GENERAL FILM TRAILER RESEARCH
To gain an understanding of what makes a trailer effective I have watched an analysed different trailers from different genres. This will help me understand the codes and conventions of film trailers to make mine as realistic, professional and effective as possible.
REFLECTION ON GENERAL FILM TRAILER RESEARCH
From researching various film trailers from different genre of films I have gained an understanding of the codes and conventions of all film trailers, which I can now use in my own.
I have learnt that trailers generally last around 90-140 seconds. They condense the very basic story line into this short time as to indicate to the audience roughly what the film is about, however, the full plot is never given as to not ruin spoil the film for the audience. They are left on a sort of cliff hanger so the audience are intrigued to know what happens, therefore, encouraged to go and watch the film. The main characters are introduced in the trailer with a very small amount given away about their character, this allows the audience to connect to them and know something about them but without spending the whole trailer introducing the characters.
Conventions of film trailers I have learnt from my research are the inclusion of the film classification at the beginning, text part way through the trailers (e.g. actors names, directors names, text explaining park of the story ect) and the title of the film at the end on a genre and story line appropriate background.
They include very short clips and often edited together quickly to ensure the trailer is not too long and is also very engaging. However, they also often change in pace constantly throughout to make the trailer engaging and lively to keep the audience hooked. I have learnt that this is an effective tool that I will use to keep my audience engaged.
Lots of close up shots are often used when introducing characters to make the audience connect with them and to emphasis emotions they are feeling through their expressions.
Music plays a huge part in all trailers. They all used genre appropriate music to create the right atmosphere and make the trailer interesting. Also snippets of dialogue that are helpful to the story line or creating the right mood (e.g. a very funny line in a comedy trailer) are used throughout all trailers.
Another effective tool I have learnt in the use of establishing shots to indicate the location of the film but also to create an appropriate atmosphere for the film.
They use many different locations which is something I want to do in my trailer, this shows the film is interesting and shows the progression of the story line.
I have learnt that trailers generally last around 90-140 seconds. They condense the very basic story line into this short time as to indicate to the audience roughly what the film is about, however, the full plot is never given as to not ruin spoil the film for the audience. They are left on a sort of cliff hanger so the audience are intrigued to know what happens, therefore, encouraged to go and watch the film. The main characters are introduced in the trailer with a very small amount given away about their character, this allows the audience to connect to them and know something about them but without spending the whole trailer introducing the characters.
Conventions of film trailers I have learnt from my research are the inclusion of the film classification at the beginning, text part way through the trailers (e.g. actors names, directors names, text explaining park of the story ect) and the title of the film at the end on a genre and story line appropriate background.
They include very short clips and often edited together quickly to ensure the trailer is not too long and is also very engaging. However, they also often change in pace constantly throughout to make the trailer engaging and lively to keep the audience hooked. I have learnt that this is an effective tool that I will use to keep my audience engaged.
Lots of close up shots are often used when introducing characters to make the audience connect with them and to emphasis emotions they are feeling through their expressions.
Music plays a huge part in all trailers. They all used genre appropriate music to create the right atmosphere and make the trailer interesting. Also snippets of dialogue that are helpful to the story line or creating the right mood (e.g. a very funny line in a comedy trailer) are used throughout all trailers.
Another effective tool I have learnt in the use of establishing shots to indicate the location of the film but also to create an appropriate atmosphere for the film.
They use many different locations which is something I want to do in my trailer, this shows the film is interesting and shows the progression of the story line.
GENERAL RESEARCH INTO FILM POSTERS
To gain an understanding of the codes and conventions of film advertising posters I have analysed 4 of them. This help known what features are effective and not effective and what to include to make my poster persuasive and professional.
MEAN GIRLS (2004)
THE HANGOVER (2009)
SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS (2011)
THE NOTEBOOK (2004)
REFLECTION ON GENERAL FILM POSTER RESEARCH
I have learnt, through my film poster research, that posters are a very important tool in marketing a film. The represent the genre of the film through the image, layout and very small amount text. Unlike trailers they do show the story line to the audience but use other tools as persuasive techniques. Some posters have a single line of text that indicates something about the genre or what may happen, they are very simple and easy to read as posters are a form that may just be glanced at my passers by, which means they must be easy to read, connote the genre and clear one what the title is.
Conventionally the title of the film is at the bottom of the page in the middle (expect the 'Mean girls' poster). The titles are always in very bold, large and clear typography so they are very easy to read by the audience. The colours of the title often connote something about the genre of the film.
The main image feature the main or a few of the main characters in poses that also connote something about the film and genre, as well as the background.
The main actors are featured on the posters to give credit to these people, but also as a persuasive tool as if the viewer is a fan of any of these people they may be encouraged to go and see the film, these are also always is clear font but a lot smaller font.
The release date is an essential part of a film poster as people that are interested in the film will know when they can go and see it in cinemas.
Conventionally the title of the film is at the bottom of the page in the middle (expect the 'Mean girls' poster). The titles are always in very bold, large and clear typography so they are very easy to read by the audience. The colours of the title often connote something about the genre of the film.
