Film's Cool Teaching Trailers Web Sample

1. Evaluating Blogs
Use the sheet to record your blogging findings and to get a clear idea about good blogging practice
Some blogs you may find interesting:
Harriet Wilde www.bka2productionportfolio.blogspot.com/
Concrete Loop
Acland Burghley Media Blog
Pete Frasers (chief examiner) Blog
Movie Geek Blog www.laa2mediaadvancedportfolio.blogspot.com/
Lovemydress.net/blog
www.sna2media.blogspot.com/
1) What is good practice within the Blogs?
2) How would you improve them?
30 What targets can you set yourself to achieve a
good in the coursework
HMK: Complete task, Upload findings - add hyperlinks to the blogs you looked at - and
bullet point what you will use as good practice. Upload Meeting exercise.

2. What considerations are there in choosing a film title?
EaiDeconstruct the Film titles focussing on the following
areas: What is more important IMAGES or
WORDS
Typography
Colour
Image
Words/Language employed
Make observations based on these comments
Genre based on findings
Audience Expectations
Consider the Question
What's more important images or words
Easiiely recognisable word or phrase asscociated
with the Genre thus creating audience expectations
Film needs to speak to the T.A through association of word or
phrases
Length becomes important and the short title should indicate
the genre or associations with it.
Title could express something of narrative
How will I apply this information?
Images are important to Anchor meaning
Words and associations with them are very important when
speaking to a T.A

3. Conventions of a trailer
Best bits of the movie
Showcase the stars
Some visual images are
barely recognizable, not on
screen enough
Dramatic camera angles
chosen to show events or
characters
Voiceovers are used to tell
the story and give credit
information expresses plot
and themes images relate
to the dialogue
Music plays an important
role in creating
atmosphere is expressive
of the Genre
Title normally appears at
the end
Trailer builds to a climax

4. Film Marketing/Analysing a Film Trailer
Aims:
To consider what a film marketing campaign is
To explore the features of film trailers and building of
analysis
To engage in Media effects debate discussion
What is a makes a Film Marketing Campaign?

5. Mulvey's Male gaze - Audience Theory
Here is a breakdown of this theory:
• This theory is suggested by Laura Mulvey (1975) where she suggests how the male point of
view is adopted by the camera for the benefit of an assumed male audience
• The practice of the camera 'lingering' on female's bodies is evidence to this - thus women are
viewed as 'sexual objects' to gratify men.
• She argued that the central active characters are male in which the male audience identifies
with them in their viewing of females as passive.
• Female audience are also positioned to identify with the male gaze and see through the
'male's eyes'.
• This approach relates to Freudian Psychology (Sigmund Freud).
However, this theory can be challenged:
• Not all central heroic characters in films are male (and Mulvey denies the existence of the
female gaze)
• There have been changes towards the representation of women which has resulted in
challenges to stereotypical gender roles since Mulvey's essay was written (e.g. Kill Bill
Vol. 2 - Quentin Tarantino, 2004).
Media Effects Debate
Questions for consideration:
1) If Mulvey's theory can be supported in 2012
what impact could that have on society? For
example, how women see themselves or how
males view them as a result of watching the films.
2) Is film just mere entertainment?

6. Trailer Treatment - overall objective
How does the trailer work as a promotional tool?
What are the conventions of Film Trailers?
How is the audience engaged?
What are the effects on them
from the trailer?
What role or function do the conventional elements play?

7. Applying Recognisable Conventions of Trailers
In order to apply the recognisable conventions of trialers, in groups, we
came up with ideas about how to market and promote a film called
BloodShed High.
Give account of how you went about the task...
Give examples of decisions that you made:
• Discussed
• USP
• Relevant actors
• Most important features
What did you learn from it:
• trailers are not movies
• audience expectations are key, production company is vital
• How to engage the audience
• How to apply knowledge
Write up this exercise for homework

8. Storyboard Exercise The Lessons
1) To break conventions you must show an understanding of them
2) You must show USP
3) Must show best bits
4) Production details are vital - Audience expectations
5) Not films but promotional materials. Trailers are a genre in their
own right.
6) Short shots to signify the mood or genre
7) Use of sound is very distinct voice over/dialogue/sound effects
8) Use of Genre is apparent
9) Use of Credits and titling vital
How
Homework: Trailer Voiceovers :
Conduct 5 x Micro analysis on trailers and voiceovers: Answer all the bullet
points regarding the form and function of the language used.
Are there differences in the function of the voiceovers?

