American Sniper (2014)
The whole trailer has a very bland colour palette which helps to establish the genre of war and conflict. A bland colour palette suits this type of genre as there is always so much damage done to the locations that you would expect it to be very dark and damaged. The trailer builds up suspense which makes you want to watch further when he is aiming at the child and is hesitating on what to do. At this point there are lots of hard cuts with flashbacks which makes it seem as if everything is building up in his head as he needs to make a decision.
Gravity (2013)
From the opening few seconds of the trailer, straight away the genre is exposed. There are 4 lines of text to open the story and then the audience are brought into outer space where everything seems to be going wrong. There is lots of panic which is also enhanced by the shaky camera. When there is contact on the spaceship, the camera is also jolted which creates more of an atmosphere and it makes you feel as if you are in the action.
From these opening seconds, audience can see that it is a thriller. There is a constant tracking shot of the astronaut which gives the impression that she is never going to get out of the situation and it is endless. Music is played in the background which helps create tension throughout the trailer. As the music is gradually building up in levels and tempo, it makes it seem as if something is building up and it's leading us to a big event throughout the film.
Towards the end of the trailer, there is a lot of fast paced editing as the camera cuts from one shot to another. There is an overlay of the astronauts rapid breathing which sets the tempo for the edits, as each shot is matched to the breathing. As this is happening a voiceover of George Clooney begins as he talks to the astronaut about her life and where she lives. This gives off the impression that it could potentially be the end of her life. This is due to the fact that the fast paced breathing shows panic and the emotional voiceover can connote that something bad has happened in the film and the audience want to know more.
Cloverfield (2008)
The trailer is edited well to the point where the storyline isn't given away, this is achieved through the quick cuts between shots and also through dialogue. When the character is talking directly to the camera he says "you know more about it than I do", this makes the audience want to watch more as we don't actually know whats happened and in reality we know less than what he does.
Nocturnal Animals (2016)
To open the trailer, the audiences attention is brought onto what seems to be the main character straight away. Due to the fact there is an extreme close up shot of her face you get the idea that the film could revolve around her. The editing is done in a way where the cuts between shots matches up with the tempo of the piano. This helps create atmosphere and also matches the genre.
As action starts to build up throughout the trailer, the music also changes and picks up in tempo as the camera shows two cars which are about to collide. As this happens the family appear in shot just before everything goes black. This shows there was potentially a big accident and this matches the thriller genre.
Throughout the trailer there are also intertitles which help sell the film as some Hollywood stars names appear on screen. This also allows the audience to build rapports with the characters especially if they are already familiar with the actors.
To open the trailer, on screen are the awards that they have obtained which they show to the audience before the trailer has even begun. By doing this, it allows the audience to recognise that the film should be of good quality.
The camera follows one character for most of the trailer which shows that it is all about him and his story which helps show the genre of biography/drama and the fact that it is based on a true story could also link to the history genre. Another reason this links into the history genre is due to the mise en scene. The setting and the attire helps show this is based in a past-time as you don't see people where the outfits that the people in the film are wearing.
There is a contrast between the scenery and the colour palette in this trailer. The colours are very washed and dark which creates an emotional and sad atmosphere but everything else is very scenic and fresh. Throughout the trailer the song 'Rise Up' is played which also makes everything a lot more emotional and atmospheric and the song sets the tone for the film.
AMERICAN SNIPER
ReplyDeleteYour analysis shows clear understanding of how the trailer engages the audience through sound and vision editing; in particular, you make perceptive observations about the use of how wide shots situate the narrative, how handheld creates immersivity and how the combination of CUs and flashbacks build the audience’s rapport with the protagonist. It would be better if you drew more parallels between the present and the flashbacks (for example, the sniper’s experience as a parent).
To improve: go into specifics about how sound is used and look for another term (not ‘bland’) to describe the mise-en- scène. Explain how the ‘true story’ genre is signalled and refer to any other genre conventions (such as inter titles).
CLOVERFIELD
ReplyDeleteA good grasp of how hand-held camera, POV shots and rapid cuts in the editing techniques create a quality of realism as well as an urgent and intense quality experience. You also note the function of one of the few snatches of dialogue to reflect the lived experience of horrific helplessness and terror in the face of an unknown attacker of merciless power.
To improve: take more time to consider details. The brevity of this response means that a lot of details are simply not picked up.
GRAVITY
ReplyDeleteYou have responded well to the powerful qualities of this trailer. You correctly identify the thriller framework of ‘Gravity’, drawing attention to the way in which the audience is immersed in the tense situation which builds through rapid editing synched with anxious breathing, the non-diegetic music and the endless tracking shot. You comment on how the audience is engaged through the dramatic camerawork such as the shaky camerawork. Perhaps refer to the tripartite structure of the trailer: Clooney’s dialogue develops the astronaut as a rounded character, lifting the genre from AA to drama.
To improve: use the correct term ‘inter title’ instead of ‘text’ and analyse the impact of this silent section on the audience, contrasting it with what follows. As you are studying the trailer genre, comment on genre conventions such as the Production Company logo and how its use delivers such a punch, how the trailer leverages star talent by naming its A list actors and director.
BIRTH OF A NATION
ReplyDeleteYou note some of the trailer genre conventions such as the accolades but should explain the impact of the two significant Sundance awards on potential audiences (the Grand Jury Prize, led to the film’s record-breaking $17.5 million distribution deal and rumours of early Oscar nomination, all of which launched the film’s reputation on the back of the trailer). You pick up the film’s genre, and comment on the effect of the colour palette and the song ‘Rise Up’.
To improve: go into more detail as this trailer is complex, rich and dramatic. How is the complexity of Nat Turner’s evolution as a character, developed his construction as heroic rather than merely a victim of oppression? Can you identify moments in the trailer that are constructed to be particularly shocking?