The document discusses the effectiveness of a film trailer script, shot list, and animatic created by the author. For the script, the author believes the amount of dialogue and stage directions will engage the audience. Potential improvements could include adding more dialogue. The shot list uses a variety of shot types and lengths to build tension. Additional shorter scenes could be added. The animatic effectively shows the shot types and lengths planned, but could be improved by reducing title screens and using a more fitting soundtrack.

1. By Amy-Jane Wilson

2. Why I think it is effective?
I think that my script is effective as we have included a
good amount of dialogue for our chosen genre. The
dialogue that we have used is very short and snappy and
will help explain the narrative to the audience. I feel that
the stage directions that we have included within the script
are also very effective as the events that happen
throughout the trailer are very conventional and will
create suspense throughout. I also think that our trailer
will be effective as we have done it in a specific order so
that the events get worse and worse for the family within
the trailer so It will leave the audience with the question,
what's going to happen next.
What could I improve?
I feel that there are very limited things that we could
improve within the script I think maybe we could add more
dialogue in places to enable the audience to know more
about the storyline but I feel this would be only a minor
improvement.
Comparison
I was unable to find a real script for a trailer but from watching
the trailer I was able to see the amounts of dialogue that was
used within them and also the amount of stage directions and
movements that are seen within the film. These were both
very limited but this mad it very effective. The dialogue was
only in part and was mainly at the beginning of the film where
the family are at a equilibrium but as this gets tested the
quicker the shots began and the less dialogue used. As a group
we have tried to mirror this by including more dialogue at the
beginning of the trailer to create suspense.

3. Why do I think it is effective?
I think that the shot list that we have created will be effective as we have included a
variety of shot types and also shot lengths. We also have a variety of scenes that we
have used within our shot list to create a maximum effect for the audience. I think
that the variety of shot types are effective as it means that you can see the
perspective of a lot of the characters and it would also make it easier to follow the
trailer. I have also made it effective by using the conventional shot types of a
establishing shot, close up and tracking within the trailer. I have also used shot length
very carefully at the beginning of the trailer the shot lengths are much longer and the
editing then matches this but as the trailer goes on the shorter the shot lengths get
and its paired with fast paced editing to build up the tension within the trailer. I think
that that is a factor that will make the trailer extremely effective.
What could I improve?
I think that like the script there are very limited things that I could improve within the
shot list as I feel that I have carefully thought-out the shot types and the shot lengths
to make them fit into the film. But if I was to improve something I would add in more
shorter scenes nearer the end of the trailer to increase the tension even more, but
this would only be a minor improvement as I feel that the shot list is going to be very
effective.

4. After looking doing a content analysis of another film trailer I have tried to mirror
this within my trailer. I feel that I have used a variety of shot lengths like they have
in the trailer for ‘Nothing left to fear’ and I have also ensure that I have used a
variety of shot types like they have. Within this trailer they have used many
different scenes even within the beginning of the trailer this is something that we
have tried to do, we have also made it so the camera goes back to some of the
scenes that were already used previously and this is conventional for trailers.

5. Why do I think these elements are effective?
I think that these elements will be effective due to the fact that I have look into them well. As a group we have
looked into the locations that we could use and a family house is one that we feel is conventional and links to the
psychological horror that we intend to make a trailer for. This location can be linked to the audience so they could
see themselves in the situations of the characters within the film causing them to be more scared when watching
the film. After doing test shots of this location we have also realised that it would be a good place as we would be
filming in the evening so the lighting would be low key and there is enough space in all of the locations within the
house for our events to take place.
Together we all have developed a storyline around two key props, this will be effective as it will show a clear link
throughout the whole of the film. The prop of the note will be effective as it starts off the link between the main
character and the evil spirit it also creates a link to the title. The teddy bear is a very conventional prop to use for a
horror trailer as teddies have very child like connotations and the horror trailers challenge these as within our trailer
the teddy is the main source of discovering the evil sprit along side the note.
The costume has been something that I think as a group has been very difficult to decide on but the costume that
we have decided on will be effective as we have used very plain clothing for the mother and the father as these
connote there exhaustion as parents and also there exhaustion within the events that happen in the trailer. The girl
will be wearing a dress once again to challenge the connotations a young girl in a pretty dress has, this will trick the
audience into thinking that Beth is a normal young girl that is seen as innocent even though in this trailer she is the
source of evil once taken over by the evil spirit.
Casting is another thing that we have looked into in great detail we have selected a 10 year old to be the main
character within our trailer, this is conventional as she will challenge the stereotypes of the young female. The other
two main character within the trailer are two 17 year olds, they are playing the modern young couple. This is
conventional in a horror movie to have a couple and these two will reflect the modern society so therefore they are
suitable to be in the film and will make it effective

