The document analyzes three horror movie trailers: The Devil Inside, The Woman In Black, and Paranormal Activity 3. It examines the use of cinematography, editing, sound, and mise-en-scene in each trailer to create tension and establish them as typical examples of the horror genre. Elements like dark lighting, quick cuts, ominous music, realistic settings, and frightening imagery work together to generate an atmosphere of terror and suspense meant to attract audiences to the films.

1. Media Language Investigation
In the following slides I will analyse three different horror trailers
1. The Devil Inside
2. The Woman In Black
3. Strangers
I will analyse in detail how the trailer has been produced through use of
cinematography, editing, sound and mise en scene and how these
following features will contribute into creating a typical trailer of the
horror genre.

2. An extreme close up has been used here to
show the cut on this woman's mouth. The
make up and overall mise en scene makes her
The Devil Inside look possessed which adds to the horror genre.
Through use of editing and
computer development we
are now able to create more
horrifying images such as the
mangles body shown in this
screen shot. This realistic
image makes the reader
believe that this could happen
in reality therefore making
the trailer and film seem
more terrifying. It also is a
memorable image which will
make the audience remember
this film, therefore they will
be more likely to go and see There have been use of
it. security cameras as part
This is a mid shot. The of the cinematography
lighting has been used on and mise en scene to
the character’s face to show entrapment. It also
show the emotion yet adds a realistic element
given enough light to
to the trailer as we all
show the possessed
character behind in the have security cameras.
dark which adds to the This adds to the scary
tension and scary feel to atmosphere to the
the trailer. trailer.
Cinematography: There is a use of mid shots and close ups to gain the expression of the characters.
It also allows the view to see the detail such as the cuts on the woman’s arm. There are high angles
to show lack of power the woman has over her possession. There are also uses of extreme close ups
to show the horror and create an idea of chaos as the consumer cannot fully see what they are
watching. There are also use of Dutch tilts to show the chaos and to help build tension. The lighting
has been used effectively throughout to show emotion on character’s faces but also to emphasize
the darkness which is a typical convention of horror. The end scene of the title of the film has
images of the cuts shown on the victim earlier showing continuity.

3. Editing: There has been use of type writing used at the start of the trailer so
the audience can read what is being said through the telephone call. Also by
saying ‘the actual 911 call’ makes the audience believe that this can happen in
reality, therefore causing tension and horror to rise. The shots have been
edited sort of fuzzy to show chaos which is usually associated with horror.
Towards the end of the trailer there are fast paced cuts (short takes) to build
suspense. There are also motivated cuts as well as the use of fade outs so the
image goes black, which is a colour associated with horror
Sound: There are use of voice-overs to create a realistic feel to the trailer as if
they are listening to a police phone call, making the horrific incidences
realistic There is also diegetic sound which is carried over the shots to become
a voice over which has been done when the woman is singing a nursery
rhyme. Kids’ songs are often used to create an eerie feel in horror. The key
action parts that are designed to make the audience jump use non diegetic
sound to emphasize the action.
Mise En Scene: Use of dark and low lighting is used throughout to show the
horror genre. There are also use of the Christ cross to show the ideal of the
devil which is linked to the horror genre.

4. The Woman In Black
Darkness and a
night setting is
common within
horror trailers as it
adds suspense and
Blood is common within nervous
horror films. This shot atmosphere within
however could also imply the audience.
someone is watching him
which adds to the horror
element as it creates a
sense of the unknown.
Cinematography: The trailer begins with an establishing shot in order for the audience to
visualize this is where the action will be taking place within the movie, giving the audience an
insight. The room is old, tattered and destroyed which creates an eerie look which follows the
horror genre. There are use of close ups and mid shots to show the terror on character’s faces
and to show the ‘creepy’ objects in the house. There are also use of insert cuts as well once the
setting has been established to show the action within the scene. There are use of low angles
on the house to show the power of this haunted house. The lighting used is also dark which are
typical of horror trailers

