Misery teaser trailer deconstruction

Teaser Trailer-

                

Camera Angles-

This clip has one long shot of a blizzard showing mountains in the background. It looks like a very secluded place away from anything or anyone else.

There is also an extreme close up of what looks like blood splatters which then forms letters.

Sound-

It starts off with diegetic sounds of a snowy blizzard alongside a non diegetic voiceover of a man narrating what the film is about.

There is then the non diegetic sound of a typewriter being used inferring that it will have a significant part within the film.

Mise en scene-

The snowy mountains in the background with the darkened sky could show the desolate place in which the film is set.

The use of red lettering of ‘MISERY’ allows the audience to infer the film has violence, bloodshed and death involved. The use of having misery written in the background but smaller with a blue tint contradicts the red as it represents calmness and tranquillity.

Editing-
The use of the non diegetic voiceover explains partly what the film is about without giving too much away as the on screen clues are minimal. The cutaways used of the typing show the audience what the title is as well.

Martha Marcy May Marlene Teaser Trailer

Deconstruction 

Camera Angles

• Throughout the trailer, there are various 2 shots. This shows the different relationships present but doesn't necessarily offer any more detailed information than this creating enigma and posing questions. The first example of this shot is a mid-shot of 2 girls (one of them being Martha/Marcy May) and what could be her friend. There are others with and without Martha including her sister and her husband and also Patrick and a shadowy figure of a girl (which conceals her identity). Conventional to a teaser trailer, there is not a clear storyline told to the audience which creates even more mystery and intrigue to who these characters are and their relationship with others.

• The close-ups of Patrick are intrusive and uncomfortable, true for all examples of close-ups (as well as not revealing too much of the story). This is appropriate for the genres drama and thriller because it shows his emotions and expressions and well as opposing them on the audience. This also gives a creepy feel and gives hints about his character.

• The establishing shot of the farmhouse sets the scene and poses questions about its significance to the story.

• An interesting aerial shot shows Martha kick someone down the stairs. This is an inspirational example as it is unconventional and in a sense more shocking.

• Another trend in the trailer is shots taken from behind the action i.e. the back of characters’ heads, concealing their identity and creating enigma. 

Sound

• The non-diegetic soundtrack consists of a string-dominated piece of music. It begins with strings giving short bursts in a steady beat. As the trailer continues, more strings are introduced layering over the already present melody with a variation of such, increasing tension and causing disorientation.

• The ambient diegetic sound effects of birds tweet and breeze work to create a sense of equilibrium at the beginning, which is a strong convention of a trailer.

• There is a sound effect throughout that sounds like hammering, but distorted and echoing. This gives the illusion of mental disturbance and could reflect Martha’s anxieties.

• Another aspect to the soundtrack is the dialogue repeating ‘Martha’ and ‘Marcy May’ in shouts, speech and whispers. This could resemble voices in Martha’s head as she has been mentally traumatised because of what she’s been through. This increases tension and is distressing even for the audience as the voices are repeated over and over in a disturbing manner. This is appropriate for the film being a thriller and appeals to audiences who want to be shocked and disturbed.

• There are deep bass notes during harsh or shocking actions on screen such as a man chopping wood or when Martha’s sliding down the wall. This increases the shock and tension, appealing to the audience and being appropriate for the genre. As well as this it’s also a convention of a trailer.

• The sounds of phones ringing are harsh and loud, which could provide shocks and discomfort in the audience, keeping them on edge, especially as they can be heard before the shot even cuts to one featuring the phone so it’s not expected (appropriate for the genre).

• To increase tension even further, the sound effect of Patrick cocking a gun can be heard loudly but no gun shot which extends the tension but without any shock release.

• Instead the trailer finishes calmly with the Lucy’s disturbed and concerned dialogue ‘Martha, what happened to you?’ The teaser trailer doesn't reveal too much which means the audience are asking the same question. In the background, a sound that’s similar to crickets and another similar to thunder can be heard. 

