Question 4 : . How did you use media technologies in the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages

How useful was www.youtube.com ?  How easy was it? Why did you use it and how?

Youtube was very useful in our post production whilst we were doing our audience research.

We used YouTube to search for horror film teaser trailers in helping us complete the textual analysis, which broadened my knowledge on what is meant to be included in teaser trailers and how long it should be and also to research horror films that were similar to our horror genre.

For example:

It also gave us a clear view on what type of shots and camera angels to use for our teaser trailer such as close ups and tracking shots. For example the type of lighting we should consider whilst doing the shots like mainly it consists of a main light, "Key Light", which lights your subject, a "Back Light" to help define the subject from the surroundings and a "Fill" for the shadow.

We also used youtube in uploading a voice over we used for our teaser trailer on our youtube page which was very convenient and useful, in hearing whether it sounds right and was up to scratch to add in our teaser trailer.

Another way that youtube was useful is that we were able to research videos on how to do make-up using blood and latex and how to apply different type of wounds. This was very useful in creating wounds during our preparation for filming.

How did you use the internet?

The Internet was used as a powerful tool to complete and set up a solid foundation for our research on our target audience, for us to conclude what our trailer would need to be to attract our audience. Youtube was used as a research tool where horror slashers trailers would influence us on how our trailer should be. In addition images of empire magazine was used as a guide and made many comparison with certain horror magazine to our production and used some of their conventions such as the bold and plain headline

Slasher horror films such as Valentine, Scream, And Texas Chainsaw Massacre, what shared similar storyline to our production of "Karma" was used for inspiration. Watching these trailer via Youtube and other film trailers being viewed by the use of technology such as DVD, online film streaming, and previous films that we had all seen previously was discussed and inspired us to use conventions that they had used such as the final girl and her being tormented by a phone call which happens in the blockbuster "Scream". 

The internet was very useful in doing re-search into horror films; which was beneficial in using push and pull

technologies to exract the information needed.

Google was very useful in researching different horror genres, the conventions of horror genres, and how they differ to one another. This enabled us to choose from which horror genre to do for our final production. Also, using the internet we were able research the conventions of horror magazines and posters which gave us guidance as to how we should make ours.

Did you watch any horror films for inspiration?

Part of our summer research was to do research on horror films and to watch a few horror films.

I watched films from 6 of the different types of horror genres such as; I am legend, jeepers creepers 2, one missed call, drag me to hell, Saw and the underworld on DVD and Online. From watching these films from different horror genre, when we as a group came up with ideas for a teaser trailer i knew that i wanted it to be a Slasher. Also, it definetely gave me ideas on what to include in our teaser trailer. For example, a weapon, blood, male antogonist, final girl theory.

These horror films gave us inspiration for our teaser trailer as theyre are both from the slasher horror genre and they use the final girl theory in which we decided to include in our teaser trailer.

Production/Filming

For The Editing Of Our Teaser Trailer We Used Final Cut Pro And Soundtrack Pro Which Are Two Programs Which Are Linked Making It Much Easier To Use Together For The Editing. We Used Final Cut Pro In Order To Use The Scenes We Have And Put It Into A Sequence The Group Was Happy With, Then Once Done I Started To Apply Some Effects, Such As Tint, Brightness And Contrast, Cutting Scenes During and Controlling The The Pace. I Also Had An Image Speacially Made Of Our Logo In Order To Input It As A Introduction To The Trailer. Earlier On We Had Chosen A Font We Wanted For Our Title To Be Used In Out Magazing Front Cover, Poster And The Trailer, This Font Was Employed And Used Int The Trailer For The Title And Even Used In The Captions. All This Was Done To Ensure That The Trailer Followed and Developed And Where Possible Even Challenged Conventions Of Horror Teaser Trailers.

When Using Soundtrack Pro I Had To Import The Video Sequence From Final Cut Pro In Order To Have The Sound In Sync With The Sequence Making It Easier To Edit And Use. In The Making Of The Sound For The Trailer, I Had To Learn How To Input Sample Sounds And Edit The Length And How Loud It'll Come Out In The Final Video. During The Editing Of The Sound For The Video My Group And I Decided That We Wanted To Input A Sound From A Music Prodecer To Give The Trailer An Upbeat Tempo, For This We Needed To Go And Get Permission To Avoid Copyright Laws, Also At First I Didn't Know How To Do That Until Doing Further Reasearch Into How I Would Do This. Also Wanted To Include A Pre Rocorded Phone Call Which Was Scripted To Be Included Into Our Trailer. Once Everything Was Done The Trailer Was Finished And Uploaded, Made To Be Less Than One Minute Which Is Usual Length For A Teaser. 

