Part of our media Coursework also includes making a movie poster for our teaser trailer, therefore i have been looking a similarities and conventions of movie posters. A common theme of horror movie posters is that it is usually dark, with a black background. This seems to not only make the main subject of the poster stand out, but also suggest loneliness. However, not all movie posters are black, but they do consist on using dark and cold colours such as blues and grey, which does have a scary affect. We wish incorporate this into our movie poster as it will be more effective.
Not all movie trailers are the same, with millions of Horror movies with similar concepts, a way to attract customers to buy or watch their movie is through movie posters. Each movie poster has a unique feature that relates to the film. In the case of One miss call, the fact that they have numerous aspects of faces on one face suggest that there are numerous victims and they want to keep the killers face a mystery to create suspense. Also the fact that they show a phone to the name of the film and the concept of this last call the victim may face.
In comparison the movie poster of Scream is more simple, using a close up of a single victim who is a female ( a common them of Horror movie posters). she appears to be covering her mouth stopping herself from screaming - which is the opposite of the name of the film, however there is still a clear connection. The dark poster and shadowing creates a haunting image, the use of colour in the eyes attract our attention and makes the poster stand out. They have also stuck to a clear colour them which means that the poster looks professional and simplistic.
I chose to analyse these two movie posters because i felt that they were simple but effective, both posters make it clear for the audience about the concept of the film alwell as providing mystery which is why it is effective. As were are working with limited resources and we don't have proffessional designers we have to be realistic about the style of the poster, we aim to emulate this style.
Horror Music
Horror Music
One of the most important aspects of a horror film is without a doubt is the music and sound that goes with it. Music has been a part of horror films since the very early 20’s and revolutionised horror films to what we know today.
Some say that horror films scores actually define a horror movie and that with the absent of sound in a horror film the fear factor would dramatically reduce. The feeling of fear presented by a horror film is the combination of what we see and what we hear. The two aspects working together is what creates the overall horror experience and could not perform without the other.
Horror film scores have become the most music pieces out of all the other film genres this has led people to become able identify a horror film just by hearing its classic film score.
As mentioned before horror film scores have been in films since about the 1920’s and started with orchestral music which was composed directly for a film. Most would agree that orchestral music was the most characteristic type of horror film music. It was very common horror films mainly because of the open-endedness and range of the events that take place in a horror film. It was very powerful in horror movies as it worked well with the shocking events that took place.
The most recognisable horror film scores are horror films from the late 60’s through to the late 80’s when horror movies could now do better effects and produce better music. Many classic horror films were released in these times which had famous scores which are still known today. Such films as psycho and jaws are known just by there horror film scores.
Music in horror films adds greatly to the tension and suspense of a scene.
Theories of Horror
Through watching various Horror films and movie trailers we found out various common themes that were used.
Colours -Red, Black, White, Grey
The colour Red represents Evil, Death, Blood and Anger.
Black is commonly used in Horror teaser trailers as it symbolises loneliness and isolation.
White also represents emptiness and is usually used in hospital and clinics where patients are alone or feel alone.
Grey creates a cold and dark atmosphere
Weather - Cold, Rain, Thunder, Lightning
Weather plays an important role in Horror films because it helps set the scene, such weather creates a mysterious and dark atmosphere which could add to the doom and gloom. All weather can add to the colour of the movie i.e rain creates dark grey clouds creates a chilling atmosphere.
Setting - Gothic castles, Grave yards, Dungeons, Torture Chamber, Lake, Forest, Haunted House, Abandoned Buildings
The setting for a Horror movie trailer is very important because it brings the story to life, as it creates a sense of fear and dread that they are alone with no real means of escape.
Supernatural - Vampires, Werewolf, Spirits, Beasts, Zombies, Possession, Demons,
These are the common antagonist that are usually used in Horror films, they offer like to the sub - genre of the films. Pennywise the clown is a good example of an antagonist because the costume of the clown is effective, he is not just any ordinary clown, but a possessed clown that preys on young children, taking form of their deepest fears which personalises fears through a laughing monster.
Superstition - Black cats, Ravens, Walking under a ladder, Walking on cracks, shoes on the table.
Superstition is usually used when there is a character highly superstitious or religious, these don't make the theme however could lead to a fear that something dangerous is about to happen. It is used to add to suspense and tension which would make the film more frightening to the audience.
