A2 Media Portfolio: September 2017

Advantages

Brings you straight to the plot
Uses iconic scenes (as based on 1986 version by Stephen King) e.g. from the beginning 0:30
Use of strong shadows and the slow zooms - is very effective
First set of music is foreboding and builds up (as tension increases)
Eerie music follows throughout
Distinguishable red balloon can be seen frequently and effectively
Repetitive phrase (as voice over)
Speed up (after 1.20) of music and pacing

Disadvantages

The last section feels like it reveals too much of the plot/ending
Lots of small cuts which give away different points in the film
Gives us the movement of the plot (where IT lives), this however also gives us less to question as a result

An example of an excellent newly released trailer (08.07.17)

The most notable part of the trailer we notice is the use of music. The effectivity of using a string instrument helps emphasise tension (as there is determined physical tension to a string of a stringed instrument) which the violin expresses as it strums or plucks to uneven tempos. In addition, the flute is used as a brief calming although it also gives a hollow and temporary sense of calming. The insertion of the abrupt violin during each scene change and tapping during the clips leaves the audience feeling anxious and panicky. The sudden change in pace (speed up) which the music accompanies is most effective in creating a sense of fear and heart racing terror to the watchers.

The editing conforms to trailer conventions as it starts slowly and then builds up, later including fast paced shots along with strings of (minor) sounding plucking. The inter-titles merge in very well through it's use of a more classic script type of font (calligraphy). There are also splotches of smudging and ink-like details which could connote to mess and disaster due to the way the font is unrefined and gives an unkempt style.

The use of in-voice dialogue is small and subtle however I think that as a result of this, it keeps the balance of what to reveal and what to keep from the streamers. The less additional information, the more mysterious and more curious exciting the trailer becomes. The voice over that is introduced is that of an emotional dialogue which is effective as it also does not connect to a scene which dubs the said narrative. This in result causes the watchers to wonder where or why there is an outburst of such emotion.

Notes:

Subtle jump scares

Use of inter-titles paired with the violin + tapping/clattering sounds

Inter-title fits with the time zone of the film, also replicates a messy font yet keeping a mild elegance to it

Increase after 1:00, pace speeds up, like sharp heart beats

Plays around with the tone of the violin from high pitch to low pitch

Tense noises - use of instruments

Tapping to create tension

Connotes impatience of audience

And slows down tapping beats on revealing scenes

Mise en scene - the decay of the house, gore scenes - lamp filling up with blood

Trailer begins ‘clean’ and then ends in decay and destruction