Research and Planning: Trailer Analysis 1

The first trailer I will be analysing is a full trailer lasting 2:31, this film came out in 2005 and was given the rating of 15, the film was directed by Andrew Douglas. I think this trailer specifically will give me an insight into what a horror trailer will need to be effective, as first time I seen this, it stayed on my mind and gave me a bit of fright. This trailer will help me when it comes to me making my trailer, as I can take inspiration from the aspects used.

Genre 

Despite this film being the horror/thriller genre it is only rated a 15, this may be because they wanted to attract a much wider audience. Steve Neale claimed that 'genre is a repetition with an underlying pattern of variations' this is clearly evident in this trailer. We see this by the typical horror conventions which are used throughout, for example the lighting starts off quite high key, implying a false first impression to the viewer and making them feel comfortable. It then progresses to low key lighting, bringing the audience out of their comfort zone and increasing the horror effect greatly. Another stereotypical horror convention is the music, which starts of very slow pace, yet as soon as the murders are made aware their is a kick-drum sound also included, at this point the pace becomes a lot faster. Other typical traits of the horror genre shown include the big house, being set in the night time, screams, blood etc.


Representation

Laura Mulveys theory is that everything from the other end of the camera is seen through a male perspective. This film relates to this theory in some ways, yet in other ways it doesn't. A negativity of this theory in regards to this film is that it is the husband of the family, who typically is the active lead of the family, is the one who becomes possessed and therefore a much more passive character. However, a way in which the camera does show the male glaze is how the woman is quite passive, and throughout this trailer we see her in a flustered state weeping and screaming. The woman in the film, is also stereotyped as a house wife, shown carrying in washing at 1:03 and predominantly looking after the children.

Narrative 

As with most trailers, we can see that Todorovs theory is ever present here. We are able to see part of the equilibrium of the couple arriving at their new house, which sets the audience up with a rough idea of what the film is about, and gives the audience themes which run through the film, for example movement and horror. Then we can see many disruptions which are made to grab the audience attention and makes them want to view the whole thing, by having the disruptions and peaks stay in the audiences mind. However, no climax or new equilibrium is shown in the trailer, this is due to the fact that it is only a trailer and by showing the climax you're giving the film away and leaving nothing for the audience to think about, or want to go to the cinema to see for themselves.

Audience

This film is aimed at the audience of 15 year olds, this is due to the fact that the film could potentially contain things such as:

• Sex and nudity 
• Violence
• Gore
• Frightening images 

Personally, I don't think that a specific targeted gender was set for the making of this film. I think it has aspects which appeal to both male and female, for example the fright which it gives. Overall for a person to enjoy this film they would have to appreciate the scary and horror genre. 

Media Language 

Mise En Scene 

• The lighting at the beginning of this trailer is predominantly high key lighting due to the enigma at the start. It is not till the full extent of what happened in the house that the lighting changes to low key, which is very stereotypical of a horror film. This is because the enigma is now over. The audience are now aware of what has happened and so therefore the objective is not to mainly scare the viewer, which is done through the lighting. 
• The facial expressions and reactions of the actors show that the trailer is meant to be scary as throughout the actors look worried and frightened by what is happening in the trailer. This again is stereotypical of a horror genre.
• The locations of this film don't appear to be very modern, the house shown is greatly outdated and covered with trees and shadows to emphasise the suspicious feel surrounding the house. The house also stands alone and appears quite isolated, instead of choosing a suburban area which would have been much more packed. 
• The outfits worn aren't very outgoing and stick with the neutral colours of black white and brown. The woman in the film sticks with the casual jeans and t-shirt look, this may be to emphasise on how they're normal people, making the effect on the viewer much greater.

Cinematography

• The trailer begins with a birds eye long shot showing the car travelling towards the new house, the shot then continues to a close up of the couple then back to a birds eye long shot of the house. The opening shots here show connections of the couple to the house.
• There is then a low angle long shot from the couples perspective showing just how much ground the house covers.
• There is now a sequence of jump cuts showing the couple in different areas of the house, these shots are shown in long shots and close ups showing the surrounding area around them, and showing how pleased they are, which is quite a paradox considering the horrific surroundings and upcoming events.
• A flashback now occurs in the form of a small montage to show previous murders which took place in the house, each shots are shown in close ups with tight framing to show emphasize the horror beginning. 
• The house is then shown again at a low angle long shot, this causes the audience to feel vulnerable as the house is shown to be superior over the audience, again increasing horror.
• There once again is a flashback in the form of a family video, showing them to be happy and comfortable in the house, throughout this short sequence there is a repetition of close ups and long shots, however they're all at low angle. As if because they're looking down on us from the house.
•    A camera pan then follows the mother into the daughters room at a medium long shot, the camera then stops static to show the horror girl at a medium close up yet only for a mere second.
• There then occurs an over the shoulder shot of the mother talking to her daughter, from the high angle we are given we can almost assume that the mother is looking down on what her daughter is saying, signifying that at this point, she doesn't believe. 
• The next sequence of shots are mostly close ups and medium close ups of both the mother and scary dead girl, showing the effects the dead girl is having on the mother. 
• We then see the fear coming from the father through a series of close ups on his face, after seeing horror images which too are at close ups, making it more horrific to the viewer.
• After we see the effects on the father, we are shown instantly the effects of the mother through the numerous close ups on her face, showing her being very emotional and quite passive.
• For the next 20 seconds every shot is a close up of each of the characters being quite distressed making it appear a lot scarier to the viewer. The next long shot is of the vicar, by showing him at a long shot, we can almost see that he has power. 

Editing 

• The trailer begins with a fade from the birds eye view to the close up in the car, showing an apparent connection between the two. 
• There is then a series of jump cuts which occur very quickly, to show what had previously happened in the house. In between each jump shot there is a black screen shown, black can symbolise death and upset. 
• Titles then appear on the screen to help the viewer through the occurrences of the trailer, for example they appear at 0.46 and 0.55. 
• There then begins a sequence of fades through shots from the characters the house, showing a clear link between the two and the reason for the horrors, fades also signify the end. Meaning that the house may symbolise the end for this couple.
• There is then shot reverse shots as the mother and daughter converse in the bedroom, typical editing for a conversation.
• There is also again shot reverse shots as the mother converses with the vicar, the shot reverse shots show the horror in the woman's face which rubs off onto the viewer. 
• There is then a lot of jump cuts showing the different peaks occurring through different periods of time. 

Sound

• The trailer begins with a non diegetic voice over, this voice over comes from the male character, who is informing the audience what is happening. This happens throughout the trailer, non diegetic voice overs appear, just to keep the viewer informed on what is happening. 
• At the beginning of the trailer, behind the voice over the score appears to be quite calm and soothing, making the viewer fall into a false security telling them everything is good for now, however this is soon to be stripped away from the viewer, as the score becomes much more upbeat and fast past.
• The intensity of the music increases as we find out what went on in the house before the couple moved in, whilst the shots of the murders are happening. 
• Sounds effects are added over the trailer for example children laughing and gun shots, which are quite typical for a horror film. This is because it increases the horror genre and the horrific feel upon the viewer greatly. 
• Dialogue is also shown throughout the trailer, the dialogue can differ from being quite calm to much more panicky and dramatic, showing the viewer what is happening throughout the trailer.