Detailed genre specific

research into teaser

trailers and posters
THEME THRILLER/HORROR

The Hunger Games (2012)

poster analysis
The denotation of this wording on the page, invites
the viewers to read into the overall picture and try and
imagine what has happened in previous Hunger Game
movies.

The girl is holding a bow and arrow with a

stern expression on her face showing she
may be holding it for protection.
The direction of which the actress is
looking in could be seen as a code. Looking
directly at the audience with a certain look
on her face almost as if she is looking at
them for help.

Altered codes and conventions have been used on this poster to

create a desired impression on the viewers. Some examples of
these technical codes and conventions may be camera angles,
the direction at which the girl is facing with the bow and arrow,
colour etc.

The connotations of the colour on the page can represent

and anger and fireyness. This gives a slight insight to what
the new film could be about inviting the audience to watch
the film.

The main body of the title written in bold lettering making

it appealing to the viewers catching their eye making the
poster stand out. Written in similar colours to the rest of
the poster keeping the same feel and colour scheme going.

The Hunger Games (2012)

trailer analysis
Time

Analysis

0-10 seconds

In this extract between 0-10 seconds sound effects, some of them are non-diegetic and are used to increase the tension whilst doing shots like an
overview and a zoom in.

10-20 seconds

In this extract the main theme tune of the film is introduced, which gives the viewers an insight. A backing voice, (of Snow one of the protagonists) is
used to help tell the audience what is going on. This is effective as it shows the audience what is going on and to be included in the film.

20-30 seconds

Would you like to be in the real world? the next quote the backing voice says which is a rhetorical question leaving the readers questioning things
about the movie. As time progresses during this 10 second shot, to increase suspense a backing track begins to play faster and faster before dipping to a
black screen showing THIS NOVEMEBER telling the audience when the film will be coming out.

30-40 seconds

The music backing track is still playing in the background gradually building up more suspense. Meanwhile different shot types are being used showing
small snippets of different times in the movie. Special effects and makeup are also used. Dialogue from the cast are playing over the top of the backing
track which is also another way they have tried to build up suspense. Black screens are also used beginning to tell a story so the audience doesnt have
to read between the lines.

40-50 seconds

Special effects are used again. Shots like headshots, midshots, over the shoulder shots are used in this extract. A free held camera is used for when the
characters are running away which creates more tension throughout the clip. Another black screen is involved all whilst meanwhile the backing track is
still playing.

50-60 seconds

Shots become shorter and more abrupt while the music is speeding up creating even more tension throughout. Sound effects produced by characters
and things within the film (like the monkey) are used to still give the audience an in sight to what the film is trying to portray. This is before dipping to
the main title of which is the name on the film magazine poster also.

Gone Girl (2014)

poster analysis

They have used an effective editing

technique of layering up 2 photographs and
either decreasing or increasing the
transparency of one of the images. This
could invite the audience to look at the
poster as its a close up of someones eyes.

Theyve stuck to a blue colour scheme

which could be represented as calming
and not threatening, showing what the
film could potentially be like.

Written the names of the main characters of the film

in bigger bolder lettering than the others to tell the
viewers.
Bold black text showing the main title of the film.
This poster is just another version of advertisement
for the film.

Only displayed a silhouette at the bottom of the page

which could create a tense atmosphere amongst the
audience. The connotation of this could be making the
audience question weather the man is the villain or
not.

Written the names of actors creates directors etc at the

bottom of the page to inform viewers.

Gone Girl (2014)

trailer analysis
Time

Analysis

0-15 seconds

Begins to introduce what the main plot of the movie is, using a protagonist which is later shown. A backing track is used. Non diegetic. 2 main
shots in this part of a scenes from the movie, and overall shot showing the key areas and then an over the shoulder head shot.

15-25
seconds

A series of different shots still with the backing track in the background. A series of different shots is used; mid shots, head shots long distance
shits all over a short period of time giving the viewer small snapshots leaving them to imagine what they think is happening.

25-40
seconds

Similarly to the 15-25 second gap it has small snapshots of different scenes that link well with the audience making them feel empathy. Like for
example an over the shoulder shot.

40-50
seconds

Music in the background begins to speed up adding tension to the trailer which then goes into a scene from the movie of the married couple
speaking leading into violence. This also makes the audience question what is going to happen.

50-1.05
seconds

Same thing painting out a crime scene in short showing small snapshots with the same backing track. No dialogue.

1.05-1.25
seconds

Small snapshots using diegetic sound like smashing a glass to emphasise different moods. Then using contradicting scenes to what they have
built up with the couple at a table romantically kissing.

