Trailer Analysishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdzuElgiO9E

Cinematography

A high angle shot is used on the girl in the wheelchair, this has been done to

display her vulnerability and make the audience sympathise with her. The

the audience will question why is she in a wheelchair, which may forebode

potential danger in the film. A close up is used of the girl, as a reaction shot

portraying her facial expression of fear. This has been done to let the

audience know how she feels about the situation, and allows them to

connect with the character.

As she is going ‘back to home’ it could be seen as her going ‘back to a little

girl’.

Extreme close ups are also used on various characters to identify their

emotions, which is effective as the view of their face is easily seen.

Editing and sound

The trailer starts with a black screen, which fades into the first scene of the girl on the phone. This has been done to create an eerie atmosphere as she is alone. It carry’s on with slow pace editing, to draw the audience in as tension is created. The trailer then starts to move in a fast beat, allowing the audience to identify the action packed film. Blink eye editing is used, to display how the girl is being watched upon. This is stereotypical of the horror genre, and a common convention used in the editing. A video style shot has been put in, with a filter effect over it to connote the oldness of it. This is commonalty used in horror trailers, such as Paranormal Activity because it creates a sense of mystery.

A sound bridge is used of a slow pace ambulance siren (non diegetic), foreshadowing danger in the trailer. It turns into the non diegetic piano keys, creating an angelic tone in an eerie and spooky atmosphere. There is a stereotypical scream, to scare the audience by making them jump. As the name ‘Jessabelle’ is whispered, it displays synergy of the film with the whispering adhering as a common convention. The trailer ends with silence, creating enigma and allowing the audience

Mise-en-scene

The trailer begins with an isolated, dark hospital with a light on the girl. From

this the audience can identify straight away that the film is mainly about this

character. The isolated hospital adheres to the stereotypical horror genre

convention. The old wooden house also follows the typical conventions,

which foreshadows a tragic event. However, pathetic fallacy is not used

(thunder, lightning and rain) to portray the dull mood. The light is mainly

dark, setting a dull and negative mood to reflect the audiences viewing of

the film to be scary. The wheelchair has been used to display the

vulnerability of the protagonist, and how weak she is compared to the other

characters. The setting of a large stereotypical American house that could be

haunted is a common convention used in horror films. The fact that it is a big

house adds effect to the way in which the audiences watches the film; as

there are so many rooms and space, meaning no where for the characters to

hide. Therefore making it more spooky/scary for the audience.

Theory’s

Todorov – The trailer adheres to this theory, everything is all ok with the state equilibrium of moving into a new house. The equilibrium is then broke, as the mother’s tape is shown, which makes everything become haunted.

John Barger – ‘men act, women appear’ During the argument the Dad destroys the tape, displaying an over powering relationship. Another man then carry's the girl out, displaying her as weak.

This links into Propp's theory of the male saving the girl, as the ‘hero’. This also represents a patriarchal society as the male characters are stronger, without the men she wouldn’t be able to ‘survive’.