The Horizon Studios team have selected a few existing horror posters, magazines and trailers so that we could annotate them to see if we find any constant and key elements within horror mediums. This will help guide us when building our own products so we know the correct conventions to follow.
horror posters
Title: A nightmare on Elm Street
Release date: 30th April 2010
Director: Samuel Bayer
Film information: A Re-make of the original Nightmare on Elm Street released in 1984.
Synopsis: A local paedophile who is burned alive by victims parents then come back year later to haunt his child victims in their teenage dreams.
Production/financing Company: New line cinema
Principle cast: Jackie Earle Haley, Rooney Mara and Kyle Gallner
Sub-genre: Slasher/ splatter
Release date: 30th April 2010
Director: Samuel Bayer
Film information: A Re-make of the original Nightmare on Elm Street released in 1984.
Synopsis: A local paedophile who is burned alive by victims parents then come back year later to haunt his child victims in their teenage dreams.
Production/financing Company: New line cinema
Principle cast: Jackie Earle Haley, Rooney Mara and Kyle Gallner
Sub-genre: Slasher/ splatter
Mise-en-scene: A mid-shot of the aggressor is shown
on the front of the poster, Dimmed by a dark lighting but highlights the red
colour in the stripped jumper costume. This could connote a sense of fear of
the unknown i.e. not knowing who the aggressor is and the red to signify blood
which is a common convection in horror films. For the particular character his
iconic prop is his knife like fingers, this can help to give the audience
viewing the poster an idea of how the killings take place and the sort of
murders to be expected. The background of the poster is just darkness which
could possibly relate to the storyline of how he attacks his victims through
their nightmares. The aggressors NVC is of his smirking which could also relate
to the context that he is a paedophile.
Typography: The text is written as if blood has smudged the writing, it is a scarlet red and placed at the bottom of the poster so that the main image is not covered. Bellow that credits are written to the director, cast, crew and companies that helped product the film. However these are written in a faced grey colour as the main issue to present the title and date both written in scarlet red.
Mood and styling: The mood of the poster connotes a grim and unsettling atmosphere because of the dull brown and grey colours making the aggressor look dirty. This is also helped by the use of red in his jumper which is ripped also helping to connote an uncomfortable view.
Specific conventions: The tagline ‘Welcome the your new nightmare’ is written just above the title in a grey colour connoting that it Is not as important as the title however the fact that it is written above shows a sort of direction to the audience to read it. The tagline is very directive to the audience which could make them want to see the movie more.
Typography: The text is written as if blood has smudged the writing, it is a scarlet red and placed at the bottom of the poster so that the main image is not covered. Bellow that credits are written to the director, cast, crew and companies that helped product the film. However these are written in a faced grey colour as the main issue to present the title and date both written in scarlet red.
Mood and styling: The mood of the poster connotes a grim and unsettling atmosphere because of the dull brown and grey colours making the aggressor look dirty. This is also helped by the use of red in his jumper which is ripped also helping to connote an uncomfortable view.
Specific conventions: The tagline ‘Welcome the your new nightmare’ is written just above the title in a grey colour connoting that it Is not as important as the title however the fact that it is written above shows a sort of direction to the audience to read it. The tagline is very directive to the audience which could make them want to see the movie more.
Title: Friday the 13th
Release date: February 13th 2009
Director: Marcus Nispel
Film information: A remake of the original Friday the 13th
Synopsis: A young boy who was bullied and killed at his time in camp Crystal lake comes back to haunt all teenage campers when it re-opened many years later.
Production/financing company: Platinum Dunes
Principal cast: Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker and Aaron Yoo
Sub-genre: slasher
Release date: February 13th 2009
Director: Marcus Nispel
Film information: A remake of the original Friday the 13th
Synopsis: A young boy who was bullied and killed at his time in camp Crystal lake comes back to haunt all teenage campers when it re-opened many years later.
