This document provides guidance on techniques for filming and editing a horror trailer, including recommended camera work, post-production editing styles, iconic horror sounds, common horror situations, and symbolic codes. It suggests using techniques like high and low camera angles, hand-held camera work, point-of-view shots, and close-ups to manipulate viewer perspective and connection. Editing techniques like long takes, quick cuts, cross-cutting, and fades to black are outlined. Iconic sounds include ominous tones, thuds, heartbeats, and silence. Common horror situations involve trapped characters, isolated houses, jump scares, and flickering lights. Symbolic elements to include are keys, religious symbols, dolls, and masks.

1. HORROR TECHNIQUES
Conventional Camera Work
Typical Post Production/Editing Techniques
Various Iconic Sounds Used
Stock Situations
Symbolic Codes

2. CAMERA: Ensure you use as many as possible when filming your trailer
• High Angle =
Superiority
• Low Angle =
Inferiority
• Wide Angle =
Vulnerability
• Hand-Held =
Realism
• P.O.V =
Placement of
Audience in the
Scene
• Close-Up =
Emotional
Connection
• Establishing =
Narrative Plays
Out

3. EDITING: Ensure you consider these when editing in post production
• Long Takes
• Quick Cuts
• Cross Cutting
• Eyeline Matches
• Fades to Black
• Captions/Credits
• Cutaways

4. SOUND: Ensure you design your soundscape with these in mind
• Iconic Theme Tune
• Ominous Tones
• Thuds
• High Pitched Sounds
• Slow/Fast (Quick Change)
• Silence
• Heartbeat Rhythm
• Echoes/Delay

5. SITUATIONS: Plan scenarios like these to abide by conventions
• Lock Door (Slow Keys)
• Jump Scares
• Broken Down Car
• Isolated House
• Double Tap
• Walking Antagonist
• Sneak Up Behind
• Running Upstairs
• Arm/Leg trapped
• Falling Over
• Slamming Doors
• Flickering Lights
• Creaks/Thuds
• Dragging Off

6. SYMBOLIC CODES: Include elements of iconic symbolism
• Keys/Locks
• Religious
Symbols
• Dolls/Toys
• Mirrors
• Windows
• Corridors
• Weapons
• Masks