'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' DVD cover research

The DVD cover of 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' places the title of the film at the bottom of the cover, which is quite conventional through DVD covers. However this may mean that the title is one of the last things to be seen on the cover due to the visual hierarchy, so therefore this could be seen as unconventional. On the other hand, due to the contrasting colours (white and black), it allows the title to stand out and draw the eye of the reader. The effect which has been placed on the text allows it to look old and forgotten, which could give an insight into what the film is about, it also allows the DVD cover to have an eerie feel which may mean that the target audience could feel uncomfortable, which is the aim of the film, therefore is the aim of the DVD cover. Within the title, all the text is placed in a large font to attract the attention of the target audience, however the 'The' within the title is not in a large font, which could be interpreted as the events within the film, takes over and over shadows the lives the character had. The 'Chainsaw' is also in the largest font, allowing it to be predominant within the title. This is done to allow fear and discomfort to be placed on the audience, as chainsaws are seen as a dangerous tool which any person would not like to come into contact with.

The image used on the DVD cover, causes confusion, fear and discomfort. This is due to a lot of factors, but the major one being that the picture is unclear, as it only shows the chainsaw clearly, however their face, therefore who it is is hidden through lighting and colours. This is what causes the discomfort for the target audience, as who is doing the murders is unknown, which is also done in the trailer, this therefore shows that links between the trailer and DVD cover, are simple, yet allow the same feelings to be predominant throughout both of the products. The image is the predominant factor of the DVD cover, which allows audience to be attracted to the DVD, as it is unusual. It could also reflect that it is this figure is the reasoning for the film, therefore there is a need for it too take over the DVD cover, as it takes over the film.

The colours used on this DVD cover are simple, however they are used cleverly. There are only 3 main colours which are used on this cover, these are black, red and white. The use of the black, causes a dark evil sense to the film, which could reflect that there is no happiness for the people within it, just darkness and loneliness, which could also be reflected in the creature which is causing this atmosphere. The use of the red could reflect danger, death and gruesome activities, which is reflected in the title of the film. This therefore foreshadows to the audience that this film is a horror film, which portrays all the outcomes which the colour red. The colour white is only used on the text, to allow it to stand out, however it could also mean that the figure which is causing all the activity within the film, may be seen as a godly figure to some, as the title which is what he is called is the only thing white.

This DVD cover uses different techniques to create similar atmosphere of the film 'The Chainsaw Massacre'. Like on the first DVD cover, this also places the title at the bottom of the page which is conventional as said before. However unlike the the first DVD cover it does not stand out as much, and this may of been due to the colours used, as they were very similar, with both being a shade of brown. However this could reflect that the events are not always going to be expected, but come from the shadows when least expected. There is also no effect placed onto this title, however this may be due to it not being visible, therefore there may be no reason to place it upon it. On the other hand, unlike on the first DVD cover, this cover does place a bold outline on the title to ensure it is visible for the target audience.

Unlike the other DVD cover, this cover uses three different pictures, which individually allow a combination of emotions to occur. This main image which is placed at that bottom of the cover, causes confusion, suspense and discomfort. Like on the other cover the identity of the person on the lower image is not shown, which causes confusion as it is unknown who it is, therefore the identity of them is also hidden. The chainsaw in which he is also holding, is slightly hidden behind the title, which could imply the way the chainsaw is used, will not be expected, but will come from the shadows when least expected. The use of the faded pictures could reflect that these people were victims of the chainsaw massacre. The use of the fade also allows the images to be clear but not overpowering. Both of these images represent fear and suspense, shown through both eyes and body placement, as the two males have no control in how their bodies are placed, this therefore leads the audience in suspense in what they think will happen to these males. The fear in the females eyes causes anxiety to build, as the reasoning why this fear is present is unknown, therefore causes people to want to watch the film to find out why this has occurred.

Unlike on the other cover, this one has captions on it. The majority of these are names of actors, producers and directors, which allows the audience to want to watch the film as they may recognise the names. However as they were placed around the main image, I do not think that they looked aesthetically pleasing, however they did draw the eye due to this which may have been the reasoning for them to be placed there. There was also a caption of 'every legend has a beginning', which may intrigue the audience and persuade them to watch the film. However all the captions are in a light brown shade, which does cause them to be hard to read, however this could be a way in which makes the audience pick up the DVD to read it.

