Trailer Analysis

Trailer Analysis Reflection
I liked the intimacy in scream of the phone call between the slasher and Sidney. I may incorporate a phone call to introduce the victim, it is effective because the audience and the victim don't where the antagonist is and the husky voice is particularly spine chilling. Like Sidney I plan to have a female hero rather than a male, Robert Neville. she will most likely be brunette and will challenge the antagonist the most and try to overcome him/her. I wont have a big enough cast like scream to have the high school kids discussing the mystery amongst each other so I will use the inter titles to describe the narrative and tease the audience. As the narrative develops I too will increase the editing speed like I am Legend and Scream.

I will have the antagonist playing a part throughout the trailer rather than I am Legend when the antagonist is not even shown but less than scream where the slasher is seen often, it is important I get the right balance. I want the antagonist to manipulate the narrative throughout but only revealing him/her in snippets and not until the very end to keep the audience enticed.The representation I plan to use is teenagers because my biggest audience will be the 16-25 year old bracket. I will try to incorporate the naivety of teenager and vulnerability like Scream. I plan to portray my cast as star profiles like Will Smith in I am Legend I will do this by showcasing them in close ups on film magazines and poster using them as a USP.

I hope to create the building of a mystery in the narrative which is vital  for a horror. In I am Legend it was why was the human race practically none existent and dead on once the busiest city in the world or in scream the identity of the ruthless slasher. I will also  use conventions of horrors such as dark lighting and erry music. I will now put more thought into the cinematography to show the dominance of the antagonist and the vulnerability of their victims. I will use pan shots such as the aftermath of new York in I am legend to illustrate the mood to the audience and I will use close ups to illustrate characters emotions.

Genre Research

Genre Research Reflection

For the casting of the film trailer I want to have around four characters. I want to create a weak vulnerable blonde female character, one or two male characters and an intelligent strong minded brunette. I will have only one antagonist unlike YN where there were 4 as I want a more intense and intermit relationship with his victims in seeking his/her personal revenge.
 
In terms of location the horror genre is ideal for someone like me who does not have a budget as the trailer could be filmed in a run down location, outside in the country or even in my or a friend's own home.  If I did film inside I would plan to use low key lighting to create unfamiliar shadows to add effect.
 
For the costume and props I am serious considering masking my antagonists as buying a mask will be not be bank busting and has huge marketing values. The mask can be the face of the film appearing on magazines and posters and a catalyst in creating a fan base. However I am not allowed to use weapons.
 
The sound is probably the most important element in creating a successful horror trailer. I wish to replicate the uneasy eery sounds that built suspense in the YN trailer and use sudden crashes to frighten  the viewer. I also will heighten the sounds of usual quiet sounds such as heartbeats to create immense tension.

Print Analysis

Empire - I am Legend Cover

 

The white and red work in unison to create a sharp eye catching cover and the colour choice represent the conventions of horror as red represents blood and the white connotes ghosts and the supernatural.

The title of the films stands off the page as it is positioned on the left across the middle of the page; Readers become drawn to it because of the font's fade of colour and texture this is an effective choice as it not only connotes the spookiness of the genre but emphasises the word "legend". This makes the film seems highly significant and draws readers into buying the magazine.

 

The bold and red to white text ratio makes the cover easier to read and makes the best features of the magazine stand out more attracting readers. The text It is slanted reflecting on Will Smith's uneasy feeling of not knowing what is lurking in the darkness and ghostly mist. The barcode signifies the professionalism of the magazine however it is placed at the bottom of the page as it is of the least interest to readers.

 

The white fumes intoxicate the sub headings and create a ghostly atmosphere for the magazine. The white glow behind Will Smith looks like a full moon which in horrors are associated with the transformation of humans into supernatural beasts. Will Smith is consumed in a black leather jacket and is holding a gun which suggests his character is a strong resilient character moreover it connotes that the film is action packed. He is positioned high in the frame to signify his authority however the terrified look on his face illustrates to audiences it is a horror/thriller.

 

I am Legend Poster

 

It is clear that Will Smith is the star persona as it is only his name on the poster and he is being used as the main attraction to audiences. He is placed large in the foreground in a wide open frame suggesting that he is losing hope. Will Smith is however positioned on the right which goes against media conventions as heroes are usually positioned on the left this may be due to the troubling situation he finds himself in. There is a clear brown and yellow colour scheme representing the decline and decay of the world Will's character is living in. Audiences are instantly drawn to the title of the film as the white typography stands off the black background.  

 

Where the movie is set can easily be identified as we can see the empire state building. This and other sky scrappers have biological hazard symbols on them suggesting the spread of a pandemic. We are left with an enigma as he is the only human alive however he is not alone this suggests something supernatural is out there. This statement is reinforced by the abandoned streets of Manhattan, overgrown plants and over turned cars signifying the near extinction of humanity. 

