From this graph you can see that the majority that have taken part in the questionnaire are 15 to 18. The second age group were 12 to 15, this indicated to my group that we needed to include certain material in our trailers relating to 12 to 15 or 15 to 18 age group.
2. What genre of Film do you usually watch?
This graph helped identify what genre was most popular and how many people were interested in the thriller genre. This was interesting to see, because we were planning to combine both thriller and comedy, however we decided to choose thriller. Due to the majority of the group, wanting to do a thriller trailer.
3.What do you look for in a horror film?
This question was very important in showing what the audience look for in a horror, because you want your audience to enjoy the trailer and what to go and see it. If they find that the trailer has the same elements as every thriller trailer, this would detract people from watching our thriller. We made sure we included a mixture of these elements. For example, because suspense, action and supernaturalism, were the most popular, we would then combine all of these elements to intensify the trailer.
4. What would you want to see in a Film trailer?
The graph above shows that information on narrative and fast pace, were the most common features people would prefer to see in a trailer. However, having information on the narrative, might be difficult to incorporate in our trailer, as we planned to introduce the character, but this could change as further planning continues.
5. What would you not want to see in a film Trailer?
This helped indicate to us as a group, what our audience wouldn’t like to see in a trailer. As a group we found, that adding ‘obvious clues which reveal the narrative or twists’.
6. How are you informed when a new film is released?
The graph above shows that the most effective way of promoting films, is through trailers and the internet. This was highly important to help indicate to us as a group, if the method we were using was useful. I decided to do more in- depth research and ask our target audience why they thought trailer were the effective way of promoting a film. They said that trailers were an immediate source of information and helped you understand the genre of the film.
7. What characters do you expect to see in a horror genre film?
The figure above showed that audiences preferred to see a villain in a trailer, rather than a hero. This was interesting, as you would expect that people would prefer happy endings, rather than seeing someone dying.
8. What type of setting would you expect a horror film to be set in?
As a group the hardest decision we had to make was our location, although the question revealed that abandoned buildings were what people wanted to see in a trailer. We then decided that as a group we wanted to show something different to our audiences, so we choose the forest as our location. Overall, we were able to see what the results were from our target audience and what ideas and themes we should put into our trailer. The point of the graphs was to see visually what our audience wanted from our trailer, and what the strongest votes were.
The graph shows that we aimed our questionnaire at the target audience we wanted which was 15 to 18. As most horror have content appropriate for that age group. Horrors can also have an older audience but our film trailer has themes and issues that a teenage audience would relate to and understands better than an older audience.
2. What genre of film do you usually watch?
Our group thought that it would be good to find out what genre our target audience watches. In the graph the horror genre is the third highest choice made by our target audience. Comedy was the highest however; our group felt that comedy would have been a very challenging genre to do as senses of humour are very different. With horror we felt that it would be easier to incorporate different genres such as action and thriller.
3. What do you look for in a horror film?
This question was quite important, as it gives our group an idea of what they’re expecting from our film. The highest choice which was tension, which is what we should focus on, as tension will make our trailer stronger and please our target audience. We will also try to incorporate the other themes as many of our target audience choose them, such as suspense and action.
4. What would you want to see in a film trailer?
This question helps us to choose whether our target audience would enjoy a character or narrative based trailer. The highest was introduction to the character. We had already chosen our story which could have been narrative or character based, and now looking at this graph we will make the introduction more about the characters which we feel would work better for our themes. Also another of the highest chosen themes was clues to the film, which we feel is need for a trailer as we want to make it clear to the audience about what are films about.
5. What would you not want to see in a film trailer?
This was important as we wanted to know not what to do and what are target audience wouldn’t enjoy to watch. We want our target audience to enjoy and want to see the film after watching our trailer. The one highest theme’s chosen were clues which reveal the narrative or twist, we have to make sure we don’t do this and keep mystery to our trailer.
6. How are you informed when a new film is released?
This question helps identify what mediums, how and where our target audience consume information about newly released films. The highest medium chosen was trailers, which is the main medium we are using.
7. Do you think trailers are the most effective form of advertising?
This graph shows that our target audience thought that trailers were the most effective form of advertising, which also was shown in the graph above. Our main medium for our film is a trailer so we will be able to meet our target audience’s expectations.
8. What characters do you expect to see in a horror genre film?
This question was to give us an idea of what characters we would use in our trailer, the character which was chosen the most was a villain, in our trailer we are going to put a villain in are trailer however try and put mystery to who the villain is, as this relates questions, 4 and 5.
9. What type of setting would you expect a horror film to be set in?
This question was for our benefit, we had chosen are set as a forest, but we wanted to see what our target audience would expect to see. The most chosen location was an abandoned building; however this would be a hard set to find. The second highest was a school location; however we felt that this would be an easy option and so we are sticking to our forest location.
Rebecca Otchwemah 1) What gender are you ? Male female
This question allows our group to identify the gender of respondents, and anaylse results according to gender i.e. Trends due to sexual category.
2) What group are you? Under 12 12-15 15-18 19-25 26-34 35+ This question allows our group to categorize respondents due to their age group, so if there is a certain trends are recognised for example a certain age group fill out the question it, it will roughly allow us to estimate our target market.
