Trailer Construction

Trailer Construction 

The plot for my trailer is a psychotic killer stalking and young girl. However everything is filmed from his point of view. This is a modern twist on horror film conventions, what makes it even more modern is that all of this production was filmed on an iPhone 6. 

I started my trailer like most do, with a certification of age. This is to portray to the audience which age my film is appropriate for. I decided my film would be available to watch to anyone 15 and over. The decision to make this trailer a 15 instead of an 18 rating is so that more people can view it. Therefore, theoretically, it would make more money if it was in the cinemas. 

The certification of age runs at the beginning of the trailer for exactly 4 seconds, this allows enough time for the audience to read it. 

Movies are made and produced by different companies, therefore I had to create my own. The average movie has two companies portrayed in their trailers. I created two companies. I did this using Photoshop elements. My first company was called 'Scream Cam Productions'. This links with the plot of my film and the influence of computer cameras. I also recorded white noise from an old TV. This added to the effect.

This clip runs for approximately 5 seconds. The clip is split multiple times to give the effect that the TV is moving and jumping across the screen like a moving image.

My second company was horror related. Although this company didn't necessarily link to my trailer, I felt as if it didn't need to. The majority of horror films have a company that they are just simply in association with, this is what I tried to portray. 

 This part of the trailer runs for approximately 3 seconds. I have also included the scream of a girl onto this clip as most company advertisement at the beginning of horror films do too. 

After completing the age certification and company logos I moved onto my trailer. To begin my trailer I thought it was necessary to have an establishing / long shot of the setting. This allows the audience to understand where the film is taking place, because my film is taking place in a modern house it is more believable and put the audience in a vulnerable place as they could believe this could happen to them at any point in their lives. 

I have also used ken burns effect on this clip. The image starts higher and gradually zooms out giving the audience the full view of the scene. The music with this clip runs throughout this and several others. The music is non-diegetic and soft throughout this part of the trailer. This clip is 5 seconds long. 

The next seen presents the protagonist driving towards the house, as if she has just been somewhere. The audience can see this image from another long shot, so that the audience can still see her surroundings. 

The non-diegetic sound continues throughout this footage, it is still soft at the point but begins to add more intensity. I have set the non-diegetic sound to play at the volume 400%. There is also a voice over to this scene asking the audience a question, this is effective as it gets the audience to think. I have also set the volume on this to 400% so that the voice over is not over powered by the non-diegetic music. 

To move the protagonist from the car to the house this scene shows her walking up the drive way. On her way to the drive way the protagonist drops a key. This is to emphasise what is used to enter into the house. Again this is a long shot portraying the protagonist's whole body and surroundings. This clip is 4.5 seconds.

The music is still growing in intensity throughout this scene.

Whilst the protagonist drops the key, 3 camera angles are used. The first one is a long shot, above, followed by two close ups from different angles.

Using different camera angles to film this scene is important for the audience to see. Seeing the footage from different angles allows the audience to imagine the whole setting for this scene. In total these clips run for approximately 3 seconds. The music is still growing in tension. 

The next clip is very important as it introduces the antagonist to the audience. When the protagonist walks into the door the camera pans up to the bedroom window. In the window the audience can see the outline of the antagonist. This builds tension as the protagonist is walking straight into the antagonist's area. This scene is exactly 11.6 seconds. There is also another voice over throughout this scene.

This is the part where the music is building up the most tension. When the the camera pans up to the window the non-diegetic music has increased. When the window reveals the antagonist the music is dramatic and helps change this scene into the next.

To represent the change in timing, from day to night, I went to a bridge near the setting and filmed the sun setting over the motorway. I sped this up using a time lapse, this helps the transition look smoother. This transition is approximately 6 seconds.

This clip is split into several parts, this is to adjust the lighting making the transition from day to night more obvious. The non-diegetic sound continues through this scene.

I added a text sequence between this scene and the next. The text reads 'Based on true events'; whenever the audience see this it will send shivers down their spines as this just emphasises the fact that this could happen on an everyday basis. The text last for exactly 3 seconds. The text that has been used is 'The Gonjuring'. I chose this text as it was simple yet seems scary. The background was also created by myself. I also added a green layer over the top, this is the same filter layer that I use to portray the cameras as CCTV. 

The music on this scene is the end of the non-diegetic sound heard throughout the trailer so far. The sound ends here as the trailer changes from day to night. 

The next scene matches the first scene, it is an establishing shot of the house, however this is for the night time setting. This clip runs for 5 seconds.

I have added sound to this footage to give off the nighttime effect. The simple noise of night time nature is used throughout many existing products, therefore I followed this convention. This non-diegetic sound only runs throughout this scene.

The next scene shows the audience how the antagonist gets in and out the house, using a key. This clip is a close up point of view camera angle. I felt as if this clip was filmed far too slowly, therefore I sped it up and the final clip runs for exactly 11 seconds. 