Production/financing company: Platinum Dunes
Principal cast: Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker and Aaron Yoo
Sub-genre: slasher
Camera: A low angle shot is used for the central focus of the poster (the antagonist) to signify how they often take over places in films due to the chaos they cause. Also the low angle shot could be used to connote anger, intimidation and fright – since antagonist often make strong main protagonists feel small and weak due to the weapons they often carry. The antagonist could have been put in the centre of the poster to project to the reader that, it’s not the dark surrounding the antagonist that they should be worried about but the antagonist within it all.
Mise-en-scene: The lighting used is mainly dark and dull to signify that the antagonist commits lots of serious crimes; the antagonist could darken peoples lives as he murders close companions. Also, a small essence of light is used just above the antagonist to possibly signify how in order to get to the light (freedom) they must somehow past the barrier in which is the man in the mask (Jason). The use of red for the film title could connote death and murder as the antagonist often leaves their victims helpless on the ground below them – hence why the title is situated below the main image.
Typography: The font is a standard Georgia style coloured blood red, with minimal editing it looks as if the words have been scratched out of faded which could represent the re-incarnation of Jason the antagonist.
Mood and styling: The use of dark colours enables a very eerie mood and this thereby reveals to the viewers what type of atmosphere is throughout the movie. Also, the use of the towering trees standing besides the antagonist enables the viewer to feel as if the antagonist knows the forest so well that you can’t even hide without the antagonist finding you.
Mise-en-scene: The lighting used is mainly dark and dull to signify that the antagonist commits lots of serious crimes; the antagonist could darken peoples lives as he murders close companions. Also, a small essence of light is used just above the antagonist to possibly signify how in order to get to the light (freedom) they must somehow past the barrier in which is the man in the mask (Jason). The use of red for the film title could connote death and murder as the antagonist often leaves their victims helpless on the ground below them – hence why the title is situated below the main image.
Typography: The font is a standard Georgia style coloured blood red, with minimal editing it looks as if the words have been scratched out of faded which could represent the re-incarnation of Jason the antagonist.
Mood and styling: The use of dark colours enables a very eerie mood and this thereby reveals to the viewers what type of atmosphere is throughout the movie. Also, the use of the towering trees standing besides the antagonist enables the viewer to feel as if the antagonist knows the forest so well that you can’t even hide without the antagonist finding you.
Title: An American Werewolf In London
Release date: August 21st , 1981
Director: John Landis
Film information: A number of remakes and adaptations have been made.
Synopsis: Two American college students on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.
Production/financing Company: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Lyncanthrope Films
Principle cast: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griddin Dunne and John Woodvine
Sub-genre: Werewolf / comedy
Release date: August 21st , 1981
Director: John Landis
Film information: A number of remakes and adaptations have been made.
Synopsis: Two American college students on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.
Production/financing Company: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Lyncanthrope Films
Principle cast: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griddin Dunne and John Woodvine
Sub-genre: Werewolf / comedy
Typography: The white text displaying the films title which is used on this poster features a sans serif font which creates a contrast with the black background. It is easy to see and brings in the viewers attention. The poster features production companies and cast names at the bottom of the poster in a black slimmed down and modern typeface. The lack of prominent cast names could suggest that the film has more to offer that star power; such as a good plot and storyline.
Composition/Layout: The whole structure of this poster is based on two rectangles which are placed over one another and contrast with each other. On the black rectangle which is placed in the foreground we can see an illustration of a werewolf in red which flows down the page, crosses over onto the white section of the page and is made up of droplets and blood splatters. This could suggest that the film involves a werewolf which wrecks havoc and features bloody and gory content. At the bottom of the Poster there are symmetrically placed production companies and cast names along with their logos and copyright.
Mood and styling: The whole poster only features there colours: black, white and red. Black is used an it relates to the hidden, the secretive and the unknown, and as a result it creates an air of mystery. Red is also a main colour featured in horror posters overall because of its significance to physical needs, our will to survive whilst It exudes a strong and powerful masculine energy.
