Teaser Trailer Analysis - Annabelle (2014)

Annabelle (2014)

Annabelle is a supernatural horror film released in October 2014 starring Annabelle Wallis. It is both a sequel and spin-off to the 2013 film The Conjuring. It was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film has received mixed reviews.

The establishing shot shown at the beginning of the trailer.

At the beginning of the trailer there is an establishing shot which sets the scene and hints to the audience where the film's location will be. The location is a large family home which is conventional of most supernatural horror films as it makes the film relatable to the audience and they can put themselves in the characters shoes. The incidental music at the beginning is quite cheery and happy which lulls the audience into false sense of security which is stereotypical of the horror genre. The music then quickly changes to conventional eerie and ominous music when then gets louder in moments of tension and quieter to create suspense. We see this often in horror film trailers as it intrigues the audience and puts them on edge at the same time. The shots also become much quicker and shorter as moments of tension are present in the trailer which emphasise the action in the film.

An example of a CU shot which features the low-key lighting conventional of the genre.

Throughout the trailer, specifically nearing the end, the lighting is very low key which suggests to the audience that the film will be set during the night, which is conventional and an icon of horror trailers/films and also creates an ominous atmosphere for the audience. 

The fact that there is a doll as the main subject throughout the trailer is identifiable for the audience as a horror film trailer as creepy old dolls are an icon of the genre. There are other icons of the genre which occur throughout the trailer such as blood and knives which make it identifiable for the audience. 

In a long shot of a woman in bed during the night, in the background we see blood being splattered against the window in a deep focus shot. Blood is an icon of the genre. 

We can clearly see a contrast in protagonists and antagonists in the trailer and a clear antagonist is usually made clear in horror film trailers and these are usually ghostly beings. Ghosts and other paranormal beings are icons of the genre and make it identifiable for the audience.

The titles throughout the trailer are a serif font which is conventional of the genre and and have a shadow cast behind them and shadows are an icon of the genre. The titles gave information about the film which preceded the release so people who have watched that film and liked it will feel like they want to see this film. We are introduced to the main characters right at the beginning which hints at the narrative for the audience as well as lets them see any actors that they like which could be in the film that would persuade them to watch it.

The title of the film appears at the end which is a conventional feature of most trailers. The typography is in serif font which connotes old fashioned and relates to the old houses and locations that horror films are typically set in. The background of the title is also quite dark and decrepit looking which links to the ominous atmosphere which is set throughout and the typical setting of horror films.