Horror trailer analyses

Silent Hill



This theatrical trailer for Silent Hill follows typical trailer and horror conventions.

The trailer shows the central narrative enigma of the film, and some scenes of what happens because of it, without revealing the resolution or main plot points as. Identification with the female character, as well as screen time is used to introduce to us the protagonist of the film. It uses intertitles such as 'Mysteries without answers' and 'Secrets without explanation' - also following the traditional 'rhythm' of intertitles - repetition of words and word structure/pace. Frequent rapid cutting is used and generally becomes faster as the trailer progresses, as does the music so as to build up the suspense and tension accompanied by the scary images and shots used in the trailer. Rapid fade-downs and fade-ups are used, primarily in scenes where the character in the scene is using a candle, giving the impression that the candle may flicker out and leave her in the dark, so is used for tension. The trailer ends with the name of the film 'Silent Hill' and the release date with the narrator giving the information as an audio medium.

The trailer uses lots of conventions typical to the horror genre. A lead up, set in what looks like a sunny field, as well as an introduction to a problem, is used to set up the enigma. After this point in the trailer, we can see the strong images definitive of the horror genre like bloody hands, as well as quick glimpses of monsters, often using the depth of frame to create suspense. The protagonist is a female - another typical convention of horror, and the setting is misty and dark, and shots used to show her isolation are often used.

Doom



The trailer for Doom, as it is a hybrid action/horror film has crossovers of action and horror conventions in its trailer, but generally follows trailer conventions as a whole. The film doesn't introduce us to a protagonist, but introduces us to the squad and so cuts between them during the trailer. The setting is established as well as a hint as to what the backstory of the plot might be very early on. The cutting is rapid almost from the start, so might be because of the action crossover, but works with the trailer because of the 'scary' shots used from the word go. Intertitles are used again, following the grammatical structure 'Around every corner', 'Behind every door' etc. The title of the film, 'DOOM', in the respective font from the game, is revealed at the end, as well as the release date and a tagline 'No one gets out alive'.

As a horror trailer, it shows lots of shots of dark areas and flashlights to create a sense of suspense, like something could be revealed at any moment. Quick cuts to people being grabbed and figures dropping into the screen behind characters are also used to create anticipation. The characters are a squad of soldiers and the setting is on Mars, due partly to the sci-fi/action hybridity and partly because it tries to remain loyal to the game it is based on.

Predator



This trailer uses clever methods of highlighting the genre and production value of the film it is promoting. For example, shots used of just a part of the monster's anatomy are used, so we get a sense of how dangerous it is (by showing, for example, the claws) but what it is remains a mystery. The monster's point of view is also often used, using the classic thermal vision camera, as we get closer to the 'friendly' characters, so we feel an urgency for them to move out of the way and see the monster. The production value of the film are shown through lots of thermal shots, and some shots of the 'invisibility' effect. The main star's name is highlighted 'Arnold Schwarzenegger' so lots of shots are used to promote the film via his image. Moments of suspense and conflict/fighting are shown to build hype about the film, aided by the fast cuts and fast-paced music. The name of the film 'Predator' is shown at the end of the trailer with 'Schwarzenegger' above it, adding star value to the title. The release date is also shown, with a voice-over with the tagline 'The hunt begins'.

Even though this is also an action film, the moments of horror are apparent in the scenes in the trailer. Screaming victims of the monster are shown, and with the combination of thermal camera use and 'invisibility', we know the monster can see us but cannot be seen. The strength of the monster is displayed, as well as its stature, so we know that the creature has a large presence and is seemingly unstoppable, and makes the audience want to know how the film will turn out.