MISE-EN-SCENE -
Setting - In a horror film the setting can be anywhere. In the trailers that i have researched they are all set in a different places. Either in the woods, in the home or in the middle of nowhere, however they all tend to be isolated from the rest of society with only the villain and the victims there. The reason for this is that it creates tension and suspense to the audience, knowing that something is going to happen, but not knowing when creates physical effects towards the audience- adrenaline rush.
Props - fake blood is used to show injury and destruction of the villain
- weapons such as knives, guns and saws are used to show/suggest danger and violence and also the fear of being hurt and in pain, for example in the film SAW 2003
- masks are also often used to hide the identity of the killer, SCREAM 1997
Colours- the colours of the text are predominantly black, white or red. This is because these colours can represent death, murder and darkness. The colours work well together to create the effect of horror and evilness.
Red represents blood, danger and the devil. Black represents darkness and mystery, it also relates to the phrase 'the black sheep' which is an outcast from family or society. This is generally the case within horror, when the villain is neglected from society. White can suggest coldness, which can relate to the personality of the villain.
The colours are used on the text within a trailer, from my research it is usually white writing on a black background or in the trailer thirty days of night its red text on a red and black background which gives emphasis on the vampires within the film.
Costume, hair and makeup - the way the characters are dressed lets the audience know what type of character they are, for example if the character is dressed in dark clothing and is covered up-so the identity is not revealed then typically they are the villain. The make-up used on a villain, will generally be really pale so the features are emphasised e.g. pale face, with dark eyes to give them a creepy look. a good example of this would be the Joker in Batman. The victims (protagonist) are usually dressed in casual, everyday, outfits o that they look 'normal' towards society, whereas the villain will look different and will possibly stand out more (against the norm of society). However, this is not always the case and there will be exceptions to the rule, an example would be when when a villain is not obvious and are shown as part of the group
SOUND -
Diegetic sound- is always used in teaser trailers, it is sound that is within the 'film world'. An example of this within horror would be a victim screaming, the sound of a door opening or the sound of a gun shot. As film trailers have to be suitable for all ages, the trailer cannot show disturbing/violent scenes and cannot show any fright into much detail. Therefore they have to rely on sound and effects to make these elements evident e.g hearing a cream 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- is sound that has been added during post production. Within horror trailers, the sound used is generally music that will create a spooky effect or will create tension. Sounds such as a heartbeat can be used to create a scary effect and suspense.
For example in the high pitched sound in the music in the trailer for Thirty Days Of Night gives a sinister feel to the film and helps create tension along with the visual in screen.
Sound Effects- is enhanced sound that added to the text during post production, an example of this would be in the film trailer 'Thirty days of Night' where they have made the screech of the vampires more scary and piercing.
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.
Voiceover- a voiceover 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 however, i saw the theoretical trailers of these films at the cinema and they all included a male voice who of which was not a character within the film. The purpose of a voiceover is to help the audience understand the visual and the narrative of the film throughout the trailer.
CAMERA -
Establishing shot - is used at the beginning of the trailer to set the scene and to show equilibrium. Normally you will see the soon-to-victims leading their normal lives before the disruption occurs.
Close up - this shot shows the detail of a subjects face. its 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, 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.
POV- This shot would usually be the point of view of the victim, so the audience can feel the fear and tension within the scene (it gives them an adrenalin rush). the shot is used when the victim is running away or hiding from the villain
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- 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- 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 - 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.
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE/THEMES
Death and murder
Mind games
Torture
Survival
Supernatural themes e.g. curses and vampires
Todrovs theory explains the order in which the narrative is shown- Equilibrium, Disruption, Recognition, Attempt to repair, equilibrium. Within trailers a quick shot of the equilibrium is shown and disruption is then the main focus, there will be some elements shown of the recognition and the attempt to repair, however there will be no equilibrium shown at the end, as then it would defeat the purpose of the trailer and there will be no creation of enigma codes.
REPRESENTATIONS
Villain- powerful, clever and cunning, in control, sometimes masked to hide identity (mysterious), invincible. In most films there is a history behind why the character became the villain, it usually because of a social breakdown and they fear of feeling different. They don't fit into society through their own actions and/or the actions of others- so they go against the norm.
Victim- weak, scared, innocent, vulnerable, helpless. towards the end of the film however, they become stronger and begin to overcome the fear of the villain.
No comments:
Post a Comment