Media Studies

2. The woman in black is a film from the horror genre which features Daniel
Radcliff. The horror genre is designed to frighten and panic, and to invoke
our worst fears but at the same time, entertain us. Horror films focus on the
‘dark side’, strange and alarming events. They deal with out primal nature
and fears such as out nightmares, our vulnerability, terror of the unknown
and out fear of death. The genre of this trailer can be identified through the
opening credits. ‘Cross Creek Pictures’ produce the film and if the audience
are aware of this company they would be familiar with their productions of
horrors such as Black Swan, Clown and Bone Shaker. The genre of this film
can be identified through the director of The Woman in Black as it’s directed
by James Watkins and he is known for writing and directing horror films.

3. The woman in black is a spirit in a haunted town who targets young children.
The main character, Arthur Kipps is a widowed lawyer and father who are
invited to visit the haunted town and retrieve documents of Eel Marsh House
to organise a sale. When arriving, Arthur Kipps finds many local villagers
unwelcoming and unsettling. During Arthurs visit to Eel Marsh House he is
distracted by strange noises and sounds of a screaming child but see’s
nobody. He then begins to approach villagers and research into the spirit
when he discovers that she had lost her son and her spirit claims the lives of
young village children by having them take their own in remorse of her son
being taken away from her.
Narrative

4. A unique selling point of the woman in black is that it’s a film of a famous
novel. It also features actor Daniel Radcliff who is famous for his roles in
adventure films. However, this film is part of the horror genre which allows
the actor to prove that he can feature in more than one genre and to create
a new image for himself. Another unique feature in the trailer is the
character and narrative itself. The film features a family man who arrives at
a house in a village where he knows no one. This could be unique as horror
films usually target young adults or teenage actors as at this age are the
people that can be most affected by horrors. Another unique feature of this
trailer is the female spirit who plays the villain which breaks the stereotype
or the horror genre.
Unique Selling Point

5. The target audience for The Woman in Black is for
those who enjoy and have a thrill for horror films.
Although the film was made a 12A the target age
would be between 18-30 at both genders, the age of
parenthood because this is the age at which they
could relate to the main character and the situation
and fear of losing a child may apply to them.
However, the trailer may target people who are fans
of Daniel Radcliffe as he has been watched by many
from a young age and the film was a way for him to
grow into a different genre of acting.
Target Audience

6. The weather throughout the trailer is used as part of non-diegetic sound.
The wind, lightening rain and the non-diegetic soundtrack of chiming
throughout are used to create a dark atmosphere in and around the
abandoned house, making it feel cold and isolated.This is conventional for
this genre of the film as this type of weather is negative and build up fear
within the audience by linking the wind into the whispering of a spirit that
we don’t see which could relate to the idea that we don’t see the Woman in
Black throughout the trailer. The non-diegetic soundtrack of what sounds
like a nursery rhyme is played throughout the trailer which could be used to
create a sense of innocence towards the children of the village. There is a
voice over of a poem spoken by a young female child who could also
represent innocence and it sets the scene for the audience by introducing
the storyline and the woman in black. The child who narrated the poem is
constantly repeating the work ‘she’, this makes the audience intrigued and
want to know more about the spirit and the town as the voice of the child
quotes during the nursery rhyme ‘The whole town is cursed’.
Sound

7. The trailer has around 55 shot in over 1 minute and 38 seconds. This could
represent how fast the horror events in the film take action in a short amount of
time. At the opening of the trailer several close-ups of toys are used. This
could give the impression that the film as based around events of a young child.
The trailer also uses long shots which are almost at a grey scale colour which
makes the atmosphere and mood more dull and darkening. This could also
show that the film is quite deathly
ShotTypes/Camera Angles

8. A long shot of a house which seems to be
abandoned also reveals the setting and makes
the audience feel unsettled. A wide shot of a
cross is also shown in a long shot which also
focuses on the theme of death but of who the
audience isn’t made aware of. The trailer also
uses high angle shots on the main character
which shows that he is powerless and
vulnerable against the dark spirit which is the
Woman in Black. They also highlight how
small he is and made out to be in his
surroundings, such as the house and how little
he knows about it and the village where he is
staying.Throughout the trailer the lighting
always appears to be dark and gloomy, almost
isolated. This creates a sense of unease and
fear from the characters and audience. The
trailer shows bars around the houses as if
they’re scared and feel as if they’re trapped in
a prison or by ‘The Woman in Black’.

9. The trailer shows the title of the trailer,’The Woman
in Black’. The title is very specific to the character as
the word ‘The’ is used, this shows that the narrative
is based around the spirit. The word ‘Black’ is also
used which could relate to wearing black clothing or
the meanings behind the colour. Black can be used
to represent death which could suggest that she isn’t
alive or that she is mourning. However, the trailer
doesn’t show a release date. By saying ‘Coming
Soon’ suggests that the film is something for the
audience to look forward to. Under the ‘coming
soon; is a web address to their website and also the
name of the production company. This film trailer I
used as a promotional vehicle. The trailer is also
using twitter to promote the film; we know this as a
‘hashtag’ is used to address the audience which is
popular with twitter. This advertising is relevant to
the target age of the film as it can help raise
awareness on social media.
Credits and Intertitles