The document analyzes frames from a horror movie trailer called "The Lesson". It summarizes that the trailer opens with a character mourning in a graveyard to set up death themes. Most of the trailer is set in an abandoned school, sticking to horror conventions of isolation. Costumes, props like a ruler, camera techniques like flash edits, and introduced characters are described as examples of frames that convey different ideas and advance the story within the conventions of the horror genre.
1. MY frame analysis
Our horror movie trailer is called the lesson. I have chosen
specific frames which each represent different ideas within my
trailer.
2. Title font and style
This is one example of text which is included in our trailer. The text links into the story adding extra detail
to what is expected in the movie. We used words such as lesson which associate with the jobs title. We
also decided to have white against black showing the contrast of dark and light, a common theme of
horrors and theory of Strauss( binary opposites)
3. Genre, story and how the opening sets it up
• The trailer opens with a character standing sorrowful in a graveyard. Being in a graveyard it is clear
that their is a association with death which is a recognised theme of horror. At the start we can also
see the character is upset suggesting someone close to him has passed. This leads onto further
scenes where he murders and so it shows his intent on killing . The opening sets up a scenario that
will have the audience expecting a disequilibrium.
4. Costumes
• As we can see in this shot the head teacher is wearing a suit which is grey. Although the murderer also
wears a suit, we know about their positions due to the dialogue. Furthermore the teachers within the
trailer dressed more respectively in comparison to the students who dress untidily for example shirts
not being tucked in.
5. Setting and location
• Apart from the graveyard, and the road, most of the trailer is set in a school when it is
abandoned. This sticks to horror conventions as usually isolated areas are a place for danger.
Within these two shots you can see school corridors which are isolated . Also a school is
associated with teachers and the lesson theme.
6. Camera work, editing and special effects.
• The two shots I have used are in sequence, the second one coming straight after the
first one. In the first one it is an empty, dark location, then in the second one a figure
appears in a flash then disappears once again. We used a panoramic shot to show the
whole environment and when the figure is seen we can see its whole body. Also the
flash creates a sense of fear as the figure appears and disappears, giving connotations
of paranormal activity.
7. props
• Within our trailer we use many props and the long ruler stick is an example. Having the school theme the
ruler stick was appropriate to use as a weapon and the teacher does this, hiding it behind his back as he is
ready to assault someone. Being a horror it is expected to have some sort of weapon which will be used to
murder victims.
8. How characters are introduced
• More characters are introduced throughout the trailer. An example is the boy at the start
who begins insulting the teacher. As he is introduced you can see that he is a character
who wants to cause trouble, and he is also portrayed young due to his dialect. This
character is part of the reason why the murderer reaches his limit and decides to start his
murders.
