Official Coursework analysis

Investigations into similar products- integration/use of idea to be explicit

Paranormal Activity

For my first proper piece of analysis where I have to investigate a product that is simliar to the work I hope to produce. Me and my partner are hoping to create a a film trailer. The genre we would like to do is a horror/ thriller, which would make my film a hybrid genre because it contains elements of different genres.

The reason I chose to analyse the paranormal activity trailer because ita a movie which uses similar techniques that we hope to replicate and add are own twist to it. For example the film primarily uses a hand held camera.

The first convention used in the trailer, which is also used in every film trailer is when the background is green and the film has a rating to show whether the film is suitable for a particular auidence. So if it's green is genreally suitable for a certain age group maybe under.

The trailer then uses "white noise" which is this blurrng effect or signal and then it imediately cuts to a shot of a hand held camera. This choice of editing style was used in trailers for both paranormal activity 1 and 2. So it helps the viewer establish what franchise the trailer is based upon. Then the director has used a series a very very quick cuts. This has been used to distort the viewer, becuase the viewer can see  shots of the film but they disappear quickly in order to tease the viewers and leave them wanting more.

Another convention used in trailers of almost all genres is the use of a superimpose. In case the superimpose says "this october". This is used firstly to create awareness of when the film is going to be released, and secondly to build anticipation. The next superimpose's "discover" and then "the secret". This is very important because the paranormal activity already has a fan base and a niche auidence and be claiming they will finally find out a secrets the were left unanswered in the previous installments, and so the aintcipation builds further. And then the quick cuts resume until the trailer reaches the last 30 seconds. The trailer slows down dramtically to showcase a scene without editing techniques. We see 2 girls standing infront of a mirror, and then suddenly the lights switch off. I remains dark for 20 more seconds. And then it gets lighter and finally reveals a small glismpe of the villian. The finish of the trailer once again uses superimpose to reveal the name of the movie.