How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

When creating my products, I was introduced to many new media technologies, and also technologies which I had previously already had experience using. These technologies helped me to create my products through the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages.
In the construction stages of my media product, I used technologies such as a video camera, which I used to record the filming for our trailer. I was able to create a variety of shots using the video camera, by using a tripod to create still shots and handholding the camera to create ‘shaking’ shots. I then uploaded my filming onto Final Cut Pro, using an uploading camera. On Final Cut Pro, I was then able to edit my filming to create my trailer. By using Garage band I was able to include sound into my trailer. When constructing my movie magazine front cover and poster, I used a digital camera to take my images and the software Photoshop to edit and finalise my products.
When researching for my products, I used the internet to research existing horror trailers and analysed them to generate ideas for my own trailer. I used websites such as ‘Youtube’, a video sharing website, to do this. For my ancillary tasks; the movie magazine and the poster, I again used the internet, viewing existing magazine front covers, so that my end products would be realistic and good quality.
When planning my products, I used Final Cut Pro to briefly set a time schedule so we knew what shots were needed and where they were going to be place. This did alter as we added the footage, but helped us in knowing how much time particular scenes could use. For my movie magazine, I used a template of an existing movie magazine to create the basis of my product, allowing me to make my product look more professional.
For the evaluation stages, I used the website ‘blogger’ to post my products, research and evaluations. My trailer was also placed on ‘Youtube’, so it was available for the general public to view, and give feedback. ‘Flickr’ was also used, to annotate my works, using imagery. By using applications such as blogger and flickr, it made the whole evaluation process a lot easier than if I were to have used traditional methods such as writing an essay. Also, by documenting our stages of making the trailer onto my blog, meant all of my work was together, and this made it alot easier to refer back to things when needed.

What have you learnt from your audience feedback?

After creating our teaser trailer, it was essential we received feedback from our target audience. By conducting audience feedback, we were able to see what on our trailer was successful and what could be improved to make the trailer stronger.
Our trailer was targetted at an audience around the age of 15-24, which is a common age range for cinemagoers and also people who are into horror films. By using this age group, the more chance our film would have of sustaining a theatrical life if it were to be distributed. From carrying out a questionnaire, we were able to depict that it was males who mainly watched horror films, and so this was to be considered when making our trailer. However, now that the trailer is complete, I think it can be enjoyed by both males and females, creating a larger target audience, which if the film was to be released would produce a larger profit, to if the film had been targetted at males only. To recieve our feedback, we uploaded our teaser trailer onto Youtube, a video sharing website, to allow the public to view it. Also, as our trailer was targetted for the age group 15 to 24, we were able to also ask our peers, whom gave very detailed feedback. Before a film is distributed, market research is conducted. Distributors run test screenings to an audience, after which the audience are asked to complete a questionnaire, giving the distributor an understanding of how well the film will do at box-office. By commending this market research, the distributors are able to verify what their target audience is, and then promote the film in a successful manner.
 From our feedback, the audiences responses indicated that camera angles, transitions and shots used in our trailer were successful. In particular the canted angles used and the close up of the eye were said to be most effective, and linked well to the horror genre. However, the use of repetition of the close up of the eyes and the crawling down the corridor was criticised, as they felt it took away the powerfulness they initially had upon them. They felt that it could have been removed, or digitally altered to create a more interesting and less tedious trailer. Another shot the audience commented on, was the shot of the hand scratching the floor. The audience found the shot effective as it puts them on edge, creating tension. Scratching a surface is something that most people find ‘distressing’ and ‘uncomfortable’ and so we played on this. The final shot of the eye, with the blood dripping and then rewinding back, was said to have worked well, leaving the audience with an image of the eye, and the visions of dead people.
The audience were particularly impressed by the selection of props used in our trailer. They felt the props created a realistic feel to the film, making it more believable.
The trailer was said to have been possibly too short of length, at 1 minute 12 seconds. Although I realise it was a teaser trailer we were asked to create, I also feel the trailer was perhaps too short, and could be made stronger by adding in some more shots of death. They also felt that the length of time the intertitles were displayed was not long enough to be able to read, and this would also make the trailer longer.
Overall, the majority of our audience commented on the soundtrack of our trailer. Some believed the music worked well, as it created a mysterious feel, and some felt that it did not create enough tension. They thought at the beginning of the trailer the music did grab their attention, however, as the soundtrack continued and remained the same throughout the trailer, the music lost its impact. They felt the climax of the trailer was lost at the end, when it should have been at its highest, and so the trailer could be improved by making the music towards the end stronger. The audience felt the voiceover approximately half way though the trailer was successful, giving the audience a brief indication as to what the film was about.
I feel the trailer works best as a teaser trailer for the audience, with the short shots, giving away a little of the stories meaning. Being a teaser trailer also helps with the horror genre as the speed creates tension, which is needed in the horror genre.

