Tuesday, 19 October 2010
From Mrs S
I like this Sean. You might consider thanking the producers of Don't Look Now, which seems like an influence here...
Monday, 18 October 2010
Planning - Script
I have chosen to continue with the Film Idea 1 as I think, for the limited resourses I posses to create this promotion package for a film, that the other two ideas would be too demanding to make an effective package of trailer, poster and magazine front cover.
The plan of Film Idea 1 is...
A successful business woman has a near death experience in a car accident which leaves her husband and two children dead. She is given leave of work due to the tragedy and begins to see a teenage girl wearing the same red hoody her teenage daughter was wearing on the day of the accident.Every time she sees this girl someone close to our main character is killed in ever more gruesome ways. Convinced this girl is a ghost of her daughter doing this to punish her for the car accident, and tries everything from priests to scientists, all who end up killed by the girl.Eventually the woman decides that the ghost wants her to die, otherwise everyone she cares about will be killed instead, and about to kill herself police stop her.It is slowly revealed in fact that she herself is the murderer and her guilt has driven her insane and her mind has conjured up this ‘ghost’ to relieve her guilt.She is taken to a mental hospital, however at the end of the credits back at the mental hospital the doctors have been killed and there is blood all over her room with her sitting in a corner laughing.
From this I have created a script for a trailer I think would be suitable to attract this Film Ideas target audience and create a fanbase for the films release.
The Script
Interior Shot:
Living Room:
A blank screen with a fade cut to the producer’s logo. A fade cut to static for 5 seconds, it then abruptly cuts to an establishing shot of a dark living room clearly at night. The establishing shot is from one corner of the room, and in the corner to a left is a woman sitting on the floor, knees to chest with her arms around her knees sobbing.
Woman: (Talking apparently to herself) Why me? It was an accident. (A 2 second pause) someone please help me, please (she whispers).
A sharp cut back to static for just a second this time and cuts to an extreme close up of the woman’s eyes, peering over her knees. Another quick cut to static for 1 second. Another cut to the original establishing shot from the corner of the room, there is a slow knock on the door from the opposite end of the room, the door opens and a man walks in and sees the woman sobbing.
Man: What’s wrong? (Really concerned tone and he walks over and kneels down in front of her to see if she’s okay)
Cut to static again for 1 second and a cut to a point-of-view (POV) shot from the womans perspective looking up at the man showing her weak position. To the side of his shoulder, behind him, there is a girl wearing a red hoody holding a knife, from the angle it looks like this girl is above the man showing how she now has control over his life.
Woman: No! (In a scream)
Cut to a black screen – a slash sound a woman then screaming. Then a fade cut to the title ‘Someone is There’. Another fade cut to ‘Coming Soon’.
The plan of Film Idea 1 is...
A successful business woman has a near death experience in a car accident which leaves her husband and two children dead. She is given leave of work due to the tragedy and begins to see a teenage girl wearing the same red hoody her teenage daughter was wearing on the day of the accident.Every time she sees this girl someone close to our main character is killed in ever more gruesome ways. Convinced this girl is a ghost of her daughter doing this to punish her for the car accident, and tries everything from priests to scientists, all who end up killed by the girl.Eventually the woman decides that the ghost wants her to die, otherwise everyone she cares about will be killed instead, and about to kill herself police stop her.It is slowly revealed in fact that she herself is the murderer and her guilt has driven her insane and her mind has conjured up this ‘ghost’ to relieve her guilt.She is taken to a mental hospital, however at the end of the credits back at the mental hospital the doctors have been killed and there is blood all over her room with her sitting in a corner laughing.
From this I have created a script for a trailer I think would be suitable to attract this Film Ideas target audience and create a fanbase for the films release.
The Script
Interior Shot:
Living Room:
A blank screen with a fade cut to the producer’s logo. A fade cut to static for 5 seconds, it then abruptly cuts to an establishing shot of a dark living room clearly at night. The establishing shot is from one corner of the room, and in the corner to a left is a woman sitting on the floor, knees to chest with her arms around her knees sobbing.
Woman: (Talking apparently to herself) Why me? It was an accident. (A 2 second pause) someone please help me, please (she whispers).
A sharp cut back to static for just a second this time and cuts to an extreme close up of the woman’s eyes, peering over her knees. Another quick cut to static for 1 second. Another cut to the original establishing shot from the corner of the room, there is a slow knock on the door from the opposite end of the room, the door opens and a man walks in and sees the woman sobbing.
Man: What’s wrong? (Really concerned tone and he walks over and kneels down in front of her to see if she’s okay)
Cut to static again for 1 second and a cut to a point-of-view (POV) shot from the womans perspective looking up at the man showing her weak position. To the side of his shoulder, behind him, there is a girl wearing a red hoody holding a knife, from the angle it looks like this girl is above the man showing how she now has control over his life.
Woman: No! (In a scream)
Cut to a black screen – a slash sound a woman then screaming. Then a fade cut to the title ‘Someone is There’. Another fade cut to ‘Coming Soon’.
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Planning - Ideas
I am going to create a horror genre teaser trailer, magazine front cover with our film as the feature article, and an advertising poster for our film.
