Mise-en-scene
- Establishing shot shows the
setting to be night time – darkness and the contrasting bright moon is the
use of pathetic fallacy to create an eerie and negative atmosphere. A
sense of mystery is also created as the audience doesn’t know what is
lurking in the dark
- In the first killing, a torch is
the only lighting, and is shining on the victim -creates contrast to the
dark background and makes the character vulnerable. It also creates a
focal point for the audience.
- One setting used is a house –
adds realism, the viewer can relate to the film, making it seem scarier as
they could be in that situation
- Another setting used is the woods
– creates tension as the killers can hide in the woods and could jump out
at any moment. This setting is commonly used in horror films as there is
little human life there and no easy/quick escape routes for
characters/victims
- Many killing weapon props used –
follows the conventions of slasher horror films, as they are commonly
based around psychopathic killers. This will also ‘play’ on the audiences
fears of being attacked and killed
- The actors costumes are every day casual clothes – adds realism as the audience will be able to easily imagine if it was them
Camera shots/angles
- First shot is an establishing shot. It shows the dark sky with the moon in the top right of the shot, showing clouds moving fast – introduces the setting and time of when the film is set
- Subjective POV shot (character in story experiencing events) of the first death in the killers perspective – the audience can experience exactly what the killer does and can see how the victim reacts. This also therefore doesn’t give away who/what the killer is so quick
- Tracking shot of women running through the woods (towards the camera) – shows her trying to escape and also shows the setting well
- Shallow focus close up of many of the killing weapons – theme of death is introduced, and creates fear amongst the audience as the focus is sharp and on a small area
Editing
- Before each killing, a shot of
big, bold, and red font is used to show the number of the killing – gives
the trailer/film a storyline in sequence
- Relatively long shots of each
killing are used – typical of older horror slasher trailers
- Many clips from the film are used
– gives away alot of action/storyline but if the viewer likes the clips,
then they will probably be persuaded to watch the film
- Text from the top left ascends at the end of the trailer – gives the name of the film. Revealing the name at the end means that the viewer will have to watch the whole of the trailer to find out what the film is – a good marketing technique
Sound
- Narration
over the trailer from a man with a deep and scary voice – says the numbers
1 to 13 whilst clips of each killing is happening on screen
- Loud
diagetic scream – played over the shot of one of the main characters being
killed. This adds realism to the shot and readies the viewer for what is
about to happen. This also implies terror and pain, which is very typical
of horror films
- Diagetic
sounds of natural noises such as wind – adds realism. This is also slightly
the use of pathetic fallacy to create a negative atmosphere
- Non-diagetic harsh toned string instruments playing – use of incidental music to accompany action – creates a sense of eeriness and creates tension, especially when the pace of the music increases leading up to the death of the characters
Genre / how specific audiences are targeted
- Slasher films usually contain a
number of killings by a psychopathic killer. The trailer tells the
audience that this film involves this, therefore conforming to the horror
slasher genre
- Does not follow the conventions
of a normal trailer. However, it is common that slasher trailers give away
alot about the storyline because this genre of horror focuses more on each
killing rather than the storyline
- Conforms with Lisa Kernan’s
quote, “…a unique form of narrative film exhibition, wherein promotion
discourse and narrative pleasures are conjoined” – the trailer is a mini
narrative of the film. The meaning of the film/main issue is introduced
through many clips from the film
- Also follows the conventions of
horror trailers from the 1950’s, when many key scenes/events were
previewed and the storyline was given away
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