Black Swan: Specific genre analysis

Name: Black Swan

Date: 2010

Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis

Rating:15

Production Company: Fox Searchlights 

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Awards; Academy Award for Best Actress, Academy Award for best motion picture, Golden Globe for best actress and best motion picture,

Box Office: $1,443,809

Target Audience:

I think that the target audience is for young adults from the age of 15 to up to around 35. I think this because the themes in the film are quite mature and would not be suitable for anyone younger than 15. I think that the film would be interesting and would still appeal to people of the age of 35. I think that this film would appeal more to the female gender because of the narrative that is included. The narrative is based on ballet therefore stereotypically appeals more to women.

Settings, location and mise en scene.

The opening shot of the trailer is an extreme long shot of the main protagonist, This shot helps to introduce her to the audience. Her costume is a white ballet outfit which is stereotypical of ballet performers to wear, This costume helps to establish the narrative. The white colour of the costume is associated with innocence- this meaning could be ironic because eventually in the film she becomes corrupted. This shot is introduced along side  a voice over  which helps to introduce the main character to the audience.

The first few shots are broken up with titles which inform the audience of where the film was first exhibited. This also helps to keep the audience interested. Whilst this shot is showing a classical piece of music starts playing which further supports the narrative. The music is also ominous and eerie which adds to the atmosphere of the trailer.

The next few shots of the main protagonist dancing are put together is relatively fast past editing to create a montage to show the audience what ballet dancers do, this makes the actress's portrayal more realistic.

Throughout the trailer the main protagonist is highlighted through close ups to show the audience her facial expressions and emotions- these shots show the audience how the main character starts to fall apart. As the protagonist starts to change and begin to grow feather, extreme close ups are used to enhance her change and make it clear to the audience. 

The penultimate shot is a close up of the protagonist who is pulling out a feather, and the last shot is a close up of the main character with red eyes. These two last shots make a lasting impression on the audience and these are the shots that will remember and associate with the trailer. The fact 

that these shot are without music makes them seem more dramatic and eerie- therefore entrancing the audience.

Titles.
The titles used fit on well with the conventions of a thriller film. The typography is quite sharp and angled which could represent being scared. The font is also white against the black feathered background which could represent the main protagonist.

Sound

Throughout the trailer the sound track is very classical, at the beginning the soundtrack is very relaxing and calming. As the trailer goes on the music tone slowly starts to become more eerie and dramatic- this fits in well with the tone and the shots that are being exhibited in the trailer. The use of voice overs also help to add emphasis on certain parts of the narrative and to help introduce characters, these voice overs are enhanced by the use of sound bridges.

Atmosphere

Throughout the trailer the atmosphere was continuously building up to the ending. This build up would make the viewer feel entranced and hypnotised because of the changing mood. The incidental soundtrack helps to create a eerie tension which excites the audience and keeps them watching more.