Horror Movie Trailer Analysis – Cabin in the Woods

Titles AnalysisCabin in the Woods

http://youtu.be/7ENUBUdFswM

The trailer shows the beginning, middle and end of story without giving away the storyline. This helps to intrigue and involve the audience and helps them to judge whether they would want to watch the film or not. The audience can form opinions on the film from the trailer and decide if they want to go and watch it or not. In this way the trailer acts as a ‘hook’ for the film and it therefore needs to appeal to the target audience. People also read the trailer differently and take preferred, negotiated and oppositional reading; this can have an effect on the audience’s desire to see the film.

The first title is 25 seconds in. This means that the audience can get a feel of the film and can be engaged before being shown production companies. The word “LIONSGATE” is shown across the screen in contrasting colours, this sets up the colour scheme; red black and white. When put together these colours stand out and makes the audience aware of which production companies are involved with the creation of the film. Film fans would be aware of what to expect from certain studios so this serves to set up audience expectations.

As the “LIONSGATE” title appears there is a loud “boom” noise which draws attention to what is on the screen. It also helps to change the mood of the audience. The noise also helps to blend in the music change in the trailer, from upbeat music to quieter and slower pace music. As they enter a more run down spooky area, the lighting also changed slightly to appear a bit more low key. This makes the audience feel more tense as they think something is going to happen.

The second & third titles, which are 46 & 55 seconds in, read: “you think you know the story” “you think you know the place”. Again, the texts follow the colour scheme with some slight alterations. This title page uses white text, with a black background. The text makes the audience think about other storylines and makes them think this one will be different and possibly better as it won’t be as predictable. The text intertextually references the genre as a whole in order to play on audience expectations. The film producers could have made this text anchor an image, however this way they can make it more effective, and have a better appearance.

When the texts appear which read “YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE STORY” “YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE PLACE” again there is a booming noise as each screen appears. This brings attention to the words on the screen and helps to stick to the genre of the film. The repetition of the word ‘think’ is meant to put the audience in a state of disequilibrium (Todorov) as they thought they knew the storyline, but now are unsure. The wording also is directing addressing the audience, involving them with the trailer.

The fourth title is1.03s into the trailer. This title page reads “think again” in capital lettering. When the title page which reads “THINK AGAIN” a higher pitched foley noise is made, this is because this is the title page which finishes of the title pages and links them together. It again, makes the audience wonder how this storyline is going to differ from others which they have seen. At the same time it excites the audience as they know that this story isn’t like the others that they know of or have seen before. If the audience thought before this point that they had worked out the storyline, this could confuse them and put them in a state of disequilibrium.

The title screens also let the audience know when the film is released into cinemas. “THIS APRIL” “DISCOVER” “THE SECRET” “BEHIND THE CABIN” this helps the audience to feel involved in the film as they may want to know what the full storyline is. This text uses direct address to draw the audience in.

This title page includes the name of the producer involved.This is to attract fans of these specific producers, “Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, the writer of Cloverfield” stating that Goddard is the writer of Cloverfield they are attracting fans of this film and other work produced by these two. This intertextually references ‘Cloverfield’ and this could help to promote both films, as well as the specific producers. Some of texts appear via a wipe transition, but also the screen flashes a little as the first word comes onto the screen this helps to draw attention to the text. Not all of the text appears at once, this makes it appear more effective. The texts used are made to make the audience feel like the trailer is speaking to them specifically, helping to involve them within the film. The text is also slightly eroded to make the text fit in with the genre of the film.

The title of the film is shown towards the end of the trailer as this is more memorable for the audience, therefore they can easily remember the film title. The background links to an element of the film; the hexagon shapes in the background are linked to the storyline within the film (as seen in the trailer) and by putting the pattern in the background of the film title it helps to link it all together and creates a ‘theme’ to the film. The colours also link to the genre of film, and symbolise different things. The colours used are red and black and white. The title is in white which makes it stand out against the red and black background, in which the hexagon shapes are incorporated. The red and black colours connote death and danger, giving the audience an idea of what elements are in the film. The hexagon shapes are linked to the film (as seen in the trailer) and by putting the pattern in the background of the film title it helps to link it all together.

