i have analysed this magazine cover so that i can get an understanding of what to include on a film magazine myself. So that it will follow the conventions of a real media product.

Film posters

The colours of this poster make the film recognisable as a horror, therefore targeting the audience well as they get a feel of the film from the images and colours on the poster. The main image suggests danger and protection as they are holding weapons, the characters in the background/distance are not holding weapons are standing quite open (possibly showing that they are not scared) this meaning that they could be the villains. The characters in the background are coming up behind the characters in the foreground (can they see them?) making the characters in the foreground seem vulnerable (also linking with the text "they're coming). the image in the bottom right hand corner suggests pain, revealing the horror genre along with the text. "They're coming" creates an enigma, who is coming and when? The title of the film can reveal the type of creature/villain within the film as the whole film is in the dark-at night, therefore suggesting vampires as there will be no escape if there is no daylight.

10 things that you would expect to find on a film poster

1. Certification - letting the audience know what age they have to be in order to watch the film, it will also give them an idea on what themes the film may include. The BBFC will watch and analyse the film and will decide what the certification will be depending on the content of the film, for example most horror movies will be 15 or over because of the threat, violence and psychological horror.


2. Main image - could be an still image from within the film or could be posed picture of the characters (a promotional image-looks exciting)


3. The title of the film will normally positioned at the top of the poster as this is where the audience will tend to look first. So the audience will be able to identify the film.


4. There could be a logo of the film or the institution so the audience will know who the production company is- promoting the company.


5. A tag line from the film to help attract the audience, for example on the Orphan poster the tag line is 'There's something wrong with Esther'. This creates an enigma as the audience will want to the know what is wrong and will only find out the answer when they watch the film, therefore attracting them.


6. Release date


7. Cast names will either be positioned above the title like they are on DVD covers, or they will be positioned at the bottom of the poster along with the name of the directors, producers and the institution.


8. Reference from a critic for example 5 stars in order to attract the audience by including a comment that praises the film will attract an audience.


9. the name of the producer, director etc, normally at the bottom of the poster


10. Sometimes there may be titles from previous successful films that the producer has already produced, this will help attract the audience especially if they have seen the films and have enjoyed them, as they will then think that the new film will be good and will also want to watch it. This is also true with actors, people will watch the films just because they star an actor they like. Which is why it helps it producers try get famous actors to star in their movies as it may increase the ratings.

Movie Website

Producers create websites for their films to advertise the film and to get the audience involved. For example it may have games for children to play, pictures from within the film and wallpapers for them to download (audience participation)
I have analysed this movie website called the ORPHAN as it is the same genre as the trailer that we will be producing, so by looking at this website it will give me an insight in what to include for my own website. I looked at the conventions and analysed what effect they would have upon the audience. For example the direct mode of address of the character and how the red, green and black colours have been used to reflect the genre of the film.

Why do we watch horror films?

People like to watch horror for many reasons, they may enjoy the excitement of being scared or they may like the plot of the film. I asked a group of 10 people why they like horror films and all their answers fell under one of these categories.

• Emotion - some people watch films because they like feeling scared or because they want to empathise with the characters.
• Escapism - to escape from reality and into fantasy. An example of this would be the film 30 Days Of Night as we know that vampires are not real, but some people like to believe in and enjoy the fantasy element.
• Physical effects - some people watch films in order for them to get an adrenaline rush of being scared, they enjoy the excitement and the physical effects that the horror film creates.
• Intrigue - solve enigmas, mystery, suspense. Some people like to have a puzzle to solve, which will be unravelled throughout the film. An example would be The Da Vinci Code.
• Catharsis - a cleansing experience, the effect of purification achieved by tragic drama.
• Perception of anti-mainstream activity - wanting to watch things that aren't acceptable, for example a brutal murder or a violent beating of a character.
• Exploration of a taboo subject - watching an event or act that is possibly forbidden.
• Voyeurism - watching things that you perhaps shouldn't see, something that you shouldn't see in real life. An example of this would be watching someone getting changed or an intimate moment between two people. This is brings an element of people being nosey as they are wanting to watch something that should be private.
• Culture and personal fears - to overcome a fear

All these reasons will need to be considered when creating the trailer as these are the reasons why an audience will watch a horror movie. We will need to attract the audience by including some of these elements, for example creating a scene that will make the audience 'jump' and feel scared, or by creating enigmas so the audience will want to watch more. By including taboo subjects or elements of them (as trailers must be eligible to be seen by any viewer) and scenes that could get the 'heart pumping' the trailer should attract an audience. This links with the uses and gratifications media theory, where an audience watches a media text- in this case a horror film- to get certain gratifications linking with the reasons above.

