Analysis of Trailers

Trailer Sound Analysis: Snowhite and the Huntsman & Mirror Mirror

In this post I analyse the use of sound in the following trailers; Snowhite and the Huntsman and Mirror Mirror. I looked at the way the different types of audio are layered and used, and  how they fit into the timings of the trailers.

Snowhite and the Hunstman :

This trailer included many different sound effects, many more than the "Mirror Mirror" trailer, this could have been done to add dramatic effect to the events in the trailer. There was also use of a voice over, at the beginning of the trailer, this could have been done to add some narration to the story. There was only one score of music throughout the trailer, which acted as background music to the dialogue, sound effects, and voiceover. Similar to Mirror Mirror, there were pauses in the music to allow the characters dialogue, however instead of this being done for comic effect, this is done to add dramatic effect to the characters dialogue.





Mirror Mirror :

This trailer used many different layers of sound, instead of having one main score of background music like "Snowhite and the Huntsman" it had changing background music to suit the moments in the trailer. This trailer also didn't use as many sound effects as the "Snowhite and the Huntsman" trailer, however there were still varied uses of sound effects. The background music often stopped momentarily to allow the dialogue between characters to be more prominent, this could have been done for comic effect.

Codes and Conventions of Period Drama

Movie Posters:

Movie posters have several main conventions, they all have a tagline, billing block title and release date. The use of layering images in movie posters is very common too, in order to create dimensions within the poster.

Period drama posters all follow similar conventions, they usually always show the main character at the forefront of the poster, and may include the supporting characters too, such as in this poster for "The Duchess".


This poster shows the key character in the forefront, showing her importance, whilst the other characters are in the background showing how they are not the main focus of the story, but are still an important part of the plot.

The colour schemes in period drama posters are often muted soft colours, this could be done to show the mood and feel of the film, and also to appeal to the mostly female audience, as muted soft pastel colours would appeal to them more. An example of this is in this poster for Pride and Prejudice :

The colour scheme in this poster is very bright and light, the use of the golden tones add warmth and the overall feel of the poster is a more cheerful and bright feel.

Another feature of period drama posters is the layout, for example using the title of the film in the middle of the poster to divide two pictures, as done in this poster for Atonement.

This poster is effective as it shows the audience the name of the film and the two main characters. The use of the different backgrounds also give a hint as to the characters backstory, the use of the poppys and the war scenes in both pictures suggest to the audience about the genre and the time it is set.

Overall, we shall be taking these codes and conventions of period drama film posters into account when we are desgining our own, in order for them to look as proffesional and authentic as possible.

 

Analysis of Layout of Film Magazines

Conclusion: Genres

Conclusions about genres

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Narrative Stucture in Trailers :

 

Film:	Opening:	Build up/problem:	Events:
Jane Eyre	The opening is brief, and introduces the main character and some backstory of the characters life.	The problems are introduced early in the trailer before the relationships are established.	The events take up most of the trailer, there is a trailer rush at the end showing even more events.
Inception	The opening introduces characters and establishes relationships to engage the audience.	The problem is introduced in the middle and towards the end of the trailer, this raises questions about the events in the film.	A lot of events introduced before the problem was established, this creates an engine.
The Huger Games	The location and the dystopian world are introduced, the characters are introduced and relationships established, in order to set up the problems.	Problems are established early on in the trailer, through the dialogue between the characters and builds up to the main problem.	A few events shown, however only shows the events from the beginning of the film. Raises questions as towards what will happen later on eg the trailer ends with the start of the Hunger Games.
District 9	Introduces location, it doesn’t establish the characters to keep the mystery of the problem.	Shows the problem and establishes it. It doesn’t go into more detail about the problems.	Not many events shown, hints at the plotline but doesn’t show anything that happens in the film. There are only short news clips of events.
Prom	Introduces few characters, doesn’t establish relationships.	Small problems introduced towards the middle and end of trailer.	No big events shown, all small problems belonging to each character, there is a trailer rush of events at the end.
Mean Girls	Character is introduced through voice over and backstory is established, location also established to familiarise audience with character.	Shows conflict in the middle of the trailer, establishes problems and introduces villain.	Events shown through the middle of the trailer, gives the audience a brief plotline, shows a lot of what happens in the film.