1. Leila Alimadadi

2. Horror
The Woman in Black trailer
The film trailer for ‘The Woman in Black’ follows typical conventions that are commonly used in
many horror film trailers. From the moment we begin watching, it is evident that the genre of the film
is horror because of the conventions that have been used. For example, the narrative of a young
child holding supernatural powers is common convention of a horror film narrative, as we are left
feeling feared and scared of the young child. The use of eerie/scary non diegetic music also
adheres the conventions of the horror genre and fits with the haunted house location that has been
used. The fact that the trailer did not use a voice over is typical of horror films as the diegetic sound
of the dialogue and captions do the work in telling the story. However no copies were used in this
trailer, a part from a few words such as ‘house’ to emphasis the importance of this location.

3. Cinematography: The trailer starts off with an establishing shot of the surrounding location to give
the audience a look into where the action will take place and familiarize the setting to the audience
when they come to watch the film in a cinema. Additionally, tracking shots are also used to give the
audience an insight of the haunted house that is the main setting of action of the film, which
enforces the feeling of anxiety and fright about this house.
Throughout the trailer they are cuts between establishing shots and close ups which are important
in the genre of horror as the facial expressions of the characters are the central focus in reaction to
the setting. By using close ups to show characters’ faces, the fear and distress they feel is
emphasized to the audience. Close ups are additionally used to focus on ‘scary’ objects that play a
role in the actions and disruption of the film. (Disruption linking into Todorov’s theory of narrative.)
Two shots are used in the trailer to display conversations that are had by the characters and are
effectively used in this trailer as we tend to hear a conversation that is followed by an insert cut of
what they were talking about, in this case the house and who may be in it.
Editing: As a film of a horror genre, we would expect that most of the editing would have been done
in the post production stage. A typical convention that has been used in the trailer is the fade outs
between each scene to create a tense and spooky atmosphere. The use of the colour black for
these fade outs also adheres with the horror genre as it is a typical colour that is commonly used
and associated with horror. The face past editing of the shots towards the end of the trailer has been
done in order to build on the tension created through the narrative of the ghost of a young woman.

4. Sound: The overlapping of sound at the beginning of the trailer creates tension for the audience as
they are anxious to find out what that particular sound is, in this case it is ambient sound of the
engine of a train along the tracks, within the field of vision. This technique is a typical convention
used in horror film trailers in order to create tension and build fear within the audience watching the
trailer. Sound is of huge importance in horror trailers as it is used to draw on the anticipation of
something bad about to happen and adds tension to the watching of it. In this trailer, a non diegetic
sound of a nursery like song is played in the build up of the disruption, creating a tense atmosphere
before the music turns to a more series down beat rhythm that fits with what is going on in the
narrative, after the disruption has began, in this case the protagonist has learnt of the spooky events
happening. In particular parts of the trailer where the scenes are cut through either an action or
motivated cut, the non diegetic sound stops for a few seconds before speeding up again making the
audience jump or panic as they watch. This is again typical of horror film trailers to have this jumpy
aspect to them. The sound of a child’s voice is also used in the trailer which enforce the scary and
eerie atmosphere created as we can hear the voice but not see the child. The use of children’s
voices and nursery like music is a stereotypical convention of horror film trailers.
Mise en scene: the different elements of mise en scene including location, characters and props are
all evidently of the horror genre. For example, the chosen setting of the isolated surroundings and the
scary/haunted house are stereotypically associated with horror and scary films. The overall feel of
the trailer connotes old age, death and fear which has been effectively portrayed through each
elements of mise en scene. Symbols such as the The Cross are typically associated with the genre
of horror. The use of dark colours and shadowing of figures and objects creates a tense and spooky
atmosphere. In addition, the stormy like weather is also a typical convention of horror films that we
see in many films. The use of such elements make the audience feel nervous and frightened as they
watch the trailer.

7. Fright Night
‘Fright Night’ is a hybrid film that combines the two genres of horror and
comedy together, using a combination of elements of their elements. The
film is a remake of Tom Holland’s 1985 film. By combining the two genres
to create a hybrid, the film becomes more appealable to a wider range of
audience as fans of the comedy and horror will want a film that has both
these two genres in that work effectively to create a interesting film.
(Reaching out to the demographics of a wider audience, thus gaining
more sales and leading to profit).
Horror comedy
hybrid The opening of the trailer does not use conventions of the horror genre
but more so of the comedy genre as we are introduced to the protagonist
in a school setting, where the equilibrium at this point is not disrupted. In
addition, the characters appear to be normal and ones the audience can
relate to. However the trailer does display conventions of a typical horror
film from the dark and gloomy lighting used to the sinister music in the
background. The trailer uses a mixture of dialogue and non diegetic
music throughout.

