The trailer for Chernobyl Diaries uses various film techniques to set up tension and build suspense. It begins by establishing the storyline of a group of tourists exploring Chernobyl, then shows footage of the real-life disaster. As the characters arrive in Chernobyl, ominous sounds are heard and they realize they may not be alone. Shots of a creepy doll and disturbed objects imply a threatening presence. The trailer references the director of Paranormal Activity to draw in fans of that successful horror film. It culminates with characters fleeing from an unseen antagonist, leaving viewers wanting to find out who or what threatens them.

1. Chernobyl Diaries
trailer analysis

2. O The trailer begins by using high key lighting and
we hear a character saying “here were go”. This
links to the images used as we see a man
recording himself. Non- diegetic upbeat music is
used to complement their mood.
O The use of handheld camera makes the audience
feel involved and gives the trailer a higher level of
verisimilitude. However it can create the sense of
chaos, as it can be hard to follow the jerky
movements.

3. O The establishing shots of the Eiffel Tower and
the Colosseum in Rome help set up the
storyline of the film, as we are given an idea
that the film is going to be about a group of
characters who like to explore different parts
of the world.

4. O The proxemics of the characters in the shot on the left show that
they are comfortable around each other and the upbeat music
complements this.
O A whip pan transition is then used to indicate a passage of time
between the shots, this whip pan stands out because of its abrupt
style which isn't common in a horror film. This is therefore
challenging genre conventions. The effect of this is that it doesn‟t
make it seem as though it is going to be a horror movie.
O The use of a wide shot allows the audience to see all of the
characters in the film.

5. A straight cut is then used to show the
character‟s conversation, straight cuts are
used so that its easy for the audience to
follow the conversation, typical of the genre.

6. O After setting up the storyline, a couple of shots are shown clarifying to the
audience what happened in Chernobyl. „IN 1986 CHERNOBYL REACTOR 4
EXPLODED‟. In these shots they have a strip in the middle where the text is
written in white writing across a red banner. The colour red signifies blood and
death, which is typical of a horror film and it also links to the Chernobyl
disaster where many civilians died.
O These titles appear simultaneously so that the audience can see the events of
Chernobyl and how it was reported at the time of the event.

7. O As the screen shows some text and images of
Chernobyl, a Foley siren noise sounds, as if it was the
sound you would hear if you were there when the
incident took place. We then see news clips and hear
the reporters describing the incident. “No time to take
anything.”, “Abandoned overnight”. This helps the
audience get a better understanding of how bad the
events which took place were.

8. O The use of the long shot shows the desolate
location, which is a typical of a horror film. The
mise en scene in this shot is very limited as
the area is run down, so it therefore highlights
the emptiness of the area and how it has been
neglected after the disaster.

9. O Two Foley bangs sound as the screen shows
the production companies. This draws the
audience‟s attention to what is shown on the
screen. The background uses dull colours
with a blood stained and grainy effect, which
is a typical convention of horror films, as these
colours signify danger and evil which is
significant to a horror.

10. O The camera pans to show that the
characters are heading to the Chernobyl
disaster area. A fade to black transition is
then used to reveal the characters in the
van and to show passing of time, that
being either a few minutes or hours.

11. O This high angle shot shows the characters
arriving at their destination. The use of the
high angle helps to show the derelict
buildings, again typical of the horror
genre.

12. O The way the camera is angled in this shot
shows that the emphasis is on the male
driver, who is their tour guide.

13. O Low key lighting and a non diegetic
parallel sound of a helicopter is used in
this shot to show the change of mood.

14. O As this long shot appears the mood instantly
changes from a happy atmosphere to an eerie
mood. This is revealed through non diegetic
echoes and booming noises.
O In the over the shoulder shot Foley sounds of the
radiation receiver are played, so this instantly
gives the characters and the audience the
impression that something bad is going to happen.

15. O The use of this close up of the toy doll is to draw the
audience‟s attention to the fact that there used to be
life living in the area. It may also indicate that there
could be a child near by, who may have been left
behind. Children in horror movies are generally
spooky and this shot helps to add eeriness to the
trailer.

16. In the low angle shots of the male character the music
becomes quite sinister, which indicates that something bad
may happen, preparing the audience for a visceral response.
The camera then pans around to this two shot of the female
characters to reveal their reaction.
As the over shoulder shot appears the music slows down and
so does the shot, which implies that the mood is about to
change.

17. The non diegetic boom sounds in the wide
angle shot makes the atmosphere
tense, therefore, building tension.

18. O A sound bridge of the non diegetic booming
sounds is used in this wide angle shot to
emphasize the change of mood, and the fact
this shot is in monochrome acts as a turning
point for the characters; it symbolizes the
beginning of the turmoil.

19. In this low angle shot the camera pans
around the character and non diegetic
sounds of a timer are being played, which
could indicate that the character‟s time is
running out.

20. O The flash from the camera acts as a transition to the wide angle shot and then
again into the next shot of the swing. However ,this time the colour of the shot
has changed to sepia. This makes it seem as though a photograph has been
taken, as if it wants to pause at that moment in time. The swing may also
relate to the child‟s doll which could provide the audience with ideas that a
child is an important character in the film.
O A zoom is used to put emphasis on the fact that the character has noticed
something disturbing, throughout these shots a sound bridge of deep booming
and high pitched sounds are played to build tension.

