1. Question One: In what ways does
your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of
real media products?
By Alexandra Walsh
2. My Created Product
Title:
Exaggerated font
title at the top of
the page.
Tagline is placed
bellow the title
Release date is near
the bottom
Credits at the bottom
of the page
Character is staring in to
the camera, face on.
Low key lighting and
dark colours are used
Existing products
3. Existing Posters
Title at
the top
of the
page
Tag line
under
header
Actors Name
Credit block
Release date
Image of
face
Dark colours and low key lighting used
Use of extreme font for titles to prompt the
suggestion of the films being horror related
Points that relate to all of them:
4. Why My Posters text Is Conventional
Title
The title of the film on the poster is conventional in every way. The
first way in which it is conventional is the distorted font which I have
chosen to use. This distorted font links to the horror genre by
attaching connotations to it that the characters themselves may be
dysfunctional and unordinary, implying some sort of disturbance that
may take place in the film. is eye catching ensuring that it draws in
attention of the audience, to maximise the affect of this form of
advertising. Another benefit of this is that it makes it more
memorable, people are more likely to remember the name of the
film by using an elaborate font. This font is also used in both the
trailer and the website which is again conventional as it ensures that
they are all linked and recognised to be forms of advertisement for
the same film. As well as the font type the positioning of it on the
website is conventional as its common for horror posters to place the
titles at the top of the page to make sure that its the first feature
which is seen to re-consolidate the belief that the audience will
remember the name of the film, so they can go and see the film. It is
conventional to have it in this structure as we read from top to
bottom so it is indefinite that the title will be read first, therefore if
someone is researching in to films to watch as they will instantly see
the most important pieces of information first.
5. Why My Posters Text Is Conventional
Tag line
The placing of the tag line, bellow the title of the film, is
commonly found on horror film posters. Its conventional as
it automatically ensures that the audience will read it after
the title. Which guarantees that when the audience thinks
about the film or if someone else brings it up they will then
think of this tag line. Also, Its conventional in its self to have
a tagline as it is a form of advertising for the film as it
initiates the audience to raise questions about the film, it
creates an enigma, which can only be answered by watching
it. Like what elements of the film is unexpected and the plot
of the film in general. This increases the likelihood of them
paying to watch the film, as they want to find out the
answers to the question. The tag line helps to develop the
concept of the film as containing plot twists and cliff
hangers, having it gripping. Also, its conventional to not have
the tag line standing out as much as the title as its less
important that the title therefore shouldn’t draw the most
attention in, there fore it is in smaller font. This is why I have
chosen not to use a brighter colour, or an exaggerated font
and to not make it bigger in size to allow the title to stand
out more so.
6. Why My Posters Style Is Conventional
Colours and lighting
All of the colours which I have used on the poster are dark
and represent horror, and I have manipulated the lighting
to make it low key and ultimately make the image appear
duller and darker, attaching connotations to the characters
personality as being evil and dark. This is conventional of
horror movie posters as it successfully implies and
translates the horror genre. For example, I have used the
colour red for the title of the film at the top of the page
this colour represents the devil and therefore evil but also
blood and violence, successfully implying the horror genre.
It also highlights that the character on the poster is the
protagonist as the lightening and colour implies that she
has a dark and evil nature. As the face layered on to of the
first face has a shadow over it, making the face look like its
emerging from the darkness implying the character has a
dark side
7. Why My Posters Text Is Conventional
Release Date
It is conventional to have the release date on movie posters
as it ensure that the audience are aware of when they can
begin to purchase cinema ticket to see the film. The sole
reason of the poster is to promote people to go and see the
film and it’s a necessity for them to know this date so they
can book tickets and plan for when they are going to see it.
As this piece of information is important it has been made to
be large and fill up a large amount of space, which is
conventional of horror film posters, as it convinces the
audience to want to read it. However it isn't the most
important piece of information as the rest of the content
(with the credit block as the exception), therefore it must not
be as large as the title. As well as this its conventional to not
give it an exaggerated font and eye catching colour to make
sure it doesn’t draw attention away from the more important
features like the tagline. For this reason it is placed low down
on the poster, which is again conventional of film posters for
the same reason. Other pieces of text are higher then the
release date to encourage them to read the most important
pieces of information before they see the release date.