The colours used on this DVD, being different shades of brown, causes an old and stained, which gives a slight eerie sense to the DVD. This therefore goes with the horror theme, but could also give a sense into what the film is like, this therefore links to the caption about a legend. The colours could also cause a mysterious, distressed and aged look which could be an implication of the house within the film. Is also allows the audience to realise the genre of the film, without having to look at anything else other than the DVD cover, as due to the lack of bright colours, or any real colour at all the audience is able to know that the film is unusual, but mysterious as well. The effect on the DVD is that which was placed on the text on the other DVD cover, which makes the cover look older.

'The hills have eyes' DVD cover research

The DVD cover of 'The Hills Have Eyes', has placed the Titles of the film at the top right hand side, this may be due to the visial hierachy which means that the individual looks at the top of the DVD first, therefore this would be something that the usert would see instantly. This means that they fully understand what film is, which is also helped by the size of the font, as it is big and fills a vast percent of the cover, allows it to be instantly recognisable. The use of the words 'Hills' and 'Eyes' are both ina bigger size than the rest of the title. This may have been done to like in the trailer to give an insent into the creatures within the film which bring so much morror. Consequently this also means that the DVD cover and the film trailer link, as the same font and sizing is the same. The H, E and both S's all are also in a slihglty bigger font, this allows an effect of hills to be also created within the font, linking back to the story line.

The caption on this DVD cover, is placed below the title, yet it is not until the user has a second look that the caption has any attension brought to it. This could resemble that within the film the creatures are always hudden, which adds an extra thrill to the story line as you do not know when these creatures will strike again. The caption is in the same font of that of the title, to allow a link between both to be seen, but also to allow the DVD cover to flow. Like in the title, there are some workds that are bigger than other, which within the caption is 'lucky ones'. This places confusion within the user as it would be thought that the one that didnt die would be the luckiest not the first. This therefore like in the trailer draws people into goin to see the film, but also allows another link to be seen between the trailer and the DVD cover.

The image used on the DVD cover is cleverly used, as due to the picture in which has been used fits the page well and can be seen as some sort of border to the DVD cover. The actual picture on the cover, is misterious and causes questions to be asked, as the figure which is pinning her down is not shown. The fear in her eyes could also cause people to be drawn into the film, as they can clearly see that what ever is pinning her down is unnatural which causes tension and suspence. The use of this image also allows a link to be seen through the DVD cover and the trialer as a simular image is used at the end of the trailer. The image also causes an eerie tension towards the audience due to the shot which has been used, as the image shows only the a close up shot. A use of a long shot could have been used, and the same tension may have still been drawn to the audience, however as there is a close up, the audience is drawn into the fear which she portrays, but it also allows them to ask many questions, such as why hasn't the murderer been shown and why hasn't a long shot been used? All these questions allows the audience to be drawn further into wanting to watch the film.

The colours which have also been used on this DVD colour, are bland, pastel colours, which bring a mysterious, aged and distressed, look upon the DVD cover, which gives an input what the film is like, that distress upon the environment may cause the past the cause implications on the present. Is also allows the audience to realise the genre of the film, without having to look at anything else other than the DVD cover, as due to the lack of bright colours, or any real colour at all the audience is able to know that the film is unusual, but mysterious as well.

'Halloween' Research

The trailer which I have analysed at the moment have all been quite modern, therefore have been able to used special effects which may not have been available year before. This is therefore the reason, which I chose to analysis a trailer which was older, and see if there were any effects which i may be able to take inspiration from. The first thing that the audience hears within this trailer, which causes a sense of discomfort, therefore setting an atmosphere for the rest of the trailer. A shot of a house is then shown and part of the beginning shot is also is also shown of the film, which causes the same effect which is seen at the beginning of the film. This series of shots show someone stabbing someone through two eye holes of a mask. This causes the audience to feel confusion and anxiety to build, as at this time we are unable to see who the murderer is, or who he or she is attacking. At this time also, we are given a non-diagetic dialogue, in a deep tone, exclaiming that the area which this is set in was a small town in America, which places more anxiety onto the audience, as it reminds them that this could occur to anyone. As we see the stabbing the audience is given a low non-diagetic tone, which causes confusion, as the audience does not understand why this is occurring, following this is high pitch, minor non-diagetic tones, which increase in volume and decreases in pitch to cause more confusion and anxiety to increase, as the audience doesn't understand what is happening. The audience is then given a medium shot of a little boy who was the person we saw through the mask eyes. This causes the audience to feel slightly disturbed and distressed as they are unable to understand how someone so young and innocent could do such a violent act.