 

 Entertainment Weekly Scream Cover  

 

The white masthead and subheadings contrasts with the darkness and evil presented on the page and therefore is easily readable. The black of the slasher connotes the mystery and the red signifies the blood of the victims. Together they signifies the mystery around the murders and the killer's true identity. The title of the film is presented fairly small and at the right bottom of the page this may be because the image of the scream is enough brand identity for the film to be recognisable amongst audiences. Unlike Empire magazine where the subtitles are curved around the image of Will Smith. Whereas the subtitles of entertainment are pushed into the corners away from the slasher. This connotes the presence of the slashes causes people to perish and hide in fear.

 

The subtitles also mention the most successful actors and actresses who have starred in scream. This attracts fans of the cast as well as those of the franchise. Scream 4 is a stereotypical horror as the antagonists identity is hidden by the iconic scream mask .The eyes and mouth are dark and appear to lifeless suggesting the scream is soulless. The mystery of the masked killer creates suspense for the audience pleasure when trying to guess who the antagonist is. This tends to be revealed at the climax of the films.

 

Scream 4 Poster

 

 

 

The black background allows everything on the poster to stand out the black represents the evilness of the antagonist and mystery of who is behind the mask it also follows the conventions that horrors are known to be filmed when it is dark as murderers stereotypically strike at night. The white colour of the mask glows on top of the black; the white is ghost like and connotes a supernatural feel. The white however goes against conventions as white is usually associated with the pure and innocent whereas as the slasher could not be further from it. The chin of the mask is much sharper than the one in the magazine this is purposely done to imitate a knife or a blade and signifies the gore and blood in the film.

 

The number 4 has replaced the letter A in scream.  This is an effective way of expressing it is the 4th film in the franchise. It is written in red so that it is seen first which catches the eye so that fans do not pass the poster automatically assuming it is an old poster. The M in the scream typography is much sharper than the rest of the letters. This is to symbolises a knife, the weapon that the slasher has been know to use in previous films to savage his victims. The red caption stands over the black and glowing image. The new decade and new rules refers to these previous scream films and a promise to fans the film will be different and fresh this also gives Scream 4 a unique selling point.

 

Reflection

 

In the print analysis I have learnt of vital conventions which makes a horror print distinctive to a romantic comedy movie prints for example. I have learnt new ways of making my horror magazine and poster stand out. I have also learnt that important cast members, directors or even USP such as "based on a true story" must be emphasised on the prints to pull audiences in. As well as learning the importance of continuity on the prints to create a brand identity which is clever, memorable and will generate large audiences.

My magazine will follow a three colour scheme of black, white and red or even green; so that my prints are clearly signifying the horror genre to audiences. I will use the same colour scheme on both the magazine and the poster and font style to ensure continuity, signifying the professionalism of my movie whilst creating a brand identity.

I aim to put effect on the font of my film title so it stands out over the masthead like the ghostly effect on the I am Legend Empire cover striking audiences attentions. I could do this on Photoshop by manipulating layers on text or create a bloody red or grungy green title by downloading fonts on websites such as Dafont. I will position it in the middle of the page and in bold so it is centre of the readers attention.

I plan to use the antagonist as the face of my prints. The antagonist will be the brand identity of my film and I hope that the sight of him or her will make my movie instantly recognisable to audiences. I plan to manipulate the images of my antagonist in Photoshop on the cover to make my movie appear increasingly more terrifying.

Marketing Reflection

From researching the Superman reboot I have realised I must go much further beyond than just realising the standard 2 Minuit trailer.

Firstly I most create a unique brand identity for my movie, something that is simplistic such as the S logo from on superman's top which when fans see it they instantly associate it with my film. I need a unique selling point like Nolan reinventing superman as the man of steel. My film could re invent a previous horror or put a thrilling twist on a fairy-tale like Red riding hood (2011). Or I could use an actor or actress to attract fans to the film. Just as Nolan has used Henry Carvill playing Clark Kent aka Superman as an idol for male audiences and a sexual icon for female audiences to draw them into Man of Steel.

I must come up with a Snappy headline to appear on my poster and magazine posters like "Man of steel". The repetition will be consumed into audience's heads and will create a buzz amongst fans who will be a catalyst in promoting the film as they chat about it to the mates. Promoting the film using hash tags so that on social networking sites the film trends and the word is spread like wildfire in turn rolling over larger, wider audiences.

Just as Man of Steel has. I want to create suspense to the build up by firstly releasing a teaser trailer of my movie to grab fans attention. Then release a longer theatrical trailer to pull fans in. To finally a twenty second television explosive trailer to maintain the high level of excitement throughout the campaign.

The promotion of my film must be consistent so that it is seen as professional amongst audiences and taken seriously as a film. I will use continuity in terms of colour schemes and text across posters and magazine covers. My magazine cover will be one of a mainstream magazine, appearing on a mainstream film magazine will attract a wider audience than just fans of horror to the film.