Title Analysis – Devil Inside

By Dominic Edwards

The trailer opens with the text being typed on the screen. This title is simple and visible for the audience to see, but gives little information of the actual story. The simplicity of the text and little use of colours makes it eerie for the audience as they do not know much about the story from this, giving it a horror like atmosphere as the audience only focus on the text itself. This also makes the audience feel uneasy as they don’t know what has just happened or how these men have died unknowing of what to expect as the trailer then progresses.The next titles shots come later in the trailer, being put on after most of the trailer has progressed to make the audience question the conclusion of the movie, having already been indulged in the trailer itself. In the background it fades from black to white presenting satanic symbols, this suggests that the presence of religion and satanic symbols is strong throughout the film, suggesting it is the main theme of horror in this film. The colours of grey and blood red suggest impurity and evil. Linking the black that fades into the grey suggests it is invading the light, symbolising that something can appear innocent but is in fact harmful, which may be a contributing factor to the story, suggesting demonic possession. The dark, blood red titles and sadistic symbols resemble harm and death within the film, preferably by a dark being – suggesting a mysterious evil that is likely to hurt. The titles later in the trailer add in related conflicts that have occurred overtime “Between Science and Religion”. By using different font sizes highlighting the words ‘Science’ and ‘Religion’ expresses two main themes in this film, keeping the large font size it emphasises the words and allows it to stick in the audiences mind. The pace of the trailer picks up, as do the titles creating a sense of fear for the audience and further indulging them into the trailer – there is no change to the titles throughout suggesting that the intention is to not distract the audience but keep it subtle. This could relate to the theme of demonic possession that occurs throughout the trailer as there is nothing seen that is unusual to the human eye, but keeping it human related may frighten audiences more due to the thoughts of another human being controlled to do harm to others.This text touches upon the feelings of the audience as the simplicity of the text is very direct. But it also suggests that there is some hope within the story and there is a purpose to it. The crucifixes’ on the title have been burnt, this also suggests a closer look at religion and hell, as if they have been burnt there rather than scratched in. Again this is direct to the audience and links closely to the fact that demons are walking among Gods city on Earth (The Vatican), as it says that ‘No soul is safe’ suggesting that even the audience aren’t. Striking fear into them.Finally the title of the film is shown with a twist to it. The ‘D’ is inverted suggesting it has been tampered with by demons, but it also suggests by the fact that it is facing inwards that it relates to demon possession. Like all previous text fonts it is old fashioned but simple, this suggests that the evil presence is powerful and sophisticated. Also relating back to previous texts that the evil presence in the trailer has control of what happens, making it direct and clear for the audience.It has already said about the month it is released but it has not suggested anything else. This allows the audience to keep an eye out for it. It also has the website and companies who developed it at the bottom. This is done for distributing reasons to promote the film and organisations.

Devil Inside

Title Analysis - Jessabelle

JessabelleThe first title shot of the film is the text of previous successes of the producer of this film. This immediately grabs the audiences attention, especially horror fan groups as they have high expectations for the film and draws in outside audiences. The font style used in this trailer is very simple and thin, which seems to fit in with the forest like background given as the dark colours of the trees contrast with the white background, making the writing look like twigs and branches therefore standing out against the background. The recurring background of the forest and two contrasting colours does not change throughout the trailer. Although the area of the forest is different each time, this could suggest entrapment in this movie as the protagonist is in a wheel chair after being in an accident, suggesting vulnerability. The background also has a hint of green added to it. Green symbolises a supernatural presence within the film and having it covering the entire background in a shady way suggests that the area in which this is based is sick, and suggests that something is hidden within the story, hence why the green shade is attempting to hide in the darkness of the shots, which represents mystery and evil.This text is more distinct now that we know a little bit of the story, although the background which includes the same theme has more darkness to it, suggesting that the ‘past’ is still to be concluded within the trailer or the film. ‘A secret from the past’ relates to how distant the family are in the trailer, but it also suggests to the audience that whatever the presence is in this film, it is attached to the family. This text is covered by a large amount of darkness, suggesting that the secret from the past is a dark one and related to the supernatural presence in this film. Also suggesting that the secret is mysterious and related to the protagonist who has to venture to find it out. Becoming the motive for this story. The background becomes very distinct in this shot, this is so the darkness can contrast with the white mist to show the text in a better light. This is to make it more visible for the audience, but mist can be a sign of a ghostly presence, suggesting that the protagonist in this story has a background full of death and disturbance. The background is very muddy and marshy looking. This colourless effect only creates an eerie atmosphere, and makes the area seem more open than it is. The title has jagged edges which suggests the person with this name is affected by the events in the trailer, or she is frail and vulnerable in the movie, suggesting that the darkness around her is stronger and closing in on her. The white background that shows up the dark trees emphasises the dead surroundings by highlighting the fact that life is little around the area. This shot promotes the film, adding the producing and distributing organisations and their symbols. This also adds the website and another way of contacting in this, using Snapchat. Using this they can promote by the use of pictures, only allowing viewers to focus on specifics. The use of coming soon allows the audience to think about it and remember when they first saw the trailer when they see it advertised elsewhere.

Title Analysis - Insidious 2

Insidious 2The text in the opening title shot is very simple and peaceful looking, a gentle feel about it with no edge to it. Unusual for a horror movie unless it is trying to lead the audience into a false sense of belief. Keeping the edge off as they recap on the prequel to this film. The peaceful font could be symbolising light in the family but against the dark background it doesn’t just highlight the text but also shows how the family are far from peace depending on the events in the film. As the trailer progresses we see the text changes and has a sharper edge to it, with the previous texts they fade in to show fluency and dictates the pace of the trailer, but this text flashes up quickly, getting more uncomfortable as they seem more sharp and dictatorial of the pace of the trailer. ‘THIS FALL’ suggests this film will be in the Autumn (as in the fall of the leaves), but using fall makes it more simple to read and fits the genre of the film, fitting with the change of background that shows a wall with a hint of green shining on it, this suggests sickness or a paranormal presence is active in the film. The use of red I the text expresses evil or blood is to be spilt , but it also highlights the previous work of the producer in this film as this is in a white font against the dark colours. The wall background does suggest entrapment in this film, how the family can’t escape certain situations.The light in these title shots dims and allows a more distinct focus on the title, this suggests that events from the last film will be unveiled and in a way promotes the first film. This could make people who have not seen the prequel now watch it to get into the film series. The ‘S’ in red suggests the presence of ‘Sadistic presences’ in this film as the dark red is the colour of blood and evil. Also suggesting that the evil within this film spills blood at some point. For viewers that have seen the first film they want to see how the events that finished the first film will play out and whether or not the family will find safety and a balance in the equilibrium.This shot promotes the film, adding the producing and distributing organisations and their symbols. This also adds the website and another way of contacting in this. It also states ‘FRIDAY THE 13 th ‘ which is a day associated with bad luck and supernatural happenings, further promoting the film and having a memorable day for people to go and watch it on.

GREEN SCREENOne Similarity I did notice in all three of these trailers was the green screen at the beginning. This tells the viewers the content in the film and whether it is appropriate for them, stating information like violent content or scenes of a horror nature.