Mise en Scene

• To coincide with the sense of equilibrium at the start, the lighting is bright and natural connoting a happy, relaxed scene. This is further supported by the casual clothing and bare feet of the featured characters.

• This is contrasted completely with the rest of the scene which consists of a lot of shadows and silhouettes which gives a dark, sinister edge to the trailer; this is appropriate for the genre of thriller.  

• The close-up of Patrick shows how he is quite a bit older than the other girls especially because of his slightly grey stubble and lines on his face. He also looks quite rough as he is skinny and wearing a white vest with messy hair and looks a little dirty.

• A repeated close-up of Martha shows her look past the camera with an empty but curious expression wearing dark clothing. This is quite a contrast to the beaming grin of Martha at the beginning suggesting something bad has affected her. But the teaser trailer does not reveal any details. Later on, there are shots of her looking disorientated and confused, further showing examples of her anxiety. There are also a few shots of Lucy and Ted looking angry, concerned and anxious.

• As we can hear Ted saying ‘her behaviour is insane’, Martha knocks a glass out of someone’s hand and leans towards them confrontationally. This emphasises and gives examples of the type of behaviour he’s talking about (sound is parallel and relevant to the action on screen). Other example of her behaviour are crying and sliding down the wall after talking on the phone; and pulling away hysterically from her sister.

• When Martha is walking past a window sneakily, a girl can be seen in the window that looks haunting and slightly scary. This is appropriate for the thriller genre and suggests the danger and terror that Martha is experiencing.

• The last shot is the same as the image on the film’s poster and website. It is an extreme close-up of Martha’s face as she lies on her side, her eyes move slowly and eventually find the camera. This is slightly creepy and puts the audience on edge, appealing to them. 

Editing 

• The trailer’s transitions are very varied throughout but generally consist of fades: shots fading in and out, fading from/to black as well as cuts to black and flashing of images. These make the shots look softer and differentiate the shots from that of a horror film with are harsh.

• The editing is parallel to the sound especially repetitive beats when the shots flash on each note also increasing in pace as the music does.

• Fades to black are generally accompanied by a dark ominous boom from a deep, bass note/drum. This creates a feeling of doom and increases tension.

• I prefer the execution of this trailer compared to that of conventional horror or even other thriller trailers and so I think we should look to this trailer as an inspirational example.  

Titles

• The trailer begins with a QR code which is unusual but inspirational as it uses technology to encourage audiences to find out more and become more involved. This is effective promotion for the film. The QR code is created from a picture of Martha (from the poster) which makes the technique even more unique and personal to the film.

• There are no titles throughout the title to give clues or hints to the audience, therefore a high level of enigma is created, which is a good promotional technique as it encourages audiences to find more out themselves i.e. go to see the film.

• The only titles are at the end of the trailer when the title is revealed. The last shot is the same image as that on the poster and website. It then changes format to the ‘M’ shape and the title of the film appears, name by name on the right.

• The background is a stark white and the names and image are of a grey colour. The various shades of grey in the title and the font showing the website address could represent her different personalities, families, lifestyles and experiences.

• Featuring the film’s website address is also a good promotional tool in the same way as the QR code. 

The Loved Ones Teaser Trailer Deconstruction

Camera Angles

• Trailer begins with high angle, establishing shot of a high school and a long shot of buy corridor. This sets the scene and fits with the equilibrium established at the start, which is rather much a rule for trailers.

• After the boy rejects the girl’s invitation to the dance, there is a long shot of the girl left standing alone staring after him. The fact she’s so alone in the shot persuades the audience to feel sympathy for her, luring them into false security as there is also a sinister edge to the shot.

• Close-up shots of a couple kissing in the car emphasises the intimacy of the scene which makes the next shot (from inside the car) of the ‘alone girl’ looking in more disturbing and shocking.There is a succession of close-up shots of the boy being kidnapped such as a man’s hand covering his as he grabs him and another of his legs while his body’s being dragged through the grass. This creates enigma surrounding the situation as his surroundings weren't shown at all to give any clue to what was happening. This is what draws an audience in.