3) What genre of film do you usually watch? Comedy Horror Thriller Action
This question allows us to distinguish what type of genre respondents usually watch. As our film includes all aspects of comedy, horror, thriller and action it allows us to further incorporate genres that audiences would prefer to see.
4) What do you look for in a horror film? Suspense Tension Gore Action Supernaturalism By asking questionnaire participants what they look for in a horror film our group would have a clear idea of audience expectations. Options which are predominant will be included within our trailer to ensure audience expectations are met.
5) What would you want to see in a film trailer? Introduction to character Information on narrative Clues to the film Fast pace Other...................................................................................................................................... As all trailers differ due to genre, we required a clear answer of what audiences wanted to see in a film trailer, the opinions provided are all conventional within our horror based genre trailer. So the options which were predominantly chosen by respondents are the one or ones which will be selected.
6) What would you not want to see in a film trailer? Obvious clues which reveal the narrative or twists Stereotypical characters Boring and unexciting trailer trailers which are too long Other............................................................................................................................................................................... By asking respondents what they do not want to see in a film our group can distinguish what audiences do not what to see, therefore this will not be an inclusive aspect within out trailer.
7) How are you informed when a new film is realised? Trailer Posters Billboards Radio Magazines Internet Other.................................................................................................................... Asking respondents what types of mediums they informed by in trailers allows our group to see where audiences expect to see advertisement, although this may not be relevant to us as we are not professional advertising our trailer, it is still information that would be used if a real trailer was being created in the media industry.
8) Do you think trailers are the most effective form of advertising? Yes No Why.....................................
....................................................................................................................................................................................... As disruptors preponderantly use trailers to capture audiences interest, our group was interested to ask if our audiences agree.
9) What characters do you expect to see in a horror genre film? Damsel in distress Hero Dumb Blond Comical character Villain In many horror genre films stereotypical characters are used so that audiences can relate to them, the reason that these audiences can relate to them is that they are typical depictions of people in real life, however it is a very generalised views and can seen as untrue.
10) What type of setting would you expect a horror film to be set in? Forest Abandoned building Church Castle School Although our group has a clear view of where our located positions are for a trailer, we still wanted out audiences options
The first step to take before our group decided on our film genre was to plot main and sub genres, so it would be easier in the selection process.
After assessment we felt that it would a good idea to incorporate two main film genres that were Horror and comedy. The reason why we felt that this would be an interesting idea is both genres are very diverse, and when merged together an interesting outcome is highly likely for example the well-known film “Scream”. Before selecting our film genre I participated in some independent research
narrowing down ideas for a genre and putting them into a spider diagram formation. We then thought about the aspects that would be needed to incorporate a successful horror/comedy genre film. So we each analysed one horror/ comedy trailer focusing on analysing the codes and conventions, the credits and technical aspects.
Scream in-depth analysis
Codes and conventions
The film I have chosen to analyse is “Scream” I will begin by intensely analysing codes and conventions of the 2minitue and two second trailer. From the trailer I will gather information from typical codes and conventions used within “Scream” this will help me establish how I can personally incorporate codes and convention into my own group’s trailer. Codes and conventions help audiences establish the genre, audiences produce meaning from the interaction of the conventional material in the text and create their own subtexts from the signs they have received.
The scene begins with an stereotypical blond, innocent damsel in distress like character answering the phone to another conventional unknown male character, as the female character sounds unfamiliar with the male character this indicates to the audience that this may be the villain or murderous character in the film. Typically audiences always expect the weak characters to die first which was indicated very quickly within the first few seconds of the trailer. This is then reinforced when the male character says “I did not get your name, I want to know who I am looking at”. A masked character then jumps through the window leaving the damsel is distress character screaming, which leaves audience perplexed to whether she dies or not, although it is highly likely. A masked killer is a convention constantly seen within horror film as the typical villain character is intended to create suspense for audience, which is further incorporated if the killer is unknown as the masked character is.
A dominion voice over is then used to create even more intensity for the audience, this is also a common aspect used within horror genres as it creates higher impact and keeps audiences listening and visually in taking information additionally.
The scene then moves on to another female victim picking up the phone to this unknown masked character, however this female character seems sceptical of the male character and un fearful unlike the other weak female character which reinforced a stereotype female. This indicated that this subversional female character would be a dominant participation within the film, and even might survive the killings. A distinctive characteristic within a horror film is male dominance, it is rare that a female is a psycho killer, as their has always been a male gaze approach in the film industry, additionally male characteristics are more likely to fit a killer rather than a women as women are seen as innocent, nurtures, obedient and incapable of looking after themselves.
The use of intense and edgy music is a typical aspect incorporated within a horror originated film due to the fact it replicates the ongoing situation within the scene , for example when the fast pace cuts or dangerous situations were taking place the pace of the music replicated the situation making the circumstances scary and nail gripping for viewers.
As the male character knew the names of the female characters he was calling on the phone e.g. “Hi Cindy”, this illustrates that the killer is unidentified but is a known character amongst the people he is targeting making audience suspicious of each characters intention. By the villain character being masked it creates scepticism amongst audiences and also makes it a triumphant occasion when the killer is finally revealed at the end.
