What is a Horror Trailer and Audience Feedback

We organised our trailer based on the results of the questionnaires. We handed out 10 questionnaires to a range of people in a shopping centre. The gender results balanced at 5-5 and the ages ranged from 12-45. When asked the question what is your preferred type of Horror? The results came back mainly Gore and Psychological, so we decided as a group to balance our horror between these two genres, using a stalker who has an obsession and will contain gore as the film goes on.

This question was followed by what information would you like to see in a horror trailer? The results came back at a majority of Film Name followed by Release Date so we will include these in our trailer. Another question used was what conventions would you like included in a trailer? The majority answer was tag line so we have decided this will be our main convention in our trailer, to use a significant tag line.

Finally we ended our questionnaire with the question in a horror film, do you like to see a main character and a villain or a group of characters? The results came in with a group of characters at the most popular, therefore in our film we have decided although there will be a villain and a main girl, the horror will mainly be based around a group of characters, the group of friends attending the reunion.

For a lot of our research and planning for our trailer we used Pearl & Dean to establish what our audiences wanted to see, and what kind of audiences we will be aiming our trailer to.

Analysis of Drag me to Hell Poster

Analysis of Saw 1 Poster

Analysis of Paranormal Activity Poster

Analysis of Saw 1

Camera shots and angels

A mixture of mid shots with faded light to show a disorientated view. A rising tilt shot is used to show the lights being turned on it builds up suspense to the viewers to what it is they are about to see. Close up shots were used to show to the facial expressions and reactions of the characters at a fast pace which builds up the tension and suspense for the viewers. Low angle shot of character smashing something, this gives him a sense of power and control showing his violent side in a superior way that the viewers are looking up to him.

Sound

Exaggerated diegetic sound of camera taking pictures it is much louder than the noise would be in real life and gives the viewers a sense someone is being watched. A eerie, clowns laugh is heard in the background as a person shouts “Who is that?” this leaves the viewers in suspense to what is happening. A non-diegetic sound of a heart beat echoing in the background this builds up the tension for the viewers as it is becoming more intense. Their is a dialogue heard from a lone speaker in a deep, disturbing voice the audience can hear from this that he is identified as the antagonist. Brief sets of dialogue is used in the trailer to give an outline of the plot and so the audience can analyze the characters.

Editing

The speed of the trailer starts of slow and with the effect of dark surroundings builds up to the plot of the film. As the trailer progresses, the pace of the trailer increases as shots become faster. This has been used to create suspense for the viewers and to grab their attention. The editing shows the focus on various characters mostly the victims to show the films genre being a horror.

Mise en scene

In the beginning of the sequence we see a man taking pictures, where there is a prominent flash beings shown, this gives the affect that something is being investigated or watched. We see the antagonist in the voice and body or a doll, this gives the mysterious effect of who truly is the killer in the film, his voice is deep and gives a disturbing feel, even though he is a doll he is portrayed an eerie. Newspaper articles pinned to a wall are shown, of the publicity of the killer, that his crimes are known but his identity is hidden. The victims are shown enclosed in a dirty bathroom sweaty and beaten up showing them in a vulnerable and threatening state. A clock is shown, with the hands moving at a fast pace show this shows the effect that time is running out for the victims.

At what point in the trailer are we told the name of the film? Why is this?

The film title ‘Saw’ is not shown until the very end of the film, this is so the audience has to see the whole trailer before knowing what the actual film is. This is so the audience is drawn in to teaser trailer, it makes them want to see the film and when they see the title at the end it gives it significance and imprints into the minds of the viewers.

Why are we told who is starring in the film?

This is so fans of the actors who are starring know that they will be in the film. A percentage of viewers will only be going to see the film just because their favourite actors are appearing. A-list Hollywood actors create more a buzz in trailers as they have more fans, the more fans of the actors means more people will want to see the film. As audiences associate good actors with good films.

How is this information given to us? Why?

However in Saw we are not actually shown the names of the actors who are appearing in the film. We are show “Twisted production” the production company though. This is so the audience can associate the well known production company who mainly produce horror and teaser films with the film.

What type of action from the film do we see?

In the trailer we firstly see a man (Adam) taking pictures in what appears to be a crime scene, where we then hear something approach him, as he is aware that someone is there. Lights then turn on where we can see adam as well as another man (Dr.Gordon) in a large locker room/ bathroom both chained up. A television screen is then shown where we see a puppet disguising a mans voice “Hello Adam, Dr. Gordon” He knows who they are and he is the reason they are there. A montage of newspaper clippings showing that the killer is famous and is being hunted by police. A flashback to one of his previous murders is shown, as a man tries to escape through barbed wire. Back in the locker room/bathroom the two men try and saw through the chains, but soon realise the saws are for their feet. Another flashback is shown of Dr.Gordon in a car park to when he was abducted.

What clues does the music give us as to what type of film the trailer is advertising?

There is no direct music in the trailer however there are sounds similar to wind and thunder that is quite eerie. This helps advertise the trailer as it fits in with the genre of horror, the music matches the actions shown. The short sounds of knife slashing and loud bangs suit the shots as the quick framed shots matches the the blunt noises heard in the background.