I will have come up with a number of ideas individually, and will look at which has the most potential, will be best suited to our capabilities, and best to develop. We each have thought up 3 basic ideas for a plot to a film, which we will use to create our promotion package.
Idea 1:
A successful business woman has a near death experience in a car accident which leaves her husband and two children dead. She is given leave of work due to the tragedy and begins to see a teenage girl wearing the same red hoody her teenage daughter was wearing on the day of the accident.
Every time she sees this girl someone close to our main character is killed in ever more gruesome ways. Convinced this girl is a ghost of her daughter doing this to punish her for the car accident, and tries everything from priests to scientists, all who end up killed by the girl.
Eventually the woman decides that the ghost wants her to die, otherwise everyone she cares about will be killed instead, and about to kill herself police stop her.
It is slowly revealed in fact that she herself is the murderer and her guilt has driven her insane and her mind has conjured up this ‘ghost’ to relieve her guilt.
She is taken to a mental hospital, however at the end of the credits back at the mental hospital the doctors have been killed and there is blood all over her room with her sitting in a corner laughing.
Idea 2:
A group of teenagers celebrate the end of their a-levels by going camping by a ‘haunted lake’ given the name by the number of unexplained disappearances. There are 7 teenagers, 5 begin to set up camp and 2 go wandering off with the camera to find ‘ghosts’ jokingly. One of the girls back at the camp thinks she sees a face in the lake but blinks and it is gone. The two who have wandered off begin messing around, and one of them falls in the lake, they get back on the land and say the water tasted horrible and they won’t use any of that for drinking, as they walk away the place where he fell and the water turns red into blood.
That night the boy who drank the water gets sick, and they others debate whether they should abandon there trip and take him to hospital, Jake, the natural leader of the group says he has worked hard all year and looked forward to this trip, and that the guy who is sick will simply have to get over it. The next morning the sick boy is gone. They go looking for him but find no sign of him and decide they need to phone the police, none of them can get any reception in the woods so split up and go looking for somewhere to phone the police 1 by 1 they all disappear until the final 3 decide to head back to camp as they cannot find any place, un-knowing of the fact their friends are missing. They wait for the others to come back, the first boy then jumps out attacking one of the last 3 he falls and there is a sickening crack as his head hits a stone. They first boy runs away. Now aware that something is wrong and that they are being hunted they put the injured boy in one of the tents. The next morning he is gone. With two of them left they go looking for a way out of the woods, after walking in circles for many times the last boy stands by the lake and is dragged into the lake the girl tries to help him but he is dragged under the water, she runs back to the camp and hides in one of the tents, as darkness looms there are shadows of all of her friends outside the tent and then the 3 of them jump through the entrance of the tent and attack. Her screams continue throughout the credits.
Idea 3:
It’s the year 2415, nuclear war has destroyed humanities peak of civilisation and now a few survivors, are left to find food, clothes and shelter, but they are not alone. Nuclear war through out the 24th century has left 7 billion dead. Less than 100,000 across the world are left alive. When the group of surviving men women and children set up camp near what used to be Manchester, they soon find they are not the only survivors there. A group of ‘survivors’ have also been near Manchester for a long time, but the nuclear radiation has changed them. Living in caves in the dark, they hunt at night killing many of the surviving group. One by one they are picked off in ever more horrific ways, until one of the children is dragged underground into the caves, the last 3 scavenge whatever they can to use for light and weapons and go into the caves to save the child. They rescue the child but the ‘survivor’ tribe leader a huge mutant who bears only the slightest resemblance to the human he used to be kills the two men, the woman and her daughter trying to escape through the elaborate tunnel system runs into a group of surviving soldiers from the nuclear war, who fire at they mutant and close a door to their den blocking the way behind them. One of the soldiers tells the woman ‘you shouldn’t have come here’ and the film ends with the credits.
I will have come up with a number of ideas individually, and will look at which has the most potential, will be best suited to our capabilities, and best to develop. We each have thought up 3 basic ideas for a plot to a film, which we will use to create our promotion package.
Idea 1:
A successful business woman has a near death experience in a car accident which leaves her husband and two children dead. She is given leave of work due to the tragedy and begins to see a teenage girl wearing the same red hoody her teenage daughter was wearing on the day of the accident.
Every time she sees this girl someone close to our main character is killed in ever more gruesome ways. Convinced this girl is a ghost of her daughter doing this to punish her for the car accident, and tries everything from priests to scientists, all who end up killed by the girl.
Eventually the woman decides that the ghost wants her to die, otherwise everyone she cares about will be killed instead, and about to kill herself police stop her.
It is slowly revealed in fact that she herself is the murderer and her guilt has driven her insane and her mind has conjured up this ‘ghost’ to relieve her guilt.
She is taken to a mental hospital, however at the end of the credits back at the mental hospital the doctors have been killed and there is blood all over her room with her sitting in a corner laughing.
