Researching Horror Trailers

In preparation for making a radio trailer for our film, I have decided to watch some horror trailers online and focus on their audio. By watching various horror trailers, I will get a good idea of what codes and conventions are commonly used to portray the genre and entice the audience just by using audio. The Amityville Horror (2005) Audi o Effec t Clips of Characters Speech its beautiful . Along with the choir and orchestra- house appears beautiful and tells us characters are fond of the house family - Contrasts with the gunshot as you wouldnt place such sounds of violence in association with the ones you love. Emphasizes that the tragedy took place in a family home and suggests that the next family to move in may be in danger. well houses dont kill people Shows that the characters are determined and sets up the rest of the storythat the characters want the house anyway. the perfect family Suggests that nothing can break it or cause it harm; the piano tones stop on the word family and last tone is faded out. This implies that this is about to change girl in my closet- Young child has obviously developed an imaginary threat who poses as a Instrumental Soprano choir and high pitched orchestral tonesSounds heavenly and calming- lures the audience into a false sense of security. The choir stops when tale of houses past is told, accentuating the scariness of the story and lack of appeal for the house. Crescendo of orchestral chords getting higher in pitch- Builds tension and prepares the audience for a negative event Soprano choir and high pitched orchestral tonesGradually getting lower in pitch, contrasts with speech by characters and suggests hope for the family who believe houses dont kill people. Shows that the family still find the house appealing. Piano tones- mid pitch A calming melody along with childrens laughter is suggestive of the perfect first few days endured by the Sound Effects Disconnected telephone - An edgy sound, suggests that the user of the phone has been cut-off mid conversation or phone is disabled- leaving characters vulnerable and secluded. Gun shot- Mirrors the story told by character as she explains the previous murders. Emphasizes the eeriness of the house. get out- ghostly murmur accentuates the idea that the film surrounds supernatural happenings and compliments the young characters speech jodie wont hurt you, but the man here, he is bad. Allows the audience to get an idea about the plot which we believe to be about a supernatural power that haunts the house.

threat to perfect family as it draws parallels to the slaughtered family who lived in the house before them. just seeing things I guess suggestive of imposing danger and supernatural happenings.

characters in new house- however is still quite eerie and false, audience expects something to change Dark, deep orchestral crescendo along with childrens laughterbuilds tension and eerie atmosphere Orchestral chords boom- often happens when tension is high and something is uncovered.

Overall, from the trailer I have noticed that a lot of orchestral chords and tones are used to build tension; short sharp crescendos are used to indicate significant events and shock the audience. Lulling the audience into a false sense of security allows the change of events to surprise the audience and make the tension and dark atmosphere even more intense. I also found that only important clips of speech were used to tell the plot and get straight to the point, this way, the film is left unspoiled and the audience know just enough to understand the story. The House of Wax (2005) Audio Effect Clips of Characters Speech what does he want? suggests an imposing character, perhaps one who will be the predator later on in the story. he was a freak differences between characters are noticed and suggests that predator is an outcast. I dont think anyones here- suggests a secluded location and creates tension. tell me this isnt real Instrumental Hollow, wind-like moans set the scene for the beginning of the trailer to create an eerie atmosphere. Distorted melody broken up with sounds of thunder and low breathscreates tension and makes the audience feel on edge. Low chords with deep chiming and scratching- sounds Sound Effects Metallic sounding boom suggests a threat and signifies a negative encounter. Glass smash with metallic after tones could represent a conflict between characters and acts of violent behavior. Laughter echoed to suggest past times in the building and contrast with the silence.

not only fits with the plot but also has a double meaning; the situation is so horrifying that it cannot be real. youre saying thats a real person underneath? - gives the audience an insight to the plot as we already know they are at the house of wax help! Please somebody! accentuates how secluded the area is and creates suspense as we feel helpless.

quite like the inside of an old church. Creates a scary image of an old building, which suggests that the plot surrounds an abandoned building. Wind-like whooshing builds up to create suspense and accompany the characters speech. Drum beat- slow with a hollow sound behind it- creates tension and represents the fastpaced, frenzy of the situation Whooshing crescendo building up, accompanied by screams and sounds of sludging makes the audience use their imaginations. Fast beating accompanied with piano chords- quite an uncomfortable noise, which increases the audiences ongrowing tension

Screams suggest a confrontation and puts the audience on edge. Screaming/screechi ng bird repeatedly cawing to create edge and suspension. Sludge noises to represent the idea of wax and coincide with the plot. Silence followed by screaming- plays on the audiences tension and suspense.

Overall, from this trailer, I have noticed that low, metallic and hollow sounds are used to create tension and increase suspense felt by the audience. Use of characters speech is really important to give the audience an insight about the plot without giving away any key points thatll spoil the story line. Picking out the most effective quotes will make the audiences imaginations picture events that the plot could feature, and make them even more curious to see the film. After researching many trailers, I have found that audio is really important when it comes to creating tension and suspense, as it sets the atmosphere and sets the genre for the film. I have also found that it is really important to chose relevant, effective quotes from characters in the film as it gives the audience some information surrounding the plot and forms their

curiosity as to whether they want to see the film or not. The two trailers I have analyzed do not have narration, however, some of the trailers I watched contained a voice over, which I think is quite effective- It will be useful to us as our film does not feature much speech.