Billing Analysis

I am going to be looking at three billings/credits from the films “Scary Movie 5", “The Conjuring 2" and “The Women In Black" so that I know how horror billings are structured so that when making my movie poster it will look undisputed.

After looking at these film poster billings, I have noticed that they all include the same information mostly in the same order. The information included are:

• Name of director
• Name of the main actors
• The production company or companies at the bottom of the billing
• The names of the other  crew members which took part in the making of the film, including who the music is by, the editor of the film and production designer.
• Director's name

The order may be different in different billings but at now I will know what needs to be mentioned in my billing.

My Billing

After researching existing crew who have worked within the horror genre itself, I knew what names to include in the billing and I knew what order they should be in.

Potential Crew For My Billing

I am going to use existing crew who have worked within the horror genre before because that will help make my marketing campaign seem even more logical. I used the website IMDB to research different kinds of people, for example, Editors, Producers and Casting Directors, to find some who had previously worked on many horror films. Films are most commonly marketed on the basis on the stars who appear in the films and therefore appear.

• Producer: Tobe Hooper. He produced films such as 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' and 'Poltergeist'.

• Director: Alexandre Aja. He directed films such as 'Piranha 3D' and 'The Hills Have Eyes'.

• Screenplay: Leigh Whannell . He transcript horror films such as 'Saw' and 'Insidious'.

• Music: Wendy Carlos. She did the music for the horror film such as the 'The Shining'.

• Writer: George A. Romero. He wrote films such as 'Land Of The Dead' and 'Night Of The Living Dead.

• Costume Designer: Sue Blane. She is best known for her costume designs for both The Rocky Horror Show and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. She made costumes for films such as 'The Draughtsman's Contract'.

• Casting Director: Terri Taylor. She was a casting director for films such as 'Ouija: Origin of Evil' and 'The Purge: Election Year'

Potential Horror Production Companies

After analysing teaser trailers, I need to now think of production companies which would be useful for my film. What I realise is that all production companies have their company at the beginning of trailer. Therefore, my production company has to be the same. This must also happen when creating my film poster because this will go at the bottom. I have looked at different Horror films and done a list of companies who could potentially distribute and produce my film.

1) Ghost House Pictures

Ghost House Pictures is an American horror movie production company that was founded in 2002 by Robert Tapert and Sam Raimi. They made films such as The Grudge (2004), Drag Me To Hell (2009), The Possession (2012) and Evil Dead (2013).

2) Dimension Films

This is an American film production company owned by The Weinstein Company. They distribute higher-budget releases than its parent company, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. They made films such as Scream 4 (2011), Scary Movie 5 (2013) and Halloween 2 (2009).

3) Platinum Dunes

This is an American production company created in November 2001 by filmmakers Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, and Andrew Form. The company specialises in horror films, particularly remakes. Some films which are done by this production company are Friday the 13th (2009), The Purge (2013) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006).

4) Blumhouse Productions

This is an American film and television production company, founded by Jason Blum. Blumhouse produces low-budget horror movies, such as the Paranormal Activity (2009) and Insidious (2011).

5) Hammer Film Productions

Hammer Film Productions is a British film production company based in London. It was founded in 1934. The company is best known for a series of Gothic "Hammer Horror" films made from the mid-1950s until the 1970s.  They made film such as The Dark Road / There Is No Escape (1948), The Black Widow (1951) and The Woman in Black: Angel of Death (2014).

6) Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures are an American film studio, owned by Comcast. This is one of Hollywood's "Big Six" film studios. Its production studios are at 100 Universal City Plaza Drive in Universal City, California. Universal Studios is a member of the Motion Picture Association of America. Horror Films they have done are The Mummy's Hand (1940), Horror Island (1941) and Black Friday (2004).

7) Twisted Pictures

This is an American independent production company, mainly creating films of the horror genre. The company has also taken part in the making of the video games for Saw and Saw 2. Its founders are also part of Evolution Entertainment, another film production company which was founded in 1998. Overall, they have made films such as SAW (2004), The tortured (2010) and Catch Hell (2014).

8) Paramount Pictures

This is an American independent production company, mainly creating films of the horror genre. The company has also taken part in the making of the video games for Saw and Saw 2. Its founders are also part of Evolution Entertainment, another film production company which was founded in 1998. Overall, they have made films such as SAW (2004), The tortured (2010) and Catch Hell (2014).

Horror Trailer Analysis Conclusion

After looking and analysing at some horror trailers I have discovered the following conventions that I want to include in my trailer to make it be similar and be representable. 

• The music is usually sinister
• The trailer will include the location 
• There will be many main characters and sometimes show them at separate sides of the frame or even in separate shots at the beginning of the trailer and then gradually get closer together to help each other as the trailer progresses. 
• The characters will be happy but then suddenly be afraid.
• There is often a shot showing a recording of them recording the ghosts.
• Impact sounds or a change in music could be used to highlight the obstacle.
• It is often hinted that the characters eventually don't overcome the obstacle.
• Many emotions occurring and people dying.
• No names of the main casts are shown at the end of the trailer.

