media evaluation a2 coursework horror trailer 'the intruder

My Evaluatio

n By Katie Greaves

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

products?Trailers that have influenced my trailer are:Paranormal Activity: My trailer evokes a foreboding sense of doom from the outset. The use of sound such as the footsteps and the build up of sound with a sudden bang, aim to not only shock audiences but to generate a sense of absolute terror and horror. Similarly, in the Paranormal Activity Trailer, sound also has a huge impact in portraying the conventions of a horror film. The use of the heartbeat reflects that of the audiences’, how their hearts may be racing as they watch the trailer. A beating heart has connotations of fear, and terror and is a usual convention in a horror movie. Again, like the Paranormal Activity trailer, the narrative is subtly introduced without revealing too much, this effective in that, the audience are vaguely aware of the plot, and are left with a feeling of intrigue as the storyline may still be ominous to them. The ‘lost signal’ effect in the Paranormal Activity trailer I felt is extremely effective in implying the genre as well as the critic reviews that reflect the conventions of a trailer such as ‘Terrifying’ etc. Often used by industries to promote their film. I have imitated this in my trailer to give a more authentic appeal. I also thought the location of a house, usually a safe haven was effective as in this case it was a dangerous place to be, the woman is totally vulnerable in her bedroom, as the girl who wants to possess her is watching over her in a sordid, creepy kind of way. The use of low key lighting also helps to create the night time atmosphere, dark, eerie and fear of the unknown. I have stuck with the conventions

mainlyused in trailers, especially that of the horror genre.

Trailers that have influenced my trailer are:The Ring:The Ring trailer, a lot similar to Paranormal Activity again mostly featured in a what is

meant to be a ‘safe’ location, the home, and the use of low key lighting again creates an eerie atmosphere. However the main element of the horror genre and trailer convention I

picked up was the girl and the use of mise –en-scene. I based the girl in the attic in my trailer on

the girl featured in the ring and this impacted my trailer greatly through the use of horror

conventionsallowing for the audience fearing what is in fact a young girl dressed in white, revealing

little

narrative of who she is, again a regular convention of a trailer, concealing the storyline.


products?Magazines that have influenced my trailer are:Little White Lies: Little White Lies first published in 2005 is an independent film magazine company. It appeals to a very niche market and has a specific simple style that remains consistent throughout every issue, and the only major change is the cover star/theme and cover line which is usually the film title. The reason I chose to base my magazine on Little White Lies rather than Empire for example is because I thought the creativity of their front covers are outstanding, and from what I had researched they had never covered a horror film before so it is something I wanted to try. Annapurna productions are also similar in that they appeal to a very niche market and are not considered mainstream like universal for example. This cover of Little White Lies I what I based my magazine on as it was my favourite cover and I liked the abstract image created on the cover. I have kept within the conventions of a Little White Lies magazine but in terms of general magazine conventions because I chose to do this magazine I was limited as I wanted to keep the simplicity of a Little White Lies Cover.


products?Posters that have influenced my trailer are:Dead Silence: Looking at this poster, I immediately was intrigued by the use of Close up shot in the main image of the boy, this was because only half his face was revealed, making him a mysterious, ominous character. I wanted to portray this on my poster, so I took a similar picture of ‘The Intruder’ so my audience would look at the poster and have the same feeling I got when looking at Dead Silence.

The Eye: I liked the use of a really light colour in this poster as usually like DeadSilence, horror posters are dark colours with low key lighting, but This poster was a contrast so I decided to also achieve this through use of a light colour. I like the simplicity of both posters as the main focal point Was the main image on both posters which is what I also wanted to

achieve. The Title Tease, however is usually always at the bottom of the poster, I wanted to keep this usual convention as this ensured there was no distraction from the main image and that I feel is most important on

aposter. I also added production credits at the bottom a conventional aspect of a poster and it made my poster look more realistic.

How did you attract/address your audience?

My target audience would be males and females aged 15+:

I would not classify my film as an 18 as there is no gory, bloody elements, so the 15 certificate seems appropriate. I would not class it any lower as some of the content may

be too frightening for younger views: because of the haunting and possessing themes

and the plot although not very complex does need a level of understanding that 14 years olds andunder may not fully be able to comprehend.

