A2 Textual Analysis

1. Wolf Creek

2. Camera
Firstly , we see close ups of multiple characters as there are fast cuts , the close up is used to show what the characters are doing
which is drinking and partying connoting the typical norms of young adults which is to get drunk and party.
The next shot is a long shot which looks also to be a POV shot as we see the moving image which is a red car through a gap in a sign
which adds fear to an audience as it makes it look as if somebody is following them.
We see a panning shot from the back of the car which shows the two characters in the front showing their facial expressions which
are smiles and they are laughing connoting that they are having a good time.
We also see a high angle shot which shows the setting which is a baron area with no life as it is just fields for miles , this is a typical
convention in horrors as a good setting is an isolated area as nobody is there to witness events that happen.
Another part of camera is when the lighting goes to low key and we see various close ups of the characters which show their anxiety
as their car has broken down so we see that this is a big part in the plot , straight after we see a mid angle shot which all you can see
is the male character to the left of the shot which signifies his lowered authority as he isn’t centre frame and we see the light of a
huge truck in the distance connoting that somebody is out in the wilderness with them which is the turning point in the trailer , we
then have a medium close up of the new male character who is centre frame connoting his authority over the younger characters ,
we also see the light shining on him which connotes his significance and importance and to show the audience the new character as
low key lighting is used.
A shot-reverse shot is used between the older male character and the younger male character, them both being males connotes the
idea of tension between them as they have higher authority than the female characters.

3. Editing
The opening of the trailer starts with fast cuts between the various characters showing them drinking and partying and the fast
cuts connote the idea of drinking as everything goes fast when you are drunk and the fast cuts are used to show the mass of
people who are there , the fast pace may connote the idea that the three main characters like to get up to a lot also.
At the end of the sequence we see the three main characters in a pool together , they look happy and are laughing but there is a
fade used which fades to grey a very gloomy colour connoting that something bad is going to happen and because it was these 3
characters therefore these are the characters that have been targeted.
The final handful of shots are very fast connoting the idea of the recognition of disruption stage as the characters are aware of
the severity of the situation and are trying to run so the shots move with high pace showing different sequences, and the sound
fits well as it is a fast paced soundtrack.

4. Mise-en-scene
Costume: The costume at the start is typical of younger people as there is various characters wearing minimal clothing
connoting a typical house party as girls dress up and stereotypically wear tight clothes, also it is a pool party so there are
topless males and females with bikinis. In the next shots we see normal looking casual clothing worn by three young
characters as they are not partying so the dress code is casual. The older character is first shown wearing a checkered shirt
and a round hat suggesting an outdoor character as it makes him look like a farmer which typically is done outside. When the
four characters are together we see the young male wearing no hat and the two female characters wearing hats suggesting
male dominance as they are typically stronger in movies however all wearing jumpers except from the older male character
connoting his authority over the younger characters as he is used to the outdoors.
Lighting: At the beginning the lighting is high key as the characters are being introduced, there is lots of flashing lights and
bright colours as it is a party so connoting a happy time and stereotypical event for younger people, teenagers can associate
themselves with them, giving the film more realism. The lighting gets low key as the sun goes down due to it being night
time, with the panic of the characters raising anxiety to an audience, we only see artificial lights being used by torches by the
characters, these are used to shine on the new character, and the light being shined on his face suggests his significance at
this time.
Props: The opening shot of the pool party shows the prop of shot glasses to stereotype a typical young party as older people
are associated with wine glasses which are more formal so the use of shot glasses connotes an informal party and typical
teenage theme
Setting: The first location is a house where the young people are partying, which is typical as a house party is typically
associated with young people as it is informal and cheap. The next location is wilderness which is a typical type of setting as
an isolated setting is effective as characters cant look for help as they and the villain are typically the only people there as a
wilderness is lifeless.

5. Sound
The sound at the beginning is of shouting and screaming but in a good nature as it is a party and the characters are enjoying
themselves which is typical but also because it is the start of the trailer as this stage is setting the tone and some of the characters
which it does as it shows that the characters are young and like to party.
However when the fade occurs the sound also fades out to an abrupt end almost cutting off the characters which could signify the
danger they will get themselves into as the music is low pitched and sounds scary to an audience and a regular viewer of horror
films will be aware that something bad is related to this.
We then hear the dialogue “spending the night” relating to the car bonnet being open connoting that the car isn’t working and
that they are stranded here in the middle of nowhere. , after the light from a passing car is visible we hear a very high pitched
noise which sounds distant which connotes danger and fear into the audience and it is non-diegetic so not heard by the
characters.
The next part is more dialogue which has the new male character say “what the bloody hell you lot doing out here” with the
reaction of the three younger characters being of laughter and relief as the character comes across as normal and friendly which
isn’t what they initially thought as the two female characters were hiding in the car and they were all showing signs of desperosity
and fear as it is unlikely for someone to be out in the wilderness with them.
The next sequence shows back to back dialogue as when asked what his job is the older character replies “if I told you that , I’d
have to kill you” with the reaction not being of laughter or fear but just silence as they seem content as they are being welcomed
by the man , but the facial expression after shows him stare into the eyes of the younger male character almost connoting his
horrific intentions going through his head.
Lastly we hear a banging sound then the sound of bulldogs barking which connotes the aggressiveness of the character as bulldog
is a stereotypical strong and fierce dog almost reflecting the character , then finally the sound of high tempo drum beats linked
with the fast cuts to show what then happens which at the end of the trailer is usually where the horror begins to show but not
too much is given away.

