2. In order to effectively see what kind of conventions are currently
used in trailers, I will have to conduct research into real media
trailers of a similar genre to my own. This research will allow me to
understand the codes and conventions that normally feature in
trailers and are important because if I correctly use or even
challenge these conventions, the audience will be able to have a
greater understanding of my trailer.
One trailer that I have decided to analyse is the trailer of Fox
Searchlight Pictures and Danny Boyle's 2003 film '28 Days Later'. A
successful horror film, it follows in the footsteps of a group of
survivors after an outbreak of a virus that spreads and causes a
nationwide pandemic, turning humans into 'infected'. In the trailer
only one survivor remains, a concept I intend to use in my trailer.
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eunaclr-
WgU
The trailer analysed can be found at the above
link. The website used to find the trailer was
www.youtube.com.
4. Institution
The trailer opens with the institution 'Fox Searchlight
Pictures', a worldwide renowned institution that
specializes in producing horror, independent and British
films. It is a recognizable company and therefore the
audience realize they will create high quality
productions.
5. Sound
The trailer opens with a siren, indicating a warning. Also crashes can be heard as
well as screams of a primate suggesting disturbances. This provides an unwritten
background story; the primate heard in the background is the possible origin of the
virus that spreads throughout the trailer. All of these effects together create a sense
of chaos.
This is soon followed by a ghostly, echoing sound that creates a supernatural,
spooky, unnatural feel. Further animal sounds/roars are heard, all within a short time
period. Each sound is quite short; the transitions between sounds is quite rapid and
matches the quick cuts that transition the clips in the trailer. At 0:40, police or
emergency sirens can be heard relating to law and order being destabilized due to
the growth of the severity of the pandemic. This is effectively used once more 0:45
and 0:50 as the on screen shots of an explosion connects well with the chaotic feel
of the music. The only dialogue in the video comes from the central character. His
dialogue, 'Hello' echoes as he shouts 3 times. The echo reinforces the characters
loneliness as it suggests the character is alone in the city. This diegetic sound is in
tandem with wide shots that display his isolation in such a vast space. Contrasting to
the rest of the trailer, a seemingly peaceful piece of non-diegetic sound is played at
the tail end of the trailer.
6. Mise en scene
A particular shot that I analysed thoroughly was the above shot
taken at 00:58. The shot is a crane shot; taken at a high angle
looking down at the action. The main character is seen isolated
and in vibrant clothing, close to the centre of the shot. Props (A
wheelchair, papers, cardboard boxes) are strewn around the
location (A hospital). The state of the location reinforces the
storyline of the film; the locale looks abandoned and is a look I
can incorporate when deciding on my location.
At 00:39 a shot of characters, presumed to be the infected
zombies, are seen running with headlights in the background. It
is quite a short clip and uses fast cutting either side to reinforce
the intensity and pace of the running, suggesting it is a chase. A
chase scene is a concept I wish to use in my trailer.
A similar shot can be seen below, with the main character and
survivor wandering aimlessly around London. It would be very
ambitious of myself and my colleague to attempt a shot of this
scale; it would require a large location and a number of props to
be laid around the area to give an abandoned feel.
7. Camerawork
A variety of shots are used throughout the trailer; long
shots, medium close ups, close ups establishing shots and
more.
An example of an establishing shot can be seen above.
The establishing shot aims to give the viewer an idea of the
location the action is taking place in.
A medium close up shot has been used to convey the
emotion on the characters face. Also, lighting has been
used to darken the rest of the room whilst almost
spotlighting the character’s face; capturing the emotion.
The camera zooms in at a fast pace in the bottom
screenshot. The actor wears a horrified expression on her
face. A red tint/red lighting has been used possibly to
represent death or danger and links with the expression of
horror.
8. Editing
The editing in the trailer mainly consists of fast chop cuts that reveal a small
clip before switching to another. I believe that this is a convention of my
chosen genre; using short clips in tandem with chop cuts to increase
tension and not to reveal too much to the viewer.
Between 1:01 and 1:09, 7 shots are seen and rapidly interchange between
one another. The sequence begins with the first clip, on which a fade
transition has been used. Each clip has a different shot from a different
angle to the previous and is taken in a different location giving a sense of
progression of story.
Intertitling is also used in the trailer Intertitling, as seen above, is created in
the post-production phase of the development cycle and allows the editor to
input text such as the name of the film or in this instance other films created
by the director or producer.
