OCR A2 Media Studies

Conventions of Horror Trailers

Film Company Logos• In the opening seconds of a trailer, you

usually see the film institution that is producing the film e.g. Columbia, Warner Bros.• This is often used not just to identify the

film institution, but can attract a particular audience, as they may have liked a film that was produced by them• It will also create an idea of what particular

budget the film has. For example, if a film had a Twentieth Century Fox logo, then it will be immediately highlight that the film has had a big budget

Character Introductions• It is vital in a film trailer, that the audience

gets introduced to the main characters, as it means that they can form a bond/connection with them.• For example, if there is a young female

character in the film, people from the target audience who are young and female will connect to the character e.g. Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games• If the film has famous actors/actresses and

the audience has enjoyed some of their previous films, they might go to watch the film, because they have liked their previous work

Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games (2012)

The Use of Voice Overs• The use of voice-overs is common in Horror Film

Trailers• They are usually used at the beginning of a trailer to

explain the key narrative/context of the film.• Different voices may be used to create an eerie

effect• Straps may be used to inform the viewer of

important information such as context, the name of the film or cast

The Use of Titles• Titles are almost certainly a main convention of a horror

trailer.• They can reveal basic plot details, however they mostly

drop hints about what is going to happen in the film.Language/Vocabulary Choices• Rhetorical questions are often found in titles, as they

are open ended and do not give away too much about the film.

• Imperatives are often used such as “will” and “must”, adding tension as it makes it certain that is going to happen.

Sentence Structures• Basic sentences are used, not containing too many

words, so that the audience can read and understand what is being displayed on the screen quickly.

The Length of the Trailer• Usually film institutions make multiple trailers for a

particular film.• There will always be an official trailer, which will last

between 1:30 and 2:00.• Sometimes in horror/action/thriller, they may have

shorter trailers, which build hype.• These shorter trailers may just show a short clip,

which may or may not include the title of the film.

Editing and Camera Angles• Horror Trailers usually start off with long camera shots

with little use of cuts• Fast paced shots are used during violence/chase

scenes, so that the audience cannot get a clear idea about what is going on, which increases the tension• The speed increases throughout the trailer until

reaching the peak• A diverse range of camera shots/angles are used• Dead Black outs adds suspense and anticipation. It

can also represent the end of something thrilling.