Through analyzing moving images, the author has identified several techniques commonly used in horror film trailers to appeal to audiences. These include establishing shots of production companies and age ratings at the start. A variety of shots are used to introduce characters and settings. Edits like fade-to-black and jump cuts set the pace and flow while creating an unsettling feeling. Eerie sounds, diegetic effects like breathing, and non-diegetic music add to the fear and suspense. Lighting uses high-key and low-key contrasts to emphasize scenes, while enigma codes and cliffhangers intrigue viewers. The trailer usually ends by displaying the film title and release date.

1. Points drawn from
moving image
analysis

2. Through my moving image
analysis I have found many
repetitive characteristics which
when combined, portray aspects of
horror to the trailer. I will use many
of these characteristics to help
construct my moving image
correctly in order to ensure my film
trailer appeals to my target
audience to encourage them to
watch the film when released.

3. At the start of trailers the
institution/production company is
shown to the audience to symbolise
the budget of the film they're going to
watch and who created it. Sometimes
followed by a green screen to classify
the appropriate age of
audience targeted for the film so that
audiences are aware if the film is
appropriate for them to watch.

4. A variety of camera shots and angles
such as close up shots, and high
angles are used to establish
characters within the trailer-normally
the main character first, and their
settings.

5. Edits such as fade-to-black transitions
and jump cuts are used to set pace
and flow of the narrative. The black
fades are convenient in a horror
trailer as the colour black is
associated with danger, fear and
mystery. However jump-cuts add to
the disequilibrium of the narrative
which keeps audiences fixed to the
screen.

6. I’ve found that sound effects are
crucial in a horror film trailer to
create impact associated with the
‘fear factor’ within the audience. In
order to adhere to the horror
genre, more eerie, supernatural
sounds and whispers are used.
Similarly Diegetic sound effects
such has breathing, or heartbeats
enable the audiences to feel apart
of the text. As well as Non-diegetic
soundtracks which give more flow
to the narrative throughout the
trailer.

7. The mise-en-scene of the trailer
tend to have variations of high-
key and low-key lighting.
Diffused shadows and
atmospheric pools of light are
used to emphasize what’s
taking place in the scene.
Additionally enigma codes are
very common to get the
audiences involved with the film
trailer, similarly to cliffhangers
and open-endings. This
technique is used to draw
audiences to watch the film.

8. Generally the title of the film and
release date are shown near the
end of the trailer for audiences to
remember. The trailer consists of
a beginning, middle and end.
However can’t exceed more
than 2:30 seconds. Lastly overlay
text is used to either present
audiences with information such
as the release date, actor/actress
names or quotes/dialogue to
anchor the film.