The document analyzes the trailer for the horror film The Conjuring. It discusses the use of sound, camerawork, mise-en-scene, editing, and conventions of the horror genre employed in the trailer. Regarding sound, it notes the use of dialogue, noises, and music to create tension and scare audiences. The camerawork uses handheld footage to imply real events, with short and long takes building tension. Mise-en-scene features old, isolated settings and props that establish the creepy atmosphere. Editing employs transitions, montages, and eyeline matches to gradually increase intrigue and pace. Overall, the analysis describes how the trailer utilizes various film techniques common to the horror genre to attract

1. The Conjuring
Sound:
The diegetic sound used in the extract is dialogue from the characters such as “There’s something horrible
happening in my house” and “You have a lot of spirits in here” to relate to the genre and frighten the audience.
Noises from the supernatural also relate to the horror genre. There is also ambient and diegetic sound of children
and people screaming to relate to the genre and scare the audience. There are also sound effects of smashing and
screaming which create a horror atmosphere to the film. The non-diegetic background music starts off at a slow pace
and gradually speeds up to increase the tension and action in the horror film to relate to the genre and scare the
audience. The other non-diegetic music is the bangs and thuds used when the camera changes angle or scene to
create tension and increase shock tactics. There is also whispering put over some parts of the trailer to create a
creepy and supernatural impression. At some parts of the trailer there is no sound to show a relaxed and normal
scene to the audience but then a loud piercing noise is suddenly introduced to make the audience jump which is
conventional for a horror film. This helps increase the shock and scare factor for the audience which will appeal to
them.
Camerawork:
At the beginning of the clip, there is a handheld camera to create the impression of a home movie filmed without a
film crew. This creates the impression that the film was based on true events which scares the audience more as it
makes them believe that this could actually happen and has a chance of happening to them as the characters
involved are normal. The length of time is effective in this trailer as many long takes and short takes are used for
diverse effects. The short takes are used in the trailer to create tension and show the audience glimpses of the
horror in the film. This relates to the genre and appeals to the audience. Long takes are also used to create tension,
but in a more successful way as it shows that something is about to happen in the take and builds the audience up
towards it. The conventional shot types such as close ups to show emotion and establishing shots to show the scene
and area are also used as it helps the audience to become more involved in the film and know what is happening.
The movement of the camera in the trailer is often slow to build tension and create a more eerie atmosphere to the
scene but when something happens the movement is fast which matches the scene and creates a higher shock to
the audience.

2. Mise-en-scene:
There is a wide array of props used within the trailer to create multiple effects for the audience. The recording
equipment props signify that the ghost hunters/paranormal researchers are looking for the supernatural power
which relates to the genre. In the beginning of the trailer there are many old scary props such as old pianos and
chairs which are associated with the horror genre and match the setting of the film. The props shown later in the
trailer such as the nooses and guns are effective in creating a horror impression for the film and increase the shock
tactics. The photos show skulls and gravestones which also match the genre and are highly associated with horror.
The main setting is the old isolated old house which is a conventional aspect for a horror film as it shows that there is
no help around and old houses create an eerie and creepy atmosphere which appeals to the genre. The house props
such as old clocks, wardrobes and pictures also signify the same effect. The low key lighting in the extract is
conventional for a horror film because it creates a scarier atmosphere as it shows the audience that the setting is
mysterious and creepy. This also relates to the old scary isolated house as low key lighting would be apparent in this
situation. The costumes of the family and paranormal researchers is old clothing to show the audience the time in
which the film is set and set the scene for the film. A key factor of mise-en-scene in the trailer is the dead body
hanging behind Ed and he doesn’t realise it. This kind of mise-en-scene relates to the genre but also increases shock
factor for the audience which is appealing for them. The makeup of the bruising on the mothers arm is very effective
as it creates the impression of harm which is conventional for a horror genre. It also builds tension as it makes the
audience wonder what is going to happen next and how the characters will react to it.
Editing:
In the beginning of the clip, an effect of the old age camera connotes the time in which the film was set and also
creates a scarier more tension building atmosphere as old is often associated in horror films. Near the end of the
clip, there is a lot of short takes put together in the form of a montage for the effect of action and dramatic thrill for
the audience. This is conventional for a horror film because it shows just how much happens in the film and
persuades the viewer of the trailer to watch the film. The use of transitions between shots such as fade in and out
are used for horror effect to create a more eerie and creepy atmosphere for each scene. It also creates a pace for
the trailer which gradually speeds up to make the audience more captured with the film and encourages them to
watch it. An eyeline match is used when the camera looks at Lorraine staring at something behind Ed and then the
camera cuts towards Ed and you can see that she sees a hanging body which is conventional for a horror film. The
eyeline match is a key attribute of tension building as it makes the audience become intrigued into what Lorraine is
staring at. The title screens use colours such as black and white as contrast against one another and are colours
concomitant to the horror genre. It also creates the effect of darkness and mystery also relating to the horror genre.
The font of the title screen starts off simple and gradually gets more advanced which is a form of tension building
and also is an indicator about how the film becomes more complicated as it progresses.

3. Conventions of Horror Genre
 Dark clothing
 Scary masks and costumes
 Low key lighting
 Blood/Bruising/Injury
 Murder/Harm
 Creepy/Isolated area
 Slow deep non-diegetic sound which gradually speeds up for tension
Conventions
 Montage for action effect
 Fade to black for suspense
 Voiceover or whispering
 Key events significant to the film