1. Cabin in the Woods
trailer analysis

2. The trailer begins with an establishing shot, showing the characters suburban
location. This sets up the storyline and is a typical convention of horror films.
The film producers create a happy atmosphere through the establishing
location and the music. The camera then pans around the side of the
campervan, making it seem as though something or someone is spying on
them, instantly adding elements of horror. High key lighting is used and the
music is upbeat and happy as it’s introducing the main characters and makes
the audience feel as nothing is wrong. As the ‘LIONSGATE’ title appears a
deep booming noise is used, parallel to the change of mood, which is quite
dark.

3. The close up shot of the character’s hand turning
the key is quite significant as it attracts the
audiences attention and it also states the beginning
of their adventure. The shot acts as a link to the high
angle shot of the campervan leaving their town.

4. A Low angle extreme long shot is then used to show
the characters journey and the fact that they are
entering an isolated location. The use of the canted
angle makes it seem as though ‘ everything is not ok
with the world’ It then cuts to a high angle shot of the
campervan, the shot also shows a different location to
the previous shots adding variety to locations in the
trailer.

5. O The close up of the female character when she is
talking acts as an introduction for her, establishing
her character within the movie. The mise en scene
in this shot show that they are in the campervan, in
quite a relaxed setting.

6. O The use of the aerial shot adds variety to the shots
used in the trailer and it highlights how isolated
they’re environment is. Isolated environments are
common characteristics of horror movies as it means
that its harder for the characters to escape from the
villian.

7. As the characters arrive, the camera pans and follows the campervan
and then cuts to the shot of the yard. This, therefore establishes their
new location. The way the camera is positioned in the second shot,
showing the run down yard adds elements of horror as it seems
abandoned like no one has looked after it for years, thus creating
suspicion and fear of the unknown for the audience. As the characters
enter this run-down area, rumbling non diegetic noises are used in the
background, which creates the feeling that something bad is going to
happen. The use of high pitch and low booming non diegetic noises
creates suspense and tension. High key lighting is used throughout the
opening scenes as the characters are in a natural environment.

8. A sound bridge is used and the camera then pans round to reveal a
run down cabin and, as a shot is filmed within the cabin it makes it
seem as though something or someone is watching the characters,
adding a sense of spookiness to the trailer.

9. A close up shot Is used to establish who the old man is, the
camera then pans round to reveal the other characters. A mid
and close up shot is used to show the emotion on the character’s
faces and their reaction to the old ‘creepy’ looking man. The
close proxemics of the characters reveal that they are wary of
the old man.

10. As the titles appear: ‘You think you know the story’ and ‘you think you know
the place’ Foley music is played which sounds like a clock or a countdown,
as if to say their time is coming to an end. The white font used stands out
against the dark background, making it easy to read and also this colour can
connote death and ghosts, emphasizing the fact the film could be based
around these aspects.
Before the first titles appear a light flashes and the words appear on the
screen, a wipe transition is used here this is effective because it draws the
viewer’s attention and it also heightens the action.
The first titles-46 secs- you think you know the story’. ’ 55 secs -you
think you know the place’. The words used are intriguing the audience and
as its directly addressing them it makes them feel involved in the storyline
without even seeing the film. But also as they are not far apart in timing they
are captivating the audience and keeping them interested.

11. The use of the long shot establishes the characters location, that being a
forest, which is a typical convention of horror films, as they are isolated
and generally spooky. A low angle is then used to show the characters
cabin, by using this very low angle it makes the shot seem eerie, again it
makes it seem as though something or someone is watching and
waiting.

12. The over the shoulder shot is significant because, as an
audience we begin to grasp an understanding of the storyline . A
close up shot is then used of the male character which shows his
facial expression and reaction to this strange mirror. When the
characters enter their cabin, the lighting changes to low key
lighting, which complements the mood of the sequence.

13. It then jump cuts to a mid shot of the female character. The mirror
seems blurry and mysterious , which could coincide with the genre
of the film. Again the sense of suspicion is created within the
audience.

14. O The use of this high angle, wide shot reveals an important
aspect of the film, that being the control zone that the
characters are in, stopping them from escaping. The non-
diegetic sound of the rapid heartbeat as the bird is flying over,
portrays the image of a human being which could possibly
mean that one of the character’s or more than one of them is
going to be in danger later on in the film. This is a stereotypical
sound for horror trailers as it used in many horror trailers to add
effect and ambience. This is then complemented by sharp ,
tension building sound which ends with a boom as the bird flies
through the wall. This entices the audience and the loud
booming sound will spook them, thus creating fear within them.

