The document analyzes the trailer for the film "Cabin in the Woods" in order to understand conventions of horror movie trailers. It notes that the trailer starts upbeat with characters having fun, but then gets darker and more intense as it progresses, building to a climactic scare at the end. Key techniques discussed include establishing mood through lighting, music, and sound effects that build tension and intensity. The trailer follows a structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and climax that is effective at drawing in viewers.

1. LINK TO TRAILER -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsIilFNNmkY
In this presentation I will be analysing the official trailer of
cabin in the woods (2012) in order to gain an understanding of
the general conventions of a horror trailer. I felt this trailer
suited the research for our product very well as the narrative
of The Cabin In The Woods and plot-timeline structure
resemble our general idea of our products very closely. Within
where it is based around a group of ignorant, college students
going on an adventure only to discover the horrors they have
roped themselves into. Very much like our desired product
also, the trailer begins in a very upbeat manner, with bright
colours and the characters having fun. Which slowly
deteriorates as the trailer progresses into a building intensity
of scares, thrills and gruesome scenes.

2. Equilibrium – Everything is bright happy and positive. The friends are having
fun and the sun is shining. This element of happiness is presented through
emotion of characters, bright colours (a lot of yellow saturation), slow-paced
calm shots, slow camera movement (little action and intensity) and jokeful
dialogue. This allows characters to be communicated and also works to
juxtapose the horror and intensity that is to come (it highlights it).
Unknown Disequilibrium – The mood begins to change and signs of discomfort and foreshadowed evil
begins to show. Although the characters are un-phased by the tensity change the audiences
perception instantly changes to one of dread and fear. This is a very important part of this trailer
because it so clearly contrasts the upbeat nature of equilibrium. It is presented very cleverly by the
change in darkness (greys begin to roll in and also shadows become prominent), slowing down the
pace as the mood sets in and very harsh pulsing noises begin to play in a set structure throughout the
rest of the trailer which allows them to manipulate the speed and intensity of the trailer.
Disequilibrium – The point in the trailer where everything goes haywire, the
opposing evil reveals itself and comes full force at the protagonists. This is the
part of the trailer in which the motion in shots becomes a lot faster and more
intense, the pulsating beats speed up, the lighting darkens (darkness signifies
evil), shot length decreases massively as pace increases to build intensity and
suspense. All of the actions shots are close calls (characters in danger).
Big Scare – The iconic big scare at the end of
the trailer following all of the suspense built in
disequilibrium will climax in intensity (both
sound and shot motion) giving the audience a
true fear factor. The film title follows.

3. Font Style is so key in making a successful product not only in
the trailer but also to run throughout all of the products that
are produced (Magazine Cover, Film Poster) it gives the
products a distinct link and trademark throughout them. Not
only this but also the styling on the font can instantly convey
the genre and even sub-genre of the product. As we can see in
these fonts the style they have gone for is almost damaged it’s
like something has scraped away at the writing, it looks
distorted and uneven. This connotes that the acts taking place
in the film are of the same manner, twisted… and dark (as the
colour scheme shows). The fact the letters are almost scratched
gives the element of danger and conveys that something is out
to hurt the protagonists; the font builds a genre and even a fear
factor. Also the background laid behind the font very cleverly
makes links to the film with the forcefield displayed behind
‘think again’ which plays a huge part of the film; subtle, clever
hints to the film make a very strong trailer as the audience can
piece together their narrative. There may also be an effect on
the font throughout through out the entire trailer, in this case
there is a glow that goes across the writing which resembles a
torch and the thought of being hunted. Also as a side note the
short shots with text shown in them are usually partnered with
a loud, intense, beat sound that goes to a certain rhythm.
Making them very distinct and intensified.
OUR FONT MUST RUN
CONSISTENTLY THROUGHOUT
ALL OF THE PRODUCTS WE

4. Sound – Sound is possibly one of the most important factors of a
horror trailer. You could literally produce a trailer with no
motion images and only sound and still convey that this is a
horror film.
The trailer’s sound motif very closely follows with how the plot
turns throughout the trailer. In the beginning there is upbeat
music, calm dialogue and just a general upbeat tone in general.
This then cuts to a dead silence when the first sign of
disequilibrium is shown at the gas station. This dead silence
signifies a distinct change from the upbeat tone of the trailer at
the start; it builds tension and fear in the audience. It then
moves onto the fast paced action shots in disequilibrium as
everything goes wrong. This part is presented in a fair mixture
of diegetic sounds (moans of the evil, vehicles crashing and the
panic of the protagonists) and non diegetic sounds (intense fast
paced music, sound motif of sharp pulsating beats and dialogue
and screams from other parts of the film)
Sound conveys the turning points throughout the trailer but
also is used as a rhythm for shots to change and cross to, along
with the pulsating sound motif there is also a constant beat
throughout the disequilibrium that increases in speed as
intensity increases. The beating adds to the intensity of the
build up to the big scare, allows a rhythm to the shots and also
resembles a heartbeat to evoke a level of nervousness in the
audience. PS – For the big scare there must be a brief moment
Lighting perfectly sets
markers for the changes
throughout the trailer, the
use of pathetic fallacy in
horror films is so common
and effective it would be
crazy for us not to use it.
The film heavily uses
natural lighting to convey
the mood and the intensity
of the characters and their
situations. Earlier on in the
film when in equilibrium
with all the characters
positive and calm the
lighting in shot is very
bright and displays a lot of
yellows and oranges; a
generally positive look. It
then, at the gas station
becomes a lot more grey and
dull, the turn in lighting
instantly changes the mood
and tensity of the trailer. Finally with evil comes darkness, as
everything reaches the pinnacle of scary the lighting is very dark;
playing on peoples fears… Lighting is key in communicating plot.

5. - Fonts must convey our genre and stay consistent throughout products
- Lighting is so effective in foreshadowing and presenting the mood and situation
- In disequilibrium intensity must gradually increase towards a climax (beating sounds are effective)
- Sound is vital in conveying intensity and fear in our trailer
- Equilibrium in our trailer will allow for disequilibrium to seem even more intense
- The big scare comes after a brief standstill moment and before the final title
- Sound and lighting used together is so strong in communicating a change in situation
- Shots in disequilibrium are all intense action… not a flowing scene
- Equilibrium is a good time to communicate the character types
- Aesthetics are important in trailers (Lots of establishing shots)
- Close Ups of characters in distress are very effective
- Screams and other dialogue from the actual film can be voiced over the trailer
- Lighting – Equilibrium (Yellow/Orange), Change (Grey), Disequilibrium (Dusk/Black)
- Brief shots of text are not to be heavily overused
- Idents are adapted to the genre of the film
- Plot twists can be displayed as an extra part in the trailer (May come in handy)
- All horror trailers build to a climax!!!!