Trailer Analysis:
American Sniper
American Sniper was originally a Biography and recently made into a film in 2014. This film lies under the genres of was, drama and action. The trailers starts with a film production company logo, which says: Warner Brothers andVillage Roadshow Pictures. Within the first second of the film trailer the audience hears a non-diegetic sound of the gun, which immediately informs the audience the intensity of this film and what type of genre this. The use of the diegetic sound of the gun being loaded creates suspense for the audience and creates an nervous feeling towards the audience as they begin to question what is going to happen next and it opens the trailer as a sound bridge for the audience watching/listening.The use of the diegetic sound also intrigues the audience to carry on watching, as it is also the addicting to find out what is going to happen with the use of sound. The use of the point of view shot, is shown on screen and presented in an a effective way. When the audience encounters a short clip of Chris Kyle looking through the sniper/gun, a motivated edit is used to show the audience what he is seeing through it. Special edits are added in post production. They are use to see what he sees through the rile scope, like the focal planes. The use of this particular edit suggests that he could be suspected target. The use of the two person shot with the main character and his friend or college (both with snipers) suggests they have worked together for a long time and trust one another. The exchange of quick diegetic dialogue between the main character and his officer portrays the intensity and urgency to make one of the most important decisions of the main characters’ career (Chris Kyle). It is a matter who is innocent or guilty, and not knowing 100% who is right or wrong. The use of heart beats reinforces thetension and pressure the character is under. The main words that the audience would pick up are: “the kid” “your call, negative” and “if its wrong then…”
Finally mise-en-scene is used throughout the trailer to emphasise the genre of the film. The use of military gear and uniform suggests that the genre is war.
The film is about a a U.S Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, played by Bradly Cooper who takes is heart and solve on a mission, to protect his comrades. He becomes on of the most lethal snipers in American History. This also begins to affect his marriage and personal life. The film trailer is based around a little kid being handed a grande from his mother and main character Chris Kyle is has to make the decision as if he should shoot him or not. It ends with a cliff hanger, and showing the actors names and films productions that took part in this movie at the end. The use of sharp cross cutting in the film trailer reveals more about the main character, Kris Kyle. This helps the audience to gauge more about his personality and who he is outside of the workforce.
The use of rapid cutting in flashbacks of the main character (Chris Kyles) thinking about his own family and how he would feel in that situation, creates a sense of sympathy and caring personality to the audience in that situation/scene.
Trailer Analysis:
Gravity
The use of a series of close-ups of Sandra Bullock’s face one after another emphasise her feeling of worry and stress. Highlighting her worried facial expressions as she floats through space builds tension and creates a thrilling and tense atmosphere as it allows a connection between the audience and the character, through this it makes the audience want to continue to watch to see how she handles the situation, presenting her as a protagonist. The use of long shots show the location of space and the fact the character is floating around above earth (in space), portraying the theme of the film and creating an enigma code for why the situation has occurred, making the audience want to continue on. The use of the long shots that are created with a handheld camera with rapid movements creates a disorientated feeling when watching. This helps the audience to understand how the main character/protagonist may be feeling. The use of a point of view shot gives the action from the characters perspective.
The use of non-diegetic tension building music going from low key to high key and creating a thrilling atmosphere is used to creates suspense for the audience. In addition, the use of hyperbolic human soundsfrom the principle character creates a connection between them and the audience and they are able to identify with them and sympathise with the dangerous situation they are in. The use of non diegetic ambient sounds also make the action more dramatic and to engage the audience as much as possible through the trailer, as it makes sure that all their attention is on machinery/deceives/gadgets in space smashing against each other as it floats round space, creating a worry for the principle protagonist and giving an increased sense of anticipation.
n terms of mise-scene, the use of space suits and space equipment gives the audience a sense for the theme of the film and the conventions in which relates to the genre of the film, sci-fi or action. The location of the film is outer space, with hand held shots, the location is strange / unfamiliar and with the rapid movements, it disorientates the viewer and creates a feeling of anxiousness which builds tension and anticipation for what may happen and why the situation has occurred, persuading the audience to continue to watch the film trailer and the film.
The edits are fast pace and have quick rapid cuts to draw attention to the important details of the film. The use of cuts and motivated cuts to black screens allow the tension to build as they show the characters situation. The use of the rapid cuts only reveals certain parts of the film, which makes the audience more intrigued to continue to watch the full film, to find out what happened to the protagonist.