Idea 2:
A group of teenagers celebrate the end of their a-levels by going camping by a ‘haunted lake’ given the name by the number of unexplained disappearances. There are 7 teenagers, 5 begin to set up camp and 2 go wandering off with the camera to find ‘ghosts’ jokingly. One of the girls back at the camp thinks she sees a face in the lake but blinks and it is gone. The two who have wandered off begin messing around, and one of them falls in the lake, they get back on the land and say the water tasted horrible and they won’t use any of that for drinking, as they walk away the place where he fell and the water turns red into blood.
That night the boy who drank the water gets sick, and they others debate whether they should abandon there trip and take him to hospital, Jake, the natural leader of the group says he has worked hard all year and looked forward to this trip, and that the guy who is sick will simply have to get over it. The next morning the sick boy is gone. They go looking for him but find no sign of him and decide they need to phone the police, none of them can get any reception in the woods so split up and go looking for somewhere to phone the police 1 by 1 they all disappear until the final 3 decide to head back to camp as they cannot find any place, un-knowing of the fact their friends are missing. They wait for the others to come back, the first boy then jumps out attacking one of the last 3 he falls and there is a sickening crack as his head hits a stone. They first boy runs away. Now aware that something is wrong and that they are being hunted they put the injured boy in one of the tents. The next morning he is gone. With two of them left they go looking for a way out of the woods, after walking in circles for many times the last boy stands by the lake and is dragged into the lake the girl tries to help him but he is dragged under the water, she runs back to the camp and hides in one of the tents, as darkness looms there are shadows of all of her friends outside the tent and then the 3 of them jump through the entrance of the tent and attack. Her screams continue throughout the credits.
Idea 3:
It’s the year 2415, nuclear war has destroyed humanities peak of civilisation and now a few survivors, are left to find food, clothes and shelter, but they are not alone. Nuclear war through out the 24th century has left 7 billion dead. Less than 100,000 across the world are left alive. When the group of surviving men women and children set up camp near what used to be Manchester, they soon find they are not the only survivors there. A group of ‘survivors’ have also been near Manchester for a long time, but the nuclear radiation has changed them. Living in caves in the dark, they hunt at night killing many of the surviving group. One by one they are picked off in ever more horrific ways, until one of the children is dragged underground into the caves, the last 3 scavenge whatever they can to use for light and weapons and go into the caves to save the child. They rescue the child but the ‘survivor’ tribe leader a huge mutant who bears only the slightest resemblance to the human he used to be kills the two men, the woman and her daughter trying to escape through the elaborate tunnel system runs into a group of surviving soldiers from the nuclear war, who fire at they mutant and close a door to their den blocking the way behind them. One of the soldiers tells the woman ‘you shouldn’t have come here’ and the film ends with the credits.
From Mrs S
This is coming along really well Sean. It's good that you can see the necessary links in your products.
Research - The Promotion Package
The examples of the Rec and Rec2 promotional trailer, poster and magazine front cover all have similar aspects which ties them together in the promotional package.
This is what I will have to do in my production and that means what I have learnt from this promotional package. What I have learnt is that it is important to follow a 'house style' which means that all 3 parts of the package give the same feeling and are easily relatable, you wouldnt for example have a trailer based on mystery and not showing the killer/monster and then have a magazine cover and poster with the killer/monster on the front.
Similar fonts are also very important, like with the Rec and Rec2 advertising they all use the same fonts for the title and any other text. The colour scheme is also one of the main ways of showing the genre of the production. Similar colours will give similar feelings so for my horror film promotional package it is important to keep as much the same or similar as I can.
Another way to do this could be using the magazine review like 5 stars or something on the poster linking them together.
This is what I will have to do in my production and that means what I have learnt from this promotional package. What I have learnt is that it is important to follow a 'house style' which means that all 3 parts of the package give the same feeling and are easily relatable, you wouldnt for example have a trailer based on mystery and not showing the killer/monster and then have a magazine cover and poster with the killer/monster on the front.
Similar fonts are also very important, like with the Rec and Rec2 advertising they all use the same fonts for the title and any other text. The colour scheme is also one of the main ways of showing the genre of the production. Similar colours will give similar feelings so for my horror film promotional package it is important to keep as much the same or similar as I can.
Another way to do this could be using the magazine review like 5 stars or something on the poster linking them together.
Friday, 8 October 2010
Mrs D
Well done Sean. Your research is detailed and should help you now that you are moving towards the planning phase of your courework. I would recommend that you take a moment to look across your real media artefact research and look at the synergy across the products and how they create a promotional package for the film/brand.
Research - What I've Learnt
Trailer:
- As I am not remaking or making a sequel to a popular horror film, it is important that I create an air of mystery about the teaser trailer as I will not have a brand to bring in ready made fans of the film. This also helps create a fear of the unknown making the trailer even more effective.
- It should be between 1 minute and 2 ½ minutes (preferably on the shorter side of the scale)
- There should be dark/limited lighting to create ‘the fear of the unknown’.
- A build up of quickening cuts to a climax of the trailer (which should be a ‘jump moment’) is a good and commonly used technique in horror film trailers.
- There should be no reference to a specific date of release.
- The title of the film should be after the majority of the trailer.
- The credits should be at the very end.
- A narrator can help draw the viewer into the trailer, making on screen more realistic to them, and because of that more frightening.
