1. Emily-jane Mason.
Sinister Trailer Analysis.
At the beginning of the trailer, we immediately see a screen specifying the approved target
audience of the film; which is “R – Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or
adult guardian”. The rating is determined on the content of the film; this can be according
to both the level of violence and sexual content within it. In this case, the rating is fairly
high; the trailer itself at the beginning states its reasoning for it “for disturbing violent
images and some terror”. It is important to identify the right target audience for a
film/trailer by all means, this is to ensure the ‘right’ or suitable people are viewing the film.
This film for example, isn’t suitable at all for children and consequently advises people
under the age of 17 to be accompanied by an adult. There is a short flash of what seems to
be an old, film camera flickering, in this it briefly shows the production company involved in
the making of the film. After this, the trailer then gives us a brief insight to the films
storyline. This is done by using subliminal flashes of a symbol which I believe to be
representative to the antagonist of the film; it also shows a news report of the mysterious
death of a family who formerly lived in the house. The more sinister side of the story then
begins to unfold. Shortly after the few seconds of the news report etc, a black screen
appears with the words ‘9 months later’, this gives the trailer a sense of time manipulation
and the idea that was a past occurrence (the death of the family). There is then an
establishing shot of the house which a new family move into, everything seems to be ok and
the family seem completely oblivious to the past events which occurred in the house, this is
until the male protagonist of the film discovers an old film camera in the loft of the house.
Slightly before this shot however, there is a flash of the producer of the films name
(although not directly) “from the producer Paranormal Activity and insidious”. This gives the
film a good reputation and appeals to a more vast audience as they are a well known and
experienced producer. This perhaps, may increase the potential success of the film. There’s
a short voice over of the male protagonist of the film alongside some short clips of the
family moving and settling into their new house. The voice over is just basically the male
protagonist saying how he has ‘a good feeling’ about the house etc, this supports the idea
that the family are totally oblivious to the past deaths of the former owners of the house.
The voice over and the short montage of clips of the family moving into the house are a
typical convention of a horror film as they tend to suggest that something bad may or is for
definite going to happen. The trailer then immediately and contrastingly shows a scene in
which the male protagonist is in the loft and discovers a trunk containing numerous film
reels. He then proceeds to play these film reels and while doing so he recognises that the
people on the home video are the family that previously lived in the house. The trailer then
becomes more sinister, as the home video quickly shows the family hanging, dead. The male
character then begins to investigate further into the mysterious and horrific deaths of the
previous family who lived in the house. At this point in the trailer, I would have thought
many viewers will be completely drawn into the story and want to find out more into who
or what has caused and committed these murders. Shortly after this, the audience is then

2. Emily-jane Mason.
‘introduced’ to the antagonist of the film, “Bogul”. This also reveals more about the
storyline and makes it more clear to the audience. The trailer then shows some disturbing
footage showing the antagonist Bogul, he appears mysteriously in the water of a swimming
pool. This begins the montage of scary clips showing this particular character. After this we
are given more of an insight into the character Bogul and what he did/does. Bogul
apparently abducts children and ‘consumes their souls’ as one of the character explains.
This extra information helps or aids the audience to have more of an understanding of the
actual film; it also keeps them alert and enticed more too. After this, there is some text
saying “once you see him”. This is then followed by even more scary clips, creating a build
up of tension and suspense. A screen saying “nothing can save you” shortly follows this in
conclusion to the other text. “Once you see him, nothing can save you” directly involves the
audience, through the use of the personal pronoun ‘you’; this entices the audience even
more so and perhaps makes the trailer seem more scarily realistic. The symbol that is
representative of the antagonist Bogul is shown repetitively throughout the trailer, showing
that it has great significance. It creates a sense of mystery, and leaves the audience to
wonder. The rest of the trailer is a montage of scary clips, building to the ending in which
you see an extremely brief glimpse of the antagonist Bogul, followed by the credits. The
credits of the trailer show the name of the film ‘Sinister’, the trailers website
‘haveyouseenhimyet.com’ links to Facebook and Twitter and also the release date of the
actual film. These are all necessities. The trailer ends with the credits seeming to burn away,
like an old camera would do. I believe this to be a successful, well thought out trailer that
follows the typical codes and conventions of horror particularly very well. The only thing I
think is particularly disappointing to about the trailer, is that the male antagonist Bogul, is
shown far too often and specifically at the end when there is a extreme close up of him. I
would have rather have waited to see him in the actual film itself, this is a big spoiler for me.
I will use this trailer as inspiration for my own when it comes to production, for example I
may use similar types of shots and editing style.
Camerawork;
POV- from male protagonist looking out to the window when Bogul appears outside in the bushes. It
makes the audience empathise with him as he seems to be scared and shocked. It also makes the
audience feel like they’re there, as though they were looking through their eyes and not the
characters.
POV- when the male protagonist is looking through the various film reels, makes the audience feel as
though they’re there.
Establishing shot/longshot, at the beginning there is various shots of the house, this sets the scene
for the film.
Extreme close up- it shows the male antagonist of the film, this is effectively used to scare the
audience and as it’s at the end of the trailer too, it is more likely to attract and entice the audience
even more so.
Extreme close of each of the film reels, suggesting they are of great importance, it also creates
tension, and this sequence also builds suspense and keeps the audience alert to see what is going to
happen in the home videos.
High angle- this is used to make the male protagonist seem vulnerable and alone, this is when he is
entering the loft.

3. Emily-jane Mason.
Mise-en-scene;
Dim key lighting throughout
Scary looking costume/mask worn by the antagonist of the film, Bogul.
Torch light
Dark red symbol written in blood, very representative of danger/horror
Setting- house seemingly is near to or is in a wood
Weapons- axe, rope
Old film equipment/camera this shows that Bogul was around in the past
Home video- this differs and contrasts greatly with most of the trailer as it the light is
brighter
Sound;
Voice over- a news report giving an insight to the main story line of the film/trailer
Voice over is present at the beginning of the trailer of the male protagonist explain some of
the story line, i.e. why the family have moved etc.
Film reel/camera
Non-diegetic distorted sounds, makes the trailer more ‘jumpy’ and scary.
Screams
There’s no musical score
Dialogue
Rhythmic camera clicking, it builds tension towards the end of the film, this is alongside a
montage of scary clips and other crashes etc
Editing;
Time manipulation - goes from the past to the present.
Quick edits
Short clips to create tension
Most of the screen time is focussed on the male protagonist and the male antagonist
‘Bogul’, shows conflict between them both?