Sound Work in Trailers

Sound 

A soundtrack is essential in any film or trailer in setting the mood, it also adds emotion and a rhythm to the film. A meaningful sound track is often as complicated as the image on the screen. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4ZzMkDLjWI

At the beginning of the Jupiter Ascending trailer a tense use of non diegetic noise rises from the opening silence as a hard hitting statement is said by a character, "you have been taught that the birthplace of the human race is Earth..." as soon as this is said all sound stops and screen turns black for 1 second, then is followed by the same character "...but its not." This is a hard hitting shocking statement and is portrayed dramatically.                                                                                                   I find this extremely effective, engaging and unique as it completely captivated me, in some ways the silence was deafening and is just as effective as a loud bang on a drum or passionate soundtrack. It had my interest from the very start which is a key feature in trailer making, and defiantly a feature I would work on and think about in my production.  

Camera work in Trailers

Camera 

Camera shots and angles are a large and important aspect in film and trailer production, depending on the shot it can create a mood/genre that is clear to the audience. 

The Teenage mutant ninja turtle trailer specifically stood out to me during my research into camera work, as it used extremely powerful and hard hitting establishing high shots, even within the first 15 seconds of the trailer. For me this created immediate interest and impression showing devastation, action and recognisable american urban locations. I have used this in my screen shot above as one of the examples, this shot gave a specifically large impression because of its hight over the city giving an intimidating view over a clearly venerable area, showing the city is under attack.                             I feel this is a very effective use of camera skills as to me it gives a location with real interest, shock and intrigue into the vulnerability and conflict the story shows.

This specific shot impacted on me as it is the first viewing of the main character and by using a medium close up, which then zooms to a close up, gives status and importance to this specific character, and by fading it in from a black screen then fading it out again within 3 seconds, gives suspense and more of an impact on the viewer. And because Megan Fox is so well known in the film world this dramatically increases the target audience and hope for the success of the film. Although this can not apply the the production of my Trailer/short film it is a impressive skill to use. 

   

Jump cuts are a large aspect of this trailer, showing clips of fast thrilling action for around 2 seconds, cutting to another scene of calm for 2 seconds, the back to action, in a constant loop. This may show the contrast the film contains from the calm before the storm. However, throughout this no clues of what is causing such devastation are given until around half way through the trailer, this allowed me to constantly keep guessing and wondering.

The first time the Ninja Turtles are shown to the audience is extremely dramatic and theatrical in the way it uses a worms eye view looking up to the sky, allowing us to feel inferior to what we are about to see, showing the turtles dominance in the film. The camera quickly drops following the turtle as it falls to the earth and lands in a warrior like pose with weapons and armour overlooking the main character. I feel this is a very useful use of camera skills that I will take into account and adapt in my trailer or short film.  

Conventions of Trailers

Trailers

Trailers are one of the most important parts within mass film promotion and production, as if gets the film out to a wide audience. Producers of trailers are often given large budgets to use in production, because of the importance in getting the film out there and giving a the best possible first impression, sparking interest. 

3 types... 

Teaser Trailer - A shortened version of the full main trailer, often shown far in advance of the films release. 

Theatrical Trailer - Shown on tv, internet or cinema adverts a few weeks before release date

DVD Trailer - Promotional advert shown mostly on TV, after cinema release and in advance to DVD release.

Codes and conventions

• Emphasises the institution of film usually by flashing institution logo at beginning or end of trailer
• Common use of a voice over narrator giving brief overview of storyline, most common in children/Disney movies or old action/horror movies
• Reminders of previous well known hit movies made by the same institution or director, "From the creator of..." 
• Quotes given by movie critics or newspaper reviews e.g. "Thrilling" says Empire magazine
• If actor is well known and well thought of they will flash their name and focus on them a lot 
• Consistent use of diegetic and non diegetic sound, e.g. thrilling soundtrack and explosions 
• Common to start the trailer slow and quiet, gradually getting faster and louder, rising tension

The Last Word - Short Film

The last word 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DH1JGlYOL0

This uses slow motion all through the short film, this use of editing is often used to show a shift in time or emotion felt by the characters, it gives the feeling that their world is slowing down and it is not the same any more. 

A filter has also been used on the camera to give the film a slight grey/sepia tint, this is a unique and effective source as this connotates sadness and loneliness, by draining out all positive colours. This technique may also have been used to represent a past memory or a dream.                                         The black clothes worn by all in the film also represent a darkness and emptiness and overall negative vibe. 

Written narrative on screen towards the end of the short film uses emotive language which fades in and out of a black screen 

The Desk - Short Film

The Desk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_kIyihNd-A

This short film is 7 minutes and 43 seconds long, for this storyline that is an appropriate length of time.
The director effectively shows the loneliness experienced by the main character through certain shots and angles. By using a tracking shot following the character down the hallway in a medium shot, it clearly emphasises how there is no one for him in the background and passes everyone by without a glance. Because the shot is medium it is clear to see both his surroundings and his expression, which is unhappy and lifeless.Throughout the film there is a repetition of medium or close up shots which is effective in emphasising the emotions experienced by the main character, linking in with the plot.

There is no dialogue used throughout the short, which can also contribute to the alienation by giving the character no power of speech the audience can relate to the character as shy and withdrawn. All communication takes place on 'the desk' and is an ideal connection between two shy alienated characters to communicate.

Looking at Short Films

Short Films 

What I have learnt so far...

Short films usually consist of up to 5-7 minutes

It is important to grasp the viewers quickly with a strong gripping beginning, followed by an exciting storyline and script

Interesting wide ranged use of camera shots and angles

Create and build tension 

Important Key Words 

Enigma - A narrative devise used to tease the audience, for example presenting them with a puzzling storyline to be solved. 

Action Code - A devise where by a resolution is produced through an action sequence  

Linear Narrative - When the narrative plot moves forward at all times but is met by sudden flashbacks for digression

Parallel Action - Cutting between two scenes which are viewed as happening at the same time 

Ant Narrative - Disrupting the storyline deliberately by the repetition of images from another scene/time.     

Mode of Address - Directing personally to the audience via the use of Direct dialogue, Voice overs and Written dialogue on screen 

 The Toderov Theory 

Equilibrium ----- Disequilibrium ----- New Equilibrium  

Looking at Trailers

Trailers 

I watch many trailers in my own time and keep up with films from around the 70's up to modern day, as I have a deep interest and love for films. 

Although I often watch trailers on television, computer or phone, I do not know a lot about the background of trailers, how they are affective, or what makes a successful one. 

When looking through modern trailers on YouTube I came across 2008's The Dark Knight. This is a film I know and love, I was very impressed by the trailer as it gave an eye catching, thrilling overview of the movie. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqq4j52Fb4

Certain features of the trailer stood out to me as affective ideas attempting to captivate the audience, interest and impress them. The creators did this well by making sure eyes were always on the screen, they did so by using constant action pact clips in rapid jump cuts, using loud thrilling diegetic and non diegetic sounds. 

They also focused on building lots of tension via the use of blackouts, stopping all movement on screen and all sound for one or two seconds before cutting to another scene of action, where music and action would start up again, they did this several times. 

Many establishing shots were used which covered a long wide shot over Batman and a large part of Gotham city, these shots allowed viewers to know of the importance and significance of the setting and of this character. 

Introduction To Course

Introduction to course! 

For my advanced portfolio it is my task to create a promotion package for either a new short film or a film trailer. within the promotion package I must choose two of the three following options...

• set up a website homepage for the film 
• a film magazine front cover, featuring the film 
• a promotional poster advertising the film