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

The first product that was produced was the horror movie teaser trailer. A trailer is the single most cost-effective way of marketing, playing on a large screen to a captive audience and active cinamagoers, and so this needed to be as strong as possible to attract the target audience. As it was a horror trailer we were asked to produce, the trailer needed to shock the audience, and create a fearful look.
The trailer was based on a girl, whom was previously blind, but after an operation was able to see. With this in mind, a lot of emphasis was put onto images of the girls eyes.
When making the ancillary tasks, I wanted to incorporate the emphasis on the eyes, to relate all the pieces together.
When marketing a film, a poster is produced containing a main image distilling the appeal of the film. This can be through its stars, the theme or genre, credits and often a tagline, to tempt audiences. With this in mind, for my poster, I decided to depict the main character of my film into an eye, this again relating to the plot of the film. My poster was very dark and mysterious, a character often associated with the horror genre. I used a tagline in my poster, reading 'what happens when the sight you never had returns?'. This line also features in our teaser trailer, making a connection between my texts. The posters
Editorial coverage of a film is another strong method used by distributors to encourage the viewing of a film. Being featured on a movie magazine front cover creates publicity and provides the audience with persuasive information on why to see the film, such as using the cast, the synopsis and notable facts about the production. Often audiences are more willing to accept independently- written new stories and features more than advertising. Distributor's publicity teams organise media interviews with the film's cast to promote the film. For my movie magazine front cover, I wanted to gain publicity by using the 'star's' name to gain interest. Many distributors are able to attract audiences simply by using 'big stars' who will automatically attract audiences through their history, this is known as 'star power'. Knowing this, I was able to encourage my 'star's fans' to also be tempted to watch my film. As I was purely using the star to publicise my film, I did not entirely incorporate the horror genre into my magazine cover. Instead, I emphasised the eyes again, which links to the film in a minimal manner. I used an image, where my main star is looking upwards, making us be drawn to the 'eye area'. The magazine front cover consisted of my films title, placed below the image of my main star, and was enlarged to make emphasis, compared to the titles of other films shown. I also incorporated the star's name and her 'main role in Phantasm', to ensure audiences were made aware of the stars appearance.
Overall, I believe that the combination of my main product and ancillary texts are effective. I think that the emphasis on the eyes, relates all the pieces together, and the fact that I have used the main girl for all the images also help. I believe my products intergrate into a coherant marketing plan, with the poster advertising helping to launch the film in towns and cities, the magazine promoting the film, attracting audiences and the trailer encouraging cinemagoers to watch the new release.

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

In my teaser trailer I incorporated conventions such as camera shots, angles and settings typical of the horror genre. I looked at existing teaser trailers to get an idea on the ways in which horror was conveyed.

The main protagonist in our teaser trailer was female. Females are often used in horror films as they are easier to relate to. Females are often known to be the weaker sex, and so we are made to sympathsise with the character and experience her 'fears' alongside her.
Camera work is a very important convention in the horror genre, and so when we were creating our trailer we had to take this into consideration. From researching existing trailers, it was visible that often, canted angles, extreme close ups and establishing shots were used. Natural camera work is often incorporated into horror genres as it creates a more unbalanced effect making the audience feel uncomfortable and not at ease.
As my trailer was based on a story about a girl who had problems with her vision, it was important that I made emphasis towards her eyes. I used extreme close ups of her eye, a shot typically used by the horror genre. The close ups of the eye also allow the audience to identify with the character, showing their emotions through their expressions. It can also make the audience feel uncomfortable, as it is very close and can feel like an invasion of space. Shots of the main characters eyes were used alot throughout our trailer as they looked successful and helped to portray what the film was about. As the film progressed, we began to add blood to the eye, running down the face as if it were a tear. Blood is a typical convention used by the horror genre and so this worked well when making a horror trailer. Blood is not commonly known for coming from the eye and so this causes mystery to the audience, leaving them to wonder why blood has appeared from the eye.
Another key convention of the horror genre, is low lighting. By using low lighting dramatic shadows are often cast, creating an eery atmosphere. Also by using low lighting, the audience are not able to see everything around the character and so tension is built from what could appear.
Overall, I believe for my teaser trailer I used many conventions of a horror film, to attract my audiences into watching my film.

screen shots from existing movie trailers that use horror conventions

screen shots from existing movie trailers that use horror conventions
Originally uploaded by elliegislam

Click images to read analysis.

screen shots from my teaser trailer that use horror conventions

screen shots from my teaser trailer that use horror conventions
Originally uploaded by elliegislam

Click images to read analysis.

