My Magazine Front Cover

Magazine Front Cover Analysis

Empire Magazine: January 2008
The first thing to strike me about this magazine cover is the colour scheme, 'EMPIRE' large, bold and in red, all of which ensure it stands out against the dark background. The information about 'The Dark Knight' film is mainly in green and purple, reflecting The Joker's costume. It also mirrors his psychopathic personality and sadistic sense of humor as a clown. Any other text is simply in white, this is to contrast with the dark background. Like the vast majority of 'Empire' magazines, the background is entirely an image from the main film being advertised, 'The Dark Knight', which is introduced boldy at the top, followed by 'World Exclusive!' to entice readers. Separated by the only other image on the cover, the signature Dark Knight logo, similar to the Batman one. This is immediately recognizable to the reader. The background image portays The Joker's character well, with body language, facial expressions and costume. It is quite dark, which could appear to symbolise his evil and 'dark' mind. A quote is presented across the center of the magazine which supports the impression the reader will get from the image of The Joker, it reads "He's a cold blooded, mass-murdering clown!". There is a sense of irony as clowns are supposed to be funny and cheerful but this is far from the defintion given. This quote follows 'meet The Joker' and 'One-on-one with Batmans new nemesis!', which invites the reader in as if they are 'meeting' him. The other text around the front page, mainly displayed in white for contrast and in the bottom corner, breifly reveal other information from inside the magazine. Following the title 'Plus!' is a list of some of the contents. Around the title of the magazine, in an extremely small font, is information about the magazine, such as the issue date, price and website. This isn't relevant to the main film being advertised or the contents, therefore has been displayed small to not attract the reader's attention away. Other than the barcode, displayed small in the bottom left corner, the only other clues towards what the magazine contains is presented in a bright green circle, complimenting the colour scheme. It simply introduces 2 American filmmakers, known as the Coen Brothers. This stands out due to the bright colour but doesn't appear to be as significant as The Joker.
To conclude, the colour scheme is an important part of the cover, it separates which information is more important and sets a mood.

Storyboard

 The trailer begins by introducing the woods as the setting and the main characters and part of the story-line. The text roughly reveals when the film is going to be released and some information about it.

 Some action and events occurring in the film are briefly put in place, this builds to slight climaxes and should increase the audiences interest in the film.

Finally, the title is revealed and the trailer ends with a slightly longer clip which happens towards the end of the film, showing the consequence of something which remains unknown throughout.

Working Script

Begins with inter-title: THIS SPRING


-Fade in-
Establishing shot:
Long shot of car
Camera's slightly  behind bushes - Creates the idea of being watched (point of view shot)
This shot will be faded in and out accompanied by sound effects.
-Cross dissolve to inter-title-

Inter-title: CTK Pictures


Camping: 
-Fade in-
Real footage
Medium long shot - Girls crouching by the fire - Drinking / Dancing / Making the fire - NATURAL
-Cross dissolve to inter-title-


Inter-title: present a true story

-Fade in-

Long shot of location - lights of cars and bridge in the distance - highlighting the fact its dark 

Diegetic sound - Music from iPod speakers (A-Punk - Vampire Weekend) 

-Cross dissolve to inter-title-

Inter-title: with real footage

-Fade in-
*Bang* - Camera drops
Charlotte laying by the fire (Medium long shot - sideways as the camera has been dropped)

Heavily breathing
-Cross dissolves to a fuzzy screen made using special effects ['noise' background, made on motion]- 


-Fade in-
Setting: Woods
Dog walker appears from behind tree - Point of view shot - Creates the idea of being watched/followed
Dog walker finds something on the floor and picks it up - Isn't revealed in my teaser trailer but it is the video camera used previously by the girls camping
-Cross dissolves to inter-title-


Inter-title: Ever feel like you're being followed?


-Fade in-
Point of view shot - Following dog walker running through the woods
-Cross dissolves out-


TITLE (accompanied by heavy breathing, taken from the clip of the dog walker running): BEHIND YOU - Made on motion (Behavior: Type on)


Final shot: 
-Fade in-
Setting: Plain white and pale blue room with a window
Medium long shot
Young girl - Wearing plain white top - Sitting on the window seal - Facing away from the camera 
-Zooms in-
Girl turns around to face camera - Face is cut and bruised - Clothes designed to look as though she is in hospital
It isn't fully revealed in my trailer but she is actually in a mental hospital, this is portrayed through her expression, make-up and costume - She looks as though she is deeply troubled
-Cross dissolves to a fuzzy screen made using special effects ['noise' background, made on motion]-

My Horror Teaser Trailer

Genre 

Horror - containing real footage (true story).

