In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
1. In what ways does your media
product use, develop or
challenge forms and
conventions of real media
products?
2. Poster
Title of film is always in the centre, either the bottom or the
top. However it’s always above the credits. It is usually the
largest piece of text on the page, the font stands out from
the rest of the fonts as it fits with the narrative of the film.
This is the most eye-catching thing on the page other than
the image. I chose to have the title of my film in the bottom
half of my poster in the centre. The font fits in with the
narrative of the film. As it looks like it’s been drawn with a
crayon.
The credits are always at the bottom of the poster, this is
usually a simple font, and the text is very close together.
They are positioned in the lower third of the poster. Which
doesn’t distract the audience away from the main image. I
made sure that I included the credits at the bottom of my
poster.
The release date is always underneath the credits in a bold
font that stands out. I made sure that I included the release
date of my film in the bottom of the poster, I have used a
red font so that it clearly stands out against the rest of the
poster. Also the red is noticeable against the dark black
background.
3. Medium/close ups are commonly used, also long shots are
commonly used. The image is always framed in the centre. The
character in the images tends to use direct mode of address, so the
character is looking directly into the audiences eyes, this draws the
audience in, as the audience want to know what the character is
thinking and whats going to happen. Which makes the audience
want to go and see the film.. The audience are able to see the facial
expressions and body language of the character. I put the images of
my characters either side of the poster as I only wanted the
audience to see half of their faces. However they are still the centre
of the poster, this makes them seem more mysterious.
The antagonist is usually the main image on the poster, the direct
mode of address creates a sense of fear amongst the audience. The
direct mode of address used on my poster helps to define the
characters, the antagonist has a red eye and has dark bags around
her eye. This suggests that she is the antagonist, as it makes her
look evil/possessed.
The fonts used tend to very scruffy/rough looking, almost as if there
has been some sort of interference from the evil presence. The font
that I have used on my poster is bold and stands out clearly against
the black background. Also the font for the title of the film, fits in
with the narrative of the film as it looks like the protagonist has
drawn her name with a crayon, its one of the key things at links to
the ending of the film, as throughout the film Emily draws pictures
that suggest whats going to happen at the end of the film.
4. A lot of red is used on horror posters, red is associated with
danger, evil, blood etc. Which suggests that their will be some sort
of violence that will occur in the film. I decided not to use red on
my poster, as my film doesn’t have any blood or gore n it, so it
wasn’t necessary. However the only time I did use red was for the
colour of my release date font
Some posters have the names of other films that they have
produced. They usually put in films that have done well, and that
have a good reputation amongst the target audience. So if they
like that film, it will encourage the audience to go and watch the
film. I haven’t used this on my poster, as I haven’t created any
other films.
Dark backgrounds are usually used on horror posters, this fits with
the genre. The dark, dull colours create a sense of mystery and
danger. I have used a dark black background as it creates fear and
anxiety because the audience don’t know what could be
lurking/hidden in the dark. Dark colours also give a sense of
coldness. I have also used white behind Emily which contrasts with
the black, showing that the antagonist and protagonist are
contrasting characters, it clearly helps define which ones which. As
the white connotes purity and innocence etc.
5. On horror posters they tend to use a child as the main image,
in horror films the child is usually the most innocent and
vulnerable character, so the child gets possessed and becomes
the antagonist. This is very unrealistic, you expect children to
be innocent and vulnerable, however on the poster they are
portrayed as the complete opposite. Also objects like dolls are
associated with young children, which can make the audience
feel uneasy. As they see young children as vulnerable, they
aren't able to look after and fend for themselves. One of my
main images is a child, it makes her seem more vulnerable.
Also it fits with the narrative of the story as the child is the
main character.
High key lighting is used on the main image to make it stand
out, this normally contrasts with the dark background that is
used. The high key lighting allows the audience to see the
facial expressions of the antagonists. Its like the protagonist is
appearing from the darkness. I have used high key lighting on
the faces of my antagonist and protagonist. So that you can
clearly the see the difference between the two characters. You
can see that the antagonist as dark bags around her eyes, and
looks very dead, where as you can see that the protagonist
looks very young, and has fresh skin compared to the
antagonist.