The film portrays typical stereotypes of woman with the way in which they create the idea that Sandra Bullock is a “damsel in distress” and due to her situation she is in danger and seen as a vulnerable character. The audience connect with her, presenting her as a protagonist as the viewer can connect with herfear and desperation. The films location is set in outer space, giving a sci-fi feel to the film (especially with the CGI effects involved) whilst as well as creating a tension-building and stimulating atmosphere for the audience with quick moving footage and rapid cutting to represent the chaos in this particular situation.
The text is large, taking up the majority of the screen, making sure the audience’s attention is directly on the text. The text is in capitals, emphasising it and again ensuring the captivity of the attention of the viewer. Especially the first piece of text at the very beginning where it states “AT 372 MILES ABOVE THE EARTH, THERE IS NOTHING TO CARRY SOUND, AIR PRESSURE, NO OXYGEN.” This is the first piece of text the audience encounters and most likely the most important as it sets out the storyline for the rest of the trailer. The text is always white and is put on top of a black background, making it very clear to the eye to see and bold. The style of the text is basic but formal font, portraying a serious connotation and ensuring the full alert of the audience (not to look away form their screens, as the text moves quickly)
Trailer Analysis:
Cloverfield
The movie seems to lay on the genres of sci-fi, thriller and action. Cloverfield uses codes and conventions throughout the trailer to illustrates these underlying themes and genres. The film uses a found footage/self filming motif to follow around five young New Yorkers feeling form a creates and unknown animals/monsters. That attack the City. All of this occurs when the group are having a farewell party for that main character. It was realised 1st February 2008. The film is directed by Matt Reeves and distributed by the film company Paramount Pictures. The film is similar to a documentary production as it is performed by a hand-held camera by the actors/characters throughout the entire media text, giving it a sense of realism throughout.
The target audience”s for this particular movie would include: people of white race because there are mainly white characters included in this movie. A secondary audience would include teenagers or young adultsbecause in the opening scene the characters are at house party. This is a typical stereotype used in many films and movies to encounter the younger audience to consume the film as it may relate to them.
At the very beginning of the trailer the audiences see’s an edited institutional logo that states “Paramount.”The establishing shot of the party atmosphere equilibrium before the camera zooms in to showcase the main character(s) in the film. There are a series of fast pace rapid cuts and fast forwards to a zoom where(what the audience would assume is) there is a man in a suit joining at the party, this suggests he is one of the main characters in the movie.
Throughout the trailer, there is a theme of multiple explosions and dangerous scenes followed by diegetic screams and shrieks of those who witnessed the creatures and monsters. This makes the audience more intrigued to watch on, because in the trailer it only reveals a small amount of the conflict that the characters encounter. As well as this the audience hears a threatening roar from what would possibly be a monster or creature. The use of snippets and short clips used in this trailer is very effective due to the fact that the audience will never truly know what it is about unless they wait to watch the film. It builds up the “hype” and “excitement” of the film and if the trailer is done successfully (like Cloverfield) it will attract more people/audience to watch the film. The audience sees a range of conflicts and disasters that take place in the trailer. The use of monologue is used to help reinforce this by states on screen in bold “something attacked the city.” This builds tension and give the audience more information about what this movies is about/what the climax is of the movie.
Finally the trailer uses a minimum amount of inter titles in post production. The main inter title is of the producer “JJ Adams.” This is interesting because in many other film trailers the inter titles include the names of the famous / well known actors that took part in the film. However the use of the producer name in the trailer suggests that he is a successful producer that the audience will recognise in a positive manner. And the audience will know that the movies and work he produced is successful, so will make them more attracted to consume the film.
Trailer Analysis: The Birth of A Nation
The Birth of a Nation is one of the most famous films every made. The Birth Of A Nation is a novel as well as a drama and history film. The Birth of a Nation is a 2016 American History period drama film written and directed by Nate Parker. This film is based on the story/novel of Nat Turner the enslaved man who led a salve rebellion in (South) Virginia 1831. The trailer begins with the title of a production company “fox search light,” which is attached to Walt Disney Studios. The use of non-diegetic sound of the slow up-beat tone of music and the realistic noise of clashing chains in the synchronised movements of the hair creating tension and acts as a sound bridge whilst the production company logo is being presented on screen to the audience.
