2. The use of props is used effectively in this
trailer. Shortly after the mother of the child is
in the house alone a creaking noise is heard;
this gives the illusion that someone or
something is there. As she goes into the
child‟s bedroom a point of view shot is used
to show a rocking horse that is moving
although nothing is there. This helps to
create fear in the audience as they know
something has been there but they cannot
see what it was giving them a feeling of
helplessness.
The lighting is continuously low key and the
costumes are very bland and dull. This
suggests there is no happiness in the family
any more after the son has been
hospitalised. The dark dull colours also give
off negative connotations to the audience.
The main character is a young boy, he is
shown throughout the film dressed in
pyjamas and this helps to reflect on his
young age and innocence and also portrays
him as vulnerable.
3. The room is dark, suggesting it is night time, a main
convention of horror movies as the night suggests
vulnerability because every where is so quiet and empty.
In horror movies the opening scene is more than often
very idyllic and in equilibrium. This makes the setting seem
very safe and harmless and to emphasise this the
costumes used are very bright and the lighting high key to
show the happiness and create a “perfect” image. Later
on in the horror movie, the lighting becomes very low key,
reflecting on the negative atmosphere and also making the
characters seem more vulnerable as they low key lighting
makes them appear more isolated. The costumes change
more dull and bland clothing and the villain is often is very
dark colours with connotations of evil. The dull clothing
reflects on the unhappiness of the situation and despair in
the protagonists.
The Setting in a horror movie are often very isolated and
out of the way. This makes the characters seem very
vulnerable as there isn‟t anyone around to help them.
However this horror movie is set in the family home on a
suburban street. This gives the idea that the family are
normal and were unknowing to the events that eventually
take place.
4. To create tension in a horror movie, fast
paced, high pitched music is often used.
This builds suspense in the audience as it
gives the idea that something is moving
towards the protagonist.
Sound effects are used effectively such
as creaking doors and floor boards to
build suspense and make it appear as
though something is there. Sound bridges
help to add ellipsis of time so the film
doesn‟t drag on too long and get boring
and sound motif „s are often used to
indicate that something bad is going to
happen again. In using the same sounds
each time something bad happens, it
gives the audience superiority to the
protagonists because they are aware it is
going to happen and this again makes
them feel helpless and unable to help
them.
5. The image of a metronome is shown as it
ticks and the sound is emphasised to
sound like a heart beat. The sound of a
heartbeat is often associated with fear as
the heart beats faster when people are
scared. This is a convention of a horror
movie as it focuses on the fear of the
protagonists.
When something bad has happened or is
about to the background music slows
down to create a sadder tone to the film
rather than creating fear. With the fast
paced music, it starts off slow and
gradually increases in speed. This again
builds suspense but also gives the illusion
that something is coming and getting
closer.
6. The first shot that we see is just plain text
on a black background. This makes the
title of the film known to the audience.
Also the black background connotes evil
and fear and so instantly suggests that
the film will be scary.
The text has sinister connotation so again
signifies to the audience that the film will
be a horror. The text then switches and
moves around giving a supernatural feel
to the trailer. This suggests to the
audience that the events of the film will be
of a supernatural nature and out of the
ordinary.
The words “insidious is insidious” keep
appearing and reappearing on the screen.
The repetition guarantees that the film title
is remembered by the audience but also
suggests that whatever “insidious‟ is, it
keeps coming back and back again, this
creates fear in the audience as the
protagonists cant get it to go away so are
always in danger.
7. The next piece of text says “from the makers of
paranormal activity and saw” this shows to the
audience that the makers have made successful
horror movies before and so compares this to
the previous ones they have made. The text on
the screen in the insidious trailer comes up and
sort of flashes across the screen. The lettering
then switches around to look rather supernatural
as the text is unable to be read. This reflects on
the turn of events that will occur are of a
supernatural nature making the audience feel on
edge as they don‟t know what is actually going
to happen.
Fast paced editing in horror films is one of the
main conventions. The fast action of the film
helps to build tension and create suspense in
the audience. This also helps to make the scene
look a lot more action packed and keep the
audience watching as it is hard to see
everything happening at once. A good example
of the fast paced editing in this trailer is when
some new characters are introduced are seen
setting up some form of equipment. The fast
paced editing is used to show how complex the
piece of equipment is and to emphasize how
quickly these people manage to set it up.
8. A main convention of the camera work is
an establishing shot of the setting. This is
a main component of horror films as it
sets the scene and show where the film
will be set. It often shows the isolation of
the setting, however the setting of this film
is that of a family home to make them
seem like normal people.
Hand held camera is another typical shot
that issued in the camera work of a horror
movie. The fast paced nature of the shot
builds tension and suspense but also
shows the shot from the characters point
of view making them feel more involved in
the scene and as well make them
sympathise for the character.
Point of view shots are commonly used to
suggest that the characters are being
watched which makes the audience feel
concerned for them as they know
someone is there but the protagonist does
not.
9. This image shows us that a child in the
family is hiding from something behind
the door. He is looking out of his
bedroom and as he slowly closes it
doesn‟t take his eyes away from what he
is looking at. This creates a form of
mystery in the audience as we do not
know what it is the young child is looking
at.
The next shows only a shadow stood
outside of the family home. This helps to
continue with keeping mystery in the film
as the audience are again unable to see a
clear image of what ever it is outside. This
creates suspense in the audience as the
family are unaware of the beings outside
their house.
A point of view shot is again used to show
a figure standing over the vulnerable child
sleeping in bed. The composition of the
figure standing over the child makes it
look more superior to the individual. The
fact that the child is also sleeping again
emphasises the child being defenceless.