- Using sound and images to overwhelm the senses is important to creating an effective and scary trailer.
- A tagline could be included before the title of the film.
- Hand held camera is an effective way of making the trailer feel more realistic and again scary.
- The use of/lack of non-digetic sound is an effective way of creating fear in the audience through making ‘jump moments’ overwhelming the senses or creating a focus to what is happening on screen or making a lull towards a jump moment.
- There should be reference to the directors of the film so that it provides advertisement for us but also any fans of us will want to see one of our films.
- The producer logo should be at the very beginning of the trailer.
Magazine Front Cover:
- There should be one large, bold and dark image as the background which should be taken from the film. This will show that the focus of that issue of the magazine is focussing on my film and creating advertising for my film to my target audience who would be the same as those buying a horror genre magazine.
- The colours of the magazine should be dark and should include the colour red to show the horror theme.
- The magazine name does not have to be big and bold as I will be focussing on content rather than the brand of magazine. I need to make sure the title of the magazine can be read easily.
- The font of the captions and pugs needs to be simple and bold as that will make it easy to read at a quick look.
- The language on my magazine front cover also needs to relate to my audience which will fans of horror films.
- The front cover and magazine title should say it all. I will use a title and images that will alone connote what my magazine is about.
- The magazine front cover needs to have articles mention that would entice the audience to buy the magazine.
- The name of the film should be the boldest and clearest text as the article about that film is the most important article on that particular issue of the magazine.
Poster:
- The poster needs to include dark colours and use the colour red to connote the horror genre of the film. This was used by the posters I analysed so shows that this is a tried and tested, assured way of showing the audience that horror genre.
- There should be one large image that is from the film that takes up the whole poster background. The image must show fear to show that the film is frightening.
- Should include the names of the directors, producers and actors/actresses.
- The logos of any financial sponsors need to be included as that is what they will have paid for.
- The name of the film should be the boldest and clearest text as that is what the poster is advertising.
- A website address should be included as this is an important part of my product placement over the internet.
- There should be the tagline to the film included but it should not be more noticeable than the title of the film.
- The age rating of the film should be included on the poster so that the audience will be informed if they can go and see the film.
Research - Product Placement
In the modern day and age there are more ways than ever to expose your target audience to your advertising. Films are advertised in so many ways, through posters in the cinema, on billboards and on bus-stops, also through trailers in the cinema, on the TV and on the internet. The target market has advertisement for film shown to them everywhere they go, and this only offers far more opportunity to advertise my film in the best and most public ways possible.
For the teaser trailer, there will need to be specific programmes on TV which will distribute my teaser trailer to my target audience. Some channels it will be important to use based on the viewers they will get. This means the BBC channels; ITV and Sky will all be excellent distributors of my trailer. However based on the themes of my trailer it will have to be on late night slots with these channels. The BBC has gone through a few financial issues recently and is cutting back everywhere, this means they will be less likely to show my trailer as I will have far less money to offer them than other, bigger films that will have the same idea. Sky would be a perfect distributor of my teaser trailer as with sky movies they would look to buy rights to exclusive distribution of the film for a time after the films release in the cinema. Aiming for Sky would not only give my trailer a huge shot at getting to a wide audience but also give my film an opportunity of distribution on TV after its time in the cinema. To attract more of my target audience, however, it would be a good idea to aim for advertising slots on channels specifically dedicated to horror genre films like the Horror Channel or Zone Horror.
Advertising over the internet is also an important way to show my trailer to my target audience. Windows Live Messenger, YouTube and social networking sites such as Facebook all show advertising for films and this would be a good way to show my target market my advertising. For example when people look up a horror genre video on YouTube my teaser trailer could be on before the video. A website could be created for my film which would have the trailer on so people who want to see the trailer specifically can go straight to the website, facebook groups and other social networking groups could be created to advertise my trailer too.
My film could be advertised ways other than trailers too, magazines that have a focus on my film and advertising posters. The posters could be shown anywhere, from the cinema, to advertising outside supermarkets and bus-stops. Having a horror genre magazine with a main article on my film would be excellent for advertising as it would specifically get to aim at my target audience as they would be the same people who would be buying a horror genre magazine.
For the teaser trailer, there will need to be specific programmes on TV which will distribute my teaser trailer to my target audience. Some channels it will be important to use based on the viewers they will get. This means the BBC channels; ITV and Sky will all be excellent distributors of my trailer. However based on the themes of my trailer it will have to be on late night slots with these channels. The BBC has gone through a few financial issues recently and is cutting back everywhere, this means they will be less likely to show my trailer as I will have far less money to offer them than other, bigger films that will have the same idea. Sky would be a perfect distributor of my teaser trailer as with sky movies they would look to buy rights to exclusive distribution of the film for a time after the films release in the cinema. Aiming for Sky would not only give my trailer a huge shot at getting to a wide audience but also give my film an opportunity of distribution on TV after its time in the cinema. To attract more of my target audience, however, it would be a good idea to aim for advertising slots on channels specifically dedicated to horror genre films like the Horror Channel or Zone Horror.
