Horror film titles analysis

Final Destination Trailer Titles

The image above is of the production company logo shown in the trailer for the first Final Destination film. Although it is the first title to be seen it is not the first thing shown in the trailer as trailer convention would suggest. This may be so that it is the content of the film, rather than the production company, that is seen as the main focus of the trailer and is the first thing used to attract the audience to the film. The colour scheme used for the production logo is the same as that which is used for the titles throughout the trailer, dark blue and black base with white writing. This creates continuity throughout the trailer and links the production logo to the rest of the feature so that it does not stand out too much and ruin the atmosphere created by the rest of the trailer.  

The titles shown in the images above have a blue/black background that appears cloudy, like a stormy night sky. This reflects some of the highlighted themes and ideas of the trailer, for example danger and mystery. It may also represent the turbulence and uncertainty of the events that will unfold in the feature film. The text has a lighter blue haze around it, which makes the text stand out more against the background so that it becomes the main focus of the scene. It is a cold colour which could represent the fear of the characters and the cold, inhuman nature of their enemy, death. The actual text is white which, again, makes it stand out against the background but could also imply the innocence of the victims and the contrast between them and the darker force in the film. The words, ‘You may get a second chance at life’, ‘but you can’t cheat death’ inform the audience about the main theme of the film, death, as well as giving them enough information about the film to entice them, without giving too much away, therefore encouraging them to watch the film. The words also work to create an enigma code and a sense of foreboding in the audience as they suggest imminent death and a constant extreme danger. The font of the titles is in block capitals to emphasis its point and maximise the impact. The font also appeals ghostly, perhaps even resembling bones, which links to the theme of death.

The background and image style is the same for the two titles shown above as the previous two titles and has very much the same effect. The only difference in the appearance of the titles is the light blue haze around the text has become more drawn out and appears pointed. This emphasises the increase in the danger the characters are in throughout the film. The icy grip of death is reaching out to them. The text itself contains the title of the film and its official website. This is important information for the audience so that they can find out more about the film and can go and watch it. 

The final screen also has the same background, font and colours with the same connotations. However the text doesn’t have the blue haze around it. This may be because it is information that has to be included for copyright reasons rather than to add to the effect of the trailer. Therefore they have chosen not to draw attention to it in the same way as to not adding to the effect of the trailer.

Insidious trailer titles

The production logo shown in the screenshot above has been altered from the ordinary Film District logo which has a natural, much lighter sunset background with a blue and pink colour base. It has been changed to a blood red for the Insidious trailer to reflect the genre and themes of the film. The colour is associated with danger and violence which links to the horror genre and themes linked to it for example fear and death. It has been altered so that it sets the scene for the type of content that may be in the film and creates the mysterious and scary atmosphere created by the rest of the trailer. This is also emphasised by the back edges and text which have a shadowy effect and reflect the darkness in the trailer. The font is simple and the same as the typical Film District logo. This is so that it remains an iconic and recognisable logo which the audience associate with the company.   

The three titles in the images above show white text on a contrasting black background, the use of this contrast and the simple block colour creates a dramatic effect. As well as ensuring the text stands out really well against the background the pure black base has denotations of darkness and shadows which leads to connotations of death, mystery, and fear which are conventional themes of the horror genre. The white text could represent the innocence of the victims and the way that it is faded at the edges may show the corruption of this innocence caused by the events in the film. The font looks similar to that of an old fashioned type writer. This could link to ideas of an ancient evil or an on-going theme/history between the protagonist and the antagonist. The text flickers and changes from one word to the next, which may represent the uncertainty of events and unclearness of the future of the characters in the film. The sentence is broken, it is not completed, leaving a question in the audience’s mind, so that want to keep watching to discover the end of the sentence.  

The next titles use the same contrasting colour scheme and font with very much the same overall effect, which also works to keep continuity and continue the already established atmosphere. However the text is bigger and bolder and does not flicker in the same way. This may be to ensure that the title does not appear to be part of the story of the film, like the rest of the text, and so that it stands out a something that will attract the audience to the film. The words refer to previous films made by the same producers; this will attract an audience who has seen and enjoyed these other films and encourage them to watch Insidious.

The flickering, fragmented sentence is repeated throughout the trailer to emphasise the paranoid, panicky atmosphere of the trailer. It leaves the audience on the edge of their seat wondering what the end of the sentence is, where is insidious? This question is reflected in the titles when the titles flicker and change order to propose the question, ‘Is Insidious’, this involves the audience more in the trailer and makes them feel the emotions being portrayed in the trailer.   

Throughout the trailer the text becomes bigger. This may emphasises the urgency of the question, it is becoming more and more important to find out, the audience will want to know the end of the sentence more and more as the trailer continues and the increasing size of the text demands there attention.  It also suggests that it is now being shouted, rather that whispered, like the message is getting louder and more violent. The pure white of the text is now corrupted by other dirtier brown/yellow colours. This could represent the destroyed innocence of the characters that has been implemented by the events of the film.

