Film Magazine Front Cover Drafts.

Now as i have researched about the front covers of film magazines and analysed their content I have produced drafts using Photoshop so i can decide which elements out of these 2 drafts i would want my final cover to look like, and what i would like on it.

Magazine Front Cover - The Grudge Draft.

I like how the title of the film is presented in first draft. It gives a sense of awkwardness by how the font is tilted. I also like the puff in the bottom right hand corner, it really stands out from the page. This is an important as this is a main characteristic of a puff, it should be stood out from the page as it will be easily noticed by readers.  In my actual final front cover i feel that i will be using the same typography and colour for my masthead, and the puff in the bottom right hand corner.

 Magazine Front Cover - The Ring Draft. 

I like the colour of this draft, as it is going against the conventions of the Horror genre, but still keeps the horror feel to the front cover. The feature article photograph really catches my eyes and draws me into the cover. With my actual product of my magazine front cover I will inspire from this and utilise it within my photograph which i will take. The Puff is also recognisable as it is easily distinguishedby the target audience. I also like the glow on the title 'The Ring.' I do like that editing effect and I feel that it would look nice on my magazine front cover, as the outside glow lifts the text off the page and captures the readers attention.

Analysing Film magazine Covers.

Here I am going to be anaylsing the codes and conventions of film magazine covers. This will help me with my front cover as i will have a grater understanding of what they include and what common trends they have.

Analysis of Total Film front cover magazines.
Similarities.

- The similarities between the two magazines are that the style of the masthead. they both have the 'Total Film' arrangement for example the feature article photograph is in front of the masthead.

- Also the font style of the puffs, and the plugs have the same typography.

- Finally the colours of both mastheads are the same. Meaning that both the magazines are sharing a common trend with each other.

Differences.

- The differences between the two sample film magazine covers are a lot, and weighs more that the similarities.

- One of the many differences between the two samples is the masthead. Although the alignment is the same the ont style and case is not. In the first sample the typography is in lower case whereas in sample two the typography is much bolder as it is in capital lettering.

- The positioning of the bar code is different in both issues as the bar code in the first sample is placed to the left hand side of the magazine, and the bar code on the second sample is placed on the right hand side. This shows that Total Film don't have common trends which they stick to.

- The feature article photograph is also different as the first sample includes 3 characters and the second sample only one character. Also adding to this point - the posing of the characters is also different as the first sample has all the characters posing , meanwhile in the second sample the character is in action. Means that it is a still photograph taken from the film itself.

- The backgrounds on the covers are also different as the first sample has a simple plain background, and the second sample the background looks as if it has been featured in the film itself.

- there are also a lot of plugs in the first sample, on the other hand the second sample only features a couple of plugs. This is because the character in the feature article photograph is in action, so therefore that is what Total Film have focused on. If however there were more plugs and puffs then the front cover would be to crowed with information and the connotation of the feature article photograph would be lost.

- The colour schemes are also diverse from each other as the first sample has a pure white background with a gradient gray coming from the corners - this effect is used in magazines and posters as this diverts the readers attention straight to the feature article photograph. The white background gives the front cover a modern look. It fits in perfectly with the Matrix theme as Matrix is very high tech and professional and the white background is best as the white represents purity and professionalism.

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Analysis of Empire front cover magazines.

Similarities.

- The masthead of the issue of the joker and the issue of spiderman is red and is present on both issues of Empire magazine.

- The font and the position of the date of the issue is in the same place.

- The font of the masthead is also in the same position on both issues and uses the same typography.

- There is some sort of background behind the feature article photograph.

- The webiste of the magazines is in the same place (under the masthead on the right).
- In both of the feature article photographs are looking straight at the camera, making the front cover more intense and draws the reader in as the character in the image is giving direct eye contact.

Differences.
- One the front of the magazines is different and uses different style of text, colour, and position.
- The typography on the joker issue of Empire is different as it uses more bright colours, and comic styled text. Whereas on the spiderman issue of Empire, the typography is more formal, by using standard text with no effects and block colours.
- The issue of spiderman includes another picture acting as a plug and shows the reader what other things are going to be in the magazine. But in the issue of joker, the whole of the front cover is just focused on the joker, as no other iamges are used. If this was to be done, then the front cover of that particular issue would be too cluttered and would be overly crowed with pictures and text.
- The shot distances of the issues on Empire is different as in the issue of the joker, the shot distance is a long shot as it shows the wholes body of the character as the reader can see the clothing that the joker wears as it is more dramatic and elaborate. On the other hand, the character in the spiderman issue has a shot distance of a mid shot as you can oly his his chest upwards. This shows more of the pose that spiderman is making as you can see him reaching out and the reader can see this clearly.

