Over the past week during our lessons we have been learning the basics of the software after effects.
I learnt how to add effects to text in order to create diffe
rent styles of title sequences, this will be of significant help as during my completion of the teaser trailer the knowledge surrounding the creation of film titles will be particularly beneficial as I will be able to play around with different effects which I can use for titles included within my trailer- as textual analysis proved that titles in trailers were something of the norm, a common convention in which help to lead the narrative.
LS open stage, bright lights, connotations of happiness/brightness associated with FAME.
Fade to titles 'it all begins with a dream'- starts the narrative
CU fingers playing piano/piano sound begins and singing, lyrics relevant to film/narrative
Dissolve to MS, audience can see girl playing piano
Fade to black, CU girl playing piano, different POV, side.
Bright lights/stage lights iconic of performing
Camera tracks around piano
Fade to black, CU of face, girl still playing piano, music begins to crescendo emotions begin to show.
Fade to black, MS character playing piano still, camera tracks around, slower editing
Dissolve, LS, establish surroundings, piano is on a large stage, emptiness surrounding her emphasises she is her own performer, must succeed on her own, relevant to narrative.
Fish eye, fade to black
Numerous fade to blacks could suggest the fame is a dark dangerous game.
Soundtrack changes, more upbeat, more titles sweep on
Dissolve to new location, school hallway, low angle, presents high surroundings, getting in proves difficult- a reach a way, more titles
Dissolve, new location, dance studio, LS tapping in soundtrack mirrors style of performance, tap dancing
Dissolve, titles, titles have been made like stage lights, symbolic of fame.
Quick cuts to different performing locations, bright lights, judges
Cuts in quick concession to characters performing various acts, as editing quickens music crescendos, becomes quicker.
Before analysing the trailers, after research on the internet I came across a great teaching resource in which I used to help me break down my analysis, the table was a great way of splitting up the important information and the questions to consider were also helpful.- click on the image for a larger view.
From analysis of a range of different trailers I have been able to draw upon the different codes and conventions which are commonly seen amongst trailers of any genre.
- The most important content within a trailer is selected shots paired with dialogue that tell an exciting story; the producer will choose the highs and lows from the film.
- Music and sound effects are the backbone, they set the pace and rythmn and ultimately drive the trailer through from the beginning to the end.
- The trailers have a clear beginning, middle and end which can be determined by the soundtrack, it sets up the story in an interesting and intriguing way- teases the story.
- The voiceover also leads the narrative and can be used to tell the story through different perspectives. Sometimes the voiceover is the character of the film or sometimes the classic hollywood male voice.
- Scenes are not necessarily in the order in which they would appear in the film as it would be impossible to reveal the general storyline without ruining the main concept.
Bend it Like Beckham Director: Gurinder Chadha (2002) Genre: Comedy/drama/sport/romance
- Slow editing to start - Production company titles - Immediate voice over, MS- one of the main characters centralised in the frame - Soundtrack upbeat, quiet behind voiceover, indian wedding - Cut to another main character, showing their contrasts in wants, linear to previous voiceover - Non- digetc whoosh sound, emphasises the ball movement and the importance of the football - CU of football, key to narrative, flashes to Beckham playing football and back to main character showing the similarities of talents/ also engages audience through fast editing - Key dialogue, CU of football game on TV, important theme in film - Over the shoulder shot, looking at Beckham on a poster, he is the focus of the shot - Narratvie shown through both chosen dialogue and images - Special effects, showing time go by, LS, kitchen surroundings, main character doing kick ups with a vegetable, highlighting importance of football to the narrative - Cuts from one conversation to another, however flows. - Key locations shown, football pitch, kitchen ( highlights the wants and the norm- indian girl must cook, however wants to play football) locations thus show a message behind the story. - Soundtrack leads the trailer, follows action climax's etc.. - Cuts every second, longer for important dialogue, more focus - quicker cuts during disturbed equilibrium - Wipe transition and sound - Cultural music- indian - Titles describe on screen action - Longer sequences highlight key aspects (e.g. man explaining offside rule- important in football) - Soundtrack cuts out for important dialogue - Title of film shown at the end, soundtack simply ends, no fade.
