Coventions From Media

                                          CONVENTIONS FROM MEDIA TEXTS:


One horror film convention that we conformed to was having the main location of the film in an old, small house. This type of setting is common in horror films, so we thought this would be a good choice for our film. Another horror film convention that our group followed was to make the antagonist of our film wear dark clothing. The use of making the antagonist wear this costume type is that black connotes creepy and fear.

However one change we made that would go against a horror film convention was making all characters wear the same style of costume - casual clothing. In most horror films, there would be a distinctive difference in costume of the protagonists and antagonists.

Although our film is mainly generic for a horror film, we did experiment with differences, such as the costumes of the characters. We wanted to have a more generic horror film, as we thought it would make a more successful film than if we tried to make it completely different to a conventional horror movie. Due to our film being a mainly generic horror film, we didn't develop a new style of film. I feel that the director and producer of horror films, such as Saw and The Conjuring was an inspiration for our group, due to his huge success with the horror films he was involved in.

Post Production

                                                               POST PRODUCTION:


After the production of the opening to our film, we used the software program Adobe Premiere Elements 10 to edit and improve our film.

One editing technique that we used was the zoom feature. This was used to zoom in on the antagonist's face, as she was staring through the window of the house. We thought this was a good editing decision as it would highlight to the audience who the antagonist of our film is. Another editing choice that we made was to add text in our film. This was used to show the audience who stars in our film. The other main editing tool that we chose to use was the lighting feature. Due to certain scenes being either too light or too dark, we used the tool to adjust the lighting, making it easier for the audience to see.

Overall, the editing process that we went through was very useful and helped improve our film. This is because it made the film easier to watch for the audience, as well as making it look more professional.

Research and Planning

                                                      RESEARCH AND PLANNING:


During our task of Research and Planning, we looked at many of different horror films, as well as their target audience. Examples of this include The Woman in Black and The Conjuring. The target audience for these films, are mainly teenagers. This helped us make our final decision to make our film appeal to teenagers, and have them as the target audience for our film.

To help us make a choice on our film's target audience we conducted 2 different types of research: Primary and secondary. For our primary research, we created a questionnaire, where we asked a variety people what they wanted to see in our film. The end result of this was by having the genre of horror. For our secondary research, we looked on the internet to research the most popular of age group that view horror films. The result of this showed that teenagers were the most common audience age group.

For the production of our film, we tried to make it seem like a horror film that our target audience would enjoy. An example of a horror film that we took inspiration from was The Woman in Black, due to it being a highly popular and successful horror film. By doing different types of research, we can help make our film the best for our target audience.

Another piece of research that we undertook was watching the opening scenes to different films. We mainly watched openings to horror films, due to that being our chosen genre, however we also viewed other opening scenes, including to the opening to Mad Max. This was useful, as we were able to look at how successful films began.

Annabelle Trailer Analysis

Annabelle is a horror film that was released in the year, which is produced by the highly successful James Wan. The film is based around a haunted and possessed doll, which is a common theme for horror films.

Sound:
The non diegetic soundtrack that is used in the trailer for the film is tense and eerie music. This is used to make the audience feel nervous and scared, setting the mood of the film. An example of diegetic sound that is used in the film is dialogue by the character's in the film. The dialogue represents to the audience of the characters emotions. For example, if a character is panicking, it sets a mood of tension.

Camera:
One type of camera angle that is used in the film of Annabelle is an extreme close up, which is used to focus on the eye of the possessed doll. This is an extremely effective shot, as it shows to the audience that the doll is possessed, with the eye being the main part of the doll's paranormal activity. Another effective camera shot that is used is an over the shoulder shot. This shot is used when the camera looks over the protagonist's shoulder to reveal the antagonist character staring at her. One type of camera angle that is used in the film is a low angle shot, where the camera looks up at one of the houses in the film. This is used to make the setting seem larger than it appears to the audience.