Does the trailer come with a voice over and if so, what can you tell about the voice being used?

In the trailer there is no voice over however we do hear some of the characters talking more significantly then others. Such as the antagonist his voice is played over the actions of the Adam and Dr. Gordon and through various scenes in the trailer without actually seeing him. This is also done with the crime scene investigators there voices are played over various scenes such as the montage of newspaper headings.

How does the speed of what we see compare to watching a clip from a film? Why is this?

Because the trailer has to include the best bits of the film the trailer must be fast pace this is so it can include all of these parts within a short amount of time. The pace if faster then the actual film itself because the trailer must try and attract the viewers to the general point of the film however the film obviously explores the point of the film at a longer pace. The trailer is also at a fast pace to build up the suspense for the audience so that it leaves a more dramatic and intense reaction on to them.

Does the speed alter through the trailer or does it stay the same?

At the beginning of the trailer the pace is quite slow and slower pace shots are shown so that the story starts to develop, without giving to much away to the plot. However the speed starts to build up as more horrific shots of torture are shown. This builds up the tension for the audience who find the fast action shots exciting and they then want to go and see the film.

What information are we given about the film?

In the trailer we are given the production companies names: Lions Gate films and Twister pictures around thirty seconds into the trailer. We are also given the release date “In theatres Fall 2004” right at the end of the trailer.

What type of audience is the trailer aimed at? How can you tell?

The trailer is targeting mostly men aged between 15-24. This is because the main characters are male which fits into the stereotype, the film is disturbing gruesome, which show most popular to men at the age. The IMDB website shows me that the film tried to target 15-24, mostly males.

Analysis of Paranormal Activity

We are given the name of the film at the very beginning of the trailer when we are shown the first audience to view ‘Paranormal Activity’. We are given the name again half way though the trailer when referring to a review. However the title
The names of the actors ‘starring’ in the film are not given. They are not high profile actors, instead the ‘names’ are given in the trailer when they speak to each other in the footage.
However this gives the desired effect because the film started a controversy as to whether it was real footage or a staged film. So having high profile actors in the film would decrease the level of fear.
Katy’s boyfriend gives her name when introducing her to the handheld camera at the beginning of the trailer. The way we are given this information is through them communicating within the footage. We are not given the male protagonist’s name in the trailer. In the film we are shown snippets of the paranormal activity, including the male protagonist getting thrown at the camera.
We are shown a door getting violently slammed and Katy violently rocking back and forth. There is more violence in the trailer as opposed to action.
There is no music in the trailer, instead computerised non-diegetic sounds are used to give a real life effect, the sound is similar to thunder and strong winds, this gives the trailer more fear impact because these are the sort of sounds that are normal to hear yet scary. There is sudden noises used to evoke fear. Silence is used which is the most fearful sound of them all because the audience doesn’t know what to expect. There is also a thumping sound at the beginning of the trailer. This resembles a heart beating, how people usually feel before viewing a horror film.
There is no voice over used, instead there is writing used to get us to read instead of being told. Voice overs are often used in high profile films, again this film is made to look like real life footage, therefore a voice over would give a typical film effect. Also the male protagonist does most of the talking which tells us what a voice over would anyway.
The male protagonist is chosen as the main voice use throughout the trailer, I think they chose the actor in the film because it gives a sense of reality. Where the only voice overs they have in the trailer are the two protagonists it makes the audience believe the film is genuine footage.
The trailer begins very slow pace and as the trailer progresses the pace fastens as it picks a lot of the main action from the film. They do this to give the audience too much to take in at once and therefore want to see the film because it appears to be full of action. However when watching a clip from the film it will be very slow pace gradually building the action to the middle/end of the film compared to the trailer.
The speed alters throughout the trailer, it begins slow pace with little or no action and progresses to fast pace with lots of action
The trailer tells the audience that the young couple are haunted by something and are trying to capture it on camera for proof that they are actually being haunted. They do not know what it is what is haunting them but they know it is a threat. We know that the male protagonist tries to play games with it (Camera footage, Ouija board) therefore inviting it in.
This information is given to the audience consistently throughout the trailer as the male protagonist is using a handheld camera and bringing us along his journey with him.
From looking at the Pearl & Dean Website I can see that the target audience consists mainly of the 15-24 age range. Females are more likely to watch the film at 51% over 49% of males.

