Analysis of The Happening.

One of the ways The Happening conforms to the typical conventions of the thriller genre is through the pace of the trailer. Throughout there is continuous use of cut and jump cut editing, this quick transition between clips of the film, creating a jerky, rapid pace, as it breaks the smoothness of the narrative, which is typical of thriller genre, as it gets the adrenaline flowing for the audience. The camera also swiftly alternates from different scenes, to blank black screens. This creates a dark under tone within the trailer, and an ominous feel is raised, this is because the use of the colour black connotes death, and danger, suggesting that death is surrounding the characters. 

There is also a strong sense of mystery within the trailer that is also stereotypical of the thriller genre. The characters within the trailer do not seem to understand the situation that is occurring, and can only explain it as 'an event happening' and what seems to be one of the main protagonists, asks 'what is going on?' this creates a personal relationship between the audience and the characters within the trailer, as they are both in the dark about the situation.
This further creates a sense of panic, which is also another key convention of thriller genre, the camera presents a montage of different characters all distressed, troubled and fearful by the life threatening situations they are shown in. This intrigues the audience, as they begin to raise questions about the happenings within the trailer, and so they feel obliged to watch the film.

There is also use of digetic and non-digetic sound. At the beginning of the trailer there is an immediate non- digetic drone sound effect, which continues through the entire trailer. This creates tension, as the minor key of the drone sets a sinister tone to the back ground of the trailer. This sinister tone, is also created through the use of the digetic sound of bells charming, this symbolises a warning for the characters, and alerts them of further disaster approaching- this engages the audience, as they anticipate this further disruption. The assumption that something dramatic is going to happen is also created by the use of the non-digetic crescendo, which stops abruptly.

There is also a worms-eye view shot of several people falling from a sky-scraper, this is quite an intimidating shot, and symbolises the lack of power the characters have over the scenario they are in, this is an unconventional scene within the trailer, and because of this, the audience feel its an unfamiliar, as its not an everyday sight, which engages their interest.