1. In what ways does your media product use,
develop or challenge forms and conventions of
real media products?
Question 1
Film Trailer
2. Research and Planning
Before creating the product, the research and planning process allowed me to gain a clear
understanding of film trailers and the key codes and conventions used. In addition, I
analysed three film trailers which were the genre of psychological thrillers which included
‘The Gift’, ‘Split’ and ‘A Ghost Story.’ I created a prezi which allowed me to analyse key
conventions such as sound, transitions, mise en scene, camera angles as well as other factors
such as costume and setting. From analysing exiting trailers, it was evident that conventions
such as the billing block, film title, and film production logos were used in all therefore needed
to be included within our trailer. Furthermore, it was also evident that sound played a
significant role within the trailer as it can influence the audiences emotions and cause tension
or suspense to a specific scene such as the scene included in our trailer between the main
character of Morgan and the psychiatrist .
As a group we decided we wished to base the plot around a teenage male who is bullied and seeks
revenge influenced by his imaginary friend. This is due to the whole group feeling strongly
about the effects of bullying and the issue of male mental health being a taboo within society.
The aim of the plot was to make the youthful male target audience aware that mental health
within young males is common as well as the impacts bullying can have on an individual. We
then created a storyboard to help us visualise what our trailer would loom like as well as
decide which shots were relevant to the plot. The use of the storyboard was conventional as
we used it during filming to assure that specific shots were filmed to plan and were successful.
Finally, we also created a n animatic in which allowed us to practice using the camera
equipment as well as assuring the scenes were able to be shot and also assure that the plot
was interesting.
3. Codes and Conventions
It was evident that a common convention used within various trailers is that
at the beginning, the film production company logo is revealed to reflect the
which company has produced the film, allowing the audience to trust the
production which therefore encourages them to view the film.
Therefore, I created two production company logos for ‘Vertigo Films’ and
‘Paradigm.’ Personally, I am pleased with the final outcomes of both logos
due to being bold and eye catching to the audience, Therefore I believe they
follow the codes and conventions of the film production logos used within
trailers.
Our film production company
logos.
Used in Donnie Darko.
4. Bathroom Scene
The bathroom scene was inspired by Donnie Darko due to also filming a Bathroom
Scene in which Donnie interacts with his imaginary friend who is the ‘bunny’ through
a prop of a mirror or glass. This is when the audience first encounter the relationship
between the characters.
Therefore, our opening shot revealed the our bathroom scene revealing the two main
characters in an over the shoulder medium two shot which reveals their close
relationship to the audience. Also like Donnie Darko, this is the first scene in which
the audience encounter both main characters together.
5. Psychologist Scene
Inspired by the scene in Split, an important scene in our trailer is the
psychologist scene. This reflects to the audience the main characters
mental health issues. In addition, we decided to use a male
psychologist to challenge stereotypes as well as potentially make a
more male dominated target audience more comfortable.
6. Intertitles
Throughout or trailer we used intertitles due to being a
key convention used within film trailers . To assure it was
eye catching to the audience, we decided to use white text
on a conventional black background. I believe this was
effective and improved they audiences understanding of
the narrative.
Donnie Darko also used intertitles and used a blue font
on a black background to carry through the colour
scheme of the film, making it more professional.
7. Film Title
The film title for our trailer ‘Deluded’ is bold and vibrant due to the colour scheme
of white and red. Personally, I believe that the font and the glow effect behind the
text creates an eerie affect to reflect the character of the imaginary friend in which
influences the character of Morgan. In addition, I believe that the colour scheme
reflects danger due to the use of the colour red mainly used. Furthermore, I believe
that the colour scheme also is appealing on the black background in which makes
the title stand out to the audience. In addition, we decided to highlight the phrase
‘elude’ within our title to reflect the main characters presence as he is alone. We
believe this is effective and interests the audience.
Due to Donnie Darko having a similar target audience and narrative, we used this as
the main inspiration although we believed that the use of blue text on a black
background as it does not stand out to the viewer.
8. Billing Block
A billing block includes the actors, directors, producers and
other crew members which were used during the production of
the film. The billing block is revealed at the end of the trailer
therefore we followed this convention and did this also.
Example Billing Block Billing Block
9. Themes and Costume
Various themes are reflected throughout the trailer including the main theme between
illusion and reality which is created between the characters of Morgan and his
imaginary friend. The character of the imaginary fiend, encourages Morgan to turn
from good to evil and seek revenge. This is done due to Morgan seeking comfort and
not feeling as isolated with the company of the imaginary friend. In addition the
theme of revenge is also key throughout the trailer and results in the murder of two
characters.
One of my roles was to decide the costume of the characters within the trailer. Therefore
the main characters of Morgan and his imaginary friend wore dark colours to reflect
Morgan’s mental health. The imaginary friend used the prop of a plain white mask to
reflect no emotion to the audience . Furthermore, the colour of the mask may also
reflect innocence and purity due to being white, although the behaviour of the
imaginary friend leads to darkness and destruction.
10. Personally, I believe that our film trailer followed key codes and conventions
of existing film that are also psychological thrillers such as Split. In addition, I
believe that the unique selling point is that the main character is male in
which challenges societies perception of those who suffer with mental health,
therefore I believe this will interest the target audience due to being a similar
age to the teenage main character in which they may sympathise with or be
able to relate to.
In addition, I believe that our code of enigma interests the audience and I feel
that the narrative is interesting and a fear in society as well as a taboo within
young males and mental health, therefore our trailer makes the audience
aware of the impacts bullying can have on an individual suffering with mental
health.
