Paranormal Activity 4 Trailer Analysis

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 TRAILER ANALYSIS:

Paranormal activity 4 is a horror film that was released in 2012. It is based around ghostly activity occurring in a neighbourhood house and being recorded on a laptop. The film conforms to the representations of a horror film, with an old house as a a location as well as having young innocent teenagers as the protagonists of the film.

Camera:
For the film, Paranormal Activity, the story is filmed from the point of view from a young teenage girl, with her character holding a camera and documenting her story during the film. This is effective as it helps the audience empathise with the protagonist of the film. High angle shots are used when she is filming through her video camera to show it positioned within the house, which some audience members may be able to relate with. When she is pointing the camera at her face, it is a close up. This is effective as it shows her emotions to the audience.

Sound:
The types of diegetic soundtrack that are used during the trailer are dialogue and other sounds in the background of the film, such as crashes and paranormal sounds. Dialogue is used effectively as the audience can understand how the characters are feeling when they are having conversations with each other.  The other sounds used that are diegetic are effective as the audience cam relate to how they affect the characters. The main type of non diegetic sound that is used in the trailer is the soundtrack played over the trailer. This is used to make audience feel extra emotions, by setting the mood of the scene.

Mise en scene:
The use of having the film set in a typical house in a normal neighbourhood is effective as it makes it easier for the audience to relate to,  as well as making it the film more naturalistic. Also, a house in a neighbourhood is a conventional location for horror films. The costumes that are worn by the protagonists are also natural, as they are wearing generic everyday clothing, which again will make it relatable for audience members.

Editing:
In the trailer for the film, prevalence is given to the young teenage girl Alex, for the audience to empathise with her. The transitions that are used to cut between shots in the trailer are mainly fast cuts, to compliment the tension of the film.