3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaUokzE9fI
Sound:
No music added to the trailer helps to add an element of realism to the horror experience and forces the
audience to focus on the other sounds of the trailer as they are more emphasised .
The sounds are exaggerated so that they stand out and are more powerful. The footsteps and heavy
breathing of the firemen furthers the feelings of realism and helps the audience to emerge themselves
further into the film. The heavy breathing and loud footsteps have denotations of movement and being
out of breath, hints that the people being shown have gone through heavy exercise such as running.
However it is not clarified from what they have been running either from or who bringing the fears of the
unknown to help set the scene and captivate the audience (on a subconscious level).
Use of sounds such as static and ringing to enforce the captions of text to keep the pace of the trailer and
sustain interest. This relies on the audience to make the connections with the every day sound and the
images being shown further enhancing the realism of the film trailer.
The slight echo of the footsteps shows the characters isolation and thus adds a sense of desperation as
they are deprived of outside help thus enforcing the feeling of being trapped creating a claustrophobic
atmosphere and increasing the level of fear through a common one.
The trailer doesn’t use any dialogue, this helps to keep the audience confused but still intrigued. The only
sound that is spoken is the scream that the little girl makes when the light focuses on her. The sudden
scream makes the audience jump as well as hints that something has gone terribly wrong and
children/woman are not exempt from what ever horror as fallen upon the people in the trailer further
adding to the fear.
Directly following the scream muffled shouting is heard showing the reaction to the scream. This adds to
the realism of the trailer as the audience are reacting similarly to the actors in the trailer. Making the
shouting unclear adds fear through using the fear of the unknown. This also helps to add to the mystery
of what will happen in the film attracting people to the film to find out what happens to the people
shown in the trailer.
3
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaUokzE9fI
The trailer opens up with this shot
where there are two ambiguous
figures moving towards the tilting
camera. The shot uses the lighting
to emphasise them. The characters
are moving away from the light
and into the darkness hinting
towards a bad journey as light
connotes safety and warmth and
darkness connotes fear and the
unknown
4
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaUokzE9fI
The camera slowly tilts to upright
where the two figures are closer to
the camera and are shown more
clearly however their appearance
is still ambiguous thus they hold an
air of mysteriousness and keeping
the audience unsure and as such
intimating them. The two
characters appear to be
professionals going off of their
costumes. The helmets and visors
they are wearing dentate heavy
and dangerous work thus hinting
towards danger in the trailer, and
the red in the helmet connotes
violence and blood thus further
suggesting that there is impending
danger.
5
6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaUokzE9fI
This shot shows the characters to
be male and appear distracted by
something off screen. The screen
goes static and fades to blackness
as the strength of the static
increases. The static connotes
disturbance and denotes that
something is wrong thus again
hinting that all is not well and the
trailer is piling on the tension used
to help attract audiences.
6
7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaUokzE9fI
The static stops and the caption “LAST
YEAR EMERGENCY SERVICES
RECEIVED OVER 23 MILLION CALLS”
fades onto the screen. This makes the
cut from the characters to the caption
appear continuous and smooth. The
caption continues to fade in until the
white used in the text becomes brighter
and thus using a light against dark
contrast so that it is easily read and gains
the attention of the audience. After the
colour has been made more dominant
the caption begins to steadily grow in
size thus drawing even more attention to
itself. The caption itself is strategically
placed in the centre of the screen where
audiences tend to focus most of their
attentions to and thus being in the
audiences centre of focus. 7
8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaUokzE9fI
The caption soon begins to fade as the
static comes into the shot, thus keeping
to theme of a disturbance as well adding
a sense of familiarity as a result of this
the audience is easily abled to follow
what information is giving to them and
not get confused. The static ends and
fades into an action shot where the
camera is in the point of view of
someone, whilst running a flight of stairs
following the charterers before know
seen as firemen, thus being a easy way
to immediately up the tempo and pile on
the tension. This allows the audience to
bring their own associations that follow
them such as danger however it also add
a sense of security as they are sent to
rescue people in need, this further
supports that something has gone wrong 8
9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaUokzE9fI
The trailer repeats the use of the static
and fading away to a caption informing
the reader. This continues to familiarise
the audience with trailer creating a short
bond between the audience and the
trailer, as a result of this people will be
more enticed to watch the movie. The
fading in and out of scenes helps to
change scene to show different sections
of the film that have been selected to
ensnare viewers and highlight aspects of
the film. In the trailer there are two
stories being told the story of the
firemen and the story of the captions
that link up together to
9
15. The poster has added in an Easter egg of a screaming
face in the female’s eye, as a result of this the poster Static effect from trailer added to the poster
will become a topic of conversation thus helping the keeps a consistency running throughout , so
film to generate hype and spread word of the film. that the effect becomes a link between their
The screaming face has connotations of fear and media products. The static denotes a
strong emotions thus hinting towards the genre of disturbance thus hinting that there is
the film as well as reinforcing the caption something wrong taking place.
