Editing is the stage in film making progress in which sound and images and are organised into an overall narrative. Now a days editing is done on a computer using a programs like Final Cut Express or Premiere Pro. These programs are being used more frequently used in the industry to edit together big time movies, even one of the Hobbit instalments was edited using Premiere Pro. Years ago before these programs were used for editing, clips would have to be edited together using a Moviola machine in which you would physically have to cut and paste the film clips together in order to create a sequence.
Continuity Editing: This is the most common type of editing, which aims to create a sense of reality and time moving forward. It is also called invisible editing referring how the technique does not draw attention to the editing process.
Jump Cut: This is an abrupt, disorientating transitional device in the middle of a continuous shot in which the action is noticeably advanced in time and can cut between two similar shots. This kind of editing is used a lot in a dual narrative.
Credits:The important information about the cast and crew etc. Usually shown at the beginning or end of the film.
Cross Cutting: The editing technique of alternating, interweaving or interspersing one narrative with another- usually in different locations, thus combining the two. This editing suggests Parallel action- that takes place simultaneously. This is often used to create tension and suspense in places like chase scenes. This is also known as parallel editing or inter-cutting.
Freeze Frames: The effect of seemingly stopping a film in order to focus in on one event or element.
Cutaways: A brief shot that momentarily interrupts continuous action by briefly inserting another related action, object or person. This follows by a cutback to the original shots.
Eye Line Match: A type of edit which cuts from one character to what the other character is looking at.
Flashback: A scene or moment in a film in which the audience is shown an event that happened earlier in the film's narrative.
Shot Reverse Shot: Edits which switch back and forth between two characters interacting with each other.
Montage Editing: the juxtaposition of seemingly unconnected images in order to create meaning- typically used in trailer production.
Linear Narrative: A style of storytelling in which events happen chronologically.
Graphic Match: An edit in which two different objects of the same shape are dissolved from one into the other.
Match on Action: A shot that emphasises continuity of space and time by matching the action of the preceding shot with the continuation of the action.
After completing this research my partner and myself gave decided the basic sounds we will use for our trailer. As our trailer is a thriller creating an strong sound track and incidental music is important. The incidental sound track that we want to use will be very eerie and the tone of it will progress and develop throughout the trailer running. In order to create a eerie atmosphere through the music, I want to have a soundtrack that includes the use of contrapuntal sound, this effect will portray a different meaning to the trailer. It will add a sense of normality, which will be ironic for a thriller/horror trailer.
Typically in trailers some sound effects are used to enhance the normal sounds. Therefore we will use sound effects to make the sounds stronger for example we may use banging sounds or creaking sounds in order to create a stronger atmosphere and make it slightly more eerie. The sound effects will also make it clearer to the audience.
Voice overs help the audience to have an insight into the persons mind and life- therefore using a voice over will add another dimension to the trailer, the use of voice overs tend to create a creepy and ominous atmosphere. The voice over could also be a technique used to introduce the trailer to the audience. I think that this would be effective with a black screen and no visual shots on screen.
When we begin filming we want to include the use of ambient sound. This sound technique that we will use in our trailer will make the narrative more realistic for the audience and will make the portrayal more convincing. This will further be supported through diegetic sound- this will mainly be used instead of non diegetic sound or sound effects as it creates a more realistic atmosphere.
Depending on the genre of film, age and gender, the way characters are represented can differ and vary. For example in a romantic comedy film the female protagonist would be wearing a pink or red coloured outfit in order to show connotations of love and romance. The genre I have picked to use for my trailer is thriller. I decided to choose this genre as I thought it would be very easy to portray through a trailer, I think that the audience will be able to understand the narrative as well. Another reason why I decided to complete my trailer using the genre theme is because I feel through this genre I could exhibit the conventions and representations that the audience would usually expect from thrillers.
Typically in thrillers the main protagonist is a male. Men are stereotypically portrayed as the hero due to the fact they have the archetype attached to them as the bread winner, masculine and the hero who saves the damsel in distress. The men used in these thrillers are around the age of 20-40, as this is the age in which men are very mature and are able to complete tasks that are in the films. The costumes that these characters usually wear are black. Conventionally in films black shows a strong connotation of death, however in the case of the protagonist I think that the black costumes show connotations of strength and power.
