Textual Analysis A2 Media Lucy-Anne Richardson

1. Textual AnalysisA2 MediaLucy-Anne Richardson

2. Trailer 1 – The Possession Credits • The film was created by Lions gate and Ghosthouse pictures. • Directed by Ole Burnedal • Produced by Sam Raimi • Written by Juliet Snowden and Stiles White The use of some of the names above, especially Sam Raimi are very popular directors/producers which is a persuasive element as the audience will most probably know of their successful work which provides more trust in the film. • It also provides the names of the actors such as Geoffrey Dean Morgan and Kyra Sedgwick as well as an extra website leading the more information on Facebook. Narrative • Looking at Todorov’s narrative structure, you can compare this to the trailer as it goes through all of the stages. Firstly you have the equilibrium where there is a balance. The first characters you see are the parents which is the balance. This then leads on to a disruption in which it focuses on the main little girl who finds the box in which the films stems from. They then try to repair the disruption by going to see specialists and doing the exorcism. However, they do not show you the overall ending as this would spoil the film; they show all the events leading up to it, therefore the audience would need not go and pay for the film. Performance • The performance of all the actors is of a very high standard. Each actor suits their role within the film; especially the father who is played by Geoffrey Dean Morgan. However, in my personal opinion, the young girl who gets possessed didn’t play the part as well as she could have due to some parts being dull. The use of successful actors also allows the audience to have more trust and expectation in the film.

3. Release Dates • The trailer doesn’t specifically say when the release date is, it only shows ‘Coming Soon’ and a website where you can find more information. This could be due to enticing the audience to keep updated. Also, as the film came closer to being shown in cinemas, it would have had the release date shown at the end as it has been updated. The release date was 31st August 2012 from recent trailers and the website. It would have only shown the release date for the UK and it is where it is being shown. However, the date would have been different if shown in other countries such as the USA. Camera Work • The camera work is very good, it uses a wide variety of different shots and many techniques that increase the tension of the film. It includes many jump cuts that allow you to focus on the important aspect of the scene such as when the young girl finds the box at a yard sale. There are also a couple of establishing shots which allows the audience to create the scene and understand where it is based etc. which looks into the context. The use of close ups show the audience the facial expressions which could be considered the most important as it is a thriller/horror meaning the actors have to act of the influence of a ‘spirit’ that is supposed to be there although it isn't. • The use of good camera work in the scene where the girl sticks a fork into her dads hand only shows the actions of going to do it rather than the after shot; the audience assumes it has happened due to the acting and camera shots leading to it.

4. Editing and Sound Some of the editing techniques are of a very high standard and is personally, why I like the trailer/film the best. I have gained many ideas from this trailer when looking at editing especially the scene where the spirit gets released from the girl which shows essentially a swarm of flies leaving her body. I want to do a similar scene with to show the same thing. However, I may have to change some sections as they would have used high quality equipment so I may need to change some of the editing techniques come the post production phase. Another good example would be when the box moves by itself into the corner of the room. It accompanies sound effects with it which makes it scary and more effective. They have made the box move faster then suddenly stops when the music stops. The Sound matches a lot of the actions and editing. Throughout the trailer, they have used a variation of different sound effects as well as music. The music they have used within the exorcism scene is quite powerful as it sounds choir like or people would associate it with the church. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gBeG31fX40

5. Trailer 2 – The Apparition Credits – • Within the trailer itself, it doesn’t actually show the credits at all other than the Warn Bros (Time Warner) and Dark Castle logo obviously showing who is creating it. However, you don’t get to find out the director or producers, including the actors like you would in other trailers. This could be harmful to the film as people may be influenced by certain people within the production to actually come and watch it. One of the reasons it may not mention actors names would either be because people are likely to know who they are like myself but only because they are from films I would enjoy. This could differ with different audiences as others may not know which could be why they haven’t including names as they aren’t hugely famous actors. It does give a website at the end leading to Facebook which will give this information and release dates (as it only included ‘Coming Soon’). • More recent trailers may be shown when the opening of the film is approaching which may give different bits of information such as the release date.