My ancillary tasks- movie magazine cover and poster

This is my final ancillary tasks;  a poster and a movie magazine front cover. I created both of these texts using Photoshop. I feel the poster links well to the horror genre, encouraging audiences to see the film, and the movie magazine front cover, uses the 'star' to generate sales.

Our finished teaser trailer 'Phantasm'

This is my final teaser trailer, 'Phantasm'. We constructed the trailer using Final Cut Pro, and edited it, adding sound, to create a believeable horror trailer.

Existing Movie Posters

A poster was also needed to market my film, and so I decided to research existing posters, to gain knowledge on what would create a successful advertising poster for my film. From looking at existing posters, I found they tended to only depict a single image, which set a tone of the genre. Many of the horror posters I looked at, were dark in colour, and were often a close up of the main characters face. I found the first image particularly useful as it depicted an eye, something that I needed to incorporate into my design. I find the poster very effective as it is the fingers coming out of the eye that creates a sense of mystery. I chose to look at the second poster, as I liked the fact you had to look deeper into the image to discover what it depicted. The poster contained a tag line of 'what will it sound like when you did?', this is something I wish to include in my poster. Finally, I was attracted to the last poster, through its mysterious appearance. I like how we are not able to see the whole face, as it has been darkened. I like the layout and wish to create a poster similar to this for my final piece.

Existing Movie Magazine Front Covers

Before creating my own movie magazine front cover, I found it essiential to research exisiting magazine front covers. I did this, to help penetrate ideas, so that I was able to create a successful and realistic layout for my own front cover. The first magazine front cover I analysed was produced by Total Film, and is displayed on the left. We are made aware that this movie magazine may contain promotional details about the film 'King Kong' instantly, by the text placed to the left of the cover. The writing is larger than the rest of the text, minus the magazines title and so we are automatically drawn to reading what it says. Also, the 'models' featured on the cover, are famous stars, whom will attract fans into buying the magazine and watching the film. The front cover also contains smaller text, promoting what else there is to read if you buy this magazine, and so I will have to incorporate this into my own piece, as to make the magazine look realistic.

The second magazine front cover was again a cover from the magazine 'Total Film'. However, althernatively this time a 'scene' from the movie has been used. This creates a genre to be formed, with a skull being shown at the bottom left hand corner. Red font has been used, this could be to connotate blood. The title of the film being promoted has been written at the bottom of the cover, centrally, and so our eyes are automatically drawn to this.

Our groups story board for the horror teaser trailer

Before we began to create our teaser trailer, we produced a story board, which contained all the shots we were planning to use in our final trailer. We made brief notes alongside the images, which would make it easier for us, when it came to shooting.

  

My pitch for a horror movie

All she wanted was her husband out of her life. Jack gave her that exactly.

A few days later, Kate noticed something in that same drawer that changed her life forever.
A diary of conspiring plans to kill her in the most horrific and distubing ways ever imagined. It appeared that William was a disturbed psychopath from the crude, almost child-like drawings he had constructed in all those days of retirement sat in his armchair. his twisted mind had fantasised about the extraction of her womb, he had an obsession with the fact that she could not produce a son and frequently expressed a repulsion for her 'poisoned wnech's insides'. He had an unhealthy obsession with cutting off her twenty digits and arranging them in size order on the mantlepiece- creatively illustrated by an untidy scrawl in blood and ink.
This was the last straw. Kate had to escape. No, if she escaped, he could follow. She had to destroy this maniac forever...

Distribution Plan

When producing a film, it is the distributors job to construct a distribution plan. This is essential in releasing and promoting the new film, as it helps make decisions such as when the film should be released and how it should be released, therefore increasing the films chance of success. In basic terms, the distribution plan is a way in which the distributor ensures maximum profit from the film. The distribution plan is often only confirmed when the product is ready for release.

It is vital that the distributor has an understanding of the target audience the film is set for. When promoting the film age group, gender, lifestyles and media consumption patterns need to be taken into consideration. The film needs to be promoted in a way that allows this target audience to become aware of this new release. For example, it would be pointless advertising a film for teenagers in a place where youth rarely go. It is important that the distributor remembers the core target audience, however it is also important that the film attracts as wide a spread audience as possible. This could be done by identifying niche interest groups as well as the broad mainstream, aiding the film to 'break out' and 'cross over'.

