Annabelle trailer analysis

 The trailer begins with a couple who heard a banging coming from the next door so the man decides to see what is going on. Straight away the audience knows something bad is going to happen and this is a stereotypical thing to happen in a horror film. When the male character comes out of the neighbors house he has blood all over him which means something has happened and the audience doesn't know but want to find out. Afterwards the female character returns to their house which is when a strange female  figure walks past holding a doll which the audience think is Annabelle. Having strange figures walk past is a stereotype that is expected in a horror film. After this it shows the female figure which was seen earlier covered in blood and holding Annabelle but there is a weird x mark on the wall in blood which no one knows what it is.

The next scene shows the couple talking to a priest which is a stereotypical character featured in a horror film that sometimes can help but not always. Afterwards the couple are shown moving into a new house with the daughter who is around 9 months old. Then the mum brings out Annabelle from a box which she places on a shelf with other small dolls. The audience is probably wondering why would you want to put a scary doll in your baby's room. During the next scene you hear the baby crying which quickly cuts to her room and the door begins to close by itself and the record player starts playing. This conforms to the stereotype of things happening by themselves in a horror film. The next scene shows the mum asleep on the sofa and the baby is asleep in crib next to her. When all of a sudden another strange female figure walks past into the baby's room which leads to either another figure or the same one walking towards to crib and peering down to look at the baby.

During the next few scenes every time something bad is going to happen the camera cuts to a close up of Annabelle's face then back to the activity that is going to go wrong. The first activity is the mum using the sewing machine seems to speed up which she then cuts her finger on. Next is the popcorn cooking on the hob bursts into flames which causes the kitchen to set on fire. At this point the audience are wondering why someone or something would want to do this to an innocent family. The next bad thing to happen is the mum trips over the chair legs and falls to the floor then all of a sudden she is dragged by something that can't be seen. This conforms to the stereotype of having a supernatural force causing harm to others. One of the next scenes shows the mum go to a psychic who tells her that she isn't dealing with a ghost. This tells the audience that something much worse is going on. Then it goes on showing the mum in the baby's room when the bedroom door gets locked by itself so she decides to look under the door when Annabelle jumps out on her. Towards the end of the trailer creepy music begins to play which sounds like a music box.

Mise-en-scene is used throughout the trailer as there are different locations of setting including, the house that the couple first live in, their new house, the church and the hotel that they stay in for a while.There are quite a lot of close ups and medium shots used.  

Target Audience Research

Target audience research:

The usual age for the target audience of a horror movie is 15-25. The most common reason for this is that young adults and teenagers enjoy thrills. The thrills that people discover during a horror move are most likely to excite a younger audience rather than an older audience. Many young audiences are not put off by graphic images and some would say that they are more drawn towards them. For an example, the human centipede, the film is banned from various countries however this makes the younger audience want to watch it more. Horror films are mainly aimed at males as opposed to females because stereotypically males prefer violence more than a female would.  Another reason would be that young males are more immature and would enjoy looking at gory things.

Horror films are mainly aimed at the middle class. This is due to the fact they can acquire thrills if they need to do so in other ways, whereas for a member of the working class it may be a way for them to escape the real world. Commonly the target audience and interests of a horror film are blood and intensive violence. Also, targeted at individuals that have an interest in the supernatural and unexplained. Horror films can also be targeted at groups of people. For an example horror films are aimed at groups of teenagers, as it is almost a social event to watch a horror film and be scared together. Horror films can also be aimed at young couples who are on their first dates. The audience can often relate to the characters that are in the horror movie and they often form relationships due to the similarities and therefore have a stronger emotion pull to the film.

Here are some horror movies that are aimed at different target audiences:

The cabin in the woods – young couples

Strangers- young men

A nightmare on Elm Street – couples

Texas chainsaw massacre – young men

Horror film production company research

This is a list of production companies that have produced some of the best and well known horror films.

Blumhouse Productions:

Blumhouse productions has made some of the most well known horror films such as all the paranormal activity films, sinister,  all three of the purge films, all three insidious films, unfriended, Ouija and the Gallows. Out of these films Insidious and Paranormal Activity relate to our film the most. 

Lionsgate:    

Lionsgate has produced a few well known films such as all of the Saw films, your'e next and The cabin in the woods. None of these films relate to our film as Saw and your'e next are gory horror films and ours isn't.    


