a2 media coursework. women in black

1. Textual Analysis
Film Trailer
Woman in Black
CHELSEA JEANES

2. The Woman in Black Trailer
 The Woman in Black (2012) is a film from the thriller/horror genre directed
by James Watkins.
 Originally a novel, the story of The Woman in Black was performed as a
play, followed by the 2012 film adaptation.
 The opening credits of the Woman in Black trailer reveals that Cross Creek
Pictures produce the film and CBS are responsible for the distribution.
Cross Creek pictures are known for their production of horror films
including Bone Shaker, Black Swan, and Clown.

3. Narrative
 The opening of the trailer introduces an
audience to the setting through a series
of point of view shots. By doing this the
audience feel more involved in the
narrative as it feels like they too are
stepping into the Victorian house which is dark, dusty, and includes old furniture
and children’s toys.
 The trailer has a child voice over narrating which connotes an idea of innocence
and purity through its nursery rhyme feel however the topic she discusses is quite
sinister when played along with images from the trailer. This creates an uneasy
atmosphere for the audience.
 The narrator tells a poem which ‘she’ is constantly repeated, this adds to the sense
of unease as it is ambiguous who the voice over is talking about.

4.  The poem that the voice over tells in the trailer implies that the male
character is the victim which suggests The Woman in Black goes
against typical conventions as often in thriller/horror films, females play
the role of the victim whilst males are usually the villain.
 The voice over sets the scene for an audience by introducing the
storyline which leads to the introduction of the main protagonist,
Arthur Kipps. When this character is introduced, he appears
uncomfortable from his body language which is something an
audience can relate to as like him, they are unaware of what will
happen.
 Todorov’s narrative structure can be applied to the trailer as the
opening scenes are calm and balanced where the children’s toys and
tea party is shown. However when the Woman in Black is first sighted,
disruption occurs as the trailer soon becomes fast paced and the
change in the weather adds to the negative atmosphere. The disruption
increases as the trailer progresses and the audience does not see the
new equilibrium as this will make them curious to know what happens.

5. Camerawork
Close-Ups
The opening of the Woman in Black trailer uses
several close ups of toys with each of them fitting
to the rule of thirds.
The eyes of these toys each fit the rule of thirds
grid which makes an audience eyes go straight to
this point when they first see them. This allows an
audience to gain a more personal connection but
also makes them feel uncomfortable.
By using a close ups to display these toys creates
a sense of unease for a consumer as there is
nothing else for them to look at as they are the
only thing in focus.
The choice of using toys creates a feeling of
innocence and purity as they are often associated
with childhood however the appearance of the
toys is quite unexpected as they are displayed in
an opposite way to what an audience expects and
as a result creates a sinister atmosphere.

6. Wide Shots• The trailer introduces the setting through the
use of long shots.
• In the first long shot, an audience can see
that the from the greyness of picture that the
atmosphere is dull and gloomy.
• This can be thought to set the tone of the
film as being quite dark. This is particularly
shown through the cross, this is an example
of dramatic irony as the cross being in focus
highlights the theme of death to the
audience which the character is unaware of.
• Also, the surroundings appear abandoned
and isolated suggesting that the character is
trapped and alone.
• This creates a sense of fear as it foreshadows
the characters entrapment in the house and
that no-one will hear if help is needed.
• These shots also highlight the Victorian time
period through the horse and carriage and
the house showing how the setting is old
and perhaps holds memories or secrets.

7. High Angle Shots
• The trailer uses high angle shots to show how
the main character is powerless and
vulnerable.
• When he enter the house, he again looks small
through the use of a high angle shot
portrayed how he is weaker and more
vulnerable.
• This shot could also be considered as a point a
view shot as from an audience’s perspective it
appears that they are the ones standing at the
top of the stairs which not only makes them
feel more involved but like they have a sense
of power.

8. Editing
• Towards the end of the trailer, the editing
uses quick, fast cuts to help build tension.
• As these cuts are quick, it makes the reader
question what it is that they have just seen.
This encourages an audience to go and watch
the film whilst also creating a sense of fear.
• Parallel editing is also used. Different things
are happening in house at the same time.
• For example, the toys are moving in one
room, the children’s tea party and the
protagonist travelling to the house.
• This shows that eventually all of these
elements will meet so foreshadows that
something will happen.