Analysis of Drag me to Hell

DRAG ME TO HELL

Link to drag me to hell trailer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFLxuEN8OTI

Analysis of the film trailer Drag me to Hell-

The trailer starts with a establishing shot from a birds eye view looking down upon the city, looking at the cars on the roads trying to get to work I feel that this explores natural surroundings and shows the audience the setting. We then go to a close up of the main character we can see that from all the possible candidates that were shown in the establishing shot, she has been chosen to play the main role. She has a look that suggests a routine, that she does this everyday, this is ironic for it foreshadows that her routine on this particular day will change this is furthered by the slow music that sounds like a kind of lullaby, this creates an eerie effect and establishes that it could contain a theme of horror. It then cuts to an office place where she works, showing more of her and everyday life, this snaps to a point of view shot of her looking at a lonesome desk showing this is her ambition and that she would like to get the placement on offer. Looking at mis en scene here we can see that she is smartly dress like an office person would be with her hair tied neatly up, she also has a watch that shows she balances her time. She looks vulnerable and feels that the position is threatened this is shown through the way she is being extra careful with the women who asks for an extension, she goes to her management. The old women seems desperate she is dressed in very old clothing and wrapped up warm suggesting she is effected by the cold easily. the main character is asked to make a tough decision which she feels if she answers correctly will grant her the managing role therefore denies the elderly women a extension, basically making her homeless. The non diegetic music represents the old women’s desperation it rises and gets deeper such as a heart beat would when scared or afraid of something. This abruptly stops when the old lady is thrown aside and the shot of the main character standing over her shows that she has over powered her and made her feel weak, she is begging for mercy. Then lastly the women says something slowly with a sort of resentful attitude which is ‘You Shame Me’, then it blacks out.

When we next see the character she is walking towards her car we can tell something is going to happen through the darkness and erie feeling the audience gets. The high pitched shriek and smash of the window lets the audience know for certain that it is a horror, the quickness of how she is dragged out of the car and the composition of quick shots builds tension, therefore we are given a rest to in a way recover as the old women says ‘ Soon it will be you begging to me’, and in a way the trailer starts. It is given a past paced action sort of sound that gets your heart pumping as you are awaiting something, it contains a series of quick shots and special effects, for instance the paper flies everywhere and images and shadows of creatures flicker up. the way in which they slow the music down until it stops and the main character feels it is a dream, prepares the reader for something to happen, as she does not look behind her and as she lay back down a high pitch scream is heard again and the old women is lying next to her. this again follows with much quicker shots to draw the audience’s attention to the film less dialogue is used and it builds up very quickly with the end of the main character screaming in a ball of fire, then all goes silent. This leaves the audience with a racing heart rate and a interest in the film therefore they want to see it and see what happens, therefore the trailer does what it intends to do and keeps the audiences full attention on it.

At what point in the trailer are we told the name of the film? Why is this?

We are told the name of this film at the very end I feel this is because the film is so fast paced that if it was shown at the start then the audience would forget this, to have it at the end of the build up and fast paced shots, it remains within the audiences mind. this is because it has affected them and the have taken an interest in it, therefore this may create viral marketing and more will be attracted to the film by others remembering the name and telling others.

Why are we told who is starring in the film?

Although we are not told who the actors are in the film we are told who the director is for instance ‘Sam Raimi’ I feel the reason for this is because the actors are not well known and that the director would interest more people to the film. This is because he is associated with very popular films such as ‘Spiderman’ and an audience would see this and be interested in it for they may have enjoyed his previous work, and feel this may be as good. This would create a wider audience for people will want to see his work if they are already a fan.

How is this information given to us? Why?

Both the name if the film and the name of the director is given to us on a separate slide, it is not written across a moving image for when this happens the music gets slower, or stops completely. This I feel is because as it acts as a kind of reaction break, it gives the audience time to think about what has happened so far and what it may be about. it allows the audience to take a breath from a series of loud, fast and exhilarating shots.

What type of action from the film do we see?

Action and suspense is a major theme within the trailer, it is within a series of quick shots to make it more effective. We are shown her being dragged, scared, nearly drowning, papers flying around, screams. It is basically collection of quick, frightening reaction shots that gradually get quicker then stop and they build this up like this agin to really draw the audiences attention and keep them focussed on the trailer.

What clues does the music give us as to what type of film the trailer is advertising?

The music is typical of a thriller/ Horror Genre as the melody gradually gets louder, quicker and faster this is associated with these genres for it is to build up tension and prepare the audience for a chase or series of fast shots that shock and maybe in some cases scare the audience before giving brief breaks that follow again by the up beat fast melody that also in most cases is erie.

Does the trailer come with a voice over and if so, what can you tell about the voice being used?

This trailer does not use a voice over although it does contain dialogue that informs the audience what the narrative of the trailer is.

How does the speed of what we see compare to watching a clip from a film? Why is this?

The speed of a trailer is sped up then what we would see in a film, this is because within a film they have around 2 hours to present the story and the plot, although within a trailer they have to sum it up in two minutes, therefore everything in the editing is sped up and we get a series of quick snappy shots that intrigue and interest the audience.

What information are we given about the film?

Who the director is, What other films they made such as Spiderman and The Evil Dead trilogy, Names of some production companies, Critics view from the ‘news of the world’ and ‘Ain’t it cool news’ and finally the title of the film.

At what point in the trailer is this information given?

This information is given at different stages in the trailer, this is used mostly when the music builds up and tension is created, it acts as a breather fir the audience to take everything in; at the points when information is shown, the music also halts.

Introduction to coursework

We are a group of A2 Media students who have been given the assignment of producing a horror teaser trailer. We will be presenting all of our work including; our research and planning, the actual horror trailer and our evaluation on this blog. :)