The Purge

Cast
Ethan Hawke- James Sandin
Lena Headey- Mary Sandin
Max Burkholder- Charlie Sandin
Adelaide Kane- Zoey Sandin

Institutional information
The Purge was written and directed by James DeMonaco and involved a few production companies such as; Blumhouse Productions, Platinum Dunes, Media Rights Capital and Why Not Productions. The film was distributed by Universal Pictures and had the budget of $3 million. It premiered at the Stanley Film Festival on May 2nd 2013 and was released in theatres on June 7th 2013 in the USA. At box office it made $89,328,627 and then it was available for home media purposes on DVD and blu-ray on October 8th 2013 where it generated $11,371,583 in total domestic video sales.

Narrative
In an America wracked by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity - including murder - becomes legal. The police can't be called. Hospitals suspend help. It's one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking. When an intruder breaks into James Sandin's gated community during the yearly lockdown, he begins a sequence of events that threatens to tear a family apart. Now, it is up to James, his wife, Mary, and their kids to make it through the night without turning into the monsters from whom they hide.

Iconography/Mise-en-scene/Genre
The Purge is classified as a horror, thriller film because it features conventions of both genres. The iconography we expect to see in a horror film includes; blood, violence, murder, 'jumpy' scenes and weapons. The Purge makes use of costumes and props which portray the element of horror, for example long 'scary' masks are worn by some of the characters to show their role as a 'villain' which is a clear distinction so the audience can follow the narrative easily. The tension and shock within the trailer links to the thriller part as the audience feel anxious and 'on-edge' when viewing it. For example, the house are locked down and props such as guns are used to suggest violence and force. 

Sound

The trailer begins with a slow, soft piano soundtrack which reflects the innocence of society in America. There is a sharp, distorted sound effect when the inter-title says 'Because one night a year' which suggests there is disruption. The soundtrack becomes more spooky and tense as gun, punching and kicking sound effects are used to show violence. It drastically builds up portraying aggressiveness and then cuts out when the Universal logo is shown. There is only dialogue which ensures that it is the main focus and the audiences attention is completely drawn to 'tonight, it allows people a release'. Another sound affect is used to convey the sharpening of weapons which again suggests violence, anger and hatred. A low, quiet soundtrack in the background and continues to throughout the trailer, it builds and stops regularly. Then a police siren plays and fire noises which suggests crime and danger which builds suspense for the audience. When the house is put into lockdown the sound effect portrays the heavy doors and shutters used for protection and defence. There is more dialogue in the form of a broadcast which is used as a warning,  short alarms are continuously played for a few seconds to signify risk. There is a lengthly siren when the purge begins and then dialogue from the character turns to shouting and begging because they are fearful and helpless. Once the homeless man has been let into the house, there are two doorbell sound effects as two inter-titles appear. Choir music begins to play which is seen as freaky and scary as the purgers approach which gets louder.  

Editing/camera angles 

A wide shot of the family sitting around the dining room table is used to portray happiness and calmness and shows they have a close relationship which is reflected by the soundtrack that accompanies it. At the start there is a lot of fading used, which fades to black and inter-titles to separate the video for a slow pace. This allows there to be a gradual increase of suspense and for the editing to speed up to show the violence later on in the trailer.

A close up shot of an object of significance is used here to show the sharpening of weapons which reflects danger and bad intentions. This shot is used quite early on in the trailer but not for long which starts to give the audience clues of the storyline. After this quick shot it fades to black which can imply passage of time, change in location or emphasising a connection such as the characters feelings. In this case it seems to be a change in location due to the destruction in the streets and also that some time has passed as the violence seems to take place at night.

This is a reversed over the shoulder shot which is used to scare the audience and make them feel on edge and anxious for the female character. This is towards the very end of the trailer and then there is a sudden scream and the video cuts to a black screen which is purposely used to make the audience jump.