This document discusses various camera techniques commonly used in film trailers for horror movies. It provides examples of shots from the movies "The Visit", "IT", and "It Follows" to illustrate different techniques. These include two shots to show character relationships, establishing shots to set the scene, close-ups to convey emotion, long shots to provide context, and point-of-view shots to involve the audience. Camera movements like tracking and zooms are also explained as ways to build tension. Overall, the document analyzes how visual elements in trailers use camera work to immerse viewers and establish atmosphere for the films.

1. Alexandra
WalshCamera work Research

2. Two shot
“the visit”
“IT”
“It follows”
Two shots are used consistently throughout film trailers. They have one main purpose to serve.
They are used to help show relationships between characters. They work to highlight what
relationship characters have between each other, this helps to create character development.
This allows the audience to understand the characters as well as relate to them. These shot
types are typically found at the beginning, and all of the screen shots I have given have been
found at the beginning. As time goes on the relationship between the characters the characters
may change however this is a result of events which occur, this could again be shown through
two shots.
The first image from “the visit” instantly shows a family relationship between the young
generation as well as the older generation. They are positioned so they are close together
implying that their relationship is close, potentially a family tie as the age could imply.
The second image shows the two shot from the “IT” trailer. The two characters have been
position to be hugging. Instantly this implies and extremely close bond between these two
characters. It implies a family relations, for example siblings, this camera shot type helps to
imply this successfully.
The final image shows a two shot from the film “it follows” it shows one characters placed
further behind another. This insinuates that the male character is superior to the female
character. However through this shot type you are not shown the same sort of relationship as a
two shot typically implies. It implies a slight relationship however not an equal relationship, this
is implied through the placing of both characters. A relationship which lacks a bond. Therefore it
highlights a new relationship.

3. Establishing shot
“the visit”
“IT”
“It follows”
Establishing shots are typically introduced at the begging of the trailer. Establishing shot is
typically a far back shot of an area/ place. The initial purpose of the establishing shot is that it
allows the audience to understand where the event that is occurring is biased. It doesn’t just
show the place, it can highlight the time the event it is taking place, e.g whether its night or day.
Establishing shots can be in the form of a birds eye view, or it can be in the form of an Ariel
shot.
The first image shows the home of the grandparents where the film “the visit” is biased, in a
large house in the middle of the woods. The purpose of the establishing shot here is to highlight
that the setting is isolated and in the middle of no where. The fact that the characters are in
such a remote area creates and builds up suspense and makes the audience nervous. This is
because it makes the characters far from any one else and help and saving making them
vulnerable.
The second image shows an birds eye view of the town in the film “it” . The purpose of this
shot is to highlight that the events which are about to occur is something which effects the
whole town. It also shows how normal and civilized the town appears however we are aware
that something sinister is going on within it. This creates fear throughout the audience as it
makes it relatable as it may remind them of their town or a town which they are aware of.
The final establishing shot shows the protagonist being left in the middle of the road in a street
at night. The aim of this is to highlight how the character is alone and helpless. The use of this
camera shot is that it makes her appear tiny and therefore making her appear vulnerable and
powerless.

4. Different Close up shots
“the visit”
“IT”
“It follows”
There are different forms of clos up shots. However they all have the same aim, to imply the
characters emotions. There are: medium, extreme and big. Extreme close ups shows the
characters face in a shot and that’s it, you wouldn’t be able to see anything else. With a medium
close up you would be able to see the characters shoulders you would be exposed to what they
are wearing. A big close up is like an extreme close up however it isn't as intense.
Close up shots are shots which show a characters face in great detail. Typically they are used to
show and highlight a characters emotion at a current point and time. This is shown through the
facial expression of the character. This gives the audience an opportunity to understand the
characters and form emotions around them. This enhances the audiences feeling and emotions
when specific events takes place, therefore enhancing their connection with the character.
The first image shows a big close up from the film “the visit”. It allows yourself as the audience to
experience and understand the fear she is currently fearing through her facial expression. The
camera has focused on to her face blurring out her surroundings drawing the audiences attention
to her highlighting that something is about to happen to her.
The second image is a medium close-up from the film “IT”. The effect of this specific clip is that it
allows you to experience the fear he is currently experiencing through his facial expression.
However as it is a medium close- up it allows you to see his surroundings however as in this image
it is a wall. This creates added fear throughout the audience as they are now aware that he has no
where to go, making him extremely vulnerable and in danger.
The final image is from the film “it follows” this close up shows the audience the fear the
character is feeling again through the characters facial expression. As well as this it highlights that
she has an injury implying that something bad has just happened to her and the fearful expression
which she has implies that she is still in risk.

