ANALYSIS A2 MEDIA FILM TRAILER –

A SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTER

My film trailer opens in the conventional way, displaying the green screen with text informing the audience that the trailer has been approved and is appropriate to watch. Additionally, I added two of my production companies at the start of the trailer, another convention of existing film trailers. The footage itself pens with a close up shot of a hand opening the gate, the clips themselves have all been edited and given a dark complexion to portray an uneasy atmosphere and adhere to the forms and conventions of existing horror film trailers. Moreover, the fact that we don’t actually know who the character is creates further unease as it leaves the audience asking questions already, is he a protagonist or an antagonist? What is he doing there? The anchorage of “UP AT THE CHURCH” not only gives the trailer context for the audience, it gives the trailer a religious connotation making the plot more convincing and realistic.

A point-of-view shot is then used from the viewpoint of the antagonist who is lurking in a bush nearby, the POV antagonist clips are all given a black hue effect to reinforce the fact that they are from the antagonist’s view. This connotes further apprehension as the antagonist’s identity is also unclear, leaving the audience to ponder over additional questions. Moreover, the eerie music also contributes to this atmosphere connoting a sinister mood and getting the audience on the edge of their seats. This POV shot from the antagonist is sustained throughout the first sequence of my trailer connoting the impression that no matter where the protagonist goes the antagonist will always be watching you.

A medium long shot tracks the protagonist before the diegetic sound of a twig snapping and bushes rustling become audible to him and he turns and faces the source of the sound. Whilst this is a stereotype within most horror films, it does create a rise in suspense in my film, The camera then cuts from the medium shot of the protagonist looking into the collection of bushes to a POV shot and then back to the medium shot of the protagonist who then turns and walks away, creating a brief sense of relaxation in an attempt to catch the audience off guard in the next sequence for the jump scare, something I learnt from my textual analysis.

Continuing on from the shots featured on the previous slide, a POV shot is used following a two second fade to black transition to create a rise in tension. Following this transition the camera shot from the antagonist’s viewpoint swiftly charges towards to protagonists to connote the idea of him attacking and murdering the protagonists. We hear the diegetic sound of him screaming and the creature’s roar as the screen again fades to black.

An extreme long shot is then used, as the protagonist’s location is discovered on the path way leading up to the church, this shots slowly zooms in to the dead body and was used to make links to my ancillary tasks and to reinforce the brand identity of my film by using the church as a recurring image. A cross cut is then used as an the camera is positioned over-the-shoulder of another protagonist reading a newspaper featuring the murder of the previous antagonist. A flashback is then used as the screen cuts to the previous shots of the murder taking place, this adds further context to the plot and allows the audience to gain an understanding into the situation the protagonists find themselves in.

Additionally, the shots connote verisimilitude and emphasise the normal setting, thus making the film trailer more believable. The camera then cuts to a medium close up on another protagonist, who explains the legend of a supernatural antagonist who haunts the church. An eerie sound track is audible in the background, to sustain the apprehensive atmosphere of the trailer. Moreover, the dialogue spoken by the protagonist is also used as a sound bridge as the next sequence begins, a close up shot is used on the gate being pushed open to generate familiarity for an audience and leaves them predicting what will happen next.

A long shot then shows them walking through the gate and inside the church and graveyard area, this creates dramatic irony for an audience as they know more than the characters in the film. Low key lighting is then used on a low angle medium shot of the three main protagonists looking out into the church, the darkness around them reinforces the presence of evil.

As the group continue the investigate the church and graveyard areas, a medium shot focuses on one of the protagonists as he hears diegetic sound of twigs snapping and bushes rustling, similar as to what the first protagonist heard. Again, this becomes familiar for an audience, it creates a rise in suspense and also they now associate that sound with danger. The non-diegetic sound track now becomes more dark and deep, emphasising that the evil antagonist is getting closer. A medium shot again captures the protagonists extending forward to get a glimpse of the sound’s source, this stance is again similar to the one previously seen.

An over-the-shoulder shot from the protagonist sees him spin around and display facial expressions that connote fear and worry. A loud and deep eerie sound effect is then audible to emphasis the rise in tension. The camera then cuts to an over-the-shoulder shot from the protagonist as the supernatural being quickly charges forward before the screen fades to black, this violent act ensures that my trailer adheres to forms and conventions of existing film trailers. The camera then focuses on a medium shot of the main protagonist talking about the creature and the curse that has been inflicted on them, again this adds context to the plot and allows the production and characters to engage with the audience as they fully understand what is going on.

During the montage sequence, an over-the-shoulder shot demonstrates the protagonist unfolding a threatening note from the antagonist. Whilst this does border on horror film cliché, I feel that, for my film, it plugs gaps in the audience’s knowledge and demonstrates the power of the antagonist. Another over-the-shoulder shot is then used on another protagonist researching the antagonist and obtaining an online photograph of him, he then looks away before the image seemingly comes to life and charges at the screen, again this sinister act emphasises the power of the antagonist and generates a rise in tension. Finally, the film’s title is displayed and appropriate social networking links are displayed.

TODOROV• EQUILIBRIUM: All is well and 16 year old Zachary Copson is visiting his grandfather’s at the local

church. • DISRUPTION: Whilst at St Andrews Church in Countesthorpe, Zachary hears some strange noises

which alert him to the presence of a supernatural antagonist who swiftly kills Zachary before he has a chance to escape or run for help.

• RECOGNITION OF DISRUPTION: The trailer cuts to a school environment where, Sam, Jamie and Brad, friends of Zachary, are reading a newspaper reporting on his death before another school friend, Tom Stafford, informs them of a legendary antagonist that supposedly haunts the church where Zachary was murdered.

• ATTEMPT TO REPAIR: The trailer then cross cuts again, back to the church, where the three main protagonists attempt to investigate the murder and find out if there is any truth behind the rumours of this supernatural antagonists.

• NEW EQUILIBRIUM: Eventually the trio come face-to-face with the antagonist, who goes by the name of Solebat (Latin for nightmare.) The creature then inflicts a curse on each of the trio that will see them have to battle against their worst fears and nightmares. This new equilibrium will provide the back bone of the film’s plot.

PROPP• HEROES: = The main heroes in this film are Sam, Jamie and Brad, the plot

revolves around them going to investigate the murder of their murdered friend Zachary Copson. They discover he was murdered by a supernatural antagonist who curses the trio and forces them to overcome their deepest fears and most petrifying fears.• VILLAINS: = Solebat, is the film’s main antagonist and haunts the local

church, cursing people by forcing them to experience their worst nightmares.• DISPATCHER: = The film’s dispatcher is Tom Stafford who provides the

protagonists with information about Solebat which is what sets them off on their investigation.