Friday, 9 October 2015

Looking Film Trailers

The Hunger Games
What is the genre? - The Hunger games is a hybrid of genres; it's adventure, science fiction, drama and action.
How is the audience able to identify the genre of film? -You can see the action/ adventure through the shots of the training centre and the arena.
The most dramatic moment in the film is when Katniss the lead female volunteers for her sister. The relationship with gale also shows drama in the trailer.
The science-fiction aspect is shown through the establishing shot of the capitol along with the futuristic soundtrack, sterile setting and the white sterile costumes typical to that genre.
How does the trailer target an audience? -The trailer really plays on emotions and there is at least one aspect in the trailer that everyone can identify with from love, family, fear, loneliness or relationships.
The fan base of the main actors are mainly teens aged 12-19. the main characters are purposely younger so that that age group can see themselves as them. However, it's not just teens that watch the movies it's all ranges. In the trailer it effects more than just the teens but families too which makes a wider variety of ages identify with it.
How long is the film trailer? - 2 minutes 38 seconds.
How many shots? 144
What transitions are used? - Jump cuts were used for the action sequences and tense moments. Fade into and fade to black were used for the more dramatic moments.
How does the trailer represent characters and their relationships?
Katniss and Prim: Close sister relationship shown through their body language with each other; holding hands. They are often together in a shot highlighting that they have each other and the most important thing from the trailer that we learn about their relationship is that katniss is willing to die for her sister when she volunteers.
Katniss and Gale: Their relationship is close and protective between them. This is often shown through their facial expressions.
Effie: In the trailer she doesn't fit and is seen as an outcast but still someone with high importance as she reaps the names of the tributes.
Haymitch: His character is seen as guidance and a mentor. This is shown through is wise tone and dialogue.
Peeta: To me Peeta is one of the most relatable characters from the trailer as he often looks the most scared and vulnerable. His words "If I'm going to die, I want to still be me" shows us how he thinks and is something we can relate to.
How does the trailer create a narrative? - Mainly through the diegetic dialogue and order of the trailer. "Welcome, the time has come to select one courageous man and women for the honour of representing district 12 in the 74th annual hunger games". Settings and costumes also help us follow the story line.
What does it reveal about the plot? - That a man and women from each district gets 'reaped' (randomly drawn) to be part of the hunger games. Prim gets pulled out despite her name only being in there once but Katniss volunteers for her. Peeta is also chosen. They then go to the capitol where they are 'made to look pretty' for interviews etc. They also go through training in practice for the arena. Towards the end of the trailer we finally see the arena and 'The Hunger Games' begin.
How does the trailer create a code of enigma? - By leaving us with questions, not telling us the full plot.
-Ultimately who survives?
- How do they win?
-Peeta says in the trailer "I just wish there was a way that I could show them that they don't own me'. Does he prove this?
-What is the capital and the districts?
-Why is there a Hunger Games?
How does the trailer communicate with the audience? - Through the inter-titles mainly.
-'The games will change everyone.' This speaks directly to us.
- 'From the best-selling EPIC NOVELS.' This speaks directly to people who have been long term fans of the books and have been waiting for the films.
What type of camera shots are most used? -
- Close ups to show and make the audience connect more with the characters emotions.
-Long shots to help show the audience more of the situation.
-Establishing shots helps with the narrative.
-Low angled shot of people looking up, this shows power.
A lot of screen time is on Katniss, this help the audience identify that she is the main character.
How does the trailer establish the mood and expectation of the film? - In the trailer it has a slow start which makes you calm and then at the reaping it gets a lot more tense. It then movers onto the capitol where things are rushed and very modern/futuristic and then the arena where its gets faster and where the action/adventure comes in. We expect the film to follow the same pattern as the trailer. Slow and calm, getting more tense, and then leading to a faster more action filled end.
How is the mis-en-scene constructed?
Costumes- District 12 has very muted tones showing no wealth. Which is a strong contrast to Effie who wears strong colours and has a very expensive look. The tribute uniform is combat wear and is very appropriate for what they are doing. Peacekeeper uniforms are white with helmets. White shows peace witch matches there name. The president is in a suit which again shows peace but also power and he has a white rose in his pocket to represent peace.
Setting- Clear contrast between district 12 and the capital. District 12 looks broken, old and like it's in the war times. Where as the capital looks very sterile, modern,extremely futuristic compared to the districts. The settings really help to explain the narrative in the trailer.
Why has the film studio used the trailer to market the product? - Allows you to see some of the narrative and leaves you with questions that you need answering. It hooks you in and also shows you how good the film might be. It also gives you the oppitunity to look at the actors and their roles in the film. This can help with creating a direction for the character and helps you to identify with the characters.