Research into Horror Synopsis

In today lesson we began to look at synopsis of different films. we each looked at three different synopsis to try and understand the function of genre in films and how the concepts are defined. the synopsis briefly tell us what the film is about.

I looked at two synopsis and they where:

The last Exorcism
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1320244/synopsis

Saw VI
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1233227/synopsis

I looked at the different element of the a genre that was in the synopsis. Many horror synposis have common element that link them together. most of the have the same Plot and Stock Situations thi give the audience something to think about. They all have praganist character and antaganist character. they all share in common the sense of knowing what doing to happen, audience expections, we all know how is going to end.
The different convention that are in the film synopsis make the stoylines different for example horror theme of the film or the stock character that they used.

Directors Research

These are the directors that I am influenced by:

Brian De Palma: Sisters, Raising Chain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvsixXqC-gM

James Wan: Directed Saw, dead Silence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVQZIJr6z2g

Gore Verbinski: Directed film like the ring, Bioshock and Terrifying Tales

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZm09L-c7uY

Magazine Research and Analysis

In order to make our Magazine cover express the key conventions of a magazine cover we began research the main convention that our magazine should have.

Magazine cover research and analysis

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Horror Concepts

In our groups we brainstormed different concept and idea we can include in our horror campaign. we all contributed in idea for the campaign, We came up with ideas that we all agreed on.

Horror Concept Research on Prezi

Location

Firstly we looked at different locations we could film our trailer. we wanted a place that would match our other ideas like our props and character etc. we researched many different horror film and identified the mean locations that are used in the horror.  Our first location was a forest, this sought of location is very common in many horror. the second location was a old abandoned house, the old house would create a real scary feel. Finally we though about modernising our horror trailer b using a estate location in a block of flats this location may create realism.

Props

We also considered props that we could use, we dicussed different horror movie that we've all seen and talked about the props they used in the films. Firstly prop like knifes, chainsaws and guns came to mind but we all agreed a axe as our first prop in our trailer. Our second idea was to use mask this was influence films like friday 13th. 

Characters and Costumes

we research different film and look at he characters. We wanted to create our unique selling point via the character. We considered using little girl like the film the ring, we wanted a character that looked very vunerable however has a deadly secret of killing people. then we looked at costumes. In the different trailers that we looked at the dominant customes with was white dresses torn clothing for the antaganist character.

Poster Research and Analysis

Applying The Recognisable Convention To Trailers

In order to apply the recognisable conventions to trailers, we came together in our groups to complete a task where we had to came up with ideas about how to market and promote a film call BloodShed High. Me group come togther and began planing what we are going to do.

We where given story board sheet where we could fill in the section. From our research on the conventions of trailer we began to decuss some ideas of what convention we where going to use. 

We first look at the production detials. first dicussed many production companys however we agreed on a production company called Twisted pictures that is well known for producing horror film and have a big fan group. Looking at different trailers we show that the production detial are at the beginning of the trailer this create brand awareness for audience expectations, The audience will see Twisted Pictures and automatically know it will be a horror genre film.

We put our head together and come up with our UPS (Unique Selling Point). We wanted to have a USP that is not common in a horror genre. so we can decided to make the film in 3D becuase this is not common in many horror movies.

Actors and the Director was also dicussed by the group, we know that Actors sell movies so we wanted to make the Actors and director standing out. we came to a conclusion that the actors names will appear after a blackout in big bold letters. The actors that we used where Megan Fox becuase she is a very well known actriss and Michael Cera. Director sell film so we used a director named Brian de Palma, he is onw of the best directors.

The most important feature would the use of enigma code. In the trailer we would be using many black out having only the sound in the background. We wanted the audience to visualise what is going on hieghtening aticipation, getting the audience engaging in the trailer making then what to watch the film.

This task was very useful in helping understand the importants of how to arrange the different conventions in the tailer for example the production details at the beginning or the release date ate the end of the trailer.  From this task we can go away in my group with a clear understanding on how to apply the recognisable conventions to trailers and start applying it to our own trailer.

Analysis a Trailer

In our lesson today we began to go through different trailer from different genre. We looked at the conventions of a professional trailer and how trailer appeal to the audience. The trailer is an extremely important tool in marketing a film to the audience. Here are the conventions that we saw in the trailers:

- Release date

  

The release data on most of the trailer is seen at the end of the trailer. The release data left to the end of the trailer will make the audience want to see the film because of the exciting feature in the film. The release date is key for example a film that is about christmas will not be release in the summer time it will be release at a time that is suitable and will get the audience to see it. this also lines to the genre of the movie, for example a horror movie date would be release 2 weeks before Halloween.

- Production details

The production details are also very important. A company that is popular and is known for making great films will get the audience of that genre to watch it because of the previous successful films that where made. Lion gate entertainment is well known for their action and adventure films and the audience will recognise what genre of film the trailer is going to be about.

- The actors staring in the film and the director

Many people who watch films go and watch the film because of the actors or the actors name that is displayed in the trailer , this is a great way in marketing the film trailer. Some actor might be know for playing a character that is link to the genre of the film. famous actors and directors will sell capture the audience Russell Crowe is also known for playing a protagonist character in action based genre film like, Gladiator and Blood Oath. Directors are also Key when promoting a film trailer.

- USP(unique selling point)
Another Convention is the uniques selling point of the trailer. This is what sells the trailer, the director can use this to sell the movie. in this trailer the UPS is the female character that has committed the crime.

This create confusion for the audience because the and make them want to find out more about the character.The antagonist character is played mostly by a male character however the unique selling point could be the use of a female.

- Rapid Shots and Best bits

The audience are engaged by the use of rapid and quick shot which heighten anticipation making the audience want to watch the film, the rapid shot include the best bits of the film. The trailer builds to a climax via the rapid shot and use of black out making the audience recreate the action in their minds creating a sense of enigma.

Also slow shot can be used to create a sense of realism allowing you to get a clearer view of the trailer.

- Music and Sound
The music in the trailer can give away clues as to want the film the trailer is advertising. loud screeching violin string and drum can automatically make us think of horror. The music play a big role in  creating atmosphere in the trailer.

- Voice-over
The voice over is used to aid the audiences understanding of the film and also add anticipation. this can be used as a form of advertising the trailer, the male voice in the trailer builds a sense of mystery and suspence. this can be used as a marjeting device. The vocabulary and sentence structure needs to be consider when targeting a cetain audience.

Looking at the different convention of a trailer has shown me how film are promoted and how important certian convention are. Doing this research will help me and my group when we create our teaser trailer.

(The Next Tree days Trailer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn1DsJZXKqY