The document summarizes the research and development process for a student creating a movie trailer for a horror/thriller genre film. The student researched conventions of similar horror/thriller trailers such as The Descent, 388 Arletta Avenue, Silent House, and Chernobyl Diaries to understand techniques to include. Elements like low lighting, shadowed figures, and implied danger were analyzed. The student also researched other genres to understand differences and ensure focusing on appropriate conventions. Feedback from the research will be applied to creating an engaging trailer that draws in viewers.

1. Research & Development
Elise Daniels

2. Genre Of The Movie Trailer -
The genre of my movie trailer will be horror/thriller. I have chosen a
horror and thriller theme as this is the type of films I am most
interested in and other people around the same age as myself. My
questionnaire also gave me feedback which indicted this. I have
watched a range of movies and trailers to be certain that I will be
able to create a trailer of this genre.

3. Similar Products -
During the research and development stage I have researched a variety of trailers similar to the
type of trailer I want to create and also to find what aspects of the trailer are used to show the
film is that of a horror/thriller genre. By viewing a range of trailers it has allowed me to decide
what I will include when creating my trailer. E.g. For example low lighting, shadowed figures,
wide range of scenery leading to problems, mystery characters, weapons, injuries etc. All these
things are typically included in trailers of a horror genre. Including all these things into the
trailer adds a greater sense of mystery to the audience, making them want to learn more about
the story line.
Some of the film trailers I have chosen which would be similar to my trailer include
•The Descent
•388 Arletta Avenue
•Silent House
•Chernobyl Diaries
All these trailer include similar storylines or techniques I wish to use which are typical of horror
or thriller films. The next slides explains the conventions within the trailers and why I chose
these trailers.

4. Other Film Genre’s -
During my research of trailers, instead of focusing on just horror and thriller I also research
genre’s such as; romance, comedy, drama, Sci-fi and action. By researching a wide range of
conventions within different genre’s, it enabled me to understand what I needed to include and
what I shouldn’t include.
An example of a Romance/Drama Trailer I chose was a filmed called Dear John.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0989757/
Audio - The conventions of this trailer were typical of a Romantic genre based on the audio used.
Both characters equally show emotion when speaking to each other. Evidently we see that John,
who’s a soldier on leave, falling in love with Savannah a college student during the summer. The
music used relates to romance. The sound of a guitar relating to love and the setting of the
beach and summer. It makes it seem to be the perfect love story with a twist.
Shot Types -The shot types within the trailer show extreme close up’s of each of the main
characters faces to show the love and emotion. Also long shots show the characters closeness
which is an important feature in the film. The main focus is on the character John and Savannah.
During some scenes everything is blurred out but the focus remains on the two characters.

5. Advertising techniques – TV/Cinemas/Posters/Internet/Newspapers.
Audience – Mainly females around the age of 15-40. Romantic genre is more
appealing to females of this age. Although, males around the same age may watch
the film with their partners. During the opening scene this becomes apparent that it
more suited to females from the cute love story where they both fall in love. Other
aspects of the trailer involved mails when John has to go back to the army. Both
aspects suit both males and females.
Impact – Trailer draws the audience in. Also features a lot of the storyline, but
doesn’t give away the whole story which is what makes people want to watch the
film. People want to know what happens in the end.
Appropriate conventions of a Romance Genre have been used within this trailer, but
based on these conventions I wouldn’t be able to include any aspects based on my
film being a complete different genre. Overall by analysing a romance genre trailer, it
has become apparent to me the variety of conventions used within different genres
and how important it is to include the correct conventions in my trailer.

6. The Descent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5I1q4KhKNU
I chose this trailer as it shows a good representation of convention of horror trailer and it is also
British. For example low light is included through out the majority of the trailer. This makes the
movie seem instantly scary as the audience are unaware of what lurks within the darkness. The
trailer is also set in the middle of no where with large scenery. This is something I want to include
within my trailer to show endless possibilities that anything can happen and anyone can be
lurking. The trailer shows that something that was supposed to be fun, turned wrong.
This is the same theme I want to include within my trailer also, as most horror and thriller films
include a storyline where something unexpectedly goes wrong leading to something bad
happening. The characters are also unaware of what’s about to happen putting them at a
disadvantage within the situation.
Audio –
Characters speak clearly to enlighten the audience of the outline of the story. This shows what
their doing and what goes wrong. As the trailer progresses struggle appears in the voices of the
characters to show something is wrong. Silence and screams are used to increase anticipation
within the trailer. Leaves the audience on the edge of their seats and makes them want to watch
the full film. Based on the audio it’s evident that the genre of the trailer is horror.
Advertising & Effect of trailer–
Internet, TV, Cinemas and Posters. After watching this trailer i would watch the film due to the
suspense that is created.

