A film trailer analysis of 'Friday the 13th'.

1. FRIDAY THE 13TH FILM
TRAILER ANALYSIS
By Salina Daniel

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVsV
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3. The trailer then opens with a low angled camera shot with imagery of beneath the surface of
a lake, the camera begins to pan upwards. The audience is then presented with an
establishing shot of Crystal Lake, a wide shot furthers the audiences view of the lake and
forest. This is a very conventional start to a trailer, this enables the audience to get an idea of
where the action is taking place. Within the horror genre specifically, this will usually be a
secluded area such as Crystal Lake. The audience would know this because of the symbiotic
link between the trailer and the film poster.
Camera: Firstly, the camera fades to an introduction to ‘New Line Cinema’ and
then ‘Paramount Pictures’ these two famous film production companies will be
recognised by the audience and assure that this film will be a success just like
other films they release.
Sound: These camera shots and movement is accompanied by a non-diegetic sound of a
woman talking about horrific events occurred in that lake. This immediately presents bad
thoughts in the audiences head that the lake isn’t a safe place to be. This allows the
audience to find out ideas of the narrative; the boy who drowned and died in the lake isn’t
maybe so dead after all. This is followed by a sharp diegetic sound of a speeding car and
teenagers laughing. This uplifts the mood of the trailer significantly. As the camera cuts to
the group of teens in the car having fun. But just after hearing the story of the woman the
audience can tell that the teens are on their way to that location.
Camera/Location: The location is a typical and
conventional setting for a slasher film. Which is
isolated, quiet and in far away from human
contact. This means no escape from the killer. As
the teens make a wild entrance the editing speed
starts to speed up as they have fun. The camera
also introduces us briefly to the characters by
showing close up shots.

4. As the action cuts to a close up of the blonde female’s terror stricken
face and the audience hear her speak the words ‘oh my god’. The non-
diegetic sounds becomes louder and more intense as the audience see
Jason approaching the edge of the lake.
Narrative: A fast cut is drawn to the cabin of where they will be staying, it is covered
with trees, very secluded and is large. The non-diegetic sound of rock music as they
are having fun suggests the young audience can relate to this. It also shows the
typical activities teens do in slasher films; have sex, drink, smoke and take drugs.
Even though everyone is having fun there is still the feeling of unease where
something could happen at any second. This is what intrigue horror fans the most
as it consists of jump scares, stabs and tension building. The audience will
understand that these reckless teens will be the victims as they are irresponsible,
follows the conventional narrative of a slasher film. The fact that they are so laid
back will be more of a shock on how they will be attacked. It is also a strong
contrast against the ending which heightens the audiences fear even more.
Camera: The trailer quickly takes a turn when the audience are presented with a
long shot of the sacrificial lamb; a blonde female having fun water skiing topless.
As she falls into the water she first sees the antagonist and is speechless. Her first
encounter suggests conventionally she will be the first victim. It suggests he only
wanted her to see him; so she knows she should be panicking. This will appeal to
the true fans of horror because they know that the blonde always makes unwise
decisions which in turn makes the audience give up on her.
Sound: At this point in the trailer, the non-diegetic sounds of the fun music cuts out as
the camera fades to black for a moment, just after we see her fall into the water. This is
where the audience notices a strange difference, suggesting the fun is over and the
worst is yet to happen. The use of diegetic sound of the waves combined with the fades,
allow the moment to be real and creates tension. The black fades suggests the darkness
her life is about to encounter. The non-diegetic sounds begins again, but now its of a
slow, eerie sound this contrast to the upbeat sound before puts the audience on edge.
Editing: A shot reverse shot is then used to show the blonde teen
spotting something, then she soon recognises it’s a man in a mask
with a weapon and her breathing becomes heavier as she realises.
This is the first time the audience and one of the teens have seen
him. His presence immediately changes the mood of the trailer now
that the camera confirms his presence.