All the presumed targets in the trailers appeared to be youthful, It is fairly common for Horror films to include a young group of people that are normally eliminated one by one, the reason for this is that teenagers are seen as adolescence and naïve member of the population, therefore they are a preferable stereotypical target for murder in horror film, this was clearly reflected within “Scream” trailer. For distributors to capture the last few seconds of audiences attention to lure them into the cinemas there was bold letters used to duplicate what the voice over was saying, i.e. “DON’T ANSWER THE PHONE” this helped emphasise what the voiceover was saying to audience. The font altered from white to red which signifies death, danger and destruction. The way that the font distorts after it turns red demonstrates that once the killer has you there is no going back from death.
Camera
The trailer begins with a close up of a phone ringing, this indicated that someone will pick up the phone as it is an important part of the sequence i.e. revealing information from the telephone conversation. The close up camera shot sustains until the female subject picks up the phone, when the subjects hand is shown reaching for the phone the camera immediately pans to a medium close up shot of the female face which indentifies that the scene was taking place in her home and she may be a possible main character within the sequence due to her immediate participation.
An establishing shot captures the outside of the home which reinforces that this is the characters home as well as her location. The phone conversation continues while this shot is taking place. The camera slowly pans creating a sense of surveillance, this was further amplified by the female character receiving an phone call by an unknown character. The scene cuts to a medium close up shot showing the female continuing her conversation on the phone to this mystery caller. Her casual attitude towards the unknown caller makes the audience question why this character continues the conversation if she does not know who the male phone caller was, this connotes the this may be a possible victim as she fulfils the stereotypical depiction of a fragile female damsel in distress which was acknowledged by putting herself in a vulnerable position i.e. telling the mystery caller were she lived. The camera then cuts to a close up of the popcorn she was making, the intense music was amplified at this moment which co-notates something of a negative nature was going to take place presumably by the mystery caller. The camera then begins to track the female character from behind around her home whilst she continues her phone call. The positioning of the tracking shot created an atmosphere of intrusion and observation which further makes viewers suspect that she is being observed.
When the female becomes aware that she is being watched by the male on the phone “I can see you” the camera slowly zooms into her face to create tension and capture her fearful facial expression. The close up then quickly cuts to a medium close up of the subject positioned next to a window, the window then suddenly smashes then cuts to a close up of the female screaming as she is directly faced by a man in a mask. The medium close up is continual as the masked man, is face to face with the shocked female character creating a mirrored composition between both characters. A new scene begins the were the camera is in a panning past a police car situated outside the female characters house, this indicates that there may have been a situation between the female and the masked stalker i.e. murder. The camera then positions to a computer screen which says “someone is playing a deadly game” this voiceover further amplifies the danger that will take place within the film drawing in viewers. The then pans in a new location past a news reporter saying it all started saying “ it all started with the scream 911”, this reinforced that an investigation of a murderous nature had taken place. Then a series of fast close up shots take place showing a horrified facial expression of the murderous situation which took place upon the female character the close up composition obviously captured faces of those who played predominate roles within the film as she were later shown in other scenes.
Editing
During the scene there is constant use of the text transitions an example of this is when a voice says “Don’t answer the phone” the text used at the same time exaggerates and emphasises the message making audiences attentive as they have to listen as well as read the text. The use of this editing technique makes it clear to the audience of the situation, although it has been argued that good trailers do not need text to indicate messages to audience it can also be argued that it creates tensions and makes audiences attentive. Text transitions were also used to introduce the name of the film “Scream” and the motion picture representing the film “Dimension”.
The use of fast cuts that took place in the trailer is a methods which is often used in a horror/thriller genre trailer, this is further emphasised if the sounds reflects the fast editing i.e. fast pace music with pace cuts within a scene. An exemplar of this is when a character is describing a scenario of her a girl being chased in a film, as she is describing the scene a series of fast pace cuts were reinforcing the scenario, as the female which was being described was being chased, the intense pace of the fast cuts helped capture the atmosphere of danger and fear. At times the fast pace cuts integrated between two scenes at once which would initially confuse the viewer, however the use of voiceover clearly depicted the circumstances.
There was also a use of slow cuts to build up tension to the fast cuts, an example of this is when the female damsel in distress character answered the phone to the unknown stranger, the slow cuts were used to establish the story before fast pace cuts took place. If fast pace cuts took place immediately this could confuse viewers. As the film was predominately fast pace, throughout most of the film there were not many shot reverse shots which took place within a conversation, alternatively many shot reverse shots were used, but characters did not belong within that scene, for example one shot would go to a news reporter describing the death situation then it would cut to a scene with a girl on the phone then it would again cut to another character telling their friends to beware of the curse of watching a film as you will receive a phone call and ultimately die.
Mise en scene
Within the trailer there were a number of settings used create a realistic ambience, this allows characters featured in the film to get into character. The films were predominately set indoors, a reason for this is that It creates a sense of no escape for victims of the masked killer. An example of this is the replicated damsel in distress character featuring in a film interpreting the death which happened at the beginning of the sequence. The entrapment of the character led her to her death as she was enclosed within a house which is a typical death scene in a horror genre film.
