Trailers: Forms and Conventions

Horror Forms and Conventions : Trailers

Trailers tend to have a number of typical elements that are used to attract its audiences, these elements consist of:

• Trailers usually tend to last for up about 2-3mins, however teaser trailers tend to last up to 30-90 seconds. The reason for this is so that they are not giving too much information to the audience. When looking at both trailers of a particular film we tend to notice that scenes may be repeated which makes the audience intrigued meaning that they will have to watch the film to know what happens.
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Examples; Woman in black teaser trailer lasting for 47 seconds.

Example 2: The official trailer lasting for 1 minute and 42 seconds.

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• Fast pace editing 
• Fast cutting
  
• Shots being thought out very well, meaning that the shots have been placed there for a reason, as every shot are purposely linked to the scene being showed. This may be done to point out something to the audience
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• Range of visual styles; for example if a hand-held camera was used in a scene this connotes that it was more of a natural scene rather than a stylised scene or sometimes it may have other styles such as classic horror styles, horrors that promote realism etc.

Example; Blair witch project has elements of hand held camera being used.

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• A focus on dramatic high points for example where conflict, confrontation or tragedy are portrayed, the audience familiarise themselves with the roles being played by the characters. This tends to happen with scenes where there is conflict, death etc.
• A break with continuity filming principles this consist of jump cuts, the most grabbing scenes of a film making the audience more engaged which is very familiar with scenes were something bad is about to happen.
• In a trailer the scenes shown are never put in order from its original film. They tend to form an unfinished story whereby the audience will want to know more about what will happen.  

Example: In the trailer of insidious the trailer doesn't tell us what happens in the film and the reason why. They only showed some of the processes that occurred in the film but not in its correct order so that the story line is not given away completely.

• We also see character traits, especially of the main characters so that the audience are familiar with the characters before seeing the film this usually tends to be the bad person, the character being haunted, the character who saves the victim etc. 
• In a trailer there tends to be a main 'three act structure' that is used, this includes
  "Act 1" - This lays out the premise of the story. "Act 2" - this drives the story further to another level and usually ends with a dramatic climax which is very powerful. "Act 3" - This often consists of visual montage of strong, powerful and emotional moments from the film that will grab the audiences attention quickly this may also contain cast details.
• Heavy emphasis on close-ups, this is essential information due to the main fact that close-ups can be understood a lot easier by the audience in comparison to a long shot, this is also a necessity in fast-paced trailers.
• Special effects are also used, this consists of slow motion, freeze frames, fades, wipes, fast pans etc.
• Voice overs are used to provide the main narrative link, for example the voice can explains what the audience sees.
• Character dialogue acts like a voice over, this is often used as a 'sound bridge' where we as an audience see the character speaking and then his or her voice continues as we see the shots related to what they are saying. This has the same function as a voice over but focuses more on narrative link between shots.
• Soundtracks tend to add to the scene this is essential this can be classed as mood music however themed songs may be used. 
• Voice overs and dialogue are also classed as soundtracks - They are mainly used as a narrative to explain to audience in case they are confused etc.
• Trailers are never shown in order compared to its original film.
• Captions (words over images) and Inter-titles (words between images) usually tends to provide details of stars, directors, previous films, similar films etc
• The typical length for a teaser trailer last for up to 30 -90 seconds and a full length trailer lasts for up to 2-3minutes.
• Trailers are direct messages addressed to cameras
• Trailers included important messages such as the day month and year of release

Example of a teaser trailer :

The teaser trailer for the Human Centipede 2

Length: The teaser trailer for the human centipede 2 uses the known forms and conventions for a trailer which is not revealing too much to the audience which is shown through 50 seconds.

What teasers do: A teaser is just to make the audience thirsty and hunger for more information about the film and what will happen. Teaser trailers usually tend to prepare the audience before the official trailer comes out nearer to the time of its release date.

Fast pace cutting and Sound: In this trailer we are introduced to the first human centipede film so that the audience are automatically aware that this is a continuation of the film. We start hearing loud music which goes with the theme along with this we hear groaning and tears before we see a cut which is . We also hear noises similar to a dog barking which implies that the character is sick and has no mercy. Just before the scene switches to the film that they are promoting we hear a loud cry screaming saying something that sounded like 'NO' this instantly makes us worried and we think what will happen next. While the trailer for the Human Centipede 2 carries on we hear strange bizarre noises and laughter which could be linked to the security man having power over the victims he has captured. 

