This document analyzes the trailer for the horror film "The Visit" through its use of codes and conventions. It notes how the trailer purposefully subverts genre conventions, such as using high key lighting and natural sounds instead of low key lighting and ominous music. It also discusses how the trailer builds mystery through the point of view shots of the children and warnings from the grandfather. The changing music and shots are used to reveal parts of the plot and intrigue audiences without giving too much away. Overall, the trailer aims to hook audiences and make the film memorable through its unconventional techniques.

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‘The Visit’ (2015)
Penelope Leung

2.  The disclaimer used before the trailer is shown, proving the authentic-
ness of the trailer.
 You will also notice that the MPAA rating for this film is also shown, this
acts as a warning for the audience.

3.  The logo allows the audience to see which institution produced the film.

4.  There is a succession of different camera shots shown from the point of
view of a hand-held camera.
 These shots act as enigma codes for the audience making them wonder
why these children are holding a camera and leaving their mom.
 The non-diegetic background music disorientates the audience as it is a
contrapuntal sound which does not fit with the genre of the film.
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5.  The season of the film is in the winter time which also contradicts with
the codes and conventions of the film. Winter time is usually related to
Christmas, which is a happy festive holiday. However, this film correlates
this with its genre.

6.  The lighting seen throughout this film also goes against the codes and
conventions of this genre. Using high key lighting and natural day light
is not usually associated with this genre of film, this disorientates the
viewers.

7.  Seeing children in a happy and safe environment confuses the audience
as there seems to be no scary elements whatsoever. This is further
emphasised when the children tell their mom that they are “having a
great time”.
 Using children in the horror genre follows the codes and conventions of
the film as the audience become sympathetic with the children's
impending doom.

8.  An enigma code is given to the audience when the grandpa warns his
grandchildren about not coming out of their room after 9:30 pm. Though
the warning is friendly, this also acts as a narrative cue for what is to
come throughout the film.

9.  The story is brought forward when the music changes to a much darker
sound, which is complimented by the shot fading to black.
 This connotes that more of the narrative will be brought forward and
reveal more of the plot.

10.  The low-key lighting used, follows the codes and conventions of horror
films.

11.  This shot is used as a marketing technique, the audience members which
are fans of this particularly writer, director and producer will probably
want to come and watch this film.

12.  The background music changes after the narrative moves forward,
highlighting the strange behaviour of the grandparents. More enigma
codes are raised when questioning what posses them to act strangely.

13.  A few binary oppositions are made between the children and the elderly
as well as the high-key lighting and low-key lighting used.

14.  Within the mise-en-scene, the use of a knife is something typically used
in horror films. The white dress also contradicts this shot as white
usually connotes purity and innocence/. However with the character
holding a knife, this creates a binary opposition between good vs evil.

15.  This scene where the grandma is following the granddaughter saying,
“I’m gonna get you”, disorientates the audience as usually this would be
something seen as playful and fun. However, role reversal can be seen
here, where the child here seems very much in distress while the
grandma seems to find this fun.

16.  A succession of different shots are used here to bring the narrative
forward and revealing parts of the trailer. This is used in order to show
what the film has to offer without giving too much away, hooking their
audience.
 Though the film is through the eyes of a handheld camera, sometimes the
effects of a point of view shot is used. This adds to the scary factor of the
film by making the audience feel like they are in the shoes of the
character.

17.  When the audience become hooked, the title appears after in order to
make it more memorable for the audience. This makes the audience more
likely to want to watch the film.
 Putting out the time of the films release shows that it is the official trailer.
 Social marketing is used by using the hashtag trend on social media.