7. Shot types -
Shots are close together at a fast pace to show a lot of action and drama is included. This again
grips the audience leaving them on edge. Something that needs to be included in the horror
genre. The shot types that are included within the trailer include birds eye view shots from above
to show the scale of the area the characters are driving through. The forest area is so much
bigger than they are meaning anything can happen. Other shot types include extreme close up’s
inside the cave as the spaces are so small. This shows the danger and the emotion and struggle
within the characters faces.
Symbolic Codes -
Injuries and struggles between the characters and creatures show horror. A red filter is used on
the camera, signifying death, blood, danger and violence. Lightening is extremely dark as it’s
based in a cave so low lighting from torches showing little possibilities and hope. Dark features
are important aspects of horror films to add suspense. This aspect also shows little opportunity
for the characters to escape.
Structure –
The first scene show’s the characters and how happy and excited they are for something that’s
about to happen. Before the first cut is made a picture is taken of all the girls together. Once the
flash is on the picture freezes and then turn black and white. These dark colour again show that
something bad is about to happen and all is not as it seems. The dark, colour less picture show’s
no opportunity.
Target Audience –
As it is a horror, the age for the film is 18 therefore 18+ is the target audience of this film. It
isn’t suitable for younger age groups because of the content, e.g. It may scare younger children.

9. 388 Arletta Avenue
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1767272/
388 Arletta Avenue is a trailer based on a stalker. The camera shots are filmed from his
perspective adding horror to the audience and showing someone is always watching. This is a
technique I want to use during the filming of my trailer. The stalker within my trailer will film
to show people and surrounding sceneries from different perspectives. During the 388 Arletta
Avenue trailer its obvious that the stalker is filming from a video camera. This technique is
popular in films. For example films such as the Blair witch project, paranormal activity, REC etc.
388 Arletta Avenue leaves the audience viewers on edge as its a prime example of a thriller
leaving people guessing what happens next and becoming intrigued within the trailer. This is
something I also want to achieve within my film, to make people want to watch the film.
A technique that is used towards the end of the trailer is the use of sounds. A deep fast
breathing rate is heard and replicated over. As my trailer is set in a forest, this technique could
be used to show someone who is hiding, or running away or that a person they are unaware of is
present. Overall this technique can be used to show the horror within my trailer.

11. Silent House
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1767382/
The trailer of silent house includes a range of techniques that I want to include within my
trailer. Firstly when I watched the trailer the technique I first found successful was the
voice over at the beginning giving brief information based on the trailer making it seem
more genuine. For example, “One of the most shocking and twisted incident recorded”.
Giving a brief description adds more of a story to my trailer, adding more horror.
Another technique used within the trailer is within the house where there is low light. The
house is dark therefore torches and lanterns are used. The things that produces light
illuminate the emotion within the characters faces. This technique I want to use within my
trailer to show the terror.
Sound effects are also used through out the trailer, e.g. Music and ticking sound effects. The
ticking speeded up sound symbolises time running out and the music represents the build
up of anticipation within the movie. The lack of audio between the characters builds up the
anticipation also.
The final technique I wish to replicate within my own trailer is the use of dark shadowed
figures within the background. This is a common feature used within trailers to show
something out of the usual and the sense of someone watching.

13. Chernobyl Diaries
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1991245/
Chernobyl diaries is another horror film based on a group of friends around the age of 20-30,
exploring an area where there was a nuclear explosion. Based on watching the trailer, several
conventions have been used to make It successful. These conventions I'd also consider editing
and using within my trailer to adapt to my storyline.
Conventions that have been used include one of the characters taking a picture at the site of
the nuclear explosion, and then when she re looks at the picture on the camera a dark figure
appears in the window. This is a technique I think would be good to use during my trailer, to
add more suspense to the audience. When I was viewing the trailer the questions I asked were
who is this mystery person and why are they there when the site is supposed to be abandoned?
If I include a similar convention, more horror and thriller will be added to my film trailer.

