Paranormal Activity (2009)

The second Paranormal Activity as well as the other two uses several different conventions which allow this trailer to be so unique compared to others, build tension and show the story line in three minutes. We see the 2.17 minute trailer use a simplistic approach of advertising the teaser of the movie and this is used in all three movies. One aspect which is used to advertise the movie is the editing, in which it is made it to look like real life footage which would make the movie more appealing for it makes it seem more realistic. As well as the editing of the trailer, with the worn away clips and footage which fades out and goes black and white, the use of the camera angles and movement throughout the whole film itself which is handheld makes a more realistic atmosphere. To link in with this, we hear sounds such as high pitched noises of such that sound like the tuning of a radio trying to get signal, but these sounds being non-diegetic tend to be played when the screen is black and empty, which links in with the whole minimalistic theme. As well as this, we see editing being taken place in the form of the date in the right hand corner, acting as a home made video and with the blue high opacity filter added on top of the normal footage, a cold and dark mood is portrayed which links in with the genre of the film. We see a lot of tension building up as not much is given or seen in the clip, in till we see a clip of a body being thrown at the camera, which is shocking as you don't expect it. Another technique to create this trailer is the use of text, using text itself which is also kept minimal makes it seem more intense as well because it builds tension with sentences such as 'Nothing can prepare you' which is a strong statement to make, being a declarative which makes us (the audience) question it and want to see the film, because the trailer don't know us personally, they don't know what the audience are frightened off, which creates a hype because you want to see it more.