The document summarizes the planning and research done to create a film trailer and accompanying promotional materials. It analyzes three existing trailers and posters to identify common codes and conventions. Key influences included the trailer for Friday the 13th for establishing shots and character representations. The student's own trailer challenges conventions by not showing explicit violence. Both the poster and magazine cover were informed by research of other examples to conform to real media conventions like fonts, colors, and cover images while promoting the intended film.

1. Evaluation Q1: In which ways does your media product
use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real
media products?
A2 Media Studies
Ellie New

2. Film Trailer: Unmasked

3. Evaluation: Q1 Trailer
Planning
I began my planning by looking at the purpose of a teaser trailer and what is the definition of a
‘teaser trailer; I watched three trailers which I then analysed in depth looking at key codes and
conventions which appeared in all three of the trailers. The trailers I looked at were all fairly
recent, I did this in order to see what is portrayed within horror trailers in modern day society the
trailers I looked at were ‘Mama’, ‘The Woman In Black’ and ‘Jessabelle’. I then went on to look at
genre conventions of ‘Horror’. Focusing on Location, Technical Elements, Mise-en-scene and
Themes; which gave me an understanding of what a stereotypical modern day horror trailer
includes. I also studied the use of narrative within trailers and how it has been portrayed within the
three trailers I had previously chosen to study; this gave me an understanding of how to create a
clear link between my uses of shots making viewing easy for an audience to follow. Looking at
representation of stereotypes of characters was also a key part of my research, in order to make
sure I chose the right characters to represent the roles I wanted to be portrayed within my own
trailer.

4. Evaluation: Q1 Trailer
A media product which heavily influenced my trailer is the film
‘Friday The 13th’, which I have analysed in depth.
Link to trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVsVKn-MS14
The opening scene of Friday The 13th begins with
an establishing shot of the lake, which is where the
film is set, the camera then uses a panning shot to
reveal the rest of the location. Within my own
trailer I have also incorporated this using an
establishing shot of the graveyard presenting the
place primarily where the most of the film will be
based. It also signify the beginning of the trailer,
presenting a narrative.
However, I feel that the location of the establishing
shot of Friday The 13th looks quite idyllic and
tranquil which does not immediately reveal the
genre of the film. I feel that my trailer challenges
this as the graveyard immediately gives
connotations of death and the unknown.

5. Evaluation: Q1 Trailer
The next scene from Friday The 13th
presents the victims; they are
represented as stereotypical middle
class teenagers. Their age is conveyed
in the trailer by choice of clothing, they
are all wearing causal clothing opposed
to suits and smart business wear.
Furthermore, one of the girls within the
group is wearing a pink top making her
appear youthful and innocent. They
are also shown partying, consuming
alcohol and explicit scenes which are
stereotypical ideologies for teenagers.
Within my own trailer I have tried to
incorporate teenage ideologies in order
to attract my target audience of age 18
– 24 . The protagonists/ victims of my
trailer are wearing parkas, jeans, t-
shirts and ‘converse’ trainers which are
categorised as stereotypical ’teenage’
clothing. Furthermore, youth is
represented by the teenagers using
smart phones which also reinforces
that the trailer is a modern construct.
The narrative also portrays youth by
the topic of conversation; talking about
‘boys’ suggests that the girls are young
and naïve.

6. Evaluation: Q1 Trailer
The killer character within
Friday The 13th is pictured
wearing a hockey mask to
conceal his identity. He is
also pictured wearing dark
clothing, giving
connotations of
evil/darkness. The killer is
also pictured with a
machete knife, the killers
motivation is
stalking/physiological.
Within my own trailer I
have used the same style
of costume, however our
killer is not pictured with a
weapon as the ‘slasher’
element is implied within
my trailer which does
challenge conventions of
‘slasher films’. The killer
within our trailer is also
featured wearing gloves,
further concealing his
identity. Whereas, within
the trailer above the killer is
more exposed.

7. Evaluation: Q1 Trailer
Both constructs present the
victims trying to escape the
killer in an attempt to get away.
Playing intense high pitch
music in order to create a
reaction from the audience.
Within my trailer there is an
element of ‘the male gaze’,
created by film critic Laura
Mulvey; which suggests that
women are seen as weak and
vulnerable victims, the ‘damsel
in distress’, the male character
is usually the killer portrayed
as dominant and powerful. I
feel that this aspect of my
trailer conforms to the
conventions of a horror film.