New Line Cinema:

New Line Cinema has produced a few popular horror films such as The Conjuring and the Conjuring 2, Annabelle, Lights out, A nightmare on Elm street and all of the Final Destination films. Out of these films both The conjuring films and Annabelle as these have similar story line to out film. 
                                                                                                              Warner Bros: 

Warner Bros have made a few well known horror films such as The exorcist and The shining. Out of both these films The shining relates to our film the most.

                       

Special effects makeup tutorial

This is another video that i have found that think will look good because in our horror movie, the scary character had been murdered at its house which is why it is still haunting it. The clawed special effects look will suit well with the murdered body and spiritual, ghost like character. The steps are pretty straight forward and easy to follow.

Special effects makeup

Here is a special effects makeup tutorial that i have found online that we could use in our horror move to make one of our main characters look the part. As the character we have picked is standing in the garden staring up at Charlotte through the window, we thought an effect like this will look good and more scary.

Soundtrack Research

Soundtrack research:

The following soundtracks that I have listed below are royalty free! See the links below to see our options for music for our film

THIRTEEN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eze5Lv1vCp8

One of the soundtracks that I have got is from the ride ‘Thirteen’ at Alton Towers Resort. The ride itself is a horror ride and is based around ghosts and spiritual and paranormal activity. There is no lyrics in this soundtrack, it sounds like something is whispering. There are many sections of this song that we can use for different parts of our opening two minutes. The song starts of slow but still scary and then gets more tense and faster the further in you get. Half way through the soundtrack you can hear nursery rhymes playing and the sound of someone heavy breathing over the top of it, almost as if they are running from something or have seen something. This will fit in well with the scene where Charlotte spots the spirit standing in the garden. At the end of the song there is a countdown in a scary spiritual voice and then you hear a girl scream which will work well when Charlotte spots the figure and is wishing it wasn’t there.

SMILER:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpAKsWssXpA

The next soundtrack I have found is much more tense and has a heavy beat to it, almost like a countdown to something that is about to happen or as if something was coming. In the background you can hear faint laughing, more of a cackle which is quite scary. This soundtrack is a good way to set the mood for the target audience. I would say that this soundtrack is more suitable for the scene where Charlotte sees how the figure standing in the garden dies.  Half way through you hear a piercing scream almost as if someone is in pain and then it has people laughing to the beat of the song which will be a good way of making the audience feel uncomfortable and intimidated because it will make them think that they are being laughed at or as if something has control over them.

DARK TENSION RISING:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zvQoPyY2XE

This soundtrack sounds similar to the Jaws soundtrack in the sense that is soft and then has big, tense and scary outbursts where the audience then works out that something is going to happen. In the background of the tense music you can hear almost as if there’s a choir which can be quite daunting. When people think of choirs they most likely think of church choirs which link to death and grave yards which are associated with death. In our film there is a spirit that is disturbed and is causing fear and trouble to the real world. A spirit that is meant to be laid to rest or at peace is coming back for revenge.

Horror Genre research

Horror films have been around since 1910 starting with Frankenstein. When someone watches a horror film the aim is to create fear and panic. Most horror films involve peoples worst nightmares such as a crazy killer going around killing peoples or watching a video tape which leads to you dying in seven days. Horror films are mostly based around an evil force or an event in someones life that has caused panic in fear. When watching horror films and a message pops up saying 'based on a true story' people don't want to believe that something like this could happen.

Apart from the main horror genre there are also sub genres of horror which are:

Action horror- this involves chases and blood and gore. An example of this is World War Z

Comedy horror- this involves mixing both comedy and horror together and mostly makes fun of popular horror films. An example of this is The Cabin In The Woods.

Body horror- this involves graphic scenes of a body being disfigured or placing parts of the body in the wrong place. An example of this is The Human Centipede.

Holiday horror- this involves a crazy killer who go round killing people during the Christmas holidays. An example of this is Silent Night

Horror drama- this type of horror film focuses on the real life emotions and families that are struggling with everyday life which then reveals a dramatic story. An example of this is The Exorcist.

Psychological horror- This focuses on characters worst fears which builds tension for the audience which builds up the story. An example of this is Saw.

Science fiction horror- This type of horror is normally about a scientist who did an experiment that went wrong and turned everyone into flesh eating monsters or an alien invasion. An example of this is 28 Weeks Later.

