Conventions of a trailer
In order to communicate key messages to an audience, producers of film trailers use certain conventions and devices. I will be identifying these conventions in a horror trailer, Paranormal Activity.
Voiceovers
Voiceovers are used to tell the story and give credit information.
This medium close-up is shown whilst a voiceover is played in the background. The sound is the voice of the character, he is describing the tapes, '80 tapes the last homeowners left in the basement'.
The next voiceover is used to explain what the camera can do, similar to the tapes. Both shots have similarities; low-key lighting, involvement with the antagonist however they are portrayed in opposite ways. The tapes are shown using a high angle, juxtaposing the position of the camera, showing the increase in power of the antagonist as the trailer unfolds.
Cast
The star actors/characters of the film are normally showcased, within the credits.
Paranormal Activity challenges this convention as it does not show any cast members throughout the trailer. This enhances the viewers attention onto the storyline and creates a sense of reality.
One horror trailer that follows this convention is Insidious. At the end of the trailer, a list of actors are presented on screen (credits). Audiences then get more of an indication as they could enjoy or dislike certain actors.
Dialogue
Conversations between characters often consist of one-liners.
Most horror trailers include short phrases of dialogue throughout the trailer. Keeping this minimal reveals less of the storyline, as well as the characters personalities and their roles.
'Did you see that?' , 'Look at this camera' , 'It's so big'.
These phrases are all taken from Paranormal activity as they support the convention. 'Look at this camera' puts the audiences attention onto the object as they are being told what to do. It also highlights this camera as he wants to people to engage with it.
Titles
The films titles may not appear until the end.
In paranormal activity the titles do not start appearing until the end of the trailer. Like the dialogue, it consists of small phrases. Adjacent coloures are used so the writing is clear and easy to read, considering each slide is on for a small amount of time (2 seconds).
Editing
Montage (a series of shots from different points in the film, edited together) is often used to highlight the most dramatic, humorous or fast-paced aspects of the film.
Paranormal Activity follows this convention as it shows a series of frightened faces from different points of the film, including some locations we may not be familiar with yet. These would be the key points of the film.
Music
Music plays an important role in creating atmosphere.
The volume in the trailer gradually becomes louder coinciding with the pace of the editing. Sudden sounds create tension as they are not expected. Found sound of crashes add realism to the trailer making audiences feel on edge.
Sudden sharp movements builds suspense and when the action appears viewers are more jumpy.
Climax
The trailer builds to a climax, where it ends
The climax normally consists of the main action performed by the antagonist. Paranormal Activity follows this convention as the climax is at the end of the film, has fast-paced editing and loud screeching sound effects.
When the climax ends, there is normally one last shot which opposes this as it is silent and contains less movement.
Camera
Dramatic camera angles may be chosen to show events or characters
Throughout the trailer we can tell that the young girl is the victim. High-angle shots portray the character as vulnerable and powerless.
