The Descent Horror Trailer Timeline

The Descent Horror Trailer Timeline

• 1.
  The Descent Timeline 0.11-Similar to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre trailer, Polaroid photos are used in the trailer, with the flash and noise. The characters look happy at this point which is seen as a foreshadow of sinister events about to occur. 0.15- The trailer begins with the characters in a van on what looks like a road trip. This is also similar to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. One of the girls asks “are you sure we’re going the right way?” which immediately unsettles the audience as they can feel the suspense and anxiety from the character. 0.17- Throughout the trailer, there are many blackouts which separate time and location. This is quite jarring as we don’t know what’s happened in order for the events to occur. This is a good technique for a trailer as it leaves the consumers a sense of confusion, but in a way which intrigues them and successfully captures the audience to be interested in watching the film. 0.30- Diagetic sounds of heavy breathing are enhanced to show fear within a character. 0.35- A tone card reading just one effective word “claustrophobia” as the character struggles to speak and say she can’t breathe is a definite trigger to show things are about to go wrong. 0.53- Tone card “disorientation” as the characters are confused as to which way to go for their safety. This confusion shadows their doom. 0.57- Close up shot to show expression on woman’s face; fear, disbelief and shock. 1.02- Tone card “hallucination” as characters speak among themselves explaining that they thought they saw someone. The idea of disappearance of a villain is distressing due to not knowing where they are or if they will return. 1.13- Tone card “fear” accompanied by non-diagetic frantic music to suit the mood of the scene. This is when everyone completely loses composure and things continue to go downhill instead of people staying calm. 1.20- Characters scream for help, being trapped with no way out is a very difficult situation to be in not knowing if they ever will escape and survive. 1.25- Camera angles and shots become manic and fast paced to show the frenzy of terror. The light dims out to show all hope has died out. 1.39- A shot of the girl emerging from blood (or water) but with a red tint to signify danger and even death. 1.43- The camera does a 360 degree turn on the scene to show a warped, unnatural atmosphere. 1.46- Diagetic sounds of knives or metal objects and splashing water symbolise death by the villain to the characters who are constantly screaming and shouting. 1.51- One girl drops through a hole, lands awkwardly and we can only guess she died by the close up of horror on the other character’s face. 1.52- There’s a shot of somebody holding a weapon; a silhouette against a red background. This creates a sense of mystery and anonymousness. 1.54- An extreme close up of eyes, open wide, to show shock perhaps. Her face is dirty and her hair tangled; a state of struggle. 2.00- The trailer ends with a montage of clips of the villain but the shots are very short and brief. The directors are very clever by using this technique, as sound is used more than image and film to make the audience want to watch the film and for the villain to be revealed.