This document provides summaries of 5 film trailers that the author found effective: 1. Friday the 13th uses dark shots and diegetic sounds like screams and swinging lamps to build tension and suspense without revealing too much of the plot. 2. The Exorcism of Emily Rose is scary because it claims to be based on a true story, and shots of Emily possessed create fear through the soundtrack. 3. Paranormal Activity 2 uses "real footage" found style to seem realistic and scary, and titles like "you demanded it" build anticipation for the sequel. 4. The Last Exorcism uses red and black colors and tense music to create a dark, scary atmosphere throughout the

1. My top 5 film trailers

2. Friday the 13th Teaser Trailer I picked this teaser trailer as I think it includes some really effective shots that convey the horror genre, for example the flashes of people running through the woods and the flashes of torchlight gives the audience the impression that the characters are trying to run away from something and adds to the element of suspense.The shots are quite dark, but you can still make out what is happening, and I think this is effective as the trailer wouldn’t fit to the genre as well if the shots were lighter or in daylight. Another feature that I found to be effective in making the trailer fit to the horror genre and fulfil it’s purpose was sound. The backing track on the trailer is edited well, so it is louder in the parts where the trailer is supposed to make the audience jump and then fades into the background, still creating an atmospheric feel. The use of diegetic sound also enhances the atmosphere as the screams make the audience jump and build up fear. The main sound that I thought was effective was when the backing music went quiet and you can just hear the swinging of the lamp. I think this is really effective as it builds up tension and fear and this then makes the audience jump when the horror character appears on screen. The voiceover for the trailer is also effective as it explains the storyline to the audience without giving to much away and it intrigues them to watch it. I think with the diegetic sound and backing music it also helps to create an atmosphere and the voice has a slight echo on it which makes it sound creepy.

3. The exorcism of Emily Rose I chose this film trailer as I think it’s USP’s ( unique selling points) are what makes the trailer and also the film very effective. As it says it was based on a true story, this automatically for an audience makes the film scary. This is because it makes them subconsciously believe that what happens in the trailer could happen to them. The shots used throughout the trailer are also really effective as it shows Emily ‘possessed’ and these images, along with the soundtrack create suspense and fear within the audience. I think because it is from the priests point of view it makes the audience relate to his story and more importantly the story of Emily.

4. Paranormal Activity 2 I chose this film trailer to analyse as I think the shots within it are really effective and the structure of the film trailer makes it scary for the audience.As the trailer includes ‘real’ footage this makes it scarier for the audience as they believe it is real, and as the trailer includes footage of the audiences reaction, it makes the audience think that they will react this way, and this will entice people who enjoy scary films to watch it. The titles are also effective, as although they are simple, what they actually say makes them effective. As it’s a sequel the film will already have a reputation and the title ‘ you demanded it’ makes the audience have a sense of anticipation and think that the film is going to be good. There isn’t much music, apart from a quiet underlying backing track at the beginning that builds up tension, but apart from that most diegetic sound is used, which adds to the realistic approach that the trailer has. I also think that the ‘Paranormal Activity 2’ title at the end is effective as it flickers just like the white noise on a TV/tape would so it ties in with what the trailer is about.

5. The Last Exorcism I think this trailer is effective as the main colours through the trailer is mainly red and black and this creates a dark atmosphere, and as all the shots are dark it creates a scary atmosphere throughout the trailer. I think the music is effective throughout the trailer as it helps to build up tension in the right places to create fear in the audience. The use of dialogue shots are also really effective as they help to explain the story and compliment the voiceover and it also allows the audience to relate to the characters if they can hear their voice. The shots of the girl build up fear as you see her as a normal girl and then see her when she is ‘possessed’ so there is a build up of contrast within the trailer.

6. Let me In I chose this trailer to analyse as I think it’s really effective but it breaks the horror conventions in the element of music. Usually horror trailers use quite atmospheric and dramatic music whereas this one uses a type of rock track with the repeated guitar riff. However I feel that this is effective and I think the repeated guitar riff builds up tension at the beginning of trailer. A lot of the shots include dialogue from the little boy and I think this is effective as he tells the story, and the conversations had between him and the girl add an element of mystery to the storyline. I especially like the shot sequence of the girl in the tunnel as I think it’s framed well, and is a really effective shot as you can see her in the shadows. As an audience you know what is going to happen to the man walking down the tunnel and this dramatic irony builds up tension and fear.