Location

The main location is the woods, although the inside of a dull, plain room - designed to be a mental hospital - is in one brief clip at the end. The woods are revealed as the sun has just set to create an eery setting with a sense of danger and the unknown. 

Narrative

The trailer begins with a woman walking her dog and coming across the video camera used for the 'real life footage' followed by some action and events occurring, until a complication is put in place, creating a brief story-line. Other limited clips are shown as clues about the film, followed by 2 slightly longer clips intended to increase curiosity about the film and attract an audience.

Characters

The dog walker is the first character to be introduced, but only briefly. The girls are introduced around their campfire, they appear vulnerable, due to being young and care-free. One of the young girls appear again towards the end of the trailer looking extremely distraught and troubled due to her appearance, expression and the fact she is in a mental hospital.

Voice Over
My trailer doesn't contain a voice over, although, similar to 'The Last Exorcism' theatrical trailer, I have considered using dialogue from the film (a news reader) accompanying clips with no sound (news paper shot). The audience may be unsure on whether it is dialogue or a voice over, but this isn't an issue as the information is still getting across to them.

Theme
A continuous theme in my teaser trailer and film is the fear of the unknown, as when events occur, the cause is never revealed.

Mood
The mood conveyed by my trailer at one point appears positive, happy and care-free. This is portrayed through the characters who are young, energetic and excited. This changes quite suddenly and the audience may not be expecting it. It soon becomes intense and is intended to create curiosity as very little of the story-line is revealed.

Pacing
Throughout the trailer, each clip is a similar amount of time and the pace builds occasionally, leading to the camera being cut to a fuzzy screen. The end of the trailer is just one fairly long shot, compared to the rest, this doesn't reveal any of the plot but will create curiosity and attract an audience who will be anxious to know how the young girl got the way she is, as she will appear extremely mentally damaged and troubled.

Editing & post production
Text will be displayed in between the clips from the film, they will reveal information about the film such as release, title, 'true story' and 'real footage'. Also, a lyric from 'teddy bears picnic' which relates to the film, "If you go down to the woods today, you're in for a big surprise". Special effects will include the fading and sudden cutting of shots, at one point followed by a fuzzy screen. 

Music and other sound effects
The music throughout my trailer will be diegetic as it is being played off speakers in the camping scene. I will add sound effects to add emphasis to the actions. They will usually occur as the shots are cut suddenly and during the inter-titles, cast run and title.
Using Garageband, I plan to find the sheet music to 'Teddy bears picnic' and play it on the keyboard then add it to the end of my trailer as the title is displayed.

Camping trip:

• Teens
• Campfire
• Woods
• Night (dark)
• Alcohol
• Music
• Video camera

Real footage found

Filmed by camera-man

1

• Begins in the car, driving to the woods
• Deliberately film the sunset - getting dark
• Arrive and set up - light fire
• Singing, dancing, drinking and having fun
• Suddenly the camera drops - sideways facing the fire - silhouettes 
• Screams
• Girl lands on her back in front of the camera - breathing heavily - (looks at camera? - involves audience)
• Sudden gasp and the camera cuts to a fuzzy screen

2

• News-reader  talking in the background - "No bodies been found" etc
• Newspaper - "If you go down to the woods today... You're in for a big surprise"

3

• Dog walker - comes across video camera
• Clip being shot from behind trees/bushes - appears as though she's being watched
• Begins watching footage - audience hears faint screams from tape
• Over shoulder shot - approaching 'dog walker'
• Sound of footsteps and effect of walking with the camera being used to film 
• Dog walker turns around and gasps - screen suddenly goes blank and silent

4

• Dog walker sitting in an empty room on a chair - behind glass that they cannot see through
• Staring blankly - looking shocked and in a bad state
• Suddenly look at camera - camera cuts

OR


3 - Dog walker finds video camera
3 - Turns around to camera (point of view shot) - Gasp - blank / Running through woods
1 - Camping scene

