This document analyzes various film techniques used across different genres of film including horror, paranormal, disaster, and social realism. It provides examples of shots from film trailers that set the scene, introduce characters, build tension, establish location and story, and convey themes of isolation, fear, and societal hardship. The document examines how elements like lighting, camera angles, editing, and mise-en-scène are employed to portray genre-specific themes and immerse the audience.
4. This two shot shows the relationship between the mother
and daughter, and seems to be a very happy scene.
This long shot is completely different to the previous
image – everything is very dark and remote. There is only
one long winding road and only one car, this relates more
to the horror film and also shows how isolated and alone
the main character is in the car.
5. This shot again shows the isolation of the main character
as she wanders around a deserted town, also the fog
means that you don’t know what she is walking towards
and helps to build suspense.
This medium shot of the sign shows that the location is
very important in this film and that there is something
significant about it, also it shows where the title of the film
comes from.
6. This again shows the significance of the location and
begins to explain some of the story behind it. It also makes
the audience want to know why Silent Hill is a ‘tainted
town’.
This medium shot shows the small girl from before
surrounded by hooded adults and makes the audience
want to know what has happened, also their costumes are
a lot more old fashioned and the girl is wearing a lighter
colour which makes her stand out form the others and
shows that there is something significant about her.
7. This close up is very dark which relates to the horror genre,
also the girl looks pale faced and almost scared looking.
This medium shot shows some characters that don’t look
human and are coming out of the dark towards the
audience, again showing the horror genre.
9. This medium shot sets the scene and introduces the main
character, also he talks about what they are going to be
doing – looking for the paranormal which already
introduces the paranormal genre.
This shot shows that something has happened in the past
where they are due to the date on the footage and it
introduces the horror genre as everything is dark and
creepy.
10. This long shot shows some more of the characters and
again shows the horror genre because of the dark human
shadow in the background that then walks to the left as the
camera zooms in.
This shot shows one of the characters isolated and alone in
the dark, looking terrified. The audience can’t see anything
behind him and his only light is from a torch, this
emphasises the horror genre.
11. This long shot emphasises the paranormal genre as the
person is flying through the air and the lights are suddenly
very bright.
This again emphasises the paranormal genre as the
person’s face is twisted and no longer looks human.
12. This shot shows some of the story about why they are
investigating this supposedly haunted building – the man
on the left is showing the investigators what has happened
before.
This shot shows that something unnatural is happening
because the window is opening by itself, also the text in the
bottom right corner makes it seem more real because it
has a date on it along with the text ‘actual footage’.
14. This introduces the main character and shows how normal
he is and how normal the party is. This shows that the later
disaster could happen at any time to anyone which makes
the audience feel more sympathy because they can relate
to it more.
There are numerous shots, similar to this one, that
introduce the main characters as they talk to the camera.
15. This shot shows that something has started to happen
because the lights have gone out and the characters are
starting to panic.
This shows that something big has happened that has
caused an earthquake and is being shown on the news
which emphasises the disaster genre.
16. This shot shows that something really bad has happened,
again emphasising the disaster genre, because the
characters are running panicked, also the camera is shaky.
This again shows a lot of frightened people running away
from something which shows both the action and disaster
themes.
17. This medium shot reinforces the disaster theme because
the statue of liberty’s head has been thrown on top of a car.
This shot shows the obliviousness of one of the characters
as he says that it is the best party ever, and it is also ironic
because of what is about to happen.
19. This establishing shot already shows the social realism
genre because it is a normal shot of a normal street, also it
is in black and white which demonstrates ‘hard times’ the
film was set in.
This introduces the main character and shows what he has
to deal with and how bad his situation is. It also makes the
audience empathise with him because of hi suffering.
20. This, again, makes the audience feel empathy towards the
main character and reinforces the social realism genre
because of what has happened to him.
This medium shot introduces another of the main
characters and shows the beginning of the relationship
between them.
21. This close up introduces the last main character and shows
how different she is to them.
This shot shows that life is hard for the other boy as well,
and how his father doesn’t approve of his friend.
22. This shot shows how things could change for the boys
because of how happy they are, this could make the
audience curious about what is happening
This again shows how things re changing for the boys and
it also shows they strong friendship.