Trailer Analysis (Horror)
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This trailer is made up of short clips from both the previous film and the film soon to be released. They've done this to show how the films link to tell a story. Only short portions of the production are shown and are separated by quick cuts. A lot of the trailer is shown being filmed through the young girls laptop. Similar to the previous film Where the actors filmed the paranormal activity on a cam recorder. The clips are filmed in a dark room at night in comparison to the short section at the beginning which is happy and filmed outdoors.
This trailer is also made up of short clips. However at beginning cuts by the use of complete black outs which gradually turn into short fades. Usually the trailer will start with the fades and then build up to black outs as it gets faster and louder. However this trailer has taken the opposite approach and the clips get longer as they go to tell the story. Each setting is made scary by several doors opening, basements and rooms lit with candles. This trailer starts with a series of words to explain the sub genre. (science) The beginning of the trailer is done in very short clips that are played very fast. This section shows the past and how its going to affect the future. The clips gradually got longer to show alot of the story line. Toward the end of the clip the title is shown, alongside a catch line. 'Once you believe you die'. This trailer begins happy and bright so the clips are longer than usual. Soon the camera starts to distort as if to pre-warn that something bad is going to happen. It then starts to get dark and the cameras are shown in black and white to show the difference between each camera. The fades begin to get slightly faster as the trailer goes on. But they're not as snappy as in some of the other trailers i've looked at. |
COMMON OCCURRENCES IN THE TRAILERS
In each clip i realised that each short clip was seperated by a cut or a fade of some kind.
Paranormal Activity The cuts in this clip show the camera cutting out.
The ApparitionThese clips were seperated by what looks like lighting or some form of scientific chemical.
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The Unleashed This clip is cut by simple black outs and fades.
The HelpersThe clips in this trailer were seperated by camera distortion.
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![Picture](/uploads/1/1/2/5/11255951/1349180620.jpg)
The screen usually pops up at the beginning of each trailer. It shows that the following preview have been approved for the age certificate applied to this film.
The trailers that have this are then followed by the screens below to show the producers of the film.
The trailers that have this are then followed by the screens below to show the producers of the film.
After watching each of these trailers i realised a lot of similarities. I now know what sort of things our needed to make our trailer successful. For example i know that it is important that our trailer includes fades or black outs to seperate each clips to create a dramatic effect. Also we would need to include a screen showing that it has been approved and who the producers are. Another important factor would be to make sure that the misenscene is all set out for a certain reason and that everything is there for a reason. Dark lighting is also very effective in comparison to scenes outdoors in the light. Lastly, sound effects are very important as you cant just have a trailer with speech alone because it would bore the audience.
In Depth Analysis (Essay)
Paranormal Activity 4 -
Denotation: Woman holding a baby with another woman laying facing toward her, smiling.
Connotation: Close relationship (family). The smile shows a sense of proudness and love toward the mother and the baby.
Denotation: Girl laying in her bed talking to a friend over the computer.
Connotation: Shows that she is comfortable enough with this friend to lay in her night wear. Also their jokes show a possible connection between them.
The Unleashed -
Denotation: Woman shown alone looking down at someone from a lower angle.
Connotation: Her being shown higher up gives her a sense of power. Also she takes up a lot of the shot to show she is of a high importance.
Denotation: Woman opens a door slowly and looks around.
Connotation: The slow movement shows a cautiousness. Also when she looks around it shows worry.
The Apparition -
Denotation: Camera pans in toward a group of three people sitting around a desk.
Connotation: The slow panning inward shows that something is wrong. Also the closeness of the group shows that they work as a team and they share the same focus when they are all looking at the same space.
Denotation: Mid shot of a woman looking at something and then her eyes move to look at something else.
Connotation: The quick eye movement suggests something bad has happened to sidetrack her train of thought.
The Helpers -
Denotation: Man driving a car and smiling, sitting next to a woman who leans in toward him.
Connotation: The woman leans in toward the man and strokes his face, this represents love and a possible relationship. The car also shows a journey they are taking together.
Denotation: Man pushes away the camera whilst smiling and curisng
Connotation: The fact he is both smiling and cursing at the same time shows he is joking and messing around with his friends and that they have a close relationship.
