A survey was conducted asking 8 people questions about their preferences for elements of a horror movie trailer. For most questions, 5-8 people voted in favor of options that avoid giving away major plot details or scares in the trailer, such as preferring teaser trailers over theatrical trailers, low-key lighting, no comedic elements, not showing deaths or resolutions, and keeping the antagonist ambiguous. A slow trailer pace was also preferred to build tension without revealing too much.

1. 5 out of the 3 people
asked said that they
preferred a teaser
trailer to a theatrical
trailer. This may be
because they give
away less of the
story.
Which Type of Trailer do you
prefer?
Teaser
Theatri…
53

2. Which lighting do you
prefer?
High-Key
Low-Key
6 out of 8 people chose
lowkey lighting. This is
likely to be due to the
lowkey lighting being a
better and more typical
lighting for horror films
6
2

3. Do you prefer a 3 act
structure or a one scene
trailer?
3 Act
One Scene
6 out of 8 votes went to the
one scene trailer. This could be
because it’s easier to build
tension through a scene that
has already been directed with
the sole purpose of creating
tension in an audience.
2
6

4. Do you like the idea of
there being a comedic
element to the trailer?
No
Yes
6 out of the 8 people
voted against the
trailer having a
comedic element.
This may be because
mixing the comedy
genre in takes away
from the horror genre
2
6

5. What's the most important
element of trailer to you?
Editing
Lighting
Narrative
Sound
5 of the 8 people asked voted
for Editing. This may be
because a well edited trailer
can create a lot of tension and
excitement in a potential
horror movie trailer. Things
such as many cuts
concentrated at the end of a
trailer before a jumpscare are
very important.
53

6. Would you like
character's death
to be shwon in the
trailer?
No
Yes
5 of the 8 people asked voted No. His
may be because it spoils the movie.
Why would people want to see the film
after they know who dies and survives.
That takes away from any excitement to
see the film.
3
5

7. Should the resolution
be shown in the trailer?
No
8 of 8 people voted No. This is
because if the way the film
ends is shown in the trailer
then there is absolutely no
reason for an audience to
want to find out more by
watching the film.
8

8. Should the antagonist
be shown in the trailer?
No
Yes
5 out of the 8 people asked
voted no. This is because if the
person or thing that is meant to
be the center of the audience’s
terror is shown in a trailer then
they aren’t scared anymore.
3
5

9. What pace trailer do you
prefer?
Mixture
Slow
6 of the 8 people asked voted
for a slow trailer. This may be
because a slow trailer allows
for the watcher’s level of
tension to rise and rise slowly.
This may be preferable to an
audience instead of a trailer
that is very quick and has a fast
tempo.
2
6

10. Would you like the
idea of a sexualised
female character in
the trailer?
Yes
No
7 out of the 8 people asked
voted No. They didn’t feel
that the presence of a female
sexualised character was
necessary. Since we’re not
doing a slasher horror there
is no need for such a
character
1
7