Mise-en-Scene Analysis

Horror Trailers

• The Resident (2011)• Gone Girl (2014)• Prisoners (2013)

Chosen Trailers

LightingTop Left and Bottom Left are screenshots from a

trailer for ‘The Resident’, the left middle is a screenshot from the ‘Gone Girl’ Trailer and bottom

right is from ‘Prisoners’. All images show a setting with very little natural light, illuminated only by artificial

light from lights or torches. This heightens the sense of suspense and inspires a fear of the unknown.

The use of harsh lighting amongst dark surroundings in the bottom right screenshot alters the colour of the

figure in the light to a high saturation and exposure level which makes the character appear more

unnatural and therefore scary.

Costume

Prisoners (2013)

The ‘prisoners’ screenshot shows a figure trying to keep his identity secret using a hood, this instantly portrays him as a

possible antagonist opening up the opportunity for potential a misdirection in the screenplay. ‘The Resident’ trailer

screenshot shows clothes bloodied after the protagonist has been attacked by the villain, this shows the vulnerability behind the character. The ‘Gone Girl’ screenshot shows a

male character dressed in casual clothes, this presents the scene as being somewhat relaxed and non-threatening,

which could be an effective misdirection if a violent scene was to follow and catch the viewers off guard. Casual clothes

also reinforce the belief that everyday people could be subject to the horrors on screen.

The Resident (2011) Gone Girl (2014)

Facial Expressions & Body LanguageThe top left and bottom left screenshots show two male characters looking angry and frustrated to the point of outburst, these expressions heighten the

tension within the scene and leads the viewer to fear an outburst of violence.

The immediate left screenshot shows a male character appearing suspicious and cautious in movement which leads the viewer to believe there is something to fear in the character’s immediate surroundings; ensuing a

sense of uneasiness in the viewer.The bottom right screenshot shows a woman recoiling in shock after a window is slammed down in front of her, this facial expression simply recognises that the

occurrence was unexpected and brings shock value to the scene.

Prisoners (2013) The Resident (2011)

Gone Girl (2014)

Setting

The above 2 screenshots are from ‘Gone Girl’ and display the inside and outside of the protagonists home, the fact that the protagonists house is a primary setting for a horror film leads the viewer to question that if they

are not safe in their own home is anywhere safe from danger? The bottom right and left screenshots from ‘The Resident’ employ the same technique.

The images on the left are screenshots from ‘Prisoners’ and capture an outdoor setting with heavy emphasis on large trees and forests. The fact

that the trees are so huge in comparison to the figures inspires a sense of vulnerability that we feel for the characters . Forests also provide lots of

cover and potential hiding spots for antagonists which furthers the feeling of vulnerability in the protagonists whilst pushing suspicion of the

unknown upon the viewer.

Props The two screenshots on the left are from ‘The Resident’ trailer. The top one shows a discreet camera that was formally hidden amongst books before being uncovered. The fact that the camera has only just been

uncovered on screen leads the audience to believe that it has been there for some time previous and that it has captured footage of all goings on, this furthers the sense of unease and leads the audience to question if they are being watched in their own homes. The PC monitor pictured

middle left shown after the discovery of the camera presents technology as potentially being used by the antagonist to uncover information on the

protagonist and exploit this to the protagonists detriment. The bottom left screenshot is from the ‘Prisoners’ trailer. A gun being picked up by the protagonist takes centre stage in the image which leads the audience to believe it will be put to use later in the film meaning danger is to come.

The bottom right screenshot is from ‘Gone Girl’ and shows a man examining a photo of a missing girl under torchlight. The fact that the photo is similar to ones the audience will likely have of themselves or

family members furthers the sense that horrific events like those being depicted on screen can happen to everyday people.