Title analysis

The first title in the trailer for Grave
Encounters is the production logo for
‘DARCLIGHT’. This title fits with the
conventions of a horror as it is surrounded
by a dark screen and the text is the only
visual element on screen. The logo
disappears in a ghostly mist which also fits
the conventions as all unexplained
happenings (such as ghosts) are formally
known to be featured in a horror.

The opening title which first appears in
the trailer itself also conforms to the
conventions of a horror as it is dark and
mysterious. The font is bold, white and
surrounded by darkness suggesting that
it isn’t scared to stand alone and face
challenges; maybe symbolic for the
film. The white writing symbolises
purity and innocence. Adding to this,
when the image is moving the font
appears to be coming towards the
viewer, away from the psychiatric
hospital; perhaps asking for help and
forgiveness. The background image
which surrounds the text is also the
establishing shot for this trailer as it
shows the location.

This title follows from the last,
adding further hints as to what the
narrative will entail. It explains to the
viewer that this building is a one of a
kind, standing out from the rest as
being the ‘most haunted building in
North America’.
The style of the lettering stays the
same, adding unity and making this
title link to the last.

The lettering again, links to the last
tying the events together.
The background in this title is
different from the last. At first glance
it looks like the hospital from a
different angle, a low angle. This
makes the building look dominant
and powerful. Nothing can over
power this building.
The text attempts to explain why
this hasn’t been heard of before
expressing verisimilitude/making us
believe the narrative is real; another
convention of a horror.

There is then a black background which
makes the titles become more serious and
focused on the words.
The white lettering stands bold from the
black background which could suggest a
binary opposition in the film which is most
likely included in the horror genre.
The bold capitals enables the text to stand
out above anything else on screen as it is a
way of directly communicating to the
audience and telling them exactly what you
want to.
‘UNTIL NOW’; when this is mixed with the
last title, the audience gather that this will
be an attempt to find evidence of hauntings
making this become a turning point for
scientists.

This title is similar from the last
however, it explains to the audience
that this is ‘hidden’ footage and is in
a different font.
The font looks like an old typewriter
style, becoming old fashioned and
dated further reinforcing that the
footage has been hidden. The
typewriter style suggests that the
person who edited the film, doesn’t
have much experience and therefore,
couldn’t have possibly added in
special effects…

The font and lettering in this title is
the same as the last and therefore,
sharing the same effect.
However, the text is different. This
title claims that ‘what they captured
on camera cannot be explained’
suggesting that whatever has
happened is unknown and therefore,
opens the audience’s minds to
believing in the paranormal.

However, the text differs. ‘Experience
the terrifying footage’, this suggests
that the footage included is different
from anything else any horror fan has
seen before and is therefore,
‘terrifying’.

However, again, this text is different
from the last. ‘RAW AND UN-CUT’
further supports my point earlier
stated that the footage has not been
tampered with, making it as real as
possible (Verisimilitude).

The font and lettering in this title
is the same as the last and
therefore, sharing the same
effect.
Keeping with their theme of
repetition. This title also
exaggerates the shocking scenes
showed in the film.

Declaring that this is the ‘shows final
episode’ suggests that something
tragic happens at the end and
perhaps they don’t get out alive;
making the audience even more
intrigued to watch.

This is the title screen towards the
end of the trailer, revealing the title
of the full-length film; ‘GRAVE
ENCOUNTERS’.

This screen reveals who has made
the film and who has produced it. In
my opinion, this ruins the
Verisimilitude effect which was
desired by the director. This
challenges conventions for a horror
as usually, the director would prefer
to remove industrial details from the
trailer and get the audience to focus
on the ‘fact’ it’s based upon real life
and real footage.

The credit block still stays with the
themes of the rest of the trailer by
keeping to the black and white
colouring. The lettering is small as the
text isn’t overly important in the
trailer and this screen would not have
been shown for a long amount of
time.

