23 June 2009

Research 2- Textual Analysis (1)









Trailer 1- Looking for Eric, Directed by Ken Loach

- Opens with a key scene from the film, humorous, viewer is introduced to a wide variety of characters, chosen shot; mid to long shot, showing two overweight males, digetic sound is heard, accent, iconic of british working class, (colloquial language). The chosen shot also allows the audience to view the surroundings, over crowded living room- again symbolic of working class citizens.
- Cut to CU of main character, central framing, he is in focus. Establishing his importance within the narrative, typical convention of a trailer- showcasing main characters.
- Soundtrack beings, upbeat and easy going, however keeps a slow enough tempo which could suggest a range of emotions to come. Music used also reinforces the britishness, adapts a folk like tune /english singing voice. The soundtrack has been used to determine the atmosphere and reflect upon the genre- light hearted comedy.
- Cut to name of distribution company and their logo, common within trailers- institution logos are a typical feature.
- Cut again to panning of a city skyline, establishing setting- Britain, Big Ben, inner city, continuity in highlighting social class.
- Cut to main character cycling within a different surrounding, suggesting travels and a journey, reflecting upon the title "looking for Eric'- most significantly the word looking. Additionally introducing some sort of linear sequence to come. 
- Fade to black, change in location, focusing on the main character, in a post office, presenting his occupation, post office worked.
- Cut to mid shot, two characters laughing and joking around, main character remains the focus.
- Fade to white, titles over footage 'for the laughs' mirroring the footage on screen.
- Black screen, for attention to be drawn to the title, fade to white, followed by a CU of two characters faces, happy expression, audience can just about establish the surroundings- on a coach, dissolve to a MS on the coach, view more of the surroundings, beer cans, men, football shirts and scarfs, iconic of football hooligans.
- sound continues to remain non digetic with only the soundtrack being heard.
- Title are used again, black on white, 'for the love', hinting at different aspets of life/narrative of the film, typical of trailer, where is remains vital to give a variety of the narrative but not too much in order not to completely give the plot away.
- Cut to Mid to close up shot of main character, viewer can understand his feeling through his inquisitive/sad expression, dressed in his work uniform underlining that work is part of his everyday life.
- Cut to a female character, gives the allusion that he is looking longingly at her, location remains consistent, inner city surroundings. This aspect of the trailer again reflects upon the previous title 'for the love'.
- During this trailer it has become evident that the titles are being used in replacement for a voiceover.
-Fade to white, couple sitting talking, MS, camera titles upwards in order to view their faces.
- Fade to black, another location change, small cramped kitchen environment and title 'for the life' the camera shot allows the audience to see the character centralized and smash a saucepan onto the table in rage, frustration perhaps? the audience is left guessing, but the editor has cleverly placed this clip after the love extract, implying a linear sequence, however we are unknown to why the character is angry.
- The range of emotions shown throughout this trailer can perhaps be showing the roller coaster emotions which will also be evident within the film itself. 
- fade again, couple dancing- CU of female character signifying her importance...
- Fade to black, several location changes have been established we see the main character in his work uniform, only voiceover of the clip- non digetic sound, focuses in on the 'hero' poster of Eric Cantona- well known football player, only use of voiceover during this part could show the importance the theme of 'looking for a hero'. 
- Cut to another change in location, a longer extract used showing an interaction between two characters, evidently key dialogue, and showing character and plot importance- creating disequilibrium only restored and resolved by the film itself.
- Title of the film shown at the very end, then name of director and then coming soon, soundtrack fades out.