Props used within scenes such as the news reporter microphone, and camera tools made an artificial realistic to audiences as we can relate to those props being used by real news reporters. Other props such as beers were used to resemble the adolescences origin of the film as it helps audience enhance the stereotypical aspects they expect to see within a teenage horror.
Extras within scenes also helped create a real day to day ambience within the community. For example the scene were the news reporter is informing viewers of a death situation, there are a number of people behind her to investigate the situation as they are unsure circumstances , this is typical communal attitude towards scandal and death.
As the film was predominately based on teenagers, clothing, hair etc used within scenes reflected adolescences, this was shown in the scene with the female victim, she was wearing a tight green top that would only be acceptable within the teenaged community, her blond hair also reinforced the stereotypical depiction of “dumb blonds” which viewers often see and rely on within teenaged based film.
A major role within the movie was teenaged relationships, although the trailer is only 2 minutes long it reveals information about the relationships instantly. Relations within a trailer can help audiences devise their own interpretation of the film just from the 2mintues, furthermore relationships can allow viewers to understand and identify twists and fragments of the films.
An obvious relationship in the trailer is between a number of friends, they are a rebellious teens which taunt the myth of the masked killer. The sceptical attitudes of the teenagers make it obvious to viewers that they will eventually become victims, especially the ringleader of scepticism. A sceptical characters is normally placed within a horror genre film as they are usually the fist victim to die. Another romantic relationship within the film is also clear due to the imitate attitude of two particular male and female character. Romanic relationships within horror films either end with dilemma or a type of triumph i.e. both survive.
Sound
Non-diegetic sounds connotes whereas diegetic detonates information within the film, the reason I say this is because the use of non diegetic sounds implies or suggests i.e. the intense music suggests something bad is going to happen. Whereas the diegetic sounds i.e. verbalisation clearly indicates information.
Non diegetic sounds within horror genre film helps amplify and situations in a positive and negative way, either way it has purposely been produced to trigger reaction from audiences. Non-diegetic sounds such as voiceover and music was used with the scream trailer. When the scene first began viewers an immediately identify the genre due to the dreary and daunting music .
At time of augmented danger the music would reflect the danger by becoming amplified causing tension within the scene. There were also times where tension was created by sound, however nothing of a frightening nature took place, this was done again to deceive viewers and keep them attentive. Non Diegetic music also reflected the change in scene as the music would change when a new scene began. The pace of the music also reinforced the cuts which took place within the scene, this helps this music reflect what is taking place at that current time. I.e. fast music fast cuts.
Their was also a use of voiceover again which help to build up tension and keep viewers vigilant and interested with the narrative. The deep voice used to communicate the information was also daunting and frightening to help keep the dark and horrifying atmosphere. The fact that the narrator is an unknown character also makes viewers apprehensive. A male voice was used as it is sounds intimidating and dominant whereas a female character would not have the same effect in this context of film I.e. may be scary if a women voiceover was used in a Sci- fi horror genre. . As the killer was a male it slightly portrayed that he was describing his intensions and thoughts i.e. “Don’t try to hide”.
The main diegetic sounds used within the scene is verbalisation between characters , however their was the sounds effect of the ringing phone which played a predominate role in unravelling the story. The conversing between characters helps audience understand situations i.e. teenagers informing audience that there is a myth that if you watch a certain film, then an unknown masked man would kill them. If audiences were not informed with this information then we would be unsure why killings are taking place, this has been placed within the trailer to entice audience to watch the film in cinema as well as understand the narrative. Nevertheless to much information given in a trailer can unravel the story for viewers which could put off viewers from watching the film.
By Rebecca
Sorority Row in-depth analysis
Camera Angles
Medium shots all in frame of the scene, to establish teenage life to the audience.
Point of view shot used from the laptop, makes the audience feel as if they are watching from the laptop with the girls, into a point of view shot of the laptop placed on the bed. Then a reaction shot of the characters laughing at what’s happening on the laptop, this communicates to the audience that the girls are playing a prank on the male character.
The prank is escalating and we see reaction shots of the different characters, there is a contrast between the girls smiling and the boy frightened and scared of the situation, not knowing the truth.
Establishing shot of location and the characters looking for ‘sharp rocks to cut up her body’. Close-up of the weapon the ‘tire iron’ in the male characters hand, walking towards the ‘dead’ girl’s body. This communicates to the audience that he’s going to use this instead of the sharp rocks the girls are looking for.
Long shot of the shaft they say to plan to put her body, communicates straight away to the audience that they’re going to put her body there.
Close-up shot on the floor of the dead girl being dragged away, the audience see her hands drag along the floor, this tells the audience that they decide not to tell anyone and put her body in the shaft.
Worms eye view shot from inside the shaft we see the characters throw the body and tire iron into the shaft. This makes it’s completely clear to the audience that there not calling the police and reporting the incident.
Establishing shot to represent graduation day, students throwing here caps in the air. Close-up of mobile phone, to show the audience the picture message been sent of the tire iron being found.
