The document analyzes common patterns and conventions found in the trailers for six supernatural/possession horror films: The Possession, Insidious 2, Sinister, The Woman In Black, The Devil Inside, and The Conjuring. Some conventions discussed include portraying normal family homes to conceal hidden evil, using innocent props that have a sinister element, including the director or actors' past work to promote the film, using religious imagery associated with possession, showing brief scary imagery to generate mystery and curiosity, and claiming the film is based on true events to increase fear.

2. The following film trailers are made to promote the horror films within the supernatural/possession
sub-genre. I will be comparing the trailers by finding the common feature in each of them which
will allow me to establish repeated patterns. All six trailers follow the general convention of a film
trailers such as; religious imagery, strap, iconography of the sub-genre, and many more. Horror
trailers present audiences with enough of a film’s narrative to allow them to understand what the
film is about and to make them curious and scared.

3. The Possession
Insidious 2
In two of the trailer, the convention within
the Supernatural/Possession sub genre. of
portraying a normal family looking house
in order to conceal the evil spirit that is
hiding inside the house. Another reason
may be because the film is interrupting
the saying of not to judge a book by its
cover; in other words the house may look
usual but inside is the complete opposite,
there's all kinds of trouble that beholds the
house. The Possession and Insidious 2
trailer both represent this convention very
well in their trailers. It creates a dramatic
effect upon the audience because it
comes as surprise that a family living in a
normal sub-urban area would be cursed
by an evil a spirit. In both trailers, this
particular scene is lead by non diegetic
sound of music along with dialogue from
a character in he film. There are a series
of fades o shows more elements of the
narrative; this is slowed down to sync
along with the music. But as i goes along
the sound transfers into a daunting effects,
this gives the perception that on the
outside the houses look normal however
there is something evil that is hidden on
the inside which reflects the sub genre of
the film with it being possession.

4. It is a common theme for horror films to
use props that in reality are symbols of
innocence due to their connection to
childhood. In the Insidious 2 trailer, there
is a particular scene where all things are
silent and then all of a sudden there is
diegetic sound coming from a baby
walker, in the last few seconds; there is
then an alteration of sound as it goes
from above suspicion music that convey
children to a sinister non diegetic sound.
This gives the idea that sometimes the
most innocent and childlike related
substances are not always as they seem.
Evil comes from the most unexpected
things. Also the make-up and costume
of the character gives a conservative
and feminine look with a her clothing
being of pale and pale colour it distracts
any thoughts of evil coming from her
quite like the baby walker. In addition
the normality of the family has been
emphasised the use of props. Ambient
lighting is used in this particular scene so
that it looks natural and realistic in order
for the film to be more believable for the
audience.

5. Sinister
It is common for a Horror trailer to strap line
that tells the audience what previous films
that the director has been involved in also
This is used to convince he audience that the
particular movie will be as successful as the
others. For instance in the ‘Sinister’ trailer uses
the strap line reads ‘From the producers of
Paranormal Activity and Insidious’, both
Paranormal Activity and Insidious are
Supernatural horror films therefore fans of the
sub genre are drawn to film which have
similar elements. However in The Woman In
Black’ instead of telling the audience other
horror film the produce or director has been
associated with, it gives information of the
actor which is rare because the genre of
horror is not famous for having well known
actors or actress. So this means that this
particular film is more focused on the main
character to gain a wider audience.
The Woman In Black

6. The Woman In Black
Within the supernatural/possession
sub-genre, the use of religious
iconography is popular as possessions
and supernatural sprits are linked to
the devil. In both ‘The Woman In
Black’ and ‘The Devil Inside’ trailer
show this iconography so that the
audience will be familiar with the
contents of film.
The Devil Inside

7. Insidious 2
It is significant for horror trailers to show
some horrific imagery in order to keep
the thrill and energy of the audience
high. In the ‘Insidious trailer when the
scary imagery is presented, the effected
of non diegetic stab sound improves the
fear because it creates a jumpy
moments. This also occurs in the ‘Sinister’
trailer. Usually within the trailers horrific
image is for a few seconds which then
makes it more fearful because it makes
the audience feel some mystery of evil
element that possess the film therefore
creating a curiousness. During these
scenes the lighting is very dark, ambient
which emphasizes to the audience that
evil is coming.
Sinister

8. Sinister
In the Sinister trailer the tagline on the
poster is used again in the trailer to show
the symbolic link. The use of direct
address give a effect because the
audience feel like they’re being talked
to therefore giving them a connection to
the trailer; this may also make them feel
more scared because they feel they are
the main aim like the victims in the film.
‘Once you see him nothing can save
you’ this is a supernatural film so there is
an evil sprit in the film that will be
revealed to the audience so this
indicating that when the audience see
‘Him’ nothing in reality or within the film
can save them from its presence. The
typography also matches the one on the
poster.

9. The Possession
In ‘The Possession’ trailer, let the
audience know that the film is in
fact based on a true story. This will
boast the fear factor even more
thus succeeding in their aim
because it means that something
like this could possible happen to
them and also their belief of
supernatural elements in fact exist.
This is convention of this sub genre
as they usually use this strap. The
conjuring trailer gives evidence of
who the film is based on so that it
makes their
statement more
believable.
The Conjuring