6. Conventions
Todorov: Looking at conventions we have Todorov’s theory shown as we begin with the equilibrium stage as here we have two
steps as it shows the three characters at a party so showing their normal life then them travelling to the wilderness which begins
as friendly and normal , then the disruption stage where their car breaks down and then the final stage recognition of disruption
which is when we see the attempt by the older male to kill the younger characters , as this is a trailer we don’t have the next two
stages which is attempt to repair and new equilibrium as this is used in the film as it would ruin the film if it was put in the trailer.
Narrative structure: The narrative structure is linear as we see the main events unfold in chronological order but due to it being a
trailer we have the important scenes shown which straight away give us an idea of the narrative.
Typical Character Types: The typical character types shown are a villain which is clear as he is attempting to disrupt the equilibrium
by murder and we see two princess characters as we have two female characters who are frightened and look elsewhere for help
but we don’t see the typical hero character even though there is a male character he doesn’t show any ways of being a hero which
ultimately suggests the overpowering dominance of the villain which is typical and in the film we may see a hero but in the trailer
nothing is given away as that stage of Todorov is the attempt to repair stage.
Binary opposition: We also see binary opposition between the villain character and the two princess which is typical as these types
of character are most likely always going to be completely different as a villain shows no fear and inflicts fear whereas the princess
is the opposite, showing fear and looking for somebody else to help.
Propp’s: Propp’s theory isn’t entirely used and is rare to be used in a horror movie as out of the 8 character types in horror films;
the three main types are, hero, villain and princess are used mostly, and even a hero isn’t used all that often as in horror movies
there isn’t always a happy ending and there isn’t a hero to save the day, in this trailer, a a villain is clearly shown but then three
princess character’s one being male but isn’t shown battling the villain or protecting anyone so he falls under the princess
category, potentially there can be donor, helper or dispatcher characters but just because it’s a trailer not all character types are
shown so the theory isn’t clearly shown.

7. In this shot we see a friendly setting
and showing three characters laughing
and enjoying themselves , we also see
the male character with a beer bottle
therefore connoting that it is a party.
The three characters being close to
each other signifies that they have a
close relationship with one another.
Using Todorov's theory here we see the
equilibrium stage as everything is in
order and the characters are enjoying
themselves.
In this next shot we see the car the three
characters are travelling in through a gap
in a sign showing that they are being
followed and that the shot could be a
POV shot. Also connoting that they are
not alone out in the middle of nowhere.
The setting is unclear at this point but
you can see there isn't much towards the
right side connoting a lifeless area. This
part straight away shows the second part
of the theory as there is a disruption
even though the characters don't know it
the audience does.
The next cut shows the opposite view to the
previous shot showing the red car which
could connote danger as red is situated with
blood and death. Also here we see the empty
land which looks empty for miles as it is in a
remote wasteland sort of area. Here is a great
place to commit crime as there will be no
telephone service and nobody can hear you
for miles so this sort of area is a typical
convention for horrors so for example , The
Last House On The Left , which is a house on
its own with no activity nearby it. In the
opening shots it is daylight and this gives the
audience the idea that it is safe and at this
stage it almost is still equilibrium for the
characters as they are still enjoying
themselves.

8. This is the first shot using low key
lighting and it creates an instant effect
as a truck confronts them and without
knowing what it looks like or the driver
due to the dark , it creates an effect as
you are unaware who it is. Also it is the
male character who goes outside
instead of the two female characters
connoting that he is more brave and
strong. I believe this part makes more
sense to be the disruption stage as at
this point the travellers' car breaks
down and an unknown person
approaches them in the middle of the
nowhere so this is a problem occurring
to the characters.
In the next shot we see the character
from the truck who looks friendly and this
is typical in horror films where they will
raise the tension with low key lighting and
scary ambient music and it will end up
being a curveball and the character is
normal and friendly , this commonly
happens when a character in a film hears
something and they end up bumping into
a family member , so this is a typical
stereotype of horror and thriller films. In
the shot we see a close up with the light
shining on the characters face to give him
importance as he is the reason for fear
and he is center frame so again showing
his significance.
This is the shot-reverse shot used
between the two male characters ,
we see a contrast as the dialogue by
the older male is “if I told you that ,
I’d have to kill you” and his expression
connotes that he is serious whereas
the younger character is smiling at his
response but we see the low key
lighting in the background and just
over his mouth and nose which may
connote the idea that the grin will be
wiped off relating to the glare by the
other character.

9. In this shot we see the back of a female
character running away which connotes
the idea of danger and fear and is typical
as male characters are seen as much
stronger and will fight back but female
characters in horror films always have
the intention to run away , the long road
again here connotes the idea of a mobile
area and that she is running into no hope
as there is nothing for miles.
In this shot we see the older male
character or the villain who is wearing a
vest which is practical as it shows that he
has gotten rid of clothes to be more
practical which is typical for a villain as
they are cunning , also he is holding a knife
of some sort or just a sharp object which is
dangerous and connotes the idea of pain
being inflicted onto somebody , his facial
expression shows his confidence and how
he is complete opposite to the other
characters as they are fearing for their
lives and he Is the reason he is calm and
relaxed.
In this shot we see a close up of the villain
whilst he is zoomed into his scope this
signifies that he wants them dead as one shot
with this rifle will kill instantly or will get
them to bleed out which shows the
characters gruesome intentions , also his
facial expression again shows him looking
confident which is typical for a villain as it
makes the audience fear the other
characters.