Research - Sound in Film Trailers

Audio and visuals are of equal importance in terms of creating meaning within a film and are therefore important aspects of film trailers. The use of sound enhances the audience's emotional experience throughout the duration of the film as well as providing them with an emotional focus. Sound in film trailers emphasises any psychological refinements of the film; the undeclared thoughts and feelings of a character, or the unseen implications of a situation which had occurred. It also sets the location and the period in which the film is based in and allows the audience to identify characters and character types, such as good vs evil.

Diegetic vs Non-diegetic sound:
The main two types of sound in film are diegetic and non-diegetic. Diegetic Sound is sound in which the source of it is visible onscreen or is implied to be present due to an action in the film. For example, sounds made by objects in the setting/plot (such as a ticking sound from a clock), the voices of the characters onscreen, and music represented as coming from instruments played within the story. Whereas, Non-Diegetic Sound is where the source of the sound is not visible onscreen nor has been suggested to be present due to an action within the film, such as a commentary, music soundtrack and sound effects which are added to create dramatic effect.

Voice Overs: 
This particular sound convention is used as a commentary over the onscreen footage, often to give a character's subjectivity or to narrate an event shown during a flashback. Voice overs are pieces of narration in a film unaccompanied by an onscreen image of the speaker. This particular type of non-diegetic sound is common in film trailers as it immediately provides the audience with any background information as well as the context of the narrative based on the images shown onscreen.

Sound Bridge: 
Sound bridges can occur at the end of a scene when sound from the following scene is heard before the image appears onscreen. However, they can lead in or out of a scene, occurring at the beginning of one scene when sound from that of the previous scene carries over briefly before the sound from the new scene begins.

Ambient Sound: 
The normal sound which exists in a particular scene or location. For example bird song, traffic noise and crowd chatter at a local children's park. Ambient sound can exist in any location.

Dialogue:
Dialogue is almost essential in films

Initial Ideas - 60 Second Pitches (Notes and Powerpoint Presentation)

I aimed to create three main initial ideas for the film trailer I intend to produce, condensing them down into 60 second pitches to present to a group for feedback.

Initial Idea Notes:

I briefly outlined some of the ideas I had for my final product in a word document, although felt they were far too basic to receive successful feedback which I could build upon. 

Powerpoint Presentation:
My powerpoint presentation shows my initial ideas more in depth.

60 Second Pitches - jessunderwood

Introduction to Main Task

I intend to create a film trailer along with two ancillary products to promote a new horror/thriller film.

Film Trailer:
I decided to make a film trailer for a horror/thriller film because I enjoyed making a film opening sequence of the same genre last year as part of my AS media studies foundation portfolio. I intend to explore this particular genre further by extending my knowledge and understanding of horror/thriller films, as well as increasing my skills used when creating this type of footage.

Ancillary Products:
Based on the three options provided in the specification, I have decided to create a film poster and a film magazine cover, featuring the horror/thriller film I am promoting. I have decided against creating a promotional website homepage for my film because I can apply the basic photoshop skills I have learnt from studying art textiles to the two other ancillary products.

Research - Narrative Structures and Theories

Todorov's Theory of Equilibrium:

Tzvetan Todorov developed a narrative theory which fundamentally states that the majority of stories or plot lines within films follow the same path or pattern. He simplified the idea of narrative theory whilst also allowing a more complex interpretation of film texts with his theory of Disequilibrium and Equilibrium.
Todorov split his theory into five stages:
1. Equilibrium - the first part of a plot line will display a happy atmosphere, where equality of  importance or effect exists among the various parts of any complex unity. the majority of the  characters are content and everything is as it should be in a state of equal balance between two  powers of any kind.
2. Disequilibrium - a disruption of the contentedness during the first part of the plot line due to an  event that has taken place.
3. Realisation - a recognition that the disorder has occurred, typically causing chaos within the  narrative.
4. Restored Order - an attempt to repair the the damage of the disruption caused.
5. Equilibrium - the final part of the plotline where the problem is resolved and normality and  contentedness can resume again.

Narrative is seen as a circular structure rather than a linear one within Todorov's five stages of his theory. His theory states that the narrative is predominantly driven by attempts to restore the equilibrium, however the equilibrium attained at the end of the narrative is nonidentical to the initial equilibrium portrayed during the start of the plotline.
Todorov also argues that narrative involves a transformation, meaning that the characters or the situations involved are transformed throughout the progression of disruption within the narrative. The disequilibrium itself usually occurs outside the conventional social framework (outside the normal social events taking place within the setting).
Todorov's narrative structure theory can be applied to many mainstream film narratives.

Propp's Seven Archetypes:

Vladimir Propp, a Russian literary critic and scholar, founded the judgement that a certain type of character was to be used in every narrative structure in order to make it successful. Propp's theory has influenced many filmmakers to write and produce highly successful narratives in film since his findings during the 1920's. He was most interested in the narrative structures of fairytales and identified a common theme throughout his investigation; that there were seven broad character types in the 100 folk tales he analysed. His theory suggests that all characters used within a narrative have a particular narrative function and therefore provide a structure for the film.
The 7 Proppian Archetypes: 
1. The Hero - the most common of these archetypes, the hero is the character who eliminates the villain; the hero is a character who seeks something, reacts to the donor and often weds the princess in order to conclude the narrative.
2. The Villain - this character fights the hero in some way. Villainous characters within a narrative often oppose of actively block the hero's quest. Villains juxtapose the hero's character which is often prominent in their appearance; they generally wear dark mysterious colours and in some cases are not very attractive, highlighting the juxtaposition between the two characters.
3. The Donor - this character prepares the hero or offers them some sort of help by providing them with an object which will help them on their quest.
4. The Helper - the helper helps the hero during their quest and often accompanies them throughout their journey.
5. The Princess - this character often acts as a reward for the hero, as well as becoming the object of the villains evil plots against them.
6. The Dispatcher - the dispatcher sends the hero on their quest via a message, inviting them to eliminate the villain. Their purpose is to make the villain's evil known to the hero.
7. The False Hero - this character often takes credit for the hero's actions although they have not achieved anything themselves; the false hero disrupts the hero's success by making false claims about themselves.

