1. 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’.

2. 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 after 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. 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 to show the
audience that the genre of the film trailer is horror, they do this so it builds tension
throughout. There is also blood which features within the horror trailer this is linked to
death so it shows that it is a horror film.

3. THE STRANGERS
By using an attractive girl in
the bath this is using Laura
Mulvey’s male gaze
theory, and as horror films are
mainly aimed at young
men, this will attract them.
This is used to
show the fear on
the actors faces, so
that the audience
feel the tension
and are therefore
scared.
The ‘villain’ in horror
films are normally scary
looking or in masks. In
the strangers they are in
masks which is a typical
convention.
Mise En Scene- The use of dark and low lighting is used throughout to show
the audience that the genre of the film trailer is horror, they do this so it
builds tension throughout. During the film we see some weapons like knives
and axes, this shows violence which also indicates it’s a horror film. By the
villains wearing masks this connotes it’s a horror film.

4. THE STRANGERS
Cinematography- the trailer begins with an establishing shot of the house where the film will
be set, by the camera being handheld and a distance away from the house this suggests to
the audience that someone is watching the house. There are many close up shots of the
couple, this is a key convention because everything to the audience will seem ‘normal’, the
director then goes onto use close ups of the actors locking doors, this builds tension so the
viewer will be on edge. High angle shots are used to look at the victims, this is to show that
they don’t have as much power as the villain. We have many medium shots and close ups
used to show the expression on the victims faces this is to show fear and build tension.
Handheld cameras are mainly used in horror films because it seems more realistic to the
audience and also horror films are on low budgets. The last shot of the trailer is a close up
shot of a blurry image and this is not very conventional of a horror genre because it is not
clear to the audience what is happening.
Editing- The trailer begins with short cuts on the film company's logos which is conventional
for all films. In the start of the trailer it connotes the romance in the shots as the cuts are very
smooth and faded. Text is used rather than a voice over as it seems more realistic and is a key
convention for a horror film. There are very slow shots used where we can see from the actors
point of view after this slow paced editing, we see a long lasting shot in the kitchen where the
villain is reveled for the first time, after this point the cuts get a lot quicker, reaching the
climax of the trailer the shots last for very short period of time, this builds tension and makes
the audience scared.
Sound- It begins with the record player playing slow romantic music, so everything seems
normal to the viewers, the calm music suggest that this is the state of equilibrium as
suggested by Todorov. We also hear the sound of wildlife which connotes that they are
alone, dialogue is also used by the characters to show some narrative. The non-diegetic
music stops which shows a change for the audience, there is a lot of silence and suspense
used throughout when the villain is shown. When the quick cuts are being shown there is a
lot of tension building music used and screams on the women's behalf.

5. PARANORMAL
ACTIVITY 3

6. PARANORMAL
ACTIVITY 3
Cinematography- The cameras chosen to film this trailer are handheld and are seen as home
video cameras, this makes it more realistic and can persuade the audience that it can happen
this will build tension and make it reality. By using a handheld camera gives a distorted and
shaky look which add to the trailer being a horror genre. There are a use of close ups and
medium shots to show the expression and terror on the actors faces to show the horror
genre. There are also flashbacks and over the shoulder shots and mirror shots so the
audience gain a greater insight into the film which will keep them wanting to see the film.
Editing- During the editing of the trailer the shots have been editing so that they have a fuzzy
and distorted look which makes a film in the horror genre more real and is a key convention of
a horror genre film. There are motivated cuts as well which link back to the previous
paranormal activity films showing what briefly happens in the previous films and this creates
synergy. Some of the shots have been editing into slow motion this builds tension because
the audience will expect something to make them jump any second.
Sound- Throughout the trailer there has been a voice over which has been distorted and
echoed which creates a nervous atmosphere which adds to it being a typical horror genre.
However, by there being voice overs this is not very conventional as writing on the screen
does build more tension. The non-diegetic sound create further suspense, the child's laugher
carries the black out through the use of a sound bridge in order for more tension.
Mise En Scene- The trailer has very dark lighting which is typical of a horror trailer with lots of
black flashes. Also light is used to emphasize the scary aspects which feature in the trailer as
well darkness which outlines the supernatural monster that relates to night. The use of causal
clothes and home cameras makes the trailer seem more realistic to makes the audience
believe that anything could happen to them, which add to it being in the horror genre