2. InA2 our media product had to fit certain criteria which met and
portrayed particular conventions, this consisted of a horror teaser trailer
lasting around 60-90 seconds which had to incorporate different
conventions within.We also had to create a magazine front cover which
included a character which who was featured in our film, and finally the
last element we had to create a poster.This element of the task meant
that we had to try and be creative as possible which portrayed our film is
the most effective way as possible.
Before starting these various different tasks we as a group decided that
we would get together and decide what typical conventions would be
used and how we will incorporate these in different shots and scenes
within our trailer.We had to make sure that we used different
conventions to allow the audience identify from the trailer what they
should expect if they were to watch the whole film.
3. As we began to finally finalise our final ideas of what we will include
within our teaser trailer, we had to consider certain conventions which
illustrates to the audience what type of film it will be.To not follow pre-
established forms of conventions within our film which are so
recognisable to the Horror genre we felt would be a silly move to make,
this is why we had to be very careful if we tried to challenge forms of
conventions within our teaser trailer.
Our main focal point was to incorporate the use of possessed children,
when other films have used these I feel it creates a more airy atmosphere
and an environment where people are scared. Fundamentally we would
like to cause this reaction from our audience if we are able to do this our
horror film will be a success.Various different films use kids to there
advantage in many successful films such as,The Grady twins (The Shining
1980),The Omen andThe Exorcist. Films successful as this shows that
this particular convention of using kids can work tremendously well.This
is why we thought the use of two children within our teaser trailer gives
the audience an impression that it will have the same effect as these
different kinds of films.
4. As children were the main focal point we thought that we could also
integrate another feature that works well to create suspense and make
the audience feel that they are within the story, making them feel
isolated and as if they’re going through the same act.We decided with
the use of biblical quotes said through a voice over would help our piece
to become an individual piece and unique.We felt that if we used
religious links it would create a response from our audience. Many
individuals deem the idea of faith to be a sacred area, and no-one wants
to delve into it.
Music was another convention that we had to consider when making a
teaser trailer, we found that in other horror films such as The Devil
Inside,The Exorcist,The Shining, Insidious etc.These range of films use
music in different but very clever way, music is the framework to any film
it’s the main area that creates suspense and tension within a horror film.
We didn't want to challenge any conventions so we stuck to the basics
and began to use slow music which builds up in different places to try and
show a glimpse of what the film has to offer.
5. Challenging conventions is a bold move as most horror films normally
follow the same storylines with a few adaption's along the way. Normally
it would tend to be the children in a horror film that would be possessed,
however we challenged these conventions and hinting to the audience
that Katie the main character would be the one that's possessed also.
With the little hints throughout the teaser trailer allows us to give the
audience the ability to make there own mind up of what they think will
happen.We felt that this would be perfect as no other horror film has
done this before, it normally tells you the story line within the trailers
given.
We wanted to also create a sense of fun and a relaxed childish
atmosphere with the use of a child holding a teddy bear, this contrasted
with the use of a freeze frame of a blood stained hand.With this we
created a feeling of innocence which makes the audience immediately
have a response and feel sorry for the character within the trailer.
6. For our magazine front cover because the Empire magazine is so well established
we didn't think we should go against these particular conventions.Therefore this
layout and type of font, the use of pictures we all kept the same.The reason for
this was so that the audience would know that we work professionally.
Use of a big,
bold title
which takes
the majority of
the poster Barcode
Use of three pictures
from another film
Straplines/Facts
One main focal point
(character) out of film
Various different font
types, colours etc.
7. For the poster it was very similar because we would like to keep with a
professional theme throughout, the use of different type of font and pictures
creates a poster that stands out from the rest.This is what we want for our poster
for it to be something that catches the audiences eye and makes them double
check and look at it in a lot more detail.
Actors names
Picture of
character
within the
film- Main
focal point
Producers/Direc
tors
Title of film- Bold
Strapline
8. The way we have created our ancillary texts to combine with our main
film I feel was very successful. Our films main focal point was the
possession of two different children and hint of a women within the clip
that’s also effected by a mystery biblical reference.The combination of
using Katie throughout the teaser trailer allowed us to allow the
audience to make there own mind up on what they feel the story will
consist of.This relates to the audience theory and the hypodermic effect
this illustrates to the audience that there are various different characters
that are under some sort of possession.