8. Cinematography: the opening of the trailer sees a two shot of a male and female character
sharing a romantic moment when the male receives a call from his mother. At this point the
narrative appears to be one that would be of the comedy genre due to the young teenage
characters used and the awkward phone call he has with his mother. We cut to an establishing
aerial shot of the city, which displays a typical normal everyday setting to the audience. Two shots
are used throughout the trailer, similar to the previous trailer, to display the dialogue between the
characters which is vital in this trailer as the dialogue allows the audience to understand what the
film’s narrative will be based on. Similar to the horror trailer, we tend to hear a conversation
between two character followed by an insert cut to what they were talking about, in this case the
neighbour who acts as the film’s villain. The close ups of the protagonist’s face present the fear he
has as he learns more about his new neighbour who has been behaving strangely. The
introduction of the neighbour, in a low angle shot connotes the power he has and enforces the
feeling that we should be frightened of this character. The audience is familiarised with the house
of the neighbour through the master shots and medium close ups. The tracking shots are used to
the audience an insight into the house and enforce the feeling of fear and anxiety about what
really goes on in the house. The lighting becomes darker and the conventions of the horror genre
are evident as the plot progresses in the trailer. This contrasts with the earlier feel of the film that
relates more to the genre of comedy.
Editing: Being a hybrid film and containing elements of the horror genre, we would expect that
the majority of the editing would have been done within the post production process. The use of
the colour black for the fade outs between the shots adheres with the horror genre, used similarly
in The Woman In Black trailer. As the plot evolves, the transitions between each shots is of a much
faster pace which has been done in attempt to create tension and anxiety as the audience watches
the trailer. The shot of the hand against the window has been edited to look distorted and as if it we
are seeing the hand from a night vision lens, relating to the genre of horror. Editing is a essential
part of making the trailer look like a horror hybrid , such as making the villain’s eyes’ red and the
fire explosion scenes. The final shot of the villain crashing into the back of car with the victims is an
example of a shot in the trailer that was edited effectively to make the audience jump as they
watch the trailer and in creating a dramatic finish.

9. Sound: We hear a diegetic sound of a mobile phone ringing at the start of the trailer, where there is
dialogue between a son and mother. Dialogue is typical of both horror and comedy genre, however this
type fits more into the comedy genre as the conversation between the two characters may make the
audience laugh. The sound transitions from the dialogue to the diegetic sound of a bell ringing, as a
sound bridge as we hear the bell before we see the setting of the classroom. An upbeat soundtrack
has also been added in the post production process during the first few scenes that convey the genre
of comedy. The volume of this soundtrack varies as it tends to decrease in volume when we get
dialogue between the conversations of two characters. At certain points of the trailer the music stops
which creates a dramatic pause and signifies the importance of that certain shot. In addition, the
stopping of the music is also common of the comedy genre as it gives time for the audience to react to
the scene, perhaps making them laugh. Voiceover is also used in the trailer as we hear more about the
new mysterious neighbour and what he could be up to, giving the audience an insight. Once the
disruption of the plot is evident (disequilibrium) the soundtrack changes to a more downbeat and
serious tone, as the protagonist finds out that he’s neighbour could be a vampire. Screaming and blast
sounds are used as the shots transition at a fast pace, adding tension for the audience who are
watching the trailer. Towards the end of the trailer, as the protagonist looks to find a solution (solve the
disruption and gain victory– Propp) the music transform into a more calm but fighting tone as he tries
to gain power. The trailer finishes off with diegetic sound of dialogue and screaming sound effect.
Mise en scene: A variety of locations are used in the trailer due to the combined genres of comedy
and horror. The setting of the city and school relate more to the genre of comedy as we’d expect
comedy films to be set in these types of locations. Whereas the setting of the house where the victims
are kept locked away along with the darkness of the night scenes fit more within the genre of horror.
The use of the props also relate to the horror genre, such as the weapons purchased by the hero for
protection. Costume is also key as the villain is made to look pale and mysterious which are
stereotypically features of a vampire as well as the fangs and red contact lenses. The overall mise en
scene portrays the two genres, in particular horror from the dark and eerie atmosphere created .

