The trailer for the film Sinister uses several film techniques to build tension and create a scary atmosphere. High key lighting is used in happier scenes while low key lighting creates tension during scary moments. The characters wear everyday clothing to make the situations more realistic and relatable. Loud sound bridges between scenes, fast-paced music during tense scenes, and a TV crackling sound effect add to the tension. Slow editing at the beginning contrasts with faster editing during scary parts to manipulate the atmosphere and pace of the trailer.

1. Analysis 3 Sinister Trailer

2. Mise-en-scene
• The location of the trailer is a homely
environment, this makes it realistic and easy to relate
to for the audience, also it makes it more ironic for
the scary things that will happen.
• High key lighting is used in parts of the trailer that
are happy and positive such as when the family are
sitting down to eat, but in contrast when scary things
are happening, low key lighting is used. This is
stereotypical for horror films because the low key
lighting sets a creepy atmosphere and creates
tension.

3. • The costumes worn by the characters in the trailer
are average everyday clothing, this also creates
verisimilitude for the audience and allows them to
relate to the characters more.

4. Sound
• There is a loud sound bridge inbetween scenes
throughout the trailer. These sound bridges build a
lot of tension and emphasise the scary things
happening. This sound indicates to the audience that
the events are significant.
• Fast paced non diegetic music is used when the
tension is building with the quick scenes of the scary
things happening. The music build even more tension
and keep the audience intrigued while watching.

5. • A non diegetic sound effect of a TV crackling is used
frequently in the trailer throughout tense
scenes, one especially where the little girl is seeing
another girl who has died. These sound effects add
more tension and build up the scariness of the
trailer.

6. Editing
• Slow paced editing is used at the beginning of the
trailer when everything is good when the family is
sitting eating dinner and in bed, therefore the pace
of the editing relates well to the atmosphere. In
contrast, when things are going wrong when the
little girl can see another girl and when the man
knows something isn’t right, fast paced editing is
used. The fast paced editing creates tension and
builds up an atmosphere.