QUESTION 1 - IN WHAT WAY DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?
USING CONVENTIONS
1.) We filmed our trailer in a Butcher shop called The Crease Brothers. As our killer is a butcher, using the butcher shop is the most relevant and ironic place to find different kinds of slaughtered meat. The Butcher's shop worked really well, as it was isolated and all of the massacre's happened in cold, back room, where no one could hear the screams from the women. An example of a trailer that is related to the massacre of young women is Silence of the Lambs (1991).
2.) Another convention in our trailer, is the effect of fast-paced shots. These shots are quick distortions of meat being chopped, knives, limbs and women screaming/tied up. This feature is effective, as the audience cannot fully see the extent of what is happening, but the build up leads to a terrifying climax that scares the audience and also gives them an insight to the Butcher's twisted and disturbed mind. We took inspiration for this convention from the trailer Maniac (2012).
3.) We used the conventional theme of blood and gore in our trailer, as it is quite common in most horror trailers/films. Plus, it also adds to the 'slasher' theme of our trailer and portrays a sadistic point of view of the butcher himself. An example of this is Scream(1996).
4.) In our trailer, we included different women as a portrayal of Clover's 'sexy lady' theory. Our women were not traditionally blonde, but there is a sense of the 'final girl' as one of the women seem to last a long time, during the film, even if she gets killed in the end. An example of a trailer that uses the 'final girl' theme is The Cabin in The Woods (2012).
5.) We used the convention of the 'final scare' as it is a final image that is protrudes in the audiences mind, long after they have watched the trailer. It is an iconic shot and reminds them that is a horror film, but they can also identify which horror film it is, from the lasting image in their head from the trailer.
2.) Another convention in our trailer, is the effect of fast-paced shots. These shots are quick distortions of meat being chopped, knives, limbs and women screaming/tied up. This feature is effective, as the audience cannot fully see the extent of what is happening, but the build up leads to a terrifying climax that scares the audience and also gives them an insight to the Butcher's twisted and disturbed mind. We took inspiration for this convention from the trailer Maniac (2012).
3.) We used the conventional theme of blood and gore in our trailer, as it is quite common in most horror trailers/films. Plus, it also adds to the 'slasher' theme of our trailer and portrays a sadistic point of view of the butcher himself. An example of this is Scream(1996).
4.) In our trailer, we included different women as a portrayal of Clover's 'sexy lady' theory. Our women were not traditionally blonde, but there is a sense of the 'final girl' as one of the women seem to last a long time, during the film, even if she gets killed in the end. An example of a trailer that uses the 'final girl' theme is The Cabin in The Woods (2012).
5.) We used the convention of the 'final scare' as it is a final image that is protrudes in the audiences mind, long after they have watched the trailer. It is an iconic shot and reminds them that is a horror film, but they can also identify which horror film it is, from the lasting image in their head from the trailer.
Nightmare on Elm Street is also anther example of a convention that we used, as it uses a main antagonist as a the killer. We also wanted to similarily use this focus of the film onto the killer, one of the reasons why we wanted to do this was to create a more personal relationship between the viewer and our trailer by creating more tension and suspense and the viewer would be witnessing the killer track their victims.
Many modern films and TV shows have utilised the concept of a cannibal killer. Examples of this include Hannibal and the Walking Dead. However, as we were making a teaser trailer there was much that about the plot that we didint want to reveal straight away. We instead wanted to hint towards the onminous nature of the killer and decided to do this by using the convention that was used by the opening of dexter. In the oepning they have their killer go through his morning routine, many of the hsots show him preparing himself brekfast. The shots used are of meat, and the way that it has been filmed and edited gives the audience the idea that is is not merely bacon that Dexter is cooking. We tried to replicate this with many different shots of selling and slicing meat, as it not only implied cannabilism but also the distrubution of this human meat, a concept that would undeniably be disturbing even in horror.
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CHALLENGING CONVENTIONS
1.) Rather than typically filming our butcher cutting up women in his home or the woods, we choose to film in the butcher's as it asks the unnerving question of 'what sort of meat is being sold at this place?'. It also makes the audience question what they are buying, as the mutilation of animals is not really discussed, let alone watched. The buyer of the meat tends to pick out what they want and trust that they butcher has labelled it correctly. 2.) We used blood in the trailer for our motion background, as it challenges the convention of having complex eery motion backgrounds. The use of the blood is slow and effective and it also links to our horror theme of 'slasher'. |
PRODUCTION COMPANY1.) For our Production company 'Lights Out Productions' we used a smashing lightbulb. It is not the conventional horror type, but the smashing of the bulb and the flying shards of glass are incorporated as danger. Also, the smashing bulb causes the light to go out, this symbolises a sense of death, as the light of one life ends as the girl is killed.