The distributor also needs to prepare a budget for the film, taking into account all the related costs. They need to ensure that they do not overspend and so therefore make a profit from the film, which is they intention. It would be pointless them spending more money promoting the film than what they

It is vital there is an understanding of the target audience before the film is promoted.

Do you prefer voice overs or narrative structure?

From researching existing trailers, we realised that some used a voice over and some used a narrative and some used both. The voice over is spoken over footage of the film, and gives the audience a slight indication as to what the film is about. A narrative is when the audience are given an indication as to what the film is about through 'snipets' of the film being shown and characters giving away the story's main synopsis through dialogue.
As we are making a teaser trailer, we found it a good idea to ask whether people preferred narrative, voice over or if they would like both. The results show that 75% of the people asked would like to see both narrative and voice over in a trailer and so this will be incorporated into our trailer.

What horror sub genre does our target audience like to see?

We knew we had to make a horror trailer for a final piece, but when we looked into it, the horror genre could be broken up into different types of horror. There was supernatural horror, thrillers, gore and psychological horrors. It was important that we chose the sub genre that was more likely to be viewed. Our results show that psychological horror was preferred by far to the rest of the sub genres.

Are horror fans mainly male?

From researching typical horror fans, I found that they were mainly male. I decided to ask a group of equal males and females whether they enjoyed watching horror films. From carrying out my questionnaire, I was told that it was mainly men who watched horror films, but there were also some females that watched horror. When producing  my trailer I will need to take this information into consideration, and try and make my trailer appealing for both males and females.

Explore how the horror genre represents women

Horror films strive to evoke emotions of fear, terror and horror in viewers. Women in these films have been portrayed as both victims and survivors. Women’s roles in horror movies have changed over the years, with women beginning to come into their own, showing them as strong as men and not just sexual objects.
In the early 1930’s, in classic horror films such as ‘Dracula’ (1931) and ‘Frankenstein’ (1931 ) women were shown as objects of desire and their needs were saved by the males. The roles were filled by beautiful looking women, often portrayed as being vulnerable and simple. They were often ‘scream queens’ where their shrieks would endanger not only themselves but would put others at risk too. More often than not, these women were killed and were not seen to fight back. This image of women began to change as women in society became stronger, with the feminist movement.

In one of the true first slasher films, Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’, we see the character ‘Lila Crane’ being one step ahead of her male counterparts. However, in this film although having been attacked by Norman Bates, she is not given the chance to attack back or even try to kill Bates. She is however rescued by Sam, her sister’s boyfriend. This allowing women not to be seen as in complete control and that the hero is always the man. This film was also thought to portray how a sexually repressed man fears a sexually independent women (Lila Crane).
Many women up until the release of ‘Halloween’ were portrayed as helpless and were rescued by strong masculine hero’s. In Halloween (1978) we are introduced to the strong and intellectual character of Laurie Strode. In this film the women fights back and stabs the villain, however her character’s strength is again reduced by the fact that she is never quite able to kill him, which proves the idea of superiority and strength of men over women and that male killers in horror films mostly triumph.
We also meet another strong female in ‘Alien’ (1979) where Sigourney Weaver plays ‘Ripley’, who is a strong commanding hero. However, several sequels of these films were released and it was seen how Ripley became more and more masculine as the films progressed, even having a shaved head!
In many horror films, we often see the ‘final girl’, this is often a stereotypical role where the actress has masculine traits, We see her virginal and pure surrounded by sexually active friends. She has often an androgynous name such as Laurie in ‘Halloween’ (1978), or Sidney or Billie. The ‘final girl’ often finds her friends mutilated, she is chased, cornered, we often see her scream, stagger and fall yet rise. The girl looks death in the face but still finds the strength to kill the villain or saves herself. We have empathy for her as we see her struggle and then feel relief as she survives her ordeal. It is the final girl in many horror films that gives the suspense. ‘Nightmare On Elm Street’ and ‘Halloween’ both portray the ‘final girl’.
Interestingly, a lot of horror films connect the female characters to sexual references. Often the first character to be killed is often female, often promiscuous and is seen to be drinking alcohol or into drug taking. These characters are often killed by men who are sexual inactive or sexually immature. Their unsociable behaviour tends to reduce the sympathy felt by the audience when they are killed and then when a ‘good living’ person is murdered, we as an audience feel more outraged. This increases the suspense and thrill in the film.
Women were also used in films to highlight the male’s negative feelings he has against females. Often the female involved would be a relative such as his mother or sister or it may have been a past girlfriend who have spurned him. Examples of this is seen in Psycho (1960) where Norman Bates has issues with his mother and in Halloween (1978) where Myers have issues with his sister.
Thankfully, like women have gained equal rights with men in society, women have gained better roles with better outcomes in horror movies. In modern films, such as Final Destination (2000) and the sequels and Wrong Turn (2003) it is more often than not, that groups of teenagers are hurt, hunted or murdered, with no more emphasis on females than males. No longer do we see weak, defenceless females, but now strong dependant women fighting back. It could also be said that films in general have progressed in different ways which have an effect on the way women are represented in the horror genre. With modern technology of computers and special effects, suspense and tension can be created in a more severe form rather than having to rely on a poor distressed female being terrorised.
In later years, women have also been casted as the villain, the main source of evil, in such films as ‘The Thing’ and ‘Poltergeist’ changing yet again the role of the women in horror movies.
Concluding, women’s representation in horror movies has progressed as society has progressed. They have become stronger and more independent.

