Horror film trailer

conventions

The Forest (2016)• Sound was a major part in enhancing a horror atmosphere,

for example, whispering, creepy and sounds from an unknown source can be heard throughout the trailer•When the location for the film is established (a forest) the

music drastically changes • The music gets faster as the shots get faster• The way the other characters talk to the protagonist in the

trailer, gives the impression that she is crazy

Carrie (2013)Todorov's equilibrium theory

-The protagonist (Carrie) was helpless and weak, she slowly realised her powers and became stronger.

Barthes’ enigma code

-when Carrie is asked to the prom the viewer is unsure why

Voyeurism

-The scene in the changing rooms and when the girls are swimming

Levi-Strauss’ binary opposition

-The shots of Carrie preparing for prom and being happy during this process, in-between these shots we can see her destroying her school and killing her peers at prom.

Barbara Creed’s monstrous Feminine

-Carrie’s mother is cruel, vindictive and controlling, she abuses Carrie

-Carrie becomes a monstrous feminine when she kills her peers at prom

Blair Witch (2016)• During this trailer there were frequent shot changes, around every

few seconds , this was done to cause adrenalin for the viewer• The transitions between shots were mostly blackouts, this would give

the viewer a sense of isolation and confusion.• The film is a found footage horror so many of the transitions are a

malfunctioning camera effect• As it is a found footage horror, the camera treatment is hand held,

frantic, canted and shows the characters running.

Ouija (2016)This trailer followed many traditional trailer conventions:• The trailer highlighted the best bits of the film, the funny, sad, action-

packed and bizarre• It does not show the story in narrative order• The title does not appear until the end• Music plays an important role in creating atmosphere• Action is interspersed with credits on screen• The trailer builds to a climax, where it ends