1. Scream
Scream is a 1996 American produced horror/thriller
that centres on the town of Woodsboro which
becomes a target for the masked Ghostfaced
villain. The trailer for the film centres on the
character of Casey who answers the phone to a
mystery caller to find out that the person is watching
her. Following this a variety of shots are
incorporated to add to the suspense and drama of
the trailer. The film was considered a unique
production for challenging the stereotypes of thriller
and horror movies through the characters openly
discussing the films.
The film was produced by
Dimension films, which in
1996 remained a
subsidiary of the Walt
Disney Company. Their
franchises include Halloween, Scream, Scary Movie
and Spy Kids.
Titles
The title incorporates the font in the colour white
which connotes purity and innocence. This could be
argued to be directly linked to the nature of the
characters that the antagonist is attacking and is in
comparison to the protagonists clothing. The white
font is juxtaposed against a black background,
which signifies mystery and danger. The font then
changes to the colour red upon the asynchronous
diegetic sound of the girl screaming within the
trailer. This suggests the danger that the character
is in, and the use of the red coloring connotes
danger and fear. Moreover, the titles use a font that
is in comparison to the disorientation that the
antagonist causes when attacking the victims.
Mise-en-scene
The trailer for the film begins with Casey who is isolated and alone
answering a phone call. Casey’s costume within the scene is a white
jumper which connotes that the character is innocent and pure. This
is juxtaposed against the costume of the antagonist who is depicted
wearing a long black cloak, which is in contrast to the Casey’s
clothing as black connotes mystery and power. This would show a
conventional portrayal of thrillers which often represent the
contrast between good and bad as well as demonstrating the
female character vulnerable when facing the antagonist.
Additionally, the villain is masked which is used to conceal the
identity of the attacker and creates mystery and suspense within
the trailer. The setting of the scene within the trailer is a large
house, as the scene only features one person this represents how isolated and at risk her character
is within the situation. Additionally, at the end it states ‘do not open the door’; this signifies that
something from the outside could pose a threat to the atmosphere
within the house. This can be specifically seen within the contrast
between the house and the forest outside which is conveys that the
outside is dark and unfamiliar. Additionally, the within the trailer when
the girl first answers the phone the scene begins with high-key lighting
this conveys that the scene is one that is normal and has no evidence of threat within it. However,
when the camera pans around to look at the view outside the scene the lighting changes to low-key
lighting connoting mystery towards what could happen next. The use of props plays an essential part
within the scene; this can be specifically seen within the telephone, which all the characters use before
they are attacked. When the characters answer the phone they are all unaware who is on the other end
and is effective in establishing the panic of the characters and creates suspense for the audience.
Female
Protagonist-
Casey
Masked
Antagonist
Setting
showing
contrast
between
house and
dark
surrounding
s

2. Additionally, knives are used when Casey is in the kitchen which is used to signify that there is still a
presence of danger within the environment.
Camera Work
The trailer starts with a mid-shot, this emphasises that she is open and confident when answering the phone and
does not feel as if she is in danger. Therefore, adding to the suspense as it is a shock when the attacker enters
the private setting. Additionally, the trailer incorporates the initial use of a tracking shot. Through the camera
following her actions as she is walking around the house with the phone this provides the view of her character
being watched and creates the idea of tension and suspense within the trailer. In addition, this emphasizes that
her character is alone and isolated. The trailer also features a close-up shot on both the girls face and the prop of
the telephone. The close-up on the telephone is effective as it demonstrates that it shows
vital importance to the film and a reoccurring theme in the film.. The scene then cuts
away to an establishing shot, which highlights the environment that the scene is set in and
through showing it from the outside looking in this is comparable to the antagonist that is
watching the girl from outside. Additionally, this scene incorporates a tilt, which illustrates
the swing moving outside which suggests that somebody is outside the house. The close-
up on the girl is shown when the person on the phone says ‘I want to know who I am
looking at’, therefore representing her panic and fear which sub-sequentially followed by close-ups of her locking
the doors to stop the intruder.