At the end synergy is used as it shows another title screen which has linked the film to different social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. It states the Facebook fan page as well as the Twitter hash tag which helps to promote the film.

Sounds and Camera Shots and Angles AnalysisCabin in the Woods

This wide angle long shot uses high key lighting to help connote the sense of happiness. The high-key lighting also helps to make the setting appear more natural to the audience. We see the setting which is not a typical convention of a horror genre.

The trailer begins with upbeat parallel music and high key lighting which makes the audience feel like nothing is wrong. It also helps to create a feeling of happiness. A sound bridge is used to continue this track playing in the background of the following shots.

This wide angle mid shot, introduces the audience to 3 of the characters. The expression on their faces portray happiness, and the proxemics between them show that they are friends. High Key lighting is used again to keep the scene looking natural.

The camera pans around the campervan to reveal a character packing things into the vehicle. This gives the sense that someone could be watching him do this. This long shot also shows the audience that they are going away somewhere.

The close up on the turning of the key shows that the character’s are ready to go on holiday. The audience does not know where they are going or how long for. This poses questions for the audience, they must wait for the answer to be given. This shot conveys the mood of happiness as they characters are happy to get away from home life.

A high angle is used to help show the mise-en-scene in this shot. We see the campervan pulling away to make its way to the unknown destination.

When the previous shot cuts to this long shot, a black screen fade is used. This lets the audience know that the setting has changed, and the events of the film will soon begin.

In this wide angle long shot we can see the mise-en-scene in front of the campervan, so where the characters are going begins to unravel.

Straight away the audience can tell that this group of friends is going on a road trip, but the audience doesn’t know any of the details about the trip, e.g. where they are going. When in the campervan one of the characters states “It doesn’t even show up on the GPS” another character replies “That’s the whole point”. This dialogue gives the audience a clue of what the setting of their destination is going to be like – it will be quiet and in the middle of nowhere, otherwise it would be shown on the GPS. The lighting used is high key so that the images don’t look edited, and also it makes the shot look as natural as possible.

The setting in the first long shot portrays the feeling of being alone. The area seems quiet and in the middle of nowhere which is a trope of the horror genre. Although high key lighting is used, we can see that the light is fading away.

The aerial shot is used to vary which shots are used within the trailer. This again is used to show the setting of where the characters are going.

The mise-en-scene in the shot is limited yet effective. We see a campervan which looks older and untidy. This suggests that this group of friends go away in the campervan often, as it is looking a little run down. We also notice a motorbike attached to the back of the vehicle, this helps to portray the personalities and interests of these characters.

I think this high angle long establishing shot is significant as it confirms the setting. The usage of the wide angle shows that even in the horizon it is still forest area.

The setting changes in this wide angle shot – from a forest surrounded road, to a derelict, run-down, dirty area. This allows the audience to pose questions, and puts them in a state of disequilibrium.

This wide angle long shot shows the run down area, and shows the campervan pulled over. This confirms that the characters have stopped their journey for some reason. Though the use of mise-en-scene we see lots of planks of wood, dead trees, and a cabin-type building. This shot changed the mood to make the audience feel suspicious and alone.

This wide angle shot shows how run down the area is. We can see that the shop is closed, which connotes that nobody is there. This is typical of the horror genre as it interpellates the audience to feel alone.

This mid shot reveals the male figure who appears from the shop. The mise-en-scene shows that the male figure is possibly a mechanic as he is wearing denim overalls, and a scruffy black jacket. The use of oligochromatic colouring makes the area seem even more run down and dirty. This is relevant as the conventional setting for the horror genre is a derelict area, in which nobody lives – this makes it more enigmatic (Barthes) as they audience do not know who/what is hiding in the area.

The camera pans from the previous shot to this one to reveal these 4 characters with close proxemics. This could connote fear of the old man.

The rule of thirds keeps this character central in the image, yet we can see the mise-en-scene around him. From the expression on this character’s face we can see that he’s not impressed. This poses questions for the audience – who is this character, why is he not impressed and why does he live in this run down area?

