Analysis of trailer

1. Evaluation Question 1
In what ways does your media
product use, develop or
challenge forms and
conventions of real media
products?
(Part 3- Film Trailer)

2. Codes and conventions of a horror
movie trailer
 Secluded Location - Generally, horror movies enjoy placing their characters in a locale
where there's no one around to help them (i.e. the woods, a ghost town).
 Characters Forget About Threat - Many times, there is danger, death, a curse, or worse and
people know about it, but they conveniently put it out of their mind.
 Power Is Cut or a lack of useful light- At the scariest moment possible, the lights suddenly go
out. Or the lighting is dimly lit so you cannot see the danger in front of you.
 Victim Cowers- A traditional easy shot usually in ‘slashers’ is to have someone hiding from
the killer against a door/wall/window.
 Good vs Evil- There are characters that are obviously one side or another.
 Music- music is used to build atmosphere and to give a fright.
 Trapped- At some point innocent victims are unable to escape danger.

3. How I complied to these
conventions.
Secluded location- This long shot shows how the
old house is alone on the hill. So does the pan
shot that follows, it gives the audience a wider
view to show that the house is secluded.
Characters Forget About Threat- The
femme fatal of my film continues to go
into a dark attic, walking straight into
danger. Also she is warned that
‘something strange is happening and
they need to get out’ however they
don’t leave.

4. Power Is Cut or a lack of useful light- There
are parts where there is very low level
lighting and lighting is used to highlight
danger. However I do go against this
convention by using strobe lighting. This is
very bright so it makes the dangerous villain
clear and obvious, which is not typical in a
horror film. However I felt that it went well
with the theme of confusion and
disorientation that I have in my film and I find
that the strobe light is effective at conveying
distress, fright and confusion.
Victim Cowers- I use this convention
however I alter it a bit. Due to my villain
being a victim himself in a way. He has
a split personality and doesn’t realise
that he is the villain he is hiding from. He
is the victim of his own mind.

5. Good vs Evil- There is evil and there is good
characters being the victim. However due to
my villain being a combination of the two
(due to the split personality) this gives a twist
to the generic convention of good vs evil. The
female however is strictly good and a victim.
Music- I use a lot of typically scary music that would be found in horror films, as well as
sound effects that all help to build suspense at key moments.
Trapped- There is often moments or long scenes or
episodes where the victims are held captive or are
unable to escape. I hint at this with a shot of a door
locked with someone trying to get out. I felt the style of
the door due to its age helped with mise en scene also.

6. Mise en scene, props, location,
actors.
Mise en scene- The arrangement of scenery and surroundings.
I pay close attention to this as I always ensure that where a shot is located has some reference to the horror genre. For
example, even if it is a shot where the background isn’t key (such as the scene where the two main character talk) the
background is still reminiscent of the horror genre as is its in a secluded location with a big old fashioned stone wall.
Props- an object used by the actors
There are few props but one that is used repeatedly, the kitchen knife. This acts as a symbol/motif for representing the
genre, ensure it is clear to the audience. As well as adding to the fear as it is a threatening object.
Location- filming location is a place where some or all of a film or television series is produced, in addition to or instead
of using sets constructed on a movie studio backlot or soundstage. In filmmaking, a location is any place where a film
crew will be filming actors and recording their dialog.
I chose a lone, old fashioned, secluded, house. This all is common for a horror film. It build tension and makes the genre
obvious to the audience.
Actors- a person who plays a role in a film
I follow gender stereotypes with my roles by including a femme fatal who is the victim and the male being the villain.

7. Title sequence and text
All the text and information I have included is a common convention for trailers, including logos, tag
lines, and industry information.