2 - Newspaper / News-reader
4 - Mental hospital

Trailers: Theatrical Vs Teaser

Theatrical trailers mostly feature clips from the film and give an outline of the film's story-line. They are usually created during the editing of the film, therefore they are likely to contain shots which aren't in the final film. They also often contain music which doesn't appear on the soundtrack or in the film as the composer isn't required until towards the end of the film making process. The purpose of a theatrical trailer is to attract an audience, which is why the most exciting, dramatic, etc, clips are chosen to feature in them. Spoilers must be avoided so the plot or conclusion of the film isn't revealed. For this reason, the scenes are not necessarily in the order in which they appear in the film. The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) has given trailers a maximum of 2 and a half minutes to achieve this. Editors and distributors may feel it's necessary to exceed this limit in a particular film, they are allowed to do so once a year. 
Teaser trailers are usually shorter in length (between 30-60 seconds), and contain less footage fro the actual film. They also don't generally contain much information about the film itself or the story-line. They are normally released long in advance of the film they advertise. This is where the name 'teaser' came from as they are designed to 'tease' the audience, as they will have to wait a long time after seeing it to be able to watch the film.
To conclude, teaser trailers are released very far in advance, followed by theatrical trailer when the film is being edited. Due to the film being incomplete, both may contain clips and music which doesn't appear in the actual film. They are designed to tease and attract an audience to view the film when it is released into cinemas. 

Brainstorms

Elements of most film trailers

• Visual montage - A series of clips from the film - Powerful, dramatic or humorous aspects
• Voice-over narration - Provide explanation when necessary 
• Music - Help set the mood, tone or atmosphere - Usually not from the film itself
• Cast run - Actors/Actresses starring in the film - Often the Director/Writer is also displayed
• Inter-titles - Often to provide explanation or additional points
• Dialogue - Usually one-liners - Rarely full conversation
• Title - May not appear until the end
• Structure -

1) Establish setting and introduce characters and relationships

2) Story's driven further and dilemmas or complications or a brief story-line is put in place

3) Climax! Pace and drama increases. Dramatic moments in the film.

Target audience ?

• A specific group of people in which the film is aimed for. 
• Can be of a certain gender, age, marital status, etc. - or a combination.
• Films with a specific genre, such as action, may pick out a moment of comedy or romance which occurs, to use in the trailer. This is to attract the widest possible audience to go and see the film.
• Films are often restricted to above a certain age due to containing scenes inappropriate for younger people, such as violence, sex, swearing, etc. 
• When it comes to other groups, such as gender, the aim isn't specified in the trailer. Whereas if it was, it could turn away people who would otherwise be interested. For example, if a film directly said it was aimed at single people, it is likely to turn away people in relationships or marriages who could in fact enjoy it.

Purpose of a trailer

• Trailers are advertisements for a film, usually that will be exhibited in the cinema.
• The primary purpose of the trailer is to attract people to want to see the film.
• It is an important component in marketing in the film industry.
• There are techniques in attracting the widest possible audience.

Create/Edit/Produce

• Film trailers are usually created by companies which specialize in that area.
• It may also be created at agencies while the actual film is still being put together in the studio.
• They usually put together a montage sequence of clips from the film, accompanied by music, a voice-over, cast run, inter-titles, etc. 
• Since the film is often still being made or edited at this point, the trailer editors may use footage which doesn't appear in the final film, or different takes of a particular shot. 
• Music used in trailers often doesn't appear in the actual film or on the soundtrack as composers aren't usually required until towards the end of the film making process.

Distributed/Disseminated

• Film trailers can be distributed in many ways, such as: 

     -Internet (youtube, apple trailers, facebook)

     -Television adverts (in between programs or other films)

     -Cinema adverts (before the film you have currently gone to see) 

     -Dvd adverts (before the main menu)

Specific techniques

• Techniques are used when creating trailers to ensure it successfully attracts an audience to see the film.
• A technique which is frequently used is clips irrelevant to the main genre of the film featuring in the trailer, for example, a violent scene in a trailer for a romance. This attracts a wider audience.
• Also, showing clips of particularly well known or successful stars in trailers, or having their name appear in the cast run is likely to attract a larger audience as familiar actors and actresses in a film is a good selling point. 
• The same can be done with directors/writers/producers.