“EXPERICANCE FEAR”.
The lighting on the picture is coming down on to the The caption “EXPERIENCE FEAR” makes a
female, thus leaving shadows that cover sections of statement about the film and it’s genre which
her body, hiding sections and making her appear is obviously horror. The caption “EXPERIENCE
ambiguous thus leaving people unsure of her FEAR” breaks the fourth wall by engaging with
appearance as a result of this people can’t make a people by directly talking to them and telling
certain conclusion of the person displayed thus them what to expect. This also sets up a
leaving them in the dark reflecting the image, challenge for the film and build expectations.
consequently the poster is engaging with the The way in which the title is displayed, within
audience. The picture is a high definition photo of a straight brackets and next to the record symbol
female who has gone through an unpleasant mirroring the title of the film by using the
experience giving her rough exterior thus adding a universal symbol for record. Thus hinting towards
foreboding element to the poster to help generate the nature of the film and its handheld camera
hype for the film thus fulfilling the point of the poster. footage there . The title of the film is written in all
The feminine character’s hair is wet either with sweat capitols so that they stand out and are easily
thus denotation a heavy exercise hinting that they read, this is further reinforced by the colour of the
have either been trying to escape something or title , white, creating a light on dark contrast to
capture something, or water that has the denotations put emphasis on the title.
of cleansing thus suggesting that the character has The poster brings emphasis to the directors of
been cleansed of their naivety or innocence as a result the movie, by having their names in bold thus
of their experience and has connotations of life thus redirecting the audience focus to tertiary focus
having her covered in life could be mean she is being to help the poster to appeal to fans if his work
used to represent life and having her appearing rough and use his name to broaden the hype that the
could be suggesting that life will struggle throughout film generates.
the film . 15
16. The poster is advertising the fact that the producers have produced two well known supernatural films “Paranormal Activity” and Insidious“ this is used to help
broaden the people who will be interested in seeing the movie. The text is in white so that there is a minute contrast between the writing and the greyish
background, this is so that the text is readable but is not so prominent that it immediately gains the attention of the people viewing the poster. The location of the
text helps to keep the poster cantered and also I a position that is noticeable. Background appears to decaying
The lighting on the picture is on the girl’s shown through the cracking and
back showing she is moving away from the growing mould hinting towards
light and into the darkness. Using the uncaring and abandoned locations
connotations of light life, safety and warmth with connotations of loneliness and
and dark death, danger and cold to send a despair. As well as fitting with the
message to the audience of the poster that codes and conventions of horror
the innocent girl is turning from light to movie settings of uninhibited and
dark. Further reinforced by he connotation desolate places out of the way from
of a children, innocent and pure and the civilisation thus out of the way from
female connotation of care and warmth. help. As a result of this people are
The girl’s face and appearance is not looking further led to believe that the
at the audience but straight ahead thus characters are helpless to what will
adding a sense of unknown about her and happen to them.
making her ambiguous. The character’s
By adding a quote on the poster the
attire of pyjamas shows she is not prepared
movie is presenting the information
and furthers the helpless image that the
that the movie is “”TERRIFIYING” so
poster presents her as, this combines with
that fans of horror movies and other
the fact the she is a young female and the
freight enthusiasts will be attracted to
people’s common perception of the gender
watch it. The caption also uses
and age of being unable to take care of
emotive phrases, “TERRIFYING,
themselves and relying on other people e.g.
