like the one above is also just over 90 seconds long. It shows the studio who made it - Paramount. The editing techniques are possible to achieve as it is mainly jump cuts and a montage of pictures.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Research and Planning: First Meeting
For the making of my horror teaser trailer, I will be working with Louise ward.
Louise Ward: Louise will be doing the cinematography and sound for the horror teaser trailer.
Nathan Blundell: I will be doing the Editing and Mise-en-scene for the trailer.
I will be making my own film poster and magazine cover individually.
Me and Louise have had brief talks and have also tweeted each other on Twitter about ideas we have for the horror teaser trailer and we will now be putting them together.
Louise Ward: Louise will be doing the cinematography and sound for the horror teaser trailer.
Nathan Blundell: I will be doing the Editing and Mise-en-scene for the trailer.
I will be making my own film poster and magazine cover individually.
Me and Louise have had brief talks and have also tweeted each other on Twitter about ideas we have for the horror teaser trailer and we will now be putting them together.
- A group of teenagers will be in a secluded area camping, and there will be a murder. The teenagers at this point are panicking and becoming paranoid.They haven't seen anyone so they don't know if it's an outside person or someone among them. The question is 'who dunnit' the stereotypical question among horror movies.
- Same storyline as the one above. However, this time it will be a supernatural force happening - paranormal activity.
- This plot is completely different to the others and we are thinking of a thriller type movie with the main cast being female victims and a stalker.
- We have also thought of trying to do a movie with a mutant/monster in it.
- And another idea is a kidnapping storyline.
Research and Planning: Target Audience: Teaser Trailer
Target Audience for Teaser Trailer on Prezi
These are the top 25 horror movies rated by both men and women. As you can see many of the films are decades old, proving that we have become desensitised over the years as many of us wouldn't find these films scary anymore. However, back in the day these types of films would have terrified their audience. These are also known as the classic horrors and have such great cinematography, editing, sound and mise-en-scene that many films are copies of the best ones. Psycho is the top rated horror film of all time. this is understandable as Alfred Hitchcock was know for his horror movies that were more graphical that all others of that time.
The two images above are the Top 25 films rated by male and female users.
Research and Planning: Twitter Research
I put a tweet on the social Networking site Twitter to find out what people thought of the plot I'm thinking of putting for my horror teaser trailer.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Research and Planning: Audience Theories
Hypodermic Needle - This theory suggests that the media items such as: video games, films and television can send messages to the brain and that people store them away for later use and it can affect them. For example if someone were to watch crime watch over and over they are probably likely to become paranoid with crime in or near their neighbourhood.
Copycat Theory - people might copy what they see from a film, tv show or videogame. There are many cases of these in the news one example being the headline 'Nuclear submarine rampage sailor shot dead officer to copy video game grand theft auto' - The Marine case.
Cultivation Theory - This binds communities together by a symbol of a certain film, tv show, or video game.
Desensitation Theory - People are so exposed to such horrific things nowadays in the media that now when we are seeing such strong violence it doesn't have a major impact on the audience, whereas it would have years ago.
Uses and Gratifications Theory - It assumes that members of the audience are not passive and that they become active as they are focused on the film. They are so focused that they are interpreting what happens from what they are seeing and then intergrate this into their own lifestyle.
Copycat Theory - people might copy what they see from a film, tv show or videogame. There are many cases of these in the news one example being the headline 'Nuclear submarine rampage sailor shot dead officer to copy video game grand theft auto' - The Marine case.
Cultivation Theory - This binds communities together by a symbol of a certain film, tv show, or video game.
Desensitation Theory - People are so exposed to such horrific things nowadays in the media that now when we are seeing such strong violence it doesn't have a major impact on the audience, whereas it would have years ago.
Uses and Gratifications Theory - It assumes that members of the audience are not passive and that they become active as they are focused on the film. They are so focused that they are interpreting what happens from what they are seeing and then intergrate this into their own lifestyle.