9. Killers in Horror Films
Aim:
To explore key characters in Horror Films
To investigate conventional characteristics of the protagonists
To apply findings to my own Horror production
Main Task
Find a range of protagonists in Horror films and conduct a mini analysis regarding
what the conventions are suggesting. Comment on the following:
Costume
Props
Body language
Facial Expressions
Make up
Lighting
When considering the above remember to comment upon what qualities and
characteristics are represented through use of the above conventions.

10. Killers in Horror Films
Observations of Research
Disguised by mask or deformed facial features - isolation from society and the community within.
Highlights otherness and makes threat more menacing. Depersonalises the killer FREDDY/
LEATHERFACE/Mrs Vorhese
Troubled backstory that defines the character as a killer. Often related to the film's title Haloween/
Friday 13th/Nightmare on Elm St/Black Christmas
Execute based on moral judgements, sinners get killed! Do the killers represent an extreme version
of justice in a society that is loosing its moral compass.?
Resurrection as a key theme, they always come back!
Weapons of choice are normal everyday objects and use of them suggests the maniacal aspect of
the killers. They sadistic or masochistic.
How does your killer fit in with the range of Killers found in Horror?

11. Testing Burton's Formula
Consider the commonalities in terms of key
elements found within specific genres. Use
Burton as a guide make a key and colour code
specific elements
Observations into Burton's Genre Theory
• In domestic or private sphere which illustrates themes of danger
within the home, down turn in society as well as a lack of hope at
being saved. Increases vulnerability. DON;T BE AFRAID OF THE
DARK, SCREAM, DRAG ME TO HELL, INSIDIOUS, ORPHAN
• Stock characters will be related to each other in some way- group
of young adults with some ties each representing positive or
negative aspects of society. This. applies mainly to Slasher Horror,
PIRANNA, TUCKER DALE VS EVIL, SCREAM 4, FINAL DESTINATION
• Some horrors explore the theme of truth vs deceit in the form of
cover ups or new found tapes...REC,QUARANTINE, BLAIR WITCH,
APPOLLO 18, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
• Stock situations involve, murder, torture, mind games-
psychological torture involving victims that have often sinned,
revenge, sibling rivalry, ALL HORROR
• The Hero protagonist often uncovers truth in an environment of
non believers: Orphan/Scream/Don't be Afraid of the Dark/Drag
Me To Hell/Final Destination
• Theme of Voyerism comes through the use of being given access to
areas we might not otherwise reach. FINAL DESTINATION, ALL
HORROR
Does Burton's Theory Work?
How is this going to help you in your
planning?

12. Testing Burton's Formula
Consider the commonalities in terms of key
elements found within specific genres. Use
Burton as a guide make a key and colour code
specific elements Observations into Burton's Genre Theory
• In domestic or private sphere which illustrates themes of danger
within the home, down turn in society as well as a lack of hope at
being saved. Increases vulnerability. DON;T BE AFRAID OF THE
DARK, SCREAM, DRAG ME TO HELL, INSIDIOUS, ORPHAN
• Stock characters will be related to each other in some way- group
of young adults with some ties each representing positive or
negative aspects of society. This applies mainly to Slasher Horror,
PIRANNA, TUCKER DALE VS EVIL, SCREAM 4, FINAL DESTINATION
• Some horrors explore the theme of truth vs deceit in the form of
cover ups or new found tapes...REC,QUARANTINE, BLAIR WITCH,
APPOLLO 18, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
• Stock situations involve, murder, torture, mind games-
psychological torture involving victims that have often sinned,
revenge, sibling rivalry, ALL HORROR
• The Hero protagonist often uncovers truth in an environment of
non believers: Orphan/Scream/Don't be Afraid of the Dark/Drag
. Me To Hell/Final Destination
• Theme of Voyerism comes through the use of being given access to
areas we might not otherwise reach. FINAL DESTINATION, ALL
HORROR
Does Burton's Theory Work?
In looking at conventional elements there are a number of commonalties for the horror genre. The
proves the theory of repetition and variation as well as Genres having specific features.
A balance of Repetition and Variation is vital to the success of a movie. In my opinion...
IN my expoloration I cannot think of which element could be taken away
Present your Synopsis findings and be evaluative of the task.
What did you learn from it and how is this going to help you
with your planning?