5. Long shots
“It follows”
There are two different types of long shots either extreme long shot or just long shot. These
shots have the aim to help the audience to understand the characters in in-depth ways. This
can be done by the audience as the characters outfits, appearance, surroundings and body
langue are revealed by this form of shot. This camera shot gives a great opportunity for a zoom.
The first image shows the villain from a distance. The effect of having the villain from a distance
is that it distances the audience from the character. It ensures that the audience don’t gain any
emotion and connection towards the character. Therefore it in creases the fear factor around
the character. Also within this shot the character is not facing the camera. This makes the
victim appear emotionless and detract any emotion surrounding the character.
The second image is from the film “it”. Through this long shot you are shown a group of friends.
The long shot allows the audience to see the characters body langue. This allows the emotion
of the characters to be translated through their body langue.
The final image is from the film “It follows”. Within this long shot the audience is fully shown a
male and a female character. The long shot gives the audience access to be shown his body
langue. It is clear that he feels threatened as he is standing like he is about to get in to a fight.
The long shot allows the audience to understand emotions of the character through their body
langue.

6. Angled shots
High angled shot High angled shots are always used for the same purpose . They are used to help emphasis
the lack of power and control a character has. This is done by placing the character low
down. This then makes the character appear small and therefore give the audience the
impression that they lack in power and control and make them appear weak.
These camera shot types are used within horrors often. They are only typically used on
the victims. The aim of this is to emphasis the fact that they lack in control and power
there for make them look vulnerable and inferior.
The first image is from the film “it “ you are shown a balloon which is placed higher than a
male character. This implies that the character is very powerless and doesn’t have control
over the situation that will be taking place.
The second image shows a clip from the trailer “it follows”. This implies that the character
is aware that she is powerless and vulnerable. This is because she has placed herself low
down creating an opportunity for the high angle shot.

7. Over the shoulder shot
Over the shoulder shots can be used to highlight a prop. Specifically a weapon. It allows
the character/ villain to be in this type of footage, but as you are only seeing the back of
the character the attention is still mainly on the prop.
Another way in which horror films/trailers use this type of shot is too allowing the
audience to see something or/and someone behind the protagonist. This is done to.
create suspense and tension as the audience is left questioning what happens next
However both of these images from two different trailers highlight the a different effect
which over the shoulder shots can imply. These two over the shoulder shots have been to
show character interactions with other characters. This allows the audience to
acknowledge the relationship between characters, allowing the audience to understand
the relationship between the characters.
The first image from the film “the visit” highlights how distant the characters are and the
lack of a close relationship as the are so far away from each other. This implies that
potentially the younger male character is scared of this grandparents as he has distanced
himself far away from them.
The final image highlights that the male character is very alone and isolated as we are
shown four people facing him and talking him whilst he was on his own. The four
individuals are closely positioned together highlighting their close relationship whilst the
man they are facing is placed on his own and distanced from the group.

8.  Point of view shots are used to allow the audience to experience what a protagonist is experiencing
her/himself. It allows the audience to feel what they are feeling and therefore this shot type
creates a scene of realism to the event that is taking place.

 Within the film IT we are instantly taken to a point of view shot at the star t of the trailer. This is to
ensure that the audience automatically and quickly begin to feel more involved within the
character. It helps the audience to understand the mind set, feelings and emotions of the
protagonist.


Point of view

9. There i s a r ange of di f ferent c amera movem ent s . H owever, t yp i cal l y w i t hi n horror t railer s t here i s a l i m ite d
am ount of c amera m ovemen t s . Thi s is b ec aus e c ut s c ut t he cl i p s s hor t jus t to en s ure t hat on l y g l i mp s e s of t he
f il m are s how n, t herefore t r ai ler s don ’ t le ave s a l ot of t i me for t heir to b e an y movement s .
Tr ack i ng s hot
Tr ack i ng s hot s are c om m on l y us ed w i t hi n hor ror t r ai ler s . They are us ed w i t hi n hor ror s as i t c an c onvey a
p rot agon i s t b ei ng s t al ke d and or fol l owe d. A not her t yp i cal t i me t hi s m ovement i s us e d duri ng a horror f i l m / t rai ler
i s w hen t he p rot agon i s t i s run n i ng and t he y are b eing chas e d. W hen t hi s hap p en s t he c am era w i l l fol l ow t he
p rot agon i s t at t he s am e sp e ed t he y are r un n ing at .
C r ane s
C r ane s are us e d i n order to reveal a l oc at ion. I n t he fi l m “ it ” you are s how n t he tow n of w hich t he event s t ake
p lac e and by t he c amera movi ng i t al l ow s al l of i t to b e s how n.
Ti l t and p ans
Ti l t s and p an s are us ed i n s c ene s for much of t he s ame re as on as c r ane s are us ed. The y are us ed to al l ow t he
audienc e to s ee a lar ger p rop or t ion of t he s c ene t hat ’ s t ak i ng p lac e. Thi s al l ow s t he audienc e to g ai n a s t ronger
under s t andi ng of t he s c en e w hi ch i s t ak i ng p lac e.
Movements

10.  Zooms are used typically in horror trailers in order to increase tension during a scene. They are
sometimes used specifically before a jump scene is about to occur. Specifically, the film “IT”
uses this effect by zooming slowly in to the gutter before the clown appears in it. Zoom is used
at this point in order to slowly build up tension and fear to ensure a great impact when the
jump scene happens. Zooms however can also be used to highlight the impor tance of a prop, for
example a weapon.
zoom