Movie PitchSonia Sharma, Dania Jawzaa and Maddy Scott

Sub-genreWithin the horror genre there are many different styles with their own codes and conventions that separate them. These are called sub-genres and there are 4 main sub-genres: supernatural, psychological, gothic and slasher.

Mainly unknown, there are actually 3 sub-genres that are disregarded, and they generalise all horror movies and categorise those that span across the 4 previously mentioned. These ‘master sub-genres’ are ‘Horror of Armageddon’, ‘Horror of Personality’, and ‘Horror of the Demonic’.

All horror movies can be categorised into two of these sub-genres, at least one of the first set and one of the latter.

(Example of supernatural film poster)

After taking into consideration our target audiencequestionnaires and the guidance and feedback that they provided, we have decided to choose supernatural and ‘Horror of the Demonic’ for our advertising package.Both of these classifications describe similar movies that contain forces that are supernatural/paranormal and of the “unknown” and consist of four main themes: vengeance, corruption of innocence, mystic phenomena (possession, curses etc.), and religious symbology. Our movie will take elements of each of these aspects and combine themto create a successful horror trailer that will frighten the audience. As well as this, the chosen sub-genres are the most challenging due to their many complexities that come with the codes and conventions. Some examples of these genres are shown to the right.

(Example of supernatural film posters)

Target audience

• 15-30

• Primarily male

• Like to socialise, play xbox, sports.

• Students or full time professionals in an office

• Study creative subjects or has a graduate degree

• Enjoy comedy, action and horror movies

InspirationsOur main inspiration is William Brent Bell who is the creator of the movie “The Devil Inside”. He has had a lot of experience with horror movies which of course means he is a professional at what he does. We have taken into account how his narratives are put together, the way they are filmed, the location and also the mise-en-scene that he produces in his movies. Our horror movie trailer was inspired by these elements and especially by the way he delivers the suspense and thrilling horror, which makes the audience want to go watch his movies.

Since he is a great success, we have decided to take inspiration from his work and style and will therefore hopefully achieve a successful horror movie that will not only fulfil all of the codes and conventions, but be enjoyed by the target audience.

When researching films within this sub-genre, several elements were seen to reoccur. Exorcisms are common, as is religious imagery, the presence of children, and body disfigurement. When debating a title for this film, we found a commonality of this genre and that is movies with single or two main word titles. “The Possession”, “The Last Exorcism”, and “The Devil Inside” are several examples.

Taking this into account, we have decided to use this same format for our film title. And after taking the plot into consideration, we have decided upon “Darkness Within.” The element of darkness is common in horror movies, and the connotations pertaining to “within” reinforce the idea of possession.

Film title

The trailer begins with an establishing shot that tilts upwards to a dominating view of a house with crime scene tape outside it. The scene cuts to a news report of a reporter outside of the house detailing how a mother tried to murder her entire family but was intervened before she killed her youngest daughter. The woman in question is led out of the house to the police car and the camera follows the action as she drives away. The scene cuts to television static briefly to show the transition of the news report to actual real life. The static cuts to black with the words “15 years later”.

The daughter is being led through the hospital ward to her mother’s room whilst being told of her restored mental health. They look into the room as the doctor advises that she stay in her daughters care to aid her transition out of the asylum.

‘Darkness Within’ Trailer Narrative

The daughter takes her mother home to live with her husband and children, but quickly they realise that she isn’t healed, like the doctor had said, and that they are all in severe trouble because of it. Events soon begin to replay themselves and the family must fight to survive.

LocationOur film trailer is to be filmed primarily within a house, but several other locations will also be used.The house at the beginning and for the latter half of the trailer will each be an average seeming terraced or semi-detached house. This choice has been made to make the events seem even more horrific as they occur in an ‘every day’ setting that the audience would be acquainted with.

The mental hospital will be a much more difficult location to film in as we wouldn’t have access to one. To resolve this problem, we will convert a normal hallway into that of an asylum and the hospital bedroom will be filmed within a house.

Costume & Make-upThe costume we will be using for our media production includes very modern wear, to appeal to our target audience. A lot of the costume will be everyday wear, most likely winter clothing, due to the fact horror movies tend to keep a very dull weather pattern. The main character, the antagonist will be dressed old fashioned, for the majority she will be dressed in a white night gown, to add to the effect of her age.

The make up technique we plan to use, is mainly to age our main character, she must look very drained, and almost ill in order for her character to potentially scare our audience.