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Analysis of Woman in Black Trailer:

. Mise-en-scene

. Editing

. Sound

. Camera

Gavin Fernandes

Aims and objectives of trailers

A trailer is a form of advertising in which is aim is to promote a new film to potential audiences and aims to encourage people to actually buy the film or to see it at the cinema.The genre of a film is often represented in a trailer through the elements of mise-en-scene, editing, sound and camera. For example, the editing in a thriller film trailer is likely to be fast paced and include camera shots such as extreme close ups.Similarly, the choice of actors in a trailer can also represent the target audience of a film giving them something to relate to as well as providing a form of escapism.The actors can emphasize the genre if they are known for a particular genre of the film and the audience can recognize this from watching the trailers.Trailers will usually have a unique selling point in trying to differentiate their trailers from others to put theirs to an advantage to make the audience so intrigued they want to watch the film. This helps to attract audiences because a new release will appear different from previous trailer audiences they may of seen before. The thriller genre trailers will entice audiences through mystery.

The Woman in Black Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lReemWmO5o

The Woman in Black (2012) is a film associated with thriller genre directed by James Watkins. The film features Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds and Janet McTee.The opening credits of the Woman in Black trailer reveals that Cross Creek Pictures produce the film and Cbs are responsible for the distribution. Cross Creek Pictures are known for their production of horror films including Bone Shaker, Black Swan and Clown. Similarly, director James Watkins is also known for writing and directing other horror film such as Eden Lake.

Narrative

The opening of the trailer introduces the audience to the setting through a series of point of view shots. As a result of this the audience feel more involved in the narrative as it feels like they too are stepping into the Victorian house that appears extremely dark, dusty and including old furniture and children’s toys.The trailer has a child voice over narrating which connotes the idea of innocence and purity through its nursery rhyme feel however the topic she discusses is quite sinister when played along with images from the trailer. This creates a suspense atmosphere for an audience and highlights the thriller genre.

Opposite stereotype?

During the trailer a voiceover tells the audience a poem that implies the male character is the victim which suggests The Woman in Black goes against typical conventions as often in horror films, females play the role of the victim whilst males are usually the villain.The voiceover immediately sets the scene for an audience by introducing the storyline which leads to the introduction of the main protagonist, Arthur Kipss. When his character is first introduced, he appears extremely uncomfortable from his body language which is something an audience can relate to as like him, they are unaware of what will happen.

When the Woman in Black is first displayed, disruption occurs as the trailer soon becomes fast paced and the change in the weather increases the negative atmosphere. The disruption increases as the trailer progresses and this keeps the audience watching on the edge on their seats wanting to know what will happen increasing the chance of them watching the movie.

Camera shots- close ups

The opening of the Women in Black trailer uses several close ups of toys with each of them fitting to the rule of thirds.The eyes of these toys each fit the rule of thirds grid which makes the audience eyes go straight to this point when they first see them. This give the audience a more increased connection but also makes them feel uncomfortable.Furthermore, by using close ups to display these toys this creates a sense of unease for a customer as there is nothing else for them to look at as they are the only thing in focus.The choice of using toys creates a sense of innocence as they are associated with young children however the toys are displayed in an opposite way in that they create a sinister atmosphere.

Long shots

The trailer for Woman In Black introduces the setting through the use of long shots.In the first long shot the audience can see the dullness of the atmosphere because of how grey and gloomy it is.As a result of this it can be thought to actually set the tone of the film as being dark. This is particularly shown through the cross as this is an example of dramatic irony as the cross being in focus and this highlights the theme of death to the audience which the character is unaware of.The surroundings appear to be abandoned and isolated suggesting the character will be lonely and trapped. This consequently creates a sense of fear as it foreshadows the characters entrapment in the house that he is isolated and by himself. These shots also highlight the Victorian period through the horse and carriage. The house conveys how the setting is old and perhaps holds memories or secrets.

High Angle Shots

The trailer uses high angle shots to show how the main character is vulnerable and powerless. This is shown through and establishing shot as this highlights how small he is compared to his surroundings whilst also emphasizing how abandoned the setting is. This is dramatic irony as the audience can see that something will happen that the character is unaware of.In addition when he enters the house he again looks small through the use of high angle shot portraying how small and vulnerable he really is. This shot could also be seen as a point a view shot as from an audiences perspective it appears that they are the ones standing at the top of the stairs which not only makes them feel involved but also gives them a sense of power.

Editing

Approaching the end of the trailer, editing uses quick, fast cuts to help build tension. As a result of the shots being quick it makes the reader question what is is that they have actually seen which leaves them intrigued. This consequently encourages the audience to go and watch the film whilst also creating a sense of fear. For example multiple scenes are put together with a black out in between, this makes the trailer continuous whilst flowing well.

Parallel editing is also uses as different things are happening in the house at the same time. This shows that eventually all of these elements will meet so foreshadows that something will happen.

Cross cutting

In the trailer cross-cutting is also used. This is where the scenes are shown in non chronological order to show the most excited scenes in the trailer to what the audience can relate too.In this particular trailer the most exciting scenes are shown at the end which helps attract the audience and entice people to watch the film as the most memorable scenes are left until last.

Sound- Children’s Music Box

The trailer continuously uses the tune of a children’s music box for incidental music throughout. The music would normally be associated with children and this shows the idea of innocent however when it is calm and slow it creates a sense of unease.The music is played in time with the movements of the toys. For example every chime the scene will cut to the next. This occurs throughout the trailer so it is a constant reminder for the audience that children will play a significant role in this thriller film.

Diegetic Sounds

In the trailer the weather is additionally used as a part of sound. The lightening, wind and rain are used as diegetic sounds which instantly creates and dull and gloomy atmosphere. This is suitable for the style of the film as the weather is a typical convention in setting the scene of a thriller.

This is the only other sound played alongside the music box. The music box is associated with childhood however when played along with the weather, some of the child-like innocence is taken away which creates a feeling of unease.

When the fast paced scenes arrive at the end of the trailer, the sound becomes very minimal. In the scenes an audience would expect to hear the diegetic sounds of the fire, the rain and screaming of character however the music box just continues to play. The music box tune is asynchronous as it does not fit any of the actions on the screen. This makes the audience feel quite uncomfortable as what they are seeing and what they are hearing are two complete different things. Therefore, the audience is encouraged to use their imagination to think about what is on screen.Silence is also used at the beginning and at the end of the trailer and this builds tension at that start and shows at the end how the scene is still quite tense. Silences encourage the audience to use their own imagination and this could encourage them to go out and watch the film to understand what is going on in the thriller.

Mise-En-Scene- settingThe surrounding of the trailer always tends to appear dark and isolated in the trailer. This creates a sense of fear as the town is abandoned meaning that the main character is distant from society.The trailer shows bars surrounding the house conveying the characters are trapped as if in a prison. Furthermore the bars in front of the children also highlight how they are trapped. The forest is also used as a setting which is another typical convention for thrillers as the trees surround the main character and this emphasizes his entrapment.

Color and Lighting

The trailer shows the colors used are very dark, particularly black has been used throughout and this portrays a sense of danger and is often associated with death which is appropriate for the films storyline.

The purpose of this trailer is to create a mystery for the viewers and the trailer creates a mystery throughout the trailer.Firstly the audience ask the question, Who is the women in black? What does she want? She is not revealed in the trailer therefore creating a question for the viewers to ask about her.Photos of a family are repeated throughout the film and again this creates a mystery as their history is unknown and why their pictures have been vandalized is unclear.