Research - Genre Specific Horror Thriller Trailer Analysis: THE CONJURING 2 (2016)

Institutional Information:
Directed by James Wan and written by Chad and Carey Hayes, The Conjuring 2 was released to the UK on 13th May 2016. With an initial estimated budget of $40,000,000, the second Conjuring film grossed $102,461,593 at the box office. The Conjuring 2 is a film adaptation based on the 1977 Enfield paranormal investigation.

Synopsis:
Based on the 1977 Enfield paranormal files, Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to North London to investigate a case in which a single mother claims her daughter is possessed by a demon.

Location:
The Conjuring 2 is primarily set in a normal house, haunted by a malicious spirit. Although the house is haunted, it is not portrayed as a stereotypical 'haunted house' (like for example the Addams family house) which gives the films narrative an overall realistic feel. However, as the film is set in the late 1970's, it is furnished with items of that particular period. The film is based on the Enfield paranormal investigation, and is therefore set in London, England. The audience can immediately tell the geographical location of the film as a clip of Marylebone Station is featured in the trailer.  

Mise en Scene:
A key horror/thriller theme in this particular film is religion. The audience is immediately introduced to a religious character in the first few clips of the trailer, dressed as a priest. Throughout the trailer, we are repeatedly shown religious imagery; the cross, a nun and a church choir service being broadcasted on television.

Research - Genre Specific Horror Thriller Trailer Analysis: INSIDIOUS (2010)

Institutional Information: 
Insidious is a 2010 Horror Thriller film directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, released on 29th April 2011 in the UK. Starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne and Lin Shaye, Insidious grossed $53,991,137 in comparison to its initial estimated $1,500,000 budget.

Synopsis:
Having moved into their new home with their three children, Josh and Renai Lambert's lives are turned into turmoil after their oldest son Dalton falls into a inexplicable coma. Supernatural things begin to happen in their home, and the family are forced to

Genre:
Insidious is an example of a horror thriller film.

Trailer Conventions:
This particular trailer is 1 minute 48 seconds in length, conforming to the Motion Picture Association of America's guidelines stating that film trailers should be no longer than 2 minutes 30 seconds in duration. The production company ident is introduced 6 seconds into the trailer, immediately after the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) film certificate is shown. This allows the audience to recognise the production company responsible for the creation of the film and can hugely benefit its overall success - if consumers have enjoyed films produced by a particular production company in the past, they are more likely to want to watch more recent products.

The Film District ident is shown 6 seconds into the Insidious trailer, informing the audience of the production company responsible for the film, as well as introducing the films genre. Red and black are key symbolic colours to the horror thriller genre; black connoting death and evil, and red symbolising danger. The viewer immediately recognises and associates the film as part of the horror thriller genre due to the colours used in the companies ident.

The billing block is shown onscreen two seconds before the end of the trailer (at 1:46). This provides the audience with any additional information they may want to know (for example, it's cast or any social media pages associated with the film). The colours used in this particular billing block 

Mise en Scene:

Wide low angle external establishing shot. The low canted angle instills in the viewer a sense of enigma because of the distorted angle used. Desaturated colour and an absence of people hints that something may have taken place. 

A medium close up is used 15 seconds into the trailer immediately after the film title is shown, introducing a main character within the films narrative; the introduction of key characters of a film is a typical convention found in film trailers. 

A typical symbolic convention used in horror thriller films is the use of shadows and silhouettes (particularly of the antagonistic character within the narrative) to add elements of mystery and suspense. The inhuman looking figure shown in the second screenshot allows the audience to recognize the supernatural theme of the film which will allow them to determine whether or not they would want to watch it on its release. 

Sound:

Editing:

Research - Non Genre Specific Trailer Analysis: MALEFICENT (2014)

Institutional Information:
Maleficent is a film loosely based on Charles Perrault's original Sleeping Beauty story. Directed by Robert Stromberg and produced by Joe Roth, 2014's Maleficent is a dark fantasy film featuring Elle Fanning and Angelina Jolie. Distributed by Walt Disney and Motion Pictures, Maleficent was released in the UK on 28th May 2014 with a running time of 97 minutes. It took $758.5 million at the box office in comparison to its original $263 million budget.

Sound:
The trailer uses a mix of diegetic and non diegetic sound throughout. The trailer opens with a soft slow tempo soundtrack typical of the fantasy genre; the music sounds majestic yet eerie which immediately introduces the audience to the films genre. A deep male American voiceover is used over the top of the film trailer which is a convention of film trailers - this non diegetic type of sound provides the viewer with any additional information needed about the films narrative, however in this particular trailer, the voiceover of a character is not included.

Editing:
Towards the opening of the trailer, iconic clips of Walt Disney's original animated film of Sleeping Beauty and shown alongside live action reenactments used within the Maleficent film. However, the abrupt ending to these comparisons allow the audience to understand that the film is not an ordinary version of Sleeping Beauty, but is instead a retelling focusing on the original film's antagonist. Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) is commonly used in fantasy films and examples of this are shown throughout the trailer.

Mise en Scene:
Low key lighting is used throughout the trailer, reflecting its dark fantasy genre. This, alongside the dark colours used, evoke a sense of mystery within the audience. Colours such as black connote power and sophistication, as well as danger and mystery, and this provides the audience with a sense of her character.