2. How conventional is our storyline?
Our storyline for our trailer is about three teenagers who go
camping in the woods. The setting of the woods is an extremely
conventional location for a horror film and is typically used in
professional horror films. This is because the woods is dark,
isolated and is associated with bad things happening. All of
these are what builds tension and suspense throughout the film
– the key ingredients for a successful horror film.
Another convention we have obtained through our research into
the genre is the links between the audience and the characters.
We have purposely chosen teenagers for our characters as they
will be of similar age to those who will watch the film. Therefore
they will able to relate to the characters and develop an
emotional tie to them, this makes the trailer much more tense
and dramatic. This will make our product successful as we are
following the key conventions for a horror trailer.
The camera shots we will use will also be shots typically used in
other professional horror films such as an establishing shot,
close-up shot, high/low angle shots, mid-shot etc.
3. The shot types commonly used…
An establishing shot is a commonly used
shot within horror films as it introduces the
setting and shows the audience where the
danger will occur. As this is a conventional
shot used in horror films, this will make our
product successful as it will be similar to
professional horror trailers and highlight
that we have researched into the
conventions of our genre.
We will use a variety of mid/close-up shots
within our trailer as this is another shot
typically used in horror films. This is
because it enables the audience to see the
emotions and reactions of the characters
which makes the film more intense and
dramatic as the audience will
sympathise/empathise with the characters.
This is an effective technique to add
tension which will make our product
conventional and successful.
A two-shot/group-shot is another
conventional shot used within horror films,
which we will be using in a horror trailer.
The shot is effective as it enables the
audience to distinguish between the
characters in terms of strength and
vulnerability. Therefore they will sympathise
with the character that is most vulnerable
and consequently making it more intense
and dramatic.
4. From our questionnaires we were able to analyse the responses to find out what was
good and bad about our trailer and whether we are following conventions. From the
responses it is clear that our product as potential for success as the locations, storyline,
age of characters are all conventional and similar to professional horror films.
Therefore it is clear that we are following the typical conventions in the horror genre.
For example, The Blare Witch Project uses a similar storyline and similar location for
their horror film of which was also based in the woods. Some of the techniques we
have implemented in our ideas have similarities of their film. We are going to use the
sound effect of heavy breathing whilst using a handheld camera for dramatic effect.
This is a similar technique used in their film as they use a handheld camera in a running
scene. These similarities highlight how we are following the correct conventions which
will make our trailer successful.
Our product vs Similar products + Audience reviews in contrast to other films.
5. The image of our establishing
shot of the woods shows the
clear similarities and
conventions our storyline ideas
compared to existing horror
films such as The Blare Witch
Project. This type of shot is
commonly used in successful
horror films which shows that
our product has clear potential
to be a successful horror trailer.
This mid-shot shown on our
story board is another shot
which is very conventional and
typically used as shown through
the similarities with the shot in
the conjuring. Mid-shot is
typically used to introduce the
characters early on in the film.
This enables the audience to get
to know the characters and
potentially develop an
emotional tie to them.
These two similar shots, show
how our product ideas are
conventional to existing horror
films. This shot in the
conjuring is used to show the
characters strength or
vulnerability at the point in
time, similar to the ideas of
our trailer. We have also used
this shot to show the
characters vulnerability as they
enter the woods. This
highlights how our product is
following conventions and will
therefore be successful.
Both of these shots have clear
similarities in which they both are
scenes where there is the most conflict
and the drama and tense is at its climax.
This shows how conventional are
product ideas are a clear convention
within horror trailer is a dramatic and
violent scene to keep the audience
engaged and interested. Also to end
the dramatic build up throughout the
trailer. This shows the similarities
between our product ideas and existing
films which highlights that we are
following conventions effectively.
6. Shot types and shot lengths:
The shot types we are
planning to use are shots
typically used in other
horror films as they
show/portray the way we
want things to be
portrayed. For example a
close-up shot shows the
reactions, emotions of the
characters in times of
drama and conflict.
All of these shots are the
main camera shots used in
horror films as they make
the film look professional.
Therefore by using these
shot we will make our
product successful &
conventional.
We have used a variety in
lengths of shots, however
most of the shots are quick
and fast-paced. This is
because within the trailer
we will have to show a
large percentage of the
film in about 2 minutes.
Also it is because we will
show snippets of the main
parts in the film to entice
the audience into watching
the actual film. The short
duration of the shot types
show that our trailer will be
quick and action-packed
which is conventional to a
horror trailer as it mainly
shows the scenes of
conflict.
The amount of scenes
within our trailer is
conventional to a
horror trailer. This is
because most of the
trailer is based in the
woods (as It is the
prime location for the
conflict to take place)
so there are only a
small number of
scenes that take
place due to the
amount of action
within each scene.
7. Are the characters/actors conventional to existing
horror films?
The characters/actors within our horror trailer are
teenagers, due to the fact that they are most
vulnerable in times of conflict also as there are
not under adult supervision it makes the trailer
much more intense and dramatic. This is because
they are more defenceless and vulnerable as they
are on their own with a small amount of people.
This is similar to other horror films as they follow
a similar approach in which to make the horror
film more intense and dramatic for the audience
then it is conventional to use children within the
film as they are most vulnerable. Therefore the
audience are more likely to sympathise with the
children as they are in more danger.
We have used this successful technique in order
to make our trailer more effective in its purpose.
8. Are our ancillary products conventional?
The layout of my ancillary product draft is very conventional to
a professional horror film poster. The main image will be
central and of main focus. The title of the film will be just
below the main image in the route of the eye, all of the
additional information will be at the bottom of the page and
the pull quote will be at the very top. The compassion
between my draft the horror poster shows that I have
followed conventions, therefore mine will also be conventional
and successful.
The layout for my magazine page is conventional to this
professional horror magazine page. I have adapted by draft with
the same layout and structure for my piece. The title of the
magazine page is the largest font and at the top of the page, the
image is central and of main focus and the title of the film is
below the main image and the second largest font. All of these
features I have used in my draft which shows that I am following
conventions and therefore will make successful ancillary
products.