21. O In both this mid shot and high angle
shot, a sound bridge of high pitched and
deep rumbling noises is used to create
tension and heighten the action, as the
female character has just discovered
something disturbing.

22. O The low key lighting and the narrative in
these shots „ the wires have been destroyed‟
instantly tells the audience that the characters
are not alone and it is where the action
begins. A Foley sound of a walkie talkie is
used to show that they are trying to get help.

23. O The low key lighting in the van
shots makes the scene seem
more sinister and the use of the
wide angle shot allows the
audience to see that the
characters are all drawn to
something outside.
O An over the shoulder shot of the
radiation receiver Is used again
to show that there is something
creepy outside.

24. Chiaroscuro lighting is used in the wide angle
shot creating shadows, thus building a sense of
suspicion.
The narrative of the characters tells the
audience that they may not be alone ‘are you
sure we’re out here alone?’. This therefore puts
ideas into the audiences head and makes them
think about what could potentially happen.

25. O A long shot is used to reveal the female
character who seems to be hiding from
what may be the antagonist. The non
diegetic high pitched sounds complement
the mood of this sequence, this is where
the action heightens and begins to unfold.

26. O Nearly halfway through the trailer a title page appears and says „FROM
OREN PELI CREATOR OF PARANORMAL ACTIVITY‟ across what
looks like a blood stained banner; blood symbolising death and danger.
The name Oren Peli and Paranormal Activity are written in larger letters
which makes them stand out more to the audience. By intertexutally
referencing Paranormal Activity which was a successful film, the film
company involved in making Chernobyl Diaries are attracting an
audience already, them being fans of Paranormal Activity. The font used
for this piece of text makes the title easy to read, yet it has a cracked
effect which corresponds to the genre of the film. A slight effect is used
when the colours are changing, it seems as though each colour cracks
away to reveal the other colour, this therefore complements and matches
the genre of the film. On the next title page the same font is used which
reads „THIS SUMMER‟. This is to let the audience know when the film is
being released and to attract audiences.

27. The camera tracks the two characters
backwards as they are running away from
the antagonist. As the camera has tracked
the characters back, it gives the trailer
variety in shots and angles, therefore
keeping the audience in suspense and
interesting them further.

28. In the wide angle shot, the female is placed at the front, therefore drawing
attention to her, making it seem like she is the bravest member of the group.
The camera then focusses on the small child, who is an enigma. This shot
could potentially link back to the previous shot of a child‟s doll, which could
mean that the little girl is protecting her territory . This makes the audience
watch closely as they want to find out who it is and what it will do to the
characters.

29. A shallow focus shot is then used, focussing on the
male character, showing his masculinity in the
situation.
The high angle shot of the woman is used to show
her vulnerability and how scared she is. In the
background we can see a figure, which may be the
antagonist . By showing this it is making the audience
feel afraid too, as the figure could possibly attack the
female character, therefore enticing the audience
even more and keeping them interested.

30. O Once more the same background
effect is used on the other title
pages. The next title page says
„EXPERIENCE‟ after this, it
straight cuts to a small number of
clips before another title page
which says „FALLOUT‟
again, there are a few more clips
of the film followed by a title page
which reads „CHERNOBYL
DIARIES‟. This title is slightly
different to the previous ones, as
in this title the letter „R‟ is
reversed and appears
backwards. By making the title
slightly different to the others it
makes it stand out more and
because it is the name of the film
and the last title the audience
see, it needs to grab their
attention.

31. O The framing and lighting of this shot draws
attention to the figure, however, just before
the figure is shown a silence is used. Silences
are used in horror films to build tension and
are typically followed by a frightening
sound, which spooks the audience.

32. O The framing in these two wide angle shots
helps to show that the characters are
alone. This is also highlighted by the use
of chiaroscuro lighting .
O The non diegetic sound of the young girl
laughing makes the trailer seem creepy.

33. O The camera then pans around quickly to reveal a
female character being taken. This is uncomfortable
for audience‟s to watch, as female characters are
seen as more vulnerable and defenceless, so when
they are taken or killed it seems worse than when a
male character has been taken.

34. O The use of the close up of the man‟s face
and the shallow focus of the female‟s face
draws the audience‟s attention to them
and to the fact that the antagonist is after
them.

35. O A long shot has been used to show the
characters running away from the
antagonist.
O The second shot it a high angle shot of
the female character. By using the high
angle, it highlights the fact that she‟s in
danger.

36. O A low angle shot is used to establish the
location and the vast size of where the
characters have to escape from.

37. O The last shot we see is a handheld camera
shot which makes the audience feel as though
the action is really happening. As the shots
are quick and jerky it makes the audience feel
afraid.

38. O One of the last titles we see is „COMING
SOON‟ which has their website underneath
therefore directing the viewers to it, to find out
more on the movie. This is demonstrating
synergy and how the production company
worked with other companies to produce its
website.