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.
Below are codes and conventions of the dark fantasy genre. Stereotypical characters: Antagonist - an antagonist is key to the "dark" element of dark fantasy. Stereotypically the role of the antagonist is taken by a male, as stereotypes of the social world say that men are the stronger and scarier sex. This often leaves the role of the protagonist or victim to be taken by the female; they are also stereotypically seen as being weaker than men. However, there are many fantasy films where the antagonist is female such as Maleficent (2014). To be specific this is more an action fantasy film but I think it is a relevant example. Other female antagonists include the witch in Snow White.
Victim/hero - there is usually a victim who becomes an object of sympathy for the audience. We will them to triumph and become the hero, which sometimes occurs in traditional fantasies.For example Peter Pan triumphs over Captain Hook. In dark fantasies, the victim is often the main character as it is easier to focus on what the antagonist is inflicting upon them. Themes
Curses
Oppression of victim
Good versus evil
Quest
Death
Imagination
Surrealism
Note that not all of these themes will appear in every dark fantasy film.
Locations:
Forests - they are surreal locations and often the subject of nightmares.
Creepy buildings - makes it more realistic
Graveyard - promotes the idea of death.
Narrative conventions of the dark fantasy genre:
In dark fantasies triumph is often made especially difficult, with the villain possessing a strong hold over the hero. Due to this, trailers often indicate that the film will not return to its original state of equilibrium or end happily.
In all genres of fantasy there is an element of mixing reality with fantasy. This makes it confusing yet engaging for the audience; they are put in the position of the character. With dark fantasy this mixture makes a film more scary as the audience can imagine the events happening to them.
Stereotypically the role of the villain (sometimes called antagonist) is taken by a male, as stereotypes of the social world say that men are the stronger and scarier sex. This often leaves the role of the protagonist or victim to be taken by the female; they are also stereotypically seen as being weaker than men. However, there are many fantasy films where the antagonist is female such as Maleficent (2014). To be specific this is more an action fantasy film but I think it is a relevant example. Other female antagonists include the witch in Snow White.
A lot of the time something bad will occur to disrupt the equilibrium (for example a curse) and put the victim at the hands of the antagonist. Usually, given the horror elements, attempts to overcome or kill the antagonist will fail, or be incomplete.
There is normally an element of "black magic". This gives the audience the impression that the antagonist is using magic to work against the victim or protagonist. It contrasts with most fantasy films, where magic brings great joy. (An example being Peter Pan).
Conventions of trailers for dark fantasy films:
They usually start off using a scary non diegetic soundtrack to make the audience feel uneasy and be immediately suggestive of the darker side of the genre. Often this will be added to by turning innocence into evil. For example children's laughter is modified to sound sinister.
Trailers usually start slow before picking up pace to reflect the action or horror onscreen. This can help evoke a range of audience pleasures specific to darker films, for instance fear or surprise (at the fairytale/fantasy being dark)
The soundtrack will get louder and increase in tempo to match the editing/narrative
Trailer editors and producers usually select the scariest moments of the film to feature in the trailer. This is to increase anticipation surrounding the film. However, whilst trailers often show clips in a non linear way, they must be mindful of the fact that one of the purposes of a trailer is to introduce the narrative to the audience.
I am thinking of creating a dark fantasy film trailer. Therefore I want to make it clear to the audience what genre it is. In order to do this, I need to research the conventions of trailers for films that fall within the dark fantasy genre. What is the dark fantasy film genre? Dark fantasy combines elements of the fantasy, horror and action genres. They utilise a fantasy (made up) setting like almost every fantasy film. For instance, Lord of the Rings uses Middle earth as its setting. However, the main difference with a dark fantasy film is that they take classic fairytale conventions and make them scary. Some examples include Pan's Labyrinth (2006), Coraline (2009) and Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1997) Pan's Labyrinth (2006) stars Ivana Baquero and Doug Jones. It explores themes such as magic, immortality and danger. Coraline (2009) stars Dakota Fanning as a voice actress and explores danger, parallel worlds and what it means to be family. Snow White: A Tale of Terror changes a well known fairytale into a horror story.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Coraline (2009)
Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1997)
Rationale behind choosing to focus on the dark fantasy genre: The reason for me selecting this genre to work in was because I feel like it will enable me to build on the skills learned last year (darker elements, horror) whilst not emulating all the codes and conventions. I am also enthralled by the elements of fantasy (for example, magic) and would like to challenge myself by using more professional editing techniques and perhaps even special effects. For my analysis, I will predominantly be focussing on the dark fantasy genre, for obvious reasons. However as elements cross over to the different types, I will also look at some action/thriller fantasies to see how I can incorporate a wide range of components into the genre, making it more interesting. Rejected genres Before coming to a decision, I considered many different genres. Two main genres that I could have selected were: Horror and Romance. To ensure that I was making an informed decision, I conducted some research into the conventions of these genres. Horror film - basic codes and conventions
Low key lighting to set a sinister mood
Jump cuts to give pace, shock the audience and keep them engaged
An antagonist who harms the victim
Tracking and Point of View shots to put audience in the character's position, close ups to show emotion
Red and black are key colours - red connotes blood and danger, black connotes darkness and power
Weapons are used as common props
Non diegetic soundtrack or sound effects (screaming) to build tension
Creepy locations
I was aware of the horror genre from my AS studies and though I could improve, I don't want to emulate exactly the skills learned last year. I would need to think of a more complex narrative, and it would need to be done properly. There would also have to be a lot of effort put into creating verisimilitude, for example with make up using fake blood. I do not feel that the horror genre would allow me to sufficiently progress or display my skills, as I did a horror/thriller film for my AS coursework. Therefore I rejected the horror genre.
