Film Title Connotations

Film Title

• Above is our film title, we used the programme Photoshop in order to create this. We created serval versions of this which were each slightly different in order to see what looked and was the most effective. 

First of all we decided on our font 'Chiller', we chose this style of font due to the fact it looks like blood splatters therefore connoting our name. We then found the knife we wanted to use and used the eraser tool in order to erase the background leaving just the knife. We also decided to have the word 'blood' in red and the word 'shed' in white due to fact it emphasises the word blood appealing to the target audience of a thriller.












Other options for our title:

Use Of Social Media To Plan Filming

We used the app Facebook Messenger to communicate with each other when we were going to film.

Vlog of Setting 1 - The Police Station

https://youtu.be/RAJ98e-uTQQ

To begin our filming we went to St. Neots police station to get a shot of the sign and also a shot of 'Stacey' walking past this sign looking as if she is walking into the police station. We had to ask permission from someone who worked at the station to make sure this was okay. Once we had permission we filmed these short clips. Both this clips will only appear from a second or two in the trailer but the impact of seeing a police station will be enough to attract the audience. Throughout my research I discovered that detectives and police are often shown within the thriller genre as one convention of this genre is crime. Therefore I am conforming to conventions of real media products.

Planning Of Settings

Film Company Logo

We decided to change our film company logo to something more suited to the thriller genre. This is how our logo relates to and targets the target audience of a thriller film:

• The black background of our film company logo connotes death and evil therefore attracting the target audience of the thriller genre. 
• The red writing connotes blood and violence also attracting the target audience of the thrill genre due to the fact this excites the viewer. 
• The san serif font connotes a more serious tone therefore relating well to the thriller genre. 
• The fact 'productions' is in white connotes purity and innocence therefore relating to the victims in the thriller films. 

Film Trailer Pitch

https://youtu.be/UOs56zF0l6M

Initial Ideas

Effective Film Trailer From The Thriller Genre - Se7en

The film trailer 'Se7en' was effective to me as a result of the great use of the psychological thriller conventions in interesting and engaging ways. What I particularly liked about the trailer was:

• The use of lighting - Not only did the trailer contain the conventional low-key lighting in also includes flashes and glimpses of red lighting throughout. Red connotes danger and death therefore connoting to the audience what is going to happen in the film.
• The music - The music was eery and slow to begin with building suspense, as the pace of the trailer increased so did the music therefore dramatising what occurs in the trailer further making it appeal more to the audience. 
• The editing - I particularly liked the flashes of the 7 deadly sins shown word by words transitioned via cuts. The flashes make the editing very fast paced keeping the audience excited and intrigued. 

Effective Trailer From The Thriller Genre - The Girl On The Train

I found The Girl On The Train film trailer very effective in the way it has taken the thriller genre and its conventions to create an intiencing trailer which s very appealing to its audience. The elements that I found particularly effective were:

• The use of low-key lighting throughout - this helped to keep the eery mood of the trailer throughout whilst helping to build suspense. This will be an element I will defiantly be including in my film trailer. 
• The dramatic music throughout - the music helped greatly in creating suspense for the audience, the music's pace increased as the shots increased making the climax of the trailer even more effective. 
• The use of tracking shots - these gave the effect that someone was following the character being tracked again keeping the suspense filled mood for the audience making the trailer appealing to the target audience of the thriller genre. This is another element i would like to include into my own film trailer. 

Analysis Of The Last House On The Left Trailer

Analysis Of Shutter Island Trailer

• The trailer opens with the production company Paramounts logo. This is therefore informing audience of the company and therefore having trust already in the trailer due to the fact it is a well known production company. 
• This then fades to a long shot of a large boat on the sea. The boat is partly covered by fog. This element of fog connotes mystery therefore attracting the audience of a thriller film. 
• A close up shot of barbed wire is shown, barbed wire connotes danger and the element of 'keep out' therefore this entices the audience to watch more. 
• An establishing long shot is then shown of a large building, with large gates. This gives the audience a better understanding of the setting whilst also intriguing them as to what is inside this large building. 
• This shot then fades to a mid shot of two men dressed in military uniform holding guns. This use of mise en scene suggests there are superior and have power therefore leading the audience wanting to know more about them. 
• A tracking shot is then used following the men into the building. The diegetic speech of one of the men from the building says "we only take the most dangerous damaged patients". This use of speech therefore connotes to the audience how dangerous the 'house' they are entering really is. 
• This is then followed by a close up of the main characters face looking worried this emphasises to the audience the danger the characters are actually in but also entices them to find out more. 
• A fade to black then shows a mid shot followed by a close up of a gun and a pool of bloody with a person laying next to it. This therefore attracts the audience as a result of the element of crime and mystery as to what has happened. 
• Another establishing shot is then shown of a prison like building with very high walls. The building is plain and grey. This connotes the imagery that people are locked in here or kept away from the outside world. 
• After this shot the non diegetic, eery music begins to get faster in pace and so does the editing therefore connoting that something dramatic is going to happen. 
• Serval cuts and fade to blacks of used of the main character, each time he is shown at a titled angle. This connotes confusion therefore leading the audience questioning why. 
• The music and cuts become even faster, several shots of fire are shown; one of the main character holding match and one of a fire in a fire place. Fire connotes danger therefore the audience will be intrigued to see what is doing to happen. 
• The trailer ends with a longer scene which is eerily silent this thereof builds the suspense. This scene is then cut short with a jump scare leaving the audience shocked but wanting to watch more. 