After careful consideration and research of all classifications on the www.bbfc.co.uk the adjective ‘strong’ was used on various occasions when describing language, violence

and ‘threat and menace’

After research www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines/15-2 this part of the website concluded what was acceptable in a 15 rated film such as: language, horror,

discrimination.

Overall, after researching all the terms and conditions of each classification I was able to come to a decision and the 15 certificate seemed most appropriate, all of the other

trailers I looked at: Jennifer's Body, Paranormal Activity. The Ring, Sorority Row were also

all rated 15 too.

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines/15-2


Through the social groups:The ‘Victim’: I have very much played to the stereotype in my trailer, presenting the main female protagonist as a vulnerable, passive victim. This representation is portrayed almost immediately as the high angle shot, of her laying in bed whist she hears the footsteps above her, give her this this immediate inferiority to whatever it is she is afraid of. I have used many high angle shots as I believe that they work really effective, in cultivating a distressed woman victim. Paranormal activity was the inspiration for this character as the main female character is similarly victimised and eventually becomes possessed by some superior force in which she has no control. Through the use of Mise-en-scene it is evident that in both trailers, the woman is not considered ‘special’ in anyway, she is an ordinary middle class woman who appears to be randomly victimised by something of the supernatural. This trailer is very popular with my target audience and would have a similar target audience to mine.

The ‘Girl’:It could be argued that in my trailer the stereotype is almost reversed, as this young girl

holds all the power, she is to be feared, I tried to portray this through the use of low angle shots especially the mirror the scene whereby the audience are looking up at her and it is evident she is in control. Young girls in horror films are usually the ones who are victimised such

as Sorority Row etc. But by looking at trailers such as The Ring and Jennifer’s body, it is not always the case.


I attracted my audience in a variety of ways:Through my use of camera work I revealed specific things and concealed specific things.

I introduced my trailer with a POV shotI feel this was effective as immediatelythe audience, and the protagonist both know as much as each other, there is a ominous sense of foreboding and the suspense is evident from the outset.

I also used lots of high and low angle shots.The high angle shots portrayed the protagonist's vulnerability as she enters the attic, both herand the audience unaware of what is lurking in the shadows. The low angle shots I used when thegirl in the attic was present, as it makes her seempowerful and she holds all control.

Throughout my trailer I used a lot of long shots, andby using these shots, I revealed things to the reader thatthe protagonist was unaware of for example; the scene inthe mirror, this adds to audience anticipation and creates a foreboding sense of doom.


I attracted my audience in a variety of ways:Through my use of sound/editing/typography:

Sound effects: Editing:I have used various non-digetic The fades to black in my trailersound effects in my trailer that are highly important in terms are specifically relevant to the horror terms of audience suspense as genre. The ominous background noise they help to add to the feeling that is constantly present creates a creepy, of suspense through concealingeerie atmosphere and adds to the sense specific areas of the trailer.of foreboding doom. I have also included Similarly the fast pace editingmore obvious digetic sound conventions further on in the trailer again such as the loud footsteps in the attic, that gets the audiences’ adrenaline again create suspense as both protagonist pumping as they await a climax.and audience realise they are not alone. I have also included build up sounds for Typography: example the mirror scene and the final The use of typography evident bedroom scene to really create audience in my trailer gives the anticipation. The digetic dialogue adds to the audience almost film reviews eerie atmosphere especially when the girl almost again making the audience casts a spell on the protagonist as she whispers want to go and watch it. in her ear as if to possess her. Similarly when It also plays a vital part in the main character asks ‘Mark is that you?’ and introducing the genre of the there is no reply, the audience and protagonist film through adjectives such .are left with a sense of the unknown. ‘Terrifying’ and ‘Scariest’


