Codes and Conventions of Film Trailer (expectations)

Conventions of a Film Trailer (particularly horror)

Mise-en-sceneSetting - For a horror film, the typical locations may be enclosed situations where it is difficult to escape from, this may be in a house, cabin or a forest that is haunted. The way in which the movie works is to keep all of the characters isolated from any locals, making sure there are no interruptions through-out the events, but also making sure that noone comes looking for them. (Blair Witch Project). 

Props

Weapons are often shown to the spectator through close up shots through the eyes of the character. The weapon will have been spotted by the individual and it will tend to be a knife, gun or saw, to indicate that there is going to be danger and violence coming up. Along with this we expect hurt and pain.

The mobile phone is also usually a prop, it may be the characters last chance for help, we may see it falls out of the pocket and fall into water or break in front of them, making them seem to have no escape..

Costume, Hair and Makeup

The costume worn by the character is often a signal to what is going to happen, if for example the characters are wearing old fashioned clothing, we know that this is a back story for some wizardry that occurred that is going to haunt the future. However, this is not always the case, it can be used to indicate the year that is being represented. 

The make-up can be used to help with telling the characters apart, using Proppian theory, he states that there will always be a hero and a villain. In the case of Saw (2003), we have jigsaw, a little clown on a screen, but this clown is wearing heavy makeup that differ it from any other character in the film.

SoundDiegetic sound- An example of this within horror would be a victim screaming, the sound of a door opening or the sound of a gun shot. Trailers have to be suitable for all ages, the trailer cannot show disturbing/violent scenes and can't be over the top - causing too much fright. It would give too much away. Therefore they have to rely on sound and effects to make these elements evident e.g hearing a scream without seeing the attack. The use of character interaction (dialogue) will help the narrative along and will help the audience to understand the events within the trailer. Using this within a trailer helps show the narrative of the film and helps create suspense, tension and enigmas.

Non diegetic sound

The non-diegetic sounds are those that cannot be seen within the sequence that is being watched, therefore it has being added in the post-production process. This is used heavily in horror film trailer, they may use diegetic sounds like heavy breathing, but they may also add sounds that reach crescendo, making the scene seem much scarier than it is in reality. The reason this is done is to add tension to the scene. An example of thiswould be the trailer for Mama, the use of both non-diegetic sounds and diegetic sounds lead us to the conclusion it is horror, however, without the sounds instructing/leading us to know how to feel, we may not come to the same conclusion through visual imagery.

Sound Bridge- The same music or sound that links two scenes together, to make the action scene interrupted. This would be use in the middle of the trailer as it will be revealing the action within the film, it helps to keep the continuity within the film by carrying on with the same source of sound.

Voice-over

A voice over is generally used in a theatrical trailer, but is sometimes used in a teaser trailer with the actors voice used over a sequence of shots. This is shown within trailers for films such as Twilight, Thirty Days Of Night and I am Legend. The purpose of a voice-over is to help the audience understand the visual and the narrative of the film throughout the trailer.

Cinematography: 

Establishing shot

This is used at the beginning of the trailer to set the scene and to show equilibrium. Normally you will see this shot juxta-posed against the weapon of choice and the villain, or the two victims.

Close up

This type of shot shows the detail of a subjects face. It's used within horror trailers to show the fear and emotion of the victims and making the audience to feel their pain. It can be also used to show the face of the villain, or an extreme close up may be used to show just a section of their face for example their eyes. This will create an enigma as the audience wont be sure what the villain fully looks like.

Mid shots

Are used to show the action within the film (when equilibrium has been disrupted) allows the audience to see the character and the setting at the same time, this is used within horror . A mid shot can also be used to show the villain, usually in horror films it will show a dark outline of the villain's figure if the identity is not to be revealed.

Long shots

Are used to show the setting, very similar to an establishing shot, it allows the audience to see all the surroundings in the scene as well as the characters. In horror it could show a building on fire or possibly a murder, so the audience are not clear on who the killer is. The long shot can also be seen in TV to indicate horror, TV Series which border on horror by using crime such as CSI would use a long shot to make sure the spectator is aware of the crime through the camera, however, the villain is never clear until the end. 

Point Of View shot

This makes the audience feel the fear and tension within the scene (it gives them an adrenaline rush). The shot is used when the victim is running away or hiding from the villain. Usually this will be done through the handheld camera, making it wobbly but feeling like we are seeing through the eyes of another. 

Tracking

This camera movement allows the audience to follow the action within the trailer, and allows them to keep up with the pace of the characters and movement within the scene (for example the character running). This movement can make the audience feel they are apart of the action and will make them feel the physical effects that the character is feeling (scared, adrenaline rush) It will make the scene more effective and seem realistic in the eyes of the audience.

High Angle

This is when the camera is position high up and is tilting down on the subject, making the character look vulnerable to the audience. This is popular within the horror genre as it makes the victim powerless against the villain.

Low Angle

This is placed below the subject titling upwards so that the character looks dominant and powerful, this generally towards the villain before the attempt to repair the disruption.

Canted angle 

This is the tilting of the camera and is used for dramatic effect to create a sense of disorientation, intoxication, madness etc. This can be shown within horror such as the Saw series.

Pan

This is when the camera moves left to right, or right to left following a subject. This is used in horror movies when a suspicious character comes into play, the camera follows the character to emphasize on his part in the movie. Moreover it is used in chase scenes to follow the victim as he is trying to get away.

Dutch Tilt

This is a shot used by which the subject or object being filmed is tilted to an angle. This shot is often used in horror films to represent disorientation and confusion. A tilted shot type such as a dutch tilt often connotates confusion or panic.