6. Narrative One of the main strengths of this trailer is the fact they have narration at the beginning which sets the scene and lets the audience understand what’s going on and why they are doing certain things. For example, the narrator says that it was a college experiment that succeeded and therefore released a spirit. It then stops and allows the actors to portray the rest of the story. The voice of the narration suits the trailer and genre very well. It is serious and is a male voice which goes well when he is explaining the experiment as the audience may associate him with a professor etc. Performance The acting is quite well done, especially as I know of the actors and love the films they have starred in. The main girls acting out shines the other actors especially in the scene right at the end of the trailer when she is being captured by the spirit. However, one of the men who is shown laying on the ceiling could have been done to a much better standard. He makes it look unrealistic, perhaps just because the other two actors are really good. There are only four people shown in the entire trailer which seems odd as you would expect extras or random people in the background of certain scenes. In my opinion, this is another factor showing its unrealistic.

7. Camera Work • The camera work is done well as it creates tension and suits the storyline. There are random flashes of science related images such as DNA and chemicals etc. which links in with the experiment story. • The camera also shows the events through another camera which is actually shown in a film. It is clear to see through the differences in camera quality – this really effective. • Other parts of the camera work would be jump cuts which makes the trailer jumpy as well as close ups which, again, show the actors emotions. Also, the mid/long shot used when all three are standing looking over the town is useful to the audience as it creates contextual information such as where they are etc. • The last shot is one of my favourite's which I would love to somehow incorporate into my trailer. At the end the main girl is sitting very still and the camera slowing zooms into her face whilst the demons hand wrap around her body and eventually her face showing the audience she has been captured. Editing and Sound • At first I didn’t think the sound was very good but once I listened again, there were many effects that I didn’tnotice because I was focusing on everything else that was happening. Some of the sound effects were slowed down when something scary was about to happen, then when it did – it sped up and made you jump which was really effective. There are many sounds that link in with the storyline such as the sound of equipment in the background, some of which are squealing/squeaking sounds which are really quite uncomfortable to listen to but it creates tension. • One of my favourite effects used in this trailer would be at the end when you can hear the girl’s thoughts but she isn't actually speaking it out loud. • To link in with the genre, it follows some contemporary aspects such as screaming and the sound of the demon itself. • Looing at the editing techniques, they may have used some form of CGI to make it look like her bed sheets were suffocating her. It created the shape of her body which was really scary and it makes the audience feel uncomfortable. • Lastly, other good editing techniques included the girl getting sucked through the wall as well as the man laying on the ceiling. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7pY71AvnlE

8. Trailer 3 – The Skeleton Key Credits The credits are not shown at the beginning of the trailer but at the end, all together. It is a black screen with white writing right at the very end, tell the audience information about the film such as actors involved, directors etc. It tells us that the film has been written by the writer of ‘The Ring’ which is a very successful scary film. This gives the audience more faith that the new film will also be a success. This is the same with the mention of the actors’ names including Kate Hudson, GenaRowlandsand Peter Sarsgaard. It also tells you the director, Iain Soffrey and produced by Daniel Bobker. Performance In my personal opinion, I think the performance in this film is of a very high quality. All three of the main actors are well known actors and have had successful careers. The use of actors such as Kate Hudson is appealing to audiences, firstly because she is a celebrity but also because of her appearance. Looking at Laura Mulvey’s male gaze theory, many people would be interested in her appearance and her, in turn being interested in the film. The elderly man plays a very good scene within the trailer when she shows him the mirror. Release Dates It doesn’tspecify exactly what date the film is released, which some trailer don’t until nearer the time of release. However, it does say right at the end, ‘Coming soon on DVD and Video’ which makes the audience excited. It also specifies some of the platforms used such as DVD which at the time, was becoming very popular and would have been a favourable choice.