Composition/Layout: The whole structure of this poster is based on two rectangles which are placed over one another and contrast with each other. On the black rectangle which is placed in the foreground we can see an illustration of a werewolf in red which flows down the page, crosses over onto the white section of the page and is made up of droplets and blood splatters. This could suggest that the film involves a werewolf which wrecks havoc and features bloody and gory content. At the bottom of the Poster there are symmetrically placed production companies and cast names along with their logos and copyright.
Mood and styling: The whole poster only features there colours: black, white and red. Black is used an it relates to the hidden, the secretive and the unknown, and as a result it creates an air of mystery. Red is also a main colour featured in horror posters overall because of its significance to physical needs, our will to survive whilst It exudes a strong and powerful masculine energy.
horror magazines
Title:
Hellraiser
Release date: 11th September 1987
Director: Clive Barker
Film info: A British horror film based upon Clive Barker’s novel The Hellbound Heart. The film also comes from a franchise.
Synopsis: A man who buy a magical puzzle box abroad from a dodgy dealer, once the puzzle was solved little did the man know he opened up the gates of hell to the real world
Production/Financing Company: Cinemarque Entertainment BV
Principle cast: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Sean Chapman and Ashley Laurence
Sub-genre: Thriller
Release date: 11th September 1987
Director: Clive Barker
Film info: A British horror film based upon Clive Barker’s novel The Hellbound Heart. The film also comes from a franchise.
Synopsis: A man who buy a magical puzzle box abroad from a dodgy dealer, once the puzzle was solved little did the man know he opened up the gates of hell to the real world
Production/Financing Company: Cinemarque Entertainment BV
Principle cast: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Sean Chapman and Ashley Laurence
Sub-genre: Thriller
Mise-en-scene: The main image on the magazine is a portrait shot of the aggressor, his NVC looks sad as his face is facing down and he is not looking at the camera. This could be possible because of the context that the actor has passed. On the side of the magazine has smaller images of other horror films that feature inside the magazine, they also take a similar colour scheme as the main image as well as the masthead.
Typography: The typography used for the main cover line and cover lines is very sharp and looks quiet old fashioned, this could be because of the release date in 1987 and possibly connoting time passing in the actor’s death. However, the masthead remains the same typography as it does for every issue only changing the colour to blue to adapt to the main image colour scheme, this could be to keep the companies trademark.
Mood and styling: The mood looks quite mellow using the colours blue, black and grey connoting depression and sadness. In contrast to a stereotypical horror magazine which may look scary and intimidating by the use of the colour red connoting blood.
Specific conventions: The masthead is placed at the top of the magazine similar to all magazines and the selling line above the masthead. The cover lines challenge the convections as they are placed on the left side only and accompanied by images supporting those cover lines. This could distract focus away from the main image however because it’s a horror magazines the more imagery the more attractive it will be for that particular audience.
Typography: The typography used for the main cover line and cover lines is very sharp and looks quiet old fashioned, this could be because of the release date in 1987 and possibly connoting time passing in the actor’s death. However, the masthead remains the same typography as it does for every issue only changing the colour to blue to adapt to the main image colour scheme, this could be to keep the companies trademark.
Mood and styling: The mood looks quite mellow using the colours blue, black and grey connoting depression and sadness. In contrast to a stereotypical horror magazine which may look scary and intimidating by the use of the colour red connoting blood.
Specific conventions: The masthead is placed at the top of the magazine similar to all magazines and the selling line above the masthead. The cover lines challenge the convections as they are placed on the left side only and accompanied by images supporting those cover lines. This could distract focus away from the main image however because it’s a horror magazines the more imagery the more attractive it will be for that particular audience.
Title: The walking dead
Release date: 31st October 2010
Director: Frank Darabont
Film information: It was based on a comic book series
Synopsis: The television series is about a group of people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse.