Horror Trailer Analysis 3

Below is the trailer for the film 'Texas Chainsaw 3D':

• The trailer begins with the music being calming.
• Immediately the male and female protagonists are shown as one putting her clothes back on in the van and then shows the rest of the the group.
• The obstacle is then made clear that they are going to a place they never been too.
• At this point the music is still the same with someone singing a song all the way until they arrive at a remote location.
• Extreme long shot of them entering the house.
• One of the female protagonists wonders around the house and this is shown as a close up shot.
• The music suddenly stops and then there is a loud sound of a chainsaw.
• The music instantly becomes dull.
• There is a fast fade out on an scene then rapidly moves to next scene. This creates suspense and makes the audience not see clearly due to fast pace shots.
• A montage of shots showing them escaping from the person with a chainsaw.
• The trailer ends with one of the main characters stapped near the chainsaw.

Horror Trailer Analysis 2

Below is the trailer for the film 'Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension':

• The trailer begins with the mother speaking to her daughter and she is recording it through a video recorder.
• Unlike Dark Skies, the beginning scene has an aerial view of the whole road, however here it only shows inside the house and a two person shot.
• This gives the audience a hint noticing that something will change to the girl. Therefore, goes straight into the genre of horror.
• After this, they show the 2 protagonists recording every moment and suddenly creep out that the video from ages ago is hearing them. This creates an obstacle to overcome later on.
• Scenes showing them trying to leave the house. This therefore shows that they both have a close bond with each other.
• While there are different characters being seen, there are many hand held shots used through out the film seeing what they encounter. 
• At the end of trailer they show that the girl opened a path through a wall while talking to herself. This implies madness and a disturbing event.

Horror Trailer Analysis 1

Below is a teaser trailer for the movie 'Dark Skies', which came out in 2013:

• At the beginning of the trailer, it introduces the female lead and immediately establishes aspects of what she is doing.
• The purpose of this is to set up something mysterious that is going to happen- one of the obstacles that needs to be defeated. 

                                                 

• Many sound effects including birds bashing window and background noise which builds up tension.
• Scenes where both the female and male protagonist are scared.

• At the beginning, an aerial shot is used. This makes the audience locate where something bad will happen. This is followed by a close up shot of a boy.

• The music suddenly goes quite then there is a loud alarm sound, which makes the family scared.
• After this the alarm stops, there is an diminuendo sound gradually coming to an crescendo.

• There is a two shot of the children being happy.
• Then the scene fades out slowly, do create tension and suspense.

• His voiceover shows that he is worried and concerned for his neighbour.
• There is an extreme long shot of the male protagonist.

Horror Teaser Trailer Analysis- Introduction

After finding genre conventions for film posters and magazine front covers, I am going to find conventions for teaser trailers. I am going to be looking at horror teaser trailers or theoretical trailers to see if I can find the conventions of horror trailers. After doing this, I will know what to include in my teaser trailer.

Possible Magazine Names

Now that I have decided that my magazine is going to be, like the magazine Scream. I am going to  compile a list of names that may be appropriate for my film.

1. Total Horror- This is straightforward and powerful, it is to similar to an existing product, and therefore cannot be used.
2. Gore- This would immediately imply horror films.
3. Frame- This was too ambiguous and could be mistaken for a photography magazine.
4. Shocker- This seemed far too childish for my demographic, and so should not be included.
5. Shutter- Encapsulates cinema as a whole. This has stronger connotation for the film industry and also provides us with a wide range of possibilities in regards to the design of the masthead.
6. NowHorror- This may be to mainstream for the target audience.
7. Scene Stealer- This may be confusing for the target audience. However it sounds interesting. 
8. Blockbuster- Instantly suggest to the audience that the magazine will deal with big budget Hollywood movies but again it's quite a long name which means the mast head might not be very eye catchy.
9. Movie Galore- This could be to much stuff in the magazine even though I am just creating a front cover. Therefore, this might not be a good idea for my magazine name.

There is a few names that are potentially good for my magazine but before I decide, I am going to conduct a focus group and will ask them to rate my potential title out of 10.

Horror Magazine Analysation- Conclusion

After looking at the different Scream front covers I have found that on my magazine cover the masthead should be in a large bold font in capital letters to reflect the top Horror magazine.

There should be a dominant image of the central protagonist(s) of my film.

The colour scheme of the front cover should be linked to the dominant image on the cover. The cover lines should include interviews and other films etc, to show that the magazine is mainstream.

Scream Front Cover Magazine Analysis 5

Below is a horror magazine cover:

• The title of the magazine is called Scream which implies danger as that what characters in horror movies when they are in danger.
• The font of the title is red which implies blood. Also the font looks like dripping blood which links to death.
• The main image on the front cover is shows the monster , The Wolfman, in his attacking face to make it look like he is coming directly at the reader.

Scream Front Cover Magazine Analysis 4

Below is a horror magazine front cover.