• A long shot of the girl’s dad is shown out of focus and the girl leans into the shot. This is creepy and makes the audience feel uncomfortable. Character movement like this is appropriate for the horror genre.

• Close ups of objects such as his chair nailed to the ground, hammer being grabbed, knives placed on feet etc. suggest torture without necessarily showing it on screen. Leaving gore to the imagination can sometimes have a better effect in scaring the audience.

• An extreme close-up of the girl screaming in the boy’s face works well as a shock along with the sound effect of her shouting.

• There is a close-up of the boy as his head is being held and his body is thrashing at them which doesn't allow the audience to see what’s happening to him. This creates more terror within the audience as the unknown is generally scarier.

• The close-ups of the 2 leading characters stand out as they are clear to see in the foreground as they contrast with the background. This makes the audience feel uncomfortable as their face fills the whole shot, particularly as the boy looks tortured and the girl is staring into the camera with a satisfied, psychotic expression as she is being crowned. 

• High and low angles are used to show power and lack of escape/hope for the boy. As he is stuck in a tree, the camera looks down at the girl and her dad surrounding the bottom; when he is in a dark pit the camera looks up as the girl is at the entrance.

• A long shot shows the girl and her dad from behind as they’re at the tree. At this point, the boy falls out and hits the car like a dead weight. Seeing the action from this angle emphasises how sick these people are as the audience look in from a third person perspective.

• When the boy pushes the girl into the table, it is shown from various angles which disorientate the audience.

Sound

• During the establishing shot, there are diegetic sound effects of cheering and a bell ring suggesting school’s finished and there’s a happy carefree dynamic and giving the beginning of the trailer equilibrium.

• Diegetic dialogue such as ‘will you go to the dance with me?’ and ‘guess who asked me to the dance’ and a non-diegetic plucky, romantic soundtrack are more appropriate for a teenage rom-com which means that when the disequilibrium is introduced, it becomes more surprising.

• The disequilibrium begins when the girl is revealed to be looking into the car window and a dramatic drum beat and cymbal can be heard as the shot cuts to her and shocks the audience. The noise can be heard again as she closes her scrapbook.

• A haunting female voice sings slowly with little backing track with creates a dark ominous tone foreboding what’s to come. This music works well to create a creepy undertone and is an inspirational example.

• String instruments create an increasingly loud and quick, high-pitched, dramatic note which is appropriate for and a convention of the horror genre.

• The tone in which the girl says ‘what you looking at?’ is seductively evil proposing a confusing threat to the boy.

• She calls her dad ‘daddy’ which makes phrases such ‘bring the hammer, daddy’ much more creepy and uncomforting. The girl has a soft voice so when she says this phrase and ‘it boils your brains’, it doesn’t seem appropriate and this makes it creepy.

• As the hammer is drawn back rock music begins and in turn the pace of the trailer increases and shots become more violent and gruesome.

• As the girl screams in the boy’s face, it’s very loud and overpowers the rest of the sound. This scream fades into the boys screams as he’s being tortured. This is an inspirational example of how sound can be used in an interesting and unique way. Later on a gunshot and an explosion also turn into screams.

• The girl and her dad have the diegetic dialogue: ‘we can’t hear you’, which is said in a happy and humorous chant which makes the audience more disturbed by what they’re doing. This would appeal to the audience who want to be disturbed and disgusted.

• As the boy kicks the girl into the table, the audience expects to hear crashing and screams but instead the only sound that can be heard is the slow, haunting music from earlier in the trailer. This makes what’s on screen seem more shocking as it completely contrasts with the soundtrack.

• When the girl is throwing rocks, the harsh sounds of them hitting the tree and the body hitting the car are heightened and therefore are more gruesome. Her laugh is also crazy and psychotic finally fitting her character.