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Research and Planning: Recorded Interviews
These are the results that I got from Ryan:
- He said he likes to see the blood and gore, that makes him want to see it
- He prefers to see an 18 cos he knows this will be a better film
- He expects to see a man in a mask and the female usually survives
- He said it should be located in the woods or in a house
- He said that a friend killing within the group would be a better storyline
Research and Planning: Recorded Interviews
From Louise I have found out that:
- Louise expects to see a montage of pictures
- The certificate effects her decision cos she'd rather see an 18 cos they're better horrors
- She said she'd usually expect a villain and the hero to be the main chacrters
- She said it would be expected to be located in a derelict area
- She thinks that one of the friends themselves being a killer would be a better storyline.
Research and Planning: Recorded Interviews
From this interview with Emily, I have found out that:
- She likes to see stars to want to go and see the film, and also wants to see clips of the main parts of the film
- The certificate affects he decision she prefers 18's to 15's
- She usually expects to see the 'mad man' - killer and the hero
- She says it can be located anywhere
- She would prefer it to be one of the friends doing the killing
Friday, 23 September 2011
Research and Planning: Teaser Trailer Research Results
Research and Planning: Teaser Trailer Research - Questionnaire
Research and Planning: Teaser Trailer Analysis
- The Strangers
Genre: The genre for this film is a psychological thriller, as it messes with the mind and makes people wonder what's going to happen next. the certificate for this move is a 15, which means that no one under this age shouldn't be able to watch it. With this teaser trailer 'Levi Strauss & Roland Barthes' theory of 'Binary Opposites' fits in perfectly as the couple who are the main people in this film have done nothing wrong yet The Strangers are the villains and terrorise the couple for one whole night.
Representation: The couple who star in this movie are the typical American couple, although the woman refuses her partner's proposal it is clear to see that they are wealthy and that they fit in with the typical American suburbs, which is where their house is set.
Narrative: The 'Active/Passive' theory is used in this film as the audience have to keep track of what is happening, as there are many jump cuts. The audience is waiting to see what will happen next and it can be confusing as it seems that The Strangers are willing to take their time and wait to kill the couple.
Audience: The Hypodermic Needle is a perfect theory for this film because anyone can come to your door asking for someone who is not there, or seem like a completely ordinary person, yet they have an ulterior motive. Which just so happens to be getting into your house and killing you, it happens all the time in everyday life so of course people get scared by watching something like this and it will go straight to the brain.
Media Language:
Cinematography - The shots in this trailer are close ups of the woman trapped in the bedroom trying to escape. There are also long shots to show that she cant get out of the window and that she is trapped by the four walls and from her expression we know that she knows something is coming for her.
Editing - This is all one scene, but it is fast paced then goes slow. It goes fast when she's panicking and trying to escape, however it goes slow when she's looking towards the door and shaking her head in denial.
Sound - The sound that is heard is diegetic and it's when she's clawing at the window, there is also diegetic sound of her whimpering, and screaming. Then there is non-diegetic sound of a bang when The Stranger arrives at the door. Then there is once again diegetic sound as the stranger grabs her and throws her across the room.
The only mise-en-scene is the mask of the stranger and the room.
Genre: The genre for this film is a psychological thriller, as it messes with the mind and makes people wonder what's going to happen next. the certificate for this move is a 15, which means that no one under this age shouldn't be able to watch it. With this teaser trailer 'Levi Strauss & Roland Barthes' theory of 'Binary Opposites' fits in perfectly as the couple who are the main people in this film have done nothing wrong yet The Strangers are the villains and terrorise the couple for one whole night.
Representation: The couple who star in this movie are the typical American couple, although the woman refuses her partner's proposal it is clear to see that they are wealthy and that they fit in with the typical American suburbs, which is where their house is set.
Narrative: The 'Active/Passive' theory is used in this film as the audience have to keep track of what is happening, as there are many jump cuts. The audience is waiting to see what will happen next and it can be confusing as it seems that The Strangers are willing to take their time and wait to kill the couple.
Audience: The Hypodermic Needle is a perfect theory for this film because anyone can come to your door asking for someone who is not there, or seem like a completely ordinary person, yet they have an ulterior motive. Which just so happens to be getting into your house and killing you, it happens all the time in everyday life so of course people get scared by watching something like this and it will go straight to the brain.
Media Language:
Cinematography - The shots in this trailer are close ups of the woman trapped in the bedroom trying to escape. There are also long shots to show that she cant get out of the window and that she is trapped by the four walls and from her expression we know that she knows something is coming for her.
