Class Trailer Reviews: 30 Days of Night

30 Days of Night

Year: 2007

Genre: Horror

Personal Mark: 8

The ‘30 days of night’ trailer is well made. This is due to a number of reasons. The initial jump scare helps to quickly engross the audience, while also establishing the genre of the trailer.  Another method used that compliments this is the use of collision cutting. It helps to set a pace for the trailer, therefore allowing for the faster sections to have more impact. The filter for the trailer is also used well as it appears grimy once again setting the scene and establishing itself as a horror. The intertitles are used well too. They help to establish a strong narrative whilst also hide the major plot points. It is finally complimented by non-diegetic sound that helps to keep the audience on edge and once more is used to build pace and to make more of an impact.

There are however some issues that could be improved. Although there is clear depth to the narrative they seem to have used too many shots. This makes certain moments hard to follow and does not allow the audience to fully take in each shot. This also makes for quite a long trailer. It gives a well-rounded view of the film but it could be a lot shorter and still have the same effect; it is crucial to capture the audience’s attention, but also to keep it.  And finally, there are too many fades. They add the effect of unfinished business but too many may leave the audience confused.

Overall our class’ average score came to 8/10. It was a solid trailer that made good use of horror methods and conventions, but was a little too long and confusing in parts.

Class Trailer Reviews: Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead

Year: 2008

Genre: Horror

Personal Mark: 7

Day of the Dead, in my opinion is a sub-par kind of film trailer. While it is aesthetically pleasing, through cinematography, the general mise-en-scene and appealing to Laura Mulveys; the male gaze. It first takes you to the general setting of the film; A suburban town in the heartland of America. This is very typical of the horror genre as it stresses a lack of communication with the outside world, as well as showing the general isolation of the place. It establishes the key protagonist straight away, making sure to have at least three angles on her in every scene transition.  It also establishes the antagonists very quickly. It goes down, as many gore films do, the medical route to explain the motivation behind the zombie s.  They are clearly the antagonists and are clearly marked by their distinct body language and outward appearance. The military background for our heroine ever so slightly challenge the cultural dominant ideology as there is a stigma about women in the army that is still relatively post-modern.

The overall class mark was 5. This was mainly due to large amounts of the narrative being leaked and the characters seeming overly conventional/ wooden. The big budget is made apparent in the setting and general mise-en-scene, i.e. Trucks, guns/props, costume etc.  Overall it seems like a conventional horror, made relatively well, with a slight twist; that being that a woman is the protagonist as opposed to the conventional male protagonist. 

Dawn Of The Dead (1978) Image Analyses (3)

This medium shot uses depth of field to explore feminism. During this scene, we are told by the director that the actress refused to scream. She instead remains standing. She does not however, do anything proactive; leading us to believe she may in some ways, still conform to Laura Mulvey’s Male Gaze theory as she still does nothing. However this small amount of defiance helps to push against the CDI and is institutionally ahead of its time, due to her refusing to follow gender stereotypes. This is also why I wish to follow her throughout the narrative as an icon for progressive feminism.

Dawn Of The Dead (1978) Image Analyses (2)

This High-angle shot is important institutionally as it helps to push a message surrounding consumerism. The zombies are used crudely as a pun. This scene tries to show that we are all zombies to consumerism, so much so it is a natural instinct to shop, hence why they seem to mass around the mall. The low key lighting shows us that this is in fact a depressing place and therefore helps to challenge whether consumerism is bad in the long haul. The scene also uses diegetic sound well to create a satirical scene in which the mall music is played whilst the zombies act as if they are shopping. This is once again a stab at consumerism and its power of the masses. 