Production/financing company: AMC Studios
Principal cast: Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal and Sarah Wayne Callies
Sub-genre: Zombie/ splatter
Release date: 31st October 2010
Director: Frank Darabont
Film information: It was based on a comic book series
Synopsis: The television series is about a group of people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse.
Production/financing company: AMC Studios
Principal cast: Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal and Sarah Wayne Callies
Sub-genre: Zombie/ splatter
Camera: A close up is used for the main image of the front cover to signify the deteriorating features of the zombie and thereby project the genre of horror to the potential buyers. Also wide shots are used for the smaller features down the left hand side of the magazine to reflect the large amount of content within the magazine.
Mise-en-scene: The lighting for the main image is evenly distributed to project how zombies are often out in the day as well as the night – which signifies how they take over large parts of places. The NVC used for the main image is quite simple as the disfigured features of the zombie are self-explanatory thereby the zombie does not need to pose in a way that needs to make them appear dangerous. The colours used for the magazine are mainly dark such as red and black – the use of these colours could connote danger, death and terror.
Masthead: The font used for the masthead reflects entirely the genre of horror as it is bold enough for people to see just like in horror films when people die, people often know about it. Also the black lines and circles surrounding the masthead could have connotations of blood and splatter – which have a strong association with zombies.
Left-third: The heavy use of images in the left third could also help to reflect the horror genre as it signifies how so much goes on in a horror film as well as there being lots of different sub genres within the genre of horror alone.
Mise-en-scene: The lighting for the main image is evenly distributed to project how zombies are often out in the day as well as the night – which signifies how they take over large parts of places. The NVC used for the main image is quite simple as the disfigured features of the zombie are self-explanatory thereby the zombie does not need to pose in a way that needs to make them appear dangerous. The colours used for the magazine are mainly dark such as red and black – the use of these colours could connote danger, death and terror.
Masthead: The font used for the masthead reflects entirely the genre of horror as it is bold enough for people to see just like in horror films when people die, people often know about it. Also the black lines and circles surrounding the masthead could have connotations of blood and splatter – which have a strong association with zombies.
Left-third: The heavy use of images in the left third could also help to reflect the horror genre as it signifies how so much goes on in a horror film as well as there being lots of different sub genres within the genre of horror alone.
Title: Scream 4 (SCRE4M)
Release date: 15th April 2011
Director: Wes Craven
Film info: Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.
Production/Financing Company: Dimension Films, Corvus Corax Productions
Principle cast: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts and Hayden Panettiere
Sub-genre: Slasher
Release date: 15th April 2011
Director: Wes Craven
Film info: Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.
Production/Financing Company: Dimension Films, Corvus Corax Productions
Principle cast: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts and Hayden Panettiere
Sub-genre: Slasher
Mise-en-scene: The main image on the magazine is a mid-shot of Ghostface pointing a knife at the audience. This makes the audience feel threatened and makes the reader feel more involved. Ghostface is seen wearing a midnight purple robe/cloak along with gloves of the same colour. The illustrations background includes fire which could suggest that Ghostface is from hell/the devil. The picture has a comic effect on it which bring out the colour of Ghostface's rob and the red fire background, this makes the image look more engaging.
Typography: The masthead features a sans serif typeface stylised with black, bold, sans serif text with a crystal white block shadow. The main cover line is red which is often associated with blood and violence seen in horror. The text shown on the right 2/3rds follows a black, white and red colour scheme. However this does not carry to the left third, where yellow is seen as a used text colour. The yellow used on the left third is similar to the colour and tone seen in the fire in the background of the illustration.
Cover lines: The cover line reading, "The return of Ghostface", gives readers an idea of what is expected and tempts their audience to read on in search of a conclusion. This cover line is in reference to the film Scream, which is often in the form of a warning, such as; "The Return Of..." and "Be Aware...". This use of language makes the reader feel afraid and question how the situation would be resolved.
