MIRRORS TRAILER ANALYSIS

BY GEORGIA ST. LOUIS

HOW IS THE GENRE CONSTRUCTED?

The music within the trailer seems to be out of tune violins which gives the trailer a eerie and sinister feel, creating a thrilling sensation; hence the genre of the psychological thriller. The fast paced editing highlighted the fast deterioration of the protagonists psychological state suggesting that there is no chance of sustaining his sanity, his mind is stuck in a downward spiral of confusion. Additionally the flashing images suggest that the events in the characters lives are too complex to keep up with and follow, indicating the downward spiral and deterioration, accentuating the building of tension giving the audience a feeling of terror.

HOW IS THE EXPOSITION AND THE RISING ACTION CONVEYED?

The exposition is shown at the beginning and this is conveyed through the family ambience created from the loving relationship the father seems to have with his children. Additionally, this is also shown through the building that is brought and the elation that seems to run through the central protagonist also linking in with the equilibrium of Todorovs narrative theory. The rising action of the film is established through the change in the music from a calm and tranquil major melody to a out of tune and minor violin melody suggesting the idea of a negative change in the plot. Furthermore, the flashing images and quick cuts help to signify the rising action and the building of tension leading towards the climax of the trailer.

WHAT MARKS THE TURNING POINT OF THE TRAILER?

The turning point of the film is marked through the sudden alteration of music to an out of tune violin giving it an eerie and uncanny ambience and suggesting a destruction of the positive family atmosphere at the beginning the disequilibrium of the narrative. Additionally this shift to negativity is established through the change of reaction from the main protagonist as you can see the transformation of the characters psychological state, as he begins to be overcome with paranoia and fear.

HOW IS NARRATIVE ENIGMA ACHIEVED THROUGH THE TRAILER?

The narrative enigma is achieved through the revealed truth behind the mirrors, additionally the reasons for the reflections becoming synonymous with evil.
Furthermore, the audience are left to ponder over whether the boy is able to get over his obsession with the mirrors and if the mother was able to discover the history of the mirrors.

HOW IS TYPOGRAPHY USED?

The typography is written in white to highlight the vulnerability of the victims in the film and the innocence of the children within the narrative. Additionally, the background of the text seems like the texture that would be on the mirror linking with the importance and significance of those mirrors in the narrative and how big an affect it has on the characters lives. Furthermore, underneath there is the reflection of the text accentuating the evil forces that are in control within the film and how feared these reflections are making the audience intrigued to go and find out why these reflections are so feared by the characters.

WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT ABOUT THE COMPANY INFORMATION?

The directors name is shown at the beginning of the trailer along with the other film she made the hills have eyes and this shows that she is quite a well known director, it also establishes the genre of the film because of the association with the other film. The distribution company 20th century Fox is shown near the beginning, as it is a credible and professional company so the audience would be more intrigued to watch the film as it has been chosen by an experienced film company.
Furthermore, the website that appears at the end is indicative of the modern era of film and links to the uses and gratification theory and the concept of social interaction through technology.

WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE FAST PACED EDITING?

Quick cuts are used within the trailer to achieve the increasing of tension that keeps the audience in suspense, creating intrigued therefore encouraging them to watch more of the film. Additionally, the use of flashing images conveys the idea of psychological deterioration as it seems to indicate the spiralling of the main protagonist and those around him into insanity. Furthermore, the fast paced editing at the end accentuates the horror that is experienced by the characters and the evil that is possessing each part of the characters lives/