The insidious trailer begins with the
production logo. The red background
symbolises danger and anger whilst
the black, bold writing portrays the
image as strong and undefeatable.
The spacing of the letters give them
impression of being surrounded as
they are spaced out individually.
These features fit the conventions of a
horror as it makes the audience feel
tense and scared with the image it
portrays.

The first title in the trailer introduces the
film as ‘insidious’. The title is mysterious
as the audience can see a slight hint of
red in the background while the font
presents the title of the trailer.
‘Insidious’ means to proceed in a
gradual, subtle way, but with very
harmful effects; opening the audience
imagination to the narrative.
The white writing on the black
background suggests a possible binary
opposition.

This screen again suggests a possible binary
opposition. The black background represents
darkness and the unknown, whereas the
white writing suggests innocence and purity.
The font stands out clearly showing that it is
strong and isn’t scared.
‘PARANORMAL ACTIVITY’ and ‘SAW’ stand
out the most as the makers have purposely
let the audience know what other films they
have made in the horror genre to further
advertise their film and previous work.
This proves Gledhill’s Star Theory as it shows
that film makers will use this feature to
promote their work.

The next title is similar to the first in being
mysterious and increases the audience’s
imagination.
The white writing on the black background
again, suggests a possible binary opposition.

The next title is similar to the last in being
imagination.
The white writing on the black background
again, suggests a possible binary opposition
whilst the font size creates tension. As the
text has become bigger and closer to the
screen, the audience will feel like they are
being threatened and begin to feel
uncomfortable; another convention of a
horror.

The this title is similar to the last in being
imagination.
The text size is intimidating and confusing
as it is distorted. There is a slight red
colouring in the background suggesting
danger and anger; could this represent the
feelings in the film?

This screen shows the word ‘insidious’
become increasingly threatening.
The background is white whilst the
writing is black contrasting the earlier
screens. This could perhaps suggest
that the darkness is taking over purity
and innocence.

This screen is similar from the last as the
lettering is still overcrowding the screen
making it impossible for the viewer to
ignore. This makes it threatening and adds
tension through being unknown. The blue
colouring is also an unknown feature of
this screen. Blue symbolises coldness and
water. Maybe this screen could show the
vast amount of isolation featured in the
film itself.

The title is different from the last however,
still shares themes of mystery and
anticipation. It does this by stating ‘insidious
is’. The audience wonder what comes next.
The colouring looks like fire symbolising death
and destruction.
The letters are again, big and bold showing
that it isn’t scared to stand out and surprise
the audience; another convention of a horror.

The title is the same from the last sharing
themes of mystery and anticipation. It does
this by stating ‘insidious is’. The audience
wonder what comes next. The colouring
looks like fire symbolising death and
destruction.
The letters are again, big and bold showing
that it isn’t scared to stand out and
surprise the audience; another convention
of a horror.
This time, the words are closer to the
screen becoming increasingly intimidating
and dangerous to the audience.

This screen shows the plain, simple title in its
usual lettering. However, the background is
tinted red, symbolising blood and anger
making the audience think about whether or
not these are connotations for the film itself.
The viewer can also see objects in the
background however, they are unclear. This
adds to the mystery effect discussed earlier;
keeping the audience guessing.

This title again, adds mystery. The audience
can see the background which seems to be
a low angle of several light bulbs. What is
their significance?
The writing is bigger than before, covering
the whole screen and becoming more
intimidating.
The dark colouring in the writing shows
danger and darkness; convention of a
horror.

This screen shows the plain, simple title
in it’s usual lettering. However, the
background is again tinted red,
symbolising blood and anger making the
audience think about whether or not
these are connotations for the film
itself.
The viewer can also see objects in the
background however, they are unclear.
This adds to the mystery effect
discussed earlier; keeping the audience
guessing.
The writing is smaller than it was when
we previously saw this screen perhaps
suggesting that the antagonist is
backing off.. Or waiting till we fall back
into our comfort zone to scare us even
more.

This screen is similar from the last as it shows
the dark, red background previously seen.
However, the text is different.
‘Everywhere April 1’ suggests that wherever you
are, you will be affected by this creature, adding
mystery and making the audience feel tense as
though it is coming to get them; another
convention.