13. The narrative structure of a trailer and Todorov's theory
Narrative is defined as "a chain of events in a cause-effect relationship occurring in
time"(Bordwell & Thompson).
What do we know about trailers and narrative structure...
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE:
A trailer revolves around a structure which tends to pick out the most appealing aspects of a film, whilst not being
necessarily in a conventional narrative/linear order.
They will also try and reach out to the widest possible audience, where although it may be an action-based film, it may
include a 'romantic' moment to appeal to those more interested into the romance genre.
Some trailers will aim to provide a basic narrative structure to allow the audience to be guided through the film's story
line.
What Does Todorov suggest?
TODOROV'S THEORY:
Todorov (a theorist) suggested that conventional narratives are structured in the following 5 stages:
1. There is a state of equilibrium in the beginning; everything is normal, balanced and nothing at this stage is
wrong.
2. A disruption of the equilibrium in some respect; things begin to turn for the worst, and the equilibrium becomes
distorted.
3. There is a recognition that there has been a disruption; Something happens/someone realises that that
something has gone wrong.
4. An attempt to repair the disruption; events occur to try and restore what's gone wrong.
5. There's a resolution - all's been restored.

14. Can we see Todorov's Theory in Trailers?
Based on the trailer you have been analysing what comments can you make that
either support or refute Todorov's theory of Narrative Structure?
The narrative structure differs from Todorov's theory as in the structure of a trailer the resolution is not screened.
However, you begin to see an equilibrium followed by a disruption/the problem, yet won't show the resolution otherwise it
would give too much away.
.
This is a useful tactic to sell a film, as people will therefore want to see what happens (there could be many endings which
add mystery and create a sense of enigma to the film trailer) . Leaving appropriate clips will engage the audience, making
them want to see more, however not having enough suitable clips will disengage the audience, as they won't feel appealed
enough to go to see the film. Also, it gives a clear indication of the genre, and an outline of the storyline. Thus, if the
potential audience isn't appealed to the genre and storyline, they won't watch it to begin with.

15. Analysing a trailer in terms of Todorov HOMEWORK TASK
It begins with an establishing shot of a city - sunny and bright which reflects the overall mood and feel to the film itself,
displaying a scene of content and balance. However, as soon as it's announced that one of the main characters will be
getting married, this is when we begin to see a disruption to the equilibrium. From this, there are then many separate
events to build up the problem (which is initially the main protagonists role i.e. the maid of honour and the huge extent
she has to go through to run a successful role). This features a lot of comedic moments (which indicates that this film is a
comedy) as well as a few romantic scenes, thus broadening its' appeal to a larger audience. No resolution is seen (as it is
not an actual film, but a trailer. Therefore if the trailer followed all 5 stages, i.e. the resolution, this gives the film away and
less would be interested into what happens in the film.
What is the overall outcome for both the protagonist and the other characters? Does all end well? Or do more problems
sufface? These questions will circle the audiences mind which would therefore make the want to see the film.

16. Mulvey's Male gaze - Audience Theory
Here is a breakdown of this theory:
• This theory is suggested by Laura Mulvey (1975) where she suggests how the male point of view is adopted by
the camera for the benefit of an assumed male audience
• The practice of the camera 'lingering' on female's bodies is evidence to this - thus women are viewed as 'sexual
objects' to gratify men.
• She argued that the central active characters are male in which the male audience identifies with them in their
viewing of females as passive.
• Female audience are also positioned to identify with the male gaze and see through the 'male's eyes'.
• This approach relates to Freudian Psychology (Sigmund Freud).
However, this theory can be challenged:
• Not all central heroic characters in films are male (and Mulvey denies the existence of the female gaze)
• There have been changes towards the representation of women which has resulted in challenges to
stereotypical gender roles since Mulvey's essay was written (e.g. Kill Bill Vol. 2 - Quentin Tarantino, 2004).
Representation of Women in A Horror Trailer of Your Choice
Reffereing back to AS Textual Analysis skills analyse a trailer with focus on how
women are represented in terms of the following:
Mise-En-Scene
Camera Angles, Shot Types and Movement
Editing
Lighting
Sound
Typography
Then sum up the theory and it's strengths in a final slide

