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.