This essay will explore how genre and narrative are created within film trailers. Regardless of the style and genre of the film, even if not emphasised, genre and narratives are always present within film trailers. For example, people can guess the genre of a film by watching the trailer simply by recognising conventions they have seen in other films within that genre. For example, with a horror film, the audience will automatically be able to tell that its a horror when they recognise such conventions as eerie/tense music, handheld footage, slamming doors and many other stereotypical horror conventions.
The narrative is simply the story within the film. It can be defined as the plan for the characters in their world and provides the essential information for the film to make sense. The narrative is the structure of the film and allows it to progress. Genre classifies the set text of the narrative and categorises it according to conventions and set expectations for certain genres. However, the classification is not a closed system and cannot be seen as having one set answer. There is always debate about the genre of a narrative after close analysis and this can create 'sub-genres' which branch out from the 'classic' genres such as; action, horror, sci-fi, swash-buckle, adventure and comedy but to name a few. Some narratives that can be placed in more than one genre are known as 'hybrid' films due to the fact that they contain recognised conventions of more than one genre.
The two film trailers I have decided to watch from 'Sinister' and 'Paranormal Activity 1'. These films have similar genres as they are both horror films. However, the horror genre covers a wide area and films can be placed within sub-genres within the root genre of horror, as mentioned before. 'Sinister' appears to have an in depth storyline and shows that the narrative itself has an influence on the horror aspects. This means that the film is likely to fall with the psychological horror sub genre and because of this I would expect a deep and thorough storyline to really draw the audience in. On the other hand, 'Paranormal Activity 1 features a fairly basic story line and the horror is mainly created via 'jump scares' which are situations that literally just make the audience jump from moments of rising tension and panic. Unlike 'Sinister', I'm not expecting a detailed story line. I would say that this film would fall into the 'jumpy' horror genre.
Genre is created within the 'Sinister' film trailer through many different ways. At the beginning of the trailer you hear the sound of a news report talking about a murder. The establishing shot is of a house at night, an image which is unknown as to what it is quickly flashes at the audience. You then see images of a family, the young girl is circled and then it quickly cuts to a drawing of all the family hanging. All of this happens whilst the news report is being heard over the top. After the report has finished and the images stop coming up, a text shot appears saying '9 months later'. This suggests automatically tells the audience that this film is a horror genre through simple use of images to match the dialogue heard.
The editing in this opening to the trailer also reinforces the creation of genre as the quick cuts are a stereotypical convention within the horror genre.
Within this trailer, there are also are also many stereotypical 'horror shots'; a character going into an attic with a torch, figures appearing in the background of shots and moving photos. These conventions make it clear that the genre of the film is a horror. This representation of the horror genre is then strengthened by the choice of actors and actresses. As they are relatively unknown the audience don't feel as if they are watching a film because the characters actually appear to be real people whereas famous actors make the audience see that actor within a film. The fact that the characters appear to be real people due to the fact an audience is unlikely to have seen them before means the horror is heightened and the genre reinforced.
This technique is also used with 'Paranormal Activity' as the actors are unknown therefore heightening the effect of the horror genre.
The genre within the trailer of 'Paranormal Activity' is represented in similar ways; the use of stereotypical conventions (E.G. Slamming doors and swinging lights) and the use of quick cuts and rapid images/movement. However, this trailer uses an unconventional method of showing the genre to the audience. This trailer begins with showing you an audience queueing to see the film. During these shots there is text on screen stating that they were about to 'experience' the film 'Paranormal Activity'. This suggests that the film is something so extreme its an experience. This alone, along with the name 'Paranormal Activity' suggests to the audience that the genre is horror. This is then confirmed as throughout the trailer, audience reactions are shown along with footage within the trailer. Seeing audience members screaming, hiding behind their hands and jumping out of their chairs is a very clever and clear way of showing the genre of the film.