Close ups: In the trailer we see some close ups of weapons. I also noticed that the colours used was in black and white which could connote that they didn't want to give away the true colours of this film creating a dark atmosphere.

Credits, Certificates and Release date: These are usually shown at the end of a trailer. On this trailer we can see both credits and certificates, however release dates are expected on trailers which come out nearer to the time of when the film will be released.

Length: This trailer last for 2 minutes and 7 seconds.

Release date: This is the actual trailer showed sooner to the release date. 

Selection of scenes: Trailers are very important because if the trailers are not interesting and attention drawing the audience will not be interested in the film this is done by the suspense and action added in the trailers. 

Story Plot: When we are introduced to the trailer they do not show a bit of the first human centipede they just show the 2nd part as the audience are already aware that it is a continuation of the first film. However we see the security man called 'Martin' looking very disturbed when strangely admiring the first human centipede. He almost looks as if he is masturbating over it which is strange as other people would do this with a magazine, by this we can instantly tell that there is something wrong with him. We then see someone who comes to see him to ask him why he has been behaving every strangely. 

Voice over: We then hear a voice over where we hear his worried mum explain what she has been hearing him while we see Martin with his planning book. When the psychologist gives Martin's mum an explanation we then start seeing scenes of matters getting worst as we see this the sound starts building up before it stops after his mother finds his book. 

Soundtrack: While the trailer carried on we notice the music stopped which makes us feel like he has been caught out and everything will be fine. However we then see him carrying out his plans. 

Fast cutting: Throughout the trailer we see flashes of a real centipede which is a constant reminder of the main purpose of the film and what Martin is trying to achieve. 

Sound - non diagetic and diagetic: As the trailer comes to an end we hear a loud cry with a scream and then see and hear the sound of a centipede walking connoting his mission will be done.

Horror Genre.

Definition of a horror..

Horror has a few different genres which include ghost stories, zombies, haunted houses, torture, kidnapping, rape, sex, cannibals, demons, serial killers, sci-fi horrors, possessed animals or children, Psychological Horror and many more. Many films within the horror genre generally have a similar plot which usually tends to enhance extreme fear to its audience by involving hatred, causing fear, inflicting pain on someone or possibly using a frightening objects, deviance, rebellious acts etc. Most horrors usually plan on giving viewers nightmares by generating disgust and various emotions for its viewers to make sure they are jumping or 'at the edge f the seat' during the movie.  Horrors also have common characteristics with the thriller genre this includes blood which is very disturbing but intriguing to its audience.

Horrors from the 1890's

Horrors have started from as early as 1890's. Horrors first started off with supernatural trials with silent movies. The first film to be credited for being the first horror was 'Le manoir du diable' which stood for 'The house of the devil' this was created in 1896, However the two main films called 'Dracula' and 'Frankenstein' were both known to be branded with the term 'horror movie' in the 1931.

Horrors from the 1940's

Over the years horrors started to progress in its level of improvements and was enhanced very much. During the 1940's horror started to upgrade by giving it a main focus such as supernatural, demonic and Gothic horrors. Later on in the 60's it had changed into a  psychological horror where the well known movie 'Psycho' was made.

Horrors from the 2000's

 

In the 2000's there was a major difference between the horrors from the 1890's and 2000's. Horrors were more focused on being teen centered. Majority of the horrors made in the had one thing in common which was having vulnerable young girls who would either do something to put themselves in a situation which was almost impossible to get out of, when a scene like this was about to come on we are able to tell due to the fast pace editing we would see and the girls running away from the killer, to create suspense the most obvious thing would happen which was the individual dropping or reaching a peak point where they noticed that they are trapped in a forsaken place where help was almost impossible to find unless a hero magically appeared to save them during this scene we will hear heavy breathing. The scene usually ends by the victim being killed where the killer's identity is usually revealed, however in some thrillers to keep the audience craving for suspense the victim may have a chance to escape by fighting the enemy, but hardly ever ends well as they are more than likely to be haunted again or the villain being killed, the films that are very typical of this are 'the final desination' 'the grudge' and many more.

