HORROR DO’S AND DONT’SBy Adam Mcgrath

DO; USE LOW KEY LIGHTING

• The use of low key lighting is a common horror convention in both trailers and horror films. Not only this but low key lighting is used to show the audience that disruption has occurred and provide additional information about the shot/shots that are happening without giving away too much about the narrative.

• An example of effective use of low key lighting is in the Annabelle (2014) trailer where low key lighting is used to show where and when disruption is going to occur.

DO; USE MUSIC THAT RELATES TO THE GENRE

• Within a trailer it is important that an audience can identify what genre of film the trailer represents, to do this the music must match the horror genre however in some cases non-conventional music may be used to create confusion but still incorporate horror conventions ensuring the audience can still identify the genre the trailer belongs to.

• An example of non-convential horror music used is in 10 cloverfield lane (2016) where initially it appears to be not a horror movie however other techniques conventionally found in horror trailers are then used to reveal the trailer as being a horror.

• An example of conventional music found in a horror trailer is found in The Boy (2016) where horror specific type music is found through out the trailer.

DO/DONT; PROVIDE SOME INFORMATION OF THE PLOT

• In a trailer it is as equally important to give information as it is to not, too much information will lead to the audience becoming disinterested in the film and not finding the trailer effective enough to want to see it however not giving enough information about the film in a trailer can also create disinterest by the audience thinking the film lacks narrative substance and hence not see the film.

• It is important to find the right balance between the two in the trailer and keep the audience hook on suspense and mystery while not ruining the plot by giving too much away.

DO; USE JUMP SCARES

• Jump scares are a common convention and visual technique used in horror trailers and give a taster of what is to come in the film and keeps the audience in suspense after they have watched the trailer and think about what the film will be like.

• One trailer that does this effectively is the The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (2015) trailer after the reveal of the title and release date, the use of the effective jump scare right at the end of the trailer makes the audience guess as to what is to come for the real film.

DON’T; SHOW THE ANTAGONIST

• Often showing the antagonist in the trailer can take away all the suspense and mystery built up. Instead of out right showing the antagonist camera techniques should be used to create mystery about the identity of the antagonist and leave the identity of the antagonist open to the interpretation of the audience. Doing this will keep the audience thinking about the antagonist after the trailer and make them watch the film.

DO; USE DIFFERENT EDITING TYPES

• Switching between linear and non-linear editing and slow and fast editing can distinguish to the audience whether disruption or equilibrium is occurring in the trailer. However another effect it can have is it can disorientate the audience creating suspense around the trailer.

DON’T; USE BRIGHT COLOURS

• Using bright colours within a trailer can have different effects. Using for instance single flashes of bright red on a washed grey background in a shot can be useful when implying danger or death however using overall bright colours in the trailer constantly can cause confusion with the audience and not identify the trailer as belonging to the horror genre. Again bright colours can be used but used in the right way and in the correct context such as during equilibrium where no disruption has occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

• Hopefully making this powerpoint will allow me to set guidelines for the creation of an effective horror trailer.