The setting for our trailer - Photos & Analysis

Qualities of Setting.

The setting that we initially decided on was Whipps cross hospital, although when permission was denied we needed to search for a new location that offered the mise en scene that our trailer required. We decided to use Cedars Park which turned out to be a perfect location for our trailer, as it is a diverse park, with a mixture of sections including a forest, a park, a house and ruins that are central to the park, this created a complex and interesting atmosphere for the beginning of our trailer.

Analysis.
The setting provided the perfect lighting for our trailer, it was completely natural light which made it easier to edit later, as nothing was incorrectly highlighted by unnatural light, and the visibility in the footage was excellent. The woods is a conventional setting for a horror films and through my research i have found this to be a successful move, so we decided to set our trailer in the woods. For many people, the woods represents feelings of mystery, fear and confinement, creating the perfect atmosphere right from the beginning of our trailer for our target audience.

Actors profile.

We decided to use Aaron as our protagonist for the film because we felt he had a good image for the part we wanted him to play.

We decided to use Kellie for the same reason.


We felt that using a gas mask in the film would be the key to a successful horror film trailer. The gas mask, for many people represents a feeling of being confined. We felt, after asking many people they're opinions that the gas mask would automatically give the trailer a creepy, uncomfortable feeling and we felt that the mask, along with the army jacket had the right feeling for the trailer. Because we had our masked man, we felt that it was easier for the horror trailer to be filmed because we needed less effects to create a tense atmosphere.

Storyline - initial

Initial Storyline - Part One.

Our film trailer will begin in a setting that isn't scary but is still daunting. Potentially a woods where a group of teenagers are talking, the conversation quickly turns to a story of a haunted hospital that served as a children's hospital during the war/workhouse. The group all feel excited about the prospect of going and the thriller turns to establishing shots of the abandoned building, with the backs of the teenagers looking up at it in the foreground.

Initial Storyline - Part Two.
A Blank screen will be the next shot and the words "curiosity got the better of them" will appear slowly on the screen. Loud sounds of footsteps and heavy breathing will then accompany the images on screen which will be quick shots (fading in and out) of disturbing and mysterious circumstances that the group find themselves in.

Analysis

Personal Reaction to the Trailer.
This is one of the most effective horror film trailers i have seen this year. When i fist saw the trailer in the cinemas had an effect on me that I am determined to recreate in my horror film trailer, it made me feel a strong, fearful urge to look away.

Interesting Shots used.

After watching the film, as well as the trailers several times, i realised the techniques that were used to create the feeling of fear in the trailer, most notably the use of uncomfortable or disturbing shots. The first can be seen 40 seconds into the trailer.
The camera focuses in on the room in front, looking through a fish tank, making the details in the room behind blurred, this shot makes the audience feel as though there is a daunting prescence watching the room, which ties in well with the films theme of alien abduction. The second can be seen 54 seconds into the film, there is an extreme close up of a mans mouth as he tells the psychologist about something he's seen. Not only does the closeness of the shot make the audience feel uncomfortable, it makes the words he is saying have a much more powerful impact. There are lots of other details within the trailer which add to the uncomfortable atmosphere, the close up of the camera lense at the beginning and the extreme close up of the nails scrapping against metal at the end are two of the most striking images.