How has my Research Impacted my Planning?

Genre conventions

On my blog I have successfully shown that I have researched the conventions of both the horror and thriller genre in a high level of detail. This research has helped me to identify what codes and conventions I want to use in my own trailer. Below I have listed some of the main ones that I aim to use in my trailer to ensure the genre is clear to the audience. 

• A variety of different camera angles 
• Fast paced editing 
• Isolated location 
• Low lighting
• Tense non-diegetic music

Narrative Theories

From researching different narrative theories I have come to the conclusion that I want to include 2 of them in my own film trailer. I think the one's that will fit into my storyline the best are:

• Vladimir Propp - I think that this theory will fit into the storyline of my trailer as Hael could be considered the hero character and Kida the villain
• Binary Opposites - Levi Strauss' theory of binary opposites will fit into my storyline as Kida is the stereotypically evil character whereas in contrast to this Hael is a good character

Camera Angles

By analysing a variety of different thriller film trailers I have identified the key camera shots and angles that have been frequently used. Below is a list of camera angles that I have decided to try and include in my own trailer as I think they are the most effective. 

• Extreme close up 
• Close up 
• Medium shot
• Over the shoulder shot
• Ariel shot
• Establishing shot of secluded location

Promotion

My previous research into what promotional material accompanies a film trailer release helped me decided to create some of my own. I have created a billboard for my film Lazarus. I have also made a Twitter and Facebook account to post updates about the progress of my film trailer through different media technologies. Seeing how successful these methods were for film promotion inspired me to use this as a part of my final media production.

Screenshots of Filming

Below are some screenshots of what I have filmed so far:

I think this bit of filming was successful because it shows the full body of Michael and also the gravestone in the background. I think the fact that the sun is starting to go down and the sky is a pinky colour makes this shot more effective. I also think this is a good angle because it gives the impression that Michael is just a silhouette which reflects his personality well.

I think that this was a successful shot because it frames the church and graveyard nicely behind the characters in the foreground, this means that the setting of this scene is very clear to the audience. I think the fact that it is a long shot makes it even more successful, this is because the body language of each character is effectively portrayed. For example; it is clear that Michael is tired as his hands are in his pockets and he has his shoulders back, I feel like this suggests he doesn't care about Kida much any more despite the fact that his facial expression suggests he is still angry. On the other hand Kida seems far more relaxed with the situation, showing that she isn't bothered about what's happening or the feelings her father has towards her.

This medium shot shows the same scene as the long shot above but is portrayed in a higher level of detail. I feel that this may be more effective as it focuses more on the facial expressions of the characters. I also like this as it has a slight upward angle which makes Michael look more intimidating. I think that this is especially good as the dialogue is threatening and backs up the idea of him being more powerful than Kida

I believe that this extreme close up of Michael's hands is very successful because of the level of detail and intimacy that it portrays. The angle is effective because it allows the viewer to mainly focus on the ring instead of his hands. I also like the lighting that I have used for this shot, the dark colours in the background ensure that his arms and hands stand out and are clearly in the foreground. I used a bright white camping light outside of the shot as well in order to light his wrists and the ring more, this allowed them to be seen more clearly on the camera

I think that this shot of St Bernards Hopsital is successful because it has a slight upwards angle that makes it seem intimating. I also like the way that I have framed it, because the building is slightly to the right of the frame with the van on the left hand side. This allows the whole building to be fit into one shot and effectively shows the environment it is based in

I think that this other long shot of St Bernards Hospital is successful because it shows the gates closing. I feel like this is effective because it gives the representation of a prison which is effectively where Kida gets sent as a child for violent behaviour.

I like the downward camera angle that I have used here because I feel that it makes the shot look creepy and eerie. I also think the fact that it is only focused on the chain makes it more effective and interesting

Review of the Horror and Thriller Genres

Request Letter to Chalfont St Giles Church

Dear Reverend Brown,

I am an A-level Media Studies student at The Misbourne School. For my coursework I am required to film a thriller film trailer. One of the locations that I would like to use is a church and graveyard. I was wondering if I would possibly be able to use Chalfont St Giles Parish Church for this purpose. I am more than willing to be as flexible as possible and to carry out the filming outside of service times, therefore there would be no inconvenience to you. 

I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Thanking you for your assistance in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Holly McCammond

Locations Moodboard

I created my Locations Moodboard on the website realtimeboard.com. This was fairly easy to use, however it wouldn't let me export it as an image. Therefore I improvised and print screened it, put it into a word document, cropped it and saved it as an image. The moodboard shows different locations that I have already used and also plan to use. 

Music Options

These are some of the soundtracks I have found for my trailer, I need to make sure that I choose the most appropriate one as I will only have a little bit of dialogue in it. 

I am considering this bit of music because I feel that it would create the tense atmosphere I am aiming for. It is also an instrumental piece which means that it will be easier to hear the dialogue in my trailer. Although this is a good bit of music I feel like it may be too overwhelming for my trailer.

I am also thinking about using this piece of music as, like the first one it is also instrumental. The main reason I like this one though is because I find it still creates tension but isn't as heavy as the first option.

I am considering this as music to use in my trailer because I think it is different from the other options I have chosen. Unlike the first 2 choices this one does feature singing. Although this might not be ideal for dialogue it is possible to edit it so it dips when my characters talk. Even though this is a good option, I do not think it will be my final choice because I feel it wouldn't create the tension I am aiming for.

I thought about using this piece of music for my trailer as I like the idea of using a classic, popular song. The fact that it is slow might make my trailer sound creepy and tense which is what I am aiming for. Despite this I still don't think that it will be my final choice, purely because the pace doesn't quicken at all throughout the song. Because of this I don't think it will fit in with the thriller genre.

This is my final option for my trailer music. This is my favourite because I think it has all of the things I am looking for. The song starts off slow and creepy which will create tension at the beginning of my trailer. Later into the music though the pace does quicken slightly which means that I will be able to successfully heighten the fear, intensity and creepiness that the audience will experience. Overall I think this is most likely to be the song that I use in my own trailer.

Costumes, Make-up and Hair Styles Moodboard

I used a website called go moodboard.com to create a moodboard showing different ideas for my characters costumes, make-up and hair styles. The application is very easy to use and gives a good professional looking finish.

Character costumes, make up and hair styles moodboard