• As the editing increases again, the note just increases in pitch until it stops on a dull drum beat. The dad then says ‘say happy’ and the girl replies in a chirpy, cheerful tone ‘happy’, which seems sadistic and creepy after all of the violence just shown. This would appeal to the target audience who want to be left on a creepy note.

• As the camera flashes, the sound of taking a picture can be heard.

• The words ‘love hurts’ are sung in the haunting slow song as the title of the film is revealed.

• The short clip after is dominated by a drill and the sound of it is the focus. No dialogue makes the noise more prominent and therefore more scary so audiences cringe and flinch. 

Editing

• During the opening of the trailer where there’s a sense of equilibrium, the cuts are fades into each other. This is a soft effect and not too harsh, fitting the tone well as the boy has just turned down a girl.

• After Lola is seen looking into the car, it fades to black which gives the shot a dark, ominous tone. This is repeated throughout the trailer for the same effect.

• When the boy wakes up, the shot fades from white. This gives the illusion he’s just woken up/come round to find himself at the table.

• When the rock music begins, the editing pace increases showing many quick shots with jump cuts to create disorientation. This also makes everything seem crazy including the boy who was captured. This is also a convention of a teaser trailer.

• As the titles of the actors appear next to the close-up shot, the edit slows to slow-motion, emphasising the impact of the shot (see camera angles).

• When the gross, disfigured creatures are revealed, the camera zooms into the boy with a horrified expression. This reflects audience reaction and is a convention of a trailer (clever/ironic use of editing).

• The end finishes slowly compared to the fast pacing of before, also a convention of the teaser trailer. This leaves audiences on edge for one final scare, in this case, the drill.

• When the dad takes the picture, it flashes to reveal the title of the film, immersing audiences in the scene.

• The last shot cuts as the boy closes his eyes, putting the audience in his shoes and leaving the audience on edge. 

Mise en Scene

• When the girl is revealed to be looking into the car, the boys hand hits in window. This is ominous to the torture and violence he will later experience as it’s as if he’s helplessly trying to escape.

• There is a close-up shot of a girl’s hands stroking/pressing down a picture. The picture is of the boy with a target drawn on his head in red felt-tip. This shows that she is targeting him. We could use something similar in our coursework to show clearly what the character’s intentions are.

• This contrasts with her bright pink, sparkly nail varnish suggesting she’s a girly girl. This is also true for her room which doesn't connote anything scary or threatening.

• When the boy wakes up he’s at a table in the house which is decorated as a prom. This includes: a disco ball, lights, banners, crackers and balloons on the floor. This would usually have a happy tone to it but because he is tied to a chair, it seems completely out of place and creepy.

• When her dad announces ‘this year’s Queen of the dance is Lola Stone’, she gives herself her own drum roll and acts surprised and emotional. This gives clues to her character: self-centred, loves attention and psychotic. This is the type of character we’re looking for in our coursework so her actions and behaviour such as this are specific inspirational examples.

• Once the pace of the trailer picks up, the action becomes more violent and scary. Shots include: Lola creepily walking toward the camera, a police car racing toward the camera , a body falling into a dark pit, the boy’s bloody face, Lola’s body hitting the windscreen and various shots of attack. Shocks are important and conventional to a trailer and these shots work really well, therefore they’re inspirational to our group’s coursework. This would really appeal to the target audience who want scares and gore. 

Titles

• The font of the titles above is bold, thick capitals which is harsh and seems more threatening. The letters are white with light grey splatters on representing blood but not as obvious as it’s not red.

• As the title card appears, the words flash and move, leaving a ghostly blue and purple blur which resemble the lights at a prom. The fact it’s not still shows how unstable the character ‘Lola’ is. The blur could represent how her girly girl personality blurs as she becomes psychotic and obsessed with finding her prince. it also shows the blur between prom and horror.