2.) We used blood in our trailer as the motion background, as it is relatable to horror and also links in with our 'slasher' theme. The blood is also a simple feature and does not take the audiences attention away from the titles that appear. 3.) The titles in our trailer are a simple font. They are thin and clear and the black font stands out on the pale background. The text is only on one line, which causes this feature to be effective, as it doesn't appear as mass text to read and the audience do not get bored. DISTRIBUTER1.) We used the distributer 'Lionsgate', as it is a common distribution company for horror films.
The Twilight Saga (partially), The Hunger Games, The Divergent Series, Saw and The Expendables. |
MAGAZINE1.) We put our killer on the centre of our magazine because he is the main icon in our trailer and the audience recognises who he is.
2.) For the fonts, we used a white bold font for the title of 'Butchered', as it is the same colour on our poster. For the title of the magazine 'Reel Movies' we used a red font, as it stood out against the white background and did not look as harsh as black did. We also used black font in different areas of the magazine, so the main title broke up the continuous black theme. |
POSTER1.) The white font against our dark background is effective because it draws the reader in. The blood spatters on the white font appeals to our horror theme and also works well with our butcher positioned in between two hanging pieces of meat.
2.) The fact that the hanging meat is in the foreground and the butcher is in the background implies that the reader's attention is being subtly drawn towards the meat. The butcher in the background adds to the disturbing effect, as he is just lurking and looks odd. Also, the hook going through the meat is in focus and looks sinister. It also suggests that the hook going through the meat is a representation of a knife cutting through the butcher's victim's skin. |
ORIGINAL SCRIPT
Media Script
Dan- Scene One
Shot one-
A slight high angle of Dan sat at a desk looking creepy but generally confused by his surroundings as he plays with a knife absentmindedly.As he does so Lorna comes in and gently takes the knife away, looking timid and scared as she does so. Dan looks at the person who took the knife like a child who has had his favourite toy away.
Narrator-
What’s it like to be a psychotic serial killer butcher?
Lorna: Timid, scared
Dan, Dan give that here. C’mon we don’t play with knives, c’mon
Shot two-
A shot reminiscent of The Office interviews with a caption appearing at the bottom of the screen reading: “Dan the Butcher- Butcher, Serial killer, Wedding photographer". As he answers Dan looks slightly downtrodden and looking to garner sympathy.
Dan: It’s hard y’know, killing women, not many people realise this. It has really ruined my social life. No one wants to date a bonafide serial killer cus y’know… the murdering which I suppose is a valid concern but I’m a nice guy under all this.
Shot three-
An over the shoulder shot of Dan on the computer scrolling through pictures of Leather face as he caresses the screen lovinging.
Dan: But its not all bad. Leather face y’know from Texas Chainsaw Massacre was a serial killer and he did all right. A whole horror franchise AND a disappointing reboot. I’ve followed a lot of his conventions in my quest for success: the apron and shirt combo, being kind of a chub, the whole stoic killer thing, the beard's my own idea but I’m pretty sure Leather face would have a beard if he could so it’s all fine.
Shot four-
Similar composition to shot two but with Dan looking more explanative.
Dan: Another big influence to my style was Frodo Baggins from that movie Maniac.
Shot five-
A slideshow of various pictures of Elijah would in Lord of the Rings and Maniac
Dan: Frodo ditched the shire and really went all out on the "creepy knife psycho" much like myself PLUS he has a beard... which is cool. Not bad for someone who's under four feet tall.
Shot six-
The same composition of shot two In the office style. Dan stands gazing wistfully off to one side as he clutches a picture of Frodo while holding a knife. Lorna then runs into the shot to try and take the knife from Dan before the scene abruptly cuts out.
Lorna: What did I say about the knife young man!
Dan: NaaaAaaRgh!
Alice- Scene two
Shot one
Alice sat at a computer working at a computer. with Dan sneaking up behind her with a knife looking menacing view from the perspective of the computer screen. Upon noticing Dan is coming up behind her she closes her eyes, sighs and looks generally done with Dan's bullshit before speaking to Dan without turning around. Dan leaves dejected.
Alice: Dan...
Narrator-
So Alice, what part do you play in this production?
Shot two
A shot reminiscent of The Office interviews with a caption appearing at the bottom of the screen reading: "Alice Cunningham- Victim, final girl, professional balloon artist". Alice looks as if she is trying to be informative and helpful despite her strange circumstances.
Alice: Well I first got involved in the project when Dan kidnapped me at knife point screaming something about a "final girl".