There is usually a tag line on posters, which are in a
big bold font. They link with the narrative of the film.
It is usually a quote from the trailer, and it sticks in the
audiences mind, although you get a sense of the
narrative, it doesn’t give too much away. This makes
the audience want to go and watch the film. The
tagline that I have used on my poster fits in with the
narrative of the film. And clearly stands out at the top
of the page.
6. The credits usually start with the production company, and list
the producers directors etc… it also has the actors names. This
is the smallest text on the poster. It doesn’t draw any attention
away from the main image, and title on the poster. I have
included credits on the bottom of my poster. These are smaller
than the rest of the text on the poster.
In the main image the character is usually wearing normal
clothing, for example in the orphan poster she is wearing a
dress with bows in her hair. This makes the audience assume
that she is innocent and vulnerable. Which makes them fearful
as they know that bad things are likely to happen to this
innocent person. However they want to find out whats going to
happen so it draws them in. In my image the protagonist and
antagonist are wearing normal everyday clothes. I have decided
not to show what kind of clothes that the antagonist and
protagonist are wearing, the colours fit into the background, so
that all you can really see are their faces and necks, this makes
it look like they are both appearing from the unknown. Their
identity isn’t recognised .
7. My poster uses most of the forms and conventions of
generic horror posters, however horror posters don’t
tend to have the antagonist and protagonist on the
poster. I decided to as I wanted to show the implied
narrative, I wanted the audience to see that Rosie
possesses Emily, and that’s why she’s also on the poster.
As she is a key part in the film.
I also decided not to have any bright colours on my
poster, I wanted to have a black and white colour
scheme, as the white connotes the innocence and youth
of the Emily, yet the black contrasts with the white and
suggests that there is something mysterious and
dangerous about her and Rosie.
8. Website
Most websites have a button on the homepages that say
‘watch the trailer’, I decided to include this on my website
as I didn’t want to just put the trailer on the homepage, I
wanted them to click on a link that takes them to the video
page to watch the trailer and other videos.
There is a menu at the top of websites, it’s usually either a
drop down menu or the different pages are along the top of
the website. I have decided to go with the pages being
along the top of the page, as it makes it easier to clearly
navigate around the website as they can clearly see where
they need to go.
On websites they usually have social media buttons that
take them to the social media sites, I have included a
Facebook, twitter and google + button so that the audience
can click on them and take them to these social media sites,
so that they can write about the trailer and the film. This
also helps to promote the film further, and makes more
people aware, as people can post the link to the website, so
other people can watch the trailer.
I have followed the forms and conventions when it comes to
the different pages, most websites have pages for, videos,
images, gifs, soundtrack, about the film etc. I decided to
include all of these pages, as they are all relevant to the
film.
9. Film websites tend to have reviews from newspapers
and magazines, I have decided to use reviews on my
website, I have also included a star rating for each
review
The film credits are always on the website, I have
included them on the bottom of the homepage, with the
release date underneath in a bold font so that it clearly
stands out.
Sound/music is usually included on websites, I have
included the music from the end of my trailer when
things to start wrong, as it sound scary and tense. I have
put a play and pause button in the top right corner next
to the social media icons, however I have set it so that
the music automatically plays.
10. Trailer – Sound
Voice over at the start is usually warm and inviting, it lets the audience know what's happening and keeps them intrigued
as to what's going to happen next. We decided not to use a voiceover at the start of our trailer as we felt we didn’t need
one, the audience get an idea of the narrative from what they can see. The start of the story is explained through different
camerawork and editing.
Slow incidental music is playing which helps to make the trailer more dramatic and makes the audience feel slightly tense
and nervous. We decided to use slow incidental music at the start of the trailer, it fits in with the fact that the protagonist
(Emily) is a young child s the music is very child like. Its almost sounds a bit creepy. Also this helps to contrast with the
music at the end, you can see that things started out fine and that there is a clear contrast between the start and end.