The viewer is then presented with a caption of the title of the film, unlike in the modern trailers, this trailer shows the title of the film very early on and repeats showing this throughout the trailer, which could show the difference in modern and older trailers. This caption is on a black background, with the writing being in a bold bright colour to allow it to stand out on the screen. The viewer is also shown a pumpkin, to show that the title of the film, is a traditional holiday shared by billions across the world. However as the pumpkins eyes, nose and mouth holes are lit it gives the whole caption screen an eerie sense. At this time, the audience is also given, non-diagetic dialogue, stating the name. However, as it is in a low toned voice is does allow the audience to feel extremely uncomfortable. The audience is then shown a long shot of a male explaining, about the killer, that he is untreatable and kills for no reason, however we are also told that he is also unstoppable. All this information causes the target audience to feel uncomfortable, fear and for anxiety to build as they are also told that this killer is on the loose, therefore could attack anyone, placing them into the trailer, as they may think that he could come after them.

We are then shown a shot a series of short shots of a woman being attacked within her car. The only shot we gain of the male is a long shot, where focus is not placed upon his face, therefore the audience may feel an increase in fear, as the identity of the killer is unknown. The shots of the girl being killed, allows the audience to feel an increase in anxiety, as they want to help the woman, but know that they can not. The only dialogue which is heard at this point, is the scream of the woman, which allows the audience to feel discomfort. A short shot is then shown of the male again, which allows what the male had said earlier, be supported by the shots which the audience had just seen. This shot also allows the audience to see the fear which is in the males eyes with a medium shot being used, allowing the tension within the trailer to build.

The next series of shots, the audience are shown the a group of three girls talking and walking, which lifts the tension within the trailer, however this is suddenly changed, when all are shown with a worried face which was also seen on the male. This then allows the audience to have a rush of anxiety, as what they are looking worried at is unclear, however the audience do have a sense that it may have something to do with the killer which has been mentioned within the trailer, therefore allowing the audience to fear for the characters lives. At this time, there is also an increasing non-diagetic low tone, which also allows the audience to feel an increase in anxiety. The title screen is then shown again, which is supported with the non-diagetic dialogue of repeating 'Halloween', which give the audience a sense that on Halloween, something is going to happen to these girls, because of this murderer.

The next shots are those showing snippets of how the murderer kills these girls and another male. The first shot shows a door slowly opening, which causes the audience to have an increase in anxiety, as the audience realise that this is the murderer, yet the characters do not. Other shots show different ways these characters have been killed, which increases the audiences fear, as they fear for the lives of the female which is still alive. At this point there is also an increasing low tone which causes discomfort and fear to grow within the audience. When the shot of the remaining female is shown this non-diagetic sound changes from a low tone, to that of a high tone, which causes the audience to sense that she is in trouble, but also to allow them to feel uncomfortable. At this point also we are able to hear diagetic cries and screams from the female, allowing the audience to feel discomfort again. In this shot we see a medium shot of the female, however in the shadows we see a white mask. This causes the audiences willingness to help the character to increase, as they know where the killer is, but she does not. In this shot the non-diagetic sound is not heard and we only hear the dialogue of the female, allowing the events happening to her to seem more realistic to the audience.

The following series of shots show a chase seen between the murderer and the female. At this time we hear a non-diagetic low tone which stops and starts and the dialogue of the female, which causes the anxiety of the audience to increase. The anxiety and fear also increases as at this point as the woman runs from the killer, however the killer only walks meaning that no matter how quick the female runs, he will always catch her. This is increased by the woman, not being able to get in a house and the killer is coming closer and closer. After this the title screen in shown again, which causes the trailer to have a cliff hanger, as the audience can not see if the female got away from the killer, meaning that this is a good persuader for the audience to go and watch the film.

'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' Research

At the begging of the trailer, when the producing company logos are shown, a non-diagetic sound is played, first with a shushing noise and then followed by a lullaby. This creates an unsettling tension within the trailer as the voice is of an old woman, yet it is not a soothing voice, but a harsh voice, which causes uncertainty within the audience of why this is present. Therefore this causes a tension and suspense right at the beginning of the trailer. At this time, a series of images are shown, giving implications of where this film is situated, however, it also finally shows the elderly woman, who is singing the lullaby and who she is singing the lullaby to, that it is not a baby, but a fully grown woman tied up. This causes a lot of confusion within the audience and also causes anxiety to increase. A sound is then heard, which could implicate someone who is walking towards them with a limp, which cause more anxiety to be produced as it is uncertain of what the noise really is. At this time both the elderly woman and the woman, have fear in their eyes and also seem startled. The young woman is then slowly zoomed and the audience is able to see the full fear within her eyes. Her breathing also gives irregular, resembling that due to the new presence, which the audience not fully knowing of, she is so fearful as she knows that she is going to be killed. This is followed by the short take of the house with the non-diagetic sound of a woman's scream at the same time. This causes tension and anxiety to yet increase again, meaning that in the first 40 seconds of the trailer the audience are drawn into the film due to the effects in which it has upon them.

