Scream Scream is a 1996 American produced horror/thriller that centres on the town of Woodsboro which becomes a target for the masked Ghostfaced villain. The trailer for the film centres on the character of Casey who answers the phone to a mystery caller to find out that the person is watching her. Following this a variety of shots are incorporated to add to the suspense and drama of the trailer. The film was considered a unique production for challenging the stereotypes of thriller and horror movies through the characters openly discussing the films.

The film was produced by Dimension films, which in

1996 remained a subsidiary of the Walt

Disney Company. Their franchises include Halloween, Scream, Scary Movie

and Spy Kids.

Titles The title incorporates the font in the colour white which connotes purity and innocence. This could be argued to be directly linked to the nature of the characters that the antagonist is attacking and is in comparison to the protagonists clothing. The white font is juxtaposed against a black background, which signifies mystery and danger. The font then changes to the colour red upon the asynchronous diegetic sound of the girl screaming within the trailer. This suggests the danger that the character is in, and the use of the red coloring connotes danger and fear. Moreover, the titles use a font that is in comparison to the disorientation that the antagonist causes when attacking the victims.

Mise-en-scene

The trailer for the film begins with Casey who is isolated and alone answering a phone call. Casey’s costume within the scene is a white jumper which connotes that the character is innocent and pure. This is juxtaposed against the costume of the antagonist who is depicted wearing a long black cloak, which is in contrast to the Casey’s clothing as black connotes mystery and power. This would show a

conventional portrayal of thrillers which often represent the contrast between good and bad as well as demonstrating the female character vulnerable when facing the antagonist. Additionally, the villain is masked which is used to conceal the identity of the attacker and creates mystery and suspense within the trailer. The setting of the scene within the trailer is a large house, as the scene only features one person this represents how isolated and at risk her character is within the situation. Additionally, at the end it states ‘do not open the door’; this signifies that something

from the outside could pose a threat to the atmosphere within the house. This can be specifically seen within the contrast between the house and the forest outside which is conveys that the outside is dark and unfamiliar. Additionally, the within the trailer when the girl first answers the phone the scene begins with high-key lighting this

conveys that the scene is one that is normal and has no evidence of threat within it. However, when the camera pans around to look at the view outside the scene the lighting changes to low-key lighting connoting mystery towards what could happen next. The use of props plays an essential part within the scene; this can be specifically seen within the telephone, which all the characters use before they are attacked. When the characters answer the phone they are all unaware who is on the other end and is effective in establishing the panic of the characters and creates suspense for the audience.

Additionally, knives are used when Casey is in the kitchen which is used to signify that there is still a presence of danger within the environment.

Camera Work The trailer starts with a mid-shot, this emphasises that she is open and confident when answering the phone and does not feel as if she is in danger. Therefore, adding to the suspense as it is a shock when the attacker enters the private setting. Additionally, the trailer incorporates the initial use of a tracking shot. Through the camera following her actions as she is walking around the house with the phone this provides the view of her character being watched and creates the idea of tension and suspense within the trailer. In addition, this emphasises that her character is alone and isolated. The trailer also features a close-up shot on both the girls face and the prop of the telephone. The close-up on the telephone is effective as it demonstrates that it shows

vital importance to the film and a reoccurring theme in the film.. The scene then cuts

away to an establishing shot, which highlights the environment that the scene is set in and through showing it from the outside looking in this is comparable to the antagonist that is watching the girl from outside. Additionally, this scene incorporates a tilt, which illustrates the swing moving outside which suggests that somebody is outside the house. The close-up on the girl is shown when the person on the phone says ‘I want to know who I am looking at’, therefore representing her panic and fear which sub-sequentially followed by close-ups of her locking the doors to stop the intruder. Editing The scene uses editing through the use of a reaction shot when the victims are attacked. This is designed to highlight the characters reactions to when they are approached by the masked character. Therefore, showing the fear they have when the person on the phone tells them they ‘want to know who they watching’. Additionally, the scene uses a cut away to police call, which demonstrates the situation is seen as an emergency and builds tension when it reads there is a ‘killer in the house’. Additionally, the trailer begins long take with the girl walking around the house talking on the phone, which highlights the calm environment that she is in. However, after this the trailer uses fast paced editing to highlight the panic caused by the attacker within the scene. This can be specifically seen when the attacker throws something through the window, which creates disorientation within the scene. The titles and captions on the film are designed to emphasize the narrative of the film. These create suspense through their quick and catchy phrases and through them fading to black, this signifies that the scene has ended.

Sound The trailer begins with the use of asynchronous background music through the use of the girl screaming when the titles appear on the screen. This is effective as it immediately allows the audience to identify the nature of the film trailer through the scream and allows them to identify the films genre. It also creates mystery and leaves the audience wondering what will happen to the girl in the scene. The trailer also incorporates the use of a voice over, this is effective as the trailer is directly speaking to the audience and draws them into the action. Additionally, the dialogue within the scene could be seen as ironic which is a key topic in scream as they are discussing horror films whilst on the phone to the antagonist. Furthermore, through incorporating the ambient sound of police sirens this signifies crime and danger which matches with the themes of the thriller.

Conventions of genre

Thrillers are conventionally used to create suspense and a dramatic feel to the scene through using constant twists to the plot within the scene. This can be identified through the changes from being a calm environment, to one of panic when the protagonist is attacked. Additionally, a central theme of thrillers is the idea of isolation, which demonstrates the characters as alone and vulnerable. This can be specifically seen within scream as the female protagonist is shown as being alone and isolated in a large house. Scream also incorporates the use of a vulnerable female character, which is conventional to thriller as they are identified as being more at risk, specifically when they are alone. Furthermore, the antagonist within the scene is shown wearing a mask which is conventional to thrillers as it suggests mystery. Conventions of the Form Film Trailers are usually specifically designed to create a snapshot of the movie, so that they can interest their target market. This can be seen within Scream as it shows part of what happens to the character but does not reveal the end, so that the audience will be interested to see the film. Additionally, film trailers conventionally feature production information, captions and credits, this is designed to create a professional look to the piece and through adding the directors name Wes Craven adds a recognizable figure. Representation

Casey is shown to be a vulnerable female character who is in an isolated environment when she is attacked by Ghostface. This is a conventional portrayal of characters in thrillers and horrors as they are normally attacked when they are alone. Additionally, her position as a female is conventional as it shows her as weak and exposed to the antagonist. The characters clothing is used to signify her as innocent and is juxtaposed

against the clothing of the antagonist.

Ghostface is seen as the conventional villain in a thriller/horror. This can be specifically seen in his mask which conceals his identity which adds to the suspense and drama of the situation. The costume is a typical Halloween costume and features the use dark clothing which connotes mystery and power.

Dewey Riley is the deputy sheriff in Woodsboro. Consequentially his character is seen to have a higher level of authority on the situation and his

clothing matches with his role.

Gale Weathers is the reporter for Top Story on the Woodsboro murders. Her character initially plays a exterior role in the Ghostface murders however, she has a increased input in the film. Her clothing is seen as neutral colours initially when she is reporting however, when she is more involved in the situation at Woodsboro her costume changes to darker colours.