• There is a use of an medium shot for the main image, which includes the protagonist of the film featured so the audience will recognise the film. The use of just one character will allow space for other sell lines to be placed on the front cover to advertise other films.
• The tag lines hint to the readers what genre movie magazine it is, and what type of films they would cover. For example 'scream' magazine's tagline is 'blood, guts, gore & more!' which gives the idea a clear impression that the magazine will cover horror, super natural or thrillers. This idea is backed up with the yellow button that says 'the horror magazine'. The bold bright-mid yellow stands out really well above the darkness of the main image. 
• The masthead is in a dripping red font which connotes a bloody or gory horror. Red is also associated with the devil and evil which also links with the movie  title 'Evil Dead'. The name 'Scream' itself is associated with a horror/thriller/supernatural genre.

Scream Front Cover Magazine Analysis 3

Below is a Scream Magazine front cover.

• The Mast Head has been well positioned at the top of the page and it is in a form of “blood” with its red bold colouring. What makes the impact is that it is positioned above all of the other layers of the magazine showing us its importance and how it should be read and seen first rather than the other aspects of the magazine. Also the font of the Mast Head “Scream” is dripping down as if the blood is actually real.
• The date, issue and price have been clearly positioned towards the top of the page and they show 2 currencies being Great British Pounds and Dollars. As this aspect of the magazine isn’t that important they have positioned it behind the ‘Scream’ text which gives us the impression it is not that important therefore is behind the other aspects of the magazine.
• The main image is of a man who is light coloured and has animal type eyes. He has a spotty type face and is holding a ‘dagger’ . What makes it more appealing to the audience is that the way it blends in with the stormy background where the rain is crashing down on him. This is being shown as a close up shot with lots of the facial expressions revealed such as the skin colour and tone of the person on the cover.
• The cover lines are on both sides of the magazine and are short worded.
• The website that the magazine is associated with is bold and capitalised which indicates to the audience clearly what their website address is to purchase subscriptions. 

Scream Front Cover Magazine Analysis 2

Below is a magazine cover:

• The masthead is placed at the very top of the page which is conventional of all magazines. The font is written in a font that appears to be dripping – almost like blood. This is absolutely perfect for the horror genre. Red is the main colour used for the masthead, but it is also surrounded by a yellow outline. Yellow isn’t normally a colour that someone would associate with the Horror genre however it does look quite affective here. The image takes up the whole page of the front cover with text written over it. Other fonts used on the magazine are the same as the masthead and a very sharp, standard looking font. The colour used on the front cover is very good for the Horror genre – black and red with a hint of yellow.
• The image shows us a very realistic looking skeleton. This may attract people who are more interested in the ‘skeleton aspect’ of Horror. It is a direct mode of address because the skeleton is looking directly at the audience. This would influence the reader to buy the magazine as it creates interaction between the reader and the picture.
• The Tag line ‘Blood, Guts, Gore & More’. This is an excellent tag line as everyone will remember it and it works very well under the genre of Horror.

Scream Front Cover Magazine Analysis 1

Below is an Scream magazine cover:

• The images on the cover maintain a constant use of portraits for each film featured. Each portrait uses a direct mode of address, involving the reader into the image and attracting their eye as they pass. 
• The cover line and addition information is separated by using a slightly smaller font with a white colour. This helps guide the reader’s attention down the page while providing small snippets of information to entice them to open and read more. 
• The masthead, along with other information, are painted onto a wooden sign that hangs from the top. 
• The images used are very pale and unsaturated. This therefore creates a very eerie and haunting feel to them. The main images manages to encapsulate every aspect of the 'Friday the 13th'. the film has an iconic mask on Jason, along with the large unnerving blade and deep irking forest. This instantly identifies the film in question and instantly captures the attention of any fans.
• The footer uses very bold sans-serif fonts to provide a solid contrast with the dark background, standing out very effectively. This collection of feature rounds up the magazine nicely and provides a good reference for anybody interested in the magazine to find out more about the contents.

Scream Front Cover Analysis- Introduction

I have decided that the appropriate publication for the magazine front cover for my film will be a magazine like Scream. This is an international print and digital full colour magazine. This covers films, celebrity interviews, and DVDs etc.

I'm going to be looking at 5 different Scream front covers in terms of images, cover lines and more, so that when I create my magazine front cover I will know what type of things reflect a magazine.

Horror Tag Lines

After completing the genre conventions for the horror posters, I am going to be looking a variety of tag lines from a range of horror films to see if there is occurring  themes. I have chosen to do this because it's an important part of the marketing campaign as the tagline for my film will run across both the movie poster and the teaser trailer.

1. Scream
   
2. The Return
   
3. The House On The Left
   
4. The Cabin In the Woods
   
5. The Final Destination
   
6. One missed Call
   
7. A Nightmare On Elm Street
   
8. The Fear Moves In
   
9. Friday The 13th
   
10. Sinister
    
11. Fright Night
    
12. SAW 2
    
13. The Last Exorcism
    
14. Deliver Us From Evil
    
15. HouseBound
    
16. Scream 4
    
17. Shrooms
    
18. Halloween
    
19. Into The Dark World
    
20. Insidious 2
    

I found many similarities between these tag lines. For example many of them including negative words such as “Kill” and “Evil” or make reference to horror. Most of these tag lines gives a hint to what the film is going to be about. It also creates suspense for the audience and therefore it makes them want to see the film.