1.25-1.34

Closes the trailer with the phrase I did not kill my wife, I am not a murderer! leaving the audience to question what happened. Did he or did
he not kill his wife. Used a scene that made it look as if the wife was dead to create suspense.

Scream 4 (2011)
poster analysis
The hyperbolic and metaphorical use of
New Decade. New Rules shows the
viewers this is directly not what they want
you to think and believe.
The only alternate colour on the page which
is not either black or red is the piercing blue
colour of the eye hidden behind the number
4 cut out of the blackness. This could show
and outline the terror in one of the
characters eyes.
The viewer is fed a basic understanding of character
roles in the film through the facial expressions which
however I believe could be improved for if they had
more fearful facial expressions. However still show
partly what their roles play through the film.

Stuck with a black background to create an

atomaspheric feel to the poster.

The main characters are shown on the poster. The

antagonist (Neve Campbell) the main characters and
the deuteragonists, the other characters; Emma
Roberts, Courtney Cox etc.
Outlines clearly the title of the film, showing
clearly this is film number 4 of the sequal. They
have substituted the letter A for the number 4 to
show this.
Directly states when the release date is.

Scream 4 (2011)
trailer analysis
Time

Analysis

10-20 seconds

They use the editing technique called dip to black to change from shot to shot, showing many different shots in a short period of time.
They use dialogue of the murderer in the play to add an d create tension. Hes used as the backing voice as different shots are then played.

20-30 seconds

one movie redefined fear a screen used to separate different shots. Whilst screams and talking is still playing in the background of the
trailer. Non diegetic sound effects are used from different scene swaps.

30-45 seconds

Characters from the film explaining different things that are going on in the film to help try and get them to understand what will be going
on. A scene of death is brought in to it leaving the audience question who's died with shots like a hand held camera used to show it. A
screen also used to show more text is used to help broaden the knowledge of the viewers.

45-1.00 seconds

Sarcasm and humour is used to try and make the film seem light hearted even though there are killings someone new needs to die.
Different editing is used to make the film look more scary and intense like for example rather than dip to black screens, flashes are used. A
character from the movie is explaining what is happening throughout this section to help the viewers understand more.
Music is then introduced at a fast pace to make the audience feel uncomfortable and on the edge of their seats. Numerous different scenes
are played over a seconds time period.
theres something scary about a man with a knife, that justsnaps quote said by a character that seems calm that leads into a scream
played by another character shut down with a last shot of the screams face. Then the title displayed on the final shot.

A Nightmare On Elmstreet (1984)

Similar to other horror/thriller film posters the main
colour scheme used throughout are dark colours
which have similar codes and conventions of being
thought of as deadly or frightening.
He knows where you sleep a phrase created
to try and involve the viewers with the poster
and to frighten them. It also relates to topics
which are relevant to those of the
stereotypical horror-genre.

The two main characters are shown in this poster. The

antagonist, Robert Englund and the deuteragonist,
Johnny Depp, who is the second character along with
others..

The main title is written in big bold lettering like

almost every poster of different genre so it tells
to audience exactly which film this poster is
advertising. It was written in red which can
connote danger.
Dates produced

Because the trailer was shot such a long time ago (1984) the editing techniques, mise en scene, shot typed etc. are all massively different to modern days. However, this does not mean the
trailer isnt good. It is still a good trailer and completes the task a trailer is meant to do. The quality is reduced and you can tell it was shot a long time ago.

A Nightmare On Elmstreet (1984)

trailer analysis
Time

Analysis

10-25 seconds

Non diegetic sound, music is first introduced with the first scene, then comes a back voice as the main dialogue for the trailer.

25-35 seconds

Different shots used, like over the shoulder shots with diegetic sounds; screaming coughing, choking, speaking. With the backing voice
explaining whats happening still and the non diegetic sound; the music still playing the backing creating suspense and tension amongst the
audience.

35-50 seconds

Other shots used still with both diegetic and non diegetic sounds being played. nobody knows where he came from questions are asked by
characters to fill the audience in with what is happening.

50-58 seconds

Use a screen that shows the title Nightmare on Elm Street. Still along with diegetic and non diegetic sounds.

58-1.10
seconds

Dialogue produced by characters within the film used to create tension amongst the audience. Head shots, mid shots and over the shoulder
shots used.
Closes the trailer explaining different credits which differs to modern day trailers. The mans voice behind the music and dialogue of the
characters still explaining what is going on to help reinforce the audience so that they are aware and then shows another screenshot of the
title along with credits.