The Woman In Black (2012) Trailer

Codes and Conventions of the Horror/Thriller genre

What genre is The Woman In Black?

• The genre of The Woman In Black is Horror/Thriller.

• The film is based on the 1983 novella The Woman In Black by Susan Hill.

• I am using this as research and potential inspiration for the trailer I aim to complete during the course.

What is The Woman In Black about?

• The film is based on a solicitor, Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) who temporarily moves to the small remote market town Crythin Gifford where he discovers a vengeful ghost of a scorned woman, terrorizing locals and haunting Eel Marsh House.

Camera ShotsThe trailer lasted for 1 minute 45 seconds showcasing the mise-en-scene and costume/props suited to the genre. The close up shots of wind up dolls, cobwebs, dark misted windows and sinister reflections in mirrors successfully showcase the genre as they stereotypically make the audience feel uneasy and on edge, questioning what may happen next.

The wide shots of Eel Marsh House set the location; making audiences feel on edge at the scary appearance of the building, appearing haunting and derelict due to the circumstances of the house being abandoned, vacant after the owners death.

Props and CostumeThe establishing shot of a childrens bedroom decorated with eerie, creepy wind up dolls relate to the horror and thriller genre creating a sinister atmosphere as the camera lingers on their eyes and facial expressions.

The overtly smart, conservative Victorian costume of Arthur Kipps is common to the thriller/horror genre. Novella written in the Victorian era were commonly based on thriller/horror stories.

The slow paced, squeaking rocking chair influences suspense and tension amongst the audience, keeping the audience engaged and on edge; fulfilling the key codes and conventions typically used in the genre.

Themes

The main theme of the trailer/film is the fear of the paranormal figure known as The Woman In Black. This constant fear of The Woman In Black coming to haunt the audience as well as the venerable yet unaware, delusional Arthur Kipps is repeatedly made reference to in the trailer. For example slow, haunting and pacing patches of music accompany wide, panning shots of Mr Kipps looking out of Eel Marsh houses wide, open windows.

EditingThe slow pace of the trailer with camera shots slowly appearing and disappearing makes the audience feel on edge and successfully influences an eerie, cold atmosphere that is typical of the thriller, horror genre. The shots also enter from a blank, black screen and they dissolves quickly, this helps symbolize important moments in the trailer. For example the gaps in a Zeotrope create an illusion of pace when Kipps spins it showcasing a scary vision of the Woman In Black’s eyes, introducing the woman as a threat to the audience and Kipps. This is an important code as it showcases a key character in the story and keeps the audience engaged.

The films title and distribution title appear on the screen from either blank dark coloured backgrounds making it clear and legible for audiences.

SoundtrackThere is a constant heavy pace to the music accompanying the shots. For example at the beginning of the trailer the music is quiet in volume, slow creating a uneasy, questionable atmosphere; building up the fear of the unknown ghost of The Woman In Black. Commonly, establishing shots of props being made reference to such as will papers have the camera intently focusing on them, with the music becoming louder and dramatic with sound effects such as chopping used; creating a sinister, deathly atmosphere. This builds up fear in the audience making them question the relevance of the props; building up enigma and suspense. Also the emphasis of basic ambient sounds such as the ticking of a clock is evident, footsteps, armchairs rocking, floor boards creaking helps build up suspense and enigma. These ambient sounds are commonly used in traditional ghostly storylines.