Real Media Texts Investigation

Jordan Harrison

 What are real media texts?

Real media texts are any media product we wish to examine. Every description or representation of the world, fictional or otherwise, is an attempt to describe or define reality, and is in some way a construct of reality, a text.

What are the conventions of a horror trailer?

What theories link to the trailer?In the trailers I analysed: Paranormal Activity 2, Scream 4 and

Saw 3D: The Final Chapter there are many generic conventions throughout all 3 of them.

The main conventions of a horror trailer include a slow build up at the beginning of the trailer and then the cuts increase in pace as the trailer progresses. By the end the cuts slow down again to give the impression someone has been killed. Screams are also a feature in all the trailers and also loud noise and sound stings coinciding with the fast cuts. Also backing music, heightening and slowing in pace is included to increase tension. The title of the film is included as well as the release date, main actors, production companies and producers. Captions are also a feature in trailers to give a scary effect.

A part of Todorov’s theory of equilibrium could be included in horror trailers. In most trailers in shows the protagonist living a normal life who later becomes the victim. However in trailers we do not see if equilibrium is restored.