• The simple phrases are clear and easy to understand. They show a lot about her demanding, self-centred character and gives lots of clues to the plot.

• Other titles include all the festivals it’s been screened at and won. These are in white on a black background showing a stark and simple contrast so it’s clear. This is an effective means of promotion as it shows that it’s been shown at film festivals and so it’s of a good standard.

• In this example, there are lights behind it changing from pink to blue. This once again resembles the lights at prom and is a running theme throughout the trailer. This is important to the trailer as the link to prom is what its target audience would find appealing.

• Quotes from reviews on the film are featured including a quote from ‘Bloody Disgusting’. This is very appropriate to the genre and therefore helps attract the right target audience.

• During slow-motion, close-up shots of the characters, the actors’ names appear next to them. The font is slightly ice blue for the boy and pink for the girl which stays with the theme of couples and prom. The style is serif, which seems very traditional. This fits well with the style of the title.

• At the end of the trailer as the picture is being taken and there’s a flash, the title ‘The Loved Ones’ appears on the screen. The font looks reflective and shiny, representing a disco ball as the font shines light out. There is also an explosion of what resembles glitter, falling behind the title. This again fits with the prom theme and creates a false sense of security as the title doesn't look like a conventional horror film.

• The font of the title is really important as it’s in a sort of archaic, fairy-tale style font. This links to Lola’s obsession with finding a prince and having a fairy-tale like the ones she’s been brought up on. 

The Sound Of My Voice Trailer

The Sound Of My Voice Trailer

Titles

• The titles are set on a red background. The connotation most appropriately linked to the trailer/film is ‘danger’ as the genre is thriller. ‘Passion’ could also be linked though as the storyline links closely to the idea of belief.
• The font is white, bold and simple and contrasts well against the background. This is important for titles as it mustn’t be an effort to read (an important convention of trailers in order for it to be effective promotion). The font is modern and not like classic horrors etc. therefore appealing to the younger target audience of perhaps between ages 15-30.
• What makes the titles different is how some letters occasionally glow like something supernatural suggesting a possible plot-point or theme.
• The titles appear on screen abruptly on screen with contrapuntal sound (non-diegetic soundtrack) of drumbeats. This is hard-hitting and punchy keeping the pace while sticking to the conventions of an effective trailer.
• Circles appear from the letters at certain times in the style of sound waves. This is directly linked to the title of the film, The Sound Of My Voice. This is a specific inspirational example as it is unique to the film yet a simple artistic choice.
• The whole shot seems to flash and move towards the camera. This is intruding on the audience and puts them on edge, appropriate for the tense genre.
• The effects are increased on the main title of the film as there is more focus on this as part of effective promotion. Ultimately the audience need to remember the title of the film and have that stuck in their memory if there’s a chance they are to see it.
• This style is continued in all the titles except the release date doesn’t have a red background but actually shows a shot of Maggie. This is to have more of an influence on the audience and makes the trailer effective as something like this is more memorable than a simple background. 
• Ability to watch the first 12 minutes of the film online is advertised making some of the film easily, quickly and cheaply accessible, which is important to audiences and consumers.
• Also good reviews are shown as a good promotional method to encourage audiences as hearing people’s opinions from a trusted source can sway influences effectively (but this will not completely sell the film on its own). This influence is similarly expressed through showing what film festivals the film was selected to play at showing its achievements. 

Camera Angles

• The first shot shows a man who appears to be narrating/storytelling. A close up shot of him intensifies the story and gives the audience discomfort in preparation for the rest of the trailer, specifically appropriate for the genre.
• Many enigmatic shots at the beginning surrounding the mystery of the woman leading the cult (Maggie) of which the man (Peter) speaks. There are close-ups of a hand on a bright light, perhaps a window; a close-up of a woman wearing a white veil (and going to remove it) and a close-up of her tattoo on her ankle. These all piece together clues to the character without giving away the plot to the story. This creates a tension and anticipation within the audience to find more information about this character and the rest of the story working effectively to promote a thriller. This is a convention of the genre and so are examples of the types of shots we might want to use. 