Codes and Conventions for Horror Trailers

I have looked at a number of horror trailers in order to find out what the typical codes and conventions within horror are. By doing this, it will help me to know what to include in my own trailer so that it is recognised as a horror film. The trailers that i have researched include; the ORPHAN (2009), DRAG ME TO HELL (2009), SCREAM, (1996) THIRTY DAYS OF NIGHT (2007), and THE UNBORN (2009).

MISE-EN-SCENE -
Setting - In a horror film the setting can be anywhere. In the trailers that i have researched they are all set in a different places. Either in the woods, in the home or in the middle of nowhere, however they all tend to be isolated from the rest of society with only the villain and the victims there. The reason for this is that it creates tension and suspense to the audience, knowing that something is going to happen, but not knowing when creates physical effects towards the audience- adrenaline rush.

Props - fake blood is used to show injury and destruction of the villain
- weapons such as knives, guns and saws are used to show/suggest danger and violence and also the fear of being hurt and in pain, for example in the film SAW 2003
- masks are also often used to hide the identity of the killer, SCREAM 1997

Colours- the colours of the text are predominantly black, white or red. This is because these colours can represent death, murder and darkness. The colours work well together to create the effect of horror and evilness.
Red represents blood, danger and the devil. Black represents darkness and mystery, it also relates to the phrase 'the black sheep' which is an outcast from family or society. This is generally the case within horror, when the villain is neglected from society. White can suggest coldness, which can relate to the personality of the villain.
The colours are used on the text within a trailer, from my research it is usually white writing on a black background or in the trailer thirty days of night its red text on a red and black background which gives emphasis on the vampires within the film.

Costume, hair and makeup - the way the characters are dressed lets the audience know what type of character they are, for example if the character is dressed in dark clothing and is covered up-so the identity is not revealed then typically they are the villain. The make-up used on a villain, will generally be really pale so the features are emphasised e.g. pale face, with dark eyes to give them a creepy look. a good example of this would be the Joker in Batman. The victims (protagonist) are usually dressed in casual, everyday, outfits o that they look 'normal' towards society, whereas the villain will look different and will possibly stand out more (against the norm of society). However, this is not always the case and there will be exceptions to the rule, an example would be when when a villain is not obvious and are shown as part of the group


SOUND -
Diegetic sound- is always used in teaser trailers, it is sound that is within the 'film world'. An example of this within horror would be a victim screaming, the sound of a door opening or the sound of a gun shot. As film trailers have to be suitable for all ages, the trailer cannot show disturbing/violent scenes and cannot show any fright into much detail. Therefore they have to rely on sound and effects to make these elements evident e.g hearing a cream without seeing the attack. The use of character interaction (dialogue) will help the narrative along and will help the audience to understand the events within the trailer. Using this within a trailer helps show the narrative of the film and helps create suspense, tension and enigmas.

Non diegetic sound- is sound that has been added during post production. Within horror trailers, the sound used is generally music that will create a spooky effect or will create tension. Sounds such as a heartbeat can be used to create a scary effect and suspense.
For example in the high pitched sound in the music in the trailer for Thirty Days Of Night gives a sinister feel to the film and helps create tension along with the visual in screen.

Sound Effects- is enhanced sound that added to the text during post production, an example of this would be in the film trailer 'Thirty days of Night' where they have made the screech of the vampires more scary and piercing.

Sound Bridge- The same music or sound that links two scenes together, to make the action scene interrupted. This would be use in the middle of the trailer as it will be revealing the action within the film, it helps to keep the continuity within the film by carrying on with the same source of sound.

Voiceover- a voiceover is generally used in a theatrical trailer, but is sometimes used in a teaser trailer with the actors voice used over a sequence of shots. This is shown within trailers for films such as Twilight, Thirty Days Of Night and I am Legend however, i saw the theoretical trailers of these films at the cinema and they all included a male voice who of which was not a character within the film. The purpose of a voiceover is to help the audience understand the visual and the narrative of the film throughout the trailer.

CAMERA -
Establishing shot - is used at the beginning of the trailer to set the scene and to show equilibrium. Normally you will see the soon-to-victims leading their normal lives before the disruption occurs.

