Real Media Texts

Ill be analysing existing horror trailers and how they follow certain codes and conventions - making their horror trailers stereotypical. Typical conventions of a horror film can include: Eerie music Fast paced music during a fast montage Isolated settings Low lighting/ Darkness A villain/ Criminal

The purge follows typical conventions of a horror as it contains an innocent protagonist being hunted down by villains, the trailer contains loads of snippets, it starts off slow and peaceful following FREYTAGS theory of narrative and eventually is full of fast cut edited montage, and louder suspense building music which no longer builds a peaceful feel to the film. Many jumpy moments, dark low lighting, all these conventions are created to help build suspense which is typical for horrors. There is also a voice over from one of the characters as we are watching montage clips from the film, this is very typical as it also makes you familiar with the protagonist.

The Strangers is a bit different to other horror films, as usually horror films follow the convention of starting off slow and creepy then building up to a fast paced montage with lout music, where as this film stays pretty quiet through the entire trailer, which is unexpected yet it builds tension and suspense from the audience, the silence of the trailer ensure the jumpy parts of it causes a bigger impact. This film also follows FREYTAGS theory, even though its silent theres still a fast paced action clips towards the end. By stating this film is inspired by true events it lures in the target audience more than it usually would.