Film Magazine Front Covers.

Here i have researched and gathered images of film magazines which i can compare and analyse their media by discussing about the common trends and conventions which they have.

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TOTAL FILM SAMPLES

EMPIRE MAGAZINE SAMPLES

Subsidiary Task.

Along with my trailer, i have to plan and produce a film magazine front cover and either and either a review page featuring my film or a aposter for my film. I will have to select 5 or so examples of each and disscus their conventions.

Presentable Graphs.

Along with my results of my questionnaire, i have also produced graphs which present my data in an informative style.

Questionnaire Results.

1) Are you male or female?
Male...10
Female...10


2) What attracts you most to a horror movie? (Please state below)
……………………………………..……………………………………..……………………………………..……………………………………..………………………………


3) What kind of horror films attracts you the most?
Spiritual...2
Zombie...2
Slasher...3
psychological...10
Other (Please state)...Survival...3


4) What do you expect to see in a horror trailer? (Please state below)
……………………………………..……………………………………..……………………………………..……………………………………..………………………………


5) How much of the villain should a horror trailer reveal? (Please state below)
Mostly thought out the trailer...4
Only in some scenes...7
They should be kept hidden from the audience...9

6) Should the trailer be in color?
Yes...10
No...3
Sometimes...7


7) Where do you prefer a horror film to be mainly set in?
Forest/Fields...5
Streets...1
Houses/apartments...12
Mansions...1
Hospitals...1
Other (Please state)…………………...0

8) Considering the location of the film, where would you like the trailer to be mainly based in?
Forest/Fields...3
Streets...4
Houses/apartments...11
Mansions...0
A mixture...2
Other (Please state)…………………………………...0


9) Do you expect there to be atmospheric music in the background of a horror trailer?
Yes...17
No...3


10) If yes then what kind of atmospheric music?
Heartbeats...11
Footsteps...5
orchestra strings...3
a song...1
Other (Please state)……………………………...0


11) Would you expect there to be a voice over in a horror trailer?
Yes...14
No...6


12) If ticked yes – then what would you prefer to be the main voice over in the trailer?
Characters voice...8
the deep male voice...5
A mixture...7


13) Would you prefer a horror trailer have a fast paced feel or a slower paced feel?
Faster...7
Slower...3
A mix of the two...10


14) Would you prefer the main character be alone, with someone, or in a group? Alone...1
With someone...12
in a small group...4
in a large group...3


15) Finally, how should a horror trailer make you feel? (Please state below)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Questionnaire.

1) Are you male or female? Male Female


2) What attracts you most to a horror movie? (Please state below)
……………………………………..……………………………………..……………………………………..……………………………………..………………………………


3) What kind of horror films attracts you the most?
Spiritual
Zombie
Slasher
psychological
Other (Please state)………………………………


4) What do you expect to see in a horror trailer? (Please state below)
……………………………………..……………………………………..……………………………………..……………………………………..………………………………


5) How much of the villain should a horror trailer reveal? (Please state below)
Mostly thought out the trailer
Only in some scenes
They should be kept hidden from the audience.

6) Should the trailer be in color?
Yes
No
Sometimes


7) Where do you prefer a horror film to be mainly set in?
Forest/Fields
Streets
Houses/apartments
Mansions
Hospitals
Other (Please state)…………………………

8) Considering the location of the film, where would you like the trailer to be mainly based in?
Forest/Fields
Streets
Houses/apartments
Mansions
A mixture
Other (Please state)………………………………………………….


9) Do you expect there to be atmospheric music in the background of a horror trailer?
Yes
No


10) If yes then what kind of atmospheric music?
Heartbeats
Footsteps
orchestra strings
a song
Other (Please state)………………………………………………….


11) Would you expect there to be a voice over in a horror trailer?
Yes
No


12) If ticked yes – then what would you prefer to be the main voice over in the trailer?
Characters voice
the deep male voice
A mixture


13) Would you prefer a horror trailer have a fast paced feel or a slower paced feel?
Faster
Slower
A mix of the two


14) Would you prefer the main character be alone, with someone, or in a group? Alone
With someone
in a small group
in a large group


15) Finally, how should a horror trailer make you feel? (Please state below)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Primary Research -Questionnaire.

Along with the information which i gathered from the interent and my own knowledged learnt in the classroom, i have to balance my research up with primary research. I have already got secondary data and information which mean that it is data which is already collected, in which i have to now balance it with a questionnaire.

