Applying the recognisable conventions of trailers

In this video we worked in groups to talk about the conventions of movie trailers, and we created our own quick trailer and spoke about how we used main conventions of trailers and the horror genre.

Concepts

This is a task that we did in class as a group. The point of the task was to understand what we need to research to have a better understanding for our trailer. It was also to string ideas together for our trailer.

Analysing a film Trailer: The Grudge 2

#At what point in the trailer are we told the name of the film, why is this?

We are shown the name of the film at the beginining and end of the sequence for a number of reasons. Firstly showing the name at the begining and end focuses the target audiences attention to the narrative/storyline during the main part of the sequence. Secondly showing the name at the begining emphasises the tension and heightens audience anticipation. Furthermore showing it at the end creates brand awarness and reminds viewers of the film and producers.

#Why are we told who is starring in the film?

We aren't. This is because in many horror movies the character is not the main asepect of the film neither is it the USP. Many films of different genres will use different actors and actresses as there unique selling point to try and persuade the audience to watch the film.

#What type of action from the film do we see?

From the film many close up shots of the creature, or whatever is haunting them to heighten audience anticipation and tension. Furthermore many action shots are taken of the victim and also close ups. These show the protaganist and atagonist in the film. This tells as what the narrative is for the story and also gives us clues and hints as a target audience so that we are enticed and want to go and watch the film.

#What clues does the music in the trailer give of what genre the film is going to be?

The dull music shows us that the film is most definately going to be a horror or thriller. These two film genres share codes and conventions especially in the music when they both include tense high pitched or very low pitched sounds. There are also many squeeking noises throughout the trailer.

How does the speed of what we see compare to watching a clip from a film? Why is this? Does the speed alter through the trailer or stay the same?

The tempo is much quicker in the trailer compared to what we would see in the movie, especially nearing the end of the sequence where the shot speeds increase dramatically. Furthermore the quick snappy shots heighten audience anticipation.

What information are we given at the very last frame of the trailer?

We are shown who produces the film and the main executives for it. This heightens audience anticipation and if the producers are well known, heightens audience anticipation along with the corporate logos at the bottom.

Analysing a trailer - The American

At what point of the trailer are we told the name of the film? why is this?

We are told the name of the film right at the end of the trailer. The name of the film is shown to the audience by using credits. Credits may be used to let the trailer or the film to speak for itself instead of having the typical voice over. The name of the film comes in the end in credit form because it lets the audience watch the whole trailer and let the footage entice the audience.

Why are we told who is starring in the film? how is this information given to us? why?

We are told the name of the actors or actresses in films because the artist sells the film to a certain extent. When a well known popular and seen in a positive light through other media aspects stars in a film it is likely the film will get good ratings and people will want to watch the film solely because they trust the actor perform within the film. George Clooney is the artist starring in this film, the information of the actor is given to us half way through the trailer in credits again to let the name of the artist speak for itself and because all the credits show is the name it shows and outlines the power of this actors name (George Clooney) .

What type of action from the film do we see?

This screen shot of a scene shown in the trailer expresses the action within the film and we see the film has something to do with guns which the audience can assume what the film will be about and what the roll of this character will be.

These two screen shots from the trailer come one after the other this expresses that the film has romance as well as action. the first screen shot shows the femininity of the woman and the second shows the masculinity of the man ad how both sexes are different this allows the audience to already start thinking of what may happen between the two characters in the narrative.
What clues does the music give us as to what type of film the trailer is advertising?

The music in the film trailer is very repetitive and mysterious, up until half way through the trailer where the music turns more upbeat and adventurous which can suggest that the scenes shown at the same time of the music are how the film is going at that point. The music at the start comprises with the action genre and the mystery of possibly an agent however when the music changes it starts to represent the other types of genres that the film can be such as thriller, drama and romance.
How does the speed of what we see compare to watching a clip from a film? Why is this? Does the speed alter through the trailer or stay the same?

The speed of what we see is to show and signify the tempo of the movie in this trailer its a slow and anticipating speed in between shots and the music this is different from watching a clip from a film because we are not seeing all the action just the main parts which may have a good effect on the audience. This is done because a trailer should be short and enticing as opposed to the movie which should be longer and slower. The speed does not alter through the trailer we are given a slow pace throughout the trailer.

What information are we given at the very last frame of the trailer?

In the last frame of the trailer we are shown the title of the movie this can be seen as advertisment for the movie because the audience watching the trailer will remember the title of the movie shown and possibly advertise it themselves using word of mouth.

What is more important images or words?

I think that the images within film posters give away more of an idea about the film and have a higher representation about the film. The reason i think the images are more effective is because words can have double meanings and not all words will set the genre which is very important for a film, For example "Case 39" sounds like a crime or thriller however the film is a horror. With the image of case 39 we can get an idea that it may be horror with the glow and the dark background.

In conclusion I think that the images are more effective then words and every film poster must rely on its images to represent the film and its genre as opposed to the words.

Case 39

''Case 39'' Is a title that uses clear codes and conventions of film titles. It uses bold and bright wrighting to hook the audience into the film because the brighter and bolder the text is the more eye catching it becomes to an audience and it uses a clever san serif font to suggest it is either a thriller or horror movie. The name chosen is also a clever one because it suggests a haunting presence witch is shown more in the strapline as opposed to the title however the title its self is very clever as it could have two meanings and be taken in different ways. Something has happened 38 times before? This clearly shows how effective film titles are because if you had just heard of the title without seeing it you would have suggested it had something to do with police and has more of a "CSI" effect to it instead of being a horror film.ething to do with the police or judiciary but it shows it is something completely different when you get a visual

Let Me In

Let me in features many codes and convetions of film titles in the media. One of these is being big and bold. This is used to attract the target audience. Furthermore ''let me in'' also shares a common code and convention from horror movie genres which is to use the colours red and black. These are particullary effective colours to use for a horror movie because they are associated with dark and otherwordly things such as vampires of even simply the dark. Furthermore the font used appears to be rather menacing which also suggests to the audience that this is a horror movie. Once again this shows the effectivness of film titles and it is important that we look into more horror movies as are on is going to be based on this genre.

September introduction

In this year of media a2 we have formed a group of three which consists of me, Gramoz Abazi - gramozfilmproduction.blogspot.com and Dylan Martinez - horriblea2.blogspot.com we have formed this group because we will be creating a trailer together and all members of the group have different qualities and skills they can bring to the group.