Analysing 'Quarantine' (2008) Teaser Trailer

The trailer starts with a still of various columns of different colours with a high-pitched *beep* accompanying it; this usually occurs when a channel has gone off air - it is used in films as a connotation of a disturbing event that affects a lot of people.

The audience is given a brief overview of the situation by receiving the basic plot components from a voice-over from the beginning to the middle.
The trailer is broken down into two halves, one consisting of a military investigation and the other consisting of a reporter joining the investigation.

The first half of the teaser trailer is made to look very realistic, this is achieved through the use of the hand-held camera, torch-lighting, black and white visuals, a fast-forward effect to provide transitions, seemingly factual points stated by the voice-over and the 'REC' symbol in the top left third.

The second half of the trailer focuses on the 'infected' (no term is provided - adding to a sense of mystery -- investigation) and the investigators' reactions to them. This is mainly fear, which is expressed through a shaky camera, diegetic sounds such as screams and cries, and also the lighting - various moments of the teaser are in pitch black, which connotes fear in itself and even more so when it's accompanied with the above.

Various techniques are used to engage the audience, one being the use of the hand-held camera; this plunges the audience into the action on screen and provides a different perspective - also the action/tension is intensified which affects the audience's enjoyment of the trailer. 

Another technique used to engage audience is the direct mode of address -when the character looks at the camera-  used from 0.58 until the end at various points. This simulates interaction with the audience and causes them to sympathise with the fearful character on screen. The trailer also attempts to transfer the fear shown on screen to the viewer, stimulating a fearful or excited response - depending on the viewer's taste. This is  done by showing brief clips of the 'infected' woman coming at the camera in a violent manner - The scariness of these moments is backed up by the shaky camera, reactions of the protagonist and the torch-lighting -- presenting stark detail of infected's face. 

The language of the characters in the teaser trailer represents them as vulnerable, frightened and confused individuals. For example "What was that?", "Lock it Lock it Lock it!", "Oh God, oh my God!" and "We have to get out of here, we have to get out of here!"

Their vulnerability is demonstrated when their difference in roles (1.03 - reporter is interrupted when fireman smashes door open) is contradicted as both the firemen and the reporter are running in fear from the same thing.

- Ben -