Psycho Image Analyses (3)

This is another good image as we can clearly see good use of horror convention so as to convey the horror. The use of a phallic symbol is very typical of the horror genre, while the use of clothing outside our usual CDI also shows this character as out of whack.  His body language and Facial expression also tell a story as he shows his anger to the camera, as is typical of antagonists.  Finally the location conforms to horror genre conventions. It is clearly isolated with few escape options. This is very typical of the genre and conveys the message of no escape. Overall all three images conform to the horror genre, thus conforming to Thomas Schatz genre theory, as they stick within the realm of conventional horror.

Psycho Image Analyses (2)

 This is the scene in which we first meet Norman Bates. This scene is crucial for numerous reasons. It first establishes Norman as our antagonist and provides him with a perverse motive for the following murder scene. This is shown through low key lighting and the use of angles. The low angle shots extenuate his power and help build him as the powerful antagonist. There is also a good use of props/ setting here. The use of taxidermy initially freaks the audience bout while giving us some of his character traits. It is also clear that Hitchcock has used Janet Staiger’s audience studies when selecting his antagonist. The film was created very soon after the Ed Gein story became big in America, and from initial research into the murders, it appears they both share certain character traits, such as be reclusive and being surrounded by an isolated area, also typical in the horror genre. The hysteria caused from Gein would also be good for profits as the prospective audience would want to get inside the head of a ‘psycho’.

Dawn of the Dead (2004) Image Analyses (3)

This piece of cinematography is good as it establishes character relationships, as well as bringing our protagonist more into frame.  The protagonist is in the centre placing her as the most crucial in the scene. There is almost a corny, conventional divide either side of her. To the right is the moral character willing to sacrifice for others. To the left are the antagonists who often defy the CDI in many ways. I.e. sleeping around and causing disruption.  The women are also at the front with the men at the back which is a nice juxtaposition as it shows in this scene it is they who are driving the narrative and not the typical male protagonists.  The mise-en-scene is also very typical of the horror genre. The colours represent the ‘pure characters’ as well as the morally ambiguous ones. The use of phallic symbols by the men is noted but it appears in this still the real authority comes from our lead protagonist. 

Dawn of the Dead (2004) Image Analyses (2)

The composition of this still speaks on a mainly macro level in support of American CDI and morality. The American flag, coupled with the bright lighting and the boat that is sailing into the unknown, are all symbols for hope in their principles and the capitalist ideologies they hold close.  I would say the bright colour symbolise the protagonists hope as opposed to trying to engage a male audience with them male gaze theory. Now her basic needs have been met she is following Maslow’s needs, and is now aspiring for better and support from her morals.   The ship could also be a metaphor for the American people, aimlessly following capitalism into the unknown and hoping for the best in the grand scheme of things. 

Prop List

Prop List:

-Mask

-Fake Knife

-Fake Blood

We used a mask, as is typical of the genre as we thought it would initially aid an air of mystery to the character and thus make for more of an impact upon the reveal.  We use a fake knife for the murder scene and reveal as it too is typical of the horror genre, falling in line with Schatz theory. And we also used fake blood so at to make the piece realistic and aesthetically pleasing for the audience.  The rest of props were simply the clothing worn, which we kept consistent throughout re-shooting so as to not ruin the investment in characters. 

Final Magazine Cover

Favourite Image Analysis

This is one of my favourite Images for a number of reasons. This is piece of cinematography is a mid-shot. It focuses on our protagonists love interest who is selflessly aiding in the saving of complete strangers. The bright light however is not conventional of the genre and I believe is kept in order to once again reinforce the idea of hope through support of the CDI through Antonio Gramsci’s hegemony. The mise-en-scene of the scene is also used well to create an aesthetically pleasing scene. The antagonist zombies wear bloodied and tattered clothing to clearly symbolise their motive and themselves as the antagonists.  This still is also good as it once more shows the groups isolation and inability to escape should they wish too, conforming to Schatz genre theory.

