The strengths and weaknesses of last years year 13 work

As part of research and planning, we as a class viewed six of last years year 13 teaser trailers. From watching them, I was able to notice the strengths and weaknesses each had in my opinion, and commented on three very different ones.
'Judas Kiss' is of a crime genre and appeared to fail in its primary function as a teaser, resulting in having no desire to further watch. This was due to lack of appeal as little was provided; nothing on characters appearance or person and it doesn't entice viewers into the exciting moments in film. The only source of information provided was through the use of titles. The location was also not varied, but filmed in Liverpool street station and on a train. However, the train can be interpreted as a symbol for running away which connects with the genre. The fact that the character, who we do not see uses point of views shots gives the idea of being cautious of the surroundings, not being seen. The soundtrack is another feature reflecting the genre as it is fast, with a synergy of the train.
Another teaser viewed was named 'Finding him' which unlike 'Judas Kiss' gave away the right amount, but it could be argued too much was shown, especially through the titles revealing too much of the plot. The voice over of the protagonist reading the letter, although effective in relation to the shots displayed, is commonly used in extended trailers so revealed too much on the characters situation. The writing on the letter was also neatly written which isn't as effective as it could have been. Messy jilted handwriting would have reflected the characters state. However, there was a good range of shots although some editing was too long, the prime one being of the girl looking into the mirror. As the music became faster so did the editing possibly as a build up to the climax, causing earlier suspense. Other shots such as the train are unclear which may tease some viewers or confuse them. It is only having read the plot that we become aware of the significance of it.
A final teaser viewed was 'Glass Surface'. It's overall feeling was more of a trailer as oppose to the brief of a teaser as although there was lack of variety, the titles gave away the plot simply- a woman's struggle turning into addiction. She appears frustrated from work given by the symbol of a calculator which results in her drinking alcohol. However, the lighting from the lamp working nicely, using relative lighting in correlation to the shots. The soundtrack was also extremely dramatic, music we as viewers would expect to hear in big gross movies such as 'Avatar'. To some viewers to may be commented that it reflects the severity of her addiction and the huge impacts it has on her life. The final element in the teaser I noticed was of the font. Although the film is featured on a female character, the flowery font appeared more associated with a chick flick genre as the shots and music shown were more intense in comparison. The character acting was well done, making the intensity appear more realistic and relative to the audience.
Watching last years teasers gave me a broader idea on the conventions of a teaser and typical mistakes made which are more commonly used within a trailer. There mistakes influenced to make sure the brief is met,raising more questions than answers.

Synopsis of 'Fearane'

Set in London, the capital of England, live Emily and Charlie who have been best friends since their early school days and do almost everything together. Now that they have just finished their examinations in year thirteen, they decide to celebrate their achievements and a new leaf in their lives. What they are unaware of is what the first chapter holds, they are oblivious to their fate to come.
Fearane has been stalking the girls ever since over-hearing their discussion on the meaning of existence; he warped that they were the best victims he could choose to prove his own definition of existence; an abrasive childhood has left him evil and without morals. But he was no normal person, his appearance is horrifying; with an extremely pale complexion, white washed eyes and a blood filled mouth. Whilst Emily and Charlie travelled on shopping trips, viewed films in the cinema and went for walks in the park, he took photos of them and followed their every move till he felt he knew the characters of each from their insides to out. Through his followings he discovers their strengths and weaknesses to help his cunning plan succeed. Whilst the girls are each making their way home after their evening out celebrating in a local bar, Fearane whom is lurking in the darkness following them, captures both and entraps them in abandoned rooms away from any protection, despite living in busy London.
After waking up several hours later, the girls are each tied up and trapped looking ill treated and vulnerable. Whilst trapped there, the girls are tormented, both psychologically and physically, close to their deaths. Both are asked questions about each other and when answered wrongly, a sharp blade which Fearane is holding is pushed deeper into the flesh of the two, resulting in a severe loss of blood. But it does not stop them from trying to escape in order to be re-united with one another and away from the horror of Fearane. Against the audience's expectations, it is in fact Emily, a weak and clueless girl who survives. She sees hand scratches in a piece of wood, which a previous victim may have done in order to be free. She uses her own hands to pull the piece of wood upwards and pull her way underground till she is led into a sewage system with drains leading to the road. Charlie against her misfortunes, is left in the abandoned room, starved and injured resulting in her death two days later. Emily, too afraid to go back to the room where Charlie is left, never mentioned the incident again, betraying her closest and only friend.

Planning stage

Trailers v's Teasers

What do you think are the conventions of teaser trailers?

The prime convention of a teaser trailer is that they are generally shorter than a full length trailer. Within the teaser, there are hints if not any information on the plot or central characters. The actors names and appearances are generally not displayed either to give a sense of mystery and the idea of the unknown. If they are displayed however, the audience are still not fully aware on the type of character they are or the role they lead. In order to use efficient time within he trailer, more text may be displayed than that in a trailer to give us clues and an insight into the film.

How can Saw 3D and Paranormal activity 2 be defined as teaser trailers?

Saw 3D and Paranormal activity 2 can be defined as teaser trailers from the typical conventions both have which are found within almost all teaser trailers. In Paranormal activity 2 teaser trailer, there are only 18 shots used to give a taster as to what is in the movie. The fact that all the shots are long indicates that the majority of the movie is filmed using long shots to create suspense. This is reflected in the teaser as there is a constant build up of suspense on the supernatural presence we sense is significant in the film. There is no information on the characters in the teaser but the only figure we are exposed to is blacked out so we are still clueless to who this being is. A lot of the trailer uses text to entice us and show the established viewers how much better it is than the first. The shots of the audience screaming on sudden moments in the film is also evident of this, making us as viewers feel on edge. Although Saw 3D is also another example shown in a teaser trailer, it uses 28 shots. The more shots used within a teaser can reflect the genre or perhaps the plot the film is based around. Many shots within the teaser display characters close to their death, but just before the moment, the shot changes which teases viewers as we don't find out whether they survive or not. Instead they move to other shots to show a variety of action within the film and provide hints of the plot. Hints are also displayed through the use of titles, some being 'save the best till last' and 'the traps come alive'. These titles are unease as the fact we are aware the film is in 3D may make this particular Saw more horrifying and gory.

How do they adhere to the conventions of horror?

Despite Saw 3D and Paranormal activity 2 being teaser trailers, they still use elements to reflect the movie's horror genres. Paranormal activity 2's teaser uses the horror convention of sound. The dog we hear barking teases us with the genre, likewise to many horror movies, the noise is an indication of danger. At the beginning of the teaser, sharp noises from the TV can be heard while the focus is jilted. This is uncomfortable to watch as the audience are unclear as to why this is displayed and the up-coming jump it may lead to.The fact that the teaser is filmed through CCTV on a screen makes it seem more realistic which adds to the element of horror. We feel more sympathetic to the characters as the idea of the supernatural presence in their house is a fear one may have, as it is more likely to come alive in our own lives as oppose to seeing a typical horror monster such as a vampire or zombie. Another recognisable noise is of a heartbeat which creates further tension before revealing the climatic moment. As the audience filmed screaming in the teaser is shown reflects this, just after the constant build up of suspense. Saw 3D, although not sharing the same sub-genre of horror, is also adhered into the genre. As victims are being displayed tortured and close to their death is horrifying to watch and as the shot changes to tease us, further suspense is created, similarly to Paranormal activity 2. Images displayed of a saw and blood are gory to view, and are conventions widely used in many horror films.