2. First shot is a title screen/flashcard with the production
company information on. This allows the audience to see
that this is an advertisement for a film or a TV show and
informs them of who it is made by, also, it promotes the film
company and generates publicity.
There is windy/eerie music playing and a voiceover with a
sinister tone which conveys the idea that this is a horror film
trailer to the viewer straight away.
First shot from the film is an establishing shot of the
room. From the mise-en-scene we can assume that they
are a young couple who have moved into a new house
(house is empty, cold looking, not much furniture etc.)
This shot introduces the main characters to the audience
and reveals the initial plot.
3. This shot suggests that the female character is regretting
something, allowing the viewer to gain an understanding of
the characters personality and mood.
By seeing the character like this, it is portraying the woman
as vulnerable or scared which is stereotypical.
It also builds up suspense and suggests that something bad
is now going to happen.
This is a pan shot of some sort of religious tapestry or
painting. It resembles that of a ceiling.
This is suggesting that there is a religious theme and
presence throughout the film. It also conveys the idea of
horror through religious connotations of the devil etc.
This shot, together with the eerie music, and the baby’s
cry's, conveys the genre of horror further and the idea
that the plot involves a baby.
4. A series of shots now commence which features the main
character having brief encounters with other characters, this
allows the viewer to familiarize themselves with some other
characters from the film and get to know the characters
before they have seen the film. When the female character
is eating the mousse, in the next shots, she makes hand
gestures which could be considered exaggerated and
feminine. This again suggests the woman is stereotypically
portrayed. The music at this time also conveys romance.
The quick jump cut to this shot shows the viewer what is
going on in the woman’s head.
The dialogue “sleep is what you need.” is heard spoken
by the man, this conveys the idea of stereotypical gender
roles with the man telling the woman what to do, and
controlling her by drugging her in the first place. This
causes the viewer to sense the man is perhaps the
antagonist and that he has something sinister about him.
5. There is a quick cut to this shot, and the
scary music intensifies and gets much louder
suggesting that horrible things are
taking/about to take place.
Suspension is built.
Again, there is a male figure telling the
woman what to do, conveying further the
idea of gender roles and the male being
dominant or controlling over the female.
There is a black actor here which suggests
equality in the film industry and represents
black people.
There is next a series of
cross cutting shots between
the woman’s eyes and a
males eyes, however this
male looks quite
supernatural or devil like
which could suggest that
the man has devil like
qualities or is doing
something bad or that this
character is the devil
themselves.
The devil character is
stereotypical with red skin
and serpent like eyes. This
conveys religious
stereotypes.
6. This shot shows the woman realising that she is in
danger as she says “this is not dream, this is really
happening.” the viewer can then feel her fear and
the dialogue makes it clear to the viewer that
something bad has definitely happened.
The music is still playing which again conveys the
genre.
The woman is shown as helpless here which
suggests the stereotype of the typical “damsel in
distress” or “helpless woman.”
There is a hand
with a cloth placed
over the woman's
face now which
blocks the viewers
view as the screen
now goes dark
suggesting that we
are looking from
the woman’s point
of view (point of
view shot) The
information about
the film is now
conveyed via a
voiceover and as
the screen is black
it suggests to the
viewer that we
should be focussing
on what the
voiceover is saying.
7. We are then presented with a series of jump cuts from
character to character whilst the voiceover/narrator says the
name of the actor/tress who plays that character. This allows
the viewer to connect the actor/tresses names with the
characters, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the
actors/tresses themselves and the characters they play. This
also gives the actor/tresses recognition and publicity for
themselves.
This screen then appears which features the name of the
film. The voiceover/narrator is also reading the on screen
information at this time.
The wind like music is playing all the way through this
trailer conveying the idea of a storm which links with the
films sea based plot and also to the connotations
associated with the sea and storms such as unpredictable
situations and fear. The baby’s cries are also evident
through most of the trailer which adds emphasis to the
idea that the plot clearly revolves around the idea of a
baby.
8. We are then shown a series of concluding fast paced shots
which cut quickly adding to the suspense and the feeling of
danger.
These leave the viewer with a last glimpse of the plot ideas
and adds to their excitement. The sound effects still carry on.
This is the final shot of the trailer. There is no sound apart
from the faint wind effect and a bell like chime which
resembles that of a funeral bell, ship siren/fog horn, or
warning alarm which all convey the idea of danger or a
sense of warning.
