Orphan Trailer Analysis

What attracts the audience to the film? What is the unique selling point? How is this highlighted?
The name itself 'Orphan' immediately attracts the audience to the film. As the genre is Horror, everyone knows that the adopted child isn't "normal" or as innocent as she seems, making them eager to continue watching the film to find out what is wrong with Ester. I think the unique selling point of this film is that the fact that there is an innocent couple who recently lost their baby adopts a child who unfortunately just happens to not to be a "normal" child. This is highlighted by the way Ester is dressed. She dresses a lot older than a 9 year old would dress. She dresses more like a woman, which makes her character a lot stranger.

How is the trailer structured?
The trailer begins with the film company name. It then introduces the couple who is speaking to a nun about Ester who describes her as "an extraordinary child, who is very mature for her age". Ester is then introduced to the couple and her classmates and one of them make a comment about the way she is dressed. Ester gives her the coldest look and here, the audience immediately knows she isn't going to let her get away from it. The next part shows Ester on the floor of a bathroom kicking and screaming, showing she has lost the plot. Writing appears saying "There's something wrong with Ester", with a voice over saying "We need to know what we're dealing with, trouble does have a way of finding her". Between this voice over, there are quick dissolves of a swing moving and close ups of Ester looking up to know good. Another piece of writing appears. The ending is of the mother on a mission to find out her 'secret'. It then ends with the release dates and credits.

How is sound used to create suspense/shock?
The music at the start when the parents are meeting Ester is calm and creates a lovely atmosphere. As soon as Ester loses the plot, the music builds up and adds suspense e.g. when she pushes the girl down the slide. Ester's voice itself echoes which makes it even more 'freaky'. A sound quite like lightening is used when Ester stands over her little sister's bed watching her. Near the end of the trailer, the sound used is Ester's singing which personally gave me a shiver down my spine.

What editing techniques are used? How do they help create suspense/shock?
There are several fades to blacks which gives the trailer a better effect as it makes the audience wonder what will happen next. Between the voice over I spoke about in the previous question, are many dissolves when it makes it more interesting as a way as it makes the audience continue to watch the trailer as they have no idea what is going to appear next. Most of these are quick fades creating huge amount of suspense.