Trailer analysis 1

2. GENRE:
This film trailer is a horror genre, which is shown through many media language
elements used. Throughout the trailer a blue/green tint is used to give a cold feel
to the film, which is a typical horror trait. What’s more, the clothing (costume)
that our main character, Elisa, is wearing in certain parts of the trailer are
distinctively dirtier showing her struggle for survival as the film progresses like in
most horror films. As well as the clothing, makeup is used to highlight how much
of a struggle Elisa has been through as she is bruised and sweaty. All the props
used in this trailer are stereotypically a horror genre (for example, knifes, old
rags, and lights on set giving a piercing and unnatural scary lighting.) Another
thing that illustrates the genre is the location used, as they are all stereotypical
to horror films. This consisted of a forest, basement and old house, which were
all dark and inhabited. Furthermore, in this trailer, Carol Glovers theory can be
used as Elisa (Jennifer Lawrence) is ‘the last girl standing’.

3. REPRESENTATION:
The representation of gender in this trailer is very stereotypical for a horror
genre, and Laura Mulvey’s theory of ‘The male gaze’ can be used as all men
and women are portrayed in a stereotypical fashion. Elisa is portrayed as being
an attractive character who takes much care in her appearance. With blonde
hair and dressed in bright and colorful clothing, our main character is the
stereotypical Idea of a feminine character targeted by ‘evil’ when she moves
house. Moreover, there is a sexual appeal to this character shown through
scenes such as Elisa and Ryan kissing. Furthermore, our other female character
(Elisa’s mum) continues this stereotypical representation of women in horror
films.
In comparison to this our main male character Ryan is portrayed very differently.
Ryan wears darker clothing and is never shown struggling throughout the trailer.
This portrays him as being a stereotypical male character, as he is strong and
independent, and much less likely to be encountered by this ‘evil’ that constantly
follows Elisa.

4. NARRATIVE:
After moving with her mother to a small town, a young teenager (the protagonist
of the trailer) finds that an accident happened in the house at the end of the
street. Things get more complicated when she befriends a boy who was the only
survivor of the accident. It doesn't’t take long for Elisa to venture into the house
at the end of the street and discover the secrets it holds. Propp’s theory of of
character types such as hero/villain/false hero are used in this trailer, as it is
distinctively obvious which characters take on these roles. For example, Elisa
can be seen as the hero of the trailer, as she is the only one who seems to
encounter the ‘villain’ (which we never actually see) and survive. Furthermore,
Ryan could be seen as a false hero, as we never actually see Ryan perform any
form of heroic role.

5. AUDIENCE:
The target audience for this trailer would be 15+ years old who are most likely
still in education or just starting a new career. The gender for the house at the
end of street’s target audience would consist of both males and females, as this
would create a wider target audience and greater success. Moreover, since this
film stars ‘The Hunger Games’ phenomenon Jennifer Lawrence, the audience
would further consist her previous fans which consists of a great number of
female fans.
What’s more, the target audience for this trailer could be passive as the trailer is
not one that expects an enormous amount of concentration. This would be in
comparison to trailers/films such as Inception as you have to be very active to
even understand the narrative of the film.

6. MEDIA LANGUAGE:
Mise-en-scene Cinematograp
hy
Editing Sound
‘Everyday wear’
costumes (get more
worn out though the
trailer)
Close-ups Montage Typical score
(specially made)
Stereotypical setting
(haunted house
element)
Medium shots Fades Diagetic sounds
(such as doors
creaking)
Low key lighting (dark
colours such as dark
blues/grey)
Two shots Straight cuts Of screen sounds
to increase fear
Here are a few of the many media language elements
included in this trailer: