Content Analysis - The Sinister Trailer
- 1. SinisterTrailerAnalysis Shotno. Shottype Shotlength Scene no. Content/Purpose 1 Establishing shot 2 seconds 1 The use of the establishingshot introduces the settingtothe audience &helps introduce the mise-en-scene suchasthe lowkeylightingwhichhelpsintroducethe genre & connote dangerto the audience. 2/3 Montage 5 seconds 2 The montage fadesin& fadesout duringthe establishingshot.Thisallowsthe audience tobecome aware of the characters/familyinthe story&adds horror to the trailer. 4 Zoom 2 seconds 3 The use of the zoom onthe house helpsconnote dangeraswe are gettingcloserto the house & triesto showthat somethingisgoingtocreepupon them. 5/6/7/8/9/10/11 Close ups 2 seconds each 4 These several shotstransitionsquicklythroughsome of the familymembers.This showsthemto be a little distressed&vulnerable whichwouldevoke sympathyfrom the audience. 12/13/14 Wide shot 3 seconds 5 Thiswide shothelpsshowafocus ona box whichislocatedinthe attic. Thisis effectiveasitallowsthe audience totake inthe surroundings,whichshowsthe area to be empty.Thiswouldtherefore create danger&tensionforthe audience aswhat will happenisunexpected. 16/17/18/19 Overthe shoulder/high angle 4 seconds 6 Thisshotsshowthe audience the fatherlookingintothe box.Thisiseffectiveasitwill create tensionandworryfrom the audience astheydontknowwhathe will find. 21 Close up 1 second 6 Thisshot showsthe audience whatthe characterhas found.Thishelpsintroduce the storyline of thishorrorstory.By showingthe contentsof the box helpsthe audience speculate whathe will find&keepstheminterestedinthe story. 22/23/24/25/26/27 Mid shots 1 second each 6 These shotsallowthe audience tothe manassemblingthe film,toplaythe contents that he has found.Thiswill therefore create interestintothe story,butalsogenerate some fearfor themas a viewer. 28/29/30 Pointof view shot 2 seconds each 6 The use of the pointof viewshotallowsthe audience toimagine whatthe character isseeing.Thisiseffective asthe will feel inhispositionwouldfeel the same feelings. The use of the pointof viewshots ineveryotherscene helpscreate tension&danger as the audience cansee the mansreactionto whathe has seenonthe film.
- 2. SinisterTrailerAnalysis 32 Mid shot 4 seconds 6 The use of the midshot helpsshowthe charactersbodylanguage andfacial expressionstowhathe has justseen.Thisiseffective asitshowshisfear& complete shockto what he has seen.Thistherefore createstension&makesthe audiences jumpwhilstwatchinghisfear. 47 Overthe shoulder 4 seconds 8 The use of a lot of overthe shouldershotshelpsshowthe mantobe continuously watchingthe video.Thiscreatestensionforthe audience astheywill be worried& concernedaboutwhathe will see next.Italsohelpsintroduce the originof the dangerto the audience. 56/57/58 Zoom 2 seconds 8 The use of the zoom onthe video helpsthe tensionbuildforthe viewersastheyare watchingthe horror whichisgoingto be cast upon the family.The use of shot showingthe familyinthe gardenwouldcreate horror/fearfromthe audience asthey couldimage that to be the circumstancesforthem& generate some horrible imagination 59 Pointof view 2 seconds 8 By usingthe pointof viewonthe photographhelpsintroduce the originof the horror. To whichhe movesthe image & the dangerouscharacteris outside.Thisiseffective as it wouldmake the audience jumpasthiswouldbe unexpected.But,theywould alsofeel scared& sympathyforthe man as theyknowwhatwill happen. 62 Wide shot 3 seconds 9 The wide shotshowsthe man inhisoffice.The shotthenallowsthe audience tobring theirattentiontothe contentsof the laptopwhere he firstdiscoversthe presence of the demon.Thiswouldcreate fear/tensionfromthe audience.However,wouldkeep theirinterestastheywouldwanttofindoutmore. 63 Low angle shot 3 seconds 9 Thisshot showsthe younggirl approachingthe camera.The shot allows the girls facial expressionstobe obvioustothe audience &showthe fearthat she feels.This wouldtherefore evoke sympathyfromthem,butmake themquestionwhatshe is lookingat. 68 Highangle 2 seconds 11 Thisshot allowsthe audience tosee the young girlsvulnerability.Italsoshowsthe parentslookingdownontheirdaughter&questioningheraboutwhatshe had seen. Thiscreatestensionasthe audience will notexpecttoherwhat she says.But,also createssympathyasfor the parentsconcern& the young girlshorror.
- 3. SinisterTrailerAnalysis 67 Wide shot 2 second 12 Thisshot showsthe younggirl to be playingonthe swing.Thisshotalsosuggests that something/someone iswatchingher.Thiscreatesfearforthe audience astheywill see herto be unaware & vulnerable atthistime 69 Mid shot 2 seconds 13 The use of the shot relayingafterthe shotof the younggirl on the swingisquite worryingforthe audience astheybecome aware thattheyare beinghaunted& he girl istheirtarget.This allowsthe audience tosympathise withthe girl &theirfamily as theyare indanger. 70 Pointof view 2 3 seconds 14 Thisshot showsthe manto be approachinganemptybox inthe middle of the room. Thisshot wouldbe associatedwiththe shotof the box inthe attic whichwould suggestthatthere is something badtocome out of it. 72 Wide shot 2 seconds 15 Thisshot showsthe manto be settingsomethingonfire.Thisshothelpsconnote danger& horror for the audience.Thisconnotationisassociatedwiththe horror genre & successfullyportraysitbydoingthis. 73 Close up 2 seconds 15 The use of the close up helpsshowthe manburningthe film.Thishelpsaddtension because theyknowsomethingbadhashappenedtothe family&theyare tryingto getrid of it. Therefore feariscreatedastheyknowas the audience thiswont happen. 100 Pointof view 3 seconds 20 Showsthe mainmale characterspoint of viewto whichhe islookinguponagroup of childrenwiththe demononthe film.Thisallowsthe demontobe showntobe above the children&the one incontrol.Thistherefore hooks the audience &evokesfear fromthemas viewers.Thisshotalsoallowsthe darkscene tobe acknowledged,to whichthe audience cangetdistracted& are thensurprisedwiththe demonatthe frontof the scene.Thiswouldmake the audience jump,andtherefore interestedin the trailer. Thisshot helpsendthe trailersuccessfully&leavesthe traileronaclimax tofindout whathappenedtothe familyonce the demonhadcome to life.