15. O The 4th title at 1.03s ‘think again’ which is in
capitals makes the audience wonder how this
film is going to differ from other horror films
they have seen. It makes it exciting as they
know that this film isn’t going to be like others
they know of or have seen. It is also
addressing the viewer, as it is putting images
in their head.

16. In this wide shot a flash effect is added to complement the
technology being used. The wide shot is used so that the
audience can fully see the new location.

17. O A montage of shots is playing and the camera pans round to
reveal the characters enjoying themselves, as the characters
are happy and enjoying themselves it is creating a happy
atmosphere and building tension as we know something bad is
about to happen. This is an example of an omniscient narrative,
as the audience know more than the characters. Parallel
sounds are playing which complement the happy atmosphere.

18. O This close up shot of a character’s hand is
significant as it draws the audience in and
emphasizes the importance of the leaver being
pulled, as if it was to change everything for the
other characters.

19. O This low angle shot tracking the characters feet
shows the forest location, again a typical horror
setting. The use of the low angle shot again makes it
seem as though something is still ready to attack,
making it enigmatic for the audience.

20. O This high angle shot is used in the trailer to reveal
the antagonist to the audience and to the
characters. The fast paced music stops in this shot
to scare the audience and make them realise that
this is the antagonist. Silences in horror trailers are
common conventions because they keep the
audience in suspense.

21. O It then jump cuts to this wide angle shot, which
exposes the action taking place. Low key lighting
in this shot shows how dark the mood has become
and how the characters are in danger.

22. O The wide angle shot shows how close the
characters are, as if they are backing away from
something evil and protecting one another. Their
proxemics show that they are ready to help one
another, if they are attacked.

23. O This close up shot is significant as it is a focal point
for the characters, as they are drawn to something
coming out of the vent, this therefore attracts the
audience in as well.

24. O This shallow focus close up shot enhances the
action in the trailer and allows the audience to see
the extent of the characters injuries. The blurred
effect used adds a sense of disequilibrium to the
shot.

25. O The wide angle mid shot allows the audience to
see the antagonist . Just before this shot, a silence
is used to emphasise the fact that something scary
is going to happen which will frighten both the
characters and the audience.

26. O A narrative of the characters talking about
how they’re going to escape is used over this
shot as well as fast paced music. By using
fast paced music they are building tension
and keeping the audience fascinated.

27. O This high angle shot is showing the character’s
vulnerability within the situation.A high angle shot is
typically used to show dominance of another
character.

28. O This low angle shot shows the characters
watching the explosion.

29. O This point of view shot makes the trailer seem scary
for the audience, as its first hand experience .The
jerky movement of the camera makes it hard to follow
what is happening, but it does keep the audience in
suspense, as this shot is in the middle of the climatic
shots.

30. O This low angle shot gives the audience a
chance to see the antagonist who is
tormenting the characters. As the spotlight is
the only lighting in this shot it makes it difficult
for the audience to see the antagonist’s
identity, thus prolonging the sense of
suspicion in the trailer.

31. This low angle close up shot of the weapon
signifies that this is going to be used on one
of the characters and it acts as a link to the
next shot, which is an aerial shot showing
the female character getting attacked.

32. A series of close up shots of the female characters
are used throughout the action shots. Close ups
are commonly used when the action intensifies in a
trailer because they allow the audience to see the
characters raw emotions.

33. O This very low angle makes the shot seem
frightening for the audience as they can
clearly see the characters face and how
powerless she is.

34. The low key lighting and the use of black space in this
wide angle two shot is used to provoke fear for the
audience. As masks have been used, which we have not
seen before in the trailer we instantly know that these
characters are the antagonists. The masks create a
sense of the unknown, as they hide the person’s identity,
therefore making it even scarier for the audience and the
characters because they cannot see their faces.

35. O This high angle shot shows a character
being dragged down into a lift, which gives
us an idea that the characters are going to
be killed inhumanely.

36. O This is the last shot we see and as it’s a close
up of a the female character screaming it is
quite disturbing for the viewers. Thus enticing
them into wanting to see the film.

37. O The trailer also includes the name of the producer ‘Joss Whedon’
and when the film is going to be released to the public. Drew
Goddard’s name also appears, he is also the writer of Cloverfield,
by stating that Drew is the writer of Cloverfield they are inter-
textually referencing another well-known film and are attracting a
fan base that already exists and who may consider watching this
film.
O Some of the titles appear through a wipe transition and the screen
flashes a little as the first word comes up, this helps to draw
attention to the text. However, not all of the text appears at once,
which makes it more effective. The purpose of the titles is to make
the audience feel as though the trailer is speaking directly to them,
therefore making them feel involved in the film. All of the titles have
a slightly eroded effect, following the typical horror conventions.