Here is my ‘Little White Lies’ magazine cover. As you can see I have kept the usual conventions of a magazine such as the cover star with direct address as the main part of the magazine. I used a dominant midi shot to reveal her scary features but also wanted to conceal the restof her so the audience are intrigued. The cover line ‘The Intruder’ gives an automatic indication of the genre and compliments the main cover photo and title of the film. However Little White Lies have a specific style which I have kept within the theme of my magazine. I made the cover star look almost abstract in a creative style and based it very much on this original cover of Little White Lies ‘The Master’

I attracted my audience in a variety of ways (Magazine):


I attracted my audience in a variety of ways (Poster):

I attracted my audience by effectively following the conventions of an existing

film poster. I used a dominant main image

and instead of using an extreme close up like ‘The Eye’ I used a close up to show her face but only half the face is revealed again intriguing the audience and fit with the horror genre. It also portrays a complex narrative as very little has been revealed. I have used dark colours such as black but then contrasted them with murky white which is a colour related to the girl in the poster and it looks effective on the filmposter ‘The Eye’.

The use of direct address intimidates the audience but also entices them. It is evident from the presentation of the picture and the film title, that she is ‘The Intruder’

The star credits at the bottom are also a regular convention on a film poster, and I feel it attracts the audience as it makes the poster appear authentic and look realistic.

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

I tried to create a consistent theme throughout all ancillary products especially the film poster

and trailer. The magazine however I knew would be a complete contrast to the trailer and poster. Because of the company ‘Little White Lies’ on each magazine they create an

almost abstract very creative quirky front cover and I felt that it would be a bit different to

perhaps have a contrast to film poster and trailer. However links with the ‘Annapurna’ film

company as it is a small, independent film company a lot like the company ‘Little White Lies’ who do

not aim at the masses but appeal to niche market.

My ancillary products are effective:

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

I wanted to create a consistency /branding throughout all my products, by making the girl in

the attic the main feature on both my magazine and poster. I feel this type of branding is very

important to consider when approaching the target audience especially when it all specifically

related to one main product which in this case is the trailer.

The Direct Address from the Cover Star on the magazine and on the poster, are very effective

in portraying a strange, creepy character. Similarly in the trailer the narrative is kept concealed which is highly effective arousing intrigue within the audience similar to both magazine and poster which do not give away too much information and reveal a

mysterious Character whom the audience may be fascinated by.

My main product is effective (trailer):

What have you learnt from your audience feedback?

I composed a questionnaire for my first part of research, I then went and spoke to the manager of HMV in Birmingham Bullring and asked if I could ask some of the

customers browsing the horror genre in the store a series of questions. I felt that by through doing

this I would get a more accurate answers by approaching the actual target audience rather

than asking just family and friends who may not be interested in the genre.

I came up with a series of questions that would enable me to construct a perfect trailer for the

horror genre for example: “What elements of a horror film bring about the most fear?” The

most common answer for this question was the supernatural and horror conventions such as

squeaking doors and footsteps which I then included in my trailer.

Target Audience feedback I feel was personally the most important as they are the people I

am aiming my trailer towards. I have learnt in order to make a successful trailer, their opinions are the most relevant.

Similarly, when I had made my first attempt of a trailer and poster, and magazine the opinions of my peers and their constructive criticism allowed me, to be able to improve my work profoundly and taking all their advice on board also helped me to realise what needed improvement and how I could approach it.

From my audience feedback I have learnt:

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

stage ?

www.kategreaves72.blogspot.co.uk

Through approaching my coursework in a blog fashion I was able to include YouTube videos,

existing trailers, photos, film posters and magazines and my questionnaire results. My blog

enabled me to include all these resources in a concise and easy accessible way. Through constant use of the internet, and my blog, I was able to access different horror trailers on YouTube as well as film posters through various websites but mainly through Google images. Therefore the internet played a key role in my research through looking

at existing products as well as accessing information quickly and easily. I also downloaded

the E Blogger App on my Iphone and therefore was able to access it any time of the day and

could update it whenever.

I presented my research and planning on my blog:

http://www.kategreaves72.blogspot.co.uk/


stage ?

