The Cabin In The Woods Semiotic Analysis

Media Language/ Mise en Scene

• The music at the start is nonchalant- represents the equilibrium
• Youth- associated with fun, but also stupidity- it's a stereotype that they are likely to find themselves in a tricky situation
• The music cuts and the 'LIONSGATE' logo appears with dark colours- clear indication that things are set to turn sour
• One of the character's is viewed from the viewpoint from inside the building- this gives the audience a chance to see how dirty the windows are
• Old Man comes out, spits red- could be blood- adds to creepy vibe of the scene- this is in combination with a sudden drop in the music
• Cut to black- indication that something bad is set to happen
• "you think you know the story"- text appears, juxtaposes the character claiming the cabin is "awesome"
• Discovery of one-way mirror- shows something is clearly not right about the house
• Bird getting hit by some kind of invisible wall- sci fi element added
• The old man refers to the cabin as 'the killing floor' on the phone- the audience is shown a room where there is many screens showing CCTV footage of the house- the audience knows something the characters don't- typical of a horror film
• "Something weird is going on"- the characters begin to acknowledge what is happening
• First scream- producer's name shown with blood to create theme of death and suffering
• Locking of doors, scars, something trying to break in- typical elements of horror
• More suffering being inflicted on the characters, the tempo is increasing as the sounds are primarily violence-oriented
• Someone dragging along bear trap- more violence
• Very fast tempo of many events- this is done to create hype for the film and for the audience to get excited/interested

Institution

• Directed by Drew Goddard
• Produced by Joss Whedon
• Stars Kristen Connollly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz and Jesse Williams
• Produced by Mutant Enemy Productions
• Distributed by Lionsgate

Genre

• The film is known as a comedy horror, there is elements which are very much tongue and cheek but they still follow the traditional theme of horror
• The film could also been percieved as a sci-fi film in certain ways, the ways in which the characters are tormented are futuristic and the various monsters also aren't realistic

Representation

• The main characters are all young, naive and obsessive. They take drugs, drink alcohol and are obsessed with sex. This is very much a stereotype which is being fulfilled. They are also the victims and they are shown as helpless- creating the idea that they are unintelligent and uncoordinated
• The old man is the only representation of the elderly- he is knowledgeable however he is dishonest which would be a counter-type to the traditional stereotype of the elderly being loyal, peaceful and friendly

Audience

• The film has been hybridized to appeal to multiple audiences- it will appeal to many people as most people like either horror, sci-fi or comedy films, if not all three. There is traditional elements of horror, some of which are exaggerated in a humorous way, also the technology is futuristic, meaning it fits into many genres. 
• The age range would primarily be for young adults and teens, as drugs/sex/partying is associated with them more than any other group, this means they could imagine them being in this situation- creating an appeal

Ideologies/Media values

• Younger people are naive and stupid- more interested in sex than anything else
• Man driving- shows dominance
• Man saying they should "stick together"- he is the leader- stereotype of men
• Female shown as sexual object- stereotype of horror film

Narrative

• Equilibrium- the teenagers/young adults going on a fun holiday
• Disruption- the old man says "ill take you there, but getting back is your concern"
• The group find the house and bad things begin to happen
• As it is just a trailer the ending isn't going to be revealed as the purpose is to get people to buy the film