Advertising over the internet is also an important way to show my trailer to my target audience. Windows Live Messenger, YouTube and social networking sites such as Facebook all show advertising for films and this would be a good way to show my target market my advertising. For example when people look up a horror genre video on YouTube my teaser trailer could be on before the video. A website could be created for my film which would have the trailer on so people who want to see the trailer specifically can go straight to the website, facebook groups and other social networking groups could be created to advertise my trailer too.
My film could be advertised ways other than trailers too, magazines that have a focus on my film and advertising posters. The posters could be shown anywhere, from the cinema, to advertising outside supermarkets and bus-stops. Having a horror genre magazine with a main article on my film would be excellent for advertising as it would specifically get to aim at my target audience as they would be the same people who would be buying a horror genre magazine.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Research - Focus Questionnaire Results Analysis
I asked 10 people to watch the film link below and these are the general responses each question received, my analysis of the answers and how I will help my own work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB8XYZDu5zs
1) What did you think of the teaser trailer?
Everyone I asked said this was a very good trailer which worked well to convey a snippet of the emotions they were likely to go through, watching the film. Although they were impressed, one person specifically stated ‘it looks good, but I already know the film, I’ve seen the original and this trailer gives me no indication on what different things this remake will give me.’ This tells me that the trailer needs to offer the audience something new to convince them about the film. It is important I remember this when I come to making my own trailer as if the audience feels they have seen this ‘type’ of horror film before they will be less inclined to pay money to go and see/buy it.
2) After seeing this would you want to see the film?
Although everyone was in agreement about the quality of the trailer, it had less of an effect of convincing people to go and see it. Similar to a response to question 1, three people said the trailer didn’t offer them anything different from what they had already seen.
3) If so what parts convinced you to want to see it?
Of those 70% of people who said they would want to see the film after watching the trailer, some of the answers were that it was the curiosity on how a remake would approach the legend which convinced them, others that they were already a fan of the franchise of ‘Freddy Krueger’. 2 people said they hadn’t seen any of the previous films and although they knew about the film, they were attracted to it in the same way a new film would make them go see it. This shows me that curiosity is a major factor in persuading people to go and see a film through the trailer, I should look to play on the audiences curiosity to create a trailer that will convince people to pay to see/buy the film.
4) If not what parts put you off wanting to see it?
The three people who said they would not see the film, all said it was because they had seen the original and didn’t feel that the new film would offer them anything different to the original.
5) How did you feel about the music?
Everyone agreed that the music to the teaser trailer made it a good trailer. People especially felt the child singing combined with the images on the screen made the trailer far more intense and scary, and then the heartbeat sort of sound really changed the pace of the trailer and built it up to the climax where the title of the film is shown
6) Which parts had the most effect on you?
Most people said the music and sudden changes of pace really overwhelmed the senses and made them take in the trailer more making it more real. This tells me that the choice of sound in my trailer is very important but also gives me a hint on the sort of camera work I should use.
7) Did the name of the producer have any effect on your desire to see the film?
4 people said that they were fans of Michael Bay and that he producing the film would have an effect on there choice to see the film, but everyone who said they would want to see the film said that the brand of nightmare on Elm Street alone would be enough to make them watch the film.
8) Did you understand what the film was about?
Everyone said they knew what the film was about because of the brand of nightmare on Elm Street even if they had not seen the original film.
9) How did you feel about the length of the teaser trailer?
8 people said that for a teaser trailer it felt quite long, but the action on screen meant they were not thinking about this, and were thinking about the film instead. This tells me people do prefer shorter teaser trailers, but if the on-screen effect is good enough then the length is not a great issue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB8XYZDu5zs
1) What did you think of the teaser trailer?
Everyone I asked said this was a very good trailer which worked well to convey a snippet of the emotions they were likely to go through, watching the film. Although they were impressed, one person specifically stated ‘it looks good, but I already know the film, I’ve seen the original and this trailer gives me no indication on what different things this remake will give me.’ This tells me that the trailer needs to offer the audience something new to convince them about the film. It is important I remember this when I come to making my own trailer as if the audience feels they have seen this ‘type’ of horror film before they will be less inclined to pay money to go and see/buy it.
2) After seeing this would you want to see the film?
Although everyone was in agreement about the quality of the trailer, it had less of an effect of convincing people to go and see it. Similar to a response to question 1, three people said the trailer didn’t offer them anything different from what they had already seen.
3) If so what parts convinced you to want to see it?
Of those 70% of people who said they would want to see the film after watching the trailer, some of the answers were that it was the curiosity on how a remake would approach the legend which convinced them, others that they were already a fan of the franchise of ‘Freddy Krueger’. 2 people said they hadn’t seen any of the previous films and although they knew about the film, they were attracted to it in the same way a new film would make them go see it. This shows me that curiosity is a major factor in persuading people to go and see a film through the trailer, I should look to play on the audiences curiosity to create a trailer that will convince people to pay to see/buy the film.
4) If not what parts put you off wanting to see it?
The three people who said they would not see the film, all said it was because they had seen the original and didn’t feel that the new film would offer them anything different to the original.
5) How did you feel about the music?