Length

• The maximum length of time allowed for a film trailer by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) is 2 and a half minutes.
• If editors or distributors feel as though it's necessary to exceed the time limit in a particular film, they are allowed to do so once a year.

Does watching the trailer make you desire more information ?

Watching a good trailer definitely attracts me to want to see the film itself, but films aren't released into cinemas for a while after trailers are distributed. The most common place I see trailers is on TV, in between programs or films I'm watching at the time. If the trailer appeals to me, I often look on youtube for more information or alternative trailers for the film.

Teaser Trailer Analysis:

Paranormal Activity 2

Title 

The title is displayed at the end of the trailer, like most teasers. Similar to the inter-titles, it is in a plain white font and in capitals. The '2' flashes onto the screen first accompanied by a fuzzy sound which makes it appear as though its a broken light bulb flashing on and off. 'Paranormal Activity' then appears in the same way, either side of the '2' but the words flicker back to front and upside down also. This gives an dark eery effect which reflects the horror genre.

Genre

Like the first one, 'Paranormal Activity 2' is a horror, which is established from the start with eery fuzzy screens that flicker while footsteps can be heard but not seen. This wouldn't be immediately associated with any other genre. signature clip from the first film is shown to remind the audience and set the genre without revealing the story-line. The fuzzy screens and flickering continues to appear throughout and this ensures the mood is constant. Audience reactions from the first film are also shown and clearly show that it is a horror as they all appear terrified and some scream. The only clips we are shown have been filmed at night which is a typical convention of a horror. Shadowy figures and dogs growling and barking all increase the sense of fear and continue to suggest it is a horror.

Starring

No characters are revealed in the clips or text and it doesn't contain dialogue or a voice-over. The cast can usually be a good selling point for a film if they are well known, but if this film is like the first one then they will be fairly new actors and actresses to the scene. I believe this could be to suggest that it is real footage and a true story. This is a common convention in horrors as the idea of it being real makes it scarier.

Action
The trailer begins with action from the previous film, so isn't new but just reminds the audience. This is also followed by reactions from an audience to reveal how scary it was and maybe remind the viewer of how they felt/ will feel watching the paranormal activity films. The setting of the second film is established half way through and again footsteps are heard. Each clip in the montage appears fairly similar, with slight differences to build up the tension and action. For example, the dark bedroom, the dog wakes up and growls and barks, the baby is standing, the dark shadowy figure appears at the door.
Music

There isn't really music throughout the trailer but non-diegetic sounds accompany the actions well to emphasize the mood and atmosphere. The main sound which keeps occurring is a slight ghostly howl of wind and the occasional fuzz as the camera flickers. When their is a climax of terror, a screech or bang is put in place to emphasize this.
Pace

The montage of shots throughout the trailer are quite slowly put together and last fairly long, it flickers from shot to shot and all appear to be real footage. The is occasionally an increase in pace when their is a climax in the film, this only occurs a few times but the films makes gives a bigger effect, also making the audience jump.
Information
Not much information is given as it is only a teaser trailer and intends to tease the audience rather than reveal much. It is made clear that it is second in a sequel of 'Paranormal Activities' and the title is revealed at the end, along with a website.

Audience

The genre is clearly horror, so the film isn't appropriate for all ages and is probably given an age restriction, like the first one. I don't think it is for a specific gender either but probably attracts people interested in the particular idea of being possessed and ghosts, etc. The first film would have also gained an audience, so they will probably then be attracted to see the second. This is partly the reason for showing clips from the first film.

