Research - Akeelah and the Bee trailer analysis (Drama)

Institutional Information

Akeelah and the Bee is a 2006 drama film directed by Doug Atchison. It is produced by Lionsgate and Lionsgate Films, as well as 2929 Entertainment. The film was released in the UK on 18th August 2006. It was distributed by Lionsgate film. Akeelah and the Bee had a budget of $6 million and had box office takings of $18.9 million dollars, resulting in a profit of $12.9 million dollars.

Synopsis
Akeelah Anderson lives in a rough area of Southern Los Angeles. Whilst at Crenshaw Middle School, she discovers that she has a talent for spelling. She attracts the attention of Dr. Larabee, who offers to train her for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. However, she must work hard to overcome the prejudices in her community, and have self belief in order to achieve.                                                    

Camera

Close up

This close up allows the audience to see how determined Akeelah is to do well. The close up almost forces the audience to be put in the same position as the character. It also gives the audience indication that she is the titular character; she dominates the frame and is the subject that is in focus.

Two shot

This two shot helps convey the disgust on their faces, and therefore the audience take a disliking to them. The two shot and the proxemics suggest that the two characters are close and so there is a sense of them going against Akeelah.

Mid shot

This mid shot makes Akeelah's brother dominate her. This could reflect how his views about white people are dominant in their community. The fact that he is in focus makes him appear to be an imposing figure, hence turning the attention to him, as Akeelah is doing.

Two shot

This two shot evokes audience pleasures such as happiness because we know from the rest of the trailer that Akeelah is quite a shy character. The proxemics of the actors in this shot suggest that they are close, and it subverts the idea that there is a divide between the black and white communities. It is enjoyable for the audience to see that Akeelah has befriended someone throughout the process.

Close up

The above close up shot strikes emotion in the audience because they can see how close Dr Larabee and Akeelah have grown whilst studying for the Spelling Bee, and essentially how they support each other. Therefore it helps to present both Akeelah and Dr Larabee as warm characters.

Long shot 

This long shot presents Dr Larabee as the stereotypical teacher. He looks dominant compared to Akeelah, and whilst he is preaching her in the situation (his control over what is happening is also shown through the use of props) he remains a likeable character. This is because we know that  he truly wants Akeelah to succeed.

Medium long shot

The above medium long shot is effective because it is the last camera shot of the trailer. It reveals the audience applauding. Hence it hints at the success of Akeelah and evokes emotions such as joy in the trailer.

Editing - Titles

Titles

These titles are interesting because they use the colours gold and white. Gold connotes victory which links to how Akeelah wants to win the contest, and is similar to the colour of honey bees. The white could also symbolise Akeelah's innocence. The connotations of these colours are also shown in the titles below.

There are a variety of transitions used in the trailer. These include fade to blacks and fade to whites. The fade to white occurs at 0:45. This is effective because it merges with the sunlight in the next scene. The fade to blacks help to build up tension as the audience can  only rely on sound to see what is happening.

Mise en Scene
The mise en scene of this trailer is largely based around a school and the community. This mise en scene is suggested through costume - most children are wearing white. Therefore it also links to the innocence of them. The lighting is low key and this could reflect how Akeelah doesn't enjoy school because she is bullied. This relates to the lighting because it is not bright. The setting of school is substantiated by the costumes of staff - the principal is wearing a suit which signifies his authority. However, it is not a stereotypical suit (black)  so points to the fact that he struggles not to be dominated by more troublesome students. 
The proxemics of Akeelah and Dr Larabee later on in the trailer suggest that they are close. This is contrasted with that of Akeelah and her brother, suggesting that their relationship is fraught. 
The community is at first presented as divided because of the low key lighting and old buildings and distant proxemics. However, as the trailer progresses, it is clear that the spelling bee is the thing that brings the community together.

Sound 
The trailer has a mixture of diegetic and non diegetic sound. One of the elements of non diegetic sound that the trailer possesses is a voice over. It is the voice of Akeelah. Therefore it immediately suggests to the audience that she is a prominent character. It also puts the audience in the position of the character and allows them to empathise with them. As a result, it has more impact.
The diegetic sound included in this trailer is dialogue. This allows the audience to see the relationships evolve between the characters.