Analysis of Shots Used.

After analysing the six trailers it was evident that, conventionally, there were a few main shots used. 

• Extreme close-up/close-up.
• Establishing shot.
• Point of view shots. 

In almost all of the trailers used, the 'Extreme close-up' shot is common. This type of shot is designed to create intensity and tension for the viewers as everything about the shot is emphasised. For example, in the 'Insidious' trailer, from around 1:33 to 1:39, is littered with extreme close-up and close-up shots. Combing this with fast paced cuts, the intensity is taken to the next level. As the close-up shots focus the entire energy of the filming to one spot it concentrates the drama. For example, in the same trailer, a close-up of the door handle is shown for slightly longer giving the common fear of not knowing what's behind the door. This is completely made by the style of shot. It clouds the whole of the house and the door itself so the tension can be built waiting for the door to open. We'll use this shot type a lot in our work as it seems very achievable and can increase the films intensity quickly. 

The establishing shot is evidently one of the most important shots in the trailers as it features in the majority. Throughout films of all genres it seems that the establishing shot is generally placed at the beginning of a filming sequence to identify setting. Although this is evident in the trailer of 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' at 0:13; horror trailers seem to use the shot more widely. In the same trailer, at 0:48, another establishing shot is used. Commonly in horror films the action and terror usually derives from one source, usually a house or general area. In 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' it's a house. The shot depicts a character to the left of the screen walking towards the centrally focused house. As the run-down and dirty house is the central focus it's clear that the house will be the main focus of the film. So, this shot not only gives brilliant viewing for the audience, it also allows for a subtle insight toward the plot which we previously established as the key role for a trailer. 

Point of view shots have been widely used in cinema for many years. A shot in this style gives the audience a feeling of involvement as they're seeing the scenes as the depicted character would. However, the horror genre in particular has expanded and elaborated upon this shot type and given it new dimensions. To create an even more 'incorporative' feel to a film the point of view shot has been developed with a 'handheld' and home-made style. This evidently marries the horror genre perfectly as whole films, namely Cloverfield and The Blair Witch Project have been shot in this style. The slightly unfocused and unstable style of these shots means that the terror of the scenes is heightened as things are less clear; again tapping into the primal fear of 'the unknown.' Although not found too commonly in the six trailers we have analysed we feel this style of shot is brilliant in achieving our sole aim of creating a terrifying and convincing trailer. On this basis we'll utilise this technique in our work.

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