Close up - this shot shows the detail of a subjects face. its used within horror trailers to show the fear and emotion of the victims and making the audience to feel their pain. It can be also used to show the face of the villain, or an extreme close up may be used to show just a section of their face for example their eyes. This will create an enigma as the audience wont be sure what the villain fully looks like.

Mid shots- are used to show the action within the film (when equilibrium has been disrupted)allows the audience to see the character and the setting at the same time, this is used within horror . a mid shot can also be used to show the villain, usually in horror films it will show a dark outline of the villain's figure if the identity is not to be revealed.

Long shots- are used to show the setting, it allows the audience to see all the surroundings in the scene as well as the characters. In horror it could show a building on fire or possibly a murder, so the audience are not clear on who the killer is.

POV- This shot would usually be the point of view of the victim, so the audience can feel the fear and tension within the scene (it gives them an adrenalin rush). the shot is used when the victim is running away or hiding from the villain

Tracking- this camera movement allows the audience to follow the action within the trailer, and allows them to keep up with the pace of the characters and movement within the scene (for example the character running). This movement can make the audience feel they are apart of the action and will make them feel the physical effects that the character is feeling (scared, adrenaline rush) It will make the scene more effective and seem realistic in the eyes of the audience.

High Angle- is when the camera is position high up and is tilting down on the subject, making the character look vulnerable to the audience. This is popular within the horror genre as it makes the victim powerless against the villain.

Low Angle- placed below the subject titling upwards so that the character looks dominant and powerful, this generally towards the villain before the attempt to repair the disruption.

Canted angle - is the tilting of the camera and is used for dramatic effect to create a sense of disorientation, intoxication, madness etc. This can be shown within horror such as the Saw series.

NARRATIVE STRUCTURE/THEMES

Death and murder

Mind games

Torture

Survival

Supernatural themes e.g. curses and vampires

Todrovs theory explains the order in which the narrative is shown- Equilibrium, Disruption, Recognition, Attempt to repair, equilibrium. Within trailers a quick shot of the equilibrium is shown and disruption is then the main focus, there will be some elements shown of the recognition and the attempt to repair, however there will be no equilibrium shown at the end, as then it would defeat the purpose of the trailer and there will be no creation of enigma codes.

REPRESENTATIONS

Villain- powerful, clever and cunning, in control, sometimes masked to hide identity (mysterious), invincible. In most films there is a history behind why the character became the villain, it usually because of a social breakdown and they fear of feeling different. They don't fit into society through their own actions and/or the actions of others- so they go against the norm.

Victim- weak, scared, innocent, vulnerable, helpless. towards the end of the film however, they become stronger and begin to overcome the fear of the villain.

Analysis Of Film Trailer

I have looked at the film trailer Thirty Days Of Night as its a similar genre to what my trailer is going to be. I have analysed the different elements within the trailer, so i will have an understanding on how the narrative is conveyed and the types of features that i should include within my trailer in order to captivate mu target audience

NARRATIVE
Todorov's theory of a narrative structure is seen throughout this trailer, yet it be very short. At the very start of the trailer equilibrium is shown, but then is very quickly disrupted by a creature jumping through a window into the house. You then see more disruption whilst the text is displayed on the screen. Recognition of the event and the events that might happen is evident in the form of diegetic dialogue as a character explains that "death is approaching". There is little evidence to show that there is an attempt to repair as most of the trailer shows the disruption. However, there is a quick edit of a scene where you see the protagonist start to fight back.
The text shown at the beginning of the trailer (along with the scenes), tells the audience that something 'bad' is coming but does not reveal who are what. The character interaction also helps the audience to understand the narrative of the film but again without giving too much aways, so it still creates the effect of enigma codes.

AUDIENCE
I would say that the target audience for this film would be 15 to 40 both male and female. The certification of the film is 15 so the film should automatically not be targeted to any below the age group. The film is within the horror genre and will contain disturbing and violent scenes that should not be viewed by anyone below the age of 15 years. Audiences above the age of 40 may not have any interest in the film as it involves the element of fantasy (vampires) and may just thing that it looks fake and will not be effected by the film (which defeats the purpose of the film being horror). I think that the film will possibly appeal to more males than females, as from my research females prefer more 'ROM COM' films whilst males enjoy violence and horror within a film.
Trailers have to be suitable to be seen by all ages, which can effectively target audiences below the certification as they will not show the full content of the film. However the genre of the film will decrease the amount of underage viewers as most children will find horror genres too disturbing, the film may possibly attract young teens (13-14 years old). The time of day that the trailer is shown is a way to target the 'correct audience'. By showing the trailer after 9 o'clock can ensure that children will not being viewing it and by showing it on adverts in between programmes that attract older teens and adults will also do the same.

