Ironic movie killers

Ironic Movie Killers

Synopsis research, testing Burton's theory

All the synopsis of the films above has various repeated elements. The use of a movie synopsis is to outline the basic plot leaving the audience anticipated to see the whole movie. I looked at 3 synopsis which I have published above, 'Halloween', 'Let Me In' and 'Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark'. I deconstructed the 3 synopsis using Burton's theory of key elements of recognizable genre characteristics. I noticed that all 3 synopsis include a child. This involves youth and challenges the innocence of young people and plays on the idea of an unsuspected mystery which is a USP. The use of challenging the innocence of young people adheres to Burton's idea of themes, and explores the good vs. bad, the obvious vs. unsuspected. I also recognised the element of background and decor which Burton identified, the setting is often in a domestic or private sphere which illustrates themes of danger within the home, Halloween was set at a home address, 43 Lampkin Ln, this suggests the idea that we are not safe anywhere and a lack of hope of being saved, this increases vulnerability. This is a repeated convention throughout; Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark was set in the fathers 19th century mansion which makes the setting more personal, reinforcing this idea. Using a domestic or private sphere helps recognize the genre as it builds on mystery. Stock situations involve murder, torture, mind-games, psychological torture involving victims that have often survived, Halloween plays on this idea of stabbing, which relates also to icons (another element Burton identified) these situations convey mystery and gore defined through genre as horror.

Burton's theory has allowed me to understand how to portray a genre which successfully attracts my target audience being easily recognizable; I will now refer back to Burtons formula when planning my film as I can ensure each element enhances the given genre effectively.

Presentation of applying conventions of a trailer

Applying conventions of trailers

Today we worked in groups and planned a trailer for 'Bloodshed High’; we recognized conventions of a trailer and applied them to promote the plot, USP and genre of the film to appeal to our target audience. Firstly we discussed the most recognisable conventions of a trailer:

• Highlights the 'best bits' of the film
• Not shown the story in narrative order
• Images stay on screen for only enough time for our mind to realise what we are seeing
• Conversations between characters usually consist of one line each
• Unusual angels used to show events or characters
• Action is interspersed with credits on screen
• Voice-overs used to tell the story
• Music plays an important role in creating atmosphere
• Title does not appear until the end
• Trailer builds to a climax, where it ends

We began by noting our initial thoughts, the title being 'Bloodshed High' immediately suggests the film is going to be set in a school, we decided we were going to challenge audience expectations and set our film on prom night. Initially our plot was going to be middle aged women who went on a rampage and killed students at the prom, yet we found issues with this as there was no relation between the killer and the victims. We then decided it would be a former student who would come to the prom to gain revenge as she faced discrimination when at the school but we could not justify why she would be at the school prom, after decision where made, we came to a conclusion it was going to be the school cleaner who was the murderer. This was one of our USP's as it is an unsuspected person who is the killer. We decided our target audience was going to be teenagers 15-21 and the film would be shown at late night screening hours to target our audience.

To express our synopsis we sketched out the shots our trailer would be showing. The first shot we decided would be our logo, this would be a horror production company which immediately suggests the genre of the film and attracts our target audience. The typography of this will be an old fashioned serif font to allow the genre to be easily recognised. The next shot was an establishing shot; here we would use a medium long shot to establish where the film is set and where the action is going to take place. We would use diagetic sound of wind to enhance the genre and build on audience expectations, this creates an eyrie atmosphere. The music will be introduced here, we decided on using 'linkin park' soundtrack as it appeals to our target audience and highlights the action in our film. 

The next shots we would use to show the best bits of the film and build tension, this kept the audience anticipated throughout our trailer. We used the convention of one-line conversations here to show insight into the film but avoid revealing the whole plot. 

We then decided to build on the pace and tempo by using a rapid montage of death shots, showing blood and gore, these shots only lasted a few seconds which left the viewer questioning the mystery of the killer. We used enigma codes to enhance this. The pace of the shots speeding left the trailer building to a climax, where it ends. 

