- We used a simplistic title which connotes
both horror (as the genre) and Christmas (when the film is set). Furthermore,
the title has a bold white text against the black background which stands out
and captures and creates the audience to have attention towards the film making
it memorable. This is typical of teaser trailers as all aim to make their film
title stick in the minds of the audience which shall create the film being well
known within the media industry. The contradiction of the two colours also
creates a link to our theme of good versus evil theme, which again, is common within
the contemporary media.
The reasoning of our title featuring at the end of the trailer so that the action and horror of the images before it can entice the audience, creating interest, which hopefully shall make the audience want to remember the films name and look for information about the film which shall make them want to watch the film, which shall create the film being successful. Therefore, my knowledge notes that nearly all teaser trailers follow this pattern as if the title was placed at the beginning of the trailer the images that follow could distract and cause the audience to forget the name which would lose concentration of the film.
- The use of the colour white of the title contrasts and subverts the themes of the film as the colour white connotes innocence, purity and simplicity which creates the film mysterious and more of an interesting which is an important aspect of the creations of films. Furthermore, the use of the colour white in our film shall create the audiences fear of the unknown which shall influence curiosity. This acknowledges and links towards the contemporary horror styles as a lot of horror films use this simplistic theme for their titles, like the 2006 film ‘the hatchet’ which is a prime example. The slightly splattered look of our film title ‘Christmas Presence’ also give a nod to the past as it was, then conventional to have over the top titles that heavily conveyed the genre and were often blood red. This develops the conventions of media title texts as it combines both contemporary and more recent conventions within the contemporary UK.
The reasoning of our title featuring at the end of the trailer so that the action and horror of the images before it can entice the audience, creating interest, which hopefully shall make the audience want to remember the films name and look for information about the film which shall make them want to watch the film, which shall create the film being successful. Therefore, my knowledge notes that nearly all teaser trailers follow this pattern as if the title was placed at the beginning of the trailer the images that follow could distract and cause the audience to forget the name which would lose concentration of the film.
- The use of the colour white of the title contrasts and subverts the themes of the film as the colour white connotes innocence, purity and simplicity which creates the film mysterious and more of an interesting which is an important aspect of the creations of films. Furthermore, the use of the colour white in our film shall create the audiences fear of the unknown which shall influence curiosity. This acknowledges and links towards the contemporary horror styles as a lot of horror films use this simplistic theme for their titles, like the 2006 film ‘the hatchet’ which is a prime example. The slightly splattered look of our film title ‘Christmas Presence’ also give a nod to the past as it was, then conventional to have over the top titles that heavily conveyed the genre and were often blood red. This develops the conventions of media title texts as it combines both contemporary and more recent conventions within the contemporary UK.
-
The chosen location of our film is set in an old house which our main
characters are home alone which creates normality and a typically convention of
a horror genre film. However, in contrast creates more suspense towards the
audience. Continuing with the location we don’t reveal much of the outside setting as we
wanted to convey the idea that the house is isolated and eerie as it makes all
other surroundings unimportant and inexistent which connotes the film creating
a sinister atmosphere. Later on in the trailer we reveal the view from the back
of the house, which leads on to a wooded area, again portraying the idea of
seclusion perplex and no escape, Which connotes the idea of being trapped in
isolation, this is conventional and creates an element of threat and danger to
the trailer, which therefore shall make the audience feel on edge and tense
which makes it easy to scare them and get reactions which is the aim for a
horror genre film. Included within the inside of the house there’s a use of a
strong green and red theme linking towards the Christmas element as the colours
green and red tend to resemble Christmas. This reinforces the happiness and
thrill people get from Christmas which creates more realism and normality.
Furthermore, this lulls the audiences into a false sense of security.
Subverting and contrasting from typical teasers trailers where they tend to use
small contradictions to confuse the audience where we’ve used the two prominent
themes which contradict each other completely. Although teaser trailers do typically use contradictions
to confuse the audience these are normally smaller, where as in our teaser
trailer the two most prominent themes contradict each other completely. The
house separates each room from each other which allowed us to use the corners
and dark places to create tension making the audiences heart race and jump
which is the idea of a horror film, creating anxiety and suspense towards the
audience which is included within the conventions of a horror genre film within
the contemporary media industry.
- The
use of props is a major association within our chosen genre, horror. This is
partly the reasoning of our chosen props which was a knife, which we revealed
in our teaser. The way the knife is handled in our trailer implies threat and
violence which is ponderously linking within the scream franchise making the
trailer more effective, which creates the audience feeling on edge and enticing
them as many of the scream fans shall we drawn towards the film. We haven’t
shown any other props as not to give too much of what characterises the
antagonist has which attempts creating mystery towards the audience and gives
them the approach of wanting to watch the film which is again a trick which is
used in teaser trailers of this genre. 