9. Camera Work The camera work in this film is relatively good. At the beginning, there is an establishing shot of a bright setting which the woman is travelling across. This allows us, along with her expressions etc. to see that she is travelling somewhere new. However, as she gets to the house, it starts to get darker and more mysterious. The camera work uses good angles which match the actions and sounds well. For example, when there is lightening, the camera has the good woman on the left and a statue on the right which is quite mysterious and unknown. One of my favourite camera shots is when the elderly lady is talking about the house. When she says ‘Skeleton Key’, it switches to a shot which looks like it is inside the key hole so you can see the shape of it. It allows us to see the young lady walking towards what the audience knows to be the door to the attic. As she goes into the room, the audience already know it’s a bad idea so the camera turns upside down as she walks in. This immediately tells the audience this is negative. There are many close ups which are used well, in the correct points so we can see the actors’ expressions. Lastly, when they are talking about seeing the ghosts through the mirrors, the camera actually looks like its looking through a mirror which is really effective.

10. Editing and Sound The editing in this film is not as good as you would expect. Even though it is a supernatural, scary film, they tend to use real life situations to scare the audience rather than digitally created images. For example, when the elderly man points at who he is scared of, he points to a door and a shadow suddenly moves. Whereas, you would expect something to be created perhaps by CGI like newer films. However, the sound is quite effective as it sets the mood. At the beginning, there is a happy song played as she is on the way to the house but once she is there, it stops which shows the audience there is something wrong already and that this is the setting for the evil happenings they are expecting. When the camera looks upon the elderly woman, the sound deepens which could give the audience some early warning that she is the antagonist or the negative character; also known as dramatic irony. This is the same when the younger woman opens the attic door as a deep slow bang sounds showing she shouldn’t be going in there.

11. Poster – The Possession Colour Scheme – looking at the colours used in the poster, the background is a dull grey which I personally think should have been darker to create a more mysterious, dark effect. This grey is too light for such a disturbing film. However, the use of the light blue/green colour for the girls outfit looks like a hospital gown which is in keeping with the story line. The poster is quite bland in colour as they are mainly focusing on the image, however, the overall colour scheme is dark and dingy. The left hand, bottom of the poster is black whereas the rest is not. It makes it look like the blackness is spreading which is really effective and links in with the spirit spreading through the girl. Looking at composition, the rule of thirds is used well in this poster as it is spaced out equally. The eyes go to certain important places on the poster such as both ends of the title and the hand which is the main focus.

12. Image – Immediately, the image is very disturbing and scary in itself. You can’t see the girls face as the hand is covering it but if you were to have already watched the trailer you would know what the girl looked like. The fact that you can’t see the girls face is very unusual and scary so the audience would want to find out more. It could also show that the protagonist’s identity has been taken away, something that is important for the audience to relate to. Font – The main title you see is The Possession which is white which you wouldn’t expect in a scary film as the connotation of white is pure and innocent. However, this could represent the girl as the spirit takes over her because she is pure. It shows juxtaposition and contrast with the rest of the poster. It also has lines and splatters through it which could be seen as blood perhaps. Another link to blood would be the release date being in red which the eye immediately goes too as well as having the connotation of blood or perhaps love which shows the relationship between the father fighting to save his daughter.

13. Poster – Skeleton Key Colour Scheme – The colours are quite dark but as it has a face on the poster, it uses the skin colour of the model also. It almost looks like a sepia effect has been used. It seems to darken as you go up the poster which I think is because he is looking slightly upwards at something – which we don’t know what – so it will darken at what he’s looking at. Looking at the rule of thirds, it has been used in this poster so you look at the title as well as the eye which has used super imposition to insert another picture inside – perhaps to look like what the man is seeing. The image on this poster is one of my favourite's because of the use of two pictures put on top of each other. It tells the audience a bit about the story just from the poster. For example, you can see the man is elderly from his skin, you can also see what could be the same man, sitting in a wheelchair which brings the question – why is he in the wheelchair? Also, the house he is looking at is obviously important if he’s sitting there staring at it and to be the main focus point on the poster.