The cotton shot is a really stunning, gorgeous establishing / tracking shot at the start of the trailer. The cotton shot at the beginning of the film is so beautiful because of the use of light, with the sunset in the background and the frosted/foggy lighting in the mid/foreground creates a contrast that interests the audience.
The use of the wide angle shot of the plantation with the tree framing the shot, shows interact cinematography. The vines are dripping of the tree framing the shot, it almost looks like brush stokes in the frame (like a painting). The director portrays the South with such beauty and lushness juxtaposed to the end of the trailer where evil is going to be revealed to the audience, is so powerful.
This shot shows his love (the main character Nat Turner) towards the female slave/character, in his eyes. The directors wanted to show his kind, caring and sympathetic side to the audience first and then is juxtaposed to this violent, aggressive person. At the very end, the audience sees he has changed, to be more aggressive
This is a sad moment as he is being asked to preach to his fellow slaves to distract them with promise of a good life and heaven because in reality there in hell on earth. The character in this shot is being asked to be a traitor to his own people. The use of shadows and pitch black lighting gives of the impression that the atmosphere that the people in this place are depressed and in a dark place. This shot is very powerful in the trailer, for the audience so they can imagine what this film would be like in the movie.
This heartbreaking point of view shot of everybody having their dinner sat at the table and then these people/slaves are almost like objects in a room and the people sat at the dining table don’t actually believe that they are real people as well. The use of mise-en-scene represents the difference in classes and races. The use of the ball gowns and suits that is contrasted to the sheer white dress the black slave is wearing shows the contrast of the communities.
The trailer for 2016 Nocturnal Animals presents the codes and conventions of a whilst also illustrating an example of a trailer that shows a certain amount fo the plot for the audience to understand. The trailer opens on an extreme closeup of Amy Adams character Susan directly addressing the audience. This is very successful because it immediately draws in an wide target market. The diegetic sound bridge of breaths, suggests fragility which his further developed in the next scene where the foreground shows a wooden box that states the adjective “fragile.” It is symbolic of Susan who stood behind it.
The visuals are in correlations with the audio and sound as the rapid cuts intersect with shots of Susan, therefore introducing the audience to the main character and how she, Susan is currently feeling. The use voiceover of a supporting character in the narrative/dialogue states “I’m worried about you,… are you sleeping,… you scared me the last time we talked” give snippets what the main characters friends and family are like, it shows they are caring and sympathetic towards Susan. The use of the extreme closeups of the main character are used to portray the mental state of Susan feels due to the reappearance of her ex husband.
The fast paced jump cut editing is used in the trailer to symbolise quick change in tone and the overall narrative introducing the audience to a stylistic fragmented narrative that nocturnal animals follows. The audience gained this impressions due to the extreme shift in the atmosphere and tone. In the trailer Susan reveals her ex husbands’ identity as an author by the name of Edward Sheffield played by Jack Gyllenhaal. The audiences learns that from Susans voice over the character past are difficult and somewhat disbursing.
The theme of the overall trailer is dark and aesthetically pleasing to the eye for the viewing of the audience which correctly capturing the theme and genre of the movie. This supports the jump cuts of each scene waving together with non-diegetic music. The sound of the heart beating fast pace sound reinforces the adrenaline and intense atmosphere. The trailers shows that sounds effects are important to the movie/film.
The underlying theme of insanity is shown for Arron Taylor-Johnson character stating “your crazy…” when sat in a car with the detective. The use of voiceover from various characters throughout the trailer suggests that each of the main characters in their past have gone though mental trauma.
The red bold text that zooms slowly towards the audience/screen with the names of the well known / famous actors playing in the film are “Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal and Micheal Shannon.” This to the audience is a selling point as they would be recognisable, successful actors in the film industry that the audience are aware of. Making them intrigued and want to watch the film. This unique selling point would give a secondary audience to for the film.
Finally the fast pace editing picks up again with as shown once again from different parts of the already dysfunctional narrative this concludes with a gun shot fired by the character Edward in a low key lit setting. The trailer cuts to black as the voice over states “nobody gets way with what she did, nobody.” This slowly fades onto Amy Adams character wit ha close up shot of her face, rounding the trailer with her face from the start of the trailer into a cyclic narrative. This brings everything back to the main character dark ominous music and the title of the film zooms slowly back to the screen with an enigma code that makes the audience want to watch the film to find out what happens next.
Trailer Analysis:
Nocturnal Animals