To end we revealed the director of the film, we decided the director was going to be from 28 Days Later, as this is also a London based horror, one of our USP’s. This allows the audience to recognise the genre further. This feature then leads to the title of our film being exposed to the audience. The title is going to flash up on the screen with the killer cleaning the blood off of our film title, the typography will be an old fashioned serif font, using black, white and red, three typical mysterious colours conveying with symbolic meaning. The blood is pushed to reveal the release date which is our final shot, 'Halloween 2011'. This being exposed in blood highlights the mood and promotes the genre of the film. Being the last shot ensures it will remain in the users mind. We decided on the release date being this time as it recognises our target audience through horror genre and is during out of school time. 

From this task I have learnt...

• Trailers are not movies, they simply show the best bits of the film
• Audience expectations are key, production company is vital
• How to engage an audience
• How to apply knowledge and understanding

Trailer analysis

I have decided to analyse, 'Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark' a horror film based upon a young girl's struggle against menacing and terrifying force. I believe this analyse will leave me in a position where I can begin to construct my own movie trailer. 

The title of the film is exposed to us in sections before we see the title as a whole. The title is broken down into three sections, and these separately appear keeping the audience anticipating. This suggests change within the movie and that something is going to happen with a build up. At the end of the trailer the title appears fully, this ensures the title stays in the audiences mind, which is key in a trailer. This is emphasised through the way the title is spoken to us as it flashes on the screen assuring associations of anticipation are held with the title.

The typography, use of colour and effects suggests the genre of the film effectively. The use of black writing with a white ghostly effect immediately evokes the audience to horror and something beyond life. The language used in the film challenges this as we are spoken to 'not be afraid' yet the effects of the title seems terrifying. The way the 'dark' is enlarged suggests something is going to happen.

The stars of this film promote and sell the movie, Katie Holmes is featured in this trailer being a famous American actress. The tradition of her film career playing a main role in 'The Extra Man' attracts the audience into a high concept movie. 

One of the first shots we see is of a golden brown door creeping open, the colour being golden brown is suggestive of an ancient time which relates to the creaking sound. The opening of the door immediately suggests something is going to happen which keeps the audience anticipated. Similarly, this tells us that the film is going to include sudden action which seems to be terrifying. This emphasises that it is a horror film.

Throughout the trailer there is two different voice-overs presented to us, which fulfills the challenge held in the film title. The effect of this is to build on the excitement of the audience and keep them anticipated. The first voice the audience is presented with is recognised as scary with a ghostly, deep tone,  challenging this is an everyday man yet with an upbeat, nervous tone, this leaves the audience sceptical of what is going to happen.

The speed of this trailer keeps the audience active and engaged. Towards the end of this trailer the shot length change and begin to appear as almost flashes, this keeps the audience on an edge, building upon their excitement as they are waiting for the action to deliver.

In the last frame's of the trailer we see the title, the credits for the film and its due date. The use of the title and due date being presented to us at the end of the trailer helps promote the film as it stays with the audience. The due date of this particular film is August 26th which is unusual for a horror film as it does not associate with the time of year. The key for a horror film would be to be disposed at Halloween time to appeal to a horror audience, however this film may want to differ from others.

I think the trailer is a more effective advertisement for the film as it uses images, music, sound effects/voice-overs to promote the film. The poster is effective as it promotes the stars, title and due date yet the trailer allows the audience to recognise the film better because of the use of action shown. I would expect this trailer to appear in the cinema at a late showing being a horror film aimed at an older audience because of the shots shown. Also it would be shown out of children hours during TV programmes as the horror shown may effect  young children in a negative way. Late TV shows reach this movies intended target audience so if the trailer appeared in these hours, the audience would be targeted effectively. This trailer I would expect to see in relation with other horror films, such as 'Apollo 18' and 'Final Destination 5'.

The genre of this movie is easily recognisable through the use of visuals, this includes; costume, setting, props, lightening and camera angels. Also the use of sound effects immediately recognise the film as a horror. These conventions are repeated so the genre is easily recognisable.

