Questionnaire

I have created a questionnaire that should help me find out what type of trailer people are attracted to. It should also give me some ideas on what to include in my own trailer.

(click on the image to view the questionnaire larger)

Ideas For My Trailer - Setting

For my trailer I would like to use urban looking settings that have a mysterious feel about them. Above is a selection of images that I created that illustrate the sorts of settting I may use. Because my options would be quite limited in terms of what setting I'd be able to access, I thought that I could use settings that are more isolated. I like the idea of using an urban-style setting that the viewer would find familiar but then making it look more isolated to challenge their views. This would make the feel of the trailer more uneasy which would tie in with the typical themes of the Thriller genre.

In the selection of images above I tried to seperate dark and light images to get an idea of the different atmospheres that would be created. Low lighting used in both an abandoned warehouse, derelict building, street or alleway creates a mysterious atmosphere and introduces ideas of fear and suspense as the viewer doesn't know what lurks in the shadows... On the other hand, the lighter images create different atmospheres. An empty alleyway or street filmed in the daytime would appear more 'comfortable' but the fact that it's empty would create underlying tones of unease. A run-down building or warehouse filmed in daylight would feel more exposed and open, so if a character was situated in this setting then they'd appear vulnerable.

Ideas For My Trailer - Characters

Considering the resources I have, I will only use afew characters. Also, after carrying out research in psychological thrillers I noticed that there are usually only afew main characters. I will probably use younger characters in my trailer as modern thrillers usually involve teenagers (this would also be easier for me as I could use people I know to be in the trailer). I will probably have a classy femme fatale character to link to the Film Noir style, a naive innocent girl to link to the stereotype of thrillers in general and a mysterious male character. I thought it would be interesting to make the two female characters look similar maybe almost identical (by using hair, makeup and costume) to further create a sense of confusion in the thriller. The use of two physically similar characters could link to psychological aspects.

Ideas for My Trailer - Shots

I really like the idea of having a contrast between dark and light in the camera shots I use in my trailer. After looking at different trailers in my research this seems to be a common element that creates an effect suitable for a psychological/film noir thriller. I also like the idea of using shots that the viewer might find disorientating and confusing such as having the camera skewed or using unusual angles. I feel that this would make the viewer want to see the film more urgently- as they would want to make sense out of what they had seen in the trailer.

Analysis of Empire and Total Film Magazine Covers

(click on images above to enlarge)
From looking numerous magazine covers of the two major British film magazines Total Film and Empire and by analysing two covers in depth I have noticed some typical conventions that appear:

1. A large image of the main film featured in the magazine that is usually imposed over the magazine's logo giving a more professional look to the cover.
2. Smaller images that give a preview of what's included in the magazine.
3. Words that attract the reader to make them feel as if they are getting more than they paid for such as 'free!' 'plus!' 'exclusive!'
4. A simple colour scheme that stands out against the main image featured on the cover - usually ties in with the main film featured.
5. A barcode, website address of the magazine, date, issue number and magazine price
6. A large heading of the main film featured (in a bold font)
7. Smaller headings that may include what else is featured in the magazine or the names of famous actors, actresses and directors to grab the reader's attention.
   

Research Into Film Magazine Covers

I have chosen to look at the covers of two successful British film magazines to get an idea of the typical conventions they use to attract a reader, promote the film and create a professional look to the cover.

Total Film is the UK's second best-selling film magazine launched in 1997 and published every 4 weeks. Total Film contains a range of features including full-length interviews with established and new actors and directors, 'Top 100' lists, photo shoots (of actors), film stills and film previews. Each issue includes 'The Total Film Interview' which includes an in depth interview with an actor or director combined with a critique of their work and ratings of the films they have featured in.

Empire is the UK's biggest selling film magazine launched in 1989 and published every 4 weeks. Empire's features include reviews of mainstream and art films, 'Top 10' lists, 'Pint Of Milk' where celebrities answer unusual questions and 'Celebrity Mastermind' where a celebrity asked questions about a film they were in or directed. Also, every issue features a quote on the spine of the magazine that has an obvious or subtle link to the main features of the magazine.