Editing - This is all one scene, but it is fast paced then goes slow. It goes fast when she's panicking and trying to escape, however it goes slow when she's looking towards the door and shaking her head in denial.
Sound - The sound that is heard is diegetic and it's when she's clawing at the window, there is also diegetic sound of her whimpering, and screaming. Then there is non-diegetic sound of a bang when The Stranger arrives at the door. Then there is once again diegetic sound as the stranger grabs her and throws her across the room.
The only mise-en-scene is the mask of the stranger and the room.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Research and Planning: Film Teaser Trailer Analysis
- Final Destination 5
Genre: This is a horror film, and the certificate for all Final Destination's are '15' this means that no one younger than this age should be watching this film as it may be disrupt them in the future. The teaser trailer for this film could be a '12a' perhaps as it doesn't show any of the violence or any bloody scenes, it only shows the implications of what will happen to the characters. 'Andrew Sarris's' theory fits perfectly with this trailer because there are four other prequels to this, that means that there is an existing audience to watch this movie.
Representation: In Final Destination's the characters are stereotyped as typical American teenagers, there seems to also be a person from the usual cliques and they all end up thrown together in a last attempt to save their lives after they escaped death. 'Laura Mulvey's' Theory of the male gaze always applies to the Final Destination films as there always seems to be the female lead who is beautiful and ends up with the male lead at the end.
Narrative: In final destination the main character (protagonist) is the one who has the vision that death is coming for them in a horrific freak 'accident'. The Villain (antagonist) is never seen as death can't be seen. 'Propp's' theory is included in this a little as there is a hero, a princess, the donor who tells them how death will be coming next, etc.
Audience: The type of audience for this type of film would mainly be students aged from 16 - 19, they are most likely to have maybe a part time job and their social lives will most likely be socialising with friends by going out to cinemas, bowling, nandos. They may attend a gym and be part of some group e.g. football. The 'Hypodermic Needle' theory can be applied to this film as people come out after it and think that they could be killed that way, as it is all little things happening to finally create the killing blow each of them is possible in real life. The 'Active/Passive' theory can also be applied to this film, in the audience have to stay focused as they need to be watching out for the key events, and also other visions to learn what is going to happen next and to who.
Media Language:
Cinematography - in this teaser trailer there are close ups of the girls eye, signifying that this girl is a main character, it then also zooms in on the laser for her eye surgery, letting the audience know that something bad is about to happen. there is then an extreme close up of her eye which creates more tension.
Editing - the editing is all one key scene which is expectant of a teaser trailer, to show one main part or the most scariest part.
Sound - the sound consists of dialogue between the girl, and the optician. There is also whimpers from the girl as she's getting worried because the laser power is rising, there is also dramatic music on a low level throughout the clip and then at the end bang is heard at the end, highlighting the girl is dead maybe?
Mise-en-scene - The mise-en-scene mainly consists of the location, the laser, and also the tongues that hold her eye in place. The most significant piece of mise-en-scene is the girl holding her teddy-bear. This represents that she's sweet and innocent and scared of doing this in the first place.
Genre: This is a horror film, and the certificate for all Final Destination's are '15' this means that no one younger than this age should be watching this film as it may be disrupt them in the future. The teaser trailer for this film could be a '12a' perhaps as it doesn't show any of the violence or any bloody scenes, it only shows the implications of what will happen to the characters. 'Andrew Sarris's' theory fits perfectly with this trailer because there are four other prequels to this, that means that there is an existing audience to watch this movie.
Representation: In Final Destination's the characters are stereotyped as typical American teenagers, there seems to also be a person from the usual cliques and they all end up thrown together in a last attempt to save their lives after they escaped death. 'Laura Mulvey's' Theory of the male gaze always applies to the Final Destination films as there always seems to be the female lead who is beautiful and ends up with the male lead at the end.
Narrative: In final destination the main character (protagonist) is the one who has the vision that death is coming for them in a horrific freak 'accident'. The Villain (antagonist) is never seen as death can't be seen. 'Propp's' theory is included in this a little as there is a hero, a princess, the donor who tells them how death will be coming next, etc.