Left-third: The left third consists and three mini images of other horror movies which also share the comic effect. It also has the title 'Horror' at the top so that anyone looking specifically for the magazine can identify it quickly. The colours of these represent the colours of the main image (Red, Yellow and black) which help keep to the theme.
Typography: The masthead features a sans serif typeface stylised with black, bold, sans serif text with a crystal white block shadow. The main cover line is red which is often associated with blood and violence seen in horror. The text shown on the right 2/3rds follows a black, white and red colour scheme. However this does not carry to the left third, where yellow is seen as a used text colour. The yellow used on the left third is similar to the colour and tone seen in the fire in the background of the illustration.
Cover lines: The cover line reading, "The return of Ghostface", gives readers an idea of what is expected and tempts their audience to read on in search of a conclusion. This cover line is in reference to the film Scream, which is often in the form of a warning, such as; "The Return Of..." and "Be Aware...". This use of language makes the reader feel afraid and question how the situation would be resolved.
Left-third: The left third consists and three mini images of other horror movies which also share the comic effect. It also has the title 'Horror' at the top so that anyone looking specifically for the magazine can identify it quickly. The colours of these represent the colours of the main image (Red, Yellow and black) which help keep to the theme.
HORROR trailers
Title: Oculus
Release date: 11th April 2014
Director: Mike Flanagan
Film information: The film is based upon an earlier short film by the same director, Oculus: Chapter 3 - The Man with the Plan.
Synopsis: A woman tries to exonerate her brother, who was convicted of murder, by proving that the crime was committed by a supernatural phenomenon.
Production/financing Company: Blumhouse Productions, WWE Studios and Intrepid Pictures
Principle cast: Karen Gillan, Brenton Thwaites, Rory Cochrane and Katee Sackhoff
Sub-genre: Supernatural/physiological
Mise-en-scene: The trailer begins with showing short clips of the production companies’ logos, then opening scene of the trailer shows a mirror hanging on a wall in an empty attic covered by a white cloth. The trailer then begins to flash through what looks likes to be key elements in the film with the characters, in these parts the lighting is quiet dark connoting something scary coming and also to build tension for the audience as much as they can as it is a teaser trailer. The NVC used by the characters are quite shocked or screaming into the camera which could be used to frighten the audience.
Camera and editing: The movement used in the opening scene was zooming in slow motion on the aggressor to capture and build tension as normally the audience never get to fully see the aggressor up-close. Although the aggressor is an object, the whole concept of the movie is that by looking into this mirror you will be curse so it’s like the audience are being cursed by watching the trailer. Quick cuts where used when highlighting the scariest moments in the film this can attract the audience by making them want to see the full action.
Typography: The typography used almost resembles a shattered mirror which helps to maintain the theme of a possessed mirror.
Mood and styling: The mood of the trailer was unsettling and disturbing but the style of the trailer was made in a suburban atmosphere possible connoting that this could happen to anyone.
Sound: The first sound used in the trailer was score which sounded like an empty room full of wind and a loud bass, this sound brought an effect of abandonment. This was then followed by a voice over of a young girl which is a stereotypical element in horror films, this connotes innocence and possibly sympathy for the characters. Foley effect is used to make the chains sound louder and more dominating.
Location: The location of the trailer was in a house.
Narrative: The use of voice over helped to tell the story and also the constant shots of the characters looking into the mirror help the audience to be notified that the mirror is possessed.
Release date: 11th April 2014
Director: Mike Flanagan
Film information: The film is based upon an earlier short film by the same director, Oculus: Chapter 3 - The Man with the Plan.
Synopsis: A woman tries to exonerate her brother, who was convicted of murder, by proving that the crime was committed by a supernatural phenomenon.
