Analysing Horror Trailers 1 - 'The Conjuring'

The first horror trailer I am going to look at is for the film 'The Conjuring'.

            

               

The trailer contains the following horror conventions:

• Production companies that are known for making horror films
• Production company ident has been altered so it is more appropriate for the genre (black and white, low-key lighting, storm clouds)
• Low-key lighting
• Found footage (typical of certain horror film sub-genres)
• Enhanced impact sounds, meant to jump scare/shock the audience
• Horror iconography such as skulls, seances, cemetery, isolated houses, hanging
• Scenes of unexplained possession
• References to other horror films in the title cards ('Saw' and 'Insidious')
• Sinister non-diegetic music
• Loose framing making characters appear vulnerable
• Fades to black
• Fast pace of editing during moments of intensity
• Typical characters - the investigator, the psychic, the victims, the priest, the monster
• Tagline references the genre ('haunting', 'possession') and makes direct reference to the audience
• The font reflects the genre (old, serif)