Audience: The type of audience for this type of film would mainly be students aged from 16 - 19, they are most likely to have maybe a part time job and their social lives will most likely be socialising with friends by going out to cinemas, bowling, nandos. They may attend a gym and be part of some group e.g. football. The 'Hypodermic Needle' theory can be applied to this film as people come out after it and think that they could be killed that way, as it is all little things happening to finally create the killing blow each of them is possible in real life. The 'Active/Passive' theory can also be applied to this film, in the audience have to stay focused as they need to be watching out for the key events, and also other visions to learn what is going to happen next and to who.
Media Language:
Cinematography - in this teaser trailer there are close ups of the girls eye, signifying that this girl is a main character, it then also zooms in on the laser for her eye surgery, letting the audience know that something bad is about to happen. there is then an extreme close up of her eye which creates more tension.
Editing - the editing is all one key scene which is expectant of a teaser trailer, to show one main part or the most scariest part.
Sound - the sound consists of dialogue between the girl, and the optician. There is also whimpers from the girl as she's getting worried because the laser power is rising, there is also dramatic music on a low level throughout the clip and then at the end bang is heard at the end, highlighting the girl is dead maybe?
Mise-en-scene - The mise-en-scene mainly consists of the location, the laser, and also the tongues that hold her eye in place. The most significant piece of mise-en-scene is the girl holding her teddy-bear. This represents that she's sweet and innocent and scared of doing this in the first place.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Research and Planning: Film Poster
This is my first attempt at my film poster, Mind Games.
Image - For this task I took the image off Google, as you can see the text that I've put over the writing on the picture does not look good, and I need to familiarise myself with the cut out tool again.
I also placed the image of the certificate in photoshop cut around it and then dragged it onto this poster.
I did the text using the text tool and used a bold font to fit in with the horror genre which is what my teaser trailer will be. For the cast and crew information I used a font called 'steeltongs' which makes it look more realistic, as this is the type of text you'd see on an official poster or on the cover of a dvd.
Image - For this task I took the image off Google, as you can see the text that I've put over the writing on the picture does not look good, and I need to familiarise myself with the cut out tool again.
I also placed the image of the certificate in photoshop cut around it and then dragged it onto this poster.
I did the text using the text tool and used a bold font to fit in with the horror genre which is what my teaser trailer will be. For the cast and crew information I used a font called 'steeltongs' which makes it look more realistic, as this is the type of text you'd see on an official poster or on the cover of a dvd.
Research and Planning: Trailer - First Attempt
This is my first attempt of making a trailer, I had a go at filming, helping out with sound, and acting in this trailer, as you can see it is of a low quality standard and from this I hope to improve my skills.
Editing - The editing is quite poor on this clip, however I do like that it is fast paced as this it makes it fit in with the action genre. The editing is mainly tracking as well which makes it quite good because it creates tension, as the camera is constantly following the characters in this trailer.
Mise-en-scene - The props used are very basic because this was shot in college. This therefore wouldn't make a good trailer in my opinion.
Sound - I'm quite happy with the sound as we made it ourselves on garage band and the sound effects used are done by ourselves with our own voices or movements.
Cinematography - The camera shots are fairly basic consisting of close ups, med shots, two shots, high angles and low angles. The shots fit in good, but not great with this genre.
Editing - The editing is quite poor on this clip, however I do like that it is fast paced as this it makes it fit in with the action genre. The editing is mainly tracking as well which makes it quite good because it creates tension, as the camera is constantly following the characters in this trailer.
Mise-en-scene - The props used are very basic because this was shot in college. This therefore wouldn't make a good trailer in my opinion.
Sound - I'm quite happy with the sound as we made it ourselves on garage band and the sound effects used are done by ourselves with our own voices or movements.
Cinematography - The camera shots are fairly basic consisting of close ups, med shots, two shots, high angles and low angles. The shots fit in good, but not great with this genre.
Research and Planning: Regulation & Censorship
My film will be an eighteen - fifteen certificate as this is expected of the horror genre, this poster/trailer will have images that are usually seen on these types of films. However, the trailer may be of a lower certificate because it can then be advertised on a wider range of films.
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