However in some thriller films women are portrayed as the protagonist and these women either subvert the archetype of women or support it. Gone Girl is one of the most popular thriller films of 2014. Rosamund Pike who plays one of two protagonist supports the archetypal female. Her costume consists of quite elegant causal wear which reflects her social status, her outfits through the film further support the archetypal female who stays at home whilst her husband works. However in some films like Salt the main protagonist is a female played by Angelina Jolie. The protagonist is seen wearing all black and has a prop which is a gun and not much makeup. The props and costumes strongly subvert the female archetype which would be femininity and being afraid of violence.
In my film my partner and myself are drawn to the idea of using a female protagonist. The use of this could create a buzz for the audience as typically men are seen as the lead protagonist. Having a female protagonist will also subvert the female archetype and stereotype therefore this will make the audience interested and eager to see the film. For our antagonist we plan to create a similar sequence to the opening of Scream, therefore the outfit that our antagonist will be wearing a mask to show connotations of death- we may include a mask of some kind in order to conceal his identity. The costume for the protagonist may be normal casual everyday clothing. This will therefore show the audience that the situation they are going through could happen to anyone and that someone's everyday life can change juristically.
This mood board reflects the codes and conventions that are commonly used in thriller films. In thriller films these elements are usually (From top left):
Low key lighting
Heros
A damsel in distress
Distant and remote location
Antagonist
Dual Narrative
A threat/close up
Voice Overs
A mystery to solve
Weapons
Police theme
The different stages in films- Toderov Theory
Titles
Incidental Sound: Non diegetic sounds which create an atmosphere to an action or revelation.
Non Diegetic: Sound that characters cannot hear and are added post production stage. This includes a soundtrack or a voice over.
Diegetic sound: sound that can be heard by characters within a scene of media.
Score: the musical component of a programme's soundtrack, usually composed specifically for the scene.
Sound Effect: sounds that are added to a film during the post production stage.
Sound Motif: a sound effect combination of sound effects that are associated with a particular character, setting, situation or idea.
Contrapuntal Sound: Either a soundtrack, non diegetic or diegetic sound used to juxtapose the visual shown on screen, helps to change the atmosphere or meaning.
Dialogue: Words spoken by the characters.
Sound Bridge: sound that leads in or out of a scene. They can occur at the beginning of one scene and carries on into the next scene/shot.
Voice Over: When a voice, often that of a character in the film, is heard while we see an image of a space and time in which the character is not actually speaking.
Ambient Sound: The background sound which is presented in a scene or location. Typical ambient sounds include wind, cars and birds.
Volume Control: When the volume is controlled depending on the situation.
Awards: Nominated for Academy Awards: Best Actress, Golden Globe nominated: Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Original Score.
Target Audience:
I think that the target audience for this film will be males and females above the age of 17 to around 60. This is because in the film there are some mature themes exhibited which would be inappropriate for younger children and some teenagers. As this film is thriller it conventionally attracts adults of the age range of around 40s. Typically thriller films contain a complex storyline and are sometimes hard to follow due to the fact they require all of your attention therefore this would appeal more to adults who have a longer attention span. As the film is based on the book written by Gillian Flynn (who also wrote the screenplay) the film already has an established audience which therefore creates a buzz for the film. I think that this film would appeal more to males as stereotypically men enjoy the thriller genre films.
Settings, location and Mise En Scene.
The trailer opens with the 21st Century Fox logo. The use of the having the ident first sets the standard for the film as this company is very well known and has a good reputation for making films. This ident being shown automatically sets the standard for the film. Fans who have previously enjoyed this companies films will be excited for the release of this one, this creates an established audience.
The actual footage used n the trailer opens with an establishing shot that pans around the area it focuses on. The location of the shot is a typical suburban housing area. The use of this location shows the audience that this is a normal area to live in. The housing area looks very posh and modern, stereotypically rich, white people live in these areas. Alongside this shot a voiceover is used which helps to begin the story and inform the audience to what is happening. A fade transition is used between some of these shots to show the audience the different locations and time periods.
The next shot cuts into a long shot in which we can see the main character stood outside next to a bin. The bin prop shows the audience that stereotypically men take the bins out and do the most manual labour. This shot introduces the main character to the audience so they can see what he does on a day to day basis. This is the first look the audience sees of the character and will make a lasting impression and the audience will make judgements of the character from this shot.