Shot three
A side viewed long-shot of Dan chasing Alice with a knife whilst screaming something.
Dan: FINAL GUUUUUUUUUUUUUURL
Shot four
The same composition as shot two
Alice: I looked up the final girl thing and found out it was a first coined by horror theorist Carol J. Clover. The theory suggests the final girl should not do anything that could be deemed sinful by a religious wack job such as various vices, which I don't have, and "looking "sexy". The final girl also usually has brown hair... which I have, so yeah.
Shot five
Dan sat under a table clutching a knife looking nervous as Alice tries to coax him out
Alice: C'mon Dan, big boy serial killers don't hide under tables.
Alice:(voicing over) I'm noticing some similarities between myself and Sidney from "Scream, the prototypical final girl. Sidney escapes her ordeal in the end, so maybe I can escape this weirdo.
Dan- Scene One
Shot one-
A slight high angle of Dan sat at a desk looking creepy but generally confused by his surroundings as he plays with a knife absentmindedly.As he does so Lorna comes in and gently takes the knife away, looking timid and scared as she does so. Dan looks at the person who took the knife like a child who has had his favourite toy away.
Narrator-
What’s it like to be a psychotic serial killer butcher?
Lorna: Timid, scared
Dan, Dan give that here. C’mon we don’t play with knives, c’mon
Shot two-
A shot reminiscent of The Office interviews with a caption appearing at the bottom of the screen reading: “Dan the Butcher- Butcher, Serial killer, Wedding photographer". As he answers Dan looks slightly downtrodden and looking to garner sympathy.
Dan: It’s hard y’know, killing women, not many people realise this. It has really ruined my social life. No one wants to date a bonafide serial killer cus y’know… the murdering which I suppose is a valid concern but I’m a nice guy under all this.
Shot three-
An over the shoulder shot of Dan on the computer scrolling through pictures of Leather face as he caresses the screen lovinging.
Dan: But its not all bad. Leather face y’know from Texas Chainsaw Massacre was a serial killer and he did all right. A whole horror franchise AND a disappointing reboot. I’ve followed a lot of his conventions in my quest for success: the apron and shirt combo, being kind of a chub, the whole stoic killer thing, the beard's my own idea but I’m pretty sure Leather face would have a beard if he could so it’s all fine.
Shot four-
Similar composition to shot two but with Dan looking more explanative.
Dan: Another big influence to my style was Frodo Baggins from that movie Maniac.
Shot five-
A slideshow of various pictures of Elijah would in Lord of the Rings and Maniac
Dan: Frodo ditched the shire and really went all out on the "creepy knife psycho" much like myself PLUS he has a beard... which is cool. Not bad for someone who's under four feet tall.
Shot six-
The same composition of shot two In the office style. Dan stands gazing wistfully off to one side as he clutches a picture of Frodo while holding a knife. Lorna then runs into the shot to try and take the knife from Dan before the scene abruptly cuts out.
Lorna: What did I say about the knife young man!
Dan: NaaaAaaRgh!
Alice- Scene two
Shot one
Alice sat at a computer working at a computer. with Dan sneaking up behind her with a knife looking menacing view from the perspective of the computer screen. Upon noticing Dan is coming up behind her she closes her eyes, sighs and looks generally done with Dan's bullshit before speaking to Dan without turning around. Dan leaves dejected.
Alice: Dan...
Narrator-
So Alice, what part do you play in this production?
Shot two
A shot reminiscent of The Office interviews with a caption appearing at the bottom of the screen reading: "Alice Cunningham- Victim, final girl, professional balloon artist". Alice looks as if she is trying to be informative and helpful despite her strange circumstances.
Alice: Well I first got involved in the project when Dan kidnapped me at knife point screaming something about a "final girl".
Shot three
A side viewed long-shot of Dan chasing Alice with a knife whilst screaming something.
Dan: FINAL GUUUUUUUUUUUUUURL
Shot four
The same composition as shot two
Alice: I looked up the final girl thing and found out it was a first coined by horror theorist Carol J. Clover. The theory suggests the final girl should not do anything that could be deemed sinful by a religious wack job such as various vices, which I don't have, and "looking "sexy". The final girl also usually has brown hair... which I have, so yeah.
Shot five
Dan sat under a table clutching a knife looking nervous as Alice tries to coax him out
Alice: C'mon Dan, big boy serial killers don't hide under tables.
Alice:(voicing over) I'm noticing some similarities between myself and Sidney from "Scream, the prototypical final girl. Sidney escapes her ordeal in the end, so maybe I can escape this weirdo.