The trailer summarizes four different movie trailers - The Thing (2011), A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Just Go With It. For each trailer, it analyzes how different film theories relate to elements in the trailers, including Todorov's narrative theory, Propp's narrative theory, Rick Altman's genre theory, and Blumer and Katz's uses and gratifications theory. Common elements across the trailers included the use of tension-building music, shots establishing isolation or danger, and revealing aspects of the plot without giving too much away.
2. The trailer begins with an establishing shot of an empty, mountainous area. This
immediately tells the audience how alone the characters will be. The bright colours
don’t give a lot away about the genre of the film however it is clear that Todorov’s
narrative theory will relate to this trailer as it would appear that there is a state of
equilibrium at this point. This leads the audience to assume that some form of
disequilibrium will occur later.
3. The birds-eye shot of a group of characters surrounding an object followed by a
reaction shot of whom we assume is the protagonist shows the audience that what
we see is bad and therefore follow’s Todorov’s narrative theory in that this marks
the beginning of the disequilibrium. This is further highlighted through the non-
diegetic music which turns slightly tenser. At this point, Propp’s narrative theory
could also relate to the trailer as stereotypically in a horror film the woman would act
as the ‘princess’ character who needs saving.
4. The shot of the character drilling into the object tells the audience that the action will
begin here. The extreme high angle suggests that with this action, the characters
will lose all sense of power to whatever is inside the block of ice.
5. The over the shoulder shot followed by a point of view shot suggests to the
audience that something is about to happen to this character. The dark lighting
creates tension along with the fact that the non-diegetic music has stopped. Rick
Altman’s genre theory relates to this trailer at this time as semantic elements,
such as the dark lighting relate to the horror genre. The medium long shot allows
the audience to see where the character is in relation to the supposed ‘danger’.
6. The camera shot showing the character about to pull aside a curtain is quite a
common convention within the horror genre. This adds a lot of tension to the trailer
as the audience doesn’t know what’s behind it. As the curtain is moved, the
audience can see a lot of blood. This relates to Rick Altman’s and Daniel
Chandler’s genre theories as blood is a typical convention of horror. Furthermore,
it is evident that Todorov’s narrative theory relates to this trailer as there is a
definite state of disequilibrium at this point.
7. The use of weapons again relates to Rick Altman’s theory as they are a semantic
element in horror films. It also connotes that there will definitely be at least one
death, if not more.
8. The shallow focused two shot enhances the tension of the trailer as it is clear that
the protagonist does not know there is somebody behind her. This shows the
audience that something is about to happen and is again a convention of horror
films. The non-diegetic music is also extremely low pitched and tense as if building
up to something dramatic.
9. The use of text reinforces the tension and the genre and sums up what the film is
about without giving anything away. The non-diegetic music remains at a low pitch
and tense in order to build up to the final stages of the trailer in which something is
likely to make the audience ‘jump’. The typography is the same as the name of the
film allowing the audience to make the link between other advertisements, for
example, posters.
10. • The trailer also relates to Blulmer and Katz’s ‘Uses and
Gratifications’ theory as the audience is likely to want to watch this
film having seen the trailer for entertainment purposes as opposed to
educational.
• Furthermore, Stuart Halls’ representation theory could relate to this
trailer as with the information we have been given, there are only a
limited number of ways the audience can interpret the text, leading to
preferred reading (the audience interpret the text the way the producer
intended).
12. There are a number of establishing shots at the beginning of the trailer. As with the
trailer for ‘The Thing’ this allows the audience to gain a sense of isolation. Similarly
to ‘Just Go With It’ and ‘The Thing’ Rick Altman’s genre theory also relates to this
trailer as the mise-en-scene fits into the horror genre; the dark lighting adds tension
and the run-down buildings highlights the sense of isolation and creates a scary
feeling.
13. The shot of the male character burning in one of the buildings, followed by a shot of
the explosion tells the audience that he is most likely the antagonist. At this
point, similarly to ‘The Thing’ Stewart Hall’s ‘oppositional reading’ theory could
relate to the trailer as there is no set way to interpret the text – the antagonist could
come back to kill the people who killed him or the film could have a circular
narrative and this could be the end of the film.
14. The constant shots of children suggest that they will play a big part in the film. It
also highlights a loss of innocence and connotes that innocent blood may be
spilled. The non-diegetic sound through a lot of the trailer is also children singing.
This increases the tension and adds a sense of creepiness.
15. The ‘claws’ act as a weapon and show the audience that there will be one or more
deaths. This is similar to the trailer for ‘The Thing’ and many other horror trailers.
This also relates to Rick Altman’s and Daniel Chandler’s genre theories.
16. As with ‘The Thing’ and ‘Just Go With It’ the name of the film is shown toward the
end of the trailer. This promotes the film and highlights the genre of the film. The
typography corroborates with horror as the colour red connotes blood. It is also
written in the same font as the rest of the marketing products allowing it to be
easily recognised. The non-diegetic music becomes much quieter again as if
building up to something dramatic. The slogan increases the horror as it makes
the film seem more realistic and that whatever happens in the film will happen to
them if they fall asleep.
17. This is the first time we are shown the antagonist since the beginning. It is evident
that he is not currently alive suggesting that he is hunting down victims in an
unusual manner, though having seen the name of the film and its slogan, it is most
likely that he comes back through the dreams of his victims.
18. Just like with ‘The Thing’ and ‘Just Go With It’ Blulmer & Katz’s ‘Uses
and Gratifications Theory’ relates to this trailer as the audience would
watch this film for escapism and entertainment.
20. The trailer begins with a caption to introduce the film. The light-hearted wording
shows the audience that the film is most likely a comedy, for example, the word
‘guy’ is not a word found in many horror trailers. The non-diegetic music is up-
tempo and lively compared to the trailer for ‘The Thing’.
21. At this point of the trailer the audience is introduced to the protagonist. Similarly to
the trailer for ‘The Thing’ and ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Rick Altman’s genre
theory relates to this trailer as semantic elements help the audience to place the
trailer into a genre. In this case, the actor Adam Sandler acts as the semantic
element as he is a common figure in comedy films.
22. The next section of the trailer shows a number of girls with the protagonist
suggesting that romance will also play a part in the film. Unlike with ‘A Nightmare on
Elm Street’ there is a voiceover from the protagonist giving the audience more
insight into the film. This is a common convention in comedy trailers.
23. This section of the trailer, similarly to ‘The Thing’ relates to Propp’s narrative
theory. It is evident that the protagonist (‘hero’) whom we have already seen must
overcome some form of obstacle to win the heart of the woman (‘princess’). The
costume of the female character also relates to Mulvey’s theory of ‘The Male
Gaze’ as it is very revealing and shows her as an object of desire.
24. When the audience is shown this second female character a lot of the film’s plot is
given away – it is evident that she will act as the ‘helper’ in Propp’s theory but as is
a common theme in this genre of film, she will later have some form of ‘makeover’
and take up the role of the ‘princess’.
25. The text at the end of the trailer informs the audience as to who is in the film. This
attracts specific target audiences and helps to promote the film. The name of the
film is also shown in the trailer for ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’.
26. • Similarly to ‘The Thing’ and ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Blulmer &
Katz’s ‘Uses and Gratifications Theory’ relates to this trailer as the
audience would most likely choose this film for diversion purposes – to
be entertained and escape from reality.