When they get out of the vehicle, a man appears out of the shop to tell them that the shop was closed. They take this chance to ask the man about how to get to their destination. The dialogue used states that he can get them to where they want to go, but says “But getting back, that’s your concern”. This makes the audience wonder what the man means by this.

These two long shots are significant as they confirm the setting. The forest is a typical horror genre location as they are isolated and alone. A slow zoom on the wide shot shows the cabin in which the characters will stay.

After arriving at this area and talking to a mysterious man, the music is just background noise, but as the man stops talking the volume of the music is louder and there is another echoed “boom” followed by a hissing noise and then followed by a non-diegetic noise which may be interpreted as a siren.

The low key lighting used in this wide angle shot reveals that the cabin is a dark place – not typical of a holiday cabin, this gives a sense of enigma.

The wide angle shot is used to show and portray a sense of voyeurism. The male character is trying to grab the female’s attention by waving at her. However, she is looking at what she thinks is a normal mirror. This makes the audience why this type of mirror has been placed here.

The wide angle shot shows that the characters are trapped within a control zone, revealing an important aspect of the film. This could interest, yet confuse the audience as they don’t know who is controlling this area, or what they are planning to do.

When the bird is flying we hear the diegetic noise of the bird swooping past and then a loud chirp. This brings attention to the bird. As the bird gets further away, a noise emerges, and becomes louder and louder as the bird continues to fly. The noise builds up suspension within the audience. When the bird hits the barrier an explosion type noise changes into an electric noise to emphasize that the bird has disappeared into the barrier.

In this low angle mid shot, the old man from the beginning of the trailer returns, this time we see him on the phone – but we don’t know who to yet. This creates a sense of enigma and mystery. Low-key lighting is used to help create this feeling within the audience.

When the mysterious man is on the phone he says “They’ve come to the killing zone” giving away to the audience that the other characters have entered a dangerous area without realising. As the storyline unravels there is a non-diegetic beating noise in the background to the dialogue to help keep the audience feeling tense and interested.

We see in these long shots that the characters are being watched, where they are being watched from, and who it watching them. This means that the shots portray a strong feeling of voyeurism, and also begins to unravel the storyline.

A montage of quick shots are shown to the audience, from the first shot to the other, the camera pans around to reveal the characters having fun. This is an example of an omniscient narrative as the shots are creating a happy atmosphere but builds up tension within the audience they know that something bad is about to happen.

This focus pulled, close-up establishes the fact that not only are these people monitoring the characters movements, but they are controlling what happens around them and to them. This also establishes that this trailer uses an omniscient narrative.

Both the low angle and the wide angle mid shots mark the beginning of the action. As two characters leave the cabin to go outside, we see smoke appearing from the ground. This insinuates that the people in the control room are doing this on purpose to cause some form of harm to the characters. Again, this creates an omniscient narrative.

Although this close up, two shot is not significant as such, it is creative as they have positioned the mise-en-scene so that it all seems more enigmatic than it really is. The wolf in the background has it’s mouth wide open as if it were about to attack, this is ironic and supposedly coincidental as the characters are thought to be attacked by something.

In the first long shot we see the lights going out one by one following down the corridor. This changes the lighting from low-key, to even darker lighting. The expression on her face in the mid shot portrays enigma, and interpellates the audience to feel alone.

This low angle close up uses a low angle to show the action which is being taken. We do not see who is pulling the lever, nor do we know what the lever does. This lets the audience know that something drastic is about to happen, and sets them up for more action to take place.

This high angle long shot shows an unknown figure emerging from the waters – which we know from previous shots is in the forests. The audience would assume that this character is the antagonist as we cannot fully see who they are. Not seeing the antagonist’s face is a typical convention used in a horror film.

When we see a person emerging from the lake there is no noise whatsoever. This, again, brings the audience’s attention to the screen. It also helps to emphasize the woman’s scream which trails the silence.

The expression on the character’s face is the most significant feature in this wide angle shot. The rule of thirds is used effectively in this shot as we, can see what is behind this character, so know immediately where she is.

Although this low angle mid shot only lasts a split second, we can see that the characters are trying to run/hide from something or someone.

