Detailed analysis of woman in black trailer

1. {
Analysis of Woman
in Black Trailer:
. Mise-en-scene
. Editing
. Sound
. Camera
Gavin Fernandes

2. Aims and objectives of trailers
A trailer is a form of advertising in which is aim is to promote a new film to
potential audiences and aims to encourage people to actually buy the film or
to see it at the cinema.
The genre of a film is often represented in a trailer through the elements of
mise-en-scene, editing, sound and camera. For example, the editing in a
thriller film trailer is likely to be fast paced and include camera shots such as
extreme close ups.
Similarly, the choice of actors in a trailer can also represent the target
audience of a film giving them something to relate to as well as providing a
form of escapism.
The actors can emphasize the genre if they are known for a particular genre
of the film and the audience can recognize this from watching the trailers.
Trailers will usually have a unique selling point in trying to differentiate
their trailers from others to put theirs to an advantage to make the audience
so intrigued they want to watch the film. This helps to attract audiences
because a new release will appear different from previous trailer audiences
they may of seen before. The thriller genre trailers will entice audiences
through mystery.

3. The Woman in Black Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lReemWmO5o
The Woman in Black (2012) is a film associated with thriller genre directed by
James Watkins. The film features Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds and Janet
McTee.
The opening credits of the Woman in Black trailer reveals that Cross Creek
Pictures produce the film and Cbs are responsible for the distribution. Cross
Creek Pictures are known for their production of horror films including Bone
Shaker, Black Swan and Clown. Similarly, director James Watkins is also known
for writing and directing other horror film such as Eden Lake.

4. Narrative
The opening of the trailer introduces the
audience to the setting through a series of
point of view shots. As a result of this the
audience feel more involved in the narrative
as it feels like they too are stepping into the
Victorian house that appears extremely dark,
dusty and including old furniture and
children’s toys.
The trailer has a child voice over narrating
which connotes the idea of innocence and
purity through its nursery rhyme feel
however the topic she discusses is quite
sinister when played along with images from
the trailer. This creates a suspense
atmosphere for an audience and highlights
the thriller genre.

5. Opposite stereotype?
During the trailer a voiceover tells the audience a poem that implies the male
character is the victim which suggests The Woman in Black goes against
typical conventions as often in horror films, females play the role of the
victim whilst males are usually the villain.
The voiceover immediately sets the scene for an audience by introducing the
storyline which leads to the introduction of the main protagonist, Arthur
Kipss. When his character is first introduced, he appears extremely
uncomfortable from his body language which is something an audience can
relate to as like him, they are unaware of what will happen.
When the Woman in Black is first displayed, disruption occurs as the trailer
soon becomes fast paced and the change in the weather increases the negative
atmosphere. The disruption increases as the trailer progresses and this keeps
the audience watching on the edge on their seats wanting to know what will
happen increasing the chance of them watching the movie.

6. Camera shots-
close ups
The opening of the Women in Black trailer uses several
close ups of toys with each of them fitting to the rule of
thirds.
The eyes of these toys each fit the rule of thirds grid
which makes the audience eyes go straight to this point
when they first see them. This give the audience a more
increased connection but also makes them feel
uncomfortable.
Furthermore, by using close ups to display these toys this
creates a sense of unease for a customer as there is
nothing else for them to look at as they are the only thing
in focus.
The choice of using toys creates a sense of innocence as
they are associated with young children however the toys
are displayed in an opposite way in that they create a
sinister atmosphere.

7. Long shots
The trailer for Woman In Black introduces
the setting through the use of long shots.
In the first long shot the audience can see the
dullness of the atmosphere because of how
grey and gloomy it is.
As a result of this it can be thought to
actually set the tone of the film as being
dark. This is particularly shown through the
cross as this is an example of dramatic irony
as the cross being in focus and this highlights
the theme of death to the audience which the
character is unaware of.
The surroundings appear to be abandoned
and isolated suggesting the character will be
lonely and trapped. This consequently
creates a sense of fear as it foreshadows the
characters entrapment in the house that he is
isolated and by himself.
These shots also highlight the Victorian
period through the horse and carriage. The
house conveys how the setting is old and
perhaps holds memories or secrets.

