Textual Analysis of a Film Trailer

I used this supernatural/thriller teaser trailer is it had some typical conventions of a horror/ supernatural trailer, for example, the incidental music, dark contrast of colours and the overall gloomy feel of the trailer. Also, this trailer may help towards the teaser trailer our group is going to make due to the genre being used is similar. The title of this teaser trailer sounds very suspicious and mysterious which links to the supernatural genre of the film. The anchorage of the trailer was of white and sans serif font, the front style looked cracked and worn as if telling an old tale. The font created a scary effect as it faded in and out of shots.

The mise-en-scene represented in this teaser trailer is:

·         Lighting: There is mixture of high and low-key lighting however the low-key lighting dominates the teaser trailer. The low-key lighting indicates the supernatural happenings, for example, when the main character is looking at a flickering object. The lighting also creates the atmosphere for the film and produces a demonic feel, which is shown when the main character is standing in the darkness and hand creeps upon his shoulder. The low-key lighting is used effectively throughout the trailer without giving too much away as it keeps things “in the dark”.

·         NVC (Non-verbal communication): There isn’t a lot of NVC seen in this trailer however the NVC shown is when the main character is scared/ shocked, this shown by the way he jumps and an appearance of fright appears on his face when he watches the spinning object. Near the beginning of the trailer the main characters eyes wince just slightly which may create a look of disbelief or confusion, I feel that this look is quite common in supernatural teaser trailers as characters are usually unaware of the happenings. Also, the main characters calm NVC (towards the end of the trailer) suggest that something is likely to happen which links to the hand that appears over the main characters shoulder.

·         Setting: The setting of this trailer is quite typical. The setting shows a large house, possibly a mansion. The mansion is dilapidated, grey and old with overgrown trees/ plants, dirty windows and a large door this setting creates a foreboding nature. The setting of this trailer links well with supernatural genre because of the old house and old-fashioned furniture however, the film is possibly set in an older time where places such as this are quite common.

·         Costume: The main character is wearing an old-fashioned tuxedo; this costume shows that he is of a higher class with a recognised job. The main characters hair is quite neat and styled, which represents his high status; also this may be a new house he has recently bought which links to his money and status. The main character is unshaven which may also link to the fact that his job could be stressful and may not have the time to shave or perhaps this is fashionable in the main characters time setting. 

·         Props: There are little props in the trailer as to not give too much away. In the trailer, there is prop which spins and shows drawings inside, this links to the supernatural genre as the main character caught eye contact with someone whilst the prop was still spinning. Other props, including, furniture were only shown in the trailer.

Shanice Redwood