This screen is the first shot of the trailer
and introduces the basic narrative
needed to understand the film.
The black background implies darkness
and danger whilst the white writing
based on top could suggest a binary
opposition of good vs. evil.
The size of the writing isn’t
confrontational but is still intense as we
understand it is a horror and will make
us jump at anytime.

This title again, isn’t confrontational as
it isn’t taking up the screen and isn’t
too big in lettering.
However, this title makes the audience
feel tense as they understand that this
is in the horror genre and will
therefore, lure us into a fake comfort
zone just to scare us even more!
This is also the first title which makes
us feel uncomfortable due to the
words. This title explains that three
people are dead; opening mystery and
making us wince.

This slide is identical to the last in
text size and lettering.
However, the words are different.
We understand that Maria Rossi is
the murder of the three people
however, as the dispatcher cannot
get hold of her anymore we ask
ourselves what has happened to her.
Has she ran from this crime or is she
now in greater danger from an
unknown source?

This title conforms to the
themes of the last title and
therefore, doesn’t surprise us.
Again, this black and white
theme may represent a binary
opposition.
The logo itself doesn’t seem to
conform to the conventions of
horror, making us think that this
production company doesn’t
always make horrors. Is this a
good thing or bad thing?

This title presents the release date. This is
shown early on in the trailer, challenging
conventions of typical horrors.
The background looks as though it is
supposed to symbolise skin. The dull
colouring of this stands out to the audience
as it looks limp and lifeless; making us think
of death and dullness.
However, this dull colouring also makes the
blood red crosses stand out so that we
notice them although they are not the
biggest thing on screen. The audience
know understand that the film is religion
related; a convention of horror.
The size of the writing isn’t as big as it
usually would be in a horror, making it non-
confrontational and easy to read.

The background is the same as the
last; dull and symbolic of death. As
stated before, this dull colouring also
makes the blood red crosses stand
out so that we notice them although
they are not the biggest thing on
screen.
The size of the writing again, isn’t as
big as it usually would be in a horror,
making it non-confrontational and
easy to read.
The words are different in this trailer
as they reveal a binary opposition;
science vs. religion. These two
factors have always been challenging
one another and therefore, people
may watch to see who wins.

The background is the same as
the last; dull and symbolic of
death. As stated before, this dull
colouring also makes the blood
red crosses stand out so that we
notice them although they are
not the biggest thing on screen.
The size of the writing again, isn’t
as big as it usually would be in a
horror, making it non-
The wording, similar to the last,
also reveals a binary opposition;
Hope vs. Fear. The audience may
watch it due to this reason to
witness what wins when tested.

The background is the same as the last;
dull and symbolic of death. As stated
before, this dull colouring also makes
the blood red crosses stand out so that
we notice them although they are not
the biggest thing on screen.
The size of the writing again, isn’t as
big as it usually would be in a horror,
making it non-confrontational and easy
to read.
This title states that ‘NO SOUL IS SAFE’
challenging the audience to watch the
film and to threaten them, make them
feel insecure and as though they have
no chance when faced with the devil.

The background is the same as the last;
dull and symbolic of death. As stated
before, this dull colouring also makes the
blood red crosses stand out so that we
notice them although they are not the
biggest thing on screen.
The size of the writing again, isn’t as big
as it usually would be in a horror, making
it non-confrontational and easy to read.
The words reveal the title of the film;
‘The Devil Inside’. The ‘D’ is faced
backwards to reinforce the idea of the
Devil being backwards in everything he
does eg, morals and representation of
the cross (shown in the background).

The background is the same as the
last; dull and symbolic of death. As
stated before, this dull colouring
also makes the blood red crosses
stand out so that we notice them
although they are not the biggest
thing on screen.
The size of the writing again, isn’t
as big as it usually would be in a
horror, making it non-
This title reveals that no exact date
is given however, from the earlier
title ‘THIS JANUARY’ we are given a
rough idea of when this will
happen.

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Title analysis

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