2. MEDIA LANGUAGE
In the following slides I will analyse three different horror
trailers:
1. The Purge
2. The Strangers
3.
I will be analysing in detail how the trailer has been
produced through the use of cinematography, sound, editing
and mise-en-scene and how these aspects will contribute
into creating a typical horror trailer.
3. THE PURGE
A close up has been used here
to show the expression on
‘villains’ face, through mise-
en-scene we can see he an evil
look about him to tie in with
the horror genre.
In this shot we see two more of the
villains who have masks on, through
mise-en-scene this adds to the
scariness of the trailer as they are
unnatural faces also with one man
holding a gun to his head.
In this shot they have used dramatic
lighting to show that the torch is
lighting up the blood written writing on
the wall, this builds up tension for the
people watching.
The lighting being used is seen as
natural light coming through the
window, by using this lighting it
outlines the ‘villain’ coming through the
window as the women walking away, so
therefore the audience will think
someone is now following her.
In this shot cinematography is
used to show an establishing
shot on the street which would
normally be a busy street, by
the street being empty and in
darkness this shows that it may
not be safe to be on the streets
during the ‘Purge’.
4. THE PURGE
Cinematography- Throughout the trailer or the purge there are lots of mid shots, close
ups and extreme close ups, this is to gain the expression on the characters faces, they
mainly has close ups on the victims faces so the viewers will feel the same feeling as
them. There are a lot of low angles of the main villain this is to show his power over the
rest of the victims. Throughout the trailer there are extreme close ups used to show the
pain and horror to others watching. There are a lot of over the shoulder shots used to
see that the victims are being followed by the villains this builds up tension throughout.
Editing- At the start of the trailer there is writing which comes up and the things that are
written are seen a good things to the viewers. There are straight cuts to a wealthy family
living there normal lives in a rich area, this is very stereotypical for a horror film as it is
seen as realistic. After the scene is set we cut to some tension building to crime
attacks, the shots that have been used are fuzzy to show the chaos. Towards the end of
the trailer everything speeds up to build up the suspense. There are also motivated cuts
as well as the fade out cuts so the image goes black, which is associated with horror.
Sound- There are voice overs to create a realistic feel to the trailer as they are listening
to a news report, which makes it seem more realistic. There is also music put over the
top to build tension throughout the trailer to show the genre of the film being horror.
Sound stings are used to make the audience jump at the trailer, the sound used will
emphasize.
Mise En Scene- The use of dark and low lighting is used throughout