Construction I decided to use a digital camera in the filming process of my trailer. I liked the handheld effect it created and was similar to that of paranormal activity a film that influenced my

trailer hugely. I also felt that using the digital camera provided better quality and I could do

all kinds of different shots with it at different angles. I had never used a digital camera before but

found it easy to work and get to grips with and I also enjoyed some of the features such as

zoom for the close up shots and zooming out for the long shots. I originally used Moviemaker to edit my clips and put them all together, however

although I felt confident using this software I felt very limited in terms of editing and adding sound effects etc. I then decided to use a programme called Movieplus, this had loads of

different editing features and tools I could play around with. Although I was not as confident

using this software as I was using Moviemaker, by the end of my trailer I was able to do all kinds of Editing such as increase the brightness, change the colour and add texts and credits. It

was through my audience feedback that I decided to change software and it was the right

choice as my trailer would have been nowhere near as effective and look as good if I did not listen

to them and carried on using Moviemaker.

I used a digital camera to film my trailer:


stage ?Construction For my Ancillary products I decided to use the software Paint.net. I had used this the

previous years for both my GCSE’s and AS coursework. I felt confident using it and liked all the

tools and effects that it had. Last year when I was having a play around with it I came across a

tool called colour aberration. I tried it out on a picture of Megan Fox. I really loved the effect

it created (a retro vibe) but it didn’t fit with my product last year so I could not use it. This year however, Little White Lies Magazine has a retro/abstract appearance so I

used the colour aberration and it complimented the magazine cover perfectly.


stage ?

Construction My film poster I also created on Paint.net again I felt confident with the tools it provides

and had a play around and experimented with the contrast/brightness etc. I decided to use Paint.net for both my film poster and magazine as I feel it is the most accessible to me,

the Easiest to use and it looks professional.

Evaluation

I used Microsoft PowerPoint to create my evaluation then uploaded it onto www.slideshare.com I was able to include pictures, hyperlinks, posters etc. And again I feel this software is the most accessible and easiest to use.

http://www.slideshare.com/

Looking back at AS what do you think you have learnt from the progression of your construction in

your A2 coursework?

Research and Planning I have been a lot more efficient this year in terms of research and planning, I feel I haven’t wasted any time on unnecessary information and have used my time management skills a lot more efficiently. I have used titles on my Blog posts to keep all my research conceive and haven’t just put lots of the same posts with the same things I have been able to combine different areas of research together for example: Instead off posting lots of blogs of film trailers I put them all in one blog and wrote about them. I have received more accurate audience feedback by approaching my audience directly instead of asking friends and family who may not be interested or may know nothing about the genre. Overall I feel I have managed my time a lot better, found only essential/required information and had a lot more audience feedback.

Construction In AS I was told to do a music magazine, however in A2 I didn’t feel as limited I could choose if I wanted to do a trailer, advert, radio production or music video, there wasn’t a specific genre so I automatically felt more passionate about my coursework as I had the final decision on what I wanted to do and the choices I made. As I made a magazine last year, this year it almost came naturally to me, I wanted to do something a bit edgy and slightly unique and that’s when I decided to do ‘Little White Lies’ it is not a very mainstream magazine, so it was a risk trying to create the abstract, artistic design that is evident throughout all the copies. I think the risk paid off as I am very pleased with my final product.

I have learnt from my progression from AS to A2:

Looking back at AS what do you think you have learnt from the progression of your construction in

your A2 coursework?Construction Similarly, with my film poster I felt confident using Paint.net I have used it various times

in my media lessons. However this year I experimented more with the different tools that

perhaps at AS I hadn’t used. I played around with the colour and changed the brightness/contrast. My Trailer was something completely new that I had never done before. Using the digital camera I could create loads of different shots such as POV and Close Ups and well as

High and Low Angle shots which all contributed to the climatic trailer I eventually created.

Similarly using the programme Movieplus instead of Moviemaker I could edit the footage I

collected and add in ‘Fade to black’ shots which played an intricate role in being effective editing.

