Analysis of existing film trailers

Mise-en-sceneThe Gift (2015)

The mise-en-scene is very important in horror films, it helps to set the mood of the scene as well as enhance the horror.

The Resident (2011)

Setting (The Resident)

Horror films use mise-en-scene to create a setting for the action of the film. The Resident (2011) is set in Brooklyn, New York; the initial shots show day and night shots of the vast city, by including night time shots it helps to emphasise the capacity of the hustling city. In addition to this the introduction show Juliet’s (protagonist) new loft apartment, by showing this empty space it creates a lonesome and desolate setting as well as indicates that she is new to the city.

Lighting (The Resident)

The lighting in this film has quite a high contrasts as it uses both bright and dim lighting to create different moods for the scenes. The lighting used within the apartment is dark and creates a gloomy mood. This may have been done as the apartment is the main setting for the horror scenes.

The lighting in the apartment contrasts the lighting used in scenes outside the apartment. Bright lighting is used in the hospital scenes, which could suggest that the protagonist is happy and safe in this environment; this then puts emphasis on the lonesome and dim lighting of the apartment.

Costume (The Resident)

The costume used in this film helps the audience to identify the protagonist, Juliet is seen in a in the hospital wearing a nurse’s uniform. Nurse’s are known for helping people and providing care to those in need, this means the audience is likely to trust her.In addition to

Setting (The Gift)

The mystery/thriller ‘The Gift’ (2015) is set in a suburban Los Angeles neighbourhood, giving a homelike and rural setting (picture-perfect family life). This setting can increase the horror of the film as the audience can identify with the surrounding and emphasize with the characters.

Lighting (The Gift)

‘The Gift’ uses a lot of low level lighting through the trailer, this dim lighting creates a mysterious setting.

Props (The Gift)

In horror films props can be used to create audience anticipation and enhance the horror of a scene. In the gift the prop of Gordo’s (antagonist) criminal record shows the audience that he is a dangerous character. The use of weapons as props (baseball bat ,kitchen knife) heightens the horror of the scene and suggests to the audience that there will be a big fight scene.

Change in the stalker (The Resident)

At the start of the trailer you are introduced to the protagonist (Juliet) as she enters her new apartment, you are also introduced to her landlord (Max). The characters are friendly and kind towards one another. As the trailer progresses it shows that Juliet is being watched, you see the character become scared and uncomfortable in her own apartment. She later uncovers that it is her landlord watching her and that he has become obsessed with her.

Through this trailer you are lead to believe that Max is a good character, until Juliet shockingly uncovers that it is max that has been breaking into her apartment and stalking her

Change in the stalker (The Gift)

At the start of this trailer you see Gordo (the stalker) being welcomed by his old friend Simon. However as the trailer progresses the relationship between the couple (Simon and Robyn) and Gordo change; the audience begins to question Gordo’s behaviour and see him quite negatively. Toward the end of the trailer you then see Gordo breaking into Simon and Robyn’s home and terrorising them, at this point the relationship between the protagonist and antagonist is completely different to how it was at the start of the trailer.

When you initially meet the character Gordo he introduced as a nice character, however as the plot unravels his character develops and you begin to see his true motives. The change in Gordo’s character is gradual and you are aware that he is the stalker, where as in ‘The Resident’ you are unaware of max’s true character until juliet discovers it.