Panning long shot watching one of the female characters getting comfy on a sofa causing suspense for the audience, she looks up and we get a point of view shot for her and we see the grim riper type villain standing over her. This is used to create scare factor for the audience, jumpy moments in trailers, to communicate it’s a scary film.
Loads of medium shots used for the quick fast cuts at the end.
Editing
Two shots of production/distribution companies i.e. Summit entertainment, tells audience it’s a well produced and distributed film and the audience would recognise, as seen in other films as well. Quick fast cuts, establishing to the audience the theme of sorority life/teenage life.
Use of shot reverse shot, in the dialogue when they’re talking about one of the characters tells her friends that her boyfriend has cheated on her.
Laptop style shot, point of view for the audience of what’s going happens.
When the girl pretends to die, there is use of very fast cuts and quick paced shot reverse shot, showing all the reaction of the individual characters and the contrast on the male character and all other female characters.
Change into slow motion when he kills her, communicates to the audience the distress of the characters as the slow motion emphasizes their reactions.
Use of written transitions to fill in the gaps of the narrative and isn’t being said in the dialogue.
Sound
Diagetic :
Shouting of the students in the trailer creates a realistic ambience to what’s happening in the scenes.
Loads of dialogue explaining the narrative of what going on in the trailer helps the audience focus on the action going on on screen.
When at the shaft there is use of silence when the male character walks towards her with the weapon creates suspense for the audience as they have all focus on the dialogue of the characters and the prank going too far.
Mobile phone ringtones
Voiceover of the congratulations to the graduates, communicates to the audience that it’s been a year and they’ve graduated.
Screaming sounds, to create shock factor, scare factor for the audience.
Non-diagetic:
Youthful music, communicates to the audience the film is a teenage film with, teenage characters.
Comical music change, relating to the theme of the male character cheating on their friend ‘you’ve been a bad bad boy’, gives a comical effect to the scenes happening, the idea of a light hearted prank.
When the male stabs her a shot of music plays to create shock factor for the audience and create more horror to what he’s just done.
Use of scary music when he’s killed her; to communicate to the audience everything’s gone wrong and isn’t going to end well. (Equilibrium, disequilibrium,).
Chanting sort of music, relates to the theme of the Theta-Pi sorority girls.
By Nicole
The Strangers in-depth analysis
Editing
•There are a lot of fast cuts in the beginning which help to set the scene and allows the audience to familiarise themselves with the setting of the film.
•Transitions are introduced as the tone of the trailer changes. The first one being a fade out to a black screen after a noise is heard outside. This is then followed by the words “inspired by true events”.
•As the tone of the trailer begins to get tenser, the cuts of the scenes get faster.
•These cuts are also broken up by black screens saying “we always tell ourselves there’s nothing to fear. Sometimes were wrong.” This creates suspense and lets the audience know that the trailer belongs to the horror genre.
•As more of the plot of the film develops, the cuts of the scenes become faster. This allows the trailer to create suspense and tension without giving too much of the storyline away.
•There are a few slower cuts towards the end of the trailer to allow the emphasis to focus on what the characters are saying.
Camera
•At the beginning of the trailer the main shots used are establishing shots. This helps to set the scene and show the characters surroundings.
•The shots that follow these are mid shots of the 2 main characters, introducing them to the audience for the first time.
•A shot reverse shot follows this scene showing the main male character proposing to the main female character. This allows the audience to establish that the film is about a young couple.
•After the two main characters are established, there is a mid shot of the expressions on their faces which then turns into a mid shot of the window in the room they are in after they have heard a noise outside. This shows the audience that something bad is going to happen from the expression on their faces.
•Following this, there is an eye line match of the main female character looking out of the window that was in the mid shot in the scene before, and then the camera turns to a swing set outside which is swinging on its own which is what she is looking at.
•This is followed by an establishing shot of an empty shed outside their house giving an indication that this may have some meaning in the plot of the film.
•A close up on the main characters faces, after looking out of the window lets the audience see that they are worried and anxious whilst trying to reassure themselves that there is nothing out there.
•There is then a pan of the living room in the dark with only a spotlight following the layout of the room which is followed by a medium close up of the main female characters face showing that she is frightened and worried.
•A close up of the main female character locking the door suggests to the audience that this will hold some significance in the film.
•An establishing shot of the main female character standing in the living room with her placed slightly to the left of the doorway shifts the focus away from her, allowing the audience to see a man wearing a mask appear in the house while she remains oblivious.
•A mid shot of the main male character standing at the car and then turning to look into the woods also gives the audience an indication that the woods will have some significance later on in the film.
•This is followed by a medium close up of the main female character kneeling on the floor, clearly distressed, saying “there is someone out there”. The fact that she is kneeling may suggest that she is inferior and has no control over the situation.
•A shot reverse shot shows a masked woman coming out of the shed that was shown earlier in the trailer. The main male character then looks back at the shed so the camera turns to show what he can see and the masked woman is gone. This creates a sense of continuity as the shed was shown in an establishing shot earlier in the trailer.
•A similar shot reverse shot is used straight after. It shows a girl standing in the middle of the front garden of the house from the perspective of the window. This is followed by a shot of the main female character stepping up to look out of the window which shows there is no one there as the girl has disappeared. This gives the audience the impression that the girl in the garden will have a significant role to play later on in the film.
