2. MISE-EN-SCENE
The lighting, being very low key creates
a gloomy atmosphere. The dark natural
lighting suggests the time is at night, a
typical convention of horror films as
this is when the protagonists are most
vulnerable. The establishing shot of a
wooded area shows the secluded and
isolated setting. This is a very
distinctive convention of the horror
genre as it makes the characters appear
to be vulnerable and defenceless as it is
clear to see that no one else is there to
help them or call for help. This creates
a greater fear in the audience because
they then know that no one can help
save them from the upcoming events.
3. We are shown snapshots of petals on the bed
and a candle lit dining table which suggest that
the main characters are alone on a romantic
evening together. This helps the audience
sympathize for the protagonists as they seem
really tranquil and are having a good time
when suddenly they become in danger. With
the background music still playing, we hear the
couple talk about their relationship together.
This would help the audience to relate to them
as they may have similar relations or also make
them feel more involved in the film because of
how open their relationship is to the audience.
In becoming more involved in the relationship
of the audience, they come to be more tangled
in the events of the film and want the main
characters to survive; the more engrossed in
the film they are the more attention they pay to
it and the longer they are intrigued making
them want to see to the end so they find out
whether it ends up to be a happy ending or
not.
4. SOUND
The first part of the trailer uses back ground music of high pitched, but slow
music. The tone of the music automatically sets a negative atmosphere in the
trailer. The low pitch and slowness of the sound track creates tension in the
audience as it creates the sense of something is coming, as if something is
slowly creeping up on the couple. With the scene very tranquil and idyllic it is
then interrupted by a diegetic sound effect of a loud bang. This interferes
with the romantic setting and switches automatically to a more eerie and
negative atmosphere. The connotations of the loud bang are fear and danger
and helps to create fear in the audience. The sound effects then change to
sound of rusty metal screeching, this makes the audience realize that whatever
is coming is getting closer as the sound effects are getting louder. The female
protagonist looks out the window and an eyeline match is used to see a swing
moving, which creates the idea that something was there and is now gone.
5. EDITING
Text comes up on the screen saying: “we always tell ourselves” – snapshot-
“there is nothing to fear” the writing is very askew and off balance and so
suggests that the events of the film will reflect on this. The whole time the
text is appearing the screeching metal noise of the swing is still occurring.
This creates an ominous atmosphere because it creates the illusion of
someone being there but not being able to see them, creating fear again in the
audience. The sound also keeps the audience intrigued in the film as the sound
carries on from before so gives more than just text to look at and the sound is
very individual sound. Fast paced editing is seen mid way through the trailer
with a montage of different shots. This creates the illusion that all these
events are occurring at the same time, or it is all happening very fast. This
creates tension and fear in the audience because they have a lot of disturbing
images and information to take in and it can be quite overwhelming for them.
6. CAMERA WORK
At the very beginning of the trailer, an establishing
shot is shown from outside the house using hand
held camera. This gives the effect that someone is
stood outside of the house watching from outside.
Hand held camera is a reoccurring shot used in the
trailer creating a more off balance image reflecting
on the scary things that will happen. It also helps to
make the audience feel more involved as it creates a
greater realistic effect as if the audience are actually
there. A lot of wide shots are used to show the
setting, as it is very isolated reminding the audience
of the protagonists vulnerability, but also to show
the antagonists in the back ground behind the
unknowing victim. This creates fear in the audience
as they can see the villain behind the main character
where as the character themselves cant.