12. Romance
Dear John
‘Dear John’ is a romance film and therefore its film trailer has
been designed and produced differently to how a film trailer for
a horror film would have been done. Unlike the previous film
trailer I analyzed, the trailer for Dear John begins with shots of
just the narrative and it is only after a few seconds before we
hear any dialogue from the characters. This could have been
done to focus on the narrative and characters themselves as
opposed to wanting to create any impressions of the film to the
audience yet. The trailer includes romantic scenes between a
couple displaying their love and happiness, disruptions that
affect their relationship and moments of sadness. Thus we
would link the narrative to Todorov’s theory of narrative as there
is a clear equilibrium at the beginning as we see the male and
female characters becoming close, the disruption being that the
male figure leaves to go back to the army and perhaps the
restoration of the equilibrium could be the two meeting each
other again after several months.

13. Cinematography: The trailer begins with a variety of medium close ups of a male who we expect to be
the film’s protagonist, followed by master shots of other people in the same location as this character.
We are then introduced to the female character of the film from c lose ups of her to two shots of her
with the male character. The style of shots reflect the film genre as the emphasis on romantic films is
the growing relationship between the male and female character, who in this case are introduced to us
very early on. As the audience, we expect the two characters to grow closer as the film develops. Two
shots are used throughout the trailer to show the two characters spending time with one another and
by using these, the audience learn of the type of relationship the two characters hold. In addition, close
up shots are also effective in this trailer to portray the affection and emotion between the two
protagonists and gives the audience a sense of how close they are. In comparison to the horror trailer,
the establishing shots of the setting connote a romantic feel to the film and play a important role in the
telling of the story. Whereas the establishing shots in the Woman in Black are used to create intensity
and fear.
Editing: the transition between the shots are fairly quick and there is a particular part of the trailer
where the shots are faded quickly into each other displaying the characters’ growing relationship.
Unlike the horror trailer, the transitions however are of a calm nature as the shots flow into each other.
Shot reverse shots are used effectively in the trailer when there is dialogue between the male and
female characters. Cross fades to a white screen are typical to the genre of romance, in contrast to
horror trailers which use darker colours such as black or grey as the fade outs. The colour white is
associated with purity and innocence, which relates back to the genre and the narrative of the film.
Special effects are not as evident as ones of horror trailers would be, however there were a few
examples. An example being of the male’s face cut into a night time sky amongst the stars, an image in
the female’s mind as she thinks of her partner.

14. Sound: The opening of the trailer uses a calm non diegetic soundtrack of a guitar during the shots of
the male character alone. Once the female character is introduced and dialogue between the two
characters begin, the volume of the music decreases. After this point, the music picks up in volume
and pace as we transition through the various shots of the male and female protagonist’s
relationship developing. When the trailer hits the disruption of the narrative, we hear a change of
sound as it transform into a piano non diegetic music, connoting the serious nature at this point. As
the narrative develops further, getting more intense and reaching its climax, the pace of the sound
starts to increase and the beat of the piano becomes more intense to match the action of the trailer.
Although there is no direct dialogue at this point, we can the voiceovers of the two character as they
speak to each other through the form of letters they send to one another. As the audience, we are
able to listen to the conversations of the two lovers as they kept separate because of the male’s
army duty. The two characters reuniting in the later shot sees the music almost reaching its climax
as the narrative is growing more intense and it appears that the two may never reach one another.
After the white symbolic flash, the soundtrack over the trailer is now of a song type as we hear
vocals, which relates back to the genre of the trailer. The meaningful and sad tone of the music
suggests there may not be the happy ending that we would expect of a romance film but the
calmness of it leaves the audience wondering if the couple will ever be happy together. Unlike the
horror trailer, the sound fades out softly as the narrative ends as we hear the last voiceover of the
female character and the piano playing.
Mise en scene: A variety of settings have been used in the trailer including a seafront, the beach
and a army base. Locations such as the sea front and the barn are ones that we typically associate
romance films with as they are realistic places and almost relatable for the audience watching. The
costume is of a casual form which we would expect of this genre to make the characters appear
realistic and relatable. The use of letters between the male and female character connote the
romantic relationship between the two as we associate letters between a male and female as ‘love
letters’. Thus the letters are an important symbol in the film as for a large proportion of the trailer, the
communication between the two characters are through this letters, which as the audience we are
able to hear.