8. Why My Posters Structure Is
Conventional
Credits
It is conventional to have credit blocks present on a film
poster, this is to give credit to those involved in the
process of creating the film. For example; the production
company and actors etc. Its also conventional to have the
credit block at the bottom of the page as it is seen as the
least important feature as it doesn’t contribute much to
the promotion and advertisement of the film. Its
conventional to include the production companies logo at
the end of the credit block as well, to give the company
greater credit.
9. Why My Posters image Is
Conventional
Image:
The image I have taken and chosen to use on the poster fits
conventions which are seen on horror movie posters. The
image I have used of the character is a medium close up
which reveals her face which is staring directly in to the
camera. This is conventional as it creates a relationship
between the character and audience, making it more likely
that the audience will go and see the film as it makes the
poster more memorable. The image also implies horror and
violence threw the injuries which are present on her. The use
of bruising and blood is scene throughout horror trailers as
they imply the genre of horror successfully and clearly. The
use of the image overlapping the first image successfully
applies the suggestion of the horror genre by creating a
distorted uncomfortable atmosphere from the poster by the
character looking frustrated and angry. This helps to suggests
that the character is the antagonist, as well as implying the
narrative of the sub-genre psychological horror. It translates
that the narrative includes a psychopathic antagonist who's
actions are triggered by her anger and fustration.
10. How I challenged the conventions
with the text of my poster
Actors’ names
The only way in which I challenged the conventions of
horror movie posters is through choosing to not include the
actors names on the poster. Through my research and as
shown on the second slide it is commonly found that actors
names are presented on the poster, this is because it’s a
form of advertisement, as these actors are well known and
due to them being well known leave the audience with the
assumption that the film must be good as it has well
established actors playing the main characters. However, I
decided not to do this as the actors within my film is not
well known I therefore wouldn’t benefit from this strategy.
11. Over view of the poster
When constructing the plan of the structure of my poster I decided I chose to stick as closely to the conventions of the
horror genre posters as possible. I decided to this to ensure that the poster I created looked professional and could easily be
compared to an existing horror movie poster. I wanted to translate the conventions of a horror poster clearly, and the main
way this is succeeded is through the image. So I chose to use and image which implied violence through the injuries and
bruising presented on her face. The way in which the text was structured, laid out, sized and the font they had was done to
match the conventions of horror movie posters by making sure the most important text stands out from the least import to
make sure that the poster successfully advertises the film by translating the features which will help promote the amount of
people who pay to see the film. As if I made the date bigger than the title, the name of the film will be less memorable than
the date, which would be ineffective to increase sales as the title of the film is essential to be known if people are going to
purchase tickets to see the film.
It is difficult to challenge the conventions of horror movie posters as it is essential for the poster to contain specific features
which strongly imply horror (which are typically conventional). For example, including dark colours and low key lighting is
necessary to include as the black background instils the fear of the unknown whilst the low-key lighting around the image
of the protagonist implies that she is evil and dark herself. By using colours like red, don’t even draw the eye in but imply
the horror genre further as it is associated with blood and the devil. As well as the lighting and colour choice the tag line is
also essential to include as it is what ignites the audience with questions they likely have surrounding the film.
12. My Created Product
Navigation bar placed at
the top of the page clear
simple font used
Title is the largest piece of text on
the page. Overall the most eye
catching with the most exaggerated
font on the page.
The Tagline is placed
underneath the title and is
much smaller and less eye
catching than it.
Reviews of the film clearly
present on the page, to help
promote the film. These are
animated.
Social media links which send the
audience to more forms of
advertisement
Existing product
13. My Created Product
Animated image of a character.
Introduces the audience to the
protagonist, begins to create a
relationship.