Tormented Director: Jon Wright (2009) Genre: Comedy/Horror
- Concession of production company titles - Immediate soundtrack, rock and roll ish, opens with a Mid to long shot, two characters, teenage house party environment, dark lighting, red coloured titles, all suggesting teen horror genre. - CU of character, one liner - Dark lighting for the majority of the trailer, reflecting horror theme. - Fade - Digetic sound, accent symbolic of brits, establishes setting, England. - Thumping bassy music, range of camera angles - Fade to black - Non digetic sound, heartbeat, heavy breathing - Dark Lighting, seedy, sexual action, half naked, breathing distorted, sounds like death - Fade to black - Sound bridge screaming, door opens- horror theme cemented - Monster creature bursts through door, over the shoulder shot, see characters scared reaction - Quick cuts, swearing- age certificate?! - Title of film shown - New soundtrack, trendy upbeat "in" music, party location, teen cast. - Titles burst on screen, following same font as the title of the film - Quick cuts, CU of decks, MS, boy falling in pool, chaotic atmosphere, busy, keeps the audience focused and mirrors a teenagers life. - Varied locations - Linear narrative sequence, introduced to main cast - Relevant characters to the film shown (main) - Key dialogue is chosen which is important to understand the narrative - Very quick editing - Dark clothing throughout, iconic of death and horror - Howling wind, non digetic sound "i'm gonna kill you" - Dissolves - Killing scenes, screams with pacy editing audience is kept engaged - Titles hold moral behind the story (classic teen scenario) - CU of blood again iconic of death and horror - Quick cuts, clips dont last longer than 30secs - Strong narrative, equilibrium- disturbed- disequilbrium, trailer doesn't resolve to equilibrium, leaves the viewer wanting to see more, succesful promotion.
My Sister's Keeper Director: Nick Cassavetes (2009) Genre: Drama
- Immediate hard hitting soundtrack, accompanied with voiceover, matching image on screen "most babies are accidents" followed by a CU of a baby. - Childs voice as voiceover- one of the main character, sympathise. - Quick concession cuts, match on action, images on screen with voiceover tell a story, establishes a sense of narrative. - Chosen digetic sound is hard hitting, children laughing, theme of happiness is presented. - Followed with non digetic sound of the wind howling, highlights a change in mood. - Cut to production company title. - New voiceover, another character's voice, seeing the story from another perspective, which is what the director decides to do within the film. - Range of camera angles, portraying a range of different view points, CU, MS, LS, High angle, all capture the happiness. - Introduced to the main characters - Voiceover continues to match on screen action - Fade to black - Important scenes chosen in order for the viewer to understand the narrative - Best bits, help promote the film, makes one want to see more. - Establishing shot, fade to title "Based on the novel by Jodi Picoll" - Quick cuts- same location- different perspectives - Fade transition, voice continues to match action - Sound bridge, establish location then see character which is talking - Subconcious selection of soundtracks all the way through- they lead the trailer - Extremely quick cuts, highlights roller coaster effect and mirrors the films narrative showing the ups and the downs. - Dramatised scenes chosen, scenes which make you want to see the film - Change in narrative establishes the narrative coming to a climaz - Fades to titles/ - Extended choice of locations - Title of film shown at the end, finishes with the music fading out.
- Mixture of digetic and non-digetic sound, adapts more of a hollywood style. - Montage of still location images, sliced together also quotes from critics used as title to entince the audience to watch the film in its entirety. - Upbeat soundtrack, immediate voiceover; tells the story, viewer is introduced to the main character. - Use of extensive split screens, showing different parts of the scene at the same time. - Usage of fade to white/black transitions, very quick editing. - Wide variety of location choices, bar/city surroundings. - Increased use of dissolve transition, helps to tell the story, follow linear narrative. - Focuses on the high and low points within the film. - Voiceover mirrors footage, irony. - Feel connected with voiceover. - Iconic images within montage- red bus, establishes setting, Britain. Also helps to highlight key points within the film and sliced montage keeps viewers attention.
