Secondary Research

Secondary ResearchMedia Studies A2 Coursework

Chris Dunn

Audiences and distribution

I would like my product to be distributed online choosing a target audience of 16-24 year olds who use online media forms. Taking advice from the ‘Distributing a Movie’ video on the website stated below, I then found that there is a huge marketing potential online as the film industry today spends quite alot of its primary budget on marketing online.

As I wish for my product online i will upload this to YouTube and there is a possibility that I may ask for some audience feedback from the participants who completed my questionnaire.

http://www.launchingfilms.tv/aquisition.php?video=1&autostart=1

Trailers

Jennifer’s bodyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYQ19JM_M1g

See No Evilhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vrY0vMUts4

Jennifer’s Body

One thing that stands out to me in this trailer would be the title menus and the transition effects use to change between shots. After the title has been displayed, it is either faded and replaced by another in a ghost like manner, or it shakes violently before fading to black screen. As it is a slow paced start, the title menus do not do this from the very start, they only fade into one and other and then fade out. This can have a pretty good effect on the audience as it adds to the feel of the entire product. Kind of confirming the evil and sinister mood, with an addition of paranormal. The effect can be compared to that of TV interruption. An effect seen in most horror/thriller films.

Jennifer’s body cont.

One thing I have noticed in the trailer for Jennifer’s Body is that shots interchange and shot by shot they seem to get closer to the person being focused upon. Usually the ‘Killer’ herself.This can be used to emphasise a particular motion or movement. In the scene shown below, this would be the ‘breakdown’ where the music slows down etc.Also with typical conventions of a close up shot, this allows us to get an even closer insight into the characters thoughts/feelings.

See No Evil

One thing that particularly sticks out to me in this trailer would be the excellent use of music. At every possible twist of tension and drama the music is paired to the footage accordingly. This would be a very good thing to use in my product as to me it can be one of the most effective things in terms of a trailer. This trailer stands out to me as it doesn’t seem to get boring. There’s always something dramatic or tension building happening. Unlike that of Jennifer’s body which is a little slower, this trailer is faster paced, more exiting and shows much more horror.The trailer seems to aim to produce fear in its audience, to make them be troubled by what’s happening on screen. The trailer uses things such as shaky camera shots, sound and mise en scene to create a psychotic feeling. This pairs well with the main character himself, a rather sinister looking male

Lighting

Another very important part of mise en scene would be lighting. The way that lighting is used in Se No Evil sticks out to me specifically.The whole of the trailer is pretty much low level lighting, usually only half or part of the face is lit up.This can be used to portray the evil in the person being shown in low level lighting. It may also show fear or anxiety in the situation. Adding to the tension and drama leading to a better effect as a whole.

The music

The music used could be a problem to me as i am not allowed to use any copyrighted music. I may have to write my own piece of music which I have no background in at all. I have done some basic research into different music artists in the heavy metal genre and one artist sticking out to me is ‘Rob Zombie.’ In particular his song ‘Living Dead Girl’ in this song he uses the twists and turns that I have already mentioned.The song seems to be troubling/disturbing all the way through, with break downs, odd noises, whispery voices repeating words, then the singers voice itself, croaky. One thing in the song that I aim to replicate in my product would be one of the many break downs. Brought in by some sort of ripping or shattering sound. Then brought back in by lyrics. The lyrics could be replaced by some sort of screaming or more appropriately laughter form the little girl.

Recourses used

www.teaser-trailer.com (in conjunction with youtube.com)‘Teaching Trailers’ Interactive DVD (film distributors association)I have used this website to view different trailers and posters for my media product and ancillary tasks.

http://www.launchingfilms.com/I have used this website to get some background info into the UK Film Distribution industry, learning about distribution methods etc.

Typical conventions

Start slow paced, not sure what’s going on. There is always a certain pace at which the production goes. For example a lot of these use heartbeats or footsteps. Slight drama, a glitch in the story, a dramatic turning event. If this is done just right then it can have a good impact on the audience, changing the mood of the whole product.A build up in drama and tension, using music and fast paced shots. This is one thing which I plan to use in my production. Although I do not wish to have a long/slow build up. I feel that it can be too tedious and it doesn’t really fit for a teaser trailer.More drama unfolds, more twists, pain, screams, terror.The characters may turn on each other. Or the killer may be unvelied here.Is there a solution? Not usually.Big climax, lots of shots, all fast paced, loud dramatic music all coming to a sudden stop.The ending. Solution? Or not?

Typical conventions cont.

One thing or feature which i have found in a few trailers is that there is one or two breakdowns. In footage, sound, drama and tension. I plan to use this as it is extremely effective. I am going to limit myself to using two breakdowns. Three at absolute maximum. In my research I have found that the most effective trailers all start off really slow paced and relaxed. Then a sudden build up in tension and drama enfolding the drama and actual atmosphere of the product. Following on from this I will then try and keep the drama ongoing and keep things upbeat and exiting. I do not want my audience to be relaxed for more than 10 seconds at any one time.

Poems etc

So, for my product I need a creepy poem. To try and find some ideas for what to put on my poem I looked at films such as ‘Nightmare On Elm Street.’ 1,2 Freddie’s coming for you.3,4 He's gonna knock on your door.5,6 Grab your crucifix.7,8 Better stay up late.9,10 Never sleep again.A poem everybody knows. A fairly short poem, makes it memorable. What stands out in this poem is the way that it is spoken in the film itself. As with mine, by a little girl. There is some echo in the voice and is sang.

For further research into the poem, I have found blogs by other people/students talking about typical conventions of chain mail such as this.http://littlejocelynbigworld.blog.ca/2008/01/28/chain_mail~3642316/

PROBLEMS!

Whilst conducting research, I found that an extremely similar movie ‘Chair Letter’ is set to be released at some point soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQvf4G3a6EU&feature=PlayList&p=16BB74F68704EE95&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1148200/

I don’t plan on changing my idea or plans at all. I would say that my product is quite different by the fact that it does not involve human activity in terms of the killer, but paranormal activity.

One idea that will look like I have copied the trailer is the use of chains. Obviously matching in with the title of the film etc, I plan to use some shots of actual chains. Though these shots will probably be minimal and only really close ups/extreme close ups.