Release date of the film is
presented below the
animated head, in large
prominent font.
The credits are placed at
the bottom of the
website.
Sound present on the page
when you open it. It can be
turned up and down and
also paused.
Image which implies
violence and horror
has taken place.
Low key lighting and dark colours are
used to create an evil dark atmosphere
and highlight the horror genre.
14. Similarities with an exisitng product
Title is the largest piece of
text on the page. Overall
the most eye catching with
the most exaggerated font
on the page.
Navigation bar placed
at the top of the page
clear simple font used
The Tagline is placed
underneath the title and is
much smaller and less eye
catching than it.
Release date of the film
is presented below the
animated head, in large
prominent font.
Social media links
which send the
audience to more forms
of advertisement
15. Why My Websites Structure Is
Conventional
Social media Links
Its conventional for film websites to include social media
links as they give the audience access to extra information
about the film which may be what is the final deciding
factor which pushes them to pay to go and see the film.
These appeal to the target audience of young adults/
teenagers particularly which is one reason why it is
conventional to have social media links on website pages
as the majority of social media users are young adults and
teenagers. I decided to make the social media links grey, to
fit in with the dark toned website, to help to continue to
imply the horror genre. The social media links is a
marketing tool, which is a method of bellow the line
marketing which benefits independent film company's my
giving them a platform to spread their video virally and for
free. Which also allows followers to comment their
reviews on to help promote the film and give it a good
name.
16. Why My Websites Text Is
Conventional
Title
The title of the film is conventional for the same reasons
as those mentioned on the poster. This in its self is
conventional again as it ensures consistency and links to
the different forms of marketing text for the film.
17. Why My Websites text Is
Conventional
Navigation Bar
Its conventional of not just horror websites, but all websites to place the
navigation bar at the top of the page. This because it is essential for
websites to be easy to navigate round for audience, to prevent the risk of
the audience becoming irritated with the interactive elements of the
website. Therefore the navigation bar is laid out at the top of the page to
make sure it is easy for users to find. Its also conventional to use simple,
non-exaggerated font for its text to make it clear and easy to read. To
ensure the navigation bar was in fact clear to read I decided to use
colours which popped out from the black background to make sure that it
is easy to locate. I chose colours which were also conventional to the
horror genre. The navigation bar also acts as a content page highlighting
what facilities and content the website offers. I decided to make the
buttons turn red if you are on their specific page. I decided to use the
colour for two reasons which are conventional in themselves. The first
being that the colour red has been used consistently not just throughout
the website but on my poster and trailer. The second being that it helps
reinforce the horror genre. The navigation bar allows the option for
different pages, meaning that the home page doesn’t have to be too text
and information heavy. This allows pages to be simplistic and minimal
whilst ensuring that all of the content is addressed, ensuring that the
audience does not end up feeling overwhelmed when viewing the
website.
18. Why My Website text Is Conventional
Tag line
The tag line is placed on the website for the same reason
as it is on the homepage. This ensures that consistency is
present throughout all of the analytic text.
19. Why My Website text Is Conventional
Release date
The release date is placed on the website for the same
reason as it is on the homepage. This ensures that
consistency is present throughout all of the analytic text.
20. Why My Websites text Is
Conventional
Credits
The credits are placed on the website for the same reason as it
is on the homepage. This ensures that consistency is present
throughout all of the analytic text.
21. Why My Website Sound Is
Conventional
Sound
The sound I chose to have playing on my website is of the
voice of the protagonist repeating and whispering “how
could he” the title of the film, this attaches connotations to
film and its narrative of someone committing a violent act. Its
conventional to have sound on horror film websites as It
helps to translate the horror genre. It also communicates the
psychological sub-genre of the film as this sound hold
connotations that the voices are in someone's head and
potentially a motive for them to commit a crime. The
purpose of these sounds are to put the audience on edge and
make them feel uncomfortable, as this is what's desired by
horror film lovers. This is therefore a method of advertising
the scare factor of the film, as if you can begin to make the
audience on edge whilst on the website, it will increase their
expectations of the film. I have chosen to use a sound which
has been taken out of the trailer, this is to make the website
relate and link to the trailer on an obvious scale, this is
conventional of horror websites. This sound is creepy and
intense which will add to a tense atmosphere inflicting and
implying the horror genre successfully.