Once Finished As A Group We Started Advertising The Trailer In Order To Get Nessasary Feedback On Social Networking Sites, Messengers And Within Our College Itself.

What editing software did you use? (Final Cut Pro)

Paris and I imported the different shots that were shot during our teaser trailer into final cut pro; in which we labelled and selected the different shots according to how good the shots were. For example, if they were in focus, if the camera shot/angle were clear and shot well.

After we selected all the good shots that were shot during our trailer; Joshua and I started putting the shots together and watched the teaser to see how it could be improved. We then decided to cut and input different shots in between different shots to add the effect of tension and suspense.

We then decided as a group as to where in the teaser trailer we would position each of our captions and what type of colour, font and transitions we would use. We placed each caption based upon what was occurring in each shot so it could build tension and suspense within the audience and which would also leave them to question as to what is next and to what is going to happen next. We chose the colour white for the font because the colour connotation of white is usually linked to craziness. For example, all white rooms. We wanted to portray this using a simple hard edged stencil font.

We then decided to add some effects on our trailer, testing out different transitions in which we used quick cuts the majority of the time. Also, Joshua tested out different colour effects to give our trailer the horror feel/ aspect, that our audiences will enjoy.

Discuss the use of Photoshop, being careful to discuss technical aspects.

We used Photoshop to edit our poster and magazine. One of the tools we used to edit the images was the 'feather tool' this was used to soften the edges of the image so that it looks natural with the background.

We also used a [insert tool] to bring out the images to give off that 'dark, scary' effect, to make it stand out from the background and to also make it look more professional.


Describe using your own brushes, downloading copyright music, recording sound effects.

In our teaser trailer we used digetic sound of a phone ringing and we recorded a voice over of the protagonist and the antagonist having a conversation.



We also used an instrumental from the artists Krept and Konans song.

The download link showed that we had permission from the person who made the video to use the instrumental. so there are no copyright infringements.

What video techniques did you use?

In our teaser trailer we used a variety of quick cuts to imply either energy and to create suspense in the two different shots of when the protaganist is walking and the other when the antagonist is limping.


We used the fade out transition in a shot where low key lighting to create suspense before the next shot was shown.

The use of media technologies.

In terms of marketing strategies we used various media technologies for the distribution of our product which played a big role in the making of our promotional package.

The use of media technologies such as youtube, facebook, twitter and the Internet for the distribution of our product was very beneficial in terms of marketing our product.

Posting our product on our 'clear view' facebook page which is

public, gave us a great gateway in advertising our product, as people could freely view, like and leave comments on our poster, magazine, and teaser trailer.

Uploading our teaser trailer to our youtube page, was a great way to distribute our product, as it is public so everyone can view it and leave comments. YouTube was a good way for spreading the word for our teaser trailer as people are able to share our video through:
   

 

Movie Poster & Movie Magazine Front Cover (Print Production/Advertising)

In the period leading up to the filming of our teaser trailer we spent an immense amount of time doing planning and research towards the creation of our trailer. One element that we focussed on was lighting. One of the main lights we had to use was the Kino Flo: Diva Lite 400.

We initially planned to use this as our main source of light in some shots but upon arrival at the studio, which was the setting of our trailer, we found that there was enough natural light.

Another light we used was the HDV-Z96 kit. 

In the shot where the protagonist flicks her lighter twice before finally lighting it the third time.

We used this small light to replicate the lighting of the lighter. To add to the flickering effect we shook the light from side to side thus giving a flickering light effect.

For our movie poster and magazine front cover we used Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Prior to this project I already had some skills in photoshop. During the creation I developed my editing skills, more particularly the shadow/highlight feature. 

This feature was effective as it gave me the ability to control the light and dark areas in the image I was editing. It also helps the subject stand out more. The shadow/highlight feature does all of this without disrupting the overall balance of the image.

A website that I used during the process of creating my media products was DaFont. The default fonts on photoshop were either too plain or were not fonts that suited a horror film. As a result, we had to download fonts from DaFont. This website contained over 10,000 fonts available for download. They were split up into categories which made it easier for me to search as there was a horror category.

Despite the availability of fonts, we had to be aware that some fonts were not free for public use. 

We found that following health and safety rules was important when filming our teaser trailer. We were unfamiliar with the studio so did not know of the possible dangers that may be around. Our prop, which was an axe, was a real axe. We took extreme care when handling the axe. We made sure that we did not let any habits get the best of us such as swinging our arms to ensure safety. Others around us also made sure they made no steady movements when the axe was being handled again to ensure safety. 