This wide angle mid shot emphasizes the close proxemics between the characters. This could connote that the characters are stood closely for safety and protection – safety in numbers. It also looks as if the characters are walking towards something with a concerned expression on their faces.

This shot uses a low angle to get a full view of the door. In this shot the antagonist bangs on the door and eventually manages to put it’s arm through the door. This shows the audience that the antagonist is close to getting to the characters, and puts fear into them.

These close ups are significant as they emphasize and enhance the injuries which the characters have experienced throughout this trailer. We can see the worried look on their face which tells the audience that the action has not come to an end yet.

Towards the end of the trailer there are lots of quick noises and short lines of dialogue said to make the trailer effective. Another silence is used after a character voices that they should all split up. This is to bring attention to the fact that splitting up is a bad idea, and that something bad may happen as a result if they do split up.

I think that this close up is extremely significant because it finally reveals the antagonist’s appearance. Although low key lighting is used, we can see the antagonists face in slight more detail than before. It also lets the audience know that the horror scenes haven’t ended, and that something horrible may begin to happen soon.

These mid shots create suspicion of the metal object on the wall. The expression on the character’s faces make it seem as if they have an idea to stop/get back at the antagonist. The proxemics show that these three characters are still friends and are sticking together.

From this wide angle two shot we can see that these two characters look concerned. They are trying to escape the antagonist in the campervan. This involves the audience as they want to know if these two will escape or not.

A long shot is used here to help establish the setting of where the campervan is. Low-key lighting is used in conjunction with chiaroscuro lighting. We see a rocky wall to the right of the vehicle, this could suggest that they are driving uphill/downhill.

The first shot is an over the shoulder shot which establishes that it is a older male character who is watching the other characters – this portrays the act of voyeurism. In the second shot a low angle is used to show that this male character is pushing another button in order to cause even more harm to the characters. Again this would cause an omniscient narrative.

Here, an extreme long shot is used to show an explosion happening in front of the campervan in the direction in which it is travelling. It explains what the man in the previous shot had planned to do. The audience knows that the older male character who is in the control room has caused this, however the characters in the campervan do not know who has caused this.

A low angle is used to show that the characters in this image are looking down onto the huge drop in front of them. They are not trapped and have nowhere to turn.

The three shots here begin to solve the story as part of the denouement. We see the male character being shocked by something in the first wide angle mid shot. In the second close up the expression on his face shows the confusion he has over what this object is. The last low angle shot is taken from the object he is holding – one of the hidden cameras. In this shot we see that he realised what the object is, and he begins to realise that they have been watched during their holiday. We see his expression of shock as he figures it all out.

This low angle two shot shows the antagonist dragging one of the characters up from the bottom ground. This shot is effective as the high angle shows that the antagonist has more power and dominance over the other characters.

I think that this shallow focus shot if effective as it enhances the fact that this prop is going to harm the character who appears to already be lying on the ground – maybe she is already hurt?

The aerial shot helps to vary the shots which are used within the trailer. Chiaroscuro lighting is used to create enigma. The audience can clearly see the action which is about to be taken, and can see who is going to be harmed. They can also see that it is set by the lake seen earlier in the trailer.

This high angle shot shows the fate of the campervan and those in it. The camera pans slightly as the audience see the campervan drive straight off the edge of the road, and sees it begin to fall down.

The hexagon patterns incorporated into this shot are linked to the control zone, they define where the zone stops and finishes. This has been used throughout the trailer and has even ben incorporated into some of the title pages. This could be a signature image for the trailer/film.

A wide angle shot is used to show all of the action which is being taken. The lever is pulled which is an iconic symbol that something else is going to happen.

A wide angle two shot, is used to show these two characters. We have not seen these faces before in the trailer, but the mise-en-scene connotes that they are the antagonists. Masks are part of the horror genre conventions for the antagonist because masks portrays a sense of not knowing who they actually are.

This final low angle shot shows a control panel which one of the characters has found. The character in this shot is female, which follows the genre convention of having the female left at the end. The control panel gives clues to the audience as to what could happen at the end of the film without giving it away.

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