15. Target Audience – Gender and Age
Based on my trailer being that of a horror/thriller genre, the age of my film would be
a 15+. As the trailer is a horror, during the two to three-minute clip it may
contain scenes which are scary therefore my trailer would have to be
broadcasted on TV on certain channels and after a certain time period. Although
15 years of age is the minimum age for someone to view my film, there will also
be a upper age limit of roughly 40years old. As my film is a horror/thriller,
stereotypes show that the elderly are less likely to watch film like the one which
will be represented in my trailer. This does not mean that if you are above 40 you
can not watch the film, it just means typically between the ages of 15-40 this age
group will draw in more people from a wide audience to watch the trailer/film.
During the trailer I will specifically be using younger characters around the ages of
15-18 who are students and one older character around the age of 30-40.,who
will the mysterious stalker character. If younger characters are included within
my trailer, this makes it more likely for people around the same ages to be more
inclined to watch the trailer and then go on to watch the film. Recently horror
films have included young children, e.g. Paranormal Activity.

16. Including younger children allows the film to add more shock, mystery and overall
adding a more creepy effect. People around the ages of 15-18 are also more
interested in watching horrors or thrillers to gain a thrill and see how scary they
perceive the film to be. People want to see how scary the film is that's’ why they
want to watch horrors. This therefore means I must distinctively show that my
film is a horror/thriller, to draw in the correct audience.
The gender of the film would also be both male and female, as it is intended to be
viewed by anyone based on the content of the trailer. Both male and female
characters would be included within my trailer therefore it would be viewable for
any gender. For example if I were to create a romantic film, the focus would be
more so for females to watch the film, based on the themes of love. Contrasting
from this horrors include any genders and ages, meaning anyone can watch
them. Therefore there will be a 50:50 ratio of men to women who will watch my
trailer.
The trailer I am going to create will be a on a large independent scale, with British
characters. My trailer will be created to become a independent film as anyone,
anywhere will be able to watch it. My aim is to successfully create a trailer which
can be broadcasted world wide.

17. Feedback
I have created a series of questionnaires which I will use to gain feedback
from a wide audience. This will allow me to find out people's preference
to genre, what they found interesting about the film and why they chose
to watch the film and their ages. Based on this feedback I will then gain
a greater insight into different perceptions of films and trailers. This
feedback I can then enrol into my own creation of my trailer and instead
of basing my trailer strictly upon my opinion I will have gained greater
insight.

18. This is an example of the questionnaire I will be using to gain feedback on the genre
of trailers, ages and advertising.

19. Feedback
Once I collected the questionnaires in from the students within my school, the feedback that I
gained showed that between the ages of 15-20 most people were interested in watching
either horror films. Another popular choice was thrillers, action and science fiction films.
Based on this feedback and my target audience being around the ages of 15-30 I decided to
stick to a horror and thriller genre. This is based on the audience being most interested in this
genre, meaning I would gain a greater audience as it’s a genre that they find most interesting.
Feedback from other questions showed that the most popular form of advertising was
trailers. The answers I received stated that they found trailers a good advertising form due to
trailers always being broadcasted on TV and the internet. Their age group spend a lot of time
watching TV and Internet therefore they continuously see film trailers. Participants also
stated that film trailers give you a greater insight of the storyline and characters. Without
these two key things, the audience will be less inclined to watch the film without the brief
knowledge of what the film is based on.
Feedback on why the participants liked horror, thriller genre’s was based on the fright they
gain from watching the films and the popularity. Answers stated that if their friends or social
networking sites state the film is “scary” or “leaves you on the edge of your seat”, they
become more inclined to watch the trailer or then proceed and watch the film. Horror films
that included zombies, children, mysterious people/creatures, being filmed from a characters
perspective e.g. A camcorder and exorcism’s and were popular choices based on why people
liked horror or thriller movies. Answers stated that including these things was important
within a horror or thriller movie to show the genre clearly to the audience.