1. Conventions of
Mise-en-scene in
my Film Trailer
BY RYAN TALMAGE

2. Setting
The settings used in my film trailer consists mainly of isolated
locations which are conventional to the Post-Apocalyptic Horror
Genre as it conveys a sense of hopelessness. It also further
emphasises the devastation that the infection has had on the
human population.
I used a variety of different locations to further create the
conventional sense of unknown danger which helps create
tension which is also conventional of the horror genre.
The emptiness of the world that I have created makes the
protagonists much more sympathetic towards the target
audience as they are portrayed as weak and powerless which
are conventional character traits of the genre. It also makes their
journey all the more engrossing and engaging.

3. Setting
The settings also include old, abandoned and decrepit
buildings to conventionally convey the chaos that has
happened to the world which further emphasises the
protagonists vulnerability, another convention aspect of the
Post-Apocalyptic Horror Genre. It also conveys the destruction
that has been caused by the infection which connotes the
conventional unseen threat aspect that is seen in many Post-
Apocalyptic Horror films.
The woodland setting helps add to the convention of being in
constant danger as they can be attacked form any direction
which adds an intensity that appeals to the target audience.

4. Costumes and Props
The costumes used in my film trailer are conventional
especially on the antagonists such as the bandit who is
seen wearing a hood, tracksuit bottoms and a balaclava
which presents him as violent and dangerous. The bandit
also looks a lot more intimidating that the protagonist
which signifies his power which is conventional to the
genre as the antagonist is used to generate fear for the
protagonist and audience.
The infected’s costumes are torn, ragged and bloody
which adds to the conventional style of the infected
which is frequent in the Post-Apocalyptic Horror genre.
The protagonists, on the other hand, are wearing
conventional clothing such as jackets and hoodies which
signifies that they are prepared to face the perils that they
will face on their journey.
Props such as weapons are conventional as they connote
violence which is a conventional recurring theme of the
genre. It also allows the target audience to identify the
genre through the signifier.

5. Lighting
The lighting used in my film trailer is a mix of low-
key and high-key lighting. The low-key lighting
conventionally creates tension towards the target
audience. This is to portray the conventional dark
tone of the film to bring across the themes of
threat and hopelessness.
High-key lighting is used in order to create a
sense of false security. This is used when the
action is calm to help emphasise this feeling
which relates to the conventions of the genre of
never feeling safe even when everything is fine.
This puts the target audience on edge as they will
soon be put in danger and risking their lives. These
contrast with the low-key lighting scenes which
helps convey the conventional themes of
survival.