Movie Trailer Analysis 2 - Paranormal Activity

The second of the movie trailers i have chosen to analysis is a film called Paranormal Activities (2010). This film is also a recently released film in the horror genre, one that was heavily promoted under claims that the film was based on true recordings.

The Paranormal Activity trailer is unique in the sense that it is shot in a shot of documentary style. It starts of with a shot of people queuing up for an advanced screening of the film with title over laying the footage explaining what is occurring, one of these such titles put the movies name in quotation marks, this projects a subconscious idea that what you are watching isn't a trailer but a case study into something more factual, something that is beyond a regular horror film.

Point of view shots are used throughout the trailer again to give it more of a factual feel, as if what you are is first hand, unedited footage, while at the same time a lot of medium, steady framed shots are used to show the 'paranormal activity' that is such an important part of the plot.

Almost all of the camera shots/angles are included in the trailer to suggest to the audience that what is being witnesses isn't a typical horror film and is something genuinely worth watching, even if you aren't a fan of this genre.

Dark music is included and titles containing rave reviews from critics are flashed onto the screen between 'paranormal' events. The view of this trailer is left with many question in their head about the authenticity of the claims made in the trailer, therefore increasing the likely hood of them going to see the product. Finally if the viewer does decide to he or she wants to see the film the name of the film and release date are included at the end of the trailer, following the typical convention.