Towards the end of this trailer the shots build up quickly, which leaves the audience on edge of something going to happen.

Features of multimodal texts

Here I analysed Hell and Back Again looking at the features of multimodal text...

• Written text on screen
• Spoken language
• Moving images
• Sound effects
• Music

These features work together to build audience expectations, keep the audience anticipated and promote the genre of the film.

Title exploration

Deconstructing Film Titles

Today in class I deconstructed film titles, analysing what considerations there are in choosing a film title, I studied the use of typography, colour, image (if used) and the use of language. I deconstructed the film title making observations based on findings for audience expectations and genre.

• Connected, documentary genre based film, with a wide target audience.
• Shark Night, thriller and horror based.
• The Woman, horror based film.
• The Woman In Black, drama and thriller based.

Overall I found that the title is crucial when reaching the target audience. Genre based images, colour and typography has to be easily recognizable and creates audience expectations, words or phrased asssociated with genre also creates audience expectations and speaks to the audience.Typography is also crucial as it effects the way the title is read. Length of the title is important and the short title should indicate the genre or associations with it. The title could express something of narrative. 

I will make sure the images on my title anchor meaning, and the words and associations with them are important as this speaks to the target audience.

Unique selling point research

USP is what seperates one film from another released at a similar time or within the same genre. When deconstructing these trailers, finding the unique selling point, I looked for innovative use of special effects, an unusual mix of genres or a popular star, these are a few of USP's used in trailers. I analyzed three movie trailers using film education. Here are my findings...

Cowboys & Aliens

• Use of sound to build tension and attract an enthuastic audience
• Director of Iron Man which uses popularity to fulfill the audience's needs 

Green Lantern

• Special effect lightening to distinguish from other trailers
• Well known company - D.C

Real Steel

• Unusual mix of genres
• Star actor, attracts a wide audience

Initial discussions on trailers

Today in class we began looking at movie trailers. We looked at the purpose and intention of a trailer, what a good trailer does well and how it achieves this successfully. Here are my findings:

What is the purpose and intention of a trailer and what does a good trailer do well? on Prezi

Evaluating existing web blogs

As we begin the making of our blogs, I want to ensure my blog is interactive, user friendly and engages the consumer effectively, to construct this successfully I have analyzed 6 existing blogs, including the purpose and intention, the different media or ICT techniques used, how effective the blog is in conveying information and engaging the consumer and to conclude, I noted which areas of the blog I'd like to employ to my own.

Below is the chart I used to record my information. 

Concluding evaluation on existing blogs...

Good Intentions Blog - This blog reached the purpose and intention successfully, used a mixed range of media and ICT techniques and conveyed information effectively, yet the background of the blog constrained how effective the overall blog was, attention of the user was pulled towards the bright background which failed to convey constituency within the blog itself, I have learnt from this and must provide constituency throughout. Here is a screen grab to visualize the background.

Pete Frazer's Media Blog - This blog ensured students and teachers were up to date and topical with the media industry through using presentations, hyperlinks and videos. It also encouraged interactivity, and allows like minded people to communicate through social networking. I have provided a screen grab of this to show what technique I will adopt on to my blog. I believe more media technique's could have been used to make the blog more user friendly.

The Film Geek - Ensured voice of opinion and effectively brought like minded people together, which did engage the consumer. There was a good use of media and interactivity, as well as user generated videos which is something I will adopt.

Concrete Loop  - Effectively reached intention through use of different media or ICT techniques, which engages all users. Cross media links were used imposing the interaction between consumers.

Love My Dress  - Being a fashion based blog, offering daily bridal inspiration the majority of the media used was mainly imagery, yet the blog still conveyed information and engaged the consumer successfully, using search bars and suggesting like wise blogs. 

Horror Movie Blog - Videos, hyperlinks, slideshare, prezi and many more techniques were used. This blog stood out as it was personalized, good break down of writing and techniques.

Evaluating prelim task 2

Posting prelim task 2

Planning prelim task 2