Conventions of a war film

     The conventional settings of a war film are usually set in abandoned places in which involve a film which can be used for battle scenes. Long streets with very little housing and a few people dotted around during the war scenes. By having a recognisable set for the audience to relate to this will help them to visualise the war genre and setting its self. The setting is something which can change according to the trailer and the plot as the film and the trailer progress. BY including some establishing shots of the landscape in which we are using this will give the audience the atmosphere that they will be experiencing something that has happened in history once before and that history is about to be re-written. Although we should consider the lighting of the setting this is because war happened throughout the day and night but most commonly in dusk or dawn where the ambiance form the natural light source projects its own light to create a unique atmosphere to the trailer.

     We will include POV( Point Of View) shots will give the audience the sense that they are in the characters body looking and seeing what is going on. BY including this shot we will have the attention of the audience because they will be in a different point of view which will give the audience a different perception of the plot of the trailer. 

       Music and sounds within a war movie is critical, this is because within a war movie you always get little sounds which indicate to the audience that something is happening. This is because the music and sounds help to create a tension between the character and the atmosphere.  Sounds can be used in your benefit and disadvantage this is because sound can give a sense of emotion between the character and the setting, but if the sound and the music is used inappropriately then this will cause the character to look out of place with the setting causing a confusing atmosphere for the audience. The music that is placed within the trailer is important because the use of happy music can be used to challenge the conventions as well as to give the feel of suspense. For example a music box portrays happy music but when it is nearly finished the song turns to a slightly more creepy sound which usually suggests that something bad is going to happen within the film. Although within a war film the use of silence can be there to build up tension between the character and the audience. This is important because the audience can then use their imagination to what sounds they would be hearing as well as giving them the emotion of feeling totally alone. However with the incorrect use of silence within the film this could cause boredum and loose the ability to scare and create an atmosphere for the audience.

     Using the correct colours in the costumes and props will help the audience to indicate the evil and the good as well as to distinguish between the two, this is commonly known as iconography. A common example is; visually dark colours such as black and red can connote evil, blood death and danger. WIthin our war film we will use basic colours which the audience will be able to relate to, this is because in the war basic colours like green, black, brown and grey were used for the uniform and the casual clothes of the civilians in the war. And so linking this to our trailer our characters will be dressed in the same colours so that the audience can recognise who the characters are meant to be. With the use of lighting we are likely to be non-naturalistic, with low lighting this can give the effect of darkness as well as shadows within the woods which will give the sense of spy's and the enemy coming closer to the characters. . other sources such as a bonfire, torch and car lights give off their own ligh which can add to the atmosphere if the lighting is used right. with the correct use of props the audience can identify the villains from the victims, this is because you associate a knife or a weapon with the villain whereas you assume that the victim will not be carrying these around in the beginning. With regards to the villain we are not showing the physical appearance of them due to the suspense and tension building. But they will be wearing something which will camouflage them into the surroundings. some of the common props and objects that will be included within a war are; weapons, religious icons depending on the sort of war. Iconography with the enemy character can help to connote the extreme fear and awareness into the audience.

Narrative structure is a convention of a war movie because with a narrative structure you can leave things hanging or you can give them as a start of a franchise, this can be done by the character leaving the room and then the credits coming up this would lead on to a sequel or for our trailer someone running off into the darkness.