The screen suddenly goes blank and a flash a woman's outline is seen, which is then followed by short series of moving pictures which are not shown at times long enough for recognition of what the shot allows visible, which causes both confusion and anxiety. This is also supported by high pitch noise which increases in volume and the dialogue of "you are all going to die" causes anxiety and suspicion to increase. A caption is then shown, then followed by another series of short takes showing knifes parts of bodies and negative images of a male, which is also supported with with non-diagetic screams and sound which sounds like a spring over wound. This could cause an insight into the film, as being people who have been wound so much, that they are at breaking point. This sound also causes anxiety and confusion to increase once more.

The audience are then shown a car travelling towards a male, in this car we are shown that there are happy friends. The non-diagetic sound of the wound spring is sounded again and with this we are given short snippets of a shot and black screen shown very quickly, showing the car over turning. This would cause a lot of confusion within the viewer, as although this is unsettling, there is no insight into why this has been done. Immediately after we see an elderly male, asking the young people if they are ok, this causes more confusion to occur, as the viewer can make no link to this male and the events in which have just happened. A black screen is shown again followed by a side close up of a young female, which allows the user to suddenly feel unsettled of the elderly males presents. We are then presented with an eye line match of the elderly male taking the other young people away in a police vehicle, but why he is doing so is uncertain. Anxiety is suddenly occurred when dialogue of one of the young people asks where they are being taken and they are given no reply. This causes the audience to feel unsettled, but also gives them an insight that these people are know in trouble which causes anxiety to increase once more. We are then shown a shot of a woman underneath a car, and the audience are made to jump , when suddenly a foot stamps on the floor, this is also supported with a non-diagetic low shot sound.

A series of short shots are then presented, which are faded into a blank screen, between each shot. Anxiety is increased at this moment, as these shots are of the house in which was seen earlier in the trailer, allowing the audience to realise what events happened earlier in the trailer, were going to happen to these people. This also causes the audience to project fear, as they fear for the safely of these people. The screen is then blank and a non-diagetic sound track is played of gun shot and screaming, which causes fear and discomfort to increase, as the viewer does not know what is happening to these people, or what horror they are experiencing. A series of shot shots are then viewed, which are yet again missed with black screens, these shots show these people running, yet what they are running from is not shown. This could cause anxiety, fear and discomfort to occur as you are uncertain of why or what they are running from. The short shots continue, however in between captions are shown which show 'This fall ... Witness the birth of fear' which would cause the viewer to have an increase of anxiety of why this would be. In between these shots, the audience is shown the first glimpse of the murderer, however his identity of who he is, is still concealed allowing more fear to build due to this lack of knowledge. There are two separate clips shown of this person, one showing his outline with a chainsaw, and one with his face shaded, all except his eyes, which are big and wide, in a mad sort of way, which places more fear into the audience, as we get a clue into his personality.

A dialogue is then heard which is played over a series of shots, which states 'people will not know what we say tonight, but by god they'll know what we did', this instantly places discomfort into the user, as they suddenly wonder if the elderly couple plays a major part in the fear which has been injected to the audience throughout the trailer. A series of shot shots are shown once again, however this time it consists of one of the females, who is screaming, running and looking fearful, however in between these shots are shorts are the chainsaw and the murderer figure once more. This causes anxiety and discomfort to build, as the audience wants to help the victim, but also doesn't understand want actually is going on. The screen then fade to white and a non-diagetic high pitch sound is heard to allow the audience to feel unsure as they do not understand what has just happened, which also causes confusion. This is followed by the title, which is a white tinted with gold to allow it to stand out on the black background.

There is then an extremely short shot which shows a male coming towards the camera with a chainsaw. This causes a sudden rush of anxiety to the user, as it seem the viewer is suddenly at risk, which would persuade the audience to go and see the film, as they would want too feel that rush once more.

'The Hills Have Eyes' Research

The beginning of this trailer is well thought through, as information is given about nuclear testing in a dessert within Mexico. The user is then given information about mutants which may be known in the area due to the tests, therefore allowing the combination of of text and images to intrigue the target audience and draw them into what the film or trailer is about. This piece of information also allows a confusion to occur, as why this information is being given, which could cause the viewer to be further drawn into the film to understand their confusion. The images are also backed up with an eerie non-diagetic sounds which plays throughout the back ground, however other war sounds are played to set the scene in which the user will be put into.