SCARE,HELL”, that further
men and parents.
distinguish this poster to be about a
Gruesome image staring at viewers of the posters helps to connects them to the poster as the picture is interacting with horror movie through the codes and
them. The result of this is people will be more inclined to watch something that they already feel a part of. The image is conventions thus helping it to make a
made up of two colours white and black, two colours that are at either end of the colour spectrum, with contrasting distinction of it’s genre whilst also
connotations of good and evil thus hinting towards the inevitable clash between good and evil that will feature in this attracting fans of the horror genre.
movie. The image is has a decaying effect so that it suits the background and general appearance of the poster that is
being presented to audiences. 16
17. The title of the film is situated above the most
prominent feature of the poster, the gruesome
picture , so that the after the attention has drawn
towards the picture their attenti9on is refocus on the
title of the movie. Thus the title is relying on using a
strong image to help bring attention on the poster
and the title being just above will inform them of the
title of the film in which the image is surly related to.
The title’s font sixe is clearly the largest on the
poster, this makes the tile both easily readable and
draws attention to it. This also helps people who only
briefly look at the poster as they will be effortlessly
able to recall the title of the film. The title is written
entirely in capitol letters, thus again highlighting
itself on the poster and making reading and recall
easy. There is a clear gap between the letters so that
the letters themselves are easily distinguished from
each other. The title is written in black thus adding a
clear contrast between the light background helping
to make the tile is easily readable as well as having
connotations of death thus further reinforcing the
underlying message of the poster of struggles
between light and dark .The spacing in the title also
helps to emphasise the effects adding onto them. By
adding a shadow effect the title appears more eerie
as well as more pronounce thus more appealing to
the fans of the horror genre. The tile has also altered Broken film wheel hints towards plot of the story, as well as fitting in with the theme of
so that it appears to being dragged down or pulled destruction and despair. By having the film reel broken and destroyed foreshadows events in the
into the gruesome picture hinting that the creature film in which the characters lives are broken and destroyed as a result of a supernatural being
in the image is powerful as well making the title which is also hinted at by the gruesome image in the centre of the poster. The film reel is out of
appear more unnerving and disturbing to people the towards the edge of the centre thus, it is not the most important feature of the poster but
who view the poster more a prop used to help reinforce both the appearance as a spooky, derelict and abandoned
setting as well as give a minor hint to the plot of the story. 17
18. Quote “FAST, BRUTAL AND TOTALLY There is no lighting on the picture so that it mirrors that of
UNSTOPPABLE” from critic used to help the title of the film 30 Days of Night keeping within the
persuade people to view the movie. The theme of light and darkness. Also by having no light on the
location of the quote being in the top left of characters it is telling the viewer that the characters are in a
the portrait poster do that attention is subtly situation of death, despair and misery by the connotations of
taken away from the centre of the magazine. the grey and black of the picture thus hinting towards the
The quote is in bold and capitals so that it is tragic situation the those characters will find themselves in
easily read and stands out against the noir the film. The characters are prepared for what is “COMING”
background of the poster by using a light on shown through their arming themselves with weapons, gun
dark colour contrast. and axe having connotations of violence and labour, hinting
Caption “THEIR COMING” anchors the picture that despite what is happening the characters will keep
above to the poster. The caption is both some power in the film as they are able to defend
warning the viewers of a impending threat and themselves. This is further reinforced by the characters
enticing them as their interest will be picked by attention being focused elsewhere and not being on the
the warning. This also gives information about viewer of the poster, showing the characters dedication and
the type of film “30 Days of Night” is by seriousness towards their surviving thus hinting towards the
providing just enough information via a Title plot of a horror survival film. The image also helps to
warning to help present the film as a horror. present the image of a cold, dark and isolated setting where
The image above the caption fits it in with the the characters are on their own. The coldness of the poster
text, as the picture has a group thus comes from the colourless grey tint of the pictures having
representing “THEIR” and by having the hints of neutral in the fight between the soon to be predator
people figures ambiguous adds a sense of and prey. The coldness is reinforced by the snowy weather
mystery and presents the “COMING” as they and in the pathetic fallacy of showing the extreme cold that
are in the background and appear to be is snow. Their isolation is shown through the broadness of
“COMING” towards both the central characters the location in the picture and the unobstructed view out
who have armed themselves thus linking the into the storm.