17. Halloween (1978) More at IMDbPro »
The year is 1963, the night; Halloween. Police are called
to 43 Lampkin Ln. only to discover that a 17 year Judith
Myers had been stabbed to death, by her 6 year-old
brother. After being institutionalized for 15 years, Myers
breaks out just days before Halloween. No one knows
nor would wish to find out what would happen on
October 31st 1978, besides Myer's physciatrist Dr.
Loomis. He knows Michael is coming back to Haddonfield,
but by the time the town realizes it, it'll be to late for
many people. Written by Massive Fan
15 years ago, 6 year old Michael Myers brutally killed his
older sister. The silent child was incarcerated in the
Smith's Grove Sanitarium under the care of psychiatrist
Sam Loomis. The town of Haddonfield had slowly began
to forget the tragic crime, until Loomis returned to the
town to warn of Myers escape from Smith's Grove. With
Michael set on killing a group of high school students,
Loomis seeks the help of the hesitant town sheriff to stop
him before it's too late. Written by bleedforme

18. Teaser trailers
Aim:
To introduce the difference between trailers and teaser
trailers
To consider the form and function of teaser trailers
Teasers, unlike typical theatrical trailers, are usually very
short in length (between 30–60 seconds) and usually
contain little, if any, actual footage from the film. Sometimes,
it is merely a truncated version of a theatrical trailer. They are
usually released long in advance of the film they advertise.
One of the reasons for the name "teaser" is because they are
shown usually a long time (one or one and a half years)
before the movie comes out, so as to "tease" the
audience.

19. Teaser Trailers
Teaser trailers are usually only made for big-budget and
popularly themed movies. Their purpose is less to tell the
audience about a movie's content than simply to let them
know that the movie is coming up in the near future, and
to add to the hype of the upcoming release. Teaser trailers are
often made while the film is still in production or being edited
and as a result they may feature scenes or alternate versions
of scenes that are not in the finished film. Other ones (notable
Pixar films) have scenes made for use in the trailer only.
Teaser trailers today are increasingly focused on
internet downloading and the convention circuit.

20. Research stock characters in Slasher Horror
Look for examples across a number of movies try to find
definitions for the following types of stock characters found in
Horror. Then look for repetition and variation in the and make
notes on the following characters found in the horror Genre:
Popular stock characters found in the Slasher
Horror Sub-Genre:
The Wanderer
The Popular Girl
Jock
The Final Girl
Example:
Pandora The Final Girl: the sole surviving member of a
group of girls killed by a maniacal serial killer
The Pervert
who, quite often, either does not like women or
tries to collect them. Examples: The surviving
girl in Scream (1990) and Julie James in I Know
What You Did Last Summer (2001)....One girl
who breaks the archetypal final girl stereotype is
Amanda from Saw 2/3 who becomes the Killer in
following movies.
HMK
How will you use this research in the planning of your own characters? Has it given you
any inspiration for your own production..Write up 250 words in relation to your own ideas

21. Planning for Production
Remember everything that you decide in terms of planning must be
linked to your research
1) Create a synopsis that evidences horror conventions in terms of the
following:
Appropriate settings
Appropriate Stock and Protagonists
Appropriate themes
Appropriate plots and stock situations Repeat or vary? Illustrate
Appropriate icons examples of what you have done
ONCE COMPLETE EVALUATE AND SUPPLY EXAMPLES OF HOW
HORROR CONVENTIONS ARE IN PLACE FROM THE TEXTS YOU
HAVE STUDIED
2) Create a list of characters that will be in your trailer, show how they fit into the
genre: Evidence repetition and variation. Propp theory could be applied show how
your charachers fit or don;t fit in.
3) Create a list of appropriate icons and settings (interior and exterior) that help explore
the themes your film employs.
4) Target audience moodboard showing who your primary target market is. Evidence
Demographics and psychographics. Bullet point a write up of how your film intends to
satisfy uses and gratifications.
Look up film classifications u, pg, 12, 15 , 18 - Show how these rules could
affect your planning ideas.

22. What Do We Know About the Blogs and Horror?
Aims
To divide labour between groups to aid completion of Research and Planning
To consider new ways to make links between research and planning
To blog presentation in a dynamic way
To evaluate peer work
Outcomes
Understanding of link between media product and and Target Audience
Application of understanding through planning
Creative use of Photoshop to express ideas for T.A.P
Division of labour to complete all Research and Planning
What is good practice and for whom?