•This is followed by an establishing shot showing three masked characters standing in front of the main male and female characters whose backs are facing the camera.
•A mid shot of the main male character standing in the hallway shouting “hello” is followed by 2 close ups of the other end of the hallway and the record player which has started to play a song.
•The camera then moves back to man standing at the top of the hallway, this time with the main female character in view behind him giving the audience an insight into the characters emotions.
•There is a mid shot of the fireplace in the living room, which then zooms in to show that their mobile phone has been thrown onto the fire and suggests that there is someone else in the house apart from them.
•This is followed by a medium close up of the main male characters reaction to finding his phone on the fire.
•A match on action follows this showing the man walking through a door and him coming out on the other side of the room, which then shows a medium close up of the main female character looking frightened.
•The camera then turns to the window in another establishing shot to show that there is writing all over the window saying “hello” which suggests this is the reason for her being so scared.
•The camera then turns back to the main female character showing a close up of the scared expression on her face.
•There is a medium close up of the main male character standing in front of the door.
•The camera then turns to a medium close up of the main female character to let the audience establish the expression on her face.
•The camera then quickly turns back to a close up of the door with an axe coming through it.
•A quick close up of the female characters face follows this so that the audience can see the emotions that are being portrayed.
•This is followed by a series of fast close ups, firstly of the chair falling over, then the record player, then it quickly turns back to the couple screaming, followed by another close up on the axe coming through the door.
•The medium close up of the girl on the swing outside the house suggests to the audience that she has something to do with the axe coming through the door.
•This fades into a mid shot of a door in the house opening, followed by a close up of the main female characters face.
•This is linked to a new character being introduced through a mid shot of him standing in the hall way, the man with the mask is standing behind him in the shot holding an axe.
•Another masked character is then seen in a medium close up hiding in a dark room as the camera quickly switches to an establishing shot of the main female character walking down the hall way suggesting that these two characters are later linked in the film.
•A point of view shot is used to show the main male character standing alone in the garden which is quickly followed by a point of view shot from the main male character showing the masked man, making it clear to the audience that he was watching him.
•We then see a close up of the eyes of the masked female character looking through a vent in the house, this then switches to a close up of the main female character looking through the other side and showing her reaction.
•Another close up is used to show the main male character in the car, as he looks behind him, the camera zooms in on a car moving at speed towards the car that the main male character is in.
•This is followed by a medium close up of the main female character crawling towards the car, with a masked woman following closely behind.
•A close up of a hand holding a knife to part the curtains suggests that there is no way of escape.
•This then pans out to an establishing shot of the back of the main female and male character pulling back the curtains vigorously to reveal that “killer” has been written on the window.
•This then shows a close up of the female character as she steps backwards away from the window, which is quickly followed of a mid shot of a masked man coming out of the shed which was established as dangerous earlier in the trailer.
•A medium close of the main male character pointing a gun in the direction on the window links the two shots together.
•A close up follows of the main female character banging her head against the window to show her sheer frustration of not being able to escape.
•This is linked to a close up of a splatter of blood on the window, which then switches to an establishing shot of three masked characters facing the main male and female character suggesting that they are to blame for what has been happening in the trailer.
•The screen then goes black and slowly zooms out to show the outline of one of the masks which then fades into an establishing shot of the front of the house as another of the masked characters appears.
Mise-en-scene
•The scattered rose petals and the champagne and candles in the first scene suggest that there is a theme of romance in the film.
•The ring box that the main male character presents to the main female character also fits in with this theme and lets the audience establish that they are a couple.
•Both main characters are wearing formal clothing suggesting to the audience that they have been to or are going to a formal occasion.
•The masks that the three characters wear, suggest to the audience that they have something to hide and makes the audience ask why they are hiding their faces.
•The setting in the first couple of scenes is a house, which lets the audience know that this is going to be the main setting for the film.
•The camera uses, medium close ups and close ups as the main shots for the trailer, which helps the audience establish the expressions on the characters faces and sets the mood for the film.
By Sarah
Prom Night in-depth analysis
Camera
•The first shot we see is a medium close – up, of two girls. This immediately indicates that these characters are important and have a major role in the film, especially the first girl who we see (Donna) because she appears twice thought-out the shots, to show she’s the main character.
•Then there’s a medium close- up of a girl, then we see a long shot of the three girls to show their friends. After the hair salon scene, we see an establishing shot of a house, then straight after we see Donna in the bath room getting ready which informs the viewers it’s her house.
•Then we see a long shot of her walking down the stairs, then a close-up of the guy who’s taking her to the dance. We get a close-up to show his facial expression and then a close –up shot of Donna to show her reaction.
•Then we move onto the next scene were their all in the limousine, the audience are able to identify this by the long shot used.
•Then we see a shot of a poster saying congrats senior, that shows the viewers that they’re on their way to a prom or graduating party, followed by Donna and the another character saying they’ve arrived at the venue.
•The camera continued to follow Donna, until she gets out of the limousine, showing she’s the main focus of the film.