Everyone agreed that the music to the teaser trailer made it a good trailer. People especially felt the child singing combined with the images on the screen made the trailer far more intense and scary, and then the heartbeat sort of sound really changed the pace of the trailer and built it up to the climax where the title of the film is shown
6) Which parts had the most effect on you?
Most people said the music and sudden changes of pace really overwhelmed the senses and made them take in the trailer more making it more real. This tells me that the choice of sound in my trailer is very important but also gives me a hint on the sort of camera work I should use.
7) Did the name of the producer have any effect on your desire to see the film?
4 people said that they were fans of Michael Bay and that he producing the film would have an effect on there choice to see the film, but everyone who said they would want to see the film said that the brand of nightmare on Elm Street alone would be enough to make them watch the film.
8) Did you understand what the film was about?
Everyone said they knew what the film was about because of the brand of nightmare on Elm Street even if they had not seen the original film.
9) How did you feel about the length of the teaser trailer?
8 people said that for a teaser trailer it felt quite long, but the action on screen meant they were not thinking about this, and were thinking about the film instead. This tells me people do prefer shorter teaser trailers, but if the on-screen effect is good enough then the length is not a great issue.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Research - Focus Questionnaire
Please watch the teaser trailer below, and then answer the questions on the trailer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB8XYZDu5zs
1) What did you think of the teaser trailer?
2) After seeing this would you want to see the film?
3) If so what parts convinced you to want to see it?
4) If not what parts put you off wanting to see it?
5) How did you feel about the music?
6) Which parts had the most effect on you?
7) Did the name of the producer have any effect on your desire to see the film?
8) Did you understand what the film was about?
9) How did you feel about the length of the teaser trailer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB8XYZDu5zs
1) What did you think of the teaser trailer?
2) After seeing this would you want to see the film?
3) If so what parts convinced you to want to see it?
4) If not what parts put you off wanting to see it?
5) How did you feel about the music?
6) Which parts had the most effect on you?
7) Did the name of the producer have any effect on your desire to see the film?
8) Did you understand what the film was about?
9) How did you feel about the length of the teaser trailer?
Research - Teaser Trailer Analysis 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFE4lGvRt8E
Don't be Afraid of the Dark
Again the first thing we see is the logo of the producers of the film, and there is a non-digetic sound, very quietly but just enough to hear. It makes the viewer strain there ears to hear what it is, it fades into a voice (this seems to be a convention of horror films teaser trailers to have a narrator this is an idea I could use for my trailer). As this trailer is mainly going to be seen in the cinema the words are perfect for inspiring fear in the viewer. After it speaks there is a dramatic pause this makes the audience really think about what has just been said. As of yet there has been no footage on screen that makes the audience really concentrate on what is being said. The style has been reversed you can see the footage in the word 'don't' which suddenly appears with a sound to contrast to the lull in sound and onscreen action, aimed to make people jump. There are lots of quick cuts showing clips from the film all of which are zooming in aiming to draw in the viewer, the words of the title all appear amongst these cuts as the non-digetic sound builds and suddenly stops on dark. The name of the producer then appears so fans of him will be convinced to go and see it. The next 15 seconds are all of one clips with no non-digetic sound, of a little girl crawling under the bed covers, then suddenly something jumps out at her again creating a 'jump moment'. The website of the film then appears and then the credits.
From this trailer I've confirmed some of the codes and conventions on teaser trailers. For example they were all less then 2 minutes and it would be a good idea to follow suit. 2/3 didn't mention when the film would be out as teaser trailers are often released up to a year before the release of the film, so there is no defined date. A narrator could also be a good idea as for both films they created an atmosphere that worked to create 'jump moments' and also inform the viewer on what the film is about and also drawing there attention to the trailer.
Don't be Afraid of the Dark
Again the first thing we see is the logo of the producers of the film, and there is a non-digetic sound, very quietly but just enough to hear. It makes the viewer strain there ears to hear what it is, it fades into a voice (this seems to be a convention of horror films teaser trailers to have a narrator this is an idea I could use for my trailer). As this trailer is mainly going to be seen in the cinema the words are perfect for inspiring fear in the viewer. After it speaks there is a dramatic pause this makes the audience really think about what has just been said. As of yet there has been no footage on screen that makes the audience really concentrate on what is being said. The style has been reversed you can see the footage in the word 'don't' which suddenly appears with a sound to contrast to the lull in sound and onscreen action, aimed to make people jump. There are lots of quick cuts showing clips from the film all of which are zooming in aiming to draw in the viewer, the words of the title all appear amongst these cuts as the non-digetic sound builds and suddenly stops on dark. The name of the producer then appears so fans of him will be convinced to go and see it. The next 15 seconds are all of one clips with no non-digetic sound, of a little girl crawling under the bed covers, then suddenly something jumps out at her again creating a 'jump moment'. The website of the film then appears and then the credits.
From this trailer I've confirmed some of the codes and conventions on teaser trailers. For example they were all less then 2 minutes and it would be a good idea to follow suit. 2/3 didn't mention when the film would be out as teaser trailers are often released up to a year before the release of the film, so there is no defined date. A narrator could also be a good idea as for both films they created an atmosphere that worked to create 'jump moments' and also inform the viewer on what the film is about and also drawing there attention to the trailer.