For the questionnaire itself, i have devised and thought up 15 questions which i will go out and ask my target audience. By doing this i am hoping to get results which i can compare together and utilise it so i can produce my trailer. I will have to ask about 15-20 people in order to get fair results. I will also have to use the results and mix it with my secondary data which will create a better understanding of what i can achieve taking my target audience into account.

Target Audience.

With my target audience i will be aiming my film and trailer for boys and girls who are 15 years old and over.
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The reason being as to why i want to certify my film and trailer a 15 is because of all my competitors. All of my competitors have produced films that are aimed at people who are 15 and above, and although they contain a lot of graphic conent, they are still viewable to the certifyed audience as the message that the films send are suitable for that particular audience.
I feel that certifying my film a 15 is more suitable that certifying it a 12 or an 18. The reason is because it would be rare to find discrimination in horror films. The drugs intake would be milk but not to an extreme extent. The horror would be excessive as my genre is horror. The imitable behaviour would be of some extent as i am focusing my film and trailer on a sub-genre of psycological/spiritual horror, so there would be some area of my film where hanging/suicide is involved, and knife usage. I am considering to keep the knife usage to a minimum as my film and trailer is primary produced with mid-teenagers in mind and the last thing that i would need is influencial material that would be imitable by my target audience. The language would be suitable for the audience as it would be mild and won't be excessive. Sexual activities would be kept to a minium however, sexual references would be made in certain situations.

Trailer analysis.

As i have mentioned before in one of my posts, i am going to be analysing and evaluating trailers from the following films. The Eye, The Grudge, The Ring, Drag Me To Hell, and Shutter.

The Eye:

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..Camera Movements..

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- Point Of View shots are also used in the trailer of The Eye. This is particularly used after the eye operation. When the character opens her eyes to test out her 'new eyes' the camera instantly switches to a point of view shot (P.O.V). This shows a sense of feeling as the audience can see exactly what the character can see.

- Fast pans are also used in the trailer of this film, as it keeps the audience on the edge of their seat and gives the trailer a fast pace. This fast pace keeps the audience engaged into the text and keeps them excited.

- Establishing shots is a must in a trailer. However, that's my own opinion. But i feel that an establishing shot at the beginning of a trailer sets the scene of the film and it is a good camera shot as it shows the audience the setting of where the action is going to be. An establishing shot is used in this trailer where it shows the city landscape.

-Mid-shots are used a lot throughout the trailer as this gives the audience a taste of what the genre is like and what are the characters within the film are like, judging on their actions and with what they are wearing.

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.............Sound............

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- The sound in this trailer is non diegetic and diegetic partly because majority of the sound is the voice over and the other part is the dialogue spoken in the actual film. The voice over in this trailer is done by the character her self, mainly narrating how she feels in the film and what emotions she evoked when she got her new set of eyes.

- When the character comes home after the operation the sound is muffled, so that the audience can hear what she is hearing and the audience can see what she can see to. This creates an effect as the audience can get a feel of what that particular character is feeling.

-There is also some atmospheric music in the background as well,a sort of spacey music.

- overall, the music is dramatic and keeps the audience on the edge of their seat as the music gradually gets dramatic through out the trailer, however towards the ending of the trailer the music changes and turns into orchestral strings. This speeds up the pace of the trailer making the audience engaged into the text.

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...........Editing..............

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- The editing consists of 80 cuts.

-The trailer uses blackouts and flashes in between the shots as this creates some speed and division between each shots and makes the trailer seem interesting and the audience can be engaged even more into what is going on.

-out of focus shots are used as well along with the muffled noises. This is when the character comes home to find all her close ones and she can't bare the difference in seeing the people and hearing.

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.....Mise-En-Scene.....

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- In this trailer we can see a city! - this shows us that the place of filming will be set in a busy city and also showing us that the characters life is busy. City's also consist of a lot of apartments instead of houses! so we instantly know that the character will be living in an apartment rather than a house.

- The main characters apartment is very spacious, very contemporary, very loft style living.

- The hospital that the character is admitted to for her operation on her eyes is quiet and not busy, This connotes that it could be a private hospital.


The Grudge:

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...Camera Movements...

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- The camera movements in the grudge consist of slow movements. For example, Pans are use in the grudge slowly as this builds up the tension and keeps the audience guessing on whats going to happen.

- An establishing shot is also use within the trailer so that the audience can see where the place of action is going to be. In the trailer for The Grudge, there is an establishing shot of the house where the grudge family were living in. The concept of the film is that whoever enters the house is encountered with the curse and will have it embodied in them for eternity.