The next shot in the trailer is a two shot which is also a long shot introduces the two main characters when they are happy. This shot could make the audience feel as if everything is ok and perhaps makes them envious of their happy relationship. The lighting in this shot is low key which adds a romantic tone to the shot. Alongside this shot a voice over is added to help tell the story as the dialogue is from a diary entry. This voiceover adds an eerie tone to the shot and makes it seem ominous. Using a voiceover from another character introduces a dual narrative to the film and allows the audience to have an insight of both characters and what they are doing/ saying.
A fade transition is used to link together an extreme close up of someone writing in a diary. The voiceover helps to link these shots together as the dialogue is what she is writing down. The shot of the main character writing in a diary helps the audience to understand where the dialogue is coming from and what significance it has to the narrative.
A tracking long shot of a crowd in the park is shown in the park. The tracking technique shows the audience how many people have gathered there, it also hints at why they are there. The lighting in this shot is low key which gives a mysterious and eerie tone to the shot. The camera then cuts a medium close up of the character. In the background of this shot there is a missing poster for his wife. This prop allows the audience to understand what is happening and also shows that the narrative is vastly developing and changing- this engages the audience and makes them continue watching to see what happens.
A close up shot of smashed glass on the floor shows the audience that something bad has happened. As the scene on the floor looks expensive it could show the audience that the characters are quite rich. A breakage in a thriller film in conventional as it shows there is a threat and that something has happened to cause this. As is previous shots everything was ok and happy and this shot is the opposite shows juxtaposition and is also an example of the Toderof theory.
An over the shoulder shot of the main character in the police station shows that the incident is serious and something bad has happened. The fact that the location is a police station will engage and interest the audience, having the police station as a location in a thriller film is very conventional as the majority of thriller films are police and law orientated. The over the shoulder shot exhibits to the audience what the main characters behaviour is like in the police station. It gives the audience a clear look at is face so they could try and decided for themselves where they think he is guilty of not.
An extreme close up shot of a blood splatter on the wall adds more drama to the trailer and emphasises the puzzle that has been created. The extreme close up also peaks the audiences interest and makes them wonder how it got there. This shot could also make them question whether or not Ben Affleck can be trusted or if he is the enemy.
The medium close up two shot of the two policemen introduce them as characters into the film. Thee close up allows the audience to remember the characters and it can also help them decide whether or not they should trust them. The costume that they are wearing are police uniforms which are stereotypically worn by police officers. The black colour of their costume could show connotations of death, this could be a hint of what happened to the wife or what might happen to the husband.
In the next couple shots an extreme close up of an envelope entitled "Clue one" is included in the montage. The use of an extreme close up gives the viewer a clear look at what is being shown to them. The fact that clues have been included into this trailer makes the film more interactional for the viewer and can allow them to guess about what has happened or what the clues mean.
In the middle point of the trailer a point of view shot from Ben Affleck's point of view is used and he drives past his work. In the shot we see a large crowd of people taking photographs of his work. The use of a point of view shot shows the audience what he can see from his perspective. This shot cuts back to this face in order for the viewer to see his reaction to what he has just witnessed. The low key lighting used in this shot makes it seem more mysterious. The fact that people are stood outside his work at night shows the desperation thy have in order to find out answers. Due to the character owning his own business further supports that he is quite well off.
A flashback shot shows the two main characters arguing. The shot is a mid shot and shows them inside their own house. The white walls behind them could show connotations of pureness and innocence. The light in the background looks expensive and high end which shows the audience that they are fairly rich, this is supported by the lavish area they live in. The composition of shot and the rule of 2/3rds shows that the two characters have equal space on camera which could suggest that they are equal partners in marriage. However in the next few shots the audience is shown a low angle shot of the wife lying on the floor crying whilst her husband is holding his fist in a punching motion. This shot juxtaposes the previous shot of them being equals. This is shown through a point of view shot and another mid shot. These shots make the character look weaker in comparison to the male character.