Horror movies

There are a number of movies that are classed amongst the genre of horror these include: 

• Insidious 
• The last house on the left
• Uninvited 
• Unborn
• Orphan
• Paranormal activity
• The human centipede
• Drag me to hell
• Prom night 
• Mirrors 
• The final Destination
• Saw 
• Dead silence

 Horror target audience

The horror genre was mainly targeted at teenagers and young adults from the ages 15-24, the reason for this is because horrors involve in very mysterious, sinister, dark atmospheres which are based on rape, sex, deserted areas and a use of weapons. Horrors tend to use dark sinister colours to make sure the audience has a feel of the horror genre they tend to maintain this by a use of props such as ropes, dark clothes, knifes, something to disguise their identity and many more. 

For example: Shaun of the dead  rated 15
                    True blood rated 18

Horror Forms and Conventions: Sub-Genres

 Above are all the different types of sub genres within the Horror Genre. I have matched them according to the correct sub headings. Typical traits in horror films include all types of things from numerous suspense, death, violence, revenge, hidden identities, abandoned houses, youthful characters and disguised villains.

Horror movies are very different in comparison to other types of movies due to the different elements that are included within the horror movies such as suspense and anxiety throughout the film which are usually portrayed in times of danger or when something risky is about to happen. One thing that directors and horror films do well is keep its audience 'on the edge' keeping us intrigued throughout the film until the main story line or plot has been revealed.

Horror Form and Conventions: Characters 

The characters used in horror movies tend to vary, however they often use similar types of characters who are very young. The reason for this is to attract the target audience more, due to the target audience being around the age of 18 - 24 they need to make sure that they think about the people that they use as victims and who we as an audience should feel sorry for.  The characters used make up the film. Characters are also seen differently by the audience. 

Characters we tend to see are:

• The protagonist – The person with the leading role who knows more than others in the group or who is determined to find the truth, they tend to survive everything. 

Example; Sorority row, Black Christmas etc

• The antagonist – The bad character in the film. The one who the audience either guesses or hopes to get caught for what they have been doing.

• Femme Fatale  – Promiscuous females who usually tend to blonde, they hardly last in the films due to being killed. 

• The Hero – Someone who is there to always save someone else, even though they are putting themselves in danger and risking their own life. They also tend to have a one on one fight with the villain.

• The unlikely hero – The character who is suspected as the bad character or accused for doing something due to the way they behave, however they are always the ones who save the day.

• The character who gets his comeuppance – This character tends focus mainly about themselves rather than others however they are more likely to be killed before any other characters.

Horror Forms and Conventions: Iconography 

Iconography are the basic visual elements within the any types of film. The mise-en-scene helps the audience more aware that it is a horror rather than a horror by this we tend to see traits such as:

• Blood and body parts
• Death (or symbols leading to death)
• Dangerous weapons - knife, guns, chainsaw, axes
• Haunted houses 
• Victims in danger
• Binary oppositions of both the good and evil
• Disfigured faces
• Masks for hidden identity 

Horror Form and Conventions: Themes

Horror movies usually tend to all have the same theme or settings where the film will be based. The common themes that are very often used are deserted houses with an extended lake, somewhere with a hidden past etc. However what we do not tend to see very often are horrors that have been set in urban areas in broad daylight unlike thrillers. 

Horror Forms and Conventions: Plot

Horrors usually tend to have a similar plot depending on the type of horror that it has been specified in, however some horrors may have  a twist with a cross this tends to involve 

• Murder 
• Chases 
• Paranoia 
• Mysteries - Looking for a reason or a killer
• Revenge
• Death
• Blackmail

Horror Form and Conventions: Visual elements

This is the use of camera works and editing that is used for the film such as:

• Voiceovers
• Sound (Non Diagetic and Diagetic)
• Lighting - Shows danger
• Angles - Can be used to portray power from the killer compared to the victim
• Close ups - Express fear
• Point of view shots - to make the audience feel more involved
• Slow pace editing - Flashbacks
• Fast Pace editing - used to build up suspense when something bad is about to happen