3. CONVENTIONS OF THRILLER FILM
TRAILERS
ο‘ To create a successful film trailer I will include the conventions
used by existing film trailers.
ο‘ As well as the general conventions of all film trailers, there are
also specific elements of thriller film conventions to allow the
audience to easily figure out what genre of film it will be after
watching the trailer such as sudden rush of emotions, surprise
and excitement, impending doom, tension and suspense,
exhilaration as well as the video examples below from existing
thriller films
Unwelcomed company Screaming Running & hiding
4. CONVENTIONS OF THRILLER FILM
TRAILERS
Entrapment/security Unwelcomed company / stalker
Unwelcomed company Canted angle (silhouette of unknown)
5. CONVENTIONS OF ANCILLARY PRODUCTS
Both the film posters and the film magazine covers tend to
follow the same or very similar conventions such as:
ο‘ Focusing on the eyes of the character
ο‘ Use medium and close up camera angles
ο‘ Use dark colours
ο‘ Using dif ferent colour schemes to compliment the
characterβs personality
To make a conventional product I will
use the most obvious elements such
as the ones I listed above used by existing
film posters and film magazines to make my
end product successful.
6. PACKAGE OF PRODUCTS
ο‘ From analysing a package of products, I found that they all link together
with subtle elements such as the focus on the eyes, the feather s, the
colour scheme of the black and white and the use of the same font within
the film trailer and the DVD cover are used to form something similar to
trademarks to make it more memorable and subconsci ousl y associate the
repeated elements to the film
ο‘ To create a brand for the film trailer I will be making, I will link cer tain
elements within the trailer, film poster and film magazine to make it
recognisable and memorable to the audience
7. TARGET AUDIENCE RESEARCH
ο‘ From the questionnaire and focus groups I carried out I found
that people aged between 14 -19 females watch films most
frequently, their interests include music, T V, internet and
watching films.
As all their interests associate with film trailers in some way
which increases the likeliness they will be attracted to the film
trailer.
ο‘ The majority said that the plot/ storyline intrigues them
within a film trailer
I will need to focus on the detail of planning the story of the
film trailer to ensure it will intrigue the audience
ο‘ the most preferred film genre was horror shortly followed by
sci-fi/fantasy and thriller but they all said they enjoyed thriller
Though thriller was not the most preferred genre, they all said
they enjoy watching thriller films so to incorporate both of the
genres to create the subgenre of Thriller -horror
8. FOCUS GROUP
ο‘ After carrying out the focus group I found that the target
audience are very familiar with the conventions within a thriller -
horror film but they disliked the storyline being too predictable
or very similar to films made before.
I will ensure to plan
and create a trailer with
conventional elements as
well as twist to keep the
audience on the of their
seat with the plot to take on
one of the aspects disliked
by people who was present in my focus group
