Conventions of Horror Trailers
Transcript of Conventions of Horror Trailers
OCR A2 Media Studies
Conventions of Horror Trailers
Film Company Logos• In the opening seconds of a trailer, you
usually see the film institution that is producing the film e.g. Columbia, Warner Bros.• This is often used not just to identify the
film institution, but can attract a particular audience, as they may have liked a film that was produced by them• It will also create an idea of what particular
budget the film has. For example, if a film had a Twentieth Century Fox logo, then it will be immediately highlight that the film has had a big budget
Character Introductions• It is vital in a film trailer, that the audience
gets introduced to the main characters, as it means that they can form a bond/connection with them.• For example, if there is a young female
character in the film, people from the target audience who are young and female will connect to the character e.g. Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games• If the film has famous actors/actresses and
the audience has enjoyed some of their previous films, they might go to watch the film, because they have liked their previous work
Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games (2012)
The Use of Voice Overs• The use of voice-overs is common in Horror Film
Trailers• They are usually used at the beginning of a trailer to
explain the key narrative/context of the film.• Different voices may be used to create an eerie
effect• Straps may be used to inform the viewer of
important information such as context, the name of the film or cast
The Use of Titles• Titles are almost certainly a main convention of a horror
trailer.• They can reveal basic plot details, however they mostly
drop hints about what is going to happen in the film.Language/Vocabulary Choices• Rhetorical questions are often found in titles, as they
are open ended and do not give away too much about the film.
• Imperatives are often used such as “will” and “must”, adding tension as it makes it certain that is going to happen.
Sentence Structures• Basic sentences are used, not containing too many
words, so that the audience can read and understand what is being displayed on the screen quickly.
The Length of the Trailer• Usually film institutions make multiple trailers for a
particular film.• There will always be an official trailer, which will last
between 1:30 and 2:00.• Sometimes in horror/action/thriller, they may have
shorter trailers, which build hype.• These shorter trailers may just show a short clip,
which may or may not include the title of the film.
Editing and Camera Angles• Horror Trailers usually start off with long camera shots
with little use of cuts• Fast paced shots are used during violence/chase
scenes, so that the audience cannot get a clear idea about what is going on, which increases the tension• The speed increases throughout the trailer until
reaching the peak• A diverse range of camera shots/angles are used• Dead Black outs adds suspense and anticipation. It
can also represent the end of something thrilling.