Mise en scene:
The use of the old, possessed doll as a prop in the film is effective as it's something that the audience would see as a creepy object. As well as this, the film's main setting and location of a normal neighbourhood house is used to make the audience feel more nervous, as it's in a natural location. The lighting that is used for the majority of the film is low level. This has been chosen as it's makes the seen more eerie and uncomfortable for the audience.

Editing:
In the beginning of the trailer, the transitions are slow fades, to set the scene for the audience and introduce them to the characters. However, towards the end of the trailer, the cuts are faster. This is used to show the tension of the film. Prevalence of the trailer is given to the possessed doll, to strike fear into the audience.

The Woman in Black Trailer Analysis

THE WOMAN IN BLACK TRAILER ANALYSIS:

The Woman in Black is a film of the horror genre that was released in the year 2011. The film's  protagonist is played by the well known actor Daniel Radcliffe, which is a unique selling point for the film. The film is set in the early 20th century. This is common for horror film to be set in past times.

Camera:
One type of camera shot that is used during the trailer is a close up of the protagonist's face. This is an effective shot type, as it shows the character's facial expressions. Another effective camera shot type that is used is a long shot of the corridor in the house. This is used to show the audience the length of the corridor in the house, showing them how big the house is. An effective camera angle that is used is a low angle shot. This is used by having the camera pointing up to the top floor of the house from the ground outside. This is a good angle to use in the film, as it shows the audience how tall the old house in the film is.

Sound:
In the trailer for The Woman in Black, a mix of diegetic and non diegetic sounds are used. One type of diegetic sound that is effectively used in the film is the creaking of the house's floor boards. It can show to the audience that the house is very old and abandoned. An example of non diegetic sound that is used for the trailer is the soundtrack that is played over the top of the film, which is slow and eerie. This highlights to the audience the tension involved in the film and sets a dark mood.

Mise en scene:
One use of mise en scene in the film are the props that are used. These include old fashioned children's toys, such as dolls. This is used to once again show the audience of the time period that the film is set in. Another example of mise en scene that is used to show when the film is set in is the film's setting: an abandoned, decrepit house. The use of the film mainly shot in the dark does is effective in making the house stand out as being scary and creepy.

Editing:
In the trailer for The Woman in Black, prevalence is given to the protagonist, who is played by the actor Daniel Radcliffe. The reason for this is to make the audience empathise with him. In terms of cuts used between scenes in the trailer, slow fades are used at the beginning, so the audience can get used to the surroundings, setting and characters of the film. However, as the trailer goes on, faster cuts are used to transition between scenes. This is used to build the tension in the trailer, and hints to the audience that the film is of the horror genre.

Paranormal Activity 4 Trailer Analysis

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 TRAILER ANALYSIS:

Paranormal activity 4 is a horror film that was released in 2012. It is based around ghostly activity occurring in a neighbourhood house and being recorded on a laptop. The film conforms to the representations of a horror film, with an old house as a a location as well as having young innocent teenagers as the protagonists of the film.

Camera:
For the film, Paranormal Activity, the story is filmed from the point of view from a young teenage girl, with her character holding a camera and documenting her story during the film. This is effective as it helps the audience empathise with the protagonist of the film. High angle shots are used when she is filming through her video camera to show it positioned within the house, which some audience members may be able to relate with. When she is pointing the camera at her face, it is a close up. This is effective as it shows her emotions to the audience.

Sound:
The types of diegetic soundtrack that are used during the trailer are dialogue and other sounds in the background of the film, such as crashes and paranormal sounds. Dialogue is used effectively as the audience can understand how the characters are feeling when they are having conversations with each other.  The other sounds used that are diegetic are effective as the audience cam relate to how they affect the characters. The main type of non diegetic sound that is used in the trailer is the soundtrack played over the trailer. This is used to make audience feel extra emotions, by setting the mood of the scene.

