1. 1. Mise-en-scene in horrorfilms
2. 2. LightingThe use of flashing lighting helps create a lot of suspense especially when theantagonist is getting closer. This use of lighting is used when the jump cut is usedwhich brings the antagonist closer. However this creates enigma for the audience asthey do not know if this person or shadow has some relation towards the antogonist.The use of low key lighting makes the character feel vulnerable as they cant see theevil that awaits them. This is a typical convention that helps a lot with the suspensethat is created and the suspense it gives to the audience. The use of candle lightingalso helps create shadows which suggests that there could be evil among thoseshadows.Back lighting is used which when the figures in this shot gives an outlined glow behindthem but it creates and enigma as you cant see the their faces so it creates thatquestion as to, who are they?
3. 3. PROPSRocking chair, which rocks back and forth on its own along the old woodenfloor boards, this helps create suspense for both the character and theaudience. The props moving on their own suggests that they aresupernatural props which shows the significance of a spiritual presence.The use of religious props gives the audience that sense of binary oppositesbetween good and evil.The childrens doll has some significance towards the trailer and the plot ofthe film and also creates a sense of fear for the audience.The cross in the ground suggests that someone has died where thecharacter is going to, which suggests to the audience that this cross hassome significance to do with the antagonist. The use of childrens showsthat the children are innocent which shows that it is very sinister.If we compare this to a non-religious horror trailer The Purge: Anarchy wecan see that they use weapons so it shows that natural side rather than asupernatural side to it.
4. 4. SETTINGSet in a small secluded town in the middle of no-where in England, whichmeans that there is no help nearby, this shows the audience how vulnerablethe people living there are. This shows that they are very remote for examplein this shot of the town we can see that they are vulnerable which suggeststhat the protagonist will be succumbed to this vulnerability.It is set in the 19th Century manor house(House in the Marsh). It being calledthe House in the Marsh shows the audience that it is a house that has beenabandoned for a long because of events that have happened at thathouse.
5. 5. Facial ExpressionsIn some of the facial expressions we see, the protagonistdoesnt show any signs of fear but shows curiosity towardsthe house as he wants to know about the house and whathad happened there. Which also creates that curiositywithin the audience as they too would also want to know.However, the facial expression shown from the protagonisthelps shows the fear that he is giving later on. The effect ofthis facial expression creates shows the fear he is feelingwhich is also felt by the audience.Overall as the pace of the trailer increases we can see thatfear starts to build which then allows the audience to seethose shots of the protagonist showing fear.
6. 6. Body languageThe body language that is shown in this shot makes out to theaudience that the protagonist is quite relaxed being at thishouse. We get this when the protagonist is laid back in thechair with his eyes closed. But it does show that they arepowerless so it shows their vulnerability.However, later on the body language that the protagonistgives out is completely different as he starts to show a sense offear as he is holding back against the door in shear panic. Thishelps create suspense as well as fear for the audience. Also inthe shot of him running creates that enigma of why he isrunning and running away from.
7. 7. Body languageThe body language that is shown in this shot makes out to theaudience that the protagonist is quite relaxed being at thishouse. We get this when the protagonist is laid back in thechair with his eyes closed. But it does show that they arepowerless so it shows their vulnerability.However, later on the body language that the protagonistgives out is completely different as he starts to show a sense offear as he is holding back against the door in shear panic. Thishelps create suspense as well as fear for the audience. Also inthe shot of him running creates that enigma of why he isrunning and running away from.