8. Evaluation: Q1 Trailer
I feel that my own trailer does challenge
forms and conventions of real media, as
within my trailer there is no physical violence
presented. In the first two examples I have
shown from Friday The 13th, the ‘slasher’
aspect of the film is represented by a man
held and knife point and then killed which is
shown within the first image. Then within the
second image there is blood evident,
implying violence and death.
However, the last image I have presented
shows the audience that the killer has now
got the victims without showing any death or
blood saving the explicit scary scenes for
the film. I also decided to do this as I felt that
these scenes may not look believable due to
the lack of professional acting and high tech
equipment.

9. Ancillary Tasks: Poster &
Magazine

10. Evaluation: Q1 Poster
Pre-Production: Research
found on Word Press

11. Tag Line – ‘Welcome’
implies a sarcastic tone as
the killer is not welcoming
them however, it creates a
link between the poster and
the audience
Cover Image – The killer
looks strong, powerful and
dominant he also looks as if
he is ready for action, which
could scare the audience
making them want to view
the film. The dark
background of the woods
also gives a feeling of the
‘unknown’, contributing to
the horror element
Header – Advertises the
film in its signature font,
the use of the red font
implies connotations of
blood, danger and passion
and warns the audience
that there is a horror
element. Furthermore, the
slits within the text and the
mirror reverse of the text
suggests that the killer is
broken or fractured
mentally.
Credits – Paying credits
to the directors and
performers
Evaluation: Q1 Poster
Poster Analysis - My
Finished Poster
Font – Same font used
throughout poster,
using signature font of
film

12. In order to create my media poster I looked at three
other examples from films such as Avatar, Friday
The 13th which was the main focus of my media
trailer and ‘The Dark Knight’. I felt that ‘Friday The
13th’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ were the best examples
as they feature a horror/action genre. The image
upon my poster is clear and has been taken using a
professional camera (Nikon D40 DLSR); in order to
produce a crisp image. I felt the tag line ‘welcome
to the graveyard’ creates a personal touch, however
it is sarcastic as the audience is in the presents of a
killer. A tagline was evident on both of the posters I
had chosen to focus on. Furthermore, they both
featured a strong, dominant cover image making the
protagonist looking empowered and ready for action;
I also used filters to darken the image making it feel
more dystopic. For the title I decided to use a red
font which holds connotations of blood, death,
danger and a warning. The blurred reflection of the
text upon my poster and slits implies the fractured
personality of the killer. I have then decided to use
credits and have incorporated logos of professional
companies which may entice my audience to view
my film. I feel that my product conforms to a real
media product.
Evaluation: Q1 Poster

13. Evaluation: Q1 Magazine
Pre-Production: Research
found on Word Press

14. Evaluation: Q1 Magazine
Mast Head - Taken
from another film
magazine, as the brand
is so iconic it is still
recognisable to fans
when covered
Tag Line - ‘ The ultimate
exclusive’ implies it can
not be found anywhere
else hence why it is
‘exclusive’. Which will
attract fans
Cover Lines – Listing
new films, celebrities
and reviews which the
audience will be
interested in
Sub Header –
Introducing the film
advertised
Barcode –
Professional
looking
Fonts – Use of
three fonts, all sans
serif to attract the
target audience,
‘Unmasked’ is
written within its
own signature font
Colours – After studying
other film magazines it
became apparent that
bold, primary colours
such as: Blue, yellow
and red were regularly
used. Attracting a young
male audience, I have
also incorporated this
into my own work
however, it may also
attract a female
audience
Issue Number /
Price
Cover Image – My cover image
presents the protagonist from a
low angle shot, making him
seem powerful and dominant.
The character is also giving a
direct address to the audience
establishing a link between the
audience and the character, the
large building the the
background of the image
contributes to the horror element
Magazine Analysis –
My Finished
Magazine :

15. Evaluation: Q1 Magazine
When creating my magazine I looked at three
different examples, which I thoroughly
analysed; two from ‘Empire’ magazine and
one from ‘Total Film’. All of the magazines had
in common that they included one key
character as the cover image, which I then
incorporated into my own magazine cover.
One of the Empire magazine covers had a
location taken from the film presented within
the background, I also decided to incorporate
this into my own work so that my audience
can gain a sense of setting as to where my
film is set. Furthermore, all of the magazine
colours included bright, primary colours such
as blue, yellow and red; in order to attract a
masculine audience. I have also featured this
within my own work however, I do feel it will
also capture a small female audience. I feel
that my magazine cover follows the forms and
conventions of a stereotypical film magazine.
It includes cover lines, giving more information
to the target audience which they may be
interested in. It also includes interviews with
the main character and other typical
conventions such as a barcode and issue
number and price, making it appear as a
professionally created construct.

16. Ellie New