9. • Cross-cutting is also used in
the trailer. This is where scenes
are shown in a non-
chronological order to show
the most exciting scenes in the
trailer.
• In this trailer, the more
exciting scenes are shown
towards the end which this
helps to attract an audience
and entice people to watch
the film as as the most
memorable scenes are left
until last.

10. Sound
Children’s Music Box
 The trailer uses the tune of a children’s music box for incidental
music throughout. The music would normally be associated
with children and this connotes the idea of innocence and
purity however as it is quite calm and slow it creates a sense of
unease.
 This music is played in time with the movements of the toys.
For example, on every chime, the scene will cut to the next.
This happens throughout the trailer so is a constant reminder
for the audience that children will play a significant role in the
film.
 The children’s tune is very repetitive so perhaps foreshadows
that the Woman in Black is always there.

11. Diegetic Sounds
 The wind, lightening and rain are used as diegetic sounds, which
instantly creates a dark and gloomy atmosphere. If these sounds were
played alone, an audience are most likely to know that the
atmosphere is quite negative. This is suitable for this style of film as
the weather is a typical convention in setting the scene in
thriller/horror.
 This is the only other sound played alongside the music box. The
music box is associated with childhood however when played along
with the weather, some of the child-like innocence is taken away
which creates a feeling of unease.

12. • During the fast paced scenes at the end of
the trailer, the sound is very minimal.
• In these scenes, an audience would expect to
hear the diegetic sounds of the fire, the rain
and screaming of the characters yet the
music box just continues to play.
• This music box tune is asynchronous as is
does not fit any of the actions of screen. This
makes an audience feel quite uncomfortable
as what they are seeing and what they are
hearing are two different things. Therefore,
an audience is encouraged to use their
imagination to think about what is on screen.
• Silence is also used at the beginning and at
the end of the trailer. This builds tension at
the start and shows at the end how the
scene is still quite tense. Todorov’s narrative
structure can be applied to this as the
silences show how there is not an
equilibrium. Silences also encourage
audiences to use their imagination.

13. Mise-En-Scene
Setting
• The setting always appears quite dark
and isolated. This creates a sense of fear
as the town is abandoned meaning that
the main character is distant from society.
• The trailer shows bars that surround the
house and bars around the houses in the
village. This can connote the idea that the
characters are trapped as a prison like
feel is created. Similarly, the bars in front
of the children highlight how they too are
trapped by the Woman in Black as they
play a main role.
• The forest is also used as a setting which
is another typical convention of horror
films. The trees surround the main
character and this emphasises his
entrapment.

14. Colour & Lighting
• The colours used are very dark, particularly
black has been used throughout and this
portrays a sense of danger and is often
associated with death, with is appropriate
for the films storyline.
• The colour of the character’s costumes are
often quite pale which could suggest how
they are becoming distant, and ghost-like
which is relevant to the ghost story. The
main character however, stands out as he is
dressed all in black showing how he is an
outsider.
• The lighting used is also very dark and this
connotes the idea of the unknown as the
audience and characters in the film are
unable to see what's could be coming.
• Similarly, the dark lighting is suitable for
the thriller/horror genre as it adds to the
gloomy, negative atmosphere.

15. Mode of Address
• Even though the trailer does not show
a release date, by saying “Coming
Soon” suggests that the film is
something that audiences need to
start looking for.
• The trailer talks to the target audience
by using their website and twitter
account as a synergistic technique.
• This form of advertising is relevant to
the target audience as it can help
people to raise awareness of the film
through social networking. Also, with
twitter if people start talking about the
film, this all helps the promotion and
raising awareness of the film.

16.  The purpose of a trailer is to create mystery
surrounding the films release and this theory
can be applied to the Woman in Black trailer
as mystery is created throughout.
 Firstly, who the Woman in Black is or why she
is important is not revealed in the trailer
therefore an enigma is instantly created as
audiences have questions about her.
 Similarly, from the trailer it is unclear why the
main protagonist, Arthur Kipps as no link is
revealed between him and the Woman in
Black.
 Photos of a family are repeated throughout
the trailer with their eyes scratched and
again, this creates mystery as their history or
significance to the film is unknown and why
their picture has been vandalised is unclear.