Deconstruction of Narration in Slasher Horror Trailers

In slasher horror trailers the narration often includes the reading of certain titles displayed on the screen. This often describes what the film is about and when the film is being released. However, many slasher horror trailers do not include narration to build up the tension. Often the characters are seen speaking instead of narration. The main narrator is normally the killer.

'Saw VI' (2009) trailer narration
In this trailer the narration can be heard coming from an old man. Later on in the trailer we see this man for a few seconds while he is narration suggesting that he is a character in the film as well as the narrator for this trailer. The narrator is often seen in the trailer after they have spoken.
In this trailer the narration talks about the plot of the film without giving to much away. It also helps to make the trailer clearer and the genre easily identifiable an example of this is when the narrator says "when faced with dead, who should live vs. who will live" therefore suggesting that people get killed making it easy to identify as a horror. The gore that can be seen on the screen along with the narration tells the audience that this is a slasher horror.

'Halloween II' (2009) trailer narration
This trailer is also narrated by a male with a sinister, deep voice. The narration gives the audience an idea of what the film might be about and includes links to the previous 'Halloween' film with 'a terrifying legend' and also tells us that the film will be released on ' August 28th'. The trailer also uses the narration and the imagery to make the genre clear (slasher horror).

Evaluation
Overall, I think that narration only works well if the correct voice is used and the narration helps to describe what is happening in the trailer whilst giving a few details of what the film is about. However, I think that more suspense can be built without narration and just music instead.

Slasher Horror Film Names Inspiration

In order to come up with a name that we could use I decided to look for inspiration from other slasher horror films.

Slasher Horror Prop Deconstruction

Weapons in slasher films are often objects that can be used to cut through the flesh. This is why this sub-genre of horror is known as ‘slasher’. The weapons symbolise death. Sharp objects are normally used therefore weapons such as guns will not be seen in a slasher film. Weapons used include:

• Knives
• Axes
• Saws
• Hammers
• Razors

A specific weapon may be reserved for a specific victim. The weapons usually inflict a slow and painful death.

Masks- The killer normally remains unknown throughout the film to create an enigma and to keep the audience captivated by guessing the outcome. The killer may be unmasked towards the end of the film or if there is going to be a sequel the killer often remains masked.

Ropes, chains, blindfolds- These props are used to symbolise constraint and ambush. They add tension by showing the victim being imprisoned causing the audience to think will the victim escape or die?

Scream 4 (2011)

    ·The killer wears a mask to keep his/her identity unknown. The mask does not look like a human face but more like a ghost.

    · The killers weapon is a knife- in this image the knife already has blood on it to show that he/she has stabbed someone.

  
Saw V (2008)

     ·   A masked killer. The mask used shows the features of a face such as the mouth eyes and nose. However, there are no specific details such as the eye colour or whether this man has a beard so he is still unrecognisable.

     ·   The main weapon used in this film is a saw which is shown by the title of the   film.

     ·   The film also includes different traps that the victims become stuck in

 

Halloween II (2009)

     ·   Masked killer. His mask looks a bit worn and broken showing that it has been well used and may have been used in the previous 'Halloween' movie.

     ·   The weapon used is a knife as seen in this film poster. He looks as if he is about to stab someone. 

Slasher Horror Deconstruction

Characters

• One of the most important characters of a slasher films are the villains. In a slasher the villains are often conveyed as mentally deranged or physically deformed. They are normally traumatised from a young age and their victims have links with their past.  The killer is usually male, with the victim being female.  Their identity is often unknown or concealed with a mask to create an enigma.  Many slasher films have a killer that does not speak, is unstoppable and very strong, often making it impossible to kill them.
• The first person to get killed is normally the least innocent and most sexually active.
• Slasher horror films often include a final girl who is often the most innocent and a virgin. She is often the only survivor and is not very popular. Films such as Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Scream 4 all have a final girl.
• There is often a benefactor, who is an older aged person such as a doctor, and is there to help the final girl. A figure of authority, normally a police man, is often seen trying to help but is ineffective.
• Other characters in the film may include a group of friends who are often young and attractive. Many of them end up dying and leaving one survivor, the final girl.

Location

• The location can be used to solve more of the mystery of how the killer became who they are. The location is often part of the killers identity and may explain a significant event the killer was involved in or their traumatic childhood.
• Suburan locations are often used to film a slasher horror because most of the audience can relate to living in the suburbs.
• The woods may be used as they are dark and are normally hard to navigate.
• Other locations may include abandoned factories, asylums and deserts.

Props

• Knives
• Axes
• Chainsaws
• Blades
• Masks

Sound

• Non- diegetic sound is often used at a high pitch to convey a high level of tension.
• Diegetic sound is used when the killer and victims are fighting. This includes sounds such as screaming or items breaking when used to fight the killer.

Lighting

• Low and high key lighting is used depending on the atmosphere of the scene.
• Low key lighting is normally used to create shadows and to convey evil and mystery.