The main image feature the main or a few of the main characters in poses that also connote something about the film and genre, as well as the background.
The main actors are featured on the posters to give credit to these people, but also as a persuasive tool as if the viewer is a fan of any of these people they may be encouraged to go and see the film, these are also always is clear font but a lot smaller font.
The release date is an essential part of a film poster as people that are interested in the film will know when they can go and see it in cinemas.
GENERAL FILM MAGAZINE COVER RESEARCH
To gain an understanding of the codes and conventions of film magazine cover I have also analysed 4 of them. This will help to know what to do to produce a professional looking front cover that encourages people to buy the magazine.
REFLECTION ON GENERAL FILM MAGAZINE COVERS
From my research into film magazine covers I have gained an understanding of the main codes and conventions to make an effective and professional looking magazine cover.
I have learnt that the colour scheme used connotes something about the genre of the main film being advertised on the front cover.
The main image is the feature of the magazine. Often the main character of that film in a costume that connotes something about the genre and the story/setting. Also the pose of the character does the same, for example the humorous and pose on the 'Movie' magazine indicates the film is a comedy and quite light hearted. Generally they use mid-close up shots for the main image.
The mastheads are very large, bold and clear to make them recognisable so people remember them and they can gain a loyal readership. The mastheads are in the middle of the page at the top.
They all include the price of the magazine so the audience are aware how much it costs, the positioning of this is based on how expensive it is compared to other magazines.
Nearly all of them use slogans as a way of making them memorable and interesting.
As magazines are an old media format, they are physically purchased in a shop which means they need a bar-code to scan.
They all include cover lines that indicate to the viewer some of the best content included within the magazine. Then a main cover line that anchors the main image and shows the feature article.
A convention of magazine covers is hyperbolic and superlative language. This gives the magazine a sense of superiority over other magazines which may encourage people to purchase that individual magazine over another.
I have learnt that the colour scheme used connotes something about the genre of the main film being advertised on the front cover.
The main image is the feature of the magazine. Often the main character of that film in a costume that connotes something about the genre and the story/setting. Also the pose of the character does the same, for example the humorous and pose on the 'Movie' magazine indicates the film is a comedy and quite light hearted. Generally they use mid-close up shots for the main image.
The mastheads are very large, bold and clear to make them recognisable so people remember them and they can gain a loyal readership. The mastheads are in the middle of the page at the top.
They all include the price of the magazine so the audience are aware how much it costs, the positioning of this is based on how expensive it is compared to other magazines.
Nearly all of them use slogans as a way of making them memorable and interesting.
As magazines are an old media format, they are physically purchased in a shop which means they need a bar-code to scan.
They all include cover lines that indicate to the viewer some of the best content included within the magazine. Then a main cover line that anchors the main image and shows the feature article.
A convention of magazine covers is hyperbolic and superlative language. This gives the magazine a sense of superiority over other magazines which may encourage people to purchase that individual magazine over another.
GENRE SPECIFIC RESEARCH- HORROR
In order to gain an understanding of the codes and conventions of horror film trailers, posters and magazine covers I have researched four of each. This will allow me to identify key features that are used to create a scary atmosphere that I can then use in my own production. This will help my production be professional and appropriate for the genre.
NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (2011)
Analysis of trailer
SCREAM 4 (2011)
Analysis of trailer
THE SHINING (1980)
Analysis of trailer
HORROR FILM MAGAZINE COVERS
TARGET AUDIENCE RESEARCH
As a part of my target audience research I created a survey on the online survey service 'Survey Monkey'. Each question in my survey was designed to find out some information about what my target audience were looking for in a horror film and horror film trailer (my chosen genre). This means I will be able to create work that is appropriate and appealing to my target audience. The questions collected both qualitative (verbal) responses and quantitative (numerical) responses. The software is easy to use which means I am able to send digitally (via Email) to my target audience.
My target audience is people aged 14-22. This is because after some research I learnt this is the most common age range that watch horror films. Therefore, targeting my film at this age group would attract the most viewers, in turn creating most profit.
My target audience is boys and girls and to accommodate for this I am sending my survey to 30 people, 15 of which will be boys and 15 girls aged between 14-22.
I am aiming my film at all ethnicity groups and religions as to not discriminate against anyone and to have the widest audience possible. I will be sending my survey to people of all different religions and ethnicities to be sure I am getting the most accurate results for the age group as a whole possible.
My target audience is people aged 14-22. This is because after some research I learnt this is the most common age range that watch horror films. Therefore, targeting my film at this age group would attract the most viewers, in turn creating most profit.
My target audience is boys and girls and to accommodate for this I am sending my survey to 30 people, 15 of which will be boys and 15 girls aged between 14-22.
I am aiming my film at all ethnicity groups and religions as to not discriminate against anyone and to have the widest audience possible. I will be sending my survey to people of all different religions and ethnicities to be sure I am getting the most accurate results for the age group as a whole possible.