This document provides details for planning a trailer for a supernatural horror film called "Joseph Knight". It summarizes the plot, which involves a serial killer's spirit possessing a man living in the killer's former house and forcing him to kill one last victim. It then outlines the target audience, genre conventions including unseen threats and tensions, potential actors and filming locations, and props that could be used like objects moving supernaturally. The goal is to create an unsettling trailer that draws in fans of similar supernatural horror films.

1. Joseph KnightMedia PresentationJoseph knight1Supernatural horror

2. SynopsisIn 2007. Tim Laiton killed a number of random women and aimed to go one better than his ‘idol’ Jack the Ripper and manage to kill 6 women, however he only killed 5 before being killed by police. His last words were ‘I’ll get her’. In the present day, Jack is the first person to move into the house that Tim Laiton lived in, although Jack has no idea that he’s living in the serial killer’s house. One night Jack is possessed by the spirit of Tim Laiton, who wants someone to kill a final victim for him, and Jack is his person. Tim will only leave Jack’s body if he kills a final victim, however when Jack falls in love with his ‘victim’, he’s left with a dilemma… Kill her and be free… Or let her live and have the spirit of a monster for the rest of his life.Joseph knight2

3. Teaser PlanClose-up of main character’s faces.Close-up of knife.Long shot of the room.Establishing shot of the house/flat.Eye-line shot of person looking at the woman.Close-up of man striking someone with a knife.Medium shot of person rolling around in bed being possessed.Medium shot of Serial Killer being shot by plain-clothed police officer.Medium shot of Jack and woman in an embrace.Joseph knight3

4. Key QuestionsWho are the characters?Why did the serial killer kill those women?Will Jack kill the woman?Will Jack live with the serial killer’s soul?Who does he strike with the knife?Joseph knight4

5. MoodboardJoseph knight5

6. Target audience and researchThe main target audience I want my trailer to be aimed at is mainly fans of supernatural films.Target age audience is between 16-30 year olds; suitable age for viewing and most likely ages to watch the film.Fans of films like Paranormal Activity; The Grudge; Insidious, are the main target audience.Future films including The Awakening and The Woman In Black feature a similar premise and will attract a similar audience to my trailer.Joseph knight6

7. Genre conventionsSupernatural Horror is (nearly) all about the tricks used to make a spine tingling effect.Supernatural Horror films are far more restricted than normal slasher horror films; in the sense that they are far more suspenseful due to the use of subtle effects and slow-burning narrative.The camera technique, in the ‘Found footage’ genre, is being even more commonly used in modern Supernatural films; Blair Witch Project; Paranormal Activity; the Last Exorcism.The effect of this genre makes the film seem far more real, gives a new sense of terror.Joseph knight7

8. Genre conventions cont…Supernatural Horror films are made to make the audience feel ultimate terror, without the use of excess blood or violent killers with giant chainsaws.Most supernatural horror films are now inside the main characters’ home… Paranormal Activity and Insidious employed this technique.More generic horror films (The Hostel, Scream & Saw) go through many locations, not necessarily the victim’s houses, more like social areas.The use of the home-set movies makes the terror seem closer than ever.Joseph knight8

9. Genre conventions Cont…In many Supernatural Horror films, the ghost/supernatural force is in most parts unseen. In the trailer, I may not even have to include it at all.Shadows are increasingly used in Horror films; are used to create a darker tone, make it seem that danger could be hidden in the shadows.Eerie music should be used in my trailer; child’s lullaby; slow piano; all used in Supernatural Horror films to create suspense/tension.Smaller environments – Makes it seem that the scares and danger is far closer to the characters. Woman In Black Trailer:Not much plot being given away, apart from the ghost and main character.Creates small but quick effects (ghost standing Daniel Radcliffe for a second).Joseph knight9

10. Actors/locations/costume/propsAn actor may will be needed for the serial killer; another for Jack; another for a police officer; another for the possible ‘final’ victim.A big, man to play the serial killer.A slightly more generic looking, everyday person to play Jack.Anyone to play the police officer.Any woman is able to play the part of the possible ‘final’ victim.Any actors will be excepted.Joseph knight10

11. Actors/locations/costume/propsThere are many locations that I would wish my trailer to be set.I believe my research has said a lot about where I would like to set it. Paranormal Activity; Insidious has given me inspiration for my setting.I would prefer my setting to be in a specific house.Will also set it in other environments, main synopsis will be set in the one house.Joseph knight11

12. Actors/locations/costume/propsNot necessarily a costume theme.Any clothes-types will be accepted.Police officer will be plain-clothed so no uniform required.Serial killer wears normal clothes, slightly more smarter looking than usual serial killers.Joseph knight12

13. Actors/locations/costume/propsMany Supernatural Horror films include objects that are moved by the ghost; apple falling down the stairs in The Awakening trailer, Ouija Boards are commonly used in films.I will include low lighting in most of my trailer as this will contribute to what I said in the ‘Genre Conventions’ slide about how it makes the danger seem closer than anything else.Joseph knight13I will try to include something similar to this effect in my trailer which will make the ghost seem far more real and will make the audience also feel terror.