Dawn of the Dead (2004) Image Analyses (1)

The composition of this piece of cinematography is crucial to the narrative of the film as it initially give us the setting for the majority of the film. The cinematography itself is a long shot. It is use very conventionally to establish the forth coming scenes as well as, I believe, having a political motive about consumerism and American capitalism. This is due to the fact that in a time of hardship the Americans look to the mall and consumerism for protection, supporting the cultural dominant ideologies in American society.  The lighting also supports this. The bright lighting has connotations of hope and purity. This could be the film maker, inadvertently supporting this capitalist value through the medium of his characters in the still.   The general mise-en-scene of the still also adheres to genre conventions. The characters wear a range of clothing to show their current situation. Authority is given to the officer because of his clothing while the protagonist takes a back row seat as more of a helper in the situation, as is shown here by her being off to the side in a supporting role.   

Class Trailer Reviews: Toxic Avenger

Toxic Avenger

Year: 1985

Genre: Horror

Personal Mark: 5

Toxic avenger, in my opinion, is a poorly made horror film trailer. The chief reason of which is the failed bid for comedy. It is labelled a horror but the amount of poor puns and cheap laughs could easily have swayed it under a comedy heading. This is again supported by the sheer lack of any horror. Other than the acting nothing was truly frightening.  The catch phrase is over used and the film trailer itself is dragged out. The runtime is far too long and makes it hard to keep the audience’s attention. Location also plays a key role in the trailer. Too much time is spent on the restaurant and the lack of diverse locations eventually begins to bore the audience. However from a historical context this may be too harsh. I’m simply viewing it with the power of hindsight, against modern day horrors with huge budgets.

This being said the trailer did have a few good points. The strange body movement and facial expressions allowed for some smiles. They kept true to Propp’s narrative stages as far as we can see, endorsing common horror methods such as body horror with the fryer scene, and the girl in need. This follows Laura Mulveys theory of the male gaze and follows it to the letter.  It is also complimented by its small budget.  With restricted locations due to budget and very few special effects they are still in keeping with the usual narrative structure, even if the comedy seemed to play a larger role than the cheap horror effects, through poor lighting and props.

Overall our class average for the film was 3.5. The main reasons that came out to support such as small score were the low  budget effects; for an alleged $500,000 we would have expected more than shaking hands in oil and strawberry sauce.  However the main reason shared amongst my peers was the comedic undertone to everything. If it had been labelled a comedy we feel it would have been more deserving of marks, but the sheer lack of horror, physical or psychological, left a stale taste in our mouth.

Horror Poster Analysis (3)

Halloween is an American Horror film surrounding the mentally insane ‘Michael Myers’. It was directed by John Carpenter and was released on the 25^th October 1978. The prominent colours that stand out immediately are the dark orange and pitch darkness surrounding it.  This blackness connotes the darkness and fear. The harrowing title ‘the night he came home’ is a classic horror phrase allowing the audience to immediately identify with the horror genre. The image itself also gives of a clear horror vibe. Halloween is the first hint. A holiday dedicated to horror… Couldn’t hit the nail any harder! The creepy pumpkin mask from the darkness is another clear indicator to the audience that this is indeed a horror. The use of a mask and its associated horror is a good indicator for the film. Then comes the staple prop of every horror from scream to…well Halloween, the knife. The biggest symbol, by far, that screams horror. This immediate use of iconography instantly appeals to its target audience, its bland background and stereotypical, conventional features make it easy to associate with the horror genre.

Horror Poster Analysis (2)

