This trailer for The Blair Witch Project provides key information about the film's plot and genre. It establishes that three student filmmakers go missing in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland in 1994 while shooting a documentary. Throughout black-and-white, shaky footage and close-ups, the audience gets clues about the students' investigation and experiences of fear. Sound effects of storms add to the unsettling atmosphere. Overall, the trailer leaves the audience wanting to know what happens to the students while effectively setting the scene for a thriller/horror film.

3. This first shot introduces the trailer with a paragraph of text, introducing the film; this is
significant as it is also on the poster. The white text contrasts with the black background causing it
to stand out. This shot also sets the scene and also informs us of the location: ‘in the woods near
Burkittsville, Maryland’ and additionally alerts the audience of the characters that are going to be
in the film; three student filmmakers.
The audience are also made aware of the reason as to why the teens are in the woods which is
because they are shooting a documentary. This is effective in being the very first shot as the
audience is immedietely made aware of what the film is going to be about.

4. This shot of leaves on the ground suggests that the film is set during Autumn/Winter, it also
allows the audience to understand more about where it is set; which appears to be in a woodland
area. From this shot we can not grasp the exact time but due to the lighting, it appears to be
during the daytime. The shot is also black and white.
Montage editing is used throughout the trailer and in terms of the pace; there is a mixture of fast
and slower shots, this gives a mysterious yet eerie effect and positions the audience to feel on
edge and panicked. The use of a hand-held shot informs the audience that the film is shown from
someone’s perspective and due to it being shaky, the audience is forced to feel on edge which
emphasizes the genre of the film and a thriller/horror.

5. This second frame of what appears to be bloodied hand prints and writing on a wall, although
due to the black and white effect the audience can not be sure as to whether or not it is blood;
therefore leaving the audience with mysterious thoughts, causing them to continue watching.
The handheld P.O.V shot makes the audience feel more things about the trailer and makes them
feel involved in the action.

6. This medium shot of a large old fashioned camera suggests that the film was set long ago, this
is also backed up by the first shot which states that this event took place in 1994. Additionally,
the hands in this frame appear to be wearing gloves; therefore gives the impression that
something is being investigated, which adds a sense of mystery; a common element used in
thriller/horror films.
The black and white effect which is used throughout the whole trailer which emphasises the
thriller/horror genre as they are often dark and do not use vast amounts of colour.

7. The above shot seems to be of a ruined plate, and again appears to be a piece of evidence. The
writing on the plate ’Blair Witch’ is another hint and acts as another piece of evidence to
contribute to the problem they are trying to uncover.

8. This close up shot of a book/diary is effective as it limits what the audience can see and therefore
adds to the mystery of the film. Again, there are gloves on the persons hand which suggests that
this object is being used as evidence and that the film involves an investigation; which has already
been hinted throughout the trailer.
This, along with a lot of the other shots is unclear and blurry, this is partly due to the fast paced
editing as it is sometimes unclear what is happening; however this is effective as it caused the
audience to feel confused and disorientated.

9. This low angle, extreme close up conveys the fear in which the girl is feeling, due to this shot
being an extreme close up it is also made clear that the girl is crying which suggests that she is
more than scared and is petrified; meaning that something terrifying has happened.
The use of the handheld camera effect is effective as it emphasizes the realism within the film
and makes it clear that she is alone. The flash light shining on her face and the dark background
informs the audience that it is night time which is a time of day often associated with
horror/thriller films.

10. The symbol being placed in the centre of the shot, conveys its importance. The text also being in
white, which contrasts with the black background makes it clear and stands out. The font is also
uneven and not neat which adds to the edgy effect. An effect of a slight glow on the text links to the
torch lighting on the female characters face in the previous shot, this therefore creates a theme and
suggests ‘the light within the dark’ or a positive feeling like ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’.
In terms of the editing, when the text appears on the screen; it flashes, this links to the sound which
sound like thunder; therefore this could be symbolising the lightning that is occurring.

11. The above shot is a handheld medium shot. It is blurred and disorientated, the audience is
positioned as if they are running behind this person due to the fact that it is a handheld shot, it is
also very shaky which again causes the audience to feel distressed and disorientated.

12. Sound Overall
In regards to the sound in this trailer, the first 6 clips contain a non
diegetic voiceover of what seems to be a news report, which states that
someone’s son has gone missing as the male voice says “Do you believe a
colt may be involved in the disappearance of your son”. Therefore the
sound informs the audience greatly. Additionally, there is background
noise which appears to be stormy weather which is commonly used in
horror/thriller films.
Non diegetic sound is used again by the sound of thunder, lighting and rain
is used to give the effect of unsettled weather and therefore an unsettled
atmosphere, however this is not shown on screen.

13. Overall, this trailer is 1 minute and 2 seconds long, which is slightly longer than the average teaser trailer.
In terms of the genre, the audience is given a lot of information throughout the trailer, for example the fast
paced editing emphasises the large amount of action that is going to occur in the film and the fast paced
editing can also cause the audience to feel distressed; which is a common feeling in which audiences
experience whilst watching a horror/thriller film.
In regards to the narrative, a lot of information has been given due to the vast amount of text on the first shot
which tells the audience the storyline before the trailer has begun, this is effective in gaining the correct
audience and ensures that a suitable audience is going to see the film as anyone who doesn’t like the sound of
the storyline is unlikely to watch the film.
This trailer leaves the audience with a few questions but one major questions even though a lot of what
happens is given away in the trailer; the main question the audience are left with would be “What happens to
the students?”, this therefore leaves the audience with enigma and encourages them to watch the full film once
is has been released; boosting film views and sales.
The unique selling point in the film would be that it is a found footage film and the mystery behind what or
who Blair Witch is.
The target audience for this film would be people aged 15-25, this is partially due to the fact that the
characters in the film are all young people and therefore this audience would feel like they can relate more to
the film. Also people who like thrillers and horrors and both genders due to the protagonist in the film being a
female.

14. This trailer helps with our own production planning as
we are also doing a thriller, although this trailer shows
more aspects of a horror and is more like a thriller and
horror combined.
We are also going to be using teenagers in our trailer
who are put in a similar situation, therefore this has
helped in showing us ways to create realism which is
one of our main objectives.