5. Sound/Editing: This would bring audiences further to the edge of their seats as
they would expect something bad is about to happen, an idea that will be
heightened by the non-diegetic sound that plays unnervingly off-key. The shot
then cuts to a two shot of the male character asking a local about his sister. The
shot cuts to a slow fade. This is an editing technique used throughout the trailer.
This is an effective and common convention of Slasher horror trailers as they help
to build up suspense and tension is can also reflect a heart beat or time of
reflection of what is about to happen. As the fade appears on screen, there is a
diegetic voice-over of the old woman; ‘She’s dead’. The elderly character is sour-
faced and her delivery of the fact is blunt and unfeeling, making it seem more
cruel, tragic, unnatural and shocking. The fade that follows again represents life
coming to an abrupt and untimely end and that dark times lie ahead.
Strap: We are presented with the first strap of the trailer: From Producer Michael Bay.
The strap is presented in white and appears cracked. The font used reflects the slasher
genre as the strap looks as if it has been painted on the screen many years ago. The
strap informs the audience that the film has been created by a successful producer, who
has a solid history of making slasher films. This would draw in the audience as they
know that this film is likely to be as successful and terrifying as the other Slashers he has
produced.
Camera: Following the strap, the audience are presented with a close up shot of multiple
‘missing’ posters. This adds to the tension and unease among the audience as they
know the disappearance of the girl in the poster must have been associated with Jason
the antagonist, further reinforcing the audience’s awareness of how dangerous he is and
how he poses a threat to anyone who dares to step foot in Crystal Lake. The audience
are presented with a wide shot of a character ‘not from around there’ looking for the
girl on the poster. This would create a feeling of empathy among the audience as they
would know if Jason had anything to do with it, the male character won’t ever find his
sister. We see wide shot of the male character and the final girl investigating in the
woods at night time, using torches. This shot would increase the tension among the
audience as this is a typical way that characters die in horror films; going to investigate
abandoned, isolated areas at night.

6. Camera: This is followed by a close up shot of the couple in the tent, with a shadowed figure
behind them outside the tent, the audience would instantly know that the silhouette is Jason.
The shot then fades out to another black screen. This follows the conventional narrative, that
the killer strikes in the act of a female teen having casual sex. Therefore she is punished by
death first before the male character.
Camera: After the fade, the first jump scare of the trailer is used. The audience are
presented with a close up shot of, what we assume, is one of Jason’s victims screaming.
This creates a link, the camera wants the audience to associate the missing girl to this
screaming victim, reinforcing the audience’s understanding that she has died suffering.
The shot itself has an almost ‘found footage’ theme similarly to the Blair Witch Project’,
ensuring that the death seems more real and therefore more scary. This is an effective
jump scare as the audience would have been drawn in by the news of the missing girl
being dead, with their eyes hooked on the screen before the jump scare occurs.
Strap: The second strap is then featured: ‘And the Director of The Texas Chainsaw
Massacre’. This would draw the audience in further as they know this film is being
produced and directed by the same team that successfully created the franchise of
Texas Chainsaw, a classic slasher film. It also suggests to the audience that this film will
be of the same quality as Texas Chainsaw. At this point in the trailer, the editing begins
to speed up, with multiple shots of different victims.
Sound: The voice over of the old woman kicks in again; ‘when people disappear around
here they’re gone for good.’ The non-diegetic sound becomes louder and more intense,
suggesting to the audience that the antagonist Jason is coming. This is further
reinforced in the next shot, where the camera quickly zooms in on a tent in the woods.
This creates the feeling that the audience are seeing the tent from Jason’s perspective,
as he quickly moves in on his next victims. This adds to the tension and unease among
the audience.
Sound: This is combined with a diegetic voice-over from the female in the
shot; ‘there’s something out there.’ this increases the tension built up by the
first half of the trailer as the audience know exactly who’s out there and what
he’s going to do. At this stage in the trailer, diegetic sounds , such as the
shutting of a door and whispered voices, are amplified to compliment the
rise in drama and to create moments of shock that will heighten the
audience’s fear.

