1. Scream 1996 – Trailer
Camera Work:
In the trailer for Scream there are various
shots, which help to build up the suspense and
narrative. As the trailer begins there is a
establishing shot of the house which the girl in
the house is in which looks like a typical
suburban American house, you can still hear
the conversation that the girl is having on the
phone so this shot helps the viewer to set the
scene.
When the girl in the trailer realizes that she is
being watched by whoever is on the phone to
her the camera slowly zooms from a wide shot
into a close up. In order to show her emotion as
she has now taken the phone call seriously and
believes that she is in danger.
Throughout the trailer there are various
other close ups of other characters in the
film, also to show there emotions. As events
would be happening that would be shocking to
the viewer and therefore need a believable
reaction.
What can be identified as the ‘killer’ or
antagonist in the trailer is never fully shown as
to leave suspense and leave the viewer wanting
to go and see the full film. It is in some shots
but in the background of the shot to show that
it is always ‘lurking’ and it is also not in the
shots for very long but long enough to show
the viewer that there is something there.
A tracking shot is used from behind to show
the girl walking throughout her house. It
slowly zooms and gets closer which gives the
impression that there is someone behind her
and makes the whole scene creepier as she
would not know that there would be
something behind her.
Establishing Shot in the trailer.
Close up on girls face to show her fear.
Other close ups within the trailer.
A long shot is used here to show the
killer behind one of the characters.
Tracking shot from behind.

2. Editing:
Editing is used within the trailer for Scream in order to
make the best parts of the film and to make the story
line make sense to the viewer.
In the trailer there are various shot reverse shots when
the characters are discussing how to survive a scary
movie. As one of the characters explains certain things
not to do the shot then cuts to another character in this
film doing these certain things.
The opening of the trailer begins slowly as a girl is in
her home on the phone to a mystery caller. After the
realization that she is being watched the whole speed
of the trailer becomes faster paced. Cutting is used to
make the action look livelier and get the viewers
attention.
There is also text on screen to help the understanding of the viewer and to build
up the tension of the trailer and add suspense to the viewing. The words, which
appear, on screen are also being said in the background as they are on the screen
in a mysterious voiceover. When the words disappear they are edited into a red
colour which looks as though it is dripping as to give the impression that if you
do any of the things stated such as ‘do not answer the door’ then you will
die/something bad will happen to you.
The title sequence in the trailer is also in a red font which connotes blood and
danger and therefore gives off the impression to the viewer that this is what the
film is going to be about. The faded affect when the text fades out also gives the
viewer the idea of sinister things as it then fades into black.
The scene cuts from the scene
above to the scene below.

3. Sound:
In the trailer there are various non-diegetic and diegetic sounds used in order to
make the trailer more effective.
For example, over the trailer there is a sinister voice over which is used in order
to build up the suspense as well as explaining the story line over the top of the
clips of the film. It gives extra information to the viewer that they would not
know without it being there.
Throughout the trailer there are also various girly screams from characters
which lets the viewer know that there is something scary happening even if they
may not know what they are actually screaming at. As the film is called scream
this helps to emphasize that the film is a horror and relates to the title.
There are various diegetic sounds in the trailer such as phones ringing and doors
knocking and slamming which the characters within the scene can hear and react
to usually by screaming or being frightened as it turns out this is how the killer
tries to contact them from the information given in the trailer. These are also
used to give a realistic setting within the trailer, as these noises are ones, which
could be heard, in everyday life.
In the background of the trailer there is a soundtrack playing of scary sounding
music, whichamplifies during certain parts of the trailer to give more emphasis
that it is scary. This also reiterates to the viewer that it is a horror movie as this
kind of music is being played.
Mis-En-scene:
In the trailer for Scream mis en scene is used to make it look realistic and
exciting looking by using lighting, setting,
costume and props.
The film is set in a typical suburban American
neighborhood in the 1990s. The clothing and
hairstyles represent this and they have made it a
very ordinary place as to make it look realistic
and so that the viewer can relate to it.
The ‘killer’ in the trailer who is seen very rarely
and never for very long is dressed in a black cloak
and a white mask with a scary face on. As you
never fully see the killer it makes it scarier as you
know less about it and are unable to become
familiar with its look. Which is slightly disturbing
but then comical so therefore fits into the
comedy/horror genre. The mask is a conventional
way to hide the identity of the killer. The lighting
Typical realistic setting.
The killer

4. around the killer is also low to give a more sinister feel to the character and mist
surrounds him giving him an eerie feel.
As well as being set in an American
neighborhood there are also scenes of
characters running through a forest and
empty roads that are places where bad things
tend to happen in horror movies. It gives the
viewer a sense of worry and tension that
something bad may happen before the
character themselves realizes.
A lot of the scenes in the trailer are brightly
lit in people’s houses which gives an illusion
to the viewer that nothing bad will happen because it is in bright lighting.
However, it is the opposite as they actually get chased in these situations.
Conventions of form:
- The sounds used in the trailer such as screaming, and fast paced horror
music, and a spooky voice over all add to making the trailer a more
surround experience.
- Text on screen was used within the trailer to give the viewer more of an
insight to what will be happening in the film. This writing starts in a bold
white font but then dissolves into a dripping red as if it were blood.
- The killer in the trailer is dressed in a scary mask and dark cloak which is
used to surprise and shock the viewer as they do not see it in full,
therefore adding more tension.
Conventions of genre:
- The non-diegetic and diegetic sound of screaming, a fast paced horror
soundtrack in the background and a spooky voice over are conventional
of a horror genre. The setting of a typical American neighborhood is also
conventional to the genre as horror films tend to have either a very
outlandish and remote setting or a place which the viewer can relate to
such as a normal home as to make it seem more realistic. The characters
in the trailer seem to be teenagers/young 20s which is conventional to
the genre as the target audience can relate to them easily. There seems to
be a conventional story line of a killer on the loose but the plot also seems
to be poking fun at other horror films therefore making it fit into the
comedy/horror genre.
Character running through forest