The trailer for 'Paranormal Activity' establishes the narrative of the film almost instantly. We first hear a man talking about his girlfriend Katie. As she is the first named character the audience could presume that she will be the main character. In this opening piece of dialogue we are told that Katie thinks that there is something in the house. This information, along with the dialogue with them talking about the camera and how they will record any paranormal activity tells the audience a majority of the narratives journey. Later in the trailer we discover that Katie gets bitten by this paranormal entity. This then tells the audience that the narrative will lead up to this event and the only narrative left untold is what happens after the bite incident.
The characters shown are hard to place into narratives theories but you could argue that either of the two characters shown in the trailer (Katie and the man) could be the hero character type in Propp's character type theory and the other to be the helper. The paranormal entity would be the villain character.
This is completely different within the trailer for 'Sinister'. The character roles according to the Propp's character theory are much easier to classify. For example, other than the news report the first person you hear speak is a little girl and her father. The father character appears in almost every shot directly after and throughout the whole trailer. This suggests that he is likely to be the main character or the hero according to Propp. We discover a lot of information about the film and facts the audience member would need to know to understand this film. We learn a great deal of information about the villain character within this trailer. This is an unconventional technique as normally the demon/ghost/paranormal figure is left completely un-described or seen to allow the shock factor when you see the film. However, in telling us about this character gives the audience a bit of prior knowledge to help understand the narrative. The trailer for 'Sinister' gives us a great deal of information of the narrative for the character of the dad. However, the narrative of the whole media text is left unspecified so the relevance of the dads narrative is left unclear. This trailer doesn't reveal much of the narrative suggesting that there is a lot to discover when you watch the film.
In both film trailers males are represented very stereotypically. They are seen to be the dominant figure in the dangerous situation they are in. This connotes strength, courage and determined which are considered traditional 'manly' traits. In the ' Paranormal Activity' trailer the male character is shown to be making jokes about there being a paranormal being in the house by making experiments to see if its true. This light heartedness represents males as quite jokey and carefree. This changes and the representation goes back to the protective, strong representation when the paranormal activity starts to occur.
The jokey representation is not shown in 'Sinister'. The male character is shown to be a determined character as he is shown to be hard working and willing to move house to simply be able to work - which we discover from the dialogue from the trailer. The representation of 'manliness' with the connotations of strength and protectiveness are shown just like they are within 'Paranormal Activity'.
The representation of women in both trailers is fairly similar. Both films portray women as the stereotypical damsel in distress. This stereotype is old and if not approved my members of the audience it is still recognisable and a classic representation within the horror genre.
I would say that 'Paranormal Activity's' target audience would be aimed at older teens to young adults, both male and female. The reason I believe that this group is its target audience is because of groups of friends going out to see a scary film for the adrenaline rush. It could also be aimed at young adults/couples who have recently bought a house. The characters in this film have just bought the house they are living in and couples or people living together could relate to this situation and the film would have a greater effect. Although not within the target audience range, this film may appeal to older generations who may have children who have just bought their first properties and the film would have an impact on them as they could picture their own children in this situation.
I would imagine that 'Sinister' would have a slightly older target audience as the film isn't as basic as jump scares so a group of friends looking for an adrenaline rush may not be best suited.
As the film is based on a family and the whole family is put under threat, the film may have more of an effect on parents as they have the ability to imagine their family in that situation.
Neither of the films would be suitable or be targeted and younger audiences (below 15) or the elder generation (60+).
Both film trailers establish genre very effectively by either using conventions or challenging traditional forms of doing so. For example, 'Paranormal Activity' goes against convention and uses audience reaction to establish genre which I think is very effective as it isn't a filming technique showing the genre, its real audience members. Whereas 'Sinister uses conventions such as quick cuts, and establishing shot mysterious and dark. This isn't as effective as it is always possible for it to be another genre but as the trailer continues it becomes very clear.
The narratives within these trailer are well told, especially in 'Sinister' as we are given information to aid our understanding within the film but not so much that the story is ruined. However, with 'Paranormal Activity' so much of the narrative is told that you know what to expect in the film other than the very ending. I think its quite a good technique to use as it means the audience will want that one final answer. However, they might feel they know most of the story and feel like there's no point watching it.
