Analysis - The Shining
This is the trailer of the 1980's, 'The Shining'
'The Shining is based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. Former teacher and recovering alcoholic Jack Torrance (Nicholson) interviews for a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel in an effort to rebuild his life after his volatile temper lost him a teaching position. The hotel manager, Mr. Ullman, warns Jack that he and his family will be snowbound through most of the winter and of the potential for cabin fever. He further reinforces his point by recounting a season when the caretaker, Charles Grady, went crazy and brutally killed his wife, his two girls (ages eight and ten), and finally himself. Given his own desperation and the opportunity to pursue his true passion, writing, Jack acknowledges the warning, but accepts the job.'
- http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/the-shining/trailer#e994VscOP5BvZvLh.99 '
This trailer, like most horror trailers of this era, begins from the beginning of the movie and essculates in order of the film; almost like a mini, short movie. It begins with a voice over explaining the history of the hotel while visually showing the hotel itself. During this introduction there is also a dramatic musical piece played, creating suspension. While telling the history, Jack is shown leading to the exact same unfortunate fate. However it then flashes back to Jack ironically quoting "You can rest assure Mr.Roman, that's not going to happen with me"; while devilshly smirking. Furthermore, a birds eye view is shown over the hotel and onto a scene of the family in their car, driving to the their part-time home hotel. Theatrical music is played again continuing on throughout the remaining trailer. A series of events reveal Jacks condition worsening - increasing the tension and terror as scenes become uncomfortable and frightening. The last thirty seconds of the trailer consist of clips merged together in a very fast pace of Jack attempting to kill his wife and son; Ending with the bloody red, creepy title 'The Shining'.
Analysis - The Hostel
This trailer of the more recent film 'Hostel' is much different to 'The Shining' trailer. This trailer is far more mysterious and unexplained whereas 'The Shining' trailer, we basically see a short version of the film.
'Hostel' is a conventional film where we see the features we expect; death, blood, climax/dramatic scenes and good and bad characters. The trailer begins with a creepy setting under dim light, with close up shots - setting a grim, dismal and scary scene. Orange text is then used to stand out from the dark, black background with captions that relate to the setting - enabling the audience with a sense of plot. This text is used to grab the viewers attention, making them want to carry on reading. Already, they are curious.
Immediately after the first caption, there is a long shot of a man that appears to be wearing a uniform and mask, holding a hose. This already indicates that something sinister and creepy is about to evolve involving the characters. After the second caption 'where all your darkest' there is a topless man sitting with a cloth taken off his head revealing his head which is faced vaguely away from the camera; suggesting he may be avoiding or hiding something. The third caption 'sickest fantasies' reveals gives away a lot about the plot - indicating it will be a 'sick' grusume horror film involving human suffering. Shots of tools and following captions continue unveiling the events to take place. These tools are to be used against the victims - like all other horror films, this trailer links into this convention. The following scenes show a number of different victims, some attempting to escape and some that look as though they are apart/responsible of the sick and twisted events. Meaning that this could mean that the PROPP theory is included within the plot as like many other films.
Anaylis - Hide and Seak
I genuinely think this trailer is very creepy and having not seen the film, I'm defiantly interesting in watching it soon! Therefore, I can say I believe this trailer successfully archives its intentions of attracting a potential audience. I can see that the film has used well known, recognisable actors; suggesting that the film is of high budget and good quality.
The Trailer makes use of some classic horror conventions such as using a young child to create 'imaginary friends'; making their childhood innocence somewhat sinister. Like how many other movies
have developed, the trailer archives a creepy innocence.
The setting of the trailer is shown to be based in the characters family home. However in the trailer we learn this is fact the family's new home. This is incredibly common for a plot similar to 'Hide and Seek'.
The trailer uses restricted narrative as not too much information is revealed, and each following clip is a surprise to the character and viewer.
This setting is suitable for the film as it means the characters are in their comfort zone where they can feel safe and secure; however as it's a change of home they may not feel so protected; especially the young girl.
Throughout the duration of the trailer, editing such as captions, are used to it's advantage to build the suspension. The main character, the young girl, is key to the amount of anxiety to the trailer. Her 'cute' and 'innocent' nature contradicts the conventions of the genre however at the same time; contributes to the creepiness and 'unknown' factors.
Towards the end of the trailer, the editing of clips becomes rapidly fast increasing the feeling of tension.
By this point the trailer is intense and alarming. By the very end, the trailer includes a creepy voice over that involves some vital information spoke by the little girl. This whispering escalates and climaxes just in time for the release date.
Analysis - The Hostel
This trailer of the more recent film 'Hostel' is much different to 'The Shining' trailer. This trailer is far more mysterious and unexplained whereas 'The Shining' trailer, we basically see a short version of the film.
'Hostel' is a conventional film where we see the features we expect; death, blood, climax/dramatic scenes and good and bad characters. The trailer begins with a creepy setting under dim light, with close up shots - setting a grim, dismal and scary scene. Orange text is then used to stand out from the dark, black background with captions that relate to the setting - enabling the audience with a sense of plot. This text is used to grab the viewers attention, making them want to carry on reading. Already, they are curious.
Immediately after the first caption, there is a long shot of a man that appears to be wearing a uniform and mask, holding a hose. This already indicates that something sinister and creepy is about to evolve involving the characters. After the second caption 'where all your darkest' there is a topless man sitting with a cloth taken off his head revealing his head which is faced vaguely away from the camera; suggesting he may be avoiding or hiding something. The third caption 'sickest fantasies' reveals gives away a lot about the plot - indicating it will be a 'sick' grusume horror film involving human suffering. Shots of tools and following captions continue unveiling the events to take place. These tools are to be used against the victims - like all other horror films, this trailer links into this convention. The following scenes show a number of different victims, some attempting to escape and some that look as though they are apart/responsible of the sick and twisted events. Meaning that this could mean that the PROPP theory is included within the plot as like many other films.
Anaylis - Hide and Seak
I genuinely think this trailer is very creepy and having not seen the film, I'm defiantly interesting in watching it soon! Therefore, I can say I believe this trailer successfully archives its intentions of attracting a potential audience. I can see that the film has used well known, recognisable actors; suggesting that the film is of high budget and good quality.
The Trailer makes use of some classic horror conventions such as using a young child to create 'imaginary friends'; making their childhood innocence somewhat sinister. Like how many other movies
have developed, the trailer archives a creepy innocence.
The setting of the trailer is shown to be based in the characters family home. However in the trailer we learn this is fact the family's new home. This is incredibly common for a plot similar to 'Hide and Seek'.
The trailer uses restricted narrative as not too much information is revealed, and each following clip is a surprise to the character and viewer.
This setting is suitable for the film as it means the characters are in their comfort zone where they can feel safe and secure; however as it's a change of home they may not feel so protected; especially the young girl.
Throughout the duration of the trailer, editing such as captions, are used to it's advantage to build the suspension. The main character, the young girl, is key to the amount of anxiety to the trailer. Her 'cute' and 'innocent' nature contradicts the conventions of the genre however at the same time; contributes to the creepiness and 'unknown' factors.
Towards the end of the trailer, the editing of clips becomes rapidly fast increasing the feeling of tension.
By this point the trailer is intense and alarming. By the very end, the trailer includes a creepy voice over that involves some vital information spoke by the little girl. This whispering escalates and climaxes just in time for the release date.
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