Shaun of the dead is another comedy horror released on the 24^th September 2009. It was directed by Edgar Wright, and written by both him and Simon Pegg. The dominant colours in this image are both red and black. The connotations of both of these colours immediately allow the audience to get a sense of feeling for the movie. The red obviously connotes evil and death while the black compliments nicely with darkness and despair. The text however is the next big clue in also understanding that the film is a comedy too. ‘A romantic Comedy. With zombies’.  This phrase is so ridiculous that to see it as anything other than funny banter would be stupid. This silly sentence is the first hint that the film to come will be a comedy. Another hint that this is a horror is once again the text itself. ‘Shaun of the dead’ not only has a bloodied hand in the title, but also has a zombie holding up a critics review. If that doesn’t scream horror satire, I’m not sure what does. The Image is also a very good indicator into what the film is all about. Three average people wielding typically British things as weapons, all whilst in a tie?  The clear use of props, conventional to the genre, and the general gore mise en-scene screams comedy-horror and when coupled alongside a few hundred zombies trying to squeeze into the frame it’s made extremely clear that the film will be a comedy fuelled, zombie splatting couple of hours.  The bright lighting is also a good indicator that it is a comedy as the lack of darkness leads the audience to believe it can’t be all conventional scare. We also have Propp’s conventional character types, with the guy at the front as the protagonist, his helper on one side, and the eye candy on the other, conforming to Laura Mulvey’s male gaze theory. The fact it is also made by Working Title also adds a sense of authority to the movie as they are well established, following Andrea Bazin’s ‘genius of the system’.

Magazine Cover Analysis (3)

Entertainment Weekly Magazine is a Film and Television magazine. The image used here is interesting as the colours help to give a good flow to the magazine. Once again the title is placed behind the main image which is a good editing decision as it allows the audience upon first glance to see the main point now interest before anything else. The Blue is also good as it complements the yellow font, which is made even more powerful as the colour allows it to stand out, thus drawing the attention of the reader to their specific subject of choice. The main image is constructed well. The mid shot and body language shows intimacy between the characters and lead us to believe the most emphasised character is our protagonist (right) while the other plays a key role within the narrative of the piece.  We could also say that the character (left) could appeal to Laura Mulveys male gaze theory, to try and attract a broader male audience, while the same could be said for the protagonist (right) and women. 

Magazine Cover Analysis (2)

Total Film Magazine is a film magazine. The colour used here is very interesting and works very well. The greys, blues and whites help give the magazine a sense of uniform. This is good as the movie in question/ being promoted is represented by a uniformed character, helping to push the intrigue onto him and the film he represents. This magazine also utilizes space well as it is not cluttered, boring the reader with pre-paid ad’s everywhere, whilst still highlighting points of interest without interfering with the main image, and story it represents. The background is also good. The shadow adds a layer of mystery to the magazine that readers will be keen to uncover. The image is good as well as it appears controversial (Someone depicting a historical person or ideology) that readers will be keen to find out about.  The bottom text also works well. By pitting top actors against each other they invite a broader audience in (The actor’s fans) all hoping to see their favourite the champion. The mise-en-scene of the image is also done well. The German uniform and eye patch establishes him as our comic book antagonist and draws the reader in. 

Magazine Cover Analysis (1)

This is the front cover of Empire Magazine, a British Film magazine.  The font used here is very interesting as it is unlike any other issue. A real usp for Empire is the creative control both the journalists and editors have. The fact that each issue is designed differently means that each month their audience receive a new and fresh experience.  The positioning of text and images is also key in quickly helping to establish this as an entertainment magazine.  The fact the main image is place in front of the head title means that the audience’s attention is drawn straight to the photo, allowing them to make instant links to the industry and reach there designated target audience much faster than those who have no focus. The size of the image also helps as it hits you straight away.  This is as opposed to magazines that instead clutter the page with adds giving no real direction and therefore no interest to their audience.  The colours are also used well here to give a sense of togetherness that allows any easy flow for the reader. The mass amount of blue means that the reader is able to transcend  from one story to the next without issue. This then accompanied by a huge red image makes it stand out even more than usual and helps establish the magazine for what it is from very first glance. Positioning is once again well utilised as they save the exclusives for the bottom, the hook to keep the audience intrigued to find out more after more than just a glance. Aswell as being aesthetically pleasing it appeals to Maslow’s theory of needs and aspirations, as the reader wishes to become the ‘super-hero’.