The idea of demonstrating that our teaser trailer wont just follow typical
conventions we felt would work, horror films tend to use on plot and
change it throughout with the same characters.We thought that if used a
typical conventions this being children, and then using Katie would
engage with the audience to be intrigued to watch more.
9. Using the template of Empire
allowed us to represent our film in
a way in which would attract them
to our film.This was done by
creating a front cover that focuses
on Katie, this allowed us to show
the audience that Katie would
have a big role within our film.This
further reinforced a strong and
professional image as we used the
combination of a freeze frame of
Katie’s face that was similar to the
various clips within the main
product.This creates a response
from the audience and allows
them to make there own choice on
what they feel will happen within
our full film.
• Empire is a well known magazine
company this allowed us to reach
our demographic audience. Having
an established magazine allows us
to directly address our audience
with the cover and main product
its self.
10. Our film poster was another text that we thought had a great
combination with our main product.We felt that we would incorporate
the use of a picture of the two children within our film, so both of our
ancillary texts use the main characters of our film, illustrating our film has
something new to offer the audience.
We felt that we would list the name of all the corporate information such
as ‘Warner Brothers’ to help give our film the image of a high quality
production if they’re involved.The combination of interesting quotes
from various different magazines such as the Guardian, film directions
such as Steven Spielberg making a comment about our trailer.This
worked well with our film as we made a connection with the film and
poster.Allowing me to show our demographic audience what our film
has to offer.
11. I feel that if our film was to be made into a 90 minute film the
certification would be interesting and would fundamentally effect the
demographic audience of our teaser trailer. According to the BBFC
classification under the 15 certificate violence and imitable can be strong
but cannot dwell on such detail such as possession/suicide or self-
harming. If our film was to focus on possession but not dwell on much
detail we can think of ways to attract teenagers to watch our film.
In conclusion I feel that our main product and ancillary texts work most
effectively, the use of all the main characters within our teaser trailer
creates our audience to make a choice of what they think will happen if
our teaser trailer was to become a film.We as a group wanted to create a
response from the audience and I feel that we achieved this making the
combination of the ancillary texts and main product very successful.
12. We carried out a survey which in total asked a total of 36 people, these
questions were all given to other media classes.
41% 15 people were female 4% 2 people had no interest in
seeing the film
58% 21 people were male 61% 12 people watched Cutting Silence
if it became a film
33% 12 people aged 12-15 33% 12 people would consider it
58% 21 people aged 16-18
8% 3 people asked were 20+
13. The feedback from our audience has told us a lot of information on
our teaser trailer, the information that we have gathered are that
many different individuals would be interested in watching the full
90 minute film.This makes us consider creating a full 90 minute
film using the techniques and conventions that are so effective in
our teaser trailer.
The evidence shows that our demographic audience will be crucial
for the success of our film, 51% of people were 16-18 this shows
that a 15 certificate would be the most successful demographic
audience to aim for.This information was taken whilst they were
watching the teaser trailer and we asked before the trailer to be
completely honest, this gave us confidence that we would have a
reliable and valid set of results.
14. Photoshop was a software that
we used to create the magazine
front cover and film poster.To
create a professional image we
decided to use this problem as it
offers the best facilities to
create a professional look.
Different tools allowed us to
plan our final poster and front
cover, these ranged from lasso
tool, crop tool, healing tool, red
eye tool etc.This helped us plan
our pieces and create images
that were very professional.
15. To be most effective in
planning our film we thought
of a story line and began to
film little shots and scenes
and edited with various
different tools such as colour
contrast, music, pace etc.
This allowed us to construct
our piece most effectively
and critically to fit the
conventions of a horror
movie.We added music to
create suspense with the use
of lighting to aid the tension
that this caused.
16. Canon powershot- this camera
was provided by one of the
members in our group.We took
location shots which allowed us
to plan where we will shoot our
scenes.
Sony handycam- this camera was
provided by our school alongside
with a tri-pod this gave us the
ability to film various shots.This
ranged from low angled shots,
high angled shots and panning
shots etc.