Research - Teaser Trailer Analysis 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-22T4gm7zrE
Friday the 13th
The first things we see are the producers of the films logos, this seems to be a code and convention of teaser trailers as this was used in the first trailer I analysed. There is non-digetic sound which sounds like a lake or forrest sound.
The shot then fades to a lake and there is a zoom which draws the viewer more into the trailer, and the previously non-digetic sound becomes the digetic sound of this scene. There is then a quick cut with a white flash which is syncronized with a non-digetic sound grabbing the viewers attention. There is a swinging light and again the same cut with the same non digetic sound. The music becomes darker and more sinister creating an intense and attention grabbing moment making the viewer think 'what's next?'
We now hear a distant voice speaking as though to us. There are also two cuts going closer to a cabin, and then the same cut used previously.
The a creaking door opening, flashing light moving and the sound of heavy breathing running, immediately creates a sinister and dark atmosphere. The non-digetic voice is telling a story, and in the digetic sound we hear a scared womans voice say 'oh my god' again with the quick cuts with the flashes buidling up to something. Then a cut to the producers name so that people who like him can be attracted to another film of his. A cut to a woman holding her hand over her mouth her eyes wide the cuts quicken and keep buidling to something we do not yet know.
Then more cuts with running people and looks of fear all showing this is a horror film, then another cut to the director again for the same effect on the audience of the producer. Then faster cuts a heartbeat sort of sound and a rising pitch of another sound, with the narrator continuing all drawing the viewer in overwhelming every sense creating the fear withing them to show them this film will make you scared. The flashing light returns after the narrator say 'his name was jason' then he appears under the light with the quick cuts and disapears with a boom non digetic sound. It hits the audience now, or those who know about horror films, that this is a remake of one of the best horror films of all time. This not only pulls in fans of the original but also attracts new viewers through the senses being overwhelmed giving them a taster of the film. The sound goes, and the narrator says 'and today is his birthday' and the scene cuts to a woman on the floor trying to get away from jason and her scream is alot louder then anything else so far and cuts in suddenly to make people jump.
A slow more sinister non-digetic beat comes on now and a reverse zoom comes away showing his mask which is a legendary trade mark of the film that everyone recognises. The title then fades onto the screen and the 13 turns red for the theme of blood again conveying the horror film. The credits then appear and fades with the date of the films release.
Unlike the Rec 2 trailer this trailer uses overwhelming of the senses and the legend of the film to attract people with this trailer. The way it uses the senses is an interesting method and I will certainly look into this when i come to creating my own trailer.
Friday the 13th
The first things we see are the producers of the films logos, this seems to be a code and convention of teaser trailers as this was used in the first trailer I analysed. There is non-digetic sound which sounds like a lake or forrest sound.
The shot then fades to a lake and there is a zoom which draws the viewer more into the trailer, and the previously non-digetic sound becomes the digetic sound of this scene. There is then a quick cut with a white flash which is syncronized with a non-digetic sound grabbing the viewers attention. There is a swinging light and again the same cut with the same non digetic sound. The music becomes darker and more sinister creating an intense and attention grabbing moment making the viewer think 'what's next?'
We now hear a distant voice speaking as though to us. There are also two cuts going closer to a cabin, and then the same cut used previously.
The a creaking door opening, flashing light moving and the sound of heavy breathing running, immediately creates a sinister and dark atmosphere. The non-digetic voice is telling a story, and in the digetic sound we hear a scared womans voice say 'oh my god' again with the quick cuts with the flashes buidling up to something. Then a cut to the producers name so that people who like him can be attracted to another film of his. A cut to a woman holding her hand over her mouth her eyes wide the cuts quicken and keep buidling to something we do not yet know.
Then more cuts with running people and looks of fear all showing this is a horror film, then another cut to the director again for the same effect on the audience of the producer. Then faster cuts a heartbeat sort of sound and a rising pitch of another sound, with the narrator continuing all drawing the viewer in overwhelming every sense creating the fear withing them to show them this film will make you scared. The flashing light returns after the narrator say 'his name was jason' then he appears under the light with the quick cuts and disapears with a boom non digetic sound. It hits the audience now, or those who know about horror films, that this is a remake of one of the best horror films of all time. This not only pulls in fans of the original but also attracts new viewers through the senses being overwhelmed giving them a taster of the film. The sound goes, and the narrator says 'and today is his birthday' and the scene cuts to a woman on the floor trying to get away from jason and her scream is alot louder then anything else so far and cuts in suddenly to make people jump.
A slow more sinister non-digetic beat comes on now and a reverse zoom comes away showing his mask which is a legendary trade mark of the film that everyone recognises. The title then fades onto the screen and the 13 turns red for the theme of blood again conveying the horror film. The credits then appear and fades with the date of the films release.
Unlike the Rec 2 trailer this trailer uses overwhelming of the senses and the legend of the film to attract people with this trailer. The way it uses the senses is an interesting method and I will certainly look into this when i come to creating my own trailer.