The scene is completely silent other than the two non-diegetic sounds I have added. The first sound is to emphasise the key, I added the sound of the door unlocking. This is effective as it is the antagonist's gateway, showing he is in control.  The second sound I have added is a creaking door. This is a common convention in horror films as it creates the feeling of being uneasy.

The next thing I want to add to my production is the definition of the word 'Stalker' I thought this would inform my audience a bit more on what is happening throughout the trailer. 

The non-diegetic music starts to play throughout this clip. It is slightly more dramatic than the last piece of music. This is so it builds up more tension. There is also a voice note of the protagonist reading out the text on screen, I feel like this will help the audience understand the message even more. This clip last for 6.8 seconds.

The footage will be the antagonist walking through the house. The first camera angle will be a close up focusing on the antagonist's feet, keeping his identity a secret for the time being. This clip last 3.3 seconds.

 The sounds I have added to this part of my production consist of non-diegetic for dramatic effect and diegetic sound. The enhanced footsteps help build up suspense as it is one out of the two things the audience can hear.

The second camera angle of the antagonist walking through the house is a medium close up/point of view. This helps the audience see things through the antagonist's eyes. The lighting is darker throughout these scenes as it is representing the middle of the night. However false lighting was used from the front of the iPhone camera.

Both the non-diegetic and diegetic sounds continue throughout this scene.

The next clip is another text slide. It is significant for the audience to be familiar with the director of a film. If they have previously done award winning films it will encourage the audience to view the production more. This clip last 4 seconds.

The non-diegetic sound continues throughout this clip.

The next camera angle is a high angle one. This is to portray that the antagonist is placing cameras throughout the protagonist's house. The lighting is again fake and is the flash from the camera phone. This is also the first time the audience can see the antagonist's face. The makeup that has been used is to represent the burns and bruising. The majority of horror antagonist's hide behind a mask. However I wanted to modernise my production therefore the audience can see the antagonist's face but he is still covered by the gruesome scars.

The non-diegetic sound still continues, however the diegetic sound has changed from footsteps to the sound of a clock ticking, this is known to build suspense throughout existing horror trailers.

The next few scenes move on the sound of the clock ticking, they also portray to the audience the different rooms which the antagonist has placed his cameras including the landing, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. They have all been filmed at a high angle. I have added a filter over the top of these clips as it symbolises CCTV.

All of these scenes last a total of 7 seconds. The sounds still remain the same. However at the end of the bedroom clip from the high angle the non-diegetic sound stops.

Once the camera angle has changed from the CCTV to the close up the antagonist can be seen touching the protagonist.

There is a different type of non-diegetic noise for this clip. When the antagonist's hand appears in front of the camera a louder noise is heard. This is to make the audience jump as they don't expect it. The lighting for this clip is again a flash from the iPhone camera.

The previous non-diegetic sound begins again but at a heightened level of suspense. The scenes then start to move like a montage. Most existing trailers have a montage of clips towards the end of the trailer. This is what I have done. The montage consists of various camera angles such as a medium close up, close up, long shot and point of view.

Medium close up in montage.

 There are also two text sequences throughout the montage.

Each of the text sequences contains a voice over of the protagonist reading the message on screen. The voice over runs over the non-diegetic dramatic music.

Close up from montage

Close up from montage.

Medium close up from montage.

The scene above is also from the montage in my trailer, however after the protagonist has walked past the camera, through the editing process I decided that the camera would zoom into the antagonist, putting extra focus onto him.

This title sequence is that last one in the montage, Again it is covered by a voice note of the protagonist reading what is on the screen.

 The picture above was the last clip in the montage which is a point of view camera angle from the protagonist's side. It's to symbolise and emphasise the fact that protagonist is scared and is trying to escape from the antagonist. 

The next clip show how the antagonist has cameras everywhere, even in the protagonist's computer. The protagonist is seen messaging another character on how she believes someone is haunting her. 

The lighting is natural in this scene. 

The camera angle changes to a point of view from the protagonist's side when writing the email. There was non-diegetic noise throughout the whole of the montage that continues through this scene and stops at the end. The scene of the typing on the computer is also sped up as it was too slow for the trailer.

The next clip is the title sequence for my trailer. I came up with this name as the film initial was meant to be from the antagonist's point of view. Therefore if the antagonist is watching the protagonist he can see her no matter where she is.

There is dramatic non-diegetic sound throughout this scene.

The final scene is a close up of the protagonist in need of help, there is no non-diegetic throughout this clip as is it is to build suspense. There has been the enhancement of breathing in this scene to portray the fear the protagonist is feeling.  The scene ends with the antagonist turning of the camera. This leaves the trailer at a cliff hanger, meaning that the audience don't know what is going to happen next, intriguing the audience to watch it more.

The final two text sequences promote the release of the production and the different types of social media that are supporting the film. Social media is crucial to help promote a film now-a-days as every single person is on one form of it. Advertising is greater on social media than anywhere else.