Trailer Analysis - Haunting in Connecticut

The Haunting in Connecticut – Teaser trailer (1:01)

At what point in the trailer are we told the name of the film? Why is this?

The audience sees the name of the film at the last 10seconds of the trailer as this is the climax of the minute we have been watching. The trailer simply leaves you with unanswered questions and dramatic images then the title of the film so you can then decide whether to look it up and go see it or not. The lettering of the film title is a silver glow which matches stereotypical characteristics of ghosts and spirits - themes that are covered within the film.

Why are we told who is starring in the film?

There are no names given in this trailer sequence mainly because the film used unknown actors to play the roles and, because the film itself has a big enough appeal because of the use of ‘True Story’.

How is this information given to us and why?

The name of the film, the date and the fact it’s based on a true story are given as the trailers pace begins to fasten and disequilibrium shots are shown rapidly. This is because the attention of the audience is now predicted to be caught fully, therefore the audience is immersed within the trailer and we hopefully remember these key facts.

What type of action from the film do we see?

There is a range of action shots in the sequence. the first dramatic action shot the audience is shown is at 20 seconds when a man is grabbed by the scalp by a fast, unfamiliar shadow. Although it isn't untill 0.44 seconds the next action shot is seen, from here on there are shots of things moving without anyone there, group of unknown people surronding the protagonist, the house on fire, smoke coming out of people and hallways smothered in writing and mist. These paranormal activities help show the audience what can be expected in the film, in terms of drama, horror and action in the certificate 15 standard. It also shows what type a horror film the audience can expect - this isn't a physical film but the ghostly and 'other world' experience which may appeal to a completely different audience.

What clues does the music give us as to what type of film the trailer is advertising?

The non-diegetic music is composed of large bass beats and high stringed instruments. The introductory seconds to the trailer the music includes high female voices holding a note which drops once the first action begins, this begins this disequlibrium throughout the trailer - both in the music and on screen. In the music the music is strange and the instruments make squeals and screams making it hard to figure out what instruments they actually are. The personification of the music makes the trailer eerie, and also makes the screams and human noises sound like a part of the non-diegetic soundtrack.

Does the trailer come with a voice over and if so what can you tell about the voice being used? Why do you think the voice was chosen? What effect does it have?

The name of the film is read by the voice over at the end and has a very deep growling voice which fits into the mystery of what this horror involves but if less alarming then what the audience has seen before this shot and therefore brings them back to reality and hopefully a conclusion of whether or not they want to see this film.

How does the speed of what we see compare from watching a clip from the film? Why is this?

The pace of a teaser trailer is very fast (the longest shot lasted about 3 seconds) changing almost at the blink of an eye, whereas an opening allows for more information to be reserved from the audience and shots that can hold for a longer amount of time allowing the audience to build up character profiles and locations before the dramatic plot kicks in.

Does the speed alter throughout the trailer?

Only the first 10 seconds is the trailer in complete equilibrium as we establish the setting and the protagonist’s new surroundings. However the fact that the character is in 'new' surroundings fits into the conventions of a horror (gothic in particular) as they are in unseen and unfamiliar territory. After 10 seconds – still establishing the location with the protagonist is the first sign of disequilibrium, supported with sharp instruments that sound like screams. From here until 26 seconds, sharp gaining stringed instruments compliment the diagetic script e.g. “they held séances in this house” until the non-diagetic soundtrack stops so the full-focus on a character saying “your scaring me” which is the slowest the trailer will get other then the end. From here strange unfamiliar instrument noises escalate louder and faster and the characters become more distressed screaming and shouting rather than talking -“what have you done to yourself?” and the shots are changing on the second showing more disequilibrium to the family in this house. By the noise of a sharp knife or sword the voice over announces the film title and ends the distress.

What information are we given about the film? At what point in the trailer is this information given?

At various points throughout the trailer we are given information. At the beginning we are introduced to a house, with the female protagonist ironically saying ‘it’s perfect and spacious, I’m just wondering where’s the catch’ which puts the idea of disequilibrium in the audiences heads from the start. Furthermore, at the beginning we are introduced to the family with various children and teenagers. The next piece of information we learn is that the house was used for séances by pictures and newspapers underneath floorboards, one of the photos contain a child of which one of the teenagers say he has seen every day since they moved in. Through writing on a blank shot we learn it is based on a true story as the pace of the trailer fastens. The last information is said by a priest ‘there’s something evil in this house, and it wants your son’ which is followed by many shots of the son being tortured by the unknown within the house. Finally the name of the film and it’s rating is read by the voice over. Although a lot of little facts from the plot are revealed, they are still ambiguous by the reason the audience have no idea why it is happening or who is doing it to the family.

What type of audience is the trailer aimed at? How can you tell?

This trailer is held for fans who like the horror/thriller genre and films based on true stories. This is because a lot of the content is of gore and the unknown with flashing shots of horrible things happening to the innocent, which is expected by horror/thriller fans. True stories appeal to a wide range of people and add depth to the film knowing that it actually happened and this is shown via writing in bold letters halfway through the trailer. This defiantly isn’t for under 12’s because of the content of scary scenes which parents would not allow for their children to see. Using PearlandDean.com I found further specific details about the demographic. Using this chart below, it is clear that the highest range of people whom saw this film were 15-24, the next being 45+ and males are just above females in going to see this film by 4%