Genre Research- Teaser Trailer Style- Rear Window (1954)By Olivia Houlton

Rear Window- Teaser’s Style• Camerawork- • Angle- When Jeff is talking to his friend about his concerns a

high angle is used, perhaps to indicate towards his vulnerability in the situation. This is because he can’t find any evidence to prove to the police Thorwald is guilty and he is physically incapable as he has broken his leg

• Movement- During the very beginning of the trailer there are many crab and tilt movements of the camera around the block of flats. This creates tension in the audience as they don’t yet know what they are searching for. Also, 1 minute 16 seconds in, the camera zooms on the face of Lisa, creating a sense of seriousness and echoing the drama of the plot.

• Shot Type- During the romantic scene between Lisa and Jeff there are man close-ups on their faces to create a sense of intimacy and closeness. However, 44 seconds in there is a long shot of Thorwald walking down a dark alley. The use of a long shot here creates the impression of a hidden identity as you can’t see Throwald’s face, further enhancing the theme of mystery and enigma

Rear Window- Teaser’s Style• Composition- 1 minute in there is use of the

rule of thirds on Lisa’s face further creating a sense of realism and structure in the shot. However this rule is broken when Thorwald looks into Jeff’s binoculars as he is very central in the shot creating a certain uneasiness. Also, this makes the audience feel inferior and threatened by Thorwald’s use of direct address.

• Depth of Field- Although the majority of the teaser trailer is in deep focus, near the beginning there is a shot of Jeff looking through his camera and there is selective focus on Jeff’s face. This introduces him as a protagonist and implies his significance in the plot.

Rear Window- Teaser’s Style• Sound• Diegetic- Dialogue- during the romantic scene

between Jeff and Lisa, she says, “shows over for tonight”- this creates a calm and relaxed atmosphere. However, Jeff soon starts to question Thorwald and explains his concerns to Lisa foreshadowing the danger they are about to embark on. At 59 seconds in Jeff says, “Just how would you start to cut up a human body?” further implying the themes of hazard and risk.

Rear Window- Teaser’s StyleNon-diegetic Sound- Voiceover- at 43 seconds in there is a voiceover of Jeff explaining how he has seen Thorwald take and use “mysterious trips at night, knives and swords and ropes”. Whilst he explains this to Lisa footage of Thorwald doing all these actions are shown. The use of sound bridges here make the audience believe Jeff and feel suspicious of Thorwald. Also, there is another voiceover when Thorwald looks directly into the camera as Lisa says, “What are you gunna do if one of them catches you?”. This second use of a soundbridge foreshadows how Thorwald will catch them and how he is a threat to all his neighbours.Soundtrack- There is a constant soundtrack throughout the teaser trailer, the music is very parallel to the images. At the start when there are images of the blocks of flats there is very tense, deep music running ay a slow pace. However during the romance scene the footage is accompanied with dreamy music mainly of violins. However when Jeff starts to question Thorwald the tense music starts again but at a slightly quicker pace. After Thorwald looks directly into the camera there is a long pause, this further creates tension and marks the moment when Thorwald realises he is being watched. The following music is even louder and fast paced, also it gets higher pitched as it crescendos to the title being displayed.

Rear Window- Teaser’s Style• Editing• Order of shots- The beginning of the teaser trailer starts

with images of the blocks of flats. This is effective in immediately setting the scene for the film. This is followed by the romantic scene between Jeff and Lisa which also introduces them as protagonist and establishes their relationship. The following shots help build towards the climax and inject tension, also exposing key plot elements to the audience. 18 seconds in there is a credit saying “he never should have seen” followed by a shot of Jeff behind his camera looking concerned. The order of these shots is significant in implying to the audience that what he saw was sinister and unforgettable.

• Continuity- Although during the romantic scene there is continuity, the majority of the trailer is a montage of clips to give the audience in insight to the best bits of the film and encourage them to go watch the whole film to fill in the gaps

Rear Window- Teaser’s Style• Transitions- There is a vast range of transitions used in the trailer.

Firstly, there is use of a fade during the establishing shots of the flats to create a slow pace and eerie feel. Secondly, there is use of a wipe further into the trailer from a credit to a shot of Jeff talking to another character about his concerns. This transition effectively adds further pace and drama to the trailer creating more excitement and thrill. Also, there is use of the iris transition during the end of the trailer over the actors involved, adding more commotion to the climax and significance to these these final credits.

• Shot duration/pace/rhythm- The pace and rhythm of the trailer starts off quite slow, however when the romantic scene is over the shot duration gets shorter as it builds towards the climax. However after the climax the final shot of the title is shown for a few seconds, slowing the pace shown and allowing the title to be more memorable.

• Special Effects- During some of the credits there is a flashing effect, resembling the idea of camera. This is effective in emphasising Jeff’s job as a photographer and the whole idea of him trying to capture evidence on his camera that proves Thorwald is guilty

Rear Window- Teaser’s Style

Mise-en-scene• Setting- The setting is mainly established in the

opening when the camera moves around the block of flats

• Props- The key props are the camera and the binoculars Jeff uses to spy on Thorwald. These props clearly show how severe the situation and imply hoe Jeff’s spying is getting out of control. The camera also reflects on Jeff’s job as photographer.

• Costume/hair/make-up- The red lipstick, pearl jewellery and neat hair and make-up imply Lisa is the damsel in the plot. Also, it establishes her as quite a glamorous character. However, the grey hair, glasses and scruffy suit Thorwald further represents him as a creepy character.

Rear Window- Teaser’s Style

• Facial Expression/Body Language• Lighting- Overall the majority of shots within the trailer

are quite dark implying the sinister plot. Also, there are many contrasts of light and dark spaces when Jeff is spying on Thorwald at night, perhaps to focus the image more and resemble a cinema screen as Jeff is only a spectator in the event. Also, light is used to create many shadows within in trailer to further emphasis the theme of mystery and enigma. Also, 1 minute 8 seconds in when Thorwald realises Jeff is spying on him, Jeff slides backwards in his chair and his face is covered in darkness, this could symbolise the trouble and danger he is getting himself into.

• Colour- Nearing towards the climax there is use of an orange effect over the image of Jeff in his wheelchair. Due to orange having connotations od prison, it could imply how Jeff feel entrapped in his wheelchair. Also, the colour has certain connections with bodily fluids so could foreshadow the violent scenes within the film