'the Woman in Black' Deconstruction

The sequence that I will be deconstructing is the trailer for the film 'the Woman in Black.'

Setting

• The old fashioned train, visible at the very beginning of the sequence, immediately tells the audience that the film is not set in modern day.

•  The fact that these two characters are wearing period clothing has the same effect of setting the scene.

• The main character's clothing is smart and neat, which reflects upon his strict work ethic and perhaps considerable wealth or high social standing.
• In comparison with the other man, the main character's clothing is a lot darker.  This could be a reference to his gloomy personality and troubled past.

• A wide shot of the building in which the majority of the movie is going to be set reveals it to be old and neglected.
• Unwanted, abandoned, large houses are very common in the horror genres, as they create dangerous settings that the characters cannot escape. 
• Furthermore, it is surrounded by trees, which creates a negative scene outside the house as well, adding to the idea of inescapable danger.

•  A series of establishing shots show the long distance required to travel to the house.
• Another common trope in all horror genres is the separation from society.
• This is because it doesn't allow for the characters to find help easily.

• They are alone in their situation: trapped.

• A grave marking on the journey to the house is an image of death and an omen for what is to occur in the movie.

•  Inside the house is dusty and old, suggesting that it is abandoned and unwanted.
• This causes the audience to wonder why the house is unwanted.

Lighting

•  Low key lighting is used: the only light comes from cracks in shutters and the main character's lamp.
• This is important in thriller films, as the large shadowed areas create unknown areas which in turn creates fear within the audience.

• (Fear of the unknown.)

•  A wide shot of the main character surrounded by fog has a similar effect to the low key lighting that is used:
• It creates large spaces in which the audience cannot see everything.

• The audience is left in suspense, fearing what will come out of the fog.

• The rainy weather is a pathetic fallacy technique, reflecting the negative tone of the film.

Clothing

•  the 'Woman in Black' (the supernatural threat) wears all black clothing, as her title suggests.
• Overall, this acts as a clear indicator of the fact that she is not a positive character.
• It also alludes to her past, as black clothing can be an expression of being in mourning.
• Furthermore, her black veil hides her face, also adding to the audience's fear of the unknown.

• The three young girls act as a juxtaposition between youth + innocence and death.
• Furthermore, they are wearing white as well as other pale shades.
• This contrasts with the 'Woman in Black,' as they represent innocence and the Woman represents death.