14. Font – The title is the first thing you see as it looks like it is coming out of the picture. The title is very clever as they have used an ‘£’ sign which looks like a key hole to replace the ‘e’ in ‘key’. The colour is also slightly bright which firstly makes me think of a bright light shining through the key hole – perhaps this is from a scene in the trailer which reminded me. Right at the top of the poster, Kate Hudson’s name is spaced out. This shows she is the main actor in the film and also could show her fame as she is the only actor shown on the poster – it could draw people in just because she is in it. The use of the eye could be significant and linked in with the film. The eye is the main focal point on someone’s face as it shows their emotions. Also, the eye could be linked spiritually as it is said you look into someone’s soul through their eyes.

15. Magazine Cover – Sherlock Holmes Colour Scheme – The colours used in this magazine cover suit the genre very well. The use of the blue and white creates a smoky effect which is mysterious. Blue also connotes coldness which suits the film well. I will look into connotations when creating my magazine cover as it creates an in depth effect. The title is in bold capitals which is just the normal convention of ‘Total Film’ magazine as the same one is used on every magazine. However, this title is white which would usually portray purity or innocence. This could be juxtaposition as there is a contrast between this and the thriller/horror genre. The background is also very subtle as it shows buildings which, from contextual knowledge about the film would be London buildings such as the Big Ben on the right perhaps. Image – The image is of one of the characters which I am going to use on my cover. It will be the main actress once she has been possessed which will be accompanied by a dark eerie background and title. The model on this cover is also very famous and could be one of the aspects of why audiences would actually come and see the film either because of their fame or the fact that their previous films have been successful which gives faith in this film. This is the same with directors and producers. The models position is looking straight forward and is standing straight up with his hands in his pockets showing he is quite relaxed yet thinks quite well of himself.

16. Rule of thirds – The rude of thirds is used really well on this cover as the eyes go to the most important aspects of it. For example, straight away you look at the models face which is important as you see who it is (fame) as well as the expression. You also see the title of the fame and can immediately associate all other aspects with it such as the actor and background. Text – The text on a magazine cover would obviously be a lot more than it would on the film poster. This is because the magazine would be advertising the film in order to gain a larger audience. The title of the film would usually be all in the same colour. However, this cover uses white and blue perhaps to give more emphasis on ‘Sherlock’ as people would automatically know what film it is if they were to see it quickly for example. The font used is not what I would expect this film and genre to be. It should be a harsher, bolder font to stand out more effectively. From this I will use the main actress as the model. I will also use a bolder font than this as it is in keeping with the scary genre and so it stands out more.

17. Magazine Cover – New Moon Colour Scheme – Even though New Moon is not classed as a horror, it is still quite mysterious and supernatural. The background is pitch black and there is no variation in colour. From knowing the film, I know this is juxtaposition as the actor shown is not the evil character but is seen, by some, as evil which could be why they have used black (dramatic irony) The use of yellow on the title is used so that it stands out which it does. Yellow usually connotes happiness or sunshine which completely contrasts what happens in the film. I wouldn’t have used yellow as it does not look very in keeping with the red on the ‘Empire’ title. The red goes really well as it connotes blood, love and lust which is what the film is all about. Image – The image is of the main character in the film and one of the most popular. He is also very famous and appeals to many young teenagers. Laura Mulvey’s male gaze theory links in with this as the model could be partly why people are interested in the film/magazine. The rule of thirds also makes the audience look straight into the actors’ eyes which shows the emotion on his face. Also, the eyes are quite important to the film and his character as the orange eyes show that he is a good vampire rather than being evil who have red eyes. Text – The text is suitable for the magazine as it is bold and bright – it is easily viewable. The ‘Empire’ font is always kept the same as it is a well known magazine and this is partly how it is recognised. There is not as much text on this cover compared to the other as less cover lines are used.