ANALYSING TRAILERS OF THE THRILLER/HORROR GENRE:

SHANE MEADOWS: ‘DEADMANS SHOES’

Samantha Recknell

DEADMANS SHOES: Dead Man's Shoes (2004) is a psychological thriller co-written and

directed by Shane Meadows.

Release date(s)1 October 2004 Running time:86 min.Country: United KingdomLanguage: EnglishBudget£723,000

Certificate -18 Use of the colours black and red:Red suggests – anger, frustration

Black suggests – mystery and death

FACIAL EXPRESSIONSFACIAL EXPRESSIONSFrom studying the trailer of Dead mans shoes, I have found that close-ups or mid-shots of facial expressions are used very often. this is appropriate as it create anticipation and shock. Here are just a couple of some of the shots used in Meadows film.

This shot is in black and white which could suggest that it’s a memory from the villain awaiting revenge. This also laughing face implies he is proud of what he has done.

This close up shot that is used is effective because it allows us as the audience to feel intrigued of who is spying on to shoot and aiming to kill. This shot also shows the high concentration levels of his face as he knows he has to be accurate and precise to kill the right person. So this shot allows us to see his concentration.

This is a shot of the young man being threatened; his face suggests fear as well as anxiety as he doesn’t know if he is going to be killed. His eyes are also looking down which suggests sad as well as fury. This was also used via a jump cut which also adds tension to the film which makes it fit in with the genre.

CAMERA ANGLESCAMERA ANGLES

These shots are some of the range of camera angles that are used throughout the film. This shot here is a medium shot which allows the viewed to see what's in the background and in this case, it allows us to see the weapon he has in his hand which makes the audience feel anxious.

This shot used is a medium shot; this is relevant to what's happening in the scene, because it allows us to get a real insight of the man threatening him with the knife. It also makes the audience feel tension as they don’t know what’s happening next. The shadow in the back ground, also implies mystery and fear for the victim

This over the shoulder shot is used to give it a sense of mystery as we can only see a part of the mans face and gives you an insight of what that person can see.

This two shot that is used is shows the closeness of their relationship and also creates this tense atmosphere of them planning revenge on someone. Also adds a sense of secrecy and no one else must know what their up to.

This shot used is a medium shot; this is relevant to what's happening in the scene, because it allows us to get a real insight of the man threatening him with the knife. It also makes the audience feel tension as they don’t know what’s happening next. The shadow in the back ground, also implies mystery and fear for the victim

TITLES

This establishing shot that is used shows us the background and you can see the graffiti writing in the background implies the roughness of the place which fits in with the horror genre.

When thinking about our film sequence that we are going to make, we have to consider the different possible fonts we can use. And here are a couple of fonts used in dead mans shoes.

This font that is used is very effective as its bold writing and stands out against the black background. The fact of it being red suggests blood and anger which fits in well with the genre. The word DEAD is distressing which has negative connotations without watching the film.

MISE EN SCENEMISE EN SCENE

These are some of the settings that are used throughout the thriller film. These are some of the conventional places which include the haunted mysterious house and also an abandoned place. The fact that it is the dark makes the scene feel more tense than if it was in the dark as you can rarely see. Compared to this place in a camp site in the middle of no-where, an establishing shot is used to show us where it is but also it looks like its never ending and there is no escape. No one else is also in this shot which makes it more scary as there is no one to help if danger occurred. This create tension in the room as you don’t know what to expect.

VIOLENCE

These shots all show some sort of violence and disturbing scenes, such as this one below as he is behind a wall which implies there is no escape as well as him being helpless. However the one in the top left corner. The victim is at his feet which again shows that the man is in control and has authority over him. Basically that he is in control of his life. This also shows how helpless he is. The fact that they are not being killed straight away, shows its more painful and suffering which they enjoy. This puts the audience in powerless as they cant help which creates sympathy with the victim.