•Then there’s an establishing shot of the church tower to indicate where they are and then followed by a close-up shot of a disco ball. After Doona and her friends arrive at the hotel, we then see a bird’s eye view shot, so we can see the entire hall.
•Then the camera moves to the characters for a reaction shot, to show the audience how they feel. Then we get a shot of room keys, and then we see the girls walking into the rooms and then a long shot of a couple falling onto the bed.
•Then there’s another close – up shot of Donna to show she’s an important character. After a close-up of Donna dancing and smiling with her boyfriend the power cuts and then we get a close up of the projector.
•When donna and her boyfriend are dancing on together, slow dissolved cuts happen to show everything is fine
•We see a shot of a person’s feet, but we know he’s the killer when he brings out a knife
•Then we see a point of view shot, when the killer is looking at the girl in the bathroom.
•Then we see a shot of a hand , moving towards Donna.
Sound
•The sound starts of diegetic, when there all talking to each other, but the background music is non-diegetic.
•The non-diegetic sound in the background continues thought-out the opening of the scene.
•Until, there is a big bang and then there’s silence. To create suspension for the audience.
•Then we hear the voice of the killer, which makes the audience feel even more uncomfortable.
The music in trailers is usually basic, either non- digetic music or digetic music. To keep as little as much information from the audience.
Editing
•The black background immediately fades into the first start, to indicate to the audience the film is just about to begin.
•We first see a sequence of shots, of the three girls getting their hair done, and then another black background is shown again to signify a new scene is being shown.
•After the black background were introduced to a new setting and then quickly moved to the next scene, were we see Donna getting ready and then a simple cross fade into the next scene were she’s walking down the stairs, then another cross-fade into the next shot of then getting into the limo.
•Again a background is shown; this is also an effective way of narrating the storyline without having a voiceover. This effect makes the audience think more about what the next scene is going to be about and it does not give too much information away.
•After the black background we have a series of fast cut shots till the end of the trailer, to build up suspension for the audience. This makes the audience think that something bad is going to happen.
Mise-en-scene
•We see a hair dryer, which indicates to the audience that the characters are in a hair dresser.
•We see an establishing shot of Donna house, to indicate that she is getting ready.
•Then a long shot of Donna dress indicates to the audience that she is going to a prom, with the guy waiting for her at the end of the stairs.
•The medium shot of the limousine to show what they’re getting into, and where they’re going is important.
•Shot of the church is shown to establish where the prom is taking place.
•Disco ball to show a dance floor, and the characters dancing.
•Everybody dressed in formal wear, establishes the scene of a party.
•The bed is used to let the audience know that they were in a hotel.
•A knife is used to show danger and let the audience know that he is the killer.
•A body bag is carried away from the hotel, which indicates that someone dies.
•We an ambulance bus which indicates that there is police and emergency services there.
Long shot of car parked, giving audience a clear idea of people being picked up. Also a long shot characters getting out of the house to the boot of the car, all in frame of the screen. Shot inside the boot of the car, character throws bag in the boot and slams the boot of the car, communicates to the audience that everything is packed and the characters are going somewhere, i.e. camping. Use of medium and close-up shots focusing on main characters, guides the audience who to focus on and who the main characters are. Beginning of the dance scenes, use of medium shot, keeps characters in frame of the screen. Zoom in on characters Benedict and Amber, brings focus for the audience on whom to be watching. Also zoom in on the car driving away, themes of movement. Medium shot of character Nicola walking, audience can see the background of the forest establishes where she is, themes of camping trip, relates to narrative. Panning shot around tree, to communicate to the audience the characters are being followed. Establishing shot of trees and paths, relates to the narrative of camping trip in emphasise, tells the audience of the location. Medium shots so it’s clear for the audience to see what’s going, while still having fast and quick cuts. Close-up of character Benedict, audience can see his facial expressions which shows fear and that he’s scared of whatever he is running from.
Editing:
Two shots of production/distribution companies i.e. Columbia, tells audience it’s a well produced and distributed film and the audience would recognise, as seen in other films as well. Use of written transitions and black transitions to help the trailer run smoothly and written transitions gives an insight to the audience the narrative of the film. Use of fast and quick cuts in the car scenes, showing the audience the characters are going somewhere, but in a snappy way, as still trying to tease the audience and keep mystery to the story. Quick cuts start after ‘Last Night’ written transition. Fits with the pace of music, helps to start of the story without dragging on and keeping the audience’s attention. Dancing scene, there is use of really fast cuts and transitions to create a flashing effect in time with the music. Change in scene of one of the character Nicola walking in the forest with voiceover saying ‘he doesn’t like you’ use of flash back of the party scene, communicates the audience what the voice is talking about and intertwines the party scenes with the camping scenes. Towards the end the horror side to the film starts the pace of the cuts increases, quick shot of individual characters being preyed on and looking scared.
