The trailer begins by presenting the regulatory warning messages, that appear on the majority of movie

trailers, informing the audience on the appropriate age ratings for the film, therefore giving them a chance
to click off if they do not want to watch it or if the content is not appropriate for their age. Certain areas of
the message have been written in a bold, capitalized font, such as the PG-13, sign and Appropriate
audiences so that it stands out to the reader as it is the most important information on the slide. The bright
green background is also very eye catching, therefore drawing the audiences attention towards the text.
Sound effects or dialogue has been left off while the message is being displayed, so that it ensures the
audience is full focused on the message, but also allows for the beginning of the trailer to be very sharp and
effective.

The camera fades into a wide establishing shot of a old, prestigious manner home, set in the countryside.
The mis en scene of the shot indicates that the house is fairly isolated, due to the surrounding forest,
therefore immediately putting the audience on edge. The atmosphere (colours) appear to be very dull and
emotionless therefore contributing to the theme of isolation and neglect. Even though the visuals present a
dark, gloomy atmosphere, the diegetic noise of a soft piano tune playing deflates this slightly by making the
scene appear to be more joyful. However, the audience are most likely aware of the genre of the movie,
horror, therefore the tranquil environment will create an uneasy feeling with the audience and possibly
develop some sympathetic thoughts to the characters involved, as they know that the plot will turn dark.

Slow transition fades are used between each of the scenes, in order to convey a sense of relaxation;
therefore juxtaposing the genre of the movie. This technique is used to develop suspense and sympathy
within the audience as it is obvious that the mood will soon change. The slow paced camera angles, as well
as the continuation of the piano in the background also draws in a mysterious feel to the trailer contributing
to the tension felt by the audience. As Greta (the female protagonist) enters the house, a low angle camera
shot is used , set behind the banister bars, to possibly suspect that something is watching her as she is
coming in; it could be seen as a POV shot. To the audience, this may not be obvious at the beginning, as the
plot of the story has not yet been revealed, but as they learn about the doll (Brahms) this may become more
apparent and therefore, chilling.
Slow transition fades are used through out the first quarter of the trailer, in order to heighten the mysterious and
shady environment that is being presented. Leading up to the reveal of Brahms, the atmosphere is very relaxed
however, a feeling of suspense is still created as the audience are expecting for an event to happen. As the
identity of Brahms is shown, an over the shoulder shot is used, to possibly create a link/relationship between
Greta and Brahms. This type of shot also gives the audience some understanding (similar to a POV shot) as to
what Greta is looking at, therefore making it more personal. As Brahms is introduced by his parents This is our
son Brahms the dynamic and tone of the music changes to be very dark and gloomy as well as slightly sinister,
therefore representing him as the evil character in the plot.

To heighten the mysterious and unnatural atmosphere of the trailer, a chilling and disturbing tune is played
over the visuals as well as dialogue. Even though the diegetic music is somewhat happy sounding, the
large juxtaposition that it has against the genre of the movie creates an uneasy feeling for the audience.
The music is also shown coming from an old fashioned vinyl player therefore extenuating the ancient
atmosphere that is given off from the house, possibly creating an anxious feeling within the audience as it
resembles authentic hauntings. As the father presents Greta with a list of Brahms rules, the camera cuts to
a close up of each term Dont cover his face with the aim of presenting their importance to the plot. An
effect of a flickering candle is seen over the text to encourage this further, possibly making the situation
seem more haunted and spooky.

A POV camera shot is used to develop the illusion that the audience is the doll (Brahms). This is achieved by
a low angle shot where Greta disobeys Brahms rule (Dont cover his face) by covering up the camera with a
blanket, giving the illusion that the audience is Brahms. This is also supported by the dialogue No offence
Brahms but you kinda creep me out, making it seem as though Greta is talking to the audience. As Greta
covers Brahms with the blanket, a deep echoing gust is edited over, in order to represent that she has
breached one of his rules and to possibly suggest that something bad is looming. The transition to the black
screen, from the blanket, is used to create a smooth transition from this scene to the next, therefore
maintaining the smooth pace of the trailer.
A catalyst to the plot of the movie is presented by a change of mood and dynamic, mainly by using sound.
As Greta finds him to be missing, the music ends and is taken over by a sinister and threatening sounding
noise, as well as glass breaking, as she drops a plate. This sudden change in atmosphere signals to the
audience that the paranormal activity has begun, therefore making them feel on edge. As well as this, non-
diegetic, heightened noises of children laughing is used, in order to represent the activity and movement of
the doll. The sound of children laughing creates an innocent environment however due to the genre of the
movie (juxtaposition), it makes the atmosphere seem creepy and eerie. An over the shoulder shot is used as
Greta notices that Brahms is missing, therefore making it seem more realistic to the audience; putting them
in Gretas situation.