Editing
The scene uses editing through the use of a reaction shot when the victims are attacked. This is designed to
highlight the characters reactions to when they are approached by the masked character. Therefore, showing the
fear they have when the person on the phone tells them they ‘want to know who they watching’. Additionally, the
scene uses a cut away to police call, which demonstrates the situation is seen as an emergency and builds
tension when it reads there is a ‘killer in the house’. Additionally, the trailer begins long take with the girl walking
around the house talking on the phone, which highlights the calm environment that she is in. However, after this
the trailer uses fast paced editing to highlight the panic caused by the attacker within the scene. This can be
specifically seen when the attacker throws something through the window, which creates disorientation within the
scene. The titles and captions on the film are designed to emphasize the narrative of the film. These create
suspense through their quick and catchy phrases and through them fading to black, this signifies that the scene
has ended.
Sound
The trailer begins with the use of asynchronous background music through the use of the girl screaming when
the titles appear on the screen. This is effective as it immediately allows the audience to identify the nature of the
film trailer through the scream and allows them to identify the films genre. It also creates mystery and leaves the
audience wondering what will happen to the girl in the scene. The trailer also incorporates the use of a voice
over, this is effective as the trailer is directly speaking to the audience and draws them into the action.
Additionally, the dialogue within the scene could be seen as ironic which is a key topic in scream as they are
discussing horror films whilst on the phone to the antagonist. Furthermore, through incorporating the ambient
sound of police sirens this signifies crime and danger which matches with the themes of the thriller.
Conventions of genre
Thrillers are conventionally used to create suspense and a dramatic feel to the scene through using constant
twists to the plot within the scene. This can be identified through the changes from being a calm environment, to
Swing used to
create an
atmosphere
Captions to
emphasize
threat

3. one of panic when the protagonist is attacked. Additionally, a central theme of thrillers is the idea of isolation,
which demonstrates the characters as alone and vulnerable. This can be specifically seen within scream as the
female protagonist is shown as being alone and isolated in a large house. Scream also incorporates the use of a
vulnerable female character, which is conventional to thriller as they are identified as being more at risk,
specifically when they are alone. Furthermore, the antagonist within the scene is shown wearing a mask which is
conventional to thrillers as it suggests mystery.
Conventions of the Form
Film Trailers are usually specifically designed to create a snapshot of the movie, so that they can interest their
target market. This can be seen within Scream as it shows part of what happens to the character but does not
reveal the end, so that the audience will be interested to see the film. Additionally, film trailers conventionally
feature production information, captions and credits, this is designed to create a professional look to the piece
and through adding the directors name Wes Craven adds a recognizable figure.
Representation
Casey is shown to be a vulnerable female character who is in an isolated
environment when she is attacked by Ghostface. This is a conventional
portrayal of characters in thrillers and horrors as they are normally attacked
when they are alone. Additionally, her position as a female is conventional as it
shows her as weak and exposed to the antagonist.
The characters clothing is used to signify her as innocent and is juxtaposed
against the clothing of the antagonist.
Ghostface is seen as the conventional villain in a thriller/horror. This can be
specifically seen in his mask which conceals his identity which adds to the
suspense and drama of the situation.
The costume is a typical Halloween costume and features the use dark clothing
which connotes mystery and power.
Dewey Riley is the deputy sheriff in Woodsboro.
Consequentially his character is seen to have a
higher level of authority on the situation and his
clothing matches with his role.
Gale Weathers is the reporter for Top Story on the
Woodsboro murders. Her character initially plays a
exterior role in the Ghostface murders however, she has a
increased input in the film. Her clothing is seen as neutral
colours initially when she is reporting however, when she
is more involved in the situation at Woodsboro her
costume changes to darker colours.
Female
Protagonist-
Casey
Masked
Antagonist