Camera Angles and EffectsTrailer Research

Establishing shotThis is when the setting fills up the frame, it is mostly used in

the beginning of a scene to emphasize the setting, for example if there is a haunted house in the movie, an

establishing shot would show the house at the beginning to build tension and draw the audience into the set. These are three establishing shots from the trailers ‘Possession’. ‘The

Woman in Black’ and ‘The Cabin in the Woods’.

Close up or extreme close upThis is when the camera closes up on the subject, it is used in horror films to make the audience feel uncomfortable and for their concentration to be on the actors emotion. The shot on the left is a close up from the trailer ‘The woman in black’

and the shot on the right is an extreme close up shot from the trailer of ‘Insidious’.

Point of viewThis is when the camera is from someone’s point of view, the camera creates the effect that the consumer is seeing what the actor would see. This is mostly used in horror films to show a suspicious character up to something or in chase

scenes from the victim’s point of view. For instance these are POV shots from the trailers ‘Insidious’ and ‘Mama’.

PanThis is when the camera moves left to right, or right to left following a subject. This is used in horror movies

when a suspicious character comes into play, the camera follows the character to emphasize on his part in the movie. Moreover it is used in chase scenes to follow the victim as he is trying to get away. These

examples from ‘The Woman in Black’, ‘The Orphan’ and ‘The Unborn’ are comparatively static compared to

a chase scene and are used to create tension. Tracking: is the act or process of the camera following

something or someone.

Hand-heldThis produces a jerky movement which creates a sense of reality in the scenes. Furthermore horror movies use it to create chaos in the scenes; it is

especially used in chase scenes. A good example of this is the film ‘Paranormal’, ‘REC’ and ‘Quarantine’ filmed with a hand held camera. The clip displayed

from ‘Quarantine’ is a good example of being chased and hunted down.

TiltA camera technique in which the camera is stationary and rotates up and down. Tilting the camera results in a motion similar to someone nodding. This is used to asses the scene and give the viewer more to process

so they can gain a greater understanding from the clip.

Zoom or Crash ZoomA camera shot that changes smoothly or rapidly (Crash

Zoom) from a long shot to a close-up or vice versa. Used to express sudden fast movement or realisation. This shot has been used within the trailers of ‘Sweeny

Todd’ and ‘Cabin in the Woods’.

StaticRandom noise, such as crackling in a receiver or specks on a television screen, produced by atmospheric disturbance of the

signal. An effect used to show an unwelcome presence, this can be a great transition to use instead of fade to black to show

variation, whilst also creating an uncomfortable atmosphere which can lure viewers in. ‘REC’ and ‘The Apparition’ display two different

uses of static to produce the same emotion.

Fade to White/BlackTwo types of transition techniques to maintain continuous flow

within the trailer. These effects are used in many trailers including ‘Let me In’ and ‘Orphan’ adding to the professional

image of the film. Fade to black can notify an end of something which is why it is the most common transition in trailers. Whereas

fade to white signifies a new beginning.

Over the ShoulderA shot of someone or something taken from the

perspective or camera angle from the shoulder of another person. The back of the shoulder and head of this person is used to frame the image of whatever (or

whomever) the camera is pointing toward. Helps the audience place the characters in their

setting. Examples can be found within ‘Possession’,

‘Mama’ and ‘Let Me In’.