Kat Scott

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Yo9xasRKg

Screenshots from the trailer:

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CinematographyThe cinematography in this trailer is very effective as it uses lots of establishing shots, close ups and reaction shots to create a really effective trailer and get a reaction from its audiences.•The first shots we see are photographs – mainly close ups of mummies – this grabs the audiences attention as mummies aren’t a typical convention used in horror genre trailers.•There is then an establishing shot of pyramids and people who are digging . This establishing shot sets the scene along with the sound. Audiences will now be wondering what the narrative is about now that they know the location and feel of the trailer.•We are then introduced to four main characters with a long shot, the audience now understand that these are the protagonists and are featured in the narrative.•An over the shoulder point of view shot is then shown of a man breaking into rock which then releases a veil of green fog which we then understand is toxic air.•The camera then goes fuzzy and has a close up shot of the man who broke through the rock struggling for air, his eyes also go a grey colour. This would create tension and cause the audience to question what happens next.• A medium close up of a woman in front of a pyramid which the audience understands is a report as she explains what is happening and that it is a “three sided pyramid”, this causes the audience to react as they will realise that this is the pyramid where the events will take place.•When the four characters have entered the pyramid there is a series of reaction shots and point of views which intrigues the audience to watch the film as it will unravel the story of what they are so scared of.•The camera is then handheld and steady putting the audience into the eyes of the characters which builds tension and makes the trailer even scarier as it looks more realistic.•There is a close up of running blood down steps which represents death and the horror genre•A point of view medium long shot is also shown of a mummified skeletal figure with a bent over back which then builds tension and scares the audience because they are unaware of what will happen.

Mise-en-scene SoundThis trailer uses mainly voice overs, diegetic sound and non diegetic sound.

The first sound used is a fuzzy non diegetic sound, which then has a voice over of a man saying “It has been called the curse of the Pharaohs”. This then leads to the sound of an old camera shutter which sets the tone of the trailer being about historical pyramids. “Vengeance against adventurers who disturbed the tomb” then tells the audience that there is an evil due to disturbances to tombs. “A polish ship carrying two mummies is haunted by...” this creates tension because this tells the audience someone is going to disturb the tombs again and it will unleash death which is reinforced by “enter a pyramid never to emerge”. The trailer then cuts to modern day diegetic sound of a female saying “Tell them not to open it up yet” which creates tension as the audience has just been informed that people have been inside the pyramids and have never returned.Fast high pitched non diegetic violin music is then played over the top which builds tension as it is fast and matches the pace of the editing.Non diegetic music of low pitched symbols then play which creates tension as it is dramatic and slow communicating that something is going to happen or jump out.Diegetic sound of a man saying “its a warning” then creates a motivated quiet sound of a crack in the ceiling which builds tension as the audience is waiting for something to happen. There is then diegetic sound of a creature growling which will build the tension to a climax as it confirms there is something else in the pyramid with them.Diegetic sound of screaming is then used to scare the audiences and create a frightening atmosphere for the audience.

The mise-en-scene in this trailer is very stereotypical to the horror genre.•Old mummified skeletons are the first things seen in the trailer which is a stereotypical mise-en-scene convention for the horror genre as it represents death.•The green “toxic air” is also a horror convention as it is alike fog/mist which also commonly used in for horror trailers as it represents mystery and the unknown.•As the protagonists enter the pyramid the lighting is very dark; this plays on phobias such as isolation, claustrophobia and being scared of the dark. The audience also cant see anything other than what the camera is looking at which also creates tension and makes the trailer jumpy.• A figure runs quickly past the shot other than the characters which suggests that there is something else within the pyramid, this builds tension as the audience should automatically realise that it is evil.•There is also a skeleton which the audience assume is what the figure was that ran past.•Blood is also used and is a typical convention as it is stereotypical to horror films as it represents death.

Editing TheoryAlike other horror trailers the editing in this trailer starts off slow paced and gradually builds up to keep up with the narrative of the trailer which also builds tension.There are common editing techniques used in this horror trailer such as filters, speed variation, title slides and other effects.Filters are used in the beginning and end of the trailer to create different effects for example a sepia filter is used in the first shots to create an aged effect and tell the audience that the trailer is based around the pyramids. There is also a filter on a point of view shot to represent that it is dark and the camera is on night vision. Editing effects are also used when the toxic air is released and the camera image becomes fuzzy and pixilated. These editing techniques alike the sound are also vital to horror trailers as they build tension and help audiences to identify the genre and follow the narrative.

This trailer follows the following theorys:Todorov narrative theory Equilibrium – the beginning of the narrative starts out normal, Disequilibrium – a disruption occurs in the narrative causing disequilibrium, Recognition – Recognition of the disruption, Resolution – A plan is made to solve the disequilibriumRestoration – Restoration of the equilibrium, the story returns back to the beginning. However this trailer doesn’t feature the resolution or restoration parts which encourages audiences to watch it as they will want to know what happens.Rick Altman Genre theory that genres are usually defined by ideaology and narrative.Levi Strauss representation theory Young/old, ancient/modern, evil/good, dead/living.

Target audience and genre conventions

The target audience for this film is 15+ they will be horror fans or could inherited audiences from other genres such as historical films. The british actor from “The Inbetweeners” is also featured in the film and plays the role of Fitzie, an inherited audience of the fans from this tv series and films will also watch The Pyramid as it will be interesting for them to see how the actor is in a different genre. The actor Denis O'Hare from “American Horror Story” is also a main character in this film which will also attract fans as he is well known for being in the series.

Genre Conventions: The conventions in this horror trailer represent and are stereotypical to the horror genresuch as:BloodSkeletonsThe unknownDarknessVengenceDeath