6. Why do I think my animatic is effective?
I think that my animatic is effective as I have included all of the shot types within my
trailer in my animatic and I have also tried out some of the editing techniques including
titles and fade to blacks. I have also included the shot lengths within my trailer to show
the audience how the real trailer will be. The editing techniques will be effective as I have
used fade to blacks in areas where the storyline changes so the audience can see a clear
link between the scenes. I have previously mentioned within my shot list and production
plan how the shot types would make the whole trailer effective.
What could be improved within the animatic?
I think that my animatic could be improved as I think I have included to many title scenes
so when making my real production I may take out some the title scene. The sound is
something that I could definitely improve on within my animatic as I feel that it does not
fit the whole of the trailer, I think I could have used a soundtrack that included tension
building. I will look into this for my real trailer as I think that this is something that I will
be need to improve to ensure that my trailer is of a high quality

7. Comparison
Within my animatic I have used a variety of elements that are seen within a real trailer. I have used a variety of title
screens that show give the audience different information about the production company including what films that
the production company has previously made. We intend to add into the title scenes small snappy sentences that will
introduce the film, this is something that professional trailers include. Within my animatic I have also used editing
techniques including fade to blacks and fade to whites in some parts. Fade to whites is something I haven't included
within my trailer but I feel that these could be put in in place of some of my fade to blacks. I have also included a
range of shot types and scenes within my animatic , this is also seen within the professional trailer. The shot lengths I
have used are similar to the ones in the professional trailer as these are effective, the shot lengths that we have
followed are the shots are longer at the beginning and then they become shorter as the film goes on and the tension
begins to build. Most of the character within the film are introduced within the animatic and the key parts of the film
are also shown but I have tried to not give away too much and I feel I have left the audience with questions like they
have in the sinister trailer.

8. After looking at my feedback and my self evaluation I can conclude the following
strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths Weaknesses
Amount of dialogue within my script- I have used a
conventional amount of dialogue for the horror genre as they
do not include too much dialogue to create tension
The sound that has been used within my animatic – I feel that
the soundtrack is conventional but it doesn't fit my trailer very
well as I don't feel that it builds tension throughout
The variety of shot types included within shot list and within
my animatic
Fade to blacks – From my audience research and my evaluation
I think that we have included to many of them within the trailer
The shot lengths used are effective and create a tension build
up within the trailer
Amount of Locations- I think that the amount of locations that I
have considered could be improved as we could have included
more than one location
Amount of title screens within my animatic
Use of props-We have thought-out the use of props well in this
trailer as we are going to use two significant props the whole
way through the trailer
Casting- The casting we have used is conventional and will be
effective as the young girl challenges the stereotypes and the
17 year old used will be dressed to look older but they will
reflect modern society.
Costume- The fact that the costume has been well thought-out
means that it will be effective

9. How to get a A How will I achieve this?
Close attention
to mise-en-scene
I feel that as group we have all contributed into thinking about what mise-en-scene we could
use within the film trailer. The areas we have considered are lighting, In some areas were we
want the scene to be nice and peaceful we are planning on using high key lighting but where
the events become more sinister the lighting mirrors this as we will use low key lighting.
Another aspect of mise-en-scene that has been well throughout is costume as we have looked
into the types of things worn in other horror movie trailers to ensure that the clothing is
conventional. The location is also a key part of the mise-en-scene and we have thought this
through also, we have decided to use the family home as it has many horror connotations and
is usually seen in horror trailers.
Variety of shot
types
Within my shot list I have achieved this point as we have included a range of shot types and
from my audience feedback they all feel that as a group we have achieved this so we plan to
follow the shot list when filming the trailer.
Attention to
framing
This is something that we will look into when filming, we will need to ensure that each frame is
perfectly planned and is right for the film. I will use the rule of thirds when looking into the
framing of the shot
Controlled use of
camera
To ensure that whilst filming my trailer I use controlled use of the camera I will ensure that we
use a tripod to film all the sense
Shooting
material
appropriate
To shot this film we will be using HD cameras that will be provided by the media department,
this means they will be of a high quality and will make our production very effective