The document analyzes the trailer for Scream 3. It summarizes that the trailer uses many typical conventions of slasher film trailers including close-up shots of characters reacting in fear, mysterious male characters shown with contrasting lighting, shots of an unseen assailant or open door to generate suspense, and ending with the iconic ghostface mask and scream sound effects. The analysis suggests the trailer aims to intrigue audiences by challenging conventions like the "virgin girl" character and adding an extra scene at the end to further spark interest.

1. Scream 3
Trailer analysis
By Shivani Surti

2. At the beginning of the trailer, captions were
used to make the trailer more effective A close up shot of a females hand is
and appealing to the audience. used alongside low- key lighting,
this kind of shot helps the audience
engage easier with the film.
A medium shot is then used, the audience can now see a young
female answering the phone. This could potentially be the typical
virgin girl that ‘slasher’ films tend to have.

3. These two shots show the
action within in the film, a
gun is an unconventional
weapon to be used within a
'Slasher' film.
This wide shot is used to create These shots also show that the film
suspense for the audience, as is based in a home environment,
they can see a door open but this is a key convention as the
don’t know what to expect next. characters are very familiar to the
settings so don’t expect anything
unordinary to happen.

4. This medium close up shows the
character engaging in conversation. It
could be suggested that the character
that is presented is the age of the
target audience, therefore the
audience may be able to relate to the
film more.
The lighting used within
these two shots is very
effective due to its
contrasting nature. This
adds to the way the
audience interprets the
picture as a whole, making it
more dramatic.

5. This shot, shows the psycho/
killer in action. The iconic scream
mask is featured in this sequel ,
masks are also a key convention
within ‘Slasher’ films.
These reaction shots, let the
audience know the pain the
characters are going through which
could in turn make the audience feel
uncomfortable as they will
empathise with the characters.

6. These five shots, of the female characters represent
vulnerability. The expressions, costumes and locations all
help portray a ‘victim’ type of character.

7. The shots, show the male characters
within the film, they all look mysterious.
The lighting used is really effective, this
type of contrasting lighting is particularly
conventional throughout ‘Slasher’ films.

8. The two’s shot, shows the reaction of Captions are used frequently
two female characters, the proximity throughout film trailers, to keep
between them is close showing a the audience up-to-date with
friendship kind of relationship. the narrative.
Friendship is a key theme that runs
throughout ‘Slasher’ storylines.
‘Slasher’ trailers particularly tend to have
periods in the trailer where the screen stays
black for a while, this is done to increase the
adrenaline of the audience. The colour black
represents, darkness, evil and death.

9. This shot of a females feet, seem as if
the audience is looking in the point of The shot of the masked psycho made me
view of the psycho. This shot creates jump as it popped out from nowhere .
suspense for the audience as well as for
the character in the film.
The reaction of the characters is the same as the reaction
of the audiences and that helps, the audience relate easily
with the characters, as they are in a way going through
the experience together.

10. The shot of the opened door way is
also very conventional as it
suggests to the audience that
someone or something is there
without revealing immediately
what is it.
Shot reverse shot, is used here to show the audience that these
two characters are engaging in conversation. The close up shots
show, the audience the expressions on the characters faces and
suggests to them that something unusual may happen at any
point.

11. Conventional ‘Slasher’ iconography
Point of view shot
Contrasting lighting

12. Reaction shot There is perfect use of
contrasting lighting in this shot
as the variation from low-key
to mid-key is very effective.
In most of the ‘Slasher’ trailers I have
analysed, this shot of an unknown
characters feet has to be the most
conventional. It is used to again create
tension for the audience and help create the
theme of mystery within the film.

13. Suggested ‘virgin’ girl
Point of view
Close up shot

14. Close up shots are again used as they show
feelings and emotions clearly to the audience
and allows the audience to feel the pain the
characters are going through.

16. Scream challenges typical
conventions of a ‘Slasher’
virgin girl. Virgin girls are
normally portrayed as
innocent, but Sydney
Prescott isn’t as innocent.

17. The title of the film is shown to the audience near the end of the trailer

18. After the title of the film is shown to the audience , an extra clip
of the trailer is added, this is done to intrigue the audience. The
lighting changes dramatically from mid-key to low- key lighting,
giving an indication to the audience that something else is going
to happen.
The trailer ends with the iconic
scream mask, this image is then
left in the audiences mind. The
sound of typical ‘slasher’
iconography is played alongside
this image, as well as sound
motifs of girls screaming.