Trailer Research

Film trailer research

These are some of the horror film trailers I decided to research upon.

(Hover over image for link to trailer)

http://finaldestinationmovie.warnerbros.com/dvd

http://www.insidious-movie.com/indexMovie.html

http://www.scream-4.com/

Film trailer deconstruction.

This is a conventional shot used in a film trailer it shows which institution and production company it was created by.

The film title is used throughout the trailer to get the audience familiar with the film.

As dimension films is a coveted production company they usually have their logo in the beginning of the trailer to show that the film is made by a well known company.


This is a typical aspect for a horror movie as attractive female actors are used this lures the male gaze. Stereotypically the females used in a horror movie are usually blonde and not very intelligent as represented by these 2 actors who are made to appear like this.

Medium shot used to get the actors upper body. This could maybe be done to attract male viewers


This image shows a scary house this is a recurring image connecting with the horror genre. This image is shown throughout many different horror film posters. A low angle shot is used this gives the viewers the sense you are looking up at the house. This shot could be interpreted as coming from the killers view ( a view point shot).

These are a few examples where this type of image is used.


This type of feature Is used widely throughout the horror genre. This shows a dark silhouette at the window this gives the viewer the effect that they are not alone. A long shot is used to get the whole room in the scene this takes the

emphasis of the character behind the window this makes the audience look around the room and then discover the silhouette making it more spookier.


A medium shot is used here, it shows the actress on the phone. This is a major part on the scream films. Blue lighting is used and this gives the shot a eerie feel to the scene.


I felt that this shot was very powerful and created the best fright factor in the whole shot. This type of shot I would like to incorporate into my trailer so I could get a similar type of effect in my trailer.


I think that the scream franchise has used the phone gag very well and this creates a more powerful and suspenseful shot when the character is on the phone


Running scenes are always shown in horror movies. Sometimes different types are shown for example some running shots are show with a point of view shot.


Movie name is essential at the end of the trailer to let your audience know the name of your film.


The date is also as essential as the name of the movie. This will inform the public when your film will be released.

This film has a normal date however some films are release on a certain date to create more “hype” for instance Halloween was released on October 31st and the omen was released on June 6th 2006 this was done because these dates were relevant to the film.

•A trailer will attract an audience into watching the full film.

•Sets the genre of the film and creates a feel for the setting•Suggestion of the storyline

•Introduces some of the main characters

•Draws the interest of the audience by displaying attention grabbing footage. Made up of quickly paced clips

•Slowly builds from beginning to an exciting end.

•Usually contain graphics like the film title and opening dates production company etc.

•May include music and voice over.

Codes and Conventions of a horror trailer

Looking at these trailers these are the hypothesis I found when producing a trailer and I will try and incorporate these when making mines.

Coursework Timeline

Given brief for coursework.

Start research on film genres

and poster.

Coursework completed

Start research on film trailers.

Start production of poster and

film magazine (simultaneously)

Start production of

trailer.

This is the rough timeline I will be working at to complete my brief.

Sept/Oct 2011

Oct - Jan 2011/2012

Dec – Feb 2011/2012

Jan – Apr 2012

Education

Trailer Research