• During the sequence when Peter is showing the woman the equipment, there are over-the-shoulder shots which enforces their secretive and private actions. There are more over-the shoulder shots later in the trailer when they are discussing the cult in privacy in the car which works to the same effect. Another inspirational example as it’s an interesting angle that provides a different perspective.
• A montage of extreme close-ups show a them preparing to enter the cult i.e. showering etc. These shots are extreme close-ups to provide a different perspective on the everyday action as entering the cult is not an everyday action. I also think there a sexual edge to these shots as one shows the woman unclipping her bra and hands being tied as well as blindfold being put on. Because they are extreme close-ups, this controversial perspective of the everyday actions are applied as we cannot see what is going on in the surroundings. This works in the same way as the extreme close-ups of Maggie which don’t give away her identity and therefore these types of shots may feature in our coursework.
• The woman and Peter are placed in a car and rather than show the whole journey, there are establishing shots of roads to suggest travelling which save time and keep the trailers pace, conventional for a trailer.
• There are a few mid-shots which objects or people move into to reveal something, creating a shock effect. For example, a car door slides open to show the woman in a clinical gown wearing a blindfold etc; later on a man in the cult drives into the frame while looking partially towards the camera and Peter moves into the frame behind a car suggesting he slashed its tyres. This is appropriate for the genre as they can provide little shocks within the audience. Also picking out the target audience as whether they like these little shocks or not determines perhaps whether they’ll like the genre of the film.
• The close-up shot revealing Maggie works with the music to create tension (appropriate for the genre) as she doesn’t speak initially and so it is a very claustrophobic and intruding shot. 
• When a gun is revealed the shot shows a close-up through leaves which shows it’s hidden and perhaps secrets within the cult.
• However the next shots show the female journalist and a woman in the cult wrapping both their hands round the gun and a close-up of their faces in a two-shot suggesting trust and closeness. This gives clues to the plot but doesn’t tell the whole story which is conventional to a good trailer.

• A man in the cult talks to the journalists in the car when he is outside. The shots look in and out of the car depending on whose perspective it is which puts us in the tense position of the journalists but also being able to see their reactions from a point far enough away that we can’t help them. The car door then shuts in front of the camera closing the woman in the car and blocking her out of the situation. This puts the audience in the position of these characters and immerses them in the midst of the action which is effective promotion to encourage audiences to see the film but is also genre appropriate for a thriller.  

• Maggie shows Peter a girl when a close-up of the picture moves to an extreme close-up enforcing the idea that this little girl is a target (posing threat) especially as the picture is black and white.
• The wide shot of the cult embracing gives the idea of a big family (it is noted that the female journalist is at the edge of the frame, not involved). Peter and Maggie then hold hands suggesting a relationship of some kind within this family. This creates a sense of peril which is appropriate for the genre.
• When the idea of Peter liking Maggie arises, there is a low angle over-the-shoulder shot of him looking up at her suggesting admiration working to the same effect as the last point. This works well with the target audience as Maggie is a good-looking character and the target audience would be involve younger men and boys who may also have an admiration for her.
• Peter’s emotions are intensified by a close-up of his tears falling down his cheek.
• The last shot make good use of the ‘rule of third’s as Maggie walks away from the camera and release date appears in the middle of the frame. See ‘Titles’ for how it is effective promotion.

