Blair Witch Official Teaser Trailer, Deconstruction

Blair Witch Teaser Trailer:

Blair Witch (2016) is a sequel to the 1999 horror movie 'The Blair Witch Project'. It is a supernatural American horror film, produced by Keith Calder. I am going to deconstruct the official teaser trailer.





00.04, An establishing shot is shown, which establishes the scene, giving the viewer information about the area. Ominous soundtrack begins to play, a childlike adaption of the song 'Every Breath You Take' by the Police.  Creating an eerie feel to the start of the trailer, making it appropriate for the horror genre since it makes you feel on edge. The lyrics, 'Every breath you take, Every move you make, Every bond you break, Every step you take, I'll be watching you' are said. Which gives the feel as if someone is watching the people within the film and foreshadows events to come. Allowing the audience to know what type of film to expect. One of the films titles is called 'The Woods' and the use of showing the wood area where it is based also sets the scene for the film. It shows a vast isolated area, common in many horror movies since it is hard to escape from and there is no one near by to help them. An editing technique is used to add flecs of light to the shot, which is a sense of irony since it seems to be a peaceful and beautiful environment, when it infact is the opposite.

0.07, A quote from 'Brad Miska' is shown. Allowing the audience to get real opinions from people who  have viewed the film previously. Giving them a sense of what is to come. It is a clever editing technique to add the bold text in front of the shot. Since the use of 'new beginning' shows it is something new, and entices the audience making them want to see it since it seems to be something they haven't witnessed before. Creepy non diegetic music continues to play within the background, along with the sound of a classical piano, an instrument often used in horror films, since it gives a deep echo which comes across in a haunting manner. A possible representation of the paranormal aspect of the film.

0.14, A key of a piano is played as 'A nightmare' firstly appears on the screen, emphasising how awful the events in the film are to come. The use of the text works very well for a 'teaser trailer' since it almost teases the audience on the events to come, making them want to see the movie. 

0.20, A piano noise is again used to as this appears to show emphasis on the quote.



0.28, The lighting within the trailer in this shot has become darker, a possible representation of the darkness to come. The water is also shown to be violent, again acting as a representation. Aswell as showing their isolation and difficulty to escape from the area they are in. Diegetic sound of water flowing is also heard and the singing is cut out, left with simply just eerie music.

0.30, A light and peaceful shot of the woods is then shown. Almost again a use of irony. It also is a great contrast with the previous shot since it is dark and then light. The main non diegetic sound, is still cut out at this point and creepy music plays softly in the background.

0.32, What seems to be a handheld tracking long shot is shown. Following the characters of the films journey into the woods. Representing their loneliness and inability to get help if found in a threatening situation. The shaky handheld camera gives a sense of reality, and makes the audience more fearful since it feels more like something which could happen to themselves.

0.33, Again a handheld camera shot is shown. It firstly appears blurry and the message is hard to read. 

0.34, The camera then focuses revealing the signs message 'NO ENTRY AFTER NIGHTFALL'. Foreshadowing the danger to come, the use of capitalisation and the focusing of the shot used to further emphasises this.

0.36, A close up of a side profile of a character is shown, diegetic sound of her laughing is also played. Irony used once again, since they are shown being unaware of the events to come. It creates a very creepy feel and builds tension up to the audience. At this point the non diegetic childlike singing begins to play again, representing the danger the characters are in.

0.39, The characters are shown being blurred. Which presents danger towards them possibly displaying that they are going to die/ get injured. A long shot is used to set the scene and clearly present this. As well as this the female character is shown looking at the camera/something unknown. As if she has heard/seen something out of the ordinary. Foreshadowing the build up of the events that are going to take place.

0.42, Again amongst the dim lighting another shot of a light sky is shown. Which contrasts well, at this point you can see the sun is setting and it is going to become darker. Soon after the teaser takes a turn for the worse. The editors have used lighting as a way of representing when the horror aspect is to begin. As well as the darkness representing the dark events.



0.55, This shot is fairly shaky as if it is hand held. The clothing of this character is also fairly dirty and torn as well as her hair and skin being covered in dirt. Showing how she has been hurt/injured. Foreshadowing and presenting the violence/sinister aspect of this film.

0.56, Another hand held shot is used, adding to the sense of realism. The characters are shown running away from something, but that 'something' is never revealed. Something which is commonly done in horror teaser trailers since it adds to the mystery. The use of dark lighting is also used to add to the eerie feel and further conform to the genre.



As shown in the screen shots above and in this, shots lasting to up to a second are shown, or dark cramped areas, blood and a character clearly in pain/scared. This reveals the genre very clearly as well as representing the suffering/horror to come without revealing too much. The use of the flashes is very effective and creates an anxious feel for the audience.

 Previously shots stating 'something evil hiding in' are shown, and then the title 'the woods' appears. Clearly representing the sinister aspect of the peaceful woods at the beginning. How 'something' is hiding, and something is there which has caused the characters pain and led them to be in the horrific situation.

Conclusion:

• Although being a little longer then the common 60 second teaser trailer, this is very effective.
• Due to using the light before dark feature and the use of irony. Since at the start it does not reveal much of the horror aspects, instead it causes tension within the audience. An important feature of a horror teaser trailer.
• Another good point is how when it does show the supernatural horror aspects it does not reveal much, showing very short clips.
• Overall I believe this trailer to be very effective and suitable for its genre.