Trailer Analysis - Hush

Hush -  Trailer Analysis

Shots

Within the trailer there has been a range of different shots implemented to present and exaggerate different aspects of horror. For instance, at the beginning of the trailer, there is a long shot that introduces the setting and location of the trailer itself however this particular shot uses the technique of panning to the point where we see a secluded house in the middle of the woods. The location itself is quite a cliche within horror movies as isolated houses are utilised to accentuate the idea of no escape or help. The long shot is therefore used to establish the uncanny setting of the horror.

At 1:28 seconds, there is also a medium long shot that shows the villain of the narrative. The shot shows the antagonist wearing a sinister mask. The mask also is a signature of a typical convention within horror films such as this one, most horror film villains usually wear masks therefore they are quite symbolic of other horror films such as Friday The 13th. The shot also includes a dim background with low key lighting. The setting behind the villain is quite gloomy but also extremely unilluminated, the characters composition is accurately placed in the middle of the screen to enable viewers to see the background simultaneously, the background adds an inauspicious tone to the character that is portrayed. The medium long shot combined with the elements of lighting and composition overall illustrates the villain to be quite daunting however the characters status is also compiled of surroundings such as darkness in the form of shadows and pockets of pitch black. The villains mask is also a signifier of danger which supports semiotics. This is essentially meaningful communication through the use of sign processes, in regards to this trailer, the mask could be used as a way to communicate a sense of fear into the audience.

Narrative

This particular trailer abides by the three part structure of horror trailers. At first, we see a woman (Victim) who is living a normal life however the problem arises when the masked man appears outside of her house. This could also be depicted as the disruption within the equilibrium which supports Vladimir Propps theory of equilibrium. The third act occurs near the end of the trailer which takes place in the form of a fast paced montage. The narrative is also easy to identify due to the use of constant graphic text on the screen at the beginning. This text gives us an incite as to what the film could be about.

Audience Theories

Uses & Gratifications Theory - This theory can be applied to any media text in order to show why an audience consumes a certain text such as the Hush trailer. This theory states that all media is constructed in order to fulfill the audiences needs. This theory comes under four main parts. These are known as information, personal identity,integration and social interaction and also entertainment. Information is the idea of audiences wanting to find out about society and the world which is an attempt to satisfy curiosity. Personal identity is the idea of watching media that is relatable to the normal life of audiences. Integration and Social integration is the idea of using media to find out more about the circumstances of other people perhaps through empathy or sympathy. Lastly, entertainment is people watching media for entertainment purposes such as passing the time or relaxation. Many of these ideas within the uses and gratifications theory can be applied to the horror trailer i have chosen. For instance, audiences may watch the actual film based on the trailer because they want to be entertained. This means they might watch it to get an adrenaline rush or to enjoy the tense moments of the film. However, other people also watch the film as an attempt to satisfy sadistic tendencies. For example, someone may find gratification by watching a lonely woman being constantly in danger which is quite sadistic. This could also be interpreted as sadistic voyeurism. Audiences may also watch the film as an attempt of social interaction. For instance, within the trailer, the woman is deaf, therefore audiences may watch the film in order to empathize with the character to see how she deals with certain situations, although deaf people are disadvantaged, audiences may watch to see what their role is in the film. Another reason could also be as an attempt of sympathy. Some audiences may feel sorry for the woman therefore they are drawn to watch the film in order to sympathize and understand the character on an extensive level.

Cultivation Theory- the more people spend time living in the television world, the more likely they are to believe the social reality portrayed on television. The process is cultivated because it only occurs over a long period of time. This can be applied to the film Hush for many different reasons. For instance, people may watch the film Hush and based on the violence and terror content of the film itself, audiences may feel desensitized to the violence. The definition of desensitized is to cause someone an experience, usually an emotion stronger than ever before. After watching Hush, audiences may feel that people who live in the middle of the words, are more prone to being watched and haunted by murderers and killers. Due to this scenario being quite frequent within horror movies, people who watch these types of films more often are likely to be influenced by its social reality portrayed in films.