Trailer Analysis: The Shallows Theatrical Trailer (2016)

The theatrical trailer of the 2016 film The Shallows opens with the establishing shot of a large beach, this immediately sets the scene for the audience so they are aware of where this film will predominantly be taking place. Therefore from the outset of the film we are exposed to the spacious deserted beach which inflicts isolation, something which might later be foreshadowed in the film. The ariel shot inflicts the extensive scale of the beach and the audience quickly start to depict what the narrative could entail.

We then contrast to a slow motion shot of what seems to be the main female protagonist on a board which shows her confidence in the water. Therefore it is suggested that this character is no stranger to the water. At this point in the trailer there is very little sound, only very low volume fuzzy non-diegetic sound that doesn't seem to have a purpose at this point.

Next, there is a shot of a mass of birds, this suggests that the film is going to take place in a relaxing and calming setting, this is a juxtaposing idea considering we know that the narrative is going to be tense and uncalming to watch.

We then see the female characters loss of power through a wide low angle shot as she is hurdled through the waves by a large wave, yet she manages to keep her strength subverting the audiences expecations of females. The diegetic sound of the wave matches what the audience are seeing on screen.

The camera then cuts to a low angle shot, perhaps a point of view shot from the shark, putting the audience on edge yet enticing them to watch on. This is where the trailer starts to pick up the pace. Still we don't have any other music apart from the diegetic sound of waves.

It then cuts to black and here the diegetic loud crunch of the female protagonist eating a apple, this could be a reflection of the shark bite. Therefore the audience are being subtly exposed to the narrative and are being teased into what happens to the character.

Later on in the trailer at 1:16, the tone of the trailer begins to change as see the characters demise as a powerful character.  The darker lighting inflicts her struggle that begins to panic the audience. We no longer see a steady camera as the camera begins to shake inflicting the cameras panic and frantic movements to get free.

The intertitles are written in a simple sans serif font with usually with one or two words on each intertitle. The white font against the contrasting black background helps the audience take note of the significant words that are placed in between the frantic scenes we are being exposed to throughout the trailer. However the intertitles do not start appearing until the last half of the trailer making the audience keep focuses in the first half on the narrative and then allowing them to focus on the intertitles in the second half.

After analysing this theatrical trailer, there are aspects in which i am going to replicate in my trailer, for example the varied camera angles are essential to engage the audience and the sound is vital to set the mood, therefore i am going to consider these factors in depth for the the creation of my trailer. 

Trailer Analysis: Beauty and the Beast Teaser Trailer (2017)

The 2017 modern live action film refurnishing a successful established Disney film "Beauty And The Beast", released its new trailer enabling the viewers to distinguish a variety of features that have been chosen to cater to such audience - the primary audience being older children/teenagers, with a secondary audience of adults, those of which who were viewers of the first and are watching to reminisce on their childhood. The teaser trailer only lasting a total of (1:30) is a short but impacting trailer imposing a magical and enchanting element that will surely attract the mainstream audience.

It opens with the popular institutional logo of Walt Disney, accompanied by the magical non diegetic piano sound allowing the audience to gain an immediate feel for the narrative of the film. The establishing shot that then sets the scene for the film gives a clear indication of the high spec, prestigious tone that the film will portray. 

The gold/brown colour tone also helps portray the affluence of this new version of the film. Subverting the usual conventions of a teaser trailer, the trailer takes on a slow pace, using fading transitions to progress through the trailer, allowing the viewer to appreciate the mis en scene and the few locations/scenes that are shown. This inflicts the idea that the directors of the trailer are trying to create an element of nostalgia and recognition for the old version of the film - consequently making the viewer compare the two and making them keen to watch the new replication. 

The trailer then cuts quickly to a black screen which is followed by various shots that are edited with a dark filter, creating a contrasting dark and sombre tone compared to the cinematography used in the first half of the trailer suggesting that the film also has some dim and negative elements. 

The intertitles at the end of the film consist of the #beourguest, a well known phrase from the original Beauty and the Beast, for marketing purposes and to attract an audience that would recognise this phrase.

This is the first trailer that I have analysed, therefore I am now aware of the conventions of as teaser trailer - I know that i need to include convergent links to a social media platform in order to market my film. I also are aware that lighting, mis en scene and varied locations are factors I need to consider.

Year 12 Blog

http://chsmedia2015eeustace.blogspot.co.uk/

This is a link to my Year 12 coursework.