SOUND
As mentioned above the trailer has to be suitable for viewing by all ages-meaning that they can not show any of the content of the film in detail (blood, threat, dangerous behaviour). As 'Thirty Days Of Night' is a horror and is certificated 15, the trailer shows very little of the violence and the actions of the vampires. Because of this the trailer will rely on sound to emphasis the element of danger and violence.
The diegetic sound of screaming and the screech of the vampires shows the audience that there is pain and panic. The sound at the beginning of the trailer of the window breaking, will create a physical affect on the audience, by making them jump and by letting them know that this film is 'scary'
The dialogue of the characters acts as a voice over throughout the trailer, it explains what is happening within the film to help the audience get a feel for it so they can decide if they would like to go and see it. The voice over works along side the images of the scenes as it helps understand what the scenes are about, but still creates a sense of mystery- not knowing what will happen.
The non-diegetic sound is in the form of music, the tempo of the music changes throughout the trailer to fit in with the speed of the edits and the action. At the beginning of the trailer when the disruption has just occurred the music is quite slow to go along side with the edits (establishing the setting and text on screen) the music has 'screeching/piercing' sound to it and gets louder a the scenes go on. (the piercing of the music could represent the vampires-even though the villain has not yet been identified.) The tempo of the music speeds up towards the end of the trailer once the 'recognition' and the audience is aware of the killer, it shows other events within the film (destruction of the town, fighting back) and text (the director etc.) the music no longer has the screeching sound to it and is a little more upbeat to show that action moving on.

MEDIA LANGUAGE
COSTUME, HAIR AND MAKE-UP
The costume of the villain/s is very dark- long black coats, which contrasts with the paleness of their make-up and skin. Doing this creates a very 'scary and sinister' effect, it also goes alongside with the long sharp fingernails and teeth and with the blood dripping down the sides of their mouths. Once seeing all of these features the audience know that they are vampires (and that they are in Alaska where there is 30 days of darkness.) The characters follow the characteristics and stereotypes of vampires that all audiences will recognise. However, through the use of edits and camera movement it takes a while for the identity of the killers to be revealed. The quick edits of the vampires' faces makes it difficult for the audience to recognise them as vampires, until you notice the blood and that they kill their victims by biting their necks.

SETTING
The film is set in Alaska during the month of darkness, the text on the screen tells the audience where the film is set, but you can identify this from the snow that covers the entire town. The fact that the whole film is set in the dark creates a scary effect within itself, this along with that the villains are vampires makes it even worse as there is nowhere for the victims to escape until the month is over.

LIGHTING AND COLOUR
As the film is set in darkness, the lighting relies on the snow to make the scenes more brighter. throughout the whole trailer low key lighting is used so the audience can still see the effect the the town is in complete darkness. The use of low key lighting also creates a more terrifying look on the vampires' faces as it emphasis their features. The colour of the text is in black, white and red which are the predominant colours used within the horror trailer, as they convey meanings of danger, violence and mystery.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5Q3PdT6GFQ

Institution logos

After looking at all these film institutions i can get an idea of the type of logo i can create for my own institution. All these logos include the colour gold, which convey a rich and powerful effect, suggesting that all these institutions are dominant and popular within the film industry. Most of them include a solid and strong feature, for example the statue of liberty is a strong and iconic feature within the USA, this can show that again the institution is very powerful and strong, and is almost like that it is here to stay. A mountain is another solid feature in the Paramount logo, almost like that they are very high up in the industry (top of the mountain- looking over). the 20th Century Fox logo almost looks like a podium or a trophy- again very solid. The shield looking shape of Warner Bros again will suggest the same features. The lion is a very strong animal (top of the food chain) surrounded by a crest of film tape suggest its importance within the film industry.

All of the logos suggest power, wealth, and importance. I will need to consider using a similar colour for my institution and have a picture that suggests the strength and dominance of the within the industry. i will also have to think about the background of my logo - the sky tends to be popular choice.