- A long shot is also used for the crossroads. This tells the audience that the place of action is set in a busy city.

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.........Sound.........

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- In the trailer there is the sound of wind. This sound is a horror sound as it slows the pace of the trailer down and makes the audience uncomfortable, as we associate wind with night and horror occurs at night. It also makes the audience wary of whats going to happen, they wait and wait for that shock of horror.
- There are also screams and squeaks in this trailer, as it gives an uncomfortable feeling to the audience. They are not strong or loud but they are recognisable and they're muffled sounds to. 

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...........Editing...........

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- The Grudge trailer consists about 50 cuts

- The trailer itself starts off slow and the shot to shot is one, however later on in the trailer, the speed of the trailer gradually gets faster and faster, and the shot to shot is 6. The speed of the trailer keeps the audience engaged in the trailer and also keeps them on the edge of the seat, which a horror trailer should do.

- The trailer also consists of flashes and blackouts which are an editing tool used in trailers to separate scenes. In horror trailers they are used a lot as the block of cuts is usually about 5-7 and should be a break between to balance out the pace again. As horror trailers start off at a slow pace, and then gradually get faster towards the ending of it, the flashes and blackouts gives a short break, just to level up the pace.

- This horror trailers also uses captions to explain what the Grudge is and what it does. For example, in the trailer there are captions such as 'It never forgives, its never forgets.' This draws the audience in as it makes the audience read what is on screen and because it is going at a suitable speed, the audience can read it in time for the next one.

- As the captions are edited into the trailer, there is also an effect that goes with it. The hair of the grudge is used as a transition to gets from shot to shot, which gives it a nice touch as we hardly see the female grudge's face but only her hair, so this connotes that the grudge is female to.

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......Mise-En-Scene.....

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- The trailer consists of transitions which are an effect of the grudge's hair. This connotes that the grudge is also female, and that the we rarely see her face she it is hidden behind her face.

- The house! - the house is also an important element within the film and trailer as this is where the place of action is. The house is cursed as a family was brutally murdered, thus labelling them the grudge. The concept of that house is whoever enters the house, a curse is put upon them, making the grudge come to them causing insanity and psychological harm.

Competitors.

As I am going a trailer on horror, i have to identify 5 competitors in which i have to research and evaluate their content.
Ny 5 competitors are The Eye, The Grudge, The Ring, Drag Me To Hell, and Wrong turn.

The Eye is a psychological horror which consists of a woman who has an operation on her eyes and gets a new pair of eyes in which she can see things the previous person did... this caused her a great deal of insanity as she experienced the future and what was going to happen.

The Grudge is also a psycological horror which is made in Japan and consists of Japanese actors. it is basaed on a house in which is haunted by these children who curse anybody who enters the house. However, that person did enter the house they would always carry the curse on them, and the children would always follow them making their life hell.

As for The Ring there is a journalist investigating a videotape that may have killed four teenagers one of them being her neice. There is an urban legend about this tape: the viewer will die seven days after watching it. If the legend is correct, the journalist will have to run against time to save her son's and her own life.

Drag me to hell is about this woman who is encountered by an old woman who requests to keep her house, however as her financial funds are low the woman simple had to turn her down however, the old woman got to her knees and begged for her house. Even though the woman did want to help her her boss wouldn't allow the old woman to keep her house. The old woman cursed the woman and this film is simply about how the curse made her insane and forcing her to go to fortune tellers to see what the problem was with her.

Lastly, Wrong Turn is american made, and is not a psycological horror but a slasher horror which consists of these cannibal characters who seek humans so they can eat them. These humans are defenceless as they have weapons and strength. These cannibals are finally killed by the remaining 2-3 humans who venture and explore the island.

Genre Conventions.

In each genre whether it be comedy, animation, or fantasy, they all consist of codes and conventions with in that genre which makes it recognisable to audiences.

Camera Movements:
- Dutch tilt (a camera shot in which the camera angle is deliberately slanted to one side. This can be used for dramatic effect and helps portray unease, disorientation, frantic or desperate action, intoxication, madness, etc.) Are mainly used for psychological horror films. It gives a sense of surrealism and makes the audience uncomfortable, as they are not used to seeing this kind of camera angle. One example where this has been used is at the beginning of ‘The Eye’ and we see that angle being used when she is walking.

- Slow pans are used for creepy movements to build up the tension. This is also achieved to by using slow dolly camera movements. This is widely use throughout the horror films as is also creates suspension.