Near the ending of the trailer the titles are included and they are using the same font as the book title. By doing this it shows the relation between the book and the film and shows they are uniform. The titles help to break up the trailer by being added to close ups of the characters. I think that the director chose these shots carefully as when Ben Affleck's name appease on screen the close up of him is very tense and scary- this makes him look like the antagonist, and however the shot used for Rosamund Pike's title is of her crying- this makes her look weak, making her the example of the archetypal female and damsel in distress.
The penultimate shot of the trailer is a close up of the female lead floating down in the bottom of the ocean/river. This shot is very haunting and is the last shot we see of the character in the trailer. This order could make the audience believe that she was killed. The makeup used of the actress is very eerie and makes her look gaunt and as if she really was dead. The lighting is quite low key and subtle but is also used to highlights certain points of her body to draw the audiences attention for example her face and her shoulders.
The final shot of the trailer is another establishing shot of the area in which the narrative is set in. The fact that another establishing shot has been used relates back to the narrative and to the beginning of the film. This adds consistency and fluidity. It also adds emphasis on the title of the film.
Sound
From the beginning of the trailer a piece of incidental soundtrack was playing. The tone of this piece of music was very ominous and immediately set the tone of the film. The sound track that was used was one usually associate with thriller films. To add more dimension to the trailer several voiceovers were used to help introduce the dual narrative of Gone Girl. The dialogue used in voiceovers were ones quoting diary entries from the book and film. These voiceovers were also a good technique of telling the story and helping the pieces fit together for the audience.
Atmosphere
Throughout the trailer a mysterious atmosphere was created. This tone used in the film was further supported by the incidental sound track which created an eerie effect to the shots included. I think that when the trailer began the atmosphere was normal and was what you would expect from a typical husband and wife. However as the trailer progressed and developed the tension began to build and made the viewer pay very close attention to what was happening. By the end of the trailer the themes shown in the trailer was very creepy and made the audience think twice about what they thought this film was like from the beginning.
Awards: Academy Award for best actor (Tommy Lee Jones), Best Picture, Best sound, Best Cinematography.
Target Audience.
As this film has a rating of 12 I think that this film would be more suitable towards people over the age of 13 as there are some scenes that are quite violent and they wouldn't be suitable for children under the age of 13. The plot line in this film could also be described as slightly harder to follow therefore I think that people who are younger than 15 may find it hard to follow the narrative. I believe that this film would appeal more to adults as generally thriller films appeal more to adults. I think the primary audience for this film would be males around the age of 35/55 as this film was made in 1993 therefore this age group would remember when it came out. Stereotypically police themed films appeal more to men. However I think that the mystery theme of the film would interest and entice them.
Settings, location and Mise en Scene.
The opening of the trailer begins with the Ident of Warner Bros. The fact that this film is produced by Warner Bros gives the film an established audience from previous films produced by them. The fact that a big production company is making this film creates a lot of anticipation and buzz for the release and therefore will attract an audience.
The actual trailer begins with a voice over from one of the main characters with dialogue that relates back to the narrative. The next few shots are linked together with montage editing. The camera work is very shaky and looks as if it is point of view shot. This shot is very effective as it creates a panicked atmosphere and immediately interests the audience. The montage has a slight filter which creates an ominous atmosphere and also darkens the mood. The voice over that goes over the montage helps to establish the narrative and link the narrative together.
Embedded within this montage are several shots in which shows the main character being arrested and sent to prison. The costume of the character is a yellow jumpsuit which shows connotations of prison and being a criminal. This is shown through a close up. Several other close up shots are used to highlight props that are association with prison and criminal activity. For example the handcuffs and the main character being tied up.
The next few shots are off the main character escaping from a train crash. The location of the shot is a dark remote landscape- this is conventionally used in horror or thriller films. The use of a distant location shows that there is nowhere for the character to run. The diegetic sound used for the train sound bridges from the previous shot into the long shot in which we see the train approaching. The use of the warning gives anticipation for the audience and puts them on their seat. This also allows the audience makes the connection that the train is approaching the characters.
In the next few shots we are introduced to the other main character who is the rival to Harrison Ford, the shot is a medium close up. The use of this shot enables the audience to be introduced to this character. This shot is introduced through a jump cut and a montage editing technique. As this shot is introduced this creates a dual narrative. The use of a dual narratives engages and interests the audience. It also gives the audience an insight into the two narratives. It could also be an example of dramatic irony as the audience finds out information before the some of the other characters do. The rule of 2/3rds also exhibit that this character takes up the majority of the shot, therefore showing the audience that this is the most important character.