Sound:
Non-diagetic- Music to introduce the distribution/production companies. Change into youthful music which represents theme of teenage life which communicates straight away to the audience what this film is focused on. Vast change into slower music after transition ‘Last night’ represents a different moment in time, communicates themes of nostalgia to the audience. Vast change again into dance like music, fits with the characters dancing on screen, communicates to the audience that the characters are at a party. Dance music fades out, change into scary music and evil music, (equilibrium, disequilibrium, equilibrium) the music has a droning and whispering sound creates suspense. Use of voiceover saying ‘he doesn’t like you’ communicates to the audience the characters either hearing things or being followed. Also use again of a voiceover at the end saying ‘I’m not telling you my secret’, use of a suction sound which fits with what it say on screen ‘ In cinema march 13’ the written transition disappears with the sound giving it a ending. Diagetic: Beeping of the car, communicates to the audience that the car is trying to signal to someone in the house he’s parked outside. After written transition ‘They never saw it coming’ The character Sophie shouts ‘Hi’, also we then see a shot of the characters Benedict and Sophie laying in bed and she declares her love for him. Use of dialogue from character Joseph, saying ‘this place is bloody scary man.’ Communicates to the audience that the characters can already sense that something is wrong with the location they are in. Also use of dialogue again of the character Benedict shouting for help. Also use of a scream from the character Amber, this communicates to the audience that the film has the genre of horror in it and that something bad happens to the individual characters.
Mise en scene:
•Car parked on the side of the road •Bags put into car •Party scene establishing the characters and narrative of the story, explaining how it all happened. •Modern teenage costume •House, props of alcohol, communicates the theme of a party. •Characters Benedict and Sophie lying in bed, communicates to the audience they have sex. •Car drives off, communicating to the new location, i.e. going to the forest to go camping. •Trees and paths, establishing forest location. •Tented used relates to the theme of camping in the forest. •Night shots at night, shadows and darkness. •Forest location to create a scary ambience.
Film synopsis
“I’M NOT TELLING YOU MY SECRET"
A group of friends intend to go to a rural area to camp out. One particular girl within the group has other plans as she has other intentions with a boy on the trip, as she has lusted over him from the first time she met him and after them having sex the day before the camping trip at a party, hopes were high for her meaning she would go to any extents to make him hers. Whilst they are in the forest, a sequence of mysterious events occur which make the teens suspicious of a supernatural presence. One by one each of the characters experience a supernatural occurrence informing them of their death. As the films goes on, one by one character begin to disappear in strange circumstances leaving the other remaining characters bewildered and apprehensive. Little do the group of friends know that a particular character with the group r is responsible for the deaths taken place. The film is called I’m not telling to my secret’, due to a female character being secretly obsessed and the others are not aware of this fact, until later on in the trip suspicion arises within the group as the group begin to diminish one by one.
OLD FILM IDEA A group of six friends intend to go to a rural area to camp out. The teenagers deceive their parents about where they intend to go as there is a twisted myth about the abandoned forest they are departing to. One particular girl within the group has other plans as she has other intentions with a boy on the trip, as she has lusted over him from the first time she met him and will go to any extents to make him hers. Whilst they are in the forest, a sequence of mysterious events occur which make the teens suspicious of a supernatural presence. One by one each of the characters experience a supernatural occurrence informing them of their death. As the films goes on, one by one character begin to disappear in strange circumstances leaving the other remaining characters bewildered and apprehensive. The teens are suspicious of a man who lives in a cabin in the forest as he makes it clear to one character that they are not welcome. The teens begin to blame him for their friend’s disappearance and decide to investigate when the man leaves his cabin. However they are unsure if the man in the cabin is a figment of imagination as only one character has seen him.
After visiting the cabin they later discover what the myth entails as they were previously unaware of the narrative. The ancient myth is that a woman named Agatha lived in a cabin in the forest and was deeply in love with a man who often visited the forest, he however did not reciprocate her love and this filled her with anger and hatred for all love and it was never explain how or why she died. The myth now says that her spirit stays is in the presence of the forest and is waiting to hurt all people those who enter. One of the characters Diana is madly in love with a character named Rory, who is in a long term relationship with Nicola. The spirit of Agatha takes over Diana’s body and starts to control her actions which results in her killing all her friends due to this overwhelming spirit taking over her body. The film is called I’m not telling to my secret’, due to a female character being secretly possessed and the others are not aware of this fact, until later on in the trip suspicion arises within the group as the group begin to diminish one by one.
EXPLANATION Our previous film idea consisted of a myth taking place in the forest that the teenagers where departing to. The myth was “a woman named Agatha lived in a cabin in the forest and was deeply in love with a man who often visited the forest, he however did not reciprocate her love and this filled her with anger and hatred for all love and it was never explain how or why she died. The myth now says that her spirit stays is in the presence of the forest and is waiting to hurt all people those who enter. The spirit of Agatha takes over Diana’s body and starts to control her actions which results in her killing all her friends due to this overwhelming spirit taking over her body”. The reason we changed our film idea is that we felt it would be difficult to portray a realistic myth to audiences in a trailer, our group felt only well experience media editors could produce a realistic supernatural presence due to manipulative technology available. The predominant reason for changing our trailer is that we felt that the complex storyline would not entice our target audience. Instead a simple storyline about a teenage girl obsessed with a teenage boy which is further amplified when sleeping together leading to her seeking revenge on all those the teenage boy intend to make a move on next is something which our teen target audience can relate too.
