Research on the trailer 'The Omen'

In this lesson I researched into the codes and conventions of trailers, in the genre of horror, in preparation for my advanced production. For part of my coursework at A2, we have to produce a trailer or a short film. I have taken it upon myself to research into trailers as I will have to decide whether I should do a trailer or short movie. I also thought it would be appropriate to research into the horror genre, as this is a genre I am particularly interested in. I specifically looked at the trailers for 'The Shining' and 'The Omen' as they are two different trailers which are associated with the same genre.

In ‘The Omen’ the significant techniques used in this trailer were:

·         At the beginning of the trailer there is a classification which indicates who the movie is appropriate for, this is then followed by the company the movie was produced by, for example ‘20^th century fox’ This is the production company which produced the film.

·         At the opening of the trailer there is an establishing shot which tracks to the boy on the screen, this is significant as it set the scene of the film.

·         The mis-en-scene portrays a simplistic scene, the setting being in a play area, enigma relates to the setting as a play area stereotypically shows happiness which contrasts in this trailer as the play area is portrayed as enigmatic through the use of lighting and sound to create the horror genre.

·         Uniquely, in this trailer there are no cuts or edits used in the trailer

·         The costume is a key signifier, as the outfit is red symbolising danger, eye-catching, this is a connotation of an evil side to the child.

·         Diagetic sound of the swing is enhance d to create a eerie sound giving off a sense of mystery. The composition of sound, parallel sound is used as there are three different sound effects occurring at the same time.

·         The  key sound  continuing throughout the film is the drumming sounds, there is a climax created in the music, at that point the boys head turn to address the audience

·         Lighting enhances the sense of horror in this trailer though the use of key lighting in the background. Through using lighting in the back, it creates a silhouette which mirrors the idea of the unknown. The lighting could also be classed as a signifier of hope as the light could portray a sense of goodness in contrast the darkness.