Production/financing Company: Blumhouse Productions, WWE Studios and Intrepid Pictures
Principle cast: Karen Gillan, Brenton Thwaites, Rory Cochrane and Katee Sackhoff
Sub-genre: Supernatural/physiological
Mise-en-scene: The trailer begins with showing short clips of the production companies’ logos, then opening scene of the trailer shows a mirror hanging on a wall in an empty attic covered by a white cloth. The trailer then begins to flash through what looks likes to be key elements in the film with the characters, in these parts the lighting is quiet dark connoting something scary coming and also to build tension for the audience as much as they can as it is a teaser trailer. The NVC used by the characters are quite shocked or screaming into the camera which could be used to frighten the audience.
Camera and editing: The movement used in the opening scene was zooming in slow motion on the aggressor to capture and build tension as normally the audience never get to fully see the aggressor up-close. Although the aggressor is an object, the whole concept of the movie is that by looking into this mirror you will be curse so it’s like the audience are being cursed by watching the trailer. Quick cuts where used when highlighting the scariest moments in the film this can attract the audience by making them want to see the full action.
Typography: The typography used almost resembles a shattered mirror which helps to maintain the theme of a possessed mirror.
Mood and styling: The mood of the trailer was unsettling and disturbing but the style of the trailer was made in a suburban atmosphere possible connoting that this could happen to anyone.
Sound: The first sound used in the trailer was score which sounded like an empty room full of wind and a loud bass, this sound brought an effect of abandonment. This was then followed by a voice over of a young girl which is a stereotypical element in horror films, this connotes innocence and possibly sympathy for the characters. Foley effect is used to make the chains sound louder and more dominating.
Location: The location of the trailer was in a house.
Narrative: The use of voice over helped to tell the story and also the constant shots of the characters looking into the mirror help the audience to be notified that the mirror is possessed.
Title: A nightmare on Elm Street
Release date: 30th April 2010
Director: Samuel Bayer
Film information: A Re-make of the original Nightmare on Elm Street released in 1984.
Synopsis: A local paedophile who is burned alive by victims parents then come back year later to haunt his child victims in their teenage dreams.
Production/financing Company: New line cinema
Principle cast: Jackie Earle Haley, Rooney Mara and Kyle Gallner
Sub-genre: Slasher/ splatter
Mise-en-scene: The lighting is quite dark throughout the duration of the trailer – this could signify how the movie is filled with dark events including death. However, when there is bright light it is often due to fire or another type of disaster that may have been triggered by the antagonist. Since the only light is fire this could connote ongoing chaos as the film progresses as fire seems quit endless and is rather merciless – this could reflect the antagonist’s characteristics.
Camerawork: There is a strong use of wide shots to show how the victims have reacted to the antagonist and the amount of people the antagonist has effected. Also, close ups are used throughout the trailer to show the victims expressions as well close ups on things such as the antagonist (Freddy Krueger) scraping the wall.
Characters: In this trailer, the antagonist is presented to be quite sinister and chaotic as he appears to cause a lot of pain to the people he kills. The fact that viewers hardly see his face add to the point that in horrors antagonist can be mysterious. They support the genre of horror because the antagonist in a horror film are often a menace and cause trouble. There are various number of victims – some more prominent than others and most are portrayed as being scared, nervous and weak – which is rather typical of a horror film.
On-screen Graphics/Captions: The captions that are used throughout the trailer are mostly dark red – this could connote death, pain and terror. Since red is often a colour that is highly associated with the horror genre.
Editing & Post- Production (special effects): The form editing that is used mainly is transitioning – from looking at other trailers as well as this one I have noticed that a large amount of horror trailers use transitioning. Therefore, the transitioning could be used to increase the pace of the trailer and grow curiosity from the viewer. During the near end of the trailer fast cuts start to be used and this supports the fact that horror trailers like to get more tense throughout right up until the end in which the viewer is left not knowing what will happen unless they go and watch the film.