23. Evaluation of Planning and Link to Research
In the evaluation of your planning the following question must be answered:
In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions
of the Horror Genre?
In this question you will want to reflect upon the research you have undertaken in to the
Horror Genre and show clearly where you have got your inspiration from. Consider the
use of the following (and link back to what your research has informed you):
Stock characters
Protagonist (KILLER)
Themes i.e revenge
Settings / locations
Iconography
Film Title/Typography
Plot
Sound track
Dialogue

24. Marking Criteria
Each candidate will evaluate and reflect on the creative process and their experience of it. Candidates will evaluate their work digitally. The
format of the evaluation has some flexibility and its form can be negotiated between teacher and student: it may take place with individual
candidates or with the production group as a whole, or each individual candidate or production group may make a formal or informal
presentation to the whole class. The teacher must allocate a mark according to the contribution/level of understanding demonstrated by the
individual candidate. Each candidate should give a clear indication of their role in any group evaluation and the presentation must be evidenced
by the Centre.
Question 2
How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts? REMEMBER TO SUPPLY EXAMPLES
Is there consistency in the following:
Images main images: Consider the iconography and visual elements used across all products
Representation of Horror
Typography: Use of quotes, interviews, reviewstag lines
Actors: How have they been promoted/represented across your products
Narrative (the story) is it clear when looking at the products do they share the same elements?
Themes expressed link to horror. Have you outlined binary opposites for example?
Life/Death
Age/Youth
Known/Unknown
Religion/Science
Create a presentation that outlines and compares all of the
above. Upload using slideshare:
ICT Used so far:
Video based for Q1
Embedded with images and notes for Q2

25. In the evaluation the following four questions must be
addressed:
In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of
real media products?
How effective is the combination of your main product
and ancillary texts?
What have you learned from your audience feedback?
How did you use media technologies in the construction
and research, planning and evaluation stages?

26. Mulvey's Male Gaze by Laura Mulvey
What does this theory suggest?

27. you"re hired!
2.0

28. Creating a Target Audience Profile
1) Open a new file in
Photoshop and make sure
you name the file
appropriately and choose
and a4 size to work with
2) For this task you will want to
change the canvas to landsacpe. Go
to image and rotate canvas 90
degrees.

29. 3) Now open up Safari
and use Google images
to locate the
appropriate image to
represent you T.A
4) Remember to double click the
image you want to use so you can
find the larger size file.
5) Now simply click and
drag the image over to
your Photoshop canvas.
Top tip: if the image wont
drag over to PS drag it to
the desk top first and
then to Photoshop.

30. 6) To resize images use the cmd T
shortcut this will show a box
around the layer you have selected
with the move tool. Remember to
keep the SHIFT button pressed
while you drag out the edges to
resize this will keep the same
dimensions.
7) Use the T tool to
add your title. Try
to use a font and
colour that
represents the genre
of music you are
working in.
8) Layer as many different
images as possible to give a
rounded profile of your
audience. Use the move tool
to manipulate layers (size,
position etc)

31. Compendium of Horror
Filmography over the decade
List the themes and plot for each movie
A list of key social and historical
developments of the decade and the
previous decade Are there any relationships between
the social and historical developments
and the movies that are produced?

32. Sound Cloud - Horror Music
http://soundcloud.com/gothic-storm-music/sets/brain-warp-trailer-tools-gs008/

35. z
Theoretical Approaches to Coursework
Apply media language to one of your coursework
productions
(25)
Do comment upon any of the theories you feel are relevant in your approach.
These include:
Narrative:
Propp/Many narratives contain only a limited number of character types
Todorov/The narrative structure of a text can be understood by considering
Todorov's theory
Levi-Straus/Many narratives can be understood by considering the conflict
created by two oppositional forces
Audience:
Uses and Gratifications Theory Boardwell and Thompson: Why are the
audience consuming the text and what are they doing with it as a result
Barthes' Enigma Codes: What mysteries are created and how does this work as
a marketing tool

36. z
Theoretical Approaches to Coursework
Apply media language to one of your coursework
productions
(25)
Do comment upon any of the theories you feel are relevant in your approach.
These include:
Narrative:
Propp/Many narratives contain only a limited number of character types
Todorov/The narrative structure of a text can be understood by considering
Todorov's theory
Levi-Straus/Many narratives can be understood by considering the conflict
created by two oppositional forces
Audience:
Uses and Gratifications Theory Boardwell and Thompson: Why are the
audience consuming the text and what are they doing with it as a result
Barthes' Enigma Codes: What mysteries are created and how does this work as
a marketing tool