Analysis Of The London To Brighton Trailer

 The opening shot of the trailer is of the production companies logo. This informs the audience of who has made the film. This shot is then followed by a fade to black of Piccadilly Circus.

The next shot is an establishing shot of Piccadilly Circus, this gives the audience an insight into the setting of the film (London). This therefore should attract them to the film due to the fact London is a well known place and also relatable to the target audience.

 This shot then cuts to a mid-shot introducing one of the main characters. She is holding a plastic cup in her hand either as a warm drink or to collect money. Her facial expressions are also of a sad tone. This is therefore connoting to the audience immediately that something is wrong due to the fact children are stereotypically seen as mainly being happy and they are never seen alone.

Cross cutting is used to show another mid- shot introducing another main character, a middle aged women. The diegetic speak of the older women asking the younger girl how old she is is head. The younger girl replies "12 this year". The pair are also smoking this connotes the gritty realism of the film due to to the fact a girl younger than 12 would not normally be seen smoking.

 A fade is then used showing a star rating and review from the Times. This is conveying to the audience that the film is of a good standard and one to watch.

 Cross cutting via mid-shots is then used in the next shot between a man and the young girl. He offers her a sum of money to go and meet a man. This connotes to the audience danger within the film. Not only this but the man is seen to have facial hair and be wearing a leather jacket this stereotypically is associated with someone who is of a 'rough' nature.

 The next shot is another film review reminding the audience yet again that the film is of a good standard therefore enticing them to watch the film.

 A fade to black is then used to show a mid-shot of the young girl looking out of a train window. She appears to be scared this connotes how young and naive she really is but also the fact she is in fact unaware of the danger she has got herself into. Danger is a common feeling seen in thriller films therefore this will attract the audience.



A tracking shot is then used inside a moving car to show the setting of a worn, almost abandoned looking street. This reminds the audience not only of the setting but also of the gritty realism used in the film.







A cut is then used to show both men in the car traveling through this area. The fact there are in this setting suggest they are of an unpleasant nature connoting that the young girl is in great danger but the audience is still unsure what the danger is. The element of mystery is stereotypically seen in  thriller therefore will attract the audience.

A fade to black is then used to show a upper class house with the man central and the women and following. The mise en scene contributes to connoting to the audience the different between the women and the man. The man is seen to be wearing formal attire whereas the women are in jumpers and coats - less formal clothing. This therefore connotes again to the audience how they do not belong in this place and conveys that they may be in danger.

Cross cutting is then used back to the car scene where there dietetic speech is heard of the man saying that the youngest girl he has encountered is "around 12". This therefore emphasis how dangerous these men are and how they are intact criminals. The element of crime is stereotypically seen in thriller trailers therefore will be recognisable and attract the target audience.


A fade to black is then used to take the scene back to the house where the man is holding the young girls hand. This is a close up therefore exaggerating to the audience how unsafe the young girl. The element of fear is also a stereotypical convention of a thriller trailer therefore again will entice the audience.

A fade is then sued to show the young girl looking back at the women with a worried expression on her face, the close up helps to convey this emotion. She is also seen to be wearing a red jumper, red connotes danger this therefore is emphasising her fear and the danger she is in.

Cross cutting is then used again to show the car scene. The diegetic speech of the man is heard "you know what what she did to him"and then goes on to say "where are they now?'. Due to the use of a close this exaggerates the evil look on his face therefore making the audience more aware of his intentions along with the diegetic speech.



A cut is the used to another review, this time from the Big Issue. Due to the fact the Big Issue is well known and often is sold on the streets makes it a relatable magazine. Therefore the audience will listen to the review and become more enticed to watch the film.

The next scene is where the music picks up pace, not only this but lots of cuts are using to emphasis this fast pace and connote panic. It also shows the only women telling the young girl to remove her makeup. The older women also has a black eye and is bruised. The fast pace music, editing and the panic of the women connotes to the audience something dramatic has happened therefore making the audience want to find out what has occurred.

Another cut is then used to show the man in the a bar. The use of low key lighting connotes a sinister mood. Also the contrast between the panic of the women and the calmness of the man conveys that he is somewhat evil and feels minor emotion. This element of evil attract the audience of a thriller.

 As the fast pace is continued a fade is sued between a mid shot of a train followed by a midshot of the young girl on the train. This allows the audience to establish the scene again and gain an understanding of where there are. Not only this but the young girls expression is scared, this along with the dramatic fast pace music connotes to the audience something dramatic is going to happen.


A fade is then used to show the mid shit of a man loading a gun. The image of a gun alone automatically creates fear, this along with the fast pace music and editing connotes tot he audience the drama and seriousness of the situation.

A close up of the gun is then shown emphasising its power. The non diegetic sound of crying can be heard emphasising to the audience the impact the gun create and also the fear. The theme of fear a crime attracts the audience due to the fact these are stereotypical conventions of the thriller genre.

This then cuts to a mid shot of the two women frighten and crying. The low key lighting connotes their fear and sad emotion to the audience. These emotions are stereotypically associated with the thriller genre therefore attracting the target audience.

Another cut id then made showing a mid shot of the man pointing the gun with an angry expression. His expression connotes he is going to fire the gun along with the build up of the fast paced music and editing. Therefore these elements will attract the audience to the film.





A final cut is made where the film title appears. While this is shown the non diegetic sound of a gun shot is heard. This leads the audience wanting to know what happens due to the fact they cannot see anything therefore they will want to go and watch the film.