5. Editing: Within post production a variety of editing devices have been used. There are uses of transitions
such as fade outs which leaves a black screen which adds to the horror genre as black is a conventional
colour. There are also use of motivated cuts when the word ‘house’ and ‘women’ is mentioned it cuts to a
shot of them so the audience can gain an insight as to who the characters are. The scenes have been edited
so as to when an object is destroyed or some form of action is shown on the screen it co -alongside with the
flash of music for emphasis. There are short takes throughout which have been pieced together in a fast
pace towards the end of the trailer to show tension and speed in the action. There has been no copy used
either which is usually typical of horror trailers, though this may be done as the voice over will create a
better scary atmosphere for the horror trailer.
Sound: At the beginning of the trailer there is ambient sound of the wind which creates an eerie
atmosphere and an idea of desertion within the house. There is also a voice over of the child telling the
story of the film in a nursery rhyme style. Children and nursery rhymes are often used in horror films to
again create an eerie and scary feel to show the genre of the film. This is the only voice to be heard within
the trailer to show that no one will hear you scream in this town, creating a sense of horror. Also by not
being able to see this voice and where it is coming from will also add tension. The non diegetic sound of a
child’s music toy is constant throughout to create tension, which speeds up part way through and cuts out
to just one note after the title of the film has been said. This has been done to show chaos, tension and
suspense. It also does not fit with the fast pace action that is happening on screen at the time which goes
against typical horror trailer conventions.
Mise En Scene: The overall mise en scene of the horror trailer is old, dark, death and decay which are all
common features of a horror genre. There is also a deserted area, the Christ’s cross (which is used a lot
within horror) and blood – all typical conventions of a horror trailer to create a scary location to emphasize
the plot and make the consumer feel nervous and scared. There are lots of use of children’s toys which
shows how the monster prays on children, therefore creating a scary environment.

6. A Dutch tilt has been used here
to create a chaotic look to the
scene which complies with the
Paranormal Activity 3 horror genre. The lighting is
also dark which is another
typical convention of the horror
genre.
This mirror shot
Lighting has
shows a dark
been carefully
figured
chosen here to
supernatural being
create the
which is typical of
scary
the horror genre.
atmosphere.
Also the darkness
creates the terror in
which horror films
are known for.
Cinematography: The cameras chosen to film this movie has been done by using home
video cameras to create a more realistic feel to the film, making the reader believe that this
is something that could happen in reality. The hand held camera also gives a distorted and
shaky look during some shots within the trailer which shows a chaotic feel to the trailer
which emphasizes the horror genre. There are use of close ups and midshots to show the
terror on character’s faces to show the horror genre. There are also flash backs and over the
shoulder/mirror shots so the audience can gain a greater insight into the trailer. There are
also dutch tilts in order to create a chaotic and distorted look to the trailer.

7. Editing: During post production the continuity between each shot has been edited
to a distorted and fuzzy look to show a chaotic atmosphere which is a typical
convention of a horror genre. There are motivated cuts as well which link back to
previous films showing the audience a brief history of the film to show synergy.
Some scenes have been edited into slow motion which creates an eerie feel as the
laughing over the top has been echoed and edited to create suspense. Copy has
also been used with use of emotive language to create suspense and make the
audience ask questions which will make them want to watch the film.
Sound: There are voiceover used throughout which has been echoed and distorted
to create a nervous and eerie atmosphere which adds to the typical horror genre
feel. The non diegetic sound along with the sound of broken up film is used
towards the end of the trailer to create further suspense. The childs laugh carries
over the black out through use of a sound bridge in order to add further suspense
to the audience.
Mise En Scene: The overall feel of the trailer is quite dark, as black is a typical
convention of horror. Also light is used to emphasize the scary aspects within the
trailer (such as the torch under the face) as well as the darkness to emphasize the
supernatural monster that is often associated with night. The use of everyday
clothes and home cameras used makes the trailer seem very realistic to make the
audience believe that this could happen to them in their own home, which adds to
the scary atmosphere within the trailer.