The text is in pink which conveys the feminine side to the
main character. It also reveals the main characters name
and plot ideas. It is also a play on the words from the title
and is a slogan for the film. It also conveys the idea that
there is something wrong with the baby so we have to “pray
for it” or perhaps that we have to pray and look forward to
the release of the film. The word pray, also links in to the
religious ideas in the plot or could also be interpreted as the
word prey, and therefore conveys the idea someone is being
preyed on.
9. Style: vintage, narrative, dramatic, ordered however gets faster towards the end.
Music: dramatic music is used to build up the tension towards the end of the trailer. Music is also
used to set the scene for when they are eating the meal in the house.
Plot (that we can identify from only the trailer): lady and husband are having a baby, then she is
possibly drugged whilst having dinner. She then has visions/dreams which are either real or in her
head. Gives the impression that there is something wrong with the baby.
Editing: quick cuts, fades and distortions of the shot as they fade and turn into the next shot.
Mostly close ups and extreme close ups, some point of view shots.
Graphics: title of the film is written, basic graphics due to the technology available at the time.
Actors/actresses:
Mia Farrow, John Cassevetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Evans, Ralph Bellamy, Victoria
Vetri, Patsy Kelly, Elisha Cook jnr. (and others)
Briefnotessummary:
10. How is the narrative portrayed? (linear, flash backs,
cross cuts etc.) How can I use these in my trailer?
I believe the narrative is portrayed as linear ( as it seems to be showing the shots and telling the story in order) however
towards the end when there is quick shots of the different characters I believe these shots do not fit in with the linear idea
as they are probably shown earlier in the film.
There is cross cutting between the characters eyes and the eyes of the devil, I am not too sure that this is definitely classed
as cross cutting because I believe the characters are in the same location.
I know that cross cutting is definitely evident, however, in the shots where the woman is on the bed and then it cuts to
where she thinks she is on a the sea etc. as this is cutting to two different locations and then back again.
I like how cross cuts can convey what different people are thinking and feeling and how they can show the contrast
between two different locations or what is happening in several different locations at the same time. I think this style of
editing would be useful to include in my trailer.
Also, featuring the trailer plot in order following a linear narrative is useful for the viewer as they get a sense of what is
going on and when, and how the story plays out and they gain a stronger understanding of the plot. However I think that
perhaps showing the shots in order as they appear in the film maybe reveals too much plot, and gives too much away. So I
am not so keen on including this style in my trailer.
11. Young – middle
aged-
Main characters
are young so
audience can
relate to them.
Likes reading (film is
based on a book)
Connotations of being
well educated or
intelligent
Upper class,
cinema would
appeal to this
class at this time-
Characters seem
quite upper class,
well
spoken/dressed
etc.
White British
Who Is the target audience and how
does the trailer appeal to them?
Religious people-
Challenges their
perceptions on
religion. Also
portrays the
devil.
12. Who does this trailer represent?
(social groups, age, ethnicity,
gender, stereotypes etc.)
Young couples
and young
parents,
Black actors
(there is a black
character/actor
featured)
Possibly religious
groups as there is a
strong sense of the
devil portrayed
Variety of different
aged people (there
were old and young
characters)
Middle/working
class conveyed
Stereotypical
“damsel in
distress”
character,
innocent
female,
unaware of
what’s going on
Man is perceived to be the
antagonist as he drugs the female
character,
13. How can elements of this trailer influence my
own?
Themes: I could portray a range of characters with different ethnicity's, I could also
feature some religious themes or beliefs. I particularly like the shot of the religious
tapestry/murals so perhaps something similar can be done in my own trailer.
Characters: I could portray a range of characters with different ethnicity's, perhaps I could
include a stereotypical male antagonist and a stereotypical female protagonist who is
often portrayed as a “damsel in distress” or as overly feminine.
Mise-en-scene: I could include dark locations, stereotypical costumes, spooky lighting and
scenery with religious or supernatural connotations as this has been carried out
successfully in this trailer.
Shots: Fast paced shots with quick cuts, fades and cross cuts. As these create suspense
and allows lots of shots to be featured in the trailer in a short space of time.
Sound: stormy wind or other eerie sound effects add to the suspense and help convey the
genre, the dramatic/eerie music used in this trailer works well and a similar piece of music
in my own trailer could compliment the plot and my shots.