The uses of costumes in our film are simplistic and timeless which completely contradicts the theme and makes the characters disposable. Furthermore, by not dressing the characters in a particular or bold manner creates the characters as mundane. Which creates the influence of the audiences taking liking to them which could cause dissatisfaction in the event of the characters so audiences are unluckily to take particular liking to them, which could cause dissatisfaction in the event of their death. The use of the protagonist’s clothing connotes winter, as the use of such clothing like jumpers, fur and scarves and the colour red which has a linking towards the concept and theme of Christmas. The characters are wearing colour which therefore stand out against the plain black clothing of the antagonist setting her apart and separate making her seem suspicious. The use of the separation from the protagonist and the antagonist is a regular occurrence of a convention in a horror film as it shall make the audience wary of the antagonist making it easier for the storyline and narrative to commence which the teaser trailer aims towards doing, so the audience get an idea of what the film is going to included and consists of which is a convention within the contemporary media industry. This is conventional as often in horror films the antagonist will be set apart from the others all through the films. Hence audiences become wary of the character making them more formidable when they start to cause trouble.
The uses of costumes in our film are simplistic and timeless which completely contradicts the theme and makes the characters disposable. Furthermore, by not dressing the characters in a particular or bold manner creates the characters as mundane. Which creates the influence of the audiences taking liking to them which could cause dissatisfaction in the event of the characters so audiences are unluckily to take particular liking to them, which could cause dissatisfaction in the event of their death. The use of the protagonist’s clothing connotes winter, as the use of such clothing like jumpers, fur and scarves and the colour red which has a linking towards the concept and theme of Christmas. The characters are wearing colour which therefore stand out against the plain black clothing of the antagonist setting her apart and separate making her seem suspicious. The use of the separation from the protagonist and the antagonist is a regular occurrence of a convention in a horror film as it shall make the audience wary of the antagonist making it easier for the storyline and narrative to commence which the teaser trailer aims towards doing, so the audience get an idea of what the film is going to included and consists of which is a convention within the contemporary media industry. This is conventional as often in horror films the antagonist will be set apart from the others all through the films. Hence audiences become wary of the character making them more formidable when they start to cause trouble.
- The
use of the camera work and editing we used had the reasoning of displaying and
depicting the difference between the equilibrium and the distribution. This is conventional for a horror genre film
trailers, switching from slow paced mundane camera shots to fast pace exciting
and abstract shots. Additionally, in the same way the editing also changes to
mirror the narrative, where shots become darker and creating prominent editing
as its less important for shots being realistic, which the continuity of this
must be maintained. We included both of these in our trailer, the outset we
used light shots that consist of medium, long and over the shoulder shots that
convey happiness and normality. Furthermore,
as we reach the climax we increase the number of close ups showing the
extreme emotions on the characters faces, which included the emotion of fear,
making the panic seem real towards the viewers and make them live the emotions
as well which creates engagement. Throughout the trailer the use of contrast
and brightness become increasingly darker, however some light shots are thrown
in to contrast making the trailer more diverse which creates more variety and
excitement towards the film. The shots are faster paced and begin to move,
making the whole feel of the trailer more exciting and interesting. The editing
is complemented by the music which also quickens in pace. The editing and music
are in time together creating the product of our trailer polished and
maintaining continuity which again is common for other trailers of the genre
within the contemporary media industry. It is very conventional for the camera work to be quite unnatural, which could cause the audience feeling uncomfortable. Furthermore, we used some hand held shots to make the production seem more realistic, as if it was happening right then, giving more of an effect on the audience and creating the audience feeling engaged and a part of our trailer.
- Our
trailer uses text to briefly explain the plot of the film, this is conventional
of horror as you can’t give too much of the plot away for fear of ruining the
ending or revealing too much about the antagonist, this creates an effect of
mystery. The use of colours and meaning behind the text. The titles connote the
idea of good versus evil and begin to convey the theme of insanity which we was
wanting to include, as well as the pure of the white and the darkness of the
black which completely contradict each other. This is reinforced by the
contraction of horror and Christmas.
We started the trailer in a slow pace which then quickens. This is common in horror films and conforms to the genre. The screen shot to the side is the turning point of the trailer, as it is the first cold dark shot that contradicts the warmth of the previous, which gives the audience the first view of the horror trailer which it sets up for. Furthermore, the trailer briefly displays the equilibrium as it is the action that audiences want to be teased with. Hints of narrative still need to be detailed to show the story has a plot to follow and isn’t just cold blood killing. In our trailer we detailed that the antagonist would be one of the four characters shown in the first section of our product, but not which one. However the clothing, behaviour, editing and absence from the struggle, of one of the characters imply which of the friends it could be. In this way the audience feel like they know enough to understand a bit about the film, however enough is still withheld to spark interest and mystery. This is less conventional as normally in horror trailer we see slightly more of the antagonist, at least detailing a bit of their appearance as the killer and the way in which they pick off their victims. However it is very conventional to withhold the identity of the villain, by doing this the audience have a reason to go and see the film as they are interested in the motives and identity of the killer.