Dialogue is used to inform the audience of the narrative, and to introduce the protagonist and the antagonist. We used
dialogue throughout most of the trailer so the audience could get an idea of what was going on at all times. This helped to
make sure that the narrative of the story was clear. We didn’t want the audience o get confused. Also we used dialogue
when things were taking a turn for the worst, for example when the mother is shouting at Emily, it creates tension.
The score is used to create tension and fear, the audience is aware that things are going to take a turn for the worst. The
score is usually instrumental, and classical this makes the storyline seem creepier. We decided to use a score in our trailer
so that tension was created. The audience are aware that things are going to take a turn for the worst. The music starts off
quite and then gets louder as the trailer progresses, as the music gets louder the pace of the action gets faster.
Diegetic sounds such as screams make the audience feel worried and scared; it suggests that things can only get worse
therefore making them want to carry on watching the trailer to see what's going to happen. We used diegetic sounds
throughout the trailer, for example when Emily’s mother is shouting, this makes the audience aware that things are gong to
get worse as it creates a sense of panic and chaos.
11. An establishing shot is used at the
start of trailers to set the scene.
We used an establishing shot of a
church as its where our trailer
begins, and is a key link to the
antagonist. Also the fact that its
set in a church makes the victim
seem more vulnerable, as they are
amongst death.
Trailer – Camera work
Two shots are commonly used in
trailers, this helps to show the
relationship that the characters
have, we have used two shots
throughout our trailer, especially on
the mother and father, this helps to
show that they are in a relationship.
There relationship is easily
recognisable at the very start of the
trailer.
It also helps to show that
relationships are developing, for
example the father and Emily are
becoming closer to each other.
Close ups are used a lot in
horror trailer, it helps to
show the characters
emotion, we have used
close-ups in our trailer to
show the emotions of the
characters, for example
when Emily is talking to
the adoption lady at the
church, you can clearly see
that Emily is upset. This
makes her seem more
vulnerable
We have used a high
angle shot to make
Emily seem more
vulnerable, it makes the
audience remember
that she is only a child,
and that she is
innocent.
12. Over the shoulder shots are
commonly used in horror trailer,
they are sometimes used to create
tension. For example in our trailer
we have used them when the
mother is clearing away the
drawing and she looks at them and
realises that something is wrong.
This helps to create tension and
suspense amongst the audience.
Point of view shots are used
to make the audience feel
more tense, for example we
used point of view shots
when the mother is shouting
at Emily, as this is when the
music starts to get louder
and faster, and you can see
that things are starting to go
wrong. Also from Emily’s
point of view you can not
only see the mother but the
antagonist in the
background behind the
door.
Zoom is commonly used in horror films, they usually zoom in
on strange objects, or shadows etc. in our trailer we decided to
zoom in on the drawings as it links with the end of the film, the
picture of the house on fire links with Emily setting the house
on fire at the end. Also when the mother is shouting at Emily,
we decided to zoom in on the shadow in the background,
which makes the audience nervous as they don’t know whats
going to happen next, as the mother is unaware of whats
behind her.
13. Trailer – Editing
At the start of trailers they
have the preview page, and
the production company
animation, we have followed
these generic conventions
as we wanted our film to
look professional
Captions are usually used to
show time passing, and they are
used to anchor the plot as they
have intriguing captions. We
have used two captions in our
trailer, that help to anchor the
plot. They suggest that
something is going to happen,
and that things are going to
take a turn for the worst.
Long takes are used in
horror trailers and we have
used long takes at the start,
continuity editing is used to
make it seem likes it’s a
normal environment, for
example when Emily and the
adoption lady are in the
church, and when Emily is at
the house.
Fast straight cuts are used
towards the end of horror
trailers, we have used lots of
straight cuts towards the
end, as it helps to build
tension and suspense. Also a
lot of our cuts fit in with the
tempo and beat of the
music at the end.