POV Shot

High Angle/Close Up Shots

Low Angle Shots

Long ShotFade to black

Evaluate technical decisions of your teaser trailer

Camerawork Through my use of camerawork I successfully revealed the narrative through moving

image.The different camera shots I used such as Close Ups revealed heightened emotion

which is a conventional aspect of the horror genre. Similarly through the High and Low Angle shots I was able to establish characters and

their roles within my trailer. The POV shots help the audience have more of a relationship with the protagonist as

they are in a sense seeing events unfold through her eyes and are therefore more in touch with the character.

Editing Through the use of the slow editing pace at the start I was able to build up a sense offoreboding and create an ominous atmosphere.As the editing pace increases and fast pace editing is evident within my trailer the

cuts to black conceal part of the narrative arousing intrigue within the audience something that a trailer is supposed to achieve, my trailer ends with a climatic finish leaving the audience

in complete suspense so they feel they must watch this film.The cuts to credits in between my trailer I feel are a very effective editing technique as ‘terrifying’ ‘scariest film of the year’ establish the genre if not already been done.

Technical decisions for my trailer:

Evaluate technical decisions of your teaser trailerSound Using freesound.com I collected various sounds, to create suspense and a forebodingatmosphere, I feel the sounds I have used have achieved this. The digetic footsteps are commonly associated with the horror genre. I also used a background non digetic sound that is quite ominous, making the audience feel on edge are they too are unaware of what is in store. In Paranormal Activity, a non digetic heartbeat is used, I thought this was really effective in terms of audience anticipation, as it is almost a reflection of their own heartbeats as they are terrified of what is about to happen. The digetic sound is what is to be feared the most, when the girl whispers in order to possess the woman there is a chilling feeling that follows. Similarly, when the woman asks 'Mark is that you?' but because of the earlier footsteps it is evident there is someone else intruding.Mise-en-scene:Lighting: I have mainly used Low key lighting to create an eerie, dark atmosphere and fear of the unknown, it is again a common trend within all the trailers I have been looking at. Especially in The Ring. The use of natural light in my trailer is used to create a natural environment like in Paranormal Activity, but it also creates suspense as normally light is associated with being safe, but I have gone against this so the audience feel perhaps relieved as they think bad things don't tend to happen in day light but the mirror scene in the attic is perhaps a slight contrast to the usual conventions.Location:My trailer is set in a house, it is in a sense isolated as the woman thinks she is alone, but it is not a stereotypical horror, haunted house, as it is fairly modern and not necessarily in a forest in the middle of nowhere. However, the attic is perhaps quite a stereotypical convention as attics/basements are usually where murders etc hide waiting for their victim. Normally a house is seen as a safe haven for people, where they are safe from everything, but when the girl descends from the attic the woman's vulnerability is in full force as the girl is no longer hiding but in the place where people feel most safe, this invasion is what creates such terror and suspense within the audience. This is also where the name 'The Intruder' came from, as the girl is in fact intruding as she is no longer stereo-typically hidden in a dark creepy attic but in the open space of a bedroom.Costumes and props:My main female protagonist is dressed fairly ordinary, to show she is not special, she is just an average middle class woman, this evokes fear within the audience as they think that could be me? it also a lot more relate-able. The girl in the attic, I dressed in white, to portray her youth, she is youthful, pure? I also based her on the girl from the ring. I messed her hair up so she looked scary and dark eye makeup and a pale face so she look dead.

Discuss possible improvements that you could of made on your promotion package?

Trailer

• I feel in my trailer it takes too long for the first credits to show. • I also feel that the footsteps are too constant. • I have also misspelled the word Terrifying in the credits

Poster

• I feel I could have made lots of improvements on my poster:• I liked the photo I used in my poster however all through my • Research and planning I expressed on my blog how I wanted to use both the woman’s face and the scary girl’s face and combine them together so it like a good vs. evil. However when I tried to do this it didn’t look how I imagined so the poster I feel was maybe rushed as I quickly had to come up with a new idea.

Magazine

• Although ‘Little White Lies’ is very minimalistic in terms of taglines etc. I feel maybe instead of keeping to the exact theme maybe

just adding a little more text.• I maybe could have also used the Colour Aberration slightly more effectively so the picture is more clear.

Improvements I could have made:

media evaluation a2 coursework horror trailer 'the intruder

Education