A long shot of Harrison Ford running through the forest further supports the conventions of the locations and how it harder and to run and hide when your further away from a city or town. The low key lighting used in the shots adds an atmospheric tone to the shots and adds tension. This shot also exhibits the costume that is conventionally worn by prisoners and criminals.
Extreme close up shots of Ford's feet are used in the montage which pairs up with the voice over from the other character. The use of the extreme close up emphasises the situation and further supports the desperation that he is in, it also allows the audience to be reminded of the narrative. The editing used to link these shots together is very fast past editing which reflects the narrative of the trailer. The speed of editing also creates an exciting tone to the trailer and will keep the audience interested. The use of diegetic sound of the leaves rustling as the character runs further makes the shot more realistic or the viewer.
A close up shot of the main character cutting his beard in the mirror shows how the narrative has developed throughout the trailer and also shows the lengths in which the character will go to to remain concealed and hidden undercover. This shot also gives the audience another clear look at the characters face and shows how being on the run could effect his appearance.
Near the end of the trailer the stars of the film are introduced to the audience. I think that the titles have been added near the end of the trailer to break up the sequence and to constantly keep the audience interested in the film. The titles are also a tool used to peak the audiences interests as the actors who appear in the trailer are well known and have their own fans.
The last shot shown in the trailer is the same close up mirror shot. The use of having this shot creates a strong impact on the audience and will make them remember his face. The fact that the character has shaved his beard off and dyed his hair shows the audience the desperation he has and the lengths he will go to remain hidden and his identity concealed.
Sound.
In the opening montage sequence sound bridges are used as a technique in order to link these shots together and to form a connection that is clear to the audience. The sound bridge enables the audience to make the relationship between the dialogue and the following shot after. The use of ambient sound in the police station shot and the shots of the other main character allow the sequence to seem more realistic as these are sounds expected in these separate locations. As we get to the middle of the trailer a fast pace soundtrack is used to reflect Harrison Ford being on the run. It also creates a tense and excitable atmosphere for the audience and keeps them interested. This sound track that has been used is a conventional score used in thriller films and creates an eerie atmosphere. As the actors titles appear a chain/metal sound effect is used alongside. The use of this sound effect creates the association of the criminal semantic field used throughout the film. The sound used is one that would remind the viewer of handcuffs.
Atmosphere created.
From the beginning of this trailer a tense atmosphere has been created which immediately entices and interests the audience to watch the film. Immediately at the start of the trailer the audience is informed that the character has been accused of murder. By doing this at the start of the trailer engages the audience and persuades them to keep watching to see if what he did was true and why he did it. The score used in the trailer creates a tense atmosphere and creates a dramatic tone to the trailer.
Name: Batman v Superman
Date Released: March 2016
Rating: PG 13
Box Office: To be released
Actors: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams
Production Company:Warner Bros
Director: Zack Zynder
Awards: To be released.
Target Audience.
I think that the target audience for this film would be teenagers from around 13 up to 30. As this film is based on Superheroes this creates an established audience from the previous Superheroes franchises and the original comics. I think that the age 13 is the age in which kids are typically interested and enjoy watching superhero themed films. The primary gender that this film would appeal to is boys. Stereotypically these films appeal more to boys as boys generally look up to the hero figure as a role model. However this film may appeal well to females as there is a female protagonist. I think that the age of this film shouldn't be higher than 30 as some adults over those age may not be interested in this genre of film and could find it boring and cheesy. However some adults who have grown up watching super hero orientated films may be intrigued to see a newer version.
Settings, location, mise en scene.
The first shot that the audience can see in the trailer is the ident for Warner Bros. By having this as the first shot in the trailer sets the standard for this film. Warner Bros is an established company and have made several films that are well known and off a high quality. By seeing this ident it will make the audience more interested to watch this film. Fans of previous Warner Bros films may watch this film as they are fans from previous productions. The ident is dark and sinister which suggest that this film carries similar themes to this throughout the trailer.