Slasher film- this is normally about a crazy serial killer who kills a large amount of people in gruesome ways. An example of this is Friday The 13th.  

Splatter film- this type of horror focuses on each death in detail and use a lot of special effects to make it look more realistic. An example of this is Cabin Fever.

Supernatural horror- This includes anything from the supernatural world such as ghosts and the devil. An example of this is Paranormal Activity.

Gothic Horror- This involves most characters being a goth and a romance that ends up as a horror story. An example of this is Rosemary's Baby.

Natural horror- This involves a different range of animals that turn into flesh eating killers. An example of this is Piranha.

Zombie film- This type of horror is based on the human race have turned into flesh eating monsters with very few surviving. An example of this is Dawn Of The Dead.

Film Certificates

Film Certificates

Universal:

When the film is rated U it means that the film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over although it is hard to predict what will and what won’t upset a child. U films should be set within a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be infrequent or have a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children.

Parental guidance (PG):

Parental guidance is very similar to the Universal rating however some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset their child. Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of, or in educational or historic context.  References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must carry a suitable anti-drug message. In regards to imitable behaviour, no detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy, if that behaviour is presented as safe or fun.  There will be mild bad language only. Aggressive or very frequent use of mild bad language will result in the film being rated higher. There may be nudity but with no sexual scenes. Sexual activity may be applied but must be discreet and infrequent. If the film has any violence in it then it must be mild. However there may be moderate violence, without detail, if justified by its context.

12/12A RATING:

Films that are rated 12 or a 12A contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged fewer than 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless they are supervised by an adult. Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.  Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not give instructional detail. In regards to the language used, there may be moderate language. Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification. In a 12/12A film there may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet. Sexual activity may occur briefly and or discreetly portrayed. There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences. Although some scenes may be disturbing, the overall tone should not be.  There may be violence in the film but it should not dwell on the detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and its depiction must be justified by context.

15 RATING:

No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. The film as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language. Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug usage for an example making it clear to the audience how to use/ do it. Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail which could be copied. There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used. There are no restrictions on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.  There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.

18 RATING:

No one younger than 18 may see an 18 film in the cinema or rent out an 18 rated film. In an 18 rated film, sex material genuinely is there to inform and educate for an example human sexuality or safer sex and health, even though they can go into detail in an 18 rated film, there still needs to be a purpose. In regards to sex scenes, explicit images of sexual activity are allowed. Another reason why a film could be rated as in 18 is because the film may contain hard drug use and the scenes may be educational and instructional. There may also be sadistic violence or sexual abuse

Film Interview with character

The video is of an interview between Chloe and Charlotte as we thought it was a good idea to do this as we got back feedback on how successful our film will be. We know it shall be successful because as Chloe asked Charlotte the questions it became apparent that we have included many things into our planning that will appear in our film that makes the two opening minutes clear that it is a horror. Also from this interview we know what needs to be included, such  as creepy music. Below are the questions Charlotte was asked:

1. Why did you choose to be in our film?
2. What do you expect to see in a horror film?
3. What character are you playing?
4. Where is it being filmed?
5. Does the planning live up to your expectations of a horror?

This is the second interview with Kieran who plays the role of the strange figure Charlotte spots.
The questions Kieran was asked are:
1. Why do you want to be in our horror movie?
2. Does our planning fit your expectations of a horror film?
3. What character will you be playing?

The boy trailer analysis

The trailer starts of with a long shot of an old looking house located in the countryside which conforms to the stereotype of a horror film being based in the middle of nowhere and in a old looking house. The music (non-diegetic) played is calming and slow which the audience may be wondering why there isn't scary music instead. But a few seconds later the nanny is introduced to Mr and Mrs Heelshire and their son Brahms who is a doll which is when the music turns from calming to tense and scary. The nanny seems to find it funny which is not surprising as she wasn't expecting for this to happen. There is then a close up of the doll to show the audience what he looks like. Afterwards Mr Heelshire says to the nanny that Brahms isn't like other children which is when he shows her a list that she has to follow. The next scene shows number 2 on the list which says 'don't cover his face' which the audience may be thinking that nobody would ever to this a child. Then another close up is shown of Brahms face which at this point the audience is finding freaky. Afterwards the nanny says to him 'you kinda freak me out' and puts a blanket over him. When this happens everyone knows that something is going to happen as she didn't follow the rule as this is expected to happen in a horror film.

