1. Assignment 4:
Conventions In Horror Comedy
Trailers
Judy Ibelgauptiene
Katia Martins
Courtney Buabeng
Noor Naoum
2. Plots/Themes
Violence: A lot of violence happens usually towards the evil (zombies in this
case)
In ‘Zombieland’ violence is used to kill the zombies by running them over,
shooting them etc
Comedy: Jokes are usually made at serious times to lighten the mood
In ‘Zombieland’ jokes are made at serious times or just after something serious
has happened
Romance: Romance is used to show the connection between two characters
which usually ends badly
In ‘Zombieland’ romance is seem between two of the characters which is
interrupted by another character
Survival: Most films in this subgenre, their key is survival as the horror
element usually involves them running away from someone/something.
In ‘Zombieland’ survival is a key aspect as they are the only ones alive amongst
all the zombies
3. Costume/Prop
Weapons: From the establishing shot of the trailer we
as the audience already visualise what weapon Tucker
is carrying. He is carrying the sword cane from the Grim
Reaper which foreshadows to the audience that gory
and bloody scenes will occur. This is a convention of the
horror genre.
Dead corpses: Tucker searches through the cabin and
looks to find dead corpses and skeletons everywhere.
This is almost a parody of ‘Cabin in the woods’
mocking the generic conventions of horror. The bones
look quite surreal which allows the comedy to fit in.
Dead animal remains: The ‘keep out’ sign prop is an
effective because it is a warning to the audience that
something gloomy and mysterious will take place and if
they proceed further there will be more danger. This is
also mocked because ‘keep out’ is a clichéd generic
convention to the horror genre.
4. Locations/Settings
• The settings are often set in isolated or
deserted places.
For example:
• Forests, small villages or towns,
destroyed cities or theme parks.
• The darkness connotes having fear of
the unknown and make the victims
increasing in fear.
• The setting typically tends to begin
indoors then venture out.
• However, with the element of the
comedy, some trailers are set in bright,
public places such as, parties and
airports etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yma-g4gTwlE&safe=active
5. Lighting
• Low key lighting is used to create
an eerie atmosphere with a lot of
shadows.
• It is predominantly set at night to
render unease, creating a sense
of terror.
• However, natural lighting can be
used for the more humorous
scenes, and often and are often
in the daytime.
• The darkness creates a sense of
claustrophobia and danger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpWvkFlyl4M&safe=active
6. CAM M
Track: These are usually used in this subgenre to follow the
character running away from the evil thing
In ‘Love Bite’ they track the character running
Pan: Pans are usually used to show the bigger picture in the
scene, and to show clues
In ‘Love Bite’ a pan is used with a time lapse to show the
character is alone
Zooms/Dollies: These are used to get close ups of objects/facial
expressions to show fear. Or they can be used to show the bigger
picture and to show what’s happening around
In ‘Love Bite’ a dolly is used to show the character reacting to
something scaring her
7. Sound & Music
Narration: The Narration in the background are
usually used quite often in this subgenre because it
almost sets up a warning for the audience, but the
idea of a ‘warning’ is then challenged with something
comedic.
Non-diegetic score music: As the pace becomes faster
within the most thrilling and intense scenes, the non
diegetic score music become parallel to the pace and the
shots become quite rapid. The volume control tends to
increase at the most thrilling parts of the trailer.
Foley sounds: The Foley sound used in this part of the
trailer, made it look realistic and effective when the
scream character tore the blonde vulnerable girls shirt
off. The sound is placed as an overlap over the score
music to mark its importance.
8. Composition/Framing
Placement: Characters are usually placed in the middle or the
corner of shots to show the background or show someone in
the back
In ‘Piranha 3DD’ characters are sometimes placed in the
corners of the screen to show a reaction to something
9. Both Shallow Focus and Deep Focus are used in horror comedies. They are
usually used to keep focus on the most important subject whether it be
the main character or something happening in the background.
In ‘Piranha 3DD’ a shallow focus is used on the girl to show she has just
arrived and she is the most important person in the scene.
In ‘Piranha 3DD’ a deep focus is used to show everything in the picture is
important as they want you to notice all the people who are here.
10. Editing Techniques
Pace: The trailer begins with a slow pace and as the main
character is narrating and going into further details about
his life, the pace gradually builds up to a fade to black shot,
the scene after is him opening the door with a thrilling Foley
sound, this is when the pace becomes faster and the shots
are cut quickly as a variety of shots has been filmed. This is
what creates the action and thrilling part in the trailer.
Fade to black transition: The fade to clack transition is
usually used at the end of a trailer. However it is used
within the middle of the trailer which could symbolise
the idea of death and darkness. This fits in with the idea
of a zombie horror, because it is almost placed there to
allow the audience to think of what may happen after
this fade to black.
Shot reverse shot: it is effective at
this time of the trailer because it
enables the audience to contrast
between both characters in terms of
similarities and differences.
11. Narrative Structure
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J50vA5VLR6k&safe=active
• The opening of the trailer introduces the
main characters and the settings/location.
• The beginning of trailers of the horror-comedy
usually start with a scary
equilibrium to alarm the audience and
allow them to do recognise the genre.
• The disequilibrium has more humorous
elements underlining the horror scenes.
• This is to introduce the comedy genre and
has teasing shots with create problematic
events but never show the full extent of
the problem.