On the other, completely contrasting to the initial part of the trailer, a calm acoustic guitar is heard which is then followed by an upbeat song. This causes the audience even more confusion while still staring into the blackness of trailer. A picture of a dessert is then seen which turns from a black and white effect to full colour. The audience's confusion is then stopped as they understand this is the desert in which they were told about before. A shot of a normal loving family is then shot, allowing the audience in suspense as they wonder if the information earlier is going to effect this family (which within this genre is only inevitable).

Dialogue is then heard, allowing the audience to be left in another shot if suspense, as they come to understand, that these travelers are unsure of where they are going, and the words of "we don't get a lot of travelers in these parts," allows a sense of realisation that this family are not safe. Therefore the first part of the trailer although is unconventional, allows suspense and intrigue to grow within the audience. An effect is then used, resembling that of when the real may of got stuck on an old projector. At this time the sound track also stops and also replays the last note with the effect. An echo then follows this with a black screen only to be shown, this allows the mood of the trailer to instantly change from confusion to threatening. This is then followed by a series of short takes, which instantly raises the adrenaline within the viewer. At this time a fast soundtrack, with a predominant fast beat is also played to build fear within the audience, with the series of different effects are also used at this time to also build the tension.

A high angled shot is then used, to show the audience that the family are in trouble due to the area in which they are in, as a figure is seen looking down on them. Meaning that more tension is built and the audiences fear for the families well being. A series of short shots are then given involving a girl within a caravan. Due to the light which flickers in the distance is causes the viewer to look deeper into the shot as the actress does. We are also shown the terror which is present within her eyes as she is fearful of the situation she has found her self in. This allows the actress to link with the audience as at this time they both feel similar feelings. The sudden body thrown against the caravan window, allows the viewer to jump and feel an increase of adrenaline, which they trailer is supposed to bring. Followed by another black screen, this allows questions to be unanswered which brings the viewer further into the trailer and therefore into watching the film. A predominant heart beat sound is followed and another series of short clips to again build the tension within the viewer as the fear within all the families eyes are then seen.

An inhuman figure is shown within these short clips with another piece of editing turning a still image of a male to a sepia effect,which could show that history is repeating itself, allowing the audience to become suspicious of what happened in the past and what is going to happen in the film as a result of it. A long shot is then shown with a male looking through a key hole (which is a common factor of a horror film) with a woman crying and a deep laughter sounding non-diageticically, causing suspense to build in the audience as they realise what is about to happen. Between all these series of shots there is always a black out before the next shot, this could occur to show that the creatures which threaten the family are lurking close in the shadows. A series of still images in a sepia effect are then shown with a short clip of a being with an ax in his hand. At this time a series of screams are also heard building suspense and tensions throughout the audience.

The title of the film is then shown, which has 'Hills' and 'Eyes' in capital letters, with the others in a small font to may the title look strange and disfigured, given the audience an idea of what these creatures are. A shot of a hand on a girls face, who looks scared, is then shown, followed by a caption of 'the lucky ones die first', giving an eerie feel to the trailer and drawing the audience further into going to watch the film as they wounder why they be the lucky ones? I have noticed after analysing this trailer, that not at one point are you shown the creatures, which may intrigue the individual further into the trailer and into going to watch the film, as they want to find out what these creatures are, leaving them in suspense until they see the film.

My schedule ...

I am going to the show a rough schedule of what times I would like to get things done within this unit. However These are not the procise dates, therefore I my work may not always follow this schedule. However once prosise dates have been given to me, I will make another post allowing these to become visible.

1. Complete research (existing products/audience) by 24th July


2. Complete planning (scripts, shot lists, story boards, animatics, mock-ups, flat plans etc) by 10 September


3. Complete rough-cut by 20th September


4. Complete final cut by 1st October


5. Complete DVD cover/Magazine cover mock-ups by 15th October


6. Final DVD cover/magazine front cover completed by 31st October


7. Audience feedback by 10th November


8. Revisions by 20th November


9. Evaluations by 30th November


10. 1st hand-in by 1st December

Thoughts ...

When first thinking of how to do this trailer, I did come up with some ideas of a woman escaping from a mental home and her going on a killing spree, for revenge on those who put her in there, however I am cautious in using this idea as when looking at some of the trailers of horror films which have been produced in the past 5 years, I have not found one which is similar. However I have also got an idea of supernatural being living in the woods, which kill a bunch of friends when they become stuck there. This I have taken from such films as 'The Hills Have Eyes' and 'Chain Saw Massacre', however I feel that this sort of idea has been used a lot, therefore may be seen as old and out dated. I am also put off this idea as when looking through some samples of A2 work, this seems to be the general theme throughout, therefore I am leaning towards my initial idea, as it is new and nothing has been done like it before.