Detailed analysis of Haunting in Connecticut

As this film is a horror, it is targeted as people who enjoy this genre. Both genders aged 15+ as this is the certificate of the film. The location/setting of this film is in a normal american home in Connecticut, there is a few scenes outside of the house but most of the film is based in the house as that is main storyline of the film.
The Cambells, an ordinary family move into a house (a former mortuary) to help the strains of travel on their cancer-stricken son, Matthew. The family soon becomes haunted by violent and traumatic events from supernatural forces occupying the house.


The first thing we see is MPAA, which we see on all trailers. We then see the company logo for 1 - 2 seconds. Voiceover starts as the logo is fading of the screen. Then there is an establishing shot to show us the location/setting of the film. This is very normal with a feeling of calm as we are shown a normal neighbourhood in the daylight. In contrast of the daylight it fades to a black screen with 'North Connecticut' in white small font, letting the audience know the exact location of the film as it is based on a true story. Cuts to a tracking shot of the houses passing by and a shot of the woman in the car. The voiceover continues the woman says: 'were just a regular family' letting us the audience know. The next caption states that it is a true story, that makes it feel more real to the audience, it is in the same style font as the first caption continuing the style throughout the trailer. At 0:20 when we see the caption the voiceover stops and all we hear is the music. Then fades to an establishing shot of the house in the daylight, where we hear the woman say 'its perfect' this sets the perfect scene of normality. Then cut to 7 different shots showing the family moving in to the new house, still with the feeling of calm. The next few shots are down in the basement where most of the actual film is set. At 0:39 we get a shot of the house in the dark where we know that things are about to change. Then cuts to each child in bed asleep apart from the main character matt. We then get the change in music when the matt see's a person in the reflection of the tv, the music gets more dramatic and louder. This is the turning point where we know that the action will rise. We then see different shots where they start realising that something is going on. Voiceover starts again at 0:55 this time the sister's voice. At 0:57 there is a loud sudden burst of music as we see a boy flash past the screen. Music goes back to normal and the story starts to unravel. The music then changes again at 1:06 then we see a close up shot of a mouldy apple. Then a shadow on the wall getting closer to matt, then cut to caption: 'this spring' letting us know when the film is coming out. Still in the same style however more light surrounding the text. Then there is a series of shots as the sister begins to work out whats going on as she does the shots get quicker and quicker. At 1:39 there is flashes of shots from the past building up the tension. The action begins to rise much quicker now the music is dramatic and fast and the shots are cutting quicker. Cut to a caption: 'fear' then the next series of shots go by quickly as the action is getting more intense. Then cut to another caption following the one before saying 'is real' then also cut to another series of shots also getting quicker and music getting faster as the action is really rising. The music starts getting high pitched as the shots are basically flashing past, the music pauses slighly a few times then starts again. We then reach the climax at 2:09 afterlong rising action. The music then slows down into a piano where we then see the title of the film continuing in the style of the captions with the same size text and font with the same style of light being shown onto it. This is like a logo reinforcing it to the audience. Then fade to a shot of matt looking in the window where he sees a scary reflection there is a sudden burst of loud music which contrasts with the slow piano music. This image will stick in the audiences mind.

Detailed analysis of The Descent

First thing we see is MPAA (motion picture association of America) which is the film ratings. The next shot is the film company logo. Sound effrects between the caption scenes and first shot. Then we get the introductory shot, the first 2 or 3 shots introduce us to the characters, Then we get a wide shot to allow us to see the location. The mood/atmosphere at the start of the trailer is very calm and normal, as it has been shot in daylight. Collection of medium shots with close ups. We then get a caption that says 'claustrophobia' the background is black and the font and is very small and flickers this sybolises the dark cave with the small amount of light they are getting from there helmets. The next shot hardly changes only a little bit of light is shown, dialogue from the characters and heavy breathing can be heardthis is buliding up the atmosphere. The next caption says 'disorientation' this matches what is going on in the trailer. The next shots are extended as there is dialouge between the characters and we need to hear the conversation or response tounderstand what is going on. The next caption is 'fear' there is a dramatic sound effect. The next section everything speeds up as it is the last third of the trailer. We then get credit reviews, short quotes and striking statements, saying who they are from underneath. There is 3 quotes and they appear over actual footage from the film. There is a slow build up the shots fade, then turn to cuts then there is no transitions when it reaches the climax. The next shot is the title of the film with a vast black background, fits in with the film. The very last image we see has to stick in the audiences mind, it has to be dramatic. Then we see 'coming soon' and the website address underneath in smaller font

Grid of 9

drag me to hell

Grid of 9

Grid of 9 the Crazies 2

The narrative structure of a film trailer

Aristotle identified the basic linear plot structure in 350 BC as a simple triangle of beginning, middle and ending. He observed that the middle section might involve some form of crisis, resolved by the end of the story.
In 1863, the German novelists Gustav Freytag published Die Technik Des Dramas in which he outlines his pyramid structure for the plot. Adapting Aristotle's basic triangle he added the idea of the plot complicating, introducing conflicts and building to a climax point, after which it falls away when the conflicts are resolved, the mysteries are also solved and we are finally left with a satisfactory resolution.




Exposition: The start of the story, the established situation before the story begins.

Rising action: The series of complications, conflicts and and layers of mystery that build toward the climax.

Climax: The turning point and the point with the highest intensity, emotionally or through action.

Falling action:
Action following the climax and pieces of the jigsaw falling in to place to solve the mysteries.

Resolution: Any disruptions caused by the rising action are returned to a state or 'normality', the mysteries are solved and as far as possible the established order of the start is returned. However where it can not return to the established order, justice is served.

This structure was the further developed in 1960s by Tzvetan Todorov in to his theory of equilibrium - disequilibrium - equilibrium.

Freytag's structure is noticeable in Hollywood output and is striking feature ofHollywood film trailers. The form of the triangle used below best represents the timing and the structure used in many film trailers where a quiet opening builds to a punch in the music, followed by rapid action and a falling away to a quiet sound and the credits at the end.

Narrative theories

Tsvetan Todorov - Equilibrium.
Todorov felt that all stories start in a state of equilibrium, which is then disrupted,setting in a motion of chain events. The resolution of the story is the creation of a new/different equilibrium.
E.g. Titanic
Rose is engaged, she then leaves her fiancee for Jack; Jack dies. then Rose continues her life as an independant woman.

Levi-Strauss - Binary Oppositions.
Meanings, including narrative, depends on binary oppositions. He explores these in terms of underlying paradigmatic themes rather than events.
E.g. Titanic
Rich/poor
Artistic/materialistic
Brave/cowardly
Irish/English

Iconography - symbolic/symbols used in cinema/film to express an underlying meaning. They are used as shorthand by film makers.
E.g. Ditzy blonde
Space ship
Maked man
Isolated house
We become familiar with some icons because they are repeated over and over again.

Introduction

Last year for AS media i created, a front cover, contents page and double page spread for a music magazine. This year for A2 media i will be creating a movie trailer or music video.