two images together as well coming towards
the viewer of the poster.
The poster also provides information of the films previews, thus it is informing viewers of necessary information and fulfilling the essential criteria of a poster which
is providing snippets of information so that people are able to identify the film and create interest which is further capitalized on via the colour scheme, pictures etc.
the black writing helps to contrast with the bright red background so that is easily readable reinforcing the effect of making the text in capitols. 18
23. Website – further
Website – further
promoting the
promoting the
magazine Magazine
magazine information
Title
Film reel, with
movies – fits with Gruesome picture
movie magazine
Main feature of the
Things included in magazine linking
magazine - help with picture
advertise its goods
23
25. For the following questions please circle your answer. If you change your mind please put a line through your
answer and circles another answer.
25
29. Male Female
Lance Christo Helan prime
Max Court Azalia (means god has spared Jewish)
Alan Kone Adriana/Adrienne (means dark one)
Admah (means bloody and red Hebrew) Darcy (means dark)
Acwel/Acwellen (means kill – English) Kerri (means dark and mysterious)
Aliah (means evil, iniquity) Svetlana ( means of the light)
Braeden (means from the dark valley) Rebecca (means to bind/tie)
Bran/Brendan (means raven/little raven )
When planning for my trailer I decided to brainstorm names and separate them into two piles male
and female names. Whilst brainstorming names I already envisioned names with either dark or
religious meanings to them so they would fit in with the horror genre and the supernatural thus
making the names appropriate for the trailer I have to produced. Whilst researching the meanings of
different names, I came up with the idea of having words like “alone” and “help me” hidden amongst
the names further deepening them as well subconsciously effecting the audience and sticking in their
head thus making them more memorable and the trailer more powerful.
29
30. Name: Alan Cone
Age: 18 Picture of
Gender: Male Protagonist
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion: N/A
Occupation: Student
Status: human
Personality: serious, brave
Features
Weight
Nationality
COSTUME
COSTUME SIGNIFACANCE
30
31. Name: Alan Cone
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Religion: N/A
Occupation: Student
Status: human
Personality: serious, brave
Features
Weight
Nationality
COSTUME
COSTUME SIGNIFACANCE
31
32. Gender:
Male/Female/both
Sexuality:
Age:15-25 Holidays
• Heterosexual
•
• Homosexual
Occupation • Bisexual
• students
• Assistants
• Part timer
• Shop workers
• Hair dressers
TAP Music
• Urban/Indie – The Kooks
• Rock – Linkin Park
• Construction
•
Lifestyle
• Sociable Movies
• Outgoing • Horror – The Ring
• Hobbies • Thrillers - Se7ven
• Going cinema
• Watching films
• General thrill seeks Television
• Crime – Criminal Minds
• Thriller – Supernatural
• Drama –
• Horror – American Horror
32
33. Gender:
Male/Female/both
Sexuality:
Age:26 - 35 Holidays
• Heterosexual
•
• Homosexual
• Bisexual
Occupation
• SAP Music
•
Lifestyle
• Movies
•
Hobbies
•
33