The first shot we can see of the trailer is a medium close up of Batman. The costume that he is wearing is an icon of the Batman franchise and is well known by everyone. The high key lighting in this shot illuminates Batman's face and upper torso. This use of lighting draws the audience's attention to Batman's face- this is the key part of the shot as it introduces him as the masked vigilante. The dark costume that he is wearing shows connotations of power and strength. This shot of Batman infers he is strong and powerful. However this shot is juxtaposed by the next shot which exhibits Batman being chained up. This shot contrasting with the previous shot exhibits a comical tone for the audience and furthers the pleasure the viewer will get from watching this film.
A long shot of Superman jumping down into the shot introduces a new character to the trailer. This shot is very dramatic and connotes to the audience power and an impending battle. The costume that Superman is wearing follows the conventions of a hero costume. The costume that this character is wearing is very distinguishable and immediately that audience knows who the character is. This long shot enables the audience to see the location of these shots and how it relates to the narrative. The location of this shot is very dark and derelict. There is sand and dust on the floor which shows connotations of an underground location. The fact that this is underground connotes that the location is a secret.
The trailer has been broken up with the use of title screens. The font used in this title looks quite dramatic and this is further supported by the use of capital letters. The white typography stands out well against the black background and makes it more eye catching to the audience. The director title has been added first as this is one of the key elements needed in production.
A tracking shot of Superman walking towards the camera as an eye line match exhibits to the audience his identity and makes him distinguishable. This shot is interesting as the protagonist walks into focus. The high key lighting used behind this character emphasises the shape and build of his body. The fact that the superhero is a male supports the archetype that men are typically seen as the stronger sex and the breadwinner of the family.
An over the shoulder two shot of the two superheroes shows the weakness of Batman and the dominance and strength of Superman. The composition of shot exhibits these two superheroes as equals as they both have the same amount of space on camera. The lighting used in this shot emphasises that Batman is tied up and that Superman is overpowering him in terms of strength. These shots are edited together using a fade to black transition which creates a dramatic tone to the trailer. The fade to black transition is conventionally used in thriller films.
A close up shot of superman revealing the identity of Batman enforces the dominance of Superman over Batman. The medium close up of Superman introduces him to the audience and shows that he is a key part in the narrative. The revealing of Batman's identity is portrayed to the audience through a shot reverse shot which shows this process through several shots. These shots vary from over the shoulder and medium close ups.
When Batman's identity is revealed a medium close up of the character is shown to the audience. The use of a medium close up allows a good look at Batman's face whilst still showing the audience that he is weaker as he is tied up. The camera tracks in this shot. This could allow be connoted as a point of view shot from Batman.
The last shot of the trailer is the title screen. By having the title screen at the end of the trailer means that the audience will be guessing and constantly interested in what film this is for. The title screen being at the end gives a dramatic conclusion to the trailer and leaves a lasting impression on the audience. The black background of the title screen creates a dramatic effect- this also makes the white font stand out.
Sound.
When the trailer opens an incidental soundtrack immediately begins. The tone of the track is very low a
and creates a dramatic effect to the trailer. The soundtrack immediately creates a tense atmosphere which is constantly building throughout the trailer. When the audience first see Batman a boom sound effect is used when his head looks up. This sound effect peaks the audience's interest and puts them on edge. Another sound effect is used when Superman arrive into the trailer. A wind sound effect is used which connotes how Superman can fly. This effect is further supported by the ambient sound and the sound effect of the sand. As the titles are interspersed into the trailer the incidental sound track increases and develops to further create a dramatic atmosphere. As the titles appear on screen a boom sound effect is used again to draw attention to the information that appears on screen. As the trailer comes to a conclusion the tone of the sound track increases and finishes a halt. This creates drama for the reveal of the title.
I think the primary audience for this film would be girls from the age of 12-25. I think that this is a good age as some of the themes in this film are slightly darker in comparison to the original fairytale. However i think that this trailer is very similar to the original narrative from Sleeping Beauty and therefore would be suitable for children around the age of 12. I don't think that this film would suitable for people over the age of of 25 because this film is strongly based on the fairytales and stereotypically adults over the age of 25 are not interested in fairytale based films. The secondary target audience of this film would be males of the same age range. I think that some males would be interested in this film as the actress Angelina Jolie already has an established audience from her previous films.