We used a number of technologies when aiming to follow magazine conventions. In regards to our planning and research, we used the safari web browser to go onto google images to search and gain insight on other magazines and to look at common conventions. I then used photoshop to create these conventions such as coverlines which was simply done using the text tool.

Character Profiling

Antagonist - Alex

The antagonist is the same age as the protagonist. His name is Alex. The motive behind his actions is that he attempted to chat up the protagonist but she harshly rejected him. He became obsessed with her and set out on getting revenge for the humiliation he caused and because he couldn’t be with her. Our antagonist lacks confidence. A key thing about his costume is that he wears an apron. This is to show that he works in some sort of workshop and also to show he has some sort of insecurity with his sexuality. The weapon that the antagonist wields is a circular saw.

Protagonist – Charley

The protagonist is a female. She is 18 years old. She is a popular schoolgirl. Being the popular girl and being pretty she has a lot of males trying to get with her. She loves the attention and also loves to entertain the crowd. The antagonist is chasing her because, despite the antagonist’s lack of confidence, he attempted to chat her up. She harshly rejected him and embarrassed him in front of everyone. He grew exceedingly obsessed and is set out to get revenge.

Horror Teaser Trailer Phone Call

At the start of our horror teaser trailer, there is a phone call that can be heard with no visuals. Prior to shooting our teaser trailer I have created the phone call using a voice recorder and sounds from soundtrack pro.

Mood Board

Equipment

Canon EOS 7D

The camera that we will use to shoot our teaser trailer is the Canon EOS 7D. This camera is a digitsl camera that shoots in HD. We have learnt how to appropriately adjust the zoom, focus and also white balance.

The Canon EOS 7D has six zoom shots ranging from 18-135mm.

Vinten Pro 5

As part of our practical work we must demonstrate excellent skill in holding a shot steady, this is through using a tripod. The tripod we will be using is the Vinten Pro 5. Below is an image of the tripod:



We learnt how to attach the camera securely ensuring it doesn't fall while in use. The tripod can be raised at three levels. We have also gone through safety procedures when handling this tripod as injury is possible.

Kino Flo: Diva Lite 400

As darkness will be used at certain points in our teaser trailer it is important that we use lighting to ensure that what is happening in the scene is visible at all times. The lighting we will use is the diva lite 400. the diva lite 400 includes built-in dimming ballast and flozier diffuser.

Costume Ideas

Only two people will be featured in our teaser trailer.

First is the antagonist. Our antagonist was influenced mainly by Leatherface from the texas chainsaw massacre series. We, as a group, decided that him wearing an apron will be effective. The apron shows that the villain is at work but in addition supports the convention that antagonists have some sort of insecurity or uncertainty about their sexuality. Below is an image of the character who influenced our costume

Dratfs Of A Poster Design

Drafts Of Magazine Front Page Layout

Video Test And Behind The Scenes Photographs

During lesson time, as a practice before our actual filming of our horror film teaser, we shot a teaser trailer as a class. Below are some behind the scene shots of the class filming and directing a fellow classmate as she acts out a short clip for the class teaser trailer. 

Three Drafts Ideas For Trailer

Idea 1:The protagonist (charley) is the it girl, the girl that everyone wants to be friends with, her personality very shallow, she’s vain she popular etc.  Someone out to kill this could be someone she bullied in her past. The trailer starts off with a blank dark screen, phone dial tone is been played, charley answer the phone and screams “what do you want from me” killer reply is you dead” then quick cuts are shown of the running away from him, then another quick cut of the killer studio, ( dt department) then a quick cut of running into the cupboard to hide lights her lighter and surrounded by dead bodies hanging all around her, then fades quickly. 




Idea 2: An infectious disease spread out through town. One woman wakes up to find shes the only one who is immune to it, and she sees Zombies everywhere she goes. There is only one way to survive and that is to find the antidote, in which the zombies prevent her from finding it. The protagonist is out to get her and she needs to find a way to save the population. 





Idea 3: There is a college student. He is very lazy yet very playful. He stays up late on school nights playing video games and surfing the web. In college he is constantly being shouted at for falling asleep in lessons and failing to do work. It has got to a point where his mother has been called up and informed for his slack. One day he falls asleep in lesson and when the lesson is over he is not woken up. He wakes up late at night to find he is still in college from the time he fell asleep in lesson. The college is locked so there is no way out. As he explores the rest of the college he is terrified when he comes to find he is not alone. It turns out that after dark the teachers turn into flesh eating zombies and he has to survive the night alone against the zombie college staff.

Textual Analysis Of A Horror Film Poster

The Final Destination is the fourth and so far final instalment of the Final Destination series.