Editing

 

• Much like any trailer the editing pace increases throughout as the story develops and the plot thickens. This increases tension and until the trailer abruptly stops and leaving an adrenaline effect with the audience. This works parallel to the soundtrack. This type of editing is not only appropriate to the genre but is a convention of trailers of the majority of genres.
• There are standard jump cuts working parallel to the beats in the soundtrack. As well as being the conventional cut, they work well to keep tension and abruptly cut a shot so as not to reveal too much information also a convention of a trailer.
•  Some shots fade to white. This fits well with the colour scheme and theme of the film of purity, futuristic, angelic, majestic etc. Maggie is a fundamental character for representing this theme. This is an interesting transition which, if it fits with the theme of our coursework, would be brilliant to incorporate.
• Cutaways are used to condense and visualise the story. Rather than show the shots from the film that are close ups of Peter talking all the way through, for example, cutaway shots are used to represent or imply what he’s talking about, making his dialogue more of a narration. This is a convention of trailers to keep the pace and is a good example of the type of editing that we should/could use as it’s not as common as ‘fade to black’.
• As well as ‘fade to white’ transitions there is also ‘fade to black’. This is binary opposition and suggests the connotations that come with dark and light. As the trailer becomes more sinister and dark, so do the transitions suggesting something evil or bad about the people or situations the journalists get themselves into. Another interesting transition which could also be used depending on the shot used before e.g. in this case Maggie says she’s from the future.
• After the gun shot, there is a cut to black which provides a shock along with the diegetic sound of the gun firing.
• There is a particular effect at the end that makes the movement look quicker than it actually is bringing in a supernatural effect to the film causing an air of mystery and enigma. This works well as at this point short jump cuts of clips are shown the editing has increased its pace and so the tension is high creating shocks and confusion within the audience. This appeals to the target audience who would see a thriller film to be shocked, confused and amazed. The above points and its individuality mean an effect like this would be a brilliant editing technique to try.
• The editing slows at the end as the pace as built up to a point of adrenaline that the audience are very tense and so the last segment puts them particularly on edge because it’s quiet and slow. This leaves a lasting effect and is a good method for effective promotion. Conventionally this final slow pace is followed by a jump but this is not the case and so leaves an eerie atmosphere.

Sound

• Trailer begins with deep, ominous bass note as the production screen appears giving dark tone followed by a piano playing slowly to a soft, melancholy tune. Peter’s voice begins during a shot of him and continues as a narrative over other shots. This is an eerie yet equilibrium start to the trailer to encourage the audience into comfort before shocking them, appropriate for a thriller and is also a convention for a trailer.
• Heartbeat non-diegetic sound is introduced into soundtrack to reflect tension and terror and is particularly appropriate and conventional for the genre.  
• When Peter says ‘or whatever’, it brings the story back to reality and shows their cynicism of the story. This breaks the conventions of the genre and of trailers as this is not how characters usually react to a ‘scary story’. The fact he’s level-headed makes the audience trust him and so it later shocks them more in the rest of the trailer. This is effective promotion as it shows a twist and good plot without giving away any major points. 
•  ‘See this thing through all the way’ suggests danger and introduces disequilibrium and discomfort, appropriate for this genre.
• Enigma is also demonstrated through the dialogue of characters such as Maggie and other members of the cult being heard before the characters are shown. This is appropriate for the genre and again is to create discomfort.
• The chilling silence (extremely appropriate for the genre) when Maggie is revealed for the first time as up until that shot we hear her talking therefore the lack sound on this shot makes it very unnerving. This sense of unease created is a convention of the genre.
• There are sound effects after which sounds much like thunder or a car engine, which is a harsh loud sound which breaks the audiences concentration and provides more shocks as they are falsely comforted by the silence and Maggie’s voice.
• While the editing increases, the volume and the intensity of the soundtrack does also; this is conventional for a trailer. A steady, tribal drumbeat is introduced, which works well with the shots of men doing a sort of clapping handshake as if a ritual of some kind.
• A choir is also heard in the soundtrack which can be thought of as eerie as it sounds angelic and childlike also. This fits well with the shots of Maggie telling Peter to bring her a child.
• The loud and brash sound of Peter’s punch against a chest of drawers leads into a hypnotic tapping as part of the non-diegetic soundtrack fitting well with the idea they’re in some kind of cult. This also appeals to the younger target audience for a thriller as they want to be disturbed and chilled.
• The soundtrack then stops abruptly when Peter grabs Maggie’s hands which creates shock and tension during Maggie’s dialogue and when the soundtrack fades back in. This creates shock within the audience appealing to the target audience that want a thrill and to be scared. The tapping then continues.