Settings, location and Mise En Scene.
The first look we see in the trailer is the ident of Disney. This is a good technique as it immediately excites and creates a buzz for the audience as Disney is a well known brand and is very prestigious as they have a good reputation. Disney has created lots of films over the years since they have been a company, due to this Disney has an established audience which therefore guarantees an audience for their released films.
The opening shot to the trailer is an extract from the original Sleeping Beauty film. This shot immediately creates a link back from the modern twist of the fairytale back to the original. The long shot shown on screen exhibits to the audience the location used in the film. The location used in this shot is one that is conventional in fairytale themed films. The large ornate castle is a icon of fairytale films and therefore will make the genre recognisable. The bright colours used in this shot show connotations of happiness and joy.
The next shot is an establishing shot possibly being executed on a helicopter, crane or a drone. This shot allows the viewer to see the location and all the elements that make it what it is. I think that possibly a filter may have been used in this shot as the black areas of the film seem darker and more intense. This effect makes the location look more mysterious and eerie. The lighting in this shot is a mixture of high and low key lighting.
Titles are used at the beginning of the trailer to help break up the sequence and follow the conventions of a trailer. The typography used is a conventional font as it is very medieval and is a serif font. The colours of the font and the contrasting background is green and black. These two colours create a strong association for the main character Maleficent, the animation for the font is luminous, which relates back to the fact that Maleficent is a fairy. The black background used for the text really makes the font pop. The green colour used for the font shows connotations of jealousy and earthiness and the black shows connotations of death.
The next shot has a fade transition from black, this allows a fluent change from shot to shot. The transitioning shot changes back to the original content from Sleeping Beauty. This long shot slowly zooms in which adds emphasis and informs the audience who the main focus of this shot is. From looking at the window in the shot I can infer that the location is up high which follows the archetype that princesses are locked up in towers and are damsels in distress waiting to be rescued. The costume that the prince is wearing follows the archetype of a princes costume for example big boots and a long cape. The princess is wearing a costume that also follows the archetype for princesses for example she is wearing a long colourful feminine dress and a gold crown. This shot then cuts in to a medium close up of the two characters about to kiss. This shot follows the conventions of a fairytale, which exhibits a kiss between the prince and princess- signifying true love and living happily ever after.
From this kissing shot it fades into the live action version of the new modern version of the film. This close up shot exhibits the two characters to the audience and showcases the relationship between them. The fade transition also shows the juxtaposition between the different films and how they have developed over the years. Although these two shots showcase contrast, this it also shows how the narrative has been kept very similar since the first film. The use of high key lighting in this shot helps to create the fairy-tale atmosphere. The sun rays also shows connotations of happiness and joy.
Throughout the trailer a smooth and fluent fade transition is used which links the two shot together. This transition also adds a fairy-tale tone to the trailer.
The first glimpse we see of the other main character, Sleeping Beauty, is a medium close up of the character as a baby. This shot helps to introduce the audience to the character. It also helps to create a rapport between the audience and the characters as it may make the audience feel as if they have watched her grow up. The costume that the baby is wearing follows the conventions of outfits typically worn by children. However I can connote that the outfit is made from a silken material- silk is an icon of luxury, the location in this shot also supports this as it is in a palace which is very lavish.
An extreme close up shot of the candles being blown out by wind changes the tone of the trailer and introduces the Toderof theory. This shot is effective as it shows the audience that something is about to happen and that the mood and atmosphere is changing. This entrances the viewer and peaks their interest to know what will happen next in the trailer.
The next few shots in the trailer showcase a problem and that something bad is happening. These shots are edited together similar to a montage- the transitions used are cuts to blacks. This transition gives the effect of confusion and distortion.
The shot that introduces the main character Maleficent is a mid shot that frames the character above her shoulders. The costume that she is wearing is black which shows connotations of death and evil. On her right hand side she is also holding a staff which has a crow upon it. Crows are also an icon of death and makes the character seem more intimidating and dangerous. The lighting in the palace has changed from a happy atmosphere with high key lighting to low key lighting which reflects the character on screen and the atmosphere she has created by walking in the room. The lighting also reflects the fear that the characters have in the story.