The poster is of a close up a white female. There is low key lighting. The low key lighting gives us a sense of mystery and creates an eerie effect to the poster. The low key lighting makes her eyes blacked out. The black background connotes death and an evil presence.

Her mouth area has a super imposed image of a skull instead of a normal mouth. This combined with the black out of her eyes makes her face appear to be like a skull. This image denotes a skull. The connotation of the image is death.

Her Non-verbal communication shows us that she is screaming. The screaming connotes that she is in agony or is in fear over something. Her raised eye brows also supports this idea.

Her setting is not clear but around her face appears to be broken glass. The broken glass could connote that it may be an accessory to her death. The broken glass, in an extreme case, could be the result of her high frequency scream which is expressed in her Non-verbal communication.

The text which says 'Rest In Pieces' supports the broken glass as it is broken in pieces. It is a play on the common phrase 'Rest In Peace' which is a word used to pay respect to the deceased. It may also imply that characters in the film may suffer a brutal death where the victims body is mutilated.

The white colour of the title, which reads 'The Final Destination in 3-D', may have been used to contrast the dark background. It may also connote zero visibility which may represent the presence of an unseen super natural force which is often the reason of the deaths in the Final Destination series.

At the very bottom of the poster is a text which reads the month 'August' which is the month of release. The text is in red which may be to stand out on the poster to catch the viewers attention. It may also connote danger or warning. It may also connote an impending battle with premature death which is a theme of the movie.

Textual Analysis Of A Horror Film Teaser Trailer

A teaser trailer is a short trailer that advertises a film due for release without giving away too much of the story.  Teaser trailers consist of a series of shots from the film being advertised.


The Saw series consists of seven films distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment and produced by Twisted Pictures. The film is based on fiction charcter John Krameralso known as Jigsaw. He traps his victims in situations which he refers to as 'tests' or 'games'.


Saw 3D is the seventh and final installment of the Saw series. It focusses on a man who falsely claims to be Jigsaw despite his death in the third installment.

Like most trailers the teaser begins with the logos of the production companies. The opening scene begins with a voiceover saying, “you can’t hide”. The dialogue incites fear in the audience, as they will think anywhere they go is not safe and the voice is deep and eerie.

There is superimposed text that says “every master craftsman”. A voice over in the trailer then says "This game has a new design". It then leads to a mid shot, of a man trapped in a broken down car, that quickly zooms out into a wide angle shot which shows the warehouse like surrounding and shows another character who appears to be locked in another trap in a standing position. An image below shows this.

This lets the audience know that there are new traps, a new concept and possibly new motives for Jigsaws games without giving away the storyline at all.




 It then shows more superimposed text which says, “and all true geniuses”. It then cuts to two different close ups of a woman then a man then another two people who are hanging loosely above fan like blades which are spinning at a very high speed. All four of their non-verbal communication shows that their emotion and situations match that of the voiceover which says “fear, suffering, death”. This shows that fear, suffering and death plays a big part of the forthcoming movie.



It then cuts to another superimposed text that says "always save their best". Which is again shown in the image below.

It then cuts to a series of three establishing shots which shows the environment outside with the last showing a large crowd gathering around one particular building. This is shown below.

From here it cuts to another superimposed text that says "for last".

A voiceover then says "all of my work has been leading to this" while showing a a man who appears to be trapped in a cage. It then cuts to a high angle shot which shows the man tampering with a chain which the cage is hanging from. On his finger he has a prop which is a wedding ring which may play a part in the reason as to why he has become a part of Jigsaws's games. A mid shot shows that he has managed to release himself from the trap but then a birds eye view shows that below him are long sharp pieces of metal which will kill him if he falls.

This was followed by super imposed text which said 'witness'. It then cut to a mid shot of what appears to be a vehicle moving at a high speed on a track with a large sharp object on the front. A cut to an extreme long shot showed a female with her hands and legs tied screaming as the vehicle with the sharp object was heading towards her.

There was then a cut to super imposed text which read 'the final'. This was followed by a cut which showed a man as he struggled to keep a circular saw from making contact with him.

It then lead to super imposed text which simply read 'saw'. This implies that this installment of Saw would be the final in the series.

It then lead up to more super imposed text which was the title of the film 'Saw 3D'.

A number of sharp objects broke through this title and also appeared to break through glass. This highlighted the fact that the film was going to be released in 3D.

It then cut to the final super imposed text which read 'This October The traps come alive', this again highlights the fact that the film is going to be released in 3D. It also gave details of the film such as the production companies.

This teaser trailer has already informed us that this film will be the last in the Saw series. It also informed us that it will be in 3D. The teaser trailer has showed that the film will have new and exciting traps but without giving away any of the storyline.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg0go2b3ekY