Trailer Analysis - 28 Days Later (2002)

28 DAYS LATER


I have chosen to analyse the trailer for this film as it is set in a post-apocalyptic setting. It was also a successful trailer as it managed to attract a wide audience to watch the film.



Camera angles, shots and movement

• Throughout the trailer there is lots of handheld camerawork. This is difficult to follow, which is discomforting to watch. It also gives the impression of reality, which makes it scary.
• Near to the start of the trailer, there is a shot of a girl laying on the floor. The camera has been tilted 90 degrees so it looks as if she is standing. This is discomforting to the audience and creates an atmosphere of fear.
• Later on in the trailer, there is a high-angle extreme long shot of the protagonist. This makes him appear very small and weak, making the world around him seem more dangerous.
• Soon after this there is a shot that has a zombie (the antagonists of the film) in the centre of the frame. This breaks the rule of thirds which is uncomfortable to watch and will make the viewer feel fear. It also seems more intimidating and creates an air of danger.
• The previous shot occurs as an 'instant zoom'. This sudden movement of the camera is unnerving and creates a sense of strength in the antagonists, making them seem more dangerous.
• Soon after this there is an extreme close up of the protagonist's face filmed using a handheld camera. This is another unnerving shot which again helps to create a fearful atmosphere.
• In one of the many nonsensical shots in the trailer, the camera zooms quickly into the side of a woman's face. As it does not zoom directly on the centre of her face and due to the fact that it is a very obvious zoom, this shot is unsettling and aids in creating a sense of fear.
• Following this there is a shot of the protagonist that has been shot at a Dutch angle, which gives a sense of madness and rage, which again helps to create a sense of fear.

Mise-en-scene

• At the start of the trailer, most of the footage is shot in low-key lighting. This darkness helps to create a fearful atmosphere.
• Near the start of the trailer, there is a clip of a petrol station exploding. This is a sign of danger that is very obvious to audiences. This clip is shown on screen for longer than the other nonsensical shots at the trailer's opening, so that it can be easily seen by the audience.
• Soon after there is a shot including payphones hanging off the hook. This is a stereotypical sign of panic that can be easily recognised by audiences, creating a sense of fear.
• Following this, we see footage of the protagonist walking around a completely empty Central London. This is a strange sight and is therefore unnerving, creating a sense of fear. It is also a spectacle which would entice an audience to watch the film.
• In this sequence, we see a bus tipped over. This is a clear sign of destruction and danger.
• Soon after, there is a shot of a crucifix. This religious imagery helps to establish a post-apocalyptic setting, as a religious 'judgement day' is a stereotype of the genre.
• Later on, there is a POV shot that 'runs' toward a set of double doors at the back of a house. The house is stereotypical, and is likely reminiscent of some audience member's residences. This is jarring as the audience can relate to the image and feel fear of the antagonist running toward a typical place of comfort.
• In addition, there is a warm orange glow coming from within the house, making it seem more comfortable. This therefore makes it more uncomfortable that something is violently running towards it as it creates a 'nowhere is safe' message.
• Soon after this, there is a shot of silhouetted figures running toward the camera. This is frightening as the audience cannot see who they are, thus tapping into the fear of the unknown.
• Later on, there are two subsequent shots of large explosions. This creates a sense of danger, but would also be attractive to action-loving audiences.
• At the very end of the trailer, a man turns around to see a zombie behind him. This sudden appearance is designed to frighten the viewer, and will attract horror fans.

Editing

• The first section of the trailer is essentially a long montage of fast, nonsensical shots, with brief sound clips that have no context. The shots also constantly 'flash' with black colour, meaning that the clips do not stay on screen for long enough to be properly identified. This is unnerving as it taps in to the audience's fear of the unknown.
• The first section also contains intertitles that give information about the plot. When a new intertitle appears on screen, there is an image (an eye, for example) that flashes briefly on the screen. This happens too quickly to be noticed, so it subconsciously taps into the audience's fear of the unknown.
• Near to the beginning of the trailer there is an image that has been layered on top of itself, creating a 'seeing double' effect. This is unsettling and helps to establish a feeling of fear.
• Also near the start, there is a shot that has been recoloured to be a blood red colour, which is coupled with the sound of a blade swinging. This creates a feeling of rage and danger.
• Later on in the trailer there is a jump cut that goes from a close up to a long shot. This is unsettling which helps to bring a sense of fear.
• Soon after there is a shot of the protagonist speaking. This shot then shrinks vertically toward the centre of the screen, creating the image of an old TV switching off. This helps to show the protagonist's disintegrating mental state which is unsettling to watch. It also means that the shot is on screen for less time meaning that is is more nonsensical and therefore helps to create a sense of fear.
• In the shot where the camera zooms into the side of a woman's face, the shot quickly flashes in negative colour. This is unsettling and startling, creating a sense of fear.
• Later on in the trailer, there is narration that says "Never go anywhere alone" and "Only travel during daylight". With each of these lines, we see shots of people disobeying these orders. This entices the audience to watch the film as they want to know what has led the characters to put themselves in danger.
• Soon after this, the rapid nature of the clips slows down, and the music stops. The protagonist then says "this is a bad idea". This emphasizes the dangerous nature of the films setting.
• As the title '28 Days Later' appears on screen, a pair of eyes (coloured in a blood red) also appear that stare directly at the camera. This is unsettling and frightening to the audience and also has connotations of evil and danger.
• The trailer ends with a negative shot, which again, is unsettling and frightening.

Sound

• The trailer begins with the sound of an alarm blaring, creating an immediate sense of danger.
• In the opening montage, lots of the sounds are screams and running noises, creating a sense of panic and fear. The fact that we do not see the source of these sounds taps into the audience's fear of the unknown.
• Later on in the trailer, the protagonist shouts "Hello?!" which echoes. This is a stereotypical piece of dialogue that connotes that the character is alone, so this is instantly accessible by the audience.
• After this, there is silence for a brief period of time, this creates tension which in turn creates a sense of fear.
• This silence is then interrupted by the loud sound of a car alarm. This is startling and should frighten the audience. This sudden scare would attract horror fans.
• In the first clear shot of a zombie, there is a sound clip overlayed saying "They're infected". This explains the threat and makes the plot accessible for the audience.
• The music in this section of the trailer is post-rock which has a steady tempo and an eerie feel. This creates an atmosphere of fear.
• The sound effects at this point are also in time with the music. This use of rhythm helps to make the threat seem stronger.
• Soon after, a female voice narrates: "There's something in the blood". This makes the plot accessible to the audience.
• The next section of the trailer has fast paced music that is reminiscent of music used in high-octane sequences in Action films. This promotes the film as being exciting.
• Within this fast paced section, there is a clip where the protagonist says "hello?" and all music stops. This contrast creates tension which sets the audience at unease.
• The next section of the trailer has slower, serene music which is a huge contrast to the rest of the trailer and the violent images on screen. This use of binary opposites is strange and unsettling.
• However, the music does sound positive. This is attractive to the viewer as it creates a feeling of hope.