Music & Other sound effects: The lack of music in the beginning of the trailer plays a big role as it creates a suspense in which the viewer can only see what’s going on but cannot hear – all except slight uses of Foley. Foley such as the antagonist scratching metal and the sound of someone screaming in agony due to the problems caused by the antagonist.
Release date: 30th April 2010
Director: Samuel Bayer
Film information: A Re-make of the original Nightmare on Elm Street released in 1984.
Synopsis: A local paedophile who is burned alive by victims parents then come back year later to haunt his child victims in their teenage dreams.
Production/financing Company: New line cinema
Principle cast: Jackie Earle Haley, Rooney Mara and Kyle Gallner
Sub-genre: Slasher/ splatter
Mise-en-scene: The lighting is quite dark throughout the duration of the trailer – this could signify how the movie is filled with dark events including death. However, when there is bright light it is often due to fire or another type of disaster that may have been triggered by the antagonist. Since the only light is fire this could connote ongoing chaos as the film progresses as fire seems quit endless and is rather merciless – this could reflect the antagonist’s characteristics.
Camerawork: There is a strong use of wide shots to show how the victims have reacted to the antagonist and the amount of people the antagonist has effected. Also, close ups are used throughout the trailer to show the victims expressions as well close ups on things such as the antagonist (Freddy Krueger) scraping the wall.
Characters: In this trailer, the antagonist is presented to be quite sinister and chaotic as he appears to cause a lot of pain to the people he kills. The fact that viewers hardly see his face add to the point that in horrors antagonist can be mysterious. They support the genre of horror because the antagonist in a horror film are often a menace and cause trouble. There are various number of victims – some more prominent than others and most are portrayed as being scared, nervous and weak – which is rather typical of a horror film.
On-screen Graphics/Captions: The captions that are used throughout the trailer are mostly dark red – this could connote death, pain and terror. Since red is often a colour that is highly associated with the horror genre.
Editing & Post- Production (special effects): The form editing that is used mainly is transitioning – from looking at other trailers as well as this one I have noticed that a large amount of horror trailers use transitioning. Therefore, the transitioning could be used to increase the pace of the trailer and grow curiosity from the viewer. During the near end of the trailer fast cuts start to be used and this supports the fact that horror trailers like to get more tense throughout right up until the end in which the viewer is left not knowing what will happen unless they go and watch the film.
Music & Other sound effects: The lack of music in the beginning of the trailer plays a big role as it creates a suspense in which the viewer can only see what’s going on but cannot hear – all except slight uses of Foley. Foley such as the antagonist scratching metal and the sound of someone screaming in agony due to the problems caused by the antagonist.
Title: The Purge 2: Anarchy
Release date: 25th July 2014
Director: James DeMonaco
Film information: A Re-make of the original Nightmare on Elm Street released in 1984.
Synopsis: A young couple works to survive on the streets after their car breaks down right as the annual purge commences.
Production/financing Company: Blumhouse Productions, Platinum Dunes, Universal Pictures
Principle cast: Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez and Michael K. Williams
Sub-genre: Thriller/Action
Mise-en-scene: The trailer is set in the city of Los Angeles where the annual purge is taking place. Only the antagonist are seen in the trailer holding props such as baseball bats, guns and knifes which makes them seem significantly less violent as the protagonists have no way to protect themselves. The antagonists are also seen in/on vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. A large percentage of the antagonist also wear clothes of dark colours and conceal their identities with masks of varying colours and shapes.From the beginning to the end the trailer the lighting fades from good overall lighting to limited lighting. This signifies that where there is good lighting it is safer as opposed to where the is bad lighting and it is dangerous.
Camera and editing: At the start of the trailer there is an establishing shot of the city of Los Angeles where the film is set in. This then cuts to a wide shot and then to a medium shot to allow the audience to get a closer and more direct look of the protagonists. As soon as the characters reach a disequilibrium the cuts get shorter and quicker. This makes the trailer more suspenseful and climactic. There are then cross cuts between the protagonists and the antagonists along with the setting. We then see uses of elliptical editing where there is a transition from day to night. We finally see tracking shots of both the protagonists running and the antagonists chasing them.