Mise en Scene

• A theme of the trailer is white suggesting purity and a clinical feel generally when Maggie is in a scene. When the journalists were shown in a scene, the lighting and mise en scene were dark with the shadows and night-time being a focus. This and Maggie’s white theme are binary opposites and could even represent good and evil. This is a specific inspirational example that we could use in our teaser trailer to suggest something about the characters being shown that might we might not have enough time to expand on in a minute.

• The room where the cult are based is very tidy and minimalistic reflective the clinical feel and also a modern and revolutionary approach. There are also lamps on the floor which represent brightness, light, goodness and relaxation/calm. Maggie’s costume reflects this also as she’s dressed in simply a white sheet, which is also minimalistic. She wears his in the middle of the street looking around as if she is lost. The wearing of the sheet could also be seen as pure, angelic, sexual, virginal, or even poor. This is furthermore emphasised by her blonde hair with connotations of innocence and angelic beings. This is genre appropriate for the focus of the film being a ‘cult-like’ group of people looking for revolution.
• Maggie’s veil and tattoo create enigma as the veil doesn’t show her face (and suggests a virginal/angelic appearance) and her tattoo tells a lot about her personality (as she explains what it means).
• The rest of the group sit on their knees as if worshipping her.
• The mysterious tank-like object next to Maggie looks futuristic and is enigmatic. It could be guessed that Maggie is supportive of this machine but what it does is unknown.
• There are various props that are directly related or suggestive towards the theme of investigation: tape recorder and camera in the glasses and transmitter. These objects keep the storyline (investigative journalism) and characters (journalists) in focus during the trailer. These are also very secretive means of revealing information about the group which could represent what the journalists are hiding from Maggie and the rest of the group. The flashlight shows their way and uncovers findings (representing their overall mission) and Peter swallows the transmitter showing sacrifice for his work. This could disgust and shock the audience but appeal to the target audience who want to feel that way when watching a film.
• The montage of clips as they prepare to meet Maggie focuses on various objects and actions. All good have sexual connotations as a woman removes her bra to have a shower, after which she is tied up and blindfolded. This could also be seen as cleansing and ridding off sins (much like in Hitchcock’s Psycho shower scene).
• Shots of Maggie with wet hair are enigmatic as it makes the audience ask simple questions such as ‘where has she been?’, ‘what’s happened and why?’ etc. as she lives in a basement. This is effective promotion and appropriate for the genre as people will go to watch the film to find the answers to their questions.
• Maggie is seen wearing a hood and holding a lamp as a searchlight suggesting a hunt or hunting. This shows her in a darker light compared to in the white room perhaps representing how she may not be as good as she seems and may have some dark secrets.

• The shots in the trees show a barbed wire connoting the group are being trapped and are surrounding as if they are wild or being controlled perhaps reflecting their position as a group. The gun they hold clearly suggests danger but also control of such as the older woman teaches her properly with safety goggles on. Later on a knife is shown which also has a dangerous connotation but is used to slash tires so this weapon is used in attack rather than control. This appeals to the target audience as it promotes danger and violence which people look for in a thriller.
• Maggie asks Peter to bring her a little girl. This girl is shown wearing  a hat and a large black rucksack which makes her look rather different to what you make expect to see of a little girl subverting the conventions creating enigma. Enigma is also created through what she is playing with as it is a large black sculpture being built but the shot isn’t long enough for the audience to clearly see what it is. Black is a dark colour with evil connotations which is important to remember.  
• The last shot is set at sunset suggesting an end even though so many questions are still to be answered. This makes the trailer an effective means of promotion as it leaves the audience going to the actual film to answer their questions as they don’t want it to end until they know more information.