Conventions are a list of common factors that appear in media sub-genres. Inside the horror genre there are conventions that exist within & around structure/narrative. Conventions are used to distinguish between sub- genres(e.g. slasher, supernatural & zombie) as it allows the audience to identify with what they prefer best. Throughout the development of film a clear majority of the texts have adhered to a certain format or layout, and by doing this they have created a common convention or expectation within the audience. This adherence will allow the audience to distinguish between one or more media texts. Conventions have been developed over time in a way to fit the means of society. A highly common convention is todorov's equilibrium theory, many real media texts follow this format, however in my trailer I averted that known convention and put my own creativity into it. This shows that my trailer served a different purpose in comparison to real media texts. In my opinion for a convention to be generalised and successful, it needs to be seen on countless occasions for the audience to familiarise themselves with it. A normal trailer doesn't include a resolution, my trailer uses this develop and adapts to conventions. A trailer is supposed to be informative to extent where the whole film concept isn't ruined. This question focuses on different conventions used in all real media texts and how we can compare it to our own work, it is also important challenge these conventions so the media doesn't become boring and tedious.
TODOROV'S EQUILIBRIUM THEORY
Todorov's equilibrium theory suggest that all narratives follow a three act structure: Equilibrium, Disruption & Resolution.
The Equilibrium -
The equilibrium is the beginning of the trailer, in which everywhere it at peace and nothing seems to have gone wrong. This part is the set the mood and the atmosphere for the film. Fortunately, my trailer includes a equilibrium which sets the atmosphere for my film, however doing so, challenged the normal convention of a real media tex teaser trailer. |
Another horror trailer which uses an equilibrium is Sinister(2012). This was to set the mood for the trailer and to let the audience have a feel on what is going on aka the backstory/narrative. In my opinion this trailer also challenged the conventions of horror trailers as it showed an equilibrium.
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The Disruption -
This is when the peace from the equilibrium is destroyed. This is usually the first appearance of the antagonist. This convention is what I used to develop my trailer to follow what I see in RMT. In my trailer the disruption is when the deranged man begins to approach the girl he held hostage. This section is key as it builds up anticipation. |
The real media texts i'd like to apply my knowledge to is Sinister, a disruption is found in many other real media texts because this is the selling point and this is what entices the audience. As I am a fan of horror films i can subjectively speak and show that this is correct, what i look for most in a horror trailer is the disruption.
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Resolution: In the horror genre real media trailers do not contain a resolution. Therefore, this means that the real media trailers challenge todorov's theory. However, as I stated above some RMT trailers have a equilibrium so they use the theory to an extent. Also, as this is only the teaser trailer, this restricts the amount of information that is meant to be released. Its only in the films, that you can find todorov's theory being applied.
In my trailer I did not include a resolution, because it would give away the ending of the film, therefore not making them want to watch the film. In a way the teaser trailer is a way of coaxing the audience.
In my trailer I did not include a resolution, because it would give away the ending of the film, therefore not making them want to watch the film. In a way the teaser trailer is a way of coaxing the audience.
Camera Techniques
Camera angles and shots are used to demonstrate different settings of the trailer/film. Also it could show the amount of power distributed through out the film. In my trailer i used around 5/6 different angles to demonstrate different things.
This is an over the shoulder shot/High angle shot. The purpose of this shot is to make the antagonist look in power and to make the victim look very minute and look more vulnerable. Other real media text use this shot as well.
This is a high angle shot, the purpose of a high angle shot is to make someone look in power, however my trailer challenges this perception, as it is shown by the victim in her body language and facial expressions that she still feels vulnerable and victimised
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This is a mid shot&also a high angle, its using composition to show that she is trapped in the corner. This shot is used to somewhat sexualise the victim. As its only from the waist up. Also the fact that she is showing skin could also sexualise her. This links to the male gaze theory by Laura Mulvey
This is a mid shot and this is to show the body language of the victim, it is seen that she is in a position of discomfort. This camera shot shows this.
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LENGTH
My trailer is just over 1 minute and this is the normal length for a teaser trailer, it follows the conventions of horror other real media text that follow this form. Some may go over one minute to try and give the audience more information but a normal teaser trailer is not supposed to give out too much information or else the audience will not go and watch the film
Lighting.
In my trailer I used lowkey lighting, this was to maximise the effect pf both the antagonist and the victim. this is a recurring convention for horror films hence why i used it to develop my own project for it to resemble that of real media texts. also lighting can change something from being very intimidating not not intimidating at all.
Costumes.
The costumes shown were used to make the characters look more appealing, as the victim is wearing clothing which shows off her skin it could signify that she was seeking attention, which then caught the attention of the deranged psychopath which captured her. This makes the victim more vulnerable to the antagonist. Many females who are victims in horror films tend to wear clothes which could be revealing to an extent. Also the clothing of the man, shows the blood and the battle he's been through whilst in that state.
Sounds.
Sounds are one of the most important factors in a horror movie, as this is what sets the mood and the tone, it us also what could cause anticipation from the audience. Sound could also allow the audience to know whether something is about to happen, whether it is the beginning or the end. I took a lot of time out to watch horror trailers to listen out for sounds that i liked so I could cut them and use them. The sounds I used were found of youtube and on Soundcloud, I cut and placed them in places i know i want to speed things up or slow things down. I found different sounds that fit the theme . I wanted to go for within my trailer. I made it parallel to my story board so i knew the timings of where to put certain sounds. I used other soundtracks of other horror trailers to develop my own work and i also compared my work to real media productions to try and make mine look more professional.
Editing
In regards to my editing, I did a timeline of where certain things should come in. I used the conventions of horror films to develop my own skills. Editing is an important aspect when making a film trailer because it gives each shot and scene a meaning and makes the trailer look properly structured, without the required structure the trailer would just random shots/scenes put together. The use of transitions and effects are what allow the audience to understand when you are going from one scene to another or when there is a change in atmosphere/mood. Through looking at research at all different transitions we found that the most adequate transitions to use would be a fade to black and a cut, these are the most effective in horror films as they fit the scenes and also the type of response we would want from the audience. This shows my trailer uses conventions as well as real media texts do.