Paranormal Activity 4 -
In every clip at the beginining of the trailer someone is shown smiling. This shows facial expressions being used to communicate love and happiness. Later on in the trailer facial expressions arent shown at all, just long shots of people being dragged by a paranormal activity of some kind. The facial features arent as important when it comes to showing the horror side in comparison to the happy opening.
The Unleashed
Right at the opening of the trailer a woman is shown giving a sturn look so already you know that she is in charge and that the film isn't going to be happy and uplifting. Later on individual faces are being shown looking worried/terrified. This shows that facial expressions are most important when showing emotion.
The Apparition
At the beginning of the trailer you are shown only the hands, this gesture shows that he is hard at work and that it is not important to show facial features to portray this. Quick shots are then shown to capture mainly the eye movement. Each character loses focus and their eyes shift from side to side. This shows awareness and discomfort.
The Helpers
There are several clips of couples kissing and smiling. These gestures show their love and closeness for one another. This in contrast with the driver cursing through gesture. However he is smiling at the same time to show he can joke with his friends.
Later on in the trailer their heads turn sharply to show their awareness and sudden fright.
Paranormal activity 4
Objects in the kitchen are laid out to show that it is a homely environment. Mum and Daughter are working together to show a humble relationship. Later on into the clip the young girl is pacing around and she is positioned by the window to show her fright as she's curious about the figure standing outside. The positioning of the character in contrast to the objects at the beginning of the clip show that something is going wrong and that it is no longer a safe place.
The Unleashed
Candles have been used in the section where they are trying to contact the spirits. This is common in horror films because its only a small source of light to make the setting eery in comparison to just having the main lights on. Later on in the clip the candles are shown again and although the shot is small, it fits three candles to show their importance when lighting the scene at one of the scarier portions of the trailer. Also the Ouija board comes into the trailer several times as it is believed to be a source of evil within this film. The board being in many close ups and shown being handed over and fought over gives it power and significance.
The Apparition
At the beginning of the trailer a figurine is placed in the centre of a table with three people gathered around it to work out its importance toward the plot line. Later on into the trailer the figure explodes, showing that something horrific is soon to happen. Also it is made obvious that something is soon to come when close ups of several frightened faces take place. These close ups show their worry and discomfort when their eyes shift from side to side.
The Helpers
A woman who owns the hotel is shot from a low angle, making her look bigger and in power. This is how you can tell apart the good from the bas at and early stage. The other people within the trailer and shown in the centre to show they equal and good hearted. Later on in the trailer they are filmed by cameras within the hotel rooms. The Cameras are at a high angle as if to be looking down on them, this emphasises how they are being portrayed as the lesser individuals.
Paranormal Activity 4
- Clothing is used right at the beginning of the trailer to show the innocence of the children. Tiaras were used to inform the audience that it was a birthday event for the children.
- The Mis-en-scene in the kitchen scene suggest the characters are part of a happy family who bond over helping each other.
- The girls room is a setting for a lot of the bad happenings. The beginning of the trailer sets out her room to be a typical young girls room, pink and girly. The colour soon vanishes when the lights seem to fuse out and the room looks dull. Forewarning the audience that something bad is going to happen.
Denotation: Woman holding a baby with another woman laying facing toward her, smiling.
Connotation: Close relationship (family). The smile shows a sense of proudness and love toward the mother and the baby.
Denotation: Girl laying in her bed talking to a friend over the computer.
Connotation: Shows that she is comfortable enough with this friend to lay in her night wear. Also their jokes show a possible connection between them.
The Unleashed -
Denotation: Woman shown alone looking down at someone from a lower angle.
Connotation: Her being shown higher up gives her a sense of power. Also she takes up a lot of the shot to show she is of a high importance.
Denotation: Woman opens a door slowly and looks around.
Connotation: The slow movement shows a cautiousness. Also when she looks around it shows worry.
The Apparition -
Denotation: Camera pans in toward a group of three people sitting around a desk.
Connotation: The slow panning inward shows that something is wrong. Also the closeness of the group shows that they work as a team and they share the same focus when they are all looking at the same space.
Denotation: Mid shot of a woman looking at something and then her eyes move to look at something else.
Connotation: The quick eye movement suggests something bad has happened to sidetrack her train of thought.