Friday the 13th Trailer

Daybreakers Trailer

This is the trailer for the movie 'Daybreakers'. Immediately, we are shown what looks like a modern building. From this we are then given an intertitle with the words 'imagine a world'. This hooks the audience into watching the trailer further.

A Nightmare On Elm Street -Teaser Trailer

This is the teaser trailer for the film 'A nightmare On Elm Street'. At the beginning of the trailer we are instantly shown a deserted run down building, a location often associated with the horror genre. Music is played powerfully in the background, creating tention immediately. Colour shown is limited, mainly grey and dismal, creating a cold and isolated emotion. We are shown a man running, escaping by hiding in a building, whilst a group of people stand outside holding 'weapons', exhibiting threatening behaviour. A shot of the man crouching down inside the bulding, fearfully, automatically engages the audience into having sympathy for him. Fire is thrown into the building and a shot of an explosion is shown from outside the building. This attracts the audience into wanting to know the outcome and so therefore they procede to watch the film. The trailer uses dialogue from the characters in the film, and so the audience are able to relate further with the film.
From here, we are then given an intertitle informing us that the film is from producer, Micheal Bay, this will attract audiences whom have liked Micheal Bay's previous works.
An echoed slow sound of children singing nursery rhymes is played in the background. Children are often used in horrors to indicate loss of innocence. Also in the trailer, sharp sudden sounds are used to emphasise characters movement, thus grabbing the audiences attention moreso.
The main scenes from the film are shown briefly and quickly, flickering from one shot to another. The music in the background also changes to this quick, jolty movement and so this furthers the tension.  A scene of a graveyard is used, a typical location of the horror genre.
We are shown the title of the movie, which is in red, a colour often assosciated to blood. We then hear dialogue from the attacker, which takes us to the last scene shown in the trailer, where we see him head towards the female character. This leaves us in suspense wanting to know what happens next.

Return of the Repressed

When something is repressed it is stored in the person's unconsciousness and sometimes events may occur where this repression returns to the person's consciousness and the event will then be remembered. For example; if a person is abused in early life, this may be repressed and the person does not recall the event. However, something may occur in their current lifestyle, e.g. abuse watched in a film and the event is remembered.

Haunting in connecticut Trailer

Based on a true story, the trailer is very jumpy, with eery music playing in the background, creating tension.



The 'Haunting in Connecticut' trailer examples key conventions of typical horror movies, to which draws in specific target audiences.
The trailer begins with dialogue from one of the central characters in the film. This automatically engages the viewer, but does not initially give the story away. We are informed at the beginning of the trailer, that the house 'does have a bit of history', indicating trouble to the audience. We are then shown the main location of the film, which shows suburban living, a setting often assosciated with horror movies.
From this, the trailer then uses a mixture of intertitles and snippets from the film, to example basic background information on the film. We are also told, using an intertitle, that the film is based on a true story. This is another technique in which attracts audiences.
Music in the trailer, is used quietly in the background throughout, creating mystery. Sudden sounds are used to emphasise characters movement and create further shock.
Nearing the end of the trailer we are shown quick snipets of the films most 'horrific' scenes, this attracts the audiences as they want to find out what is causing the trouble.
The title of the film is not shown until the end of the trailer, and remains on the screen for about 0.04s, whilst music continues to play in the background. We are then shown one more clip of the movie, where a sudden face appears in the mirror, this creating shock in the audience. As this shot is quite shocking and because it is the last shot seen, it is quite memorable to the audience and encourages them to see the film.