Research - Teaser Trailer Analysis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0-gVB-U5is
Rec 2
The trailer is for Rec 2, a film I have analysed a magazine cover for and the sequal to Rec a film which poster I also analysed. They use the name of the producer and director to advertise the film and the trailer and poster use a tagline for the film. They all use the same well known name/logo of the film [Rec] with a recording red dot that has become an icon of the film.
The trailer is only 1 minute and 2 seconds long which is a code and convention of teaser trailers, which tend to be shorter than a normal trailer.
First of all we hear the non-digetic music which carries on for the duration of the trailer. It is a very classical piece of music, which helps create a contrasting effect when combined with the clips in the trailer.
The first thing we see is the logo of the producers of the film, and this cuts into the clips from the film with an interesting effect similar to a bad signal on a TV, this also works with the music which at the same point does a similar thing. This could also be to show how this film works, as it is all filmed on hand-held camera looking to create a 'found footage' style film which was used for the first, so the bad signal or loss of connection feel this gives conveys that well.
The trailer then cuts to a van or similar vehicle where there are soldiers loading ammo into their guns. This immediately shows the viewer that what is happening is serious if speciallist soldiers are having to be called in; for all who have seen the first film will already know why, but for those who haven't it makes them wonder 'why are they there? what is serious enough for them to be needed?'
A quick cut fits in with the loading of the ammo and the click of it being inserted into the gun is enhanced as the first bit of digetic sound we hear. There is next a fad cut to the soldiers moving up a flight of stairs. It is dark and the floor is a red/burgundy colour which could convey the theme of blood for the horror film. There are more fade cuts to show the soldiers purposefully searching rooms and again for people who've seen the film, they know why, but for those who haven't they again wonder what they might be looking for.
It then cuts to a camera view from a persons helmet and shows a zombie type person running towards the camera, the man whos point of view we are seeing from then fires his gun killing the zombie. All of this is a from a low-angle camera angle showing the power and control of the soldier.
Then we begin to see things going wrong as some of the soldiers are attacked and bitten. The splatters of blood all show this to be a typical horror film, which will attract those who are probably going to watch a similar film as to the trailer being shown.
The camera again has a sort of static effect implemented, which also again works with the non-digetic sound.
All sound goes, and the tagline for the film appears 'THE PARTY IS OVER' which fades to the title of the film and then to 'coming soon' fading with the same effect used earlier on. The lack of a deffinate date of release is again a code and another convention of a teaser trailer.
The film uses the fear of the unknown to attract the viewer here and this is going to be useful for my trailer as my film would not have the fanbase of the big films, just like this film.
Rec 2
The trailer is for Rec 2, a film I have analysed a magazine cover for and the sequal to Rec a film which poster I also analysed. They use the name of the producer and director to advertise the film and the trailer and poster use a tagline for the film. They all use the same well known name/logo of the film [Rec] with a recording red dot that has become an icon of the film.
The trailer is only 1 minute and 2 seconds long which is a code and convention of teaser trailers, which tend to be shorter than a normal trailer.
First of all we hear the non-digetic music which carries on for the duration of the trailer. It is a very classical piece of music, which helps create a contrasting effect when combined with the clips in the trailer.
The first thing we see is the logo of the producers of the film, and this cuts into the clips from the film with an interesting effect similar to a bad signal on a TV, this also works with the music which at the same point does a similar thing. This could also be to show how this film works, as it is all filmed on hand-held camera looking to create a 'found footage' style film which was used for the first, so the bad signal or loss of connection feel this gives conveys that well.
The trailer then cuts to a van or similar vehicle where there are soldiers loading ammo into their guns. This immediately shows the viewer that what is happening is serious if speciallist soldiers are having to be called in; for all who have seen the first film will already know why, but for those who haven't it makes them wonder 'why are they there? what is serious enough for them to be needed?'
A quick cut fits in with the loading of the ammo and the click of it being inserted into the gun is enhanced as the first bit of digetic sound we hear. There is next a fad cut to the soldiers moving up a flight of stairs. It is dark and the floor is a red/burgundy colour which could convey the theme of blood for the horror film. There are more fade cuts to show the soldiers purposefully searching rooms and again for people who've seen the film, they know why, but for those who haven't they again wonder what they might be looking for.
It then cuts to a camera view from a persons helmet and shows a zombie type person running towards the camera, the man whos point of view we are seeing from then fires his gun killing the zombie. All of this is a from a low-angle camera angle showing the power and control of the soldier.
Then we begin to see things going wrong as some of the soldiers are attacked and bitten. The splatters of blood all show this to be a typical horror film, which will attract those who are probably going to watch a similar film as to the trailer being shown.
The camera again has a sort of static effect implemented, which also again works with the non-digetic sound.
All sound goes, and the tagline for the film appears 'THE PARTY IS OVER' which fades to the title of the film and then to 'coming soon' fading with the same effect used earlier on. The lack of a deffinate date of release is again a code and another convention of a teaser trailer.
The film uses the fear of the unknown to attract the viewer here and this is going to be useful for my trailer as my film would not have the fanbase of the big films, just like this film.
Friday, 1 October 2010
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