1. Megan Campbell
Film Trailer
Analysis
Nine Dead (2010)
From the beginning of the clip we can tell that the film belongs to the crime thriller genre. The trailer
starts off fairly slow but with a sound that seems to shoot in as the trailer begins to play, instantly
adding a feeling of tension and panic. We also hear the voiceover of a news reporter explaining that
nine people have been kidnapped. Neither the sound nor the voiceover is fast, suggesting that it is
building up to the main action, later on in the film. A slower start to a trailer is a typical convention
of a thriller and suggests that they are adding suspense before they show the main events. After the
voice over has finished, the shots seem to pick up pace and we are introduced to the main villain, a
kidnapper wearing a dark mask. The colours that the kidnapper wears are all associated with thrillers
or horrors, being dark they suggest danger or death. A close up of a gun is also shown, another thing
linked with thriller films, from this we already know that somebody is going to be killed at some
point, an idea that is expected from a film of this genre. It seems that the biggest moments have
been picked out to create the trailer and from this, the audience can see the main plot, helping them
to identify the genre.
The main unique selling point of this film is its genre. The trailer clearly shows the sort of film it is,
attracting the attention of many thriller/crime fans. One of the main actors within the film ‘William
Lee Scott’ often plays characters within thriller movies such as ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ and ‘The
Butterfly Effect’. Fans of these films or of the actor himself with instantly be interested in seeing the
film, adding to its success. The colours also help the audience detect the genre and enhance their
interest in the film if they are a fan of crime films. Throughout the trailer the colours are all very dark
and mysterious, linking to the idea of crime and fear throughout the film.
The narrative of the trailer allows the producers to release the idea of the basic plot without actually
showing any form of resolution or ending to the film. This helps them to add suspense within the
trailer, drawing the viewer to go and see the film to find out how everything ends up. The inter-titles
are also something that the viewer can use to identify the basic plot of the story. They show phrases
such as “Answer the question” and “Find the connection”. These words outline the basic idea of the
film, inferring that the main problem is the victims having to work out why they have been
kidnapped and find a connection between each other. The opening of the trailer sets the scene (a
dark underground bunker) and allows us to feel connected with each character. A series of around
20-25 shots have been put together to show close ups of each character, helping to establish who is
a victim and who is a villain. As the storyline is built up, we begin to see that the characters are in
distress, especially through the dialogue and the soundtrack. The pace begins to pick up and the
time between each shot becomes much shorter, especially after we see a close up of the chalk he

2. Megan Campbell
has given them to write on the black board drop to the ground. From this point onwards it is clear
that the main problem within the film is the threat of being the next person to be killed. The close
ups used really emphasise the characters fear and panic as the clock is ticking down to the next
death. A high angle shot is used to show a man looking down on another man as he punches him.
This gives the impression that the tension and urgency is becoming overwhelming, to the point that
they are becoming violent and aggressive. Slow motion is used when a close up shot of one of the
main characters. This not only allows us to see her facial expression, it also give us time to realise
that she, as an actress, is one of the most successful in the whole film, drawing attention to the film
and enticing her fans.
Throughout the trailer the pace varies a lot. It begins fairly slowly, as do many other thriller trailers.
This is so the viewer can get a basic idea of the plot before the trailer picks up pace and begins to
feel tense. This pace seems to grow alongside the plot, with it beginning with a news reader explain
what is happening. After this point the pace begins to increase, and after the victims have been
caught a series of fast paced shots are put together to show the kidnapper whipping off the victims
blindfolds. This is when we know that film contains a serious storyline and helps us to identify the
main action within the film. As the kidnapper explains what they need to do the escape, the pace
slows down again which makes us engage with the victims and listen properly to what their quest
entails (one of the most important things in the plot). It also gives us the chance to relate to the
victims, seeing shots of them looking around and feeling confused. We are then shown a close up of
the clock ticking which has been sped up so the minuets go by very quickly. From here onwards we
the pace becomes increasingly fast and the main event in the film is made clear. We begin to feel a
sense of urgency and panic, relating to the characters, making us want to know what the outcome of
the film is going to be. The pace inflates along with the soundtrack building up the action and
keeping the audience engrossed in the trailer.
At the beginning of the trailer a voice over is heard that can be identified as a news reporter,
explaining the situation. Although within the film this would be broadcast to America, in the trailer it
is for the audience’s benefit. It lets the viewer know the main plot of the film in just a few words,
helping them decide whether the film is for them or not. At the same time there is a loud boom that
seems to sink into the beginning of the trailer drawing our attention and making us look at the
screen. It is also kind of a ‘creepy’ sound that highlights the theme of the film and helps us identify
the genre from the beginning. This sound continues across the beginning of the trailer and seems to
echo, as if beating, this ends as the dialogue begins. The kidnapper speaks but his voice seems to be
slightly computerised, suggesting that he is trying to hide his identity. As soon as the dialogue stops
a deep sound is played that descends into the clip, creating a negative atmosphere and beginning to
build up to the next event. The sound of the clock ticking is sped up and becomes a foley sound as it
is exaggerated, suggesting that time is a big part of the film. As the pace of the trailer picks up so
does the music, making it seem as though the characters are on a race against time and adding a
sense of alarm. Front this point onwards the soundtrack is similar to that of a rock song and is faintly
played behind a low beat that adds a negative feel to the trailer, linking with the thriller genre. The
beat seems to get faster and when the inter-titles are shown there is the sound similar to that of an
explosion, leading up the final title that displays the title of the film. The sound finally resembles the
sound of drums being played at a fast pace and loud and as the trailer comes to a close the music
seems to quickly fade as the kidnapper says ‘Why are you here?’ and then suddenly builds up again
as the title is displayed. It ends with a much more high pitched sound that may be linked with the

3. Megan Campbell
sound associated with metal being scraped, something that is slightly eerie and almost a symbol of
torture or death using metal knives.
The inter titles don’t begin until around half way through the trailer. The sentences used are
imperatives or questions that may be seen as threatening or scary, bringing the viewer closer to the
action. The background used underneath the text is dark and light seems to be coming through from
the white text. This could be linked to the lightening during a thunder storm, a more negative
thought. The font used is similar to what is expected of a thriller film, quite bold and the letters are
capitalised. The titles seem to explain the basic plot of the film to the viewer without exposing any
form of conclusion/ending. The last title is the name of the film, which is placed on top of the faint
image of a tally of the number nine, linking with the amount of people that have been kidnapped.
This may make the viewer wander how many people are actually killed in the film or whether they
all survive, engrossing them in the plot and making them want to see the full film.
The trailer has included many aspects that are typically expected from a film of the thriller genre.
Without these elements it would be difficult to identify the genre which may result in attracting the
wrong audience.