A medium close up of the protagonist casting spell on the baby creates a magical atmosphere and further relates back to the original story of Sleeping Beauty. The animation used for the green mist follows the colour theme that has been exhibited through the titles of the film, and further supports and shows the audience the magical qualities that the fairy has.
The long shot of Maleficent performing a curse in the castle makes a great impact on the audience as it exhibits her power and strength to the audience. The colour of the curse shows connotations of jealousy, which relates back to one of the themes exhibited in the original fairy-tale.
This shot swipes across using the cape from the previous shot. The next shot is of a castle, the lighting is high key which contrasts from the previous shot. The castle is also an icon of fairy tales and is a convention for a fairy-tale based film.
The next shot is an extreme long shot of one of the main characters. The setting is full of snow whereas the previous shots where set in summer/spring season. The change in season and weather show progression through the trailer and that time is continuing. The low key lighting adds an ominous tone to the shot, the white snow also contrasts well with the dark trees in the background and foreground.
A medium close up of the second protagonist introduces her as an adult to the audience and shows how she has grown up from the previous shots shown in the trailer. The princess has long blonde hair which supports the archetype that girls like having long hair and looking feminine. The costume that this character is wearing is a material similar to silk, silk is an icon of wealth which reflects her background and family orientation. The pale colour of her dress connotes pureness and innocence which is a strong association with princesses in fairy tales
The close up shot of the crow creates familiarity for the audience from the original fairy-tale. The crow is also a symbol of evil which supports the stereotype that villains in Disney films are evil. However this crow subverts the stereotype as this film exhibits Maleficent as an protagonist instead of a antagonist.
A long shot of the main characters in the river/pond location subverts the archetype that being in the dark is scary. This is shown by the fairies which have been added in using cgi. The colours of the fairies are bright and glowing. The glowing effect connotes happiness and joy. Having fairies in this film follows the conventions of elements to be included in a fairytale orientated film.
A close up shot of the protagonist hiding in the trees away from the camera in the dark shows that sometimes even villains are afraid to be seen. The low key lighting of this shot is very mysterious and adds an eerie tone to the trailer. The lighting looks like it has been done carefully as it highlights certain areas of her face so she is seen by the audience.
A two shot of both protagonists is shown. The lighting in this shot is high key which connotes a happy atmosphere. The composition of this medium close up shows the two characters having the same amount of space on screen. By doing this it shows that the two characters are equals and are even.
In order to help the trailer progress further a mid shot of the Sleeping Beauty character is shown on the screen to further remind the audience the original narrative that this film was based on. In this shot a glowing effect has been used on the spinning wheel. The use of this effect entrances and draws the viewer's attention to this area of the shot. The spinning wheel is an icon of the sleeping beauty film and therefore this sends a link to the audience. When the viewer is watching this trailer they will make the association from the original film. The lighting in this shot is low key but is contrasted and juxtaposed with the glowing light from the spinning wheel. The glow from this wheel attracts the audience to the prop and makes it the key feature of the shot.
A medium close up shot of the protagonist casting a spell and an over the shoulder shoulder that includes the use of a cgi vines growing shows the power of the antagonist and exhibits to the audience how strong and clever she is. The fact that this character is strong subverts the archetype that women are weak and that men are stronger and more intelligent. The protagonists costume is black which could also shown connotations of strength and power.
Sound
At the beginning of the trailer a dainty soundtrack begins to play. The sound track is quite upbeat an energetic. The sound track is one that you would expect from a fairytale orientated film and follows the conventions. The overall sound of the sound track sounds as if it is imitating fairies which therefore relates back to the fairytale genre. The sound track then deepens and becomes more dramatic as it transitions into the newer version of the film. As the titles appear on screen a male voice over is used to create more drama and dimension to the film. A voiceover is also used by the main protagonist to help introduce Sleeping Beauty. Throughout the film subtle sound effects are used to enhance parts and sections of the film, for example a tinkling sound is used for the butterflies and for the sound of the crow.
As the mood changes in the film and when things go wrong the music reflects this. The music becomes more dramatic and creates a tension. Along side these sound terms diegetic and non diegetic sound is used to create a realistic atmosphere. Ambient sound and sound bridges are also used to create more drama to the trailer.
The soundtrack tapers out at the end of the trailer- the use of this transition creates an ominous atmosphere.