Mise en scene:
The use of having the film set in a typical house in a normal neighbourhood is effective as it makes it easier for the audience to relate to,  as well as making it the film more naturalistic. Also, a house in a neighbourhood is a conventional location for horror films. The costumes that are worn by the protagonists are also natural, as they are wearing generic everyday clothing, which again will make it relatable for audience members.

Editing:
In the trailer for the film, prevalence is given to the young teenage girl Alex, for the audience to empathise with her. The transitions that are used to cut between shots in the trailer are mainly fast cuts, to compliment the tension of the film.

The Visit Trailer analysis

The Visit Trailer Analysis:


The Visit is a horror film that was released in 2015. There are several genre indicators which show that this is a horror film, for example the camera shots and sound used. The editing in the trailer is also a genre indicator.

Mise en scene:
The setting of the film is in a typical American town. This makes it more naturalistic and easier for the audience to relate to. The costumes worn by the characters in the film help the audience identify who they are. For example, the older grandparents wear old and worn in clothes, which is the stereotypical costume for elderly characters in the film. The setting of the grandparents house, as well as the props inside of it indicate to the audience that the grandparents are the antagonists of the film.

Camera:
One effective type of camera shot that is shown in the trailer for the film are close ups. These are used to show the audience the characters facial expressions. For example a close up of one of the children's faces are used to the expression of worry and anxiety. Another camera shot that is used is an establishment shot. This is used to show the setting of the film. In the film, one of the elements of the story is to have the protagonists videoing their experiences in the film, such as the paranormal activity. This is effective, as recording videos is relatable to many horror film fans.

Editing:
The editing in the trailer for The Visit is effectively used as it uses a variety of different cuts between scenes, such as fade to blacks and fast cuts. The grandchildren, the protagonists of the film, are given prevalence in the trailer so the audience can empathise with them.

Sound:
In the beginning of the trailer, happy and upbeat non diegetic soundtrack is played, which would make the audience feel that it is of a family film. However, as the trailer goes on, darker and slower music is played, complimenting the film genre. The diegetic sounds of crashing and paranormal sounds from the film are used to indicate the films genre to the audience.

Elysium Trailer Analysis

Elysium Trailer Analysis:




The film Elysium is of the science fiction genre and was released in the year 2014. It stars several recognisable cast members such as Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. This is a unique selling point for the film, which means that it will help attract an audience.

Sound:
Diegetic sound is used in the trailer through dialogue by the characters in the film as well as through the sounds of the robotic machines. This shows to the audience that there is a lot of technology used in the film. The dialogue helps the audience understand what the characters are talking about. However non diegetic sound is also used to help indicate the mood of the film. The soundtrack tells us that the film is very tense and dramatic, as the music builds up slowly and involves a lot of drums in the trailer.

Camera:
One type of camera shot, that is used at the beginning of the trailer is a birds eye/establishment shot which sets the scene of the film by showing the audience the opening location. Another type of camera shot that is used in the trailer of Elysium is a close up, which is of the protagonist of the film. This shot is effective as it introduces the audience to the character. One type of camera angle that is used in the trailer is a low angle. This is used to show the perspective from one of the characters, who are looking up into the sky. There are several times during the trailer where the camera is moving along whilst filming. This is effective as it shows the audience more of the setting than if the camera wasn't moving.

Mise en scene:
The setting of the film is in a fictional planet, which conforms with the film's genre of science fiction. As well as this, certain props are used such as high technology robots and machines, which hints that this is a science fiction. However, many of the characters, are wearing army/soldier uniforms. This means that the film may also have an action side to it. The characters who aren't wearing army uniform, are shown to be wearing suits or in smart dress. This shows that there is a difference in society in the film, with some characters being of a higher class and status than others.

Editing:
In the trailer for Elysium, there are many different types of cuts that are used to transition between the shots, such as slow fades and fast cuts. These are used to show the mood of the part in the trailer. For example, if the trailer is showing a tense fighting scene, then there will be faster cuts. There are also a couple fades to black in the trailer. These are used effectively as they show help breakdown the trailer and show a change in time of the trailer.