A shallow focus, close up sideways shot is used as Greta finds Brahms in a peculiar place, in order to add
more emphasis onto him as a doll but to give him life and character, therefore making the plot seem more
chilling and unusual. The sinister music dies down to a chilling and eerie gust, to create a mysterious and
paranormal surrounding, due to Brahms actions. The lighting used within this scene is very crucial to
representing both Brahms and Greta, as the shadowing and light is very dark and minimal, whereas by
Greta, light is streaming in from the windows and she is wearing brighter clothes. This juxtaposition
between environments represent the two protagonists and their differences in personality and contribution
to the plot.

Transitions between face paced action scenes and eerie, unnerving ones are frequently used through out
the trailer, in order to keep the audience on edge. A match on action cut is made as the ladder, that
Malcom and Greta are observing, rapidly moves on its own. A match on action cut is used to make the
transition smooth and effortless, therefore making the actions of the ladder seem more realistic and
sudden. Previously, the scene was very quiet, due to the lack of sound, thus building the suspense for the
audience however, when the ladder moves, a sharp and sinister shriek overrules, thus returning the
atmosphere to a dark and mysterious environment.
 An extreme close up is made of Brahms glass eye, with the reflection of Greta inside. The positioning
of the camera looks as though Greta is looking at the audience, therefore maintaining a personal link
between the characters and the audience. This camera angle also adds some character and realism to
Brahms therefore heightening the unnatural and abnormal plot of the movie. The surroundings are very
dark and gloomy, therefore making the glass eyeball seem more bold and apparent to the audience;
placing more emphasis onto the connection between the producer and receiver.

Synthetic personalisation and direct address is achieved through the determiner your in order to make the
trailer relatable and personal for the audience. This allows the receiver's to connect with the story line and
to in vision them in Gretas situation. Having a phobia of dolls is very common, universal phobia, which
can be linked to old fashioned china dolls as well as dolls that can talk and move on their own. Due to the
main storyline centring around the actions and abilities of a china doll, the producers have attempted to
make the plot seem very realistic in order to target a wide population phobia, that the audience may hold.
Even though the movie is set in the 21st century, the atmosphere holds a sense of the past due to its ancient
surroundings such as the house and the doll therefore the typeface is in a serif font as it portrays
traditionalism and conventionality.

Even though the genre of the movie is horror, which gives the producers the opportunity to use unusual
camera angles, the cinematography is fairly simple, possibly to emphasise the juxtaposition between the
genre of the movie and the chilling, mysterious vibe that the trailer is trying to present. To encourage this
further, a slow motion shot is used to break up the intensity of the high action montage, however still
maintains the suspense for the audience. A low angle, head on shot is used to make the slow motion seem
more dramatic and intense, as the body and glass flies towards the screen. The subtle yet deep droning
sound in the background, heightens the spectacle further, intensifying the slow motion.
A common convention seen across many horror movies is the involvement of a fast pace, action filled
montage at the end of the trailer, in order to heighten the audiences heart rate and tension; leaving a
lasting effect. The majority of the shots within the montage are close up, that transition with a very fast
fade, therefore making the clips seem very concentrated and intense. Diegetic sound effects are used
along side of the visuals in order to heighten the action but to also make the audience feel on edge. The
slow paced, chilling chime is still present however an echoing and eerie static is placed over top to add a
sinister feel, linking with the visuals.

As the montage of short clips end, the camera cuts to a simple black screen, in order to end the action,
where the title The Boy emerges from the darkness. Previous to the title, the sound effects used were
very sinister and intense, in order to match the visuals, however the pace of the trailer is instantly
changed as the title is shown, due to the change in music. A soft and slow paced nursery rhyme is
played, linking to the theme of a young china doll, but to also to add a creepy innocence dimension to
the trailer.
The type face used is very traditional (Serif), linking to the ancient surroundings of the movie, and has
got scratch marks over the text, thus representing the disturbance and chaos that the boy is creating.
Much like the text on the list of rules, a flickering light is edited on in order to heighten the paranormal
and mysterious events.

The producers play on the emotions of the audience, as they use visuals and sound effects to trick them
on thinking that the trailer is finished, therefore allowing them to relax after the feelings of suspense and
tension are experienced. However, the camera cuts to Greta standing in front of a portrait of Brahms,
where a hand reaches out and grabs her by the neck. Sound effects and editing are the two main factors
within this scene that heighten the shock experienced by the audience, as the once quiet tune, instantly
changes to a sharp sinister shriek to put the audience on edge again. Editing techniques are used to make
the lighting flash, creating some distortion. This play with emotions technique has a long lasting effect
on the audience, therefore allowing them to remember the trailer and the emotions they felt.