Insidious Analysis by Chloe Mason

Mise En Scene The use of props is used effectively in this

trailer. Shortly after the mother of the child is in the house alone a creaking noise is heard; this gives the illusion that someone or something is there. As she goes into the child’s bedroom a point of view shot is used to show a rocking horse that is moving although nothing is there. This helps to create fear in the audience as they know something has been there but they cannot see what it was giving them a feeling of helplessness.

The lighting is continuously low key and the costumes are very bland and dull. This suggests there is no happiness in the family any more after the son has been hospitalised. The dark dull colours also give off negative connotations to the audience.

The main character is a young boy, he is shown throughout the film dressed in pyjamas and this helps to reflect on his young age and innocence and also portrays him as vulnerable.

Mise En Scene The room is dark, suggesting it is night time, a main

convention of horror movies as the night suggests vulnerability because every where is so quiet and empty.

In horror movies the opening scene is more than often very idyllic and in equilibrium. This makes the setting seem very safe and harmless and to emphasise this the costumes used are very bright and the lighting high key to show the happiness and create a “perfect” image. Later on in the horror movie, the lighting becomes very low key, reflecting on the negative atmosphere and also making the characters seem more vulnerable as they low key lighting makes them appear more isolated. The costumes change more dull and bland clothing and the villain is often is very dark colours with connotations of evil. The dull clothing reflects on the unhappiness of the situation and despair in the protagonists.

The Setting in a horror movie are often very isolated and out of the way. This makes the characters seem very vulnerable as there isn’t anyone around to help them. However this horror movie is set in the family home on a suburban street. This gives the idea that the family are normal and were unknowing to the events that eventually take place.

Sound To create tension in a horror movie,

fast paced, high pitched music is often used. This builds suspense in the audience as it gives the idea that something is moving towards the protagonist.

Sound effects are used effectively such as creaking doors and floor boards to build suspense and make it appear as though something is there. Sound bridges help to add ellipsis of time so the film doesn’t drag on too long and get boring and sound motif ‘s are often used to indicate that something bad is going to happen again. In using the same sounds each time something bad happens, it gives the audience superiority to the protagonists because they are aware it is going to happen and this again makes them feel helpless and unable to help them.

Sound The image of a metronome is shown

as it ticks and the sound is emphasised to sound like a heart beat. The sound of a heartbeat is often associated with fear as the heart beats faster when people are scared. This is a convention of a horror movie as it focuses on the fear of the protagonists.

When something bad has happened or is about to the background music slows down to create a sadder tone to the film rather than creating fear. With the fast paced music, it starts off slow and gradually increases in speed. This again builds suspense but also gives the illusion that something is coming and getting closer.

Editing The first shot that we see is just plain text

on a black background. This makes the title of the film known to the audience. Also the black background connotes evil and fear and so instantly suggests that the film will be scary.

The text has sinister connotation so again signifies to the audience that the film will be a horror. The text then switches and moves around giving a supernatural feel to the trailer. This suggests to the audience that the events of the film will be of a supernatural nature and out of the ordinary.

The words “insidious is insidious” keep appearing and reappearing on the screen. The repetition guarantees that the film title is remembered by the audience but also suggests that whatever “insidious‟ is, it keeps coming back and back again, this creates fear in the audience as the protagonists cant get it to go away so are always in danger.

Editing The next piece of text says “from the makers of

paranormal activity and saw” this shows to the audience that the makers have made successful horror movies before and so compares this to the previous ones they have made. The text on the screen in the insidious trailer comes up and sort of flashes across the screen. The lettering then switches around to look rather supernatural as the text is unable to be read. This reflects on the turn of events that will occur are of a supernatural nature making the audience feel on edge as they don’t know what is actually going to happen.

 Fast paced editing in horror films is one of the main conventions. The fast action of the film helps to build tension and create suspense in the audience. This also helps to make the scene look a lot more action packed and keep the audience watching as it is hard to see everything happening at once. A good example of the fast paced editing in this trailer is when some new characters are introduced are seen setting up some form of equipment. The fast paced editing is used to show how complex the piece of equipment is and to emphasize how quickly these people manage to set it up.

Camera work A main convention of the camera work is

an establishing shot of the setting. This is a main component of horror films as it sets the scene and show where the film will be set. It often shows the isolation of the setting, however the setting of this film is that of a family home to make them seem like normal people.

Hand held camera is another typical shot that issued in the camera work of a horror movie. The fast paced nature of the shot builds tension and suspense but also shows the shot from the characters point of view making them feel more involved in the scene and as well make them sympathise for the character.

Point of view shots are commonly used to suggest that the characters are being watched which makes the audience feel concerned for them as they know someone is there but the protagonist does not.

Camera work This image shows us that a child in the

family is hiding from something behind the door. He is looking out of his bedroom and as he slowly closes it doesn’t take his eyes away from what he is looking at. This creates a form of mystery in the audience as we do not know what it is the young child is looking at.

The next shows only a shadow stood outside of the family home. This helps to continue with keeping mystery in the film as the audience are again unable to see a clear image of what ever it is outside. This creates suspense in the audience as the family are unaware of the beings outside their house.

A point of view shot is again used to show a figure standing over the vulnerable child sleeping in bed. The composition of the figure standing over the child makes it look more superior to the individual. The fact that the child is also sleeping again emphasises the child being defenceless.