Evaluation Task 1: Trailer

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

In my trailer, I used various different conventional methods to make it seem like a realistic trailer. Some examples of these are; the use of transitions and effects on the camera shots, the use of layered sound and the use of different camera angles throughout. I have taken screen-shots of some key moments in my trailer that I think encapsulate the methods I used to create an effective looking trailer.

My ideas about establishing shots for the opening for the trailer were directly influenced by some of the trailers from my research and planning. In the trailer for Dead Man's Shoes by Shane Meadows he presents his audience with an ordinary and unassuming town setting that will be dramatically effected by extraordinary events. This is similar to my trailer, where I used establishing shots to create an equilibrium in the narrative, which would soon be disrupted by the antagonist.

In my trailer, the conventional shot of a swing moving on its own is effective as it suggests an ominous feeling to the audience and indicates the genre right from the beginning of the trailer. This alludes to the innocence of childhood, and possibly the loss of innocence about to occur in the film. It creates an uneasy feeling for the audience, which highlights the horror genre. In addition, I used titles throughout my trailer to allude to a narrative. This enhanced the shots and increased the tension by allowing text to break up stages in the narrative and introduction of characters. The first character introduced is a pivotal moment in the trailer as it is the first time the audience are introduced to a part of the overall story. She is a character that the audience can relate to easily and is the character they will support throughout the film.

Introducing a second antagonist character is also an important moment as it creates fear in the audience. This character is immediately introduced as the character that the audience should not like. The jump cuts in this particular scene also establish fear and tension in the scene. This is effective as it contrasts the introduction of the victim, which alludes to the fact that he is the antagonist. This new character adds to the thickening plot of the trailer. Adding production credits makes my trailer look realistic and professional. I made the credits myself, adding to the effectiveness of my trailer. I decided to place these in the middle of my trailer as a way to break up the narrative and act in a more conventional way. Starting a chase scene meant my trailer had a faster, more enticing pace, and leaves the audience wanting to watch more to see what happens.

In the chase scene, I introduced yet another new character. This creates more depth to the trailer and shows more of the film for the audience to see. There is no information about this character, giving her a more ominous nature within the film and leaving the audience with enigmas. Cross-cutting between the three narratives is effective in portraying a confusion for the audience and creating a juxtaposition between the antagonist and the two victim characters. Having a main title at the end makes my trailer look effective. The colour change and transitions make the title interesting and memorable. I also added a date and social media links at the end of the trailer. This is something that is conventional of trailers as it lets the audience keep track and allows the film company to promote their film easily.