- Fast pans and P.O.V angles are used to capture what the character is seeing, making the audience feel as if they are seeing it from the characters point of view. For example in the grudge one of the characters is looking at the ‘grudge boy’ front their point of view.

- Establishing shots are used at the beginning of a horror film to show where the action and tension is going to take place. For example in the grudge there is an establishing shot of the haunted house so the audience can see where the scene is going to take place.

- Close-up shots are also going to be used to show detail of certain character’s faces. This is done in ‘The Ring’ as it shows the girl’s hair covering her face.

- Out of focus shots are also used. It can be used when a character has fainted, fallen or just woken up. This effect is very effective, as it gives the audience a sense of feeling. This effect has been used a numerous amount of times in ‘The Eye’

Editing effects:
- The pace from shot to shot in horror trailers is very fast and they cut immediately. However this is not always the case as the slow editing of the trailer can create a sense of mystery and suspicion.

- In most of the horror film trailers, captions are used, this is used in the majority of trailers as this creates more tension between the shots.

- Flashes and black/white transitions are used. This is so the trailer has a fast pace feel, and gives the trailer a sense of excitement as well.

- Shot lengths are short and often include 100 cuts. This is so the overall feel of the trailer is fast, building the tension and keeping the audience engaged into what they are watching.

-Another effect that some horror films have is ghosts. These are most likely to be done on Photoshop and then incorporated into the films. For example, ‘Shutter’ has this effect, which is about spirit photography which means that when a person is photographed and developed the spirit or ghost is incorporated into the photograph itself.

Sound:
- Heartbeats maybe used in horror films, as it creates a more personal feel towards it and makes the audience feel as if they are in that situation as well.

- Muffled voices are used to horror films and in the trailers as this adds to the effect of someone captured, locked, or someone who is in need of help.

- Orchestral strings playing in the background of a horror movie or trailer creates tension and adds a faster pace.

- There may be heavy breathing as this creates a sense of awkwardness may draw the audience into the scene.

- Footsteps may also be used as this brings back the pace of the film and speeds it up. They are used because it draws our attention directly to it and is the opportunity to make the audience jump.

-A soundtrack may also be added to the trailer of the film as this can add to the fast pace to it.

Mise-en-scene:
- Mostly in the horror genre there is a lot of suspension. This would include shadows and unique looking items.

-There is alot of darkeness in spiritual and psychological horror. As this increses the drama along with the atmoshpheric music, this creates and makes a more dramatic and intense environment.

-In slasher horror, there are elements of brutal violence, such as stabbings, shooting victims with guns or strangling them with barbed wire. So with the mise en scene with slasher horror you would find blood, and graphic detail, cuts and bruises on the body etc..

Genre.

Genre

As I have mentioned in my blog I have decided to do produce a trailer on the horror genre. Horror films are moviesthat strive to elicit the emotions off fear, horror and terror from viewers. Their plots frequently involve themes of death, the supernatural or mental illness. Many horror movies also include a central villain.

There are many sub-genres within the horror genre. These would be spiritual, zombie, slasher, psychological, and survival.

A Spiritual horror is where spirits are the enemy. For example, Drag me to hell is a recent film that has been released and consists of spirits doing the damage instead of a real life living person. This links in with psychological horror as it is all to do with the mind and how the mind manipulates people into committing violence, for example ‘The Ring’ could be an example.
Psychological horror is a subgenre of horror fiction that relies on character fears, guilt, beliefs, and emotional instability to build tension and further the plot. It creates discomfort in the viewer by exposing common or universal psychological vulnerabilities and fears.
Slasher horror is also another sub genre of horror. However it consists of blood and killing of people or animals. It typically involves a psychopathic killer stalking and killing a sequence of victims in a graphically violent manner, often with a cutting tool such as a chainsaw or scythe One example of this sub-genre would be Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
In Zombie horror, zombies are regularly encountered in horror and fantasy themed fiction and entertainment. They are typically depicted as mindless, shambling, decaying corpses with a hunger for human flesh, and in some cases, human brains in particular. As of 2009, zombies are challenging vampires for their popularity. One example of a zombie horror film would be Diary of the dead.

Brief Of Project.

Brief

For this project, I am going to be making a 30 second teaser trailer for a new releasing film. The genre can be of your own choice, and I have chosen horror. I also have to create and produce a front cover of a film magazine of the new releasing film and a poster to promote the films release. With my trailer I am going to be up against competitors, for example; the grudge, the ring, drag me to hell, the eye etc. All these films are successful in the genre of horror and meet the conventions of that specific genre. I will research in to these films by watching and analysing their film content and their trailers so I can get an overall idea of what to include in my trailer.