8. High Angle Shots
The trailer uses high angle shots to show how
the main character is vulnerable and
powerless. This is shown through and
establishing shot as this highlights how small
he is compared to his surroundings whilst also
emphasizing how abandoned the setting is.
This is dramatic irony as the audience can see
that something will happen that the character
is unaware of.
In addition when he enters the house he again
looks small through the use of high angle shot
portraying how small and vulnerable he really
is. This shot could also be seen as a point a
view shot as from an audiences perspective it
appears that they are the ones standing at the
top of the stairs which not only makes them
feel involved but also gives them a sense of
power.

9. Editing
Approaching the end of the trailer, editing
uses quick, fast cuts to help build tension. As
a result of the shots being quick it makes the
reader question what is is that they have
actually seen which leaves them intrigued.
This consequently encourages the audience
to go and watch the film whilst also creating
a sense of fear. For example multiple scenes
are put together with a black out in between,
this makes the trailer continuous whilst
flowing well.
Parallel editing is also uses as different
things are happening in the house at the
same time. This shows that eventually all of
these elements will meet so foreshadows that
something will happen.

10. Cross cutting
In the trailer cross-cutting is also used. This is
where the scenes are shown in non
chronological order to show the most excited
scenes in the trailer to what the audience can
relate too.
In this particular trailer the most exciting
scenes are shown at the end which helps
attract the audience and entice people to
watch the film as the most memorable scenes
are left until last.

11. Sound- Children’s Music Box
The trailer continuously uses the tune of a children’s music box for incidental
music throughout. The music would normally be associated with children and this
shows the idea of innocent however when it is calm and slow it creates a sense of
unease.
The music is played in time with the movements of the toys. For example every
chime the scene will cut to the next. This occurs throughout the trailer so it is a
constant reminder for the audience that children will play a significant role in this
thriller film.

12. Diegetic Sounds
In the trailer the weather is additionally used as a part of sound. The
lightening, wind and rain are used as diegetic sounds which instantly creates
and dull and gloomy atmosphere. This is suitable for the style of the film as
the weather is a typical convention in setting the scene of a thriller.
This is the only other sound played alongside the music box. The music box is
associated with childhood however when played along with the weather,
some of the child-like innocence is taken away which creates a feeling of
unease.

13. When the fast paced scenes arrive at the end
of the trailer, the sound becomes very
minimal. In the scenes an audience would
expect to hear the diegetic sounds of the fire,
the rain and screaming of character however
the music box just continues to play.
The music box tune is asynchronous as it
does not fit any of the actions on the screen.
This makes the audience feel quite
uncomfortable as what they are seeing and
what they are hearing are two complete
different things. Therefore, the audience is
encouraged to use their imagination to think
about what is on screen.
Silence is also used at the beginning and at
the end of the trailer and this builds tension
at that start and shows at the end how the
scene is still quite tense. Silences encourage
the audience to use their own imagination
and this could encourage them to go out and
watch the film to understand what is going
on in the thriller.

14. Mise-En-Scene-
setting
The surrounding of the trailer always tends to
appear dark and isolated in the trailer. This creates
a sense of fear as the town is abandoned meaning
that the main character is distant from society.
The trailer shows bars surrounding the house
conveying the characters are trapped as if in a
prison. Furthermore the bars in front of the
children also highlight how they are trapped.
The forest is also used as a setting which is another
typical convention for thrillers as the trees
surround the main character and this emphasizes
his entrapment.

15. Color and Lighting
The trailer shows the colors used are very dark,
particularly black has been used throughout
and this portrays a sense of danger and is often
associated with death which is appropriate for
the films storyline.

16. The purpose of this trailer is to create a mystery for the viewers and the
trailer creates a mystery throughout the trailer.
Firstly the audience ask the question, Who is the women in black? What
does she want? She is not revealed in the trailer therefore creating a
question for the viewers to ask about her.
Photos of a family are repeated throughout the film and again this creates a
mystery as their history is unknown and why their pictures have been
vandalized is unclear.