22. Why My Website Structure Is
Conventional
Images
The images which I have opted to use are conventional for
horror film websites. I chose to place an image of the
characters face on the left hand side. It is conventional to
have images of characters on the website as it is a way to
introduce the audience to the characters in the film, and to
allow the audience to gain an opinion and relationship with
them, making them more connected with the film and
therefore more likely to want to go and see the film. I
decided to animate this image so that it glitches from side,
making it appear distorted, implying the horror genre. This
image implies violence, anger and most emotions related to
horror through the obvious injuries she has and the facial
expressions and body langue she is presenting. The second
image/ the background is a conventional image of horror
film website as it shows the hand of a dead body, it is
evident that the owner of this hand is at least injured due to
the blood which is dripping off it. It is also conventional as it
leaves the audience questioning what has happened to this
person, who the person is ans whether they have a
connection with the character shown on the left hand side.
23. Why My Website mise en scene Is
Conventional
Colours and lighting
All of the colours which I have used on the website are
dark and represent horror, and I have manipulated the
lighting to make it low key and ultimately make the
image appear duller and darker. This is conventional of
horror movie websites as it successfully implies and
translates the horror genre. For example, I have used
the colour red for the title of the film at the top of the
page this colour represents the devil and therefore evil
but also blood and violence, successfully implying the
horror genre. It also highlights that the character on
the website is the protagonist as the lightening and
colour implies that she has a dark and evil nature. As
the image of the characters face on the left hand side is
shadowed on the left hand side, making the face look
like its emerging from the darkness implying the
character has a dark side.
24. How I challenged the conventions
with the text of my website
Reviews
It isn't conventional to display reviews of the film on the website.
However as my film is an independent film, it is possible that
people are more hesitant to pay to go and see the film. Therefore
by making a point that professional film critiques have made
positive remarks about the film may be what the audience needs
to help them make their mind to go and see the film. It is a form
of advertisement which should help increase the likelihood of
people going to pay to see it as they don’t have to worry about
being disappointed in it as there is evidence to support that the
film is worth their own money. For example one review says
“terribly frightening” which is a conventional review to have
present on a home page as it highlights to horror lovers ( the
target audience) that this film will reach their expectations. I
decided to add conventional elements to it, for example the,
colour font and sizing of it is conventional and fits nicely in to the
horror genre website. Also I have animated the reviews so they
appear later on than the other features. This is to draw attention
to them, as although they aren't conventional they are an
important feature on the website.
25. Over view of the Website
I decided when planning my website that I wanted to stick to the conventions of horror film websites as closely
as I could. I wanted my website to be able to be compared to an existing horror film website to ensure that it
came off as professional, and the only way to do this was to research in to the conventions of horror film
websites and stick to them. However as the majority of horror websites are from well established producers
etc. and my film is previously unknown I had to add in features which aren't typically convention. For example,
I added in reviews of the film to my home page as a form of advertisement, to highlight to the audience that
going to see this independent film would be worth while and not a waste of money.
The main convention of horror film websites is successfully implying the horror genre of the film to the
audience. I found through my research that this was done predominantly by image selection. The images I
chose to present heavily imply violence through the injuries and blood shown, which links nicely to the horror
genre. Another way in which is is done is through sound, its conventional and commonly seen that horror
websites have sound effects which helps inflict a tense atmosphere which translates the horror genre as well.
By using voices of people whispering successfully create this tense atmosphere on my website ensures that the
horror genre is successfully applied and highlights the sub-genre also, whilst putting the audience of edge. The
black and red colours which are present on the home page represent the horror genre successfully, for
example the colour black is associated with death and is generally a negative colour which will not just help
create an atmosphere but also implies the horror genre further.
