The document summarizes key techniques used in trailers and posters for horror genre films. For trailers, it discusses the use of editing techniques like ellipsis and montage to create a sense of rush and panic. Close-ups are used to show facial expressions of fear, and camera angles are manipulated to indicate which characters are dominant. Fade to black links scenes to build suspense. Posters also employ close-ups to elicit fear through facial expressions. Lighting is low key to create mystery, and costumes are often dark. Props are rarely shown except to depict a character's vulnerability.

1. Research Key Findings
Trailers
Editing  ellipsis of time and montages are used a lot to show the rush and panic in
the movements of characters. It also helps to add to the sense of realism around the
film, as it shows the characters past. The use of fast pace editing shows the rush
and panic the characters are feeling. The use of fade to black is common within this
genre as it links the scenes together and creates suspense within the trailer.
Camerawork there is a high
use of close ups to show the
facial expressions of the
characters, to show their fear
and to create a sense of fear
within the audience. There is the
use of high and low angles to
show which characters are
dominant and which are not. The
use of low angles looking up on
characters shows them to be
dominant. The use of wide shots is conventional as it allows for things to happen
around the character, creating suspense, which is conventional in the horror genre.
Mise-en-scene  the clothing worn would be darker, to add to the mystery
surrounding the storyline. There would be low key lighting to add to the mystery and
darkness, and to create suspense. Props used would be weapons, to link to the
violent theme. Storylines which revolve around a family would use props such as
family photos, to add to the storyline and create realism.
Sound  The non-diegetic sound creates suspense and a build up to something
bigger, so it should be used in the lead up to something big happening. The sound
effects used are usually screams or smashes, too great a tense atmosphere. The
dialogue would show the fear in the characters, adding to the intensity of the horror.
Conventions of genre  darker colours, such as blacks and reds, as these connote
mystery and violence, which are
common themes within the horror
genre. The setting is usually
isolated from society; this sets the
scene for the common theme of
mystery in this genre.

2. Conventions of form  There would be footage from what the characters lifes were
like before, to show the build up and change in the dynamics of their lifes. It also
shows how much has happened, through the use of fast pace editing. There is an
establishing shot to show the isolation felt by the characters.
Posters
Camerawork  Close ups of the
characters facial expressions to create a
sense of fear within the audience, and
anticipation as to what is going to happen
in the movie. High angles looking down
on characters to show their vulnerability
within the movie, and wide shots to allow
a lot to go on in the image, as this is
conventional within the horror genre.
Mise-en-scene  Low key lighting to
create a sense of mystery, and darkness
is conventional within the horror genre.
Darker costumes and white costumes
are worn in the paranormal theme, to link to
the ghost theme. Props are not commonly
shown, apart from those which show the
vulnerability and isolation of the characters
involved, such as in the Chucky poster. The
wheelchair shown in the poster shows how
that character is inferior to Chucky, showing
where the power lies within the movie.