The Helpers -
Denotation: Man driving a car and smiling, sitting next to a woman who leans in toward him.
Connotation: The woman leans in toward the man and strokes his face, this represents love and a possible relationship. The car also shows a journey they are taking together.
Denotation: Man pushes away the camera whilst smiling and curisng
Connotation: The fact he is both smiling and cursing at the same time shows he is joking and messing around with his friends and that they have a close relationship.
Paranormal Activity 4 -
In every clip at the beginining of the trailer someone is shown smiling. This shows facial expressions being used to communicate love and happiness. Later on in the trailer facial expressions arent shown at all, just long shots of people being dragged by a paranormal activity of some kind. The facial features arent as important when it comes to showing the horror side in comparison to the happy opening.
The Unleashed
Right at the opening of the trailer a woman is shown giving a sturn look so already you know that she is in charge and that the film isn't going to be happy and uplifting. Later on individual faces are being shown looking worried/terrified. This shows that facial expressions are most important when showing emotion.
The Apparition
At the beginning of the trailer you are shown only the hands, this gesture shows that he is hard at work and that it is not important to show facial features to portray this. Quick shots are then shown to capture mainly the eye movement. Each character loses focus and their eyes shift from side to side. This shows awareness and discomfort.
The Helpers
There are several clips of couples kissing and smiling. These gestures show their love and closeness for one another. This in contrast with the driver cursing through gesture. However he is smiling at the same time to show he can joke with his friends.
Later on in the trailer their heads turn sharply to show their awareness and sudden fright.
Paranormal activity 4
Objects in the kitchen are laid out to show that it is a homely environment. Mum and Daughter are working together to show a humble relationship. Later on into the clip the young girl is pacing around and she is positioned by the window to show her fright as she's curious about the figure standing outside. The positioning of the character in contrast to the objects at the beginning of the clip show that something is going wrong and that it is no longer a safe place.
The Unleashed
Candles have been used in the section where they are trying to contact the spirits. This is common in horror films because its only a small source of light to make the setting eery in comparison to just having the main lights on. Later on in the clip the candles are shown again and although the shot is small, it fits three candles to show their importance when lighting the scene at one of the scarier portions of the trailer. Also the Ouija board comes into the trailer several times as it is believed to be a source of evil within this film. The board being in many close ups and shown being handed over and fought over gives it power and significance.
The Apparition
At the beginning of the trailer a figurine is placed in the centre of a table with three people gathered around it to work out its importance toward the plot line. Later on into the trailer the figure explodes, showing that something horrific is soon to happen. Also it is made obvious that something is soon to come when close ups of several frightened faces take place. These close ups show their worry and discomfort when their eyes shift from side to side.
The Helpers
A woman who owns the hotel is shot from a low angle, making her look bigger and in power. This is how you can tell apart the good from the bas at and early stage. The other people within the trailer and shown in the centre to show they equal and good hearted. Later on in the trailer they are filmed by cameras within the hotel rooms. The Cameras are at a high angle as if to be looking down on them, this emphasises how they are being portrayed as the lesser individuals.
Paranormal Activity 4
- Clothing is used right at the beginning of the trailer to show the innocence of the children. Tiaras were used to inform the audience that it was a birthday event for the children.
- The Mis-en-scene in the kitchen scene suggest the characters are part of a happy family who bond over helping each other.
- The girls room is a setting for a lot of the bad happenings. The beginning of the trailer sets out her room to be a typical young girls room, pink and girly. The colour soon vanishes when the lights seem to fuse out and the room looks dull. Forewarning the audience that something bad is going to happen.
Overall Analysis
On the whole, the trailers seem to follow a pattern. The story is explained at the beginning and as the trailer progresses the music and atmosphere changes into something much darker. We asked 10 volunteers to watch each trailer and call out a number between one and five to represent the level of suspense or tension they felt at a certain point in the trailer. One being the lowest and 5 being the highest.
After which We found the average and conducted my results:
On the whole, the trailers seem to follow a pattern. The story is explained at the beginning and as the trailer progresses the music and atmosphere changes into something much darker. We asked 10 volunteers to watch each trailer and call out a number between one and five to represent the level of suspense or tension they felt at a certain point in the trailer. One being the lowest and 5 being the highest.
After which We found the average and conducted my results: