Textual analysis of The Woman In Black

Textual Analysis- The Woman In Black

By Zak Foreman

• The introduction of the trailer introduces us to a series of POV shots used to set the scene, they are used to make us feel like we’re in the scene with the protagonist and to make us feel like we’re also the victim as well.

There is a child's voice narrating throughout the trailer, connoting innocence and vulnerability. The fact that a nursery rhyme is used makes it begin to feel much moresinister along side the images of the trailer. It creates a much sinister image for all, connoting the horror genre.

Camera-work(close-ups)

• Close ups are effective in horror films and are used throughout the trailer, trying to connote the horror genre. The Woman In Black does this by using the rule of thirds, by complying to the rule of thirds the eyes are always the first thing that we see in the film, it makes us feel more connected to the toys and gives them almost their own energy. It creates an uneasy energy as it’s the only thing in the shot that anyone can focus on in the shots.

Camerawork (Long shots)

• The trailer introduces new settings through long shotsThe first shot here emphasises the greyness and darkness shown off to show dullness and gloominess, this is useful because it sets the overall mood of the film.

The cross used in the scene is clever because it forebodes death in the film, suggesting to us that soon someone is going to die.

Were shown that there is nothing for miles and that the characters are all alone with no easy way of getting help. The bleakness suggests that the character is trapped andAlone, were also shown the time period in this shot (Victorian) Which could perhaps be going back to a distant memory.

Camerawork (High angle shots)

• High angle shots are used in the trailer to highlight that the main character is vulnerable and powerless. It shows how small the character is compared to their surrounding and how out of depth they are. Its dramatic irony as we are made to feel that we can see something that the character cannot, it makes us feel helpless for them.

Sound

• The sound of a children's music box is used throughout, the music box is associated with the children which is used to connote innocence and purity in the trailer.

• A sense of unease is created because on every ‘chime’ the scene cuts to the next, this happens throughout which shows us that children will play a significant role in the film.

Diegetic Sound

• The weather- Predominantly wind, rain and lightening, creates a dark and gloomy atmosphere, which you instantly connote that the atmosphere is negative.

Misc- En- Scene

• The setting is one that is very isolated which creates a sense of abandonment from normal society.

• Also in the trailer it shows bars, this could forebode imprisonment or entrapment, either mentally or physically.