We started the trailer in a slow pace which then quickens. This is common in horror films and conforms to the genre. The screen shot to the side is the turning point of the trailer, as it is the first cold dark shot that contradicts the warmth of the previous, which gives the audience the first view of the horror trailer which it sets up for. Furthermore, the trailer briefly displays the equilibrium as it is the action that audiences want to be teased with. Hints of narrative still need to be detailed to show the story has a plot to follow and isn’t just cold blood killing. In our trailer we detailed that the antagonist would be one of the four characters shown in the first section of our product, but not which one. However the clothing, behaviour, editing and absence from the struggle, of one of the characters imply which of the friends it could be. In this way the audience feel like they know enough to understand a bit about the film, however enough is still withheld to spark interest and mystery. This is less conventional as normally in horror trailer we see slightly more of the antagonist, at least detailing a bit of their appearance as the killer and the way in which they pick off their victims. However it is very conventional to withhold the identity of the villain, by doing this the audience have a reason to go and see the film as they are interested in the motives and identity of the killer.
- The
first images that appear during the trailer do not connote the genre as they
reflect happiness and equilibrium, however the eerie slow pace of the
foreboding messages imply that something bad is about to happen. The simplistic
font furthermore connotes conventional horrors and as the text fades in and out
it obscures the audiences view implying that they don’t know everything that’s
going on, it is conventional to keep the audience in the dark throughout teaser
trailers so audiences have to see the film to find out more. 
Later on in the
trailer the genre becomes very evident as fast paced shots start to show
conventions of the genre, such as dark close ups of terrified expressions. The shot
displayed shows that the character is under distress as she has makeup dripping
down her face, her posture is closed as if trying to protect herself, looking
just passed the camera as if something is pursuing her. The heavy beats and
differencing in pace is conventional as audiences don’t know what to expect and
are easier to scare, the contrast in lighting between the shots of the second
part of the trailer adds to this. The tinted red of some of the shots refers
back to both, horror and Christmas, however due to the pacing and style of the
shots audiences will be more reminded of the horror theme. The flicker of the
camera in some shots, gives them a conventional uneven look which again is
often a feature of horror films.
Later on in the
trailer the genre becomes very evident as fast paced shots start to show
conventions of the genre, such as dark close ups of terrified expressions. The shot
displayed shows that the character is under distress as she has makeup dripping
down her face, her posture is closed as if trying to protect herself, looking
just passed the camera as if something is pursuing her. The heavy beats and
differencing in pace is conventional as audiences don’t know what to expect and
are easier to scare, the contrast in lighting between the shots of the second
part of the trailer adds to this. The tinted red of some of the shots refers
back to both, horror and Christmas, however due to the pacing and style of the
shots audiences will be more reminded of the horror theme. The flicker of the
camera in some shots, gives them a conventional uneven look which again is
often a feature of horror films.
- At
first all the friends are introduced together, displaying them all as equal,
the text tells us that the four friends are together trying to have a good time
and despite the imbalance in clothing and prevalence as our antagonist has her
back to the camera. Next we see the antagonist on her own, in the first part of
the trailer she is the only one that is shown in a shot completely by herself,
which familiarises the audience with her and makes her the most memorable,
which is conventionally important as it is vital that the audiences remember
who the antagonist is.After telling audiences that one of the friends has a secret we then show our antagonist (implying she will become the villain), we used shot types and editing to completely disassociate her from the rest of the group, making her seem more sinister and dangerous. The other characters are still portrayed as stereotypical and ignorant; the antagonist is set apart making her seem more intelligent, important and less disposable.
We don’t discover much about the teenagers in the trailer making the content of the film a bigger mystery; it is more conventional for trailers to reveal more about their characters and less about the struggler however we are using the uncertainty that surrounds our characters to entice the audience to watch the film.
- We chose not to use very many special effects, which is very unconventional as many horror films, especially older ones, are known for their over use of special effects. We chose to go for a more natural look as we knew that it would make our horror film appear more realistic and so scarier. We know how important it is to protect the continuity of horror films, and as the special effects available to us had the potential to harm this, we chose not the use them.
On some of our shots the colour contrast has been tinted red to reinforce
the idea of horror and the danger the colour connotes. Furthermore on some of
our darker shots we changed the contrast to make the shot more visible and
coherent. The effect of the camera made some of the shot look like they were
hand held shots to make it seem more realistic and like it is happening as the
audience watch. Which shall make it successful within the contemporary UK. 
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