7. Sound: At this point, the non-diegetic sounds of the heartbeat speeds
up, and is combined with an eerie and extremely fast piece of non-
diegetic sounds, as we see point of view shot of a bed post with the
name Jason engraved on it.
Sound: The audience are then presented with numerous shots of the characters being
tormented by the antagonist Jason. The editing moves at a faster pace, and the non-
diegetic sounds come in again, in the form of a heartbeat. This is a common convention
of Slasher trailers because it helps build tension and draw the audience in even further.
This is because the speed of the heartbeat not on reflects the action on screen, but also
replicates the heartbeat of the audience and victims as the tension builds and they
become even more on edge.
Camera: There is a close up shot of Jason’s feet. This is an effective shot, as it suggests
the antagonist Jason is approaching, on his way to bring terror to his victims. His walk is
slow and firm indicating his strength and confidence. While his victims are squirming
and panicking, falling to pieces and rushing to escape, whereas he is calm and in
control; This is followed by a low angled shot of the final girl hiding in a tunnel
surrounded by rats, this can be linked with her situation as she is the rat running from
the cat. This instantly tells the audience that the characters are trying to find a way out,
but the audience know that they won’t be able to.
Lighting/Camera: The lighting is very dark and dismal, with only a slight spotlight
coming in from the right hand side of the frame. This allows the audience to see the
final girl’s distressed and terrified expression as she hides from Jason. The audience are
presented with a close up shot of a battered sign saying Camp Crystal Lake. This helps
to create the symbiotic link between the trailer and the film poster. The old and
battered appearance of the sign suggests to the audience that no one has been to the
lake for years, and it must be for a reason. It could also be said to represent that, thanks
to Jason’s presence, this place is tarnished with evil.
Colour/Camera: The mise-en-scene here is gritty, dark and
dismal, with the bed-sheets appearing to be stained and
squalid, a reflection of the dark ugliness that lies within Jason.
The non-diegetic sounds then cuts out completely on
another close up shot of the final girl, again, in the tunnel
with her hand over her mouth trying not to make a sound.
This creates the impression that Jason is lurking.

8. Camera: The trailer begins to show snippets of how each character is about to die or how
they try to escape, featuring straps of the number after each one. This feature is interesting,
as it reveals which characters will die and the absolute extent of the antagonists killing
spree. However, each shot of the different characters being hunted it followed by fast cuts
to drip feed the audience instead of revealing too much. Ensuring that the suspense is
maintained and the audience will watch the film in order to see the deaths in full and in
gruesome detail. This is the point where the fast montage, that always features in trailers in
general, begins.
Sound/Editing: Editing and non-diegetic sounds at this point
become even faster, which builds up the tension among the
audience. The non-diegetic sounds then cuts out on a close up
shot of two characters hiding under a bed, as Jason drops a
dead body on the floor just in front of them. This pushes the
audience to the edge of their seats wondering what's going to
happen to them. Also, it helps to replicate the dead silence that
would be in the room in this particular scene while they want to
burst out crying but try not give themselves away. The non-
diegetic sounds come into play again as the camera shows a
medium shot of the antagonist is turning around, with a
diegetic scream featuring at the same time. This would be
another jump scare as the audience would be on the edge of
the seats waiting to see if the characters are found under the
bed.
Camera: Shots start to cut faster, with the teens trying to escape the antagonist,
just the a strap is introduced on screen of ’13’, the audience will link this to the title
of the film which is a date but on the strap the number doesn’t refer to a date. This
suggests that the number and the date are linked to the amount of murders the
antagonist will commit. This gives the audience insight to the narrative again. This
shows the audience that the antagonist is playing a sick game by choosing the
amount of murders based on a date. This inhumane representation is reinforced.
Sound: The title of the film is then merged with the strap into the
frame. The trailer ends on a close up of the antagonist’s white mask,
shortly after with a diegetic sound of the same woman who opened
the trailer as she talked about her son drowning, this time she ends it
with ‘his name was Jason, and today is his birthday.’ The fact that the
trailer ends like this suggests that even through all that has happened,
its just the beginning and the audience hasn’t seen anything yet.
At this point the audience would realise that the antagonist is the little
boy ‘Jason’. The fact that he isn’t a little boy anymore reinforces the
idea of him coming from the dead as a grown man with no humanity
or anything to lose as he lost his soul in that Lake.