Final Poster

Original Photos (Magazine)

This is the original photo for my magazine. I chose it due to it creepy features, as it feels very close and obtrusive. It also has a woodland background that would make my audience feel isolated and add to the magazine feel overall.

Original Photos (Poster)

This is my original photo for my horror poster. I picked it due to the location, mid-shot for poster framing, and the clash of nature with a hard, black figure that looks out of place.

Horror Poster Analysis (1)

This is a poster for the comedy-horror Zombieland. It was released on 9^th October 2009 and was directed by Eli Craig. The dominant colours in this image are red and orange. This instantly allows the audience to identify this is a horror due to the fire’s negative connotations. The fonts used in the poster also help promote the film and captivate their target audience. The main title does this by using show lights to spell out Zombieland. This use of text connotes that of a fun fair, which we associate with comedy. This could help the audience understand this will be a hybrid-genre film of both comedy and horror. Alternatively the show lights could be seen as extremely creepy, once again enforcing that it is a horror film. The final piece of text that will let the audience know that the film will be a comedy hybrid is the bottom text. ‘This place is so dead’. This dark and twisted humour easily identifies to the audience that there will be at least some aspect of comedy within the film.  However if that was not enough, the image itself shows the genre straight away. The world, for a start, is ablaze. This immediately makes the audience think of an apocalyptic type of scenario and thus too, the horror genre. This when put together with the roller-coasters also, once more show how in this film both the horror and comedy will be intertwined.

 

Psycho Image Analyses (1)

This is the scene in which the auteur Hitchcock introduces us to the setting of the Bates Motel. The low angle shot means that we instantly assume that it, and whoever resides there will have the most power. The mise-en-scene also helps to establish this as a creepy location. The dark setting, lack of light sources and ominous non-diegetic music helps to establish the forth coming scene as a dark one. This again coupled with the overlapping restricted narration beforehand that adds a sense of anxiety to the character.

Dawn Of The Dead (1978) Image Analyses (1)

This Medium Shot from Dawn of the Dead is the first in which we see several flaws in one of our characters, and the strengths in others. The first of which is Steven; a good looking white male who would have been assumed to be the hero. The actuality is that he is a terrible shot and requires help on several occasions. This is interesting as it helps to establish he is not the hero, going against the Cultural Dominant Ideology of its time. The historical context plays a key role here as it establishes that the film would have been very controversial and shows its director George A Romero as challenging stereotypes.

  This is also pushed by the mise-en-scene.  The clothing of the characters and the pathetic fallacy of the low key natural lighting on the situation helps to put the nail in the coffin. This is once more referenced rather crudely through phallic symbols as he and his rifle are clearly not good enough time and time again. 

Stereotypical Fan

John Smith is an 18 year old student form a working class background. He is a reformer. He wears dark comfortable clothes, and is not too bothered about fashion. He doesn’t take life to seriously and is a laid back guy. He works hard at college as he tries to get the grades for university. He watches a ton of horror films and is part of the cult classics. He also plays videogames listens and plays rock music on his guitar and reads a lot of fantasy. He socializes a lot, often frequenting the local pub where he chills out. He isn’t physically sportive, instead spending his time working a part-time job to pay for films and his social life. He likes mainstream horror films, but researches the more gritty stuff for when he is alone

Heath and Safety

Class Research: Favorite Type of Horror

My personal favorite is Psychological horror as I believe it opens up the horror genre in many ways.

Captured (ENSFC Focus Group & Feedback)

More dialogue x

Comments from peers:

What did you like about the trailer?

Effective intertitles x11
Variety of shots/angles x8
Good editing x2
Jump scare at the end x12
Storyline was clear x3
Good pacing x3
Good angles
Creepy killer character x3
Creepy setting of forest 


What did you think could be improved in the trailer?Lacked variety of settings
Needs music x15
Needs more scenes x4
Focus more on killer-not victims 
Close ups of how scared the victims are
Needs more editing (lighting/sound FX) x3