This document analyzes the trailer for the horror film "The Unborn" through its use of iconography and structure. It discusses the stereotypical horror elements used in the setting, props, and characters. These include an isolated house in the woods, baby monitors implying a possessed child, and religious exorcism equipment. The trailer also employs quick cuts and fades, unsettling sounds, and camera shots like close-ups and canted angles to build tension and an eerie atmosphere for viewers.

1. ANALYSIS OF A
TRAILER (2)
By Ivana, Ramarna and Georgia

2. The Unborn; Iconography
The Unborn uses the stereotypical iconography, some of these are:
• Setting- isolated house (trees are partly covering it) perception of a
normal and affluent house, but in fact the audience would be aware it
is not how it seems. (Structuralism) woods also show how alone
these people are. Around lockers, doctors, shower, graveyard; all
paradigms of a horror film
• Props- Baby monitor; whispers imply the child is mentally unstable
(possession- devil, supernatural) torches as everything is in darkness;
audience are able to see less, creates more fear of the unknown.
Exorcism equipment emphasizes religion and fear of evil. (again
paradigms often used in horror)
• Characters- Propp’s eight characters. Female protagonist (Hero/
victim); embodies her determination to overcome being ‘born or
possessed’ with the devils child (Feminist theory), on the other hand
she is quite sexualized in the shower scene; male gaze theory, omen
child/devil or spirit (villain), The vicar is the helper.
• Other- There is also an intertextual reference of ‘The Exorcist’ when a
male twists his head in an awkward position; this shows a
postmodernist approach to the film.

3. The Unborn; Structure
The Unborn uses editing, sound, camera shots to create the scary atmosphere
needed in a horror film.
• Editing- fade to black is done in quick succession to build the pace of
the trailer, correlates with image and sounds evoking tension within
the audience. Jump cuts create jarring affect, which puts the audience
on edge.
• Sound-High pitched non-diegetic sound that is uncomfortable for the
audience. Distorted voices, hide identity and play on audience’s fear
of the unknown. Moments of silence connotes eerie atmosphere,
changes pace creating unstable feeling.
• Camera Shots; establishing shot of the setting (shows as much of the
isolated scenery as possible) Over the shoulder shot; the audience is
positioned with the protagonist, as if they are entering the room with
her. Extreme close ups of the protagonist’s eye, integral to the plot
that her pupil changes colour, symbolic. Canted angle; shows
instability, alarm and frantic atmosphere. Point of view shot- viewers
are placed in her position to empathize with her.