The document analyzes the style of the teaser trailer for the 1927 film The Lodger. It discusses the trailer's use of camerawork including canted angles, movement, shot types, and composition. It also examines the trailer's non-diegetic soundtrack, editing techniques including order of shots and transitions, and aspects of mise-en-scene such as setting, props, costumes, and lighting. The analysis shows how the trailer builds mystery, tension, and excitement through its visual and audio techniques to engage audiences with the film's plot.

1. Genre Research-
Teaser Trailer Style-
The Lodger (1927)
By Olivia Houlton

2. The Lodger- Teaser’s Style
• Camerawork-
- Angle- During the shots of girls screaming there is use of a
canted angle to reinforce a sense of chaos and fright. Also,
there is use of a high angle shot when focused on women
in the film, perhaps to symbolise their vulnerability
towards the avenger and their low social status in society
at that time
- Movement- there is a very slight crab movement during
the footage of the car driving off, creating a sense of
urgency and panic in its motive
- Shot type- There are many close-ups of girls screaming in
the trailer, echoing the theme of danger and vulnerability.
Also, the shot positioning when Mr. Drew approaches
some stairs creates the impression of hiding behind the
banisters. This secretive positioning creates a sense of
enigma and tension.

3. The lodger- Teaser’s Style
- Composition- The structure of the office footage is very
interesting as there is a distinct foreground, middle-
ground and background all in which office workers are
running around madly. This composition enhances the
themes of confusion and commotion. There is also use of
proxemics throughout the trailer, for example when Mr
Drew and Mrs Bunting first meet there is a medium-long
shot showing the distance between them. This space
indicates towards the friction and hesitation in their
relationship. Also there is use of the rule of thirds in a
shot of Mr Drew creating an increased sense of realism
and interest in the shot. Conversely, there is a shot of Mr
Drew, later on, disrupting this rule, creating a sense of
discomfort and anxiety in the audience, further creating
tension and anticipation as the plot unravels
- Depth of field- The footage in the lodger has deep focus
to add a sense of realness to the shots

4. The Lodger- Teaser’s Style
• Sound-
• Non- diegetic- There is a continuous
soundtrack playing over the trailer. The
soundtrack is of an orchestra playing a very
mysterious and dramatic piece that builds up
towards a climax as more instruments jump
in throughout. This theatrical piece is very
parallel to the intense visuals of murders in
the trailer. Also, due to the soundtrack being
continuous over the footage there are many
sound bridges over different scenes, adding
to the climatic effect of the trailer.
• Diegetic sound- In the trailer there is no on-
screen sourced sound, this is mainly due to
The Lodger being a silent movie.

5. The Lodger- Teaser’s Style
• Editing-
• Order of Shots- The first shot shown, in the trailer,
immediately introduces the protagonist to the audience
which is effective in making him a memorable character.
Also, the middle part of the trailer consists of lots of shots in
relation to the articles and headlines of the unknown
murderer, for example a close-up of a newspaper headlines
is followed by a group of girls reading the paper. The
juxtaposition of shots showing the advertisement of the
unidentified killer gives rise to how serious the situation is
and creates a sense of thrill and enigma. Also, towards the
end there are many close-ups of shocked facial expressions
one after the other, helping end the trailer on a mysterious
note.
• Continuity- Although there are small scenes in the trailer
that have continuity, the majority is a montage of clips. This
is so that the trailer can cover a broader range of clips within
the film and engage the audience with the best bits.

6. The Lodger- Teaser’s Style
• Transitions- During the very clip of Mr. Drew meeting
Mrs. Bunting there is use of a fade transition to provoke a
sense of mystery, however further on in the trailer
straight cuts a predominant to create a faster pace and
more excitement
• Shot duration- There is not a vast difference in shot
duration in this teaser trailer as almost all shots are
between 1-2 seconds. However the shots of Mr. Drew
tend to be 2 seconds and above, highlighting his
importance in the plot
• Pace and rhythm- The teaser trailer has a very fast pace,
also the pace is very consistent and does not change too
much. However at the very beginning it is noticeably
slower as the titles are are being shown
• Special effects- There is a clip of the Buntings looking up
and the ceiling above them turns clear and you can see
Mr. Drew pacing around. This effect may symbolise the
higher status of Mr. Drew at this point in the plot as the
Bunting are looking up at him showing his superiority.

7. The Lodger- Teaser’s Style
• Mise-en-scene-
• Setting- The setting of Victorian England creates a very
eerie and unnerving atmosphere, adding to tension within
the audience
• Props- A recurring prop is the note found with “The
Avenger” written on it. This prop is essential to the plot of
the film, also it reflects on the Jack the Ripper murders as
he also left notes and messages to the police. The hidden
identity of “The Avenger” further enhances the theme of
mystery
• costume/hair/make-up- The policeman in the teaser
trailer is dressed in a very stereotypical costume. This
allows the audience to recognise him as a figure of
authority. Also, the young girls shown in the trailer have
very neat make-up and hair, echoing the key characteristics
of a conventional damsel. Mr. Drew’s make-up and hair is
also very tidy and clean making him appear very
respectable but even more mysterious as a suspected killer

8. The Lodger- Teaser’s Style
• Facial expression/ body language- When a dead
body is discovered, a witness is seen very
distressed as she curls up her fingers and eyes
are very wide with her mouth open. The worried
persona of many of the characters further
highlight the seriousness of the situation
• Lighting and colour- The majority of outside
shots within the teaser trailer are at night
creating the sense of darkness, reflecting on the
evilness of the murders. Also in the interior shots
the lighting is used to create many shadows,
further reflecting the the theme of evil and bad.
Also, in the shots of both Daisy and Mr. Drew the
light is mainly focused on their faces, perhaps
symbolising their innocence and goodness
throughout the plot