Trailer Analysis: Little Fockers

THEATRICAL


Little Fockers Theatrical Trailer


Title
The title 'Little Fockers' isn't shown until the end of the film and is in festive red writing on a creamy white background. We are invited into the film and introduced to the characters but I think the title is displayed at the end to conclude it. It is third in a sequel and all the titles relate, 'Meet the Parents', followed by, 'Meet the Fockers' and finally 'Little Fockers'. The film is based on 'The Fockers' having kids, therefore 'Little Fockers' sums up the main storyline.
Genre
I would class this film as a family comedy. The first two films were comedies but as they have now created a proper family and it is set at christmas time, it has more of a festive family feel. There is plenty of humour throughout the clips in the trailer, much of which is similar to the other films and the audience will enjoy referring back to them and feeling as if they already know these characters well. 'Dina Byrnes' refers to the title at the beginning of the film and as she says "...little fockers", a clip of the children is played to introduce them as the 'Little Fockers'. Throughout the trailer, text is displayed on the screen, which at one point, refers to the characters as 'Old Friends', which increases the family feel as the audience is personally invited in. Only one part of the story is properly revealed to the audience through breif clips to attract them to want to see it, and it has comedy written all over it with mild disasters that we, as the audience, can humour. 
Starring
The trailer begins with the introduction firstly of all the characters we know, followed by the new ones, many of which are also well known actors and actresses. Many of the characters are already known and recognised from the earlier films and are shown right at the start of the trailer, along with the kids or the 'Little Fockers' who are introduced as that by Dina Byrnes, their grandmother who has played a fairly big part in the first two films. The familiar faces are also shown altogether as a family quite early in, as they prepare to eat christmas dinner together. This is followed by brief clips of each character being displayed with their real names, which is were stars such as Jessica Alba are introduced. By showing these fairly early on in the trailer, it is likely to attract the audience to watch further as many of them are easily recognizable.
Action
We are first shown a few short clips of the familiar characters from the previous films without revealing any of the actual story-line, other than the introduction of the 'Little Fockers'. The comedy genre is clear throughout these and the audience can refer back to the previous films through the characters and similar hysterical disasters. New characters are introduced accompanied by a small clip of them from the film to give us a slight insight of their character. Part of the story-line is put in place half way through which adds humor and attracts an audience, without giving any main part of the story away.
Music
Festive christmas music is played from the beginning of the trailer to set the christmas theme, which may suggest family getting together, as this is a main part of the film. As the idea of this being a happy time is subtly contradicted by 'The Byrnes' coming to town, the music comes to a stop and is replaced with something which sounds more doubtful of parents coming to town for christmas being a good thing, it also accompanies the actions better by pausing occasionally for emphasis and "give a little love" being sung as the characters are shown happy and with family, although this could be seen as ironic. 
Voice-over
The voice-over is only heard at the beginning for once sentence and at the end for the title, the rest of the trailer contains dialogue and music to accompany the clips. When the song 'Santa Clause is coming to town' is playing at the start, a deep but friendly voice says, "This christmas, Santa isn't the only one coming to town", implying 'The Byrnes' are also coming, which is confirmed through dialogue and clips from the film. The voice sounds as though it has been made out to be Santa, an old friendly man with a comforting voice, aimed to be this way for children. This is relevant as this film is about 'The Fockers' having children. The voice being Santa, also sets the theme of christmas.
Pace
The pace of the entire trailer is fairly slow and calm, and the montage of clips are at a normal speed, as they are likely to be in the film. Although during the usual disasters it speeds up to a more frantic pace, this is shown through screaming and a faster montage of clips. 
Information
We are told and shown the theme and basic story-line of the film through the voice-over, dialogue, text and clips in approximately the first 20 seconds of the trailer, which is 'The Byrnes' visiting 'The Fockers' and their children for christmas. A few other events are put in place using dialogue and clips, which attract and audience through comedy and similarities to the previous films. 'Universal' and 'Paramount' are displayed at the start with logos. The trailer ends with text displaying cast, producer, writer, director, website, etc, and finally 'Christmas' which is the time of release.
Audience
The genre is comedy, and it is based on a family at christmas with the parents, in-laws and kids, So it can be easily related to by people of all ages as it is for the family and comedies usually attract a wide and varied audience. 




CONVENTIONS


This follows quite a conventional structure for a theatrical trailer. The setting, characters and main features of the story-line are established at the start. This is done using a voice-over, text, dialogue and shots from the film. Events and complications from the film are briefly put in place without revealing to much of the main story but adding humor and similarities to the previous films. There is a cast run with a shot of each main character and their name, this is a great selling point as many of the stars are well known and even award-winning. The title is displayed at the end, despite being mentioned at the beginning through dialogue of Dina Byrnes, this is a common convention of a theatrical trailer. The entire trailer is made up of a montage of clips from the film which are accompanied and emphasized using music and text. Usually dialogue is cut down to one-liners but this trailer contains more conversation between characters, though they are still brief.