Characters: In the first few seconds we are introduced to the two main protagonist who are seen moving from an equilibrium to a disequilibrium when their car ceases to move. Throughout the rest of the trailer they are seen trying to survive by running away from danger. In one scene they are seen struggling to keep together which could suggest that later they become separated. Being a young couple it is assumed that they would work well together, but if they become separated they could suffer by having to depend on their selves. In the beginning of the trailer they are presented as weak as there is nothing that they could do, which is a convention that is often seen in horror films.
Music & Voiceovers: The beginning of the trailer welcomes its viewers with a pop song played alongside a conversation between the two main protagonists about making it out of the city safely. This ends abruptly with a sound effect of a car stalling and wheels screeching. After the male protagonist attempts to restart the car we can hear a voiceover of a emergency broadcast system announcing the commencement of the annual purge. We can then hear non-digetic sounds of sirens, alarms, motorcycles revving and guns cocking which all have negative euphemisms of violence and rebellion. The score then fades to vocal angelic harmony which is a major contrast to the scenes which are being played and the actions which are being preformed by the antagonists.
Release date: 25th July 2014
Director: James DeMonaco
Film information: A Re-make of the original Nightmare on Elm Street released in 1984.
Synopsis: A young couple works to survive on the streets after their car breaks down right as the annual purge commences.
Production/financing Company: Blumhouse Productions, Platinum Dunes, Universal Pictures
Principle cast: Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Zach Gilford, Kiele Sanchez and Michael K. Williams
Sub-genre: Thriller/Action
Mise-en-scene: The trailer is set in the city of Los Angeles where the annual purge is taking place. Only the antagonist are seen in the trailer holding props such as baseball bats, guns and knifes which makes them seem significantly less violent as the protagonists have no way to protect themselves. The antagonists are also seen in/on vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. A large percentage of the antagonist also wear clothes of dark colours and conceal their identities with masks of varying colours and shapes.From the beginning to the end the trailer the lighting fades from good overall lighting to limited lighting. This signifies that where there is good lighting it is safer as opposed to where the is bad lighting and it is dangerous.
Camera and editing: At the start of the trailer there is an establishing shot of the city of Los Angeles where the film is set in. This then cuts to a wide shot and then to a medium shot to allow the audience to get a closer and more direct look of the protagonists. As soon as the characters reach a disequilibrium the cuts get shorter and quicker. This makes the trailer more suspenseful and climactic. There are then cross cuts between the protagonists and the antagonists along with the setting. We then see uses of elliptical editing where there is a transition from day to night. We finally see tracking shots of both the protagonists running and the antagonists chasing them.
Characters: In the first few seconds we are introduced to the two main protagonist who are seen moving from an equilibrium to a disequilibrium when their car ceases to move. Throughout the rest of the trailer they are seen trying to survive by running away from danger. In one scene they are seen struggling to keep together which could suggest that later they become separated. Being a young couple it is assumed that they would work well together, but if they become separated they could suffer by having to depend on their selves. In the beginning of the trailer they are presented as weak as there is nothing that they could do, which is a convention that is often seen in horror films.
Music & Voiceovers: The beginning of the trailer welcomes its viewers with a pop song played alongside a conversation between the two main protagonists about making it out of the city safely. This ends abruptly with a sound effect of a car stalling and wheels screeching. After the male protagonist attempts to restart the car we can hear a voiceover of a emergency broadcast system announcing the commencement of the annual purge. We can then hear non-digetic sounds of sirens, alarms, motorcycles revving and guns cocking which all have negative euphemisms of violence and rebellion. The score then fades to vocal angelic harmony which is a major contrast to the scenes which are being played and the actions which are being preformed by the antagonists.