The next scene shows another rule which says 'don't leave him alone' which seems a strange thing to put down as he is young boy. After the nanny is shown taking a shower and Brahms is nowhere to be seen so she hasn't followed that rule either. At this point the audience knows that something bad is going to happen to her as this is expected in a horror film. The next scene shows yet another one of the rules saying 'don't forget to feed him' which yet again who would forget to feed their child. There is then a scene of Brahms sitting at the dinner table and goes straight to the nanny emptying the food in the bin. At this point the audience is beginning to feel scared as she hasn't followed any of the rules yet. But this is when the trailer gets scary as there is a child's laugh coming from the direction where Brahms is which the audience is wondering where it came from. The music (non-diegetic) then becomes intense and the nanny looks up to see that Brahms has disappeared from the table which is scary as he is a doll. The next scene shows the nanny placing Brahms on the floor and drawing an outline of his body to see if he moves. She tells the Malcolm the grocery man about it and they both stand outside the room which is when the nanny knocks on the wall then opens the door and Brahms has gone. At this point the audience is wondering why Mr and Mrs Heelshire have a doll as child and why there is a set of rules to take care of him.

A few seconds later Greta the nanny asks Malcolm about 'the real Brahms' which tells the audience there is something that the don't know yet but soon will find out. Malcolm says he was "downright strange". He mentions that a little girl and Brahms went to the woods and found a body there but by the time the police got there it was up in flames. The audience is thinking at this point is who is Brahms and did he set the woods on fire. There is then a close up of a grave stone with 'Brahms' written on it and the date 1983-1991 which means he died when he was only 8 years old. Malcolm is still talking about Brahms and says he never made it out which tells us he died in the fire. Towards the end of the trailer the music has turned into freaky child's music and shows Greta looking at a family portrait when a little boys arm comes out and grabs he round the throat which the audience thinks is Brahms.

From the trailer we find out that Greta is a nanny who has come to take care of Brahms who turns out to be a doll. Also we find out that the real Brahms died when he was 8 years old in 1991. Mise-en-scene is used throughout the trailer as the location is the house and many camera shots are used. The use of editing in the trailer is quick has you have to fit alot in a few minutes. Shots are between 3-5 seconds not any longer.

The Conjuring 2 trailer analysis

The trailer begins showing the company who made the film which is Warner Bros which tells the audience that the film has had a lot of money spent on it. After there is a creepy voice saying "this is my home" which conforms to the stereotype of strange voices in a horror film. This scene is being filmed from a birds eye view and gets closer to the table throughout the scene, which creates tension for the audience as they are thinking that something may jump out at them. When the tape got paused the camera straight away goes to the priest which is another stereotype in a horror film. The priest mentions that the voice on the tape is an 11 year old girl however the voice sounded like a man. At this point the audience are thinking there is a possibility that the girl was possessed which conforms to the stereotype of a demon or spirit being featured.

After this scene strange music begins to play in the background which is another stereotype of a horror film. Then comes a dark screen saying 'the true files of Ed and Lorraine Warren'. Whenever this shows in a horror film trailer people want to go and see it as they can't believe something like this can ever happen. Afterwards there is a scene with a group of investigators and two of the children and one of the investigators asks Janet if she is okay, in which she replies "stop calling me Janet" in a demonic voice which conforms to the stereotype of a demon possessing someone. A few seconds later Janet is shown in her bedroom when all of a sudden crosses begin to turn upside down which means a demon is there. At this point the audience is feeling tense and don't expect someone to jump out which it does.

Towards the end of the trailer a range of jump scare scenes are shown which keeps the audiences attention. At the end of the trailer a scene is shown where Lorraine is in front of a mirror and a lady dressed in black is behind her but when she turns around the lady is gone. But when Lorraine turns back the lady jumps out on her.

A range of camera angles are used throughout the trailer such as a birds eye view, medium shot, close ups, long shot. Mise-en-scene is used for the location which is the family's house, costumes are old fashioned, props used are the tape recorder which is used during the first scene. The use of editing is quick as most scenes are only between 3-5 seconds long but a few are a little bit longer. From the trailer we find out that the family is possessed and that Ed and Lorraine are there to help them.