Finally the end of the sentence is revealed. However it is again being whispered rather than shouted. This may suggest that the power of what is being said renders it unnecessary to exaggerate with expression, of big bold font. The word is ‘everywhere’, this creates an enigma code and a sense of foreboding in the audience, as it is suggested that no one is safe from the evil in the film. It also works to involve the audience more in the trailer as its now not only the characters of the film that are venerable, but everyone. 

The final screen also has the same background, font and colours with the same connotations. However the text is smaller. This may be because it is information that has to be included for copyright reasons rather than to add to the effect of the trailer. Therefore they have chosen not to draw attention to it in the same way as to not adding to the effect of the trailer.

The House at the End of the Street Trailer Titles

 

 

 

There are three production logos at the start of the House at the end of the Street trailer. Two of the logos are made up of dark colours, which reflect the conventions of typical horror films. However the second logo is bright orange and does not fit at all with the film. Therefore this suggests that they have chosen to use the stereotypical logos for all the production companies as they are iconic, recognisable logos that may help attract the audience if they have enjoyed previous films by these production companies. They have been placed at the start of the trailer; this separates them from the rest of the trailer so that they don’t take away from the effect of the rest of the trailer as they are not related to the actual story of the film.     

 The three titles in the images above have the interior of a derelict house as the background which may represent the damaged characters in the film who are falling apart and struggling to appear hole. The colours are dark, so that they fit in with the lighting and colouring used throughout the rest of the trailer, which are generally dark as conventional in typical horror films. This also means that the previously accomplished atmosphere is maintained as the dark lighting obscures the image, making it appear more mysterious and possibly foreboding. The fact that the titles are placed over a setting of the film, rather than a plain screen, means that they are tied in more with the actual trailer and the story of the film, suggesting that the words are important to the story. The words ‘This Fall, fear will find, a new home’ create and enigma code and a sense of foreboding in the audience. They raise enough questions so that the audience wants to find out more but gives enough away to interest them in the first place. The font is simple and in block capitals which is effective as it means the meaning of the words are not taken away by over the top presentation and it is eye-catching against the background. The text appears to the glowing with a yellowy gold colour, which has connotations of impurity, because it appears gold but has yellow undertones which may be representing the male character in the film who is not all he seems. He appears good, golden, rich but is really something else, a cheaper, impure version.  

The next two titles have the same layout and colour scheme, leading to an identical effect. However the actual words are portraying a different message. They show the names of the two main stars in the film. It is quite unconventional to have actors and actress’s names in horror trailers as it can add realism by suggesting that the characters are real people rather than actors, which adds to the sense of fear in the audience. But in the House at the end of the Street the two stars are well known, so they have chosen to use Gledhill’s theory which suggests that the bigger the star, the more people will be likely to watch the film. Therefore, by advertising the stars in the film they are appealing to fans of Jenifer Lawrence and Max Thieriot as well as those that would already be attracted to the film.   

Although using the same font and background for the title showing the name of the film, the colour is different. The glow has been removed and the writing is a much paler colour, but still not white. This use of colour could represent the idea of corrupted innocence and destroyed purity. And the fading of the light could be reflecting the fading of hope and the chance of a good future for the characters of the film. The title is a vital piece of information to include in the trailer as it allows the audience to find the film and watch it, hence why it has been included in this trailer. The text has been placed in the centre of the screen so that is obvious to the audience that it is important and so that it stands out.   

The image above shows the ‘Coming Soon’ screen from the trailer. It has the same background, font and colour scheme as the other titles, with the same effect. A ‘Coming Soon’ screen has been included in order to entice the audience and encourage them to watch the film; they will be looking out for it in cinemas or on DVD. The other text on the screen in ‘#HATES’ by adding this in they have brought the film into the modern world and have the ability to turn it into a ‘trend’ or an online craze. If picked up the use of this hash tag by Twitter users will provide free and effective marketing for the film by spreading the message online and making it go ‘viral’. It is also clever because as well as an acronym for the title of the film it makes a word that applies to the themes of the film (hate).   

The last title presents vital information needed for copyright reasons. As this is necessary but does not add to the effect of the trailer it is added to the end, as to not interrupt the main feature or ruin the established atmosphere. It is also presented in the same way as all the other titles to create continuity.    

Summary

After analysing the three titles from different horror film trailers I have noticed some of the conventions and effective techniques used by the producers of the trailer. Most trailers start with a production company logo but the 'Final Destination' trailer had the production company part way through. We feel that it is more effective to start with the production logo so that it does not interfere with the rest of the trailer and ruin the established atmosphere, so we will use this technique in our own trailer. Important screens that I noticed appeared in all three trailers, so must be included in ours, is a 'Coming soon' screen and an end screen with text listing all the involved parties and social media information/website address. All three trailers also used dark backgrounds with lighter/brighter writing creating a contrast and ensuring that the text is readable and stands out against the background. This is an effective technique that ties in well with the horror theme. Therefore we will use this technique in our trailer. Overall the analysis of horror film titles has been a useful exercise that has helped us decide how to present our titles in our trailer.