What is genre? Genre in the English Language comes from the same French word which relates to "type" or "class". It is a way of identifying what group a film belongs to, and what topics are likely to be covered in the narrative. There are many different types of genre, as well as sub genres or hybrids. These are a subcategory of the film, or a mix of two different genres. Once a film maker and their team has decided on a genre, there are a variety of ways that the genre can be conveyed to the audience. This is usually done through utilising conventions. What are Genre Conventions? Genre conventions are the stereotypical components that movies of a certain genre mostly conform to, for example, Romantic films follow a conventional boy meets girl narrative. Genres and their conventions:
Romance - red connotes love so is a common colour. They usually follow a typical "boy meets girl". Often a heartbreak acts as a disequilibrium. As the narrative progresses, the disequilibrium is normally followed by a reconciliation, which shows the equilibrium has been either partially or fully restored. Though not as popular, in recent years romance films have become less gendered to accommodate for LGBTQ+ Communities. This progression continues to be seen.
Horror - there is normally an antagonist who sets out to harm the victim/protagonist. This acts as a catalyst to frighten or unsettle the audience. Red connotes blood and danger, black connotes darkness and power, meaning they are common colours. White may also be used as it connotes innocence, thus showing the juxtaposition between good and evil (represented through victim and antagonist). Weaponry and death are also common themes due to the harm that is inflicted onto the characters.
Thriller - thriller films encompass many different elements. Essentially a thriller film has components that serve to thrill or excite the audience. This usually results in the film being fast paced, and so the thriller genre lends itself well to features of the science fiction or horror genres, for example. The editing fits with the pace, meaning that it usually includes lots of jump cuts and sometimes no continuity editing. A thriller film is often centred around an exciting narrative, which could be a mission or quest. This makes the audience spur the protagonist on and get more involved in the narrative.
Adventure- adventure films are not too dissimilar from the narratives seen in thriller films. Usually the main character (normally protagonist) will go on a journey. During this, lots of things will happen to increase the pace of the narrative. The protagonist may encounter danger. This could act as the disequilibrium. There are usually themes of triumph and self discovery in adventure films.
Fantasy- the fantasy genre mixes elements of reality with make believe. Sometimes real life situations are made surreal, and an environment of verisimilitude is created to confuse the audience. This uncertainty makes them more captivated by the narrative. Magic and mythical creatures are popular features of fantasy films.
Action - often paired with adventure. These films focus on action, perhaps including sports, missions and conflict. The camera work is usually fast to reflect the action, using tracking, point of view and close up shots. The editing is also fast paced.
Biographical - biographical films are used to document, promote or celebrate the work and lives of people. This person/people are usually in the public eye (or have been) to make it more enjoyable and interesting for the audience. Often directors will want to achieve an accurate portrayal of the person, so will base it on a autobiography and/or work with family and friends of the people being portrayed.
Comedy- comedies are created to entertain people and make them laugh. Therefore they usually contain one or more foolish or flamboyant characters, who become an object of mockery for the audience. A lot of the time, situations are made relatable to make it even more engaging. A character will sometimes use direct address by looking down the camera to initiate laughter.
Sci-Fi - science fiction films have futuristic elements, and are often set in dystopian societies. There is frequently science based stories, such as aliens or a planet other than Earth.
Drama - drama films often cover hard hitting or important subjects such as divorce or political movements. However, unlike documentaries, there is more of a "narrative" to them and they involve more acting. There is normally frequent use of close up shots to convey the emotions of characters to the audience.
Documentary - documentaries are created to inform and raise awareness of events, or the life of a person. However, unlike biographical films, documentaries about people usually include interviews with family and friends, sometimes even the person themselves. It will often include real footage, or "home videos".
Teen/Coming of age films - these films include themes that most teens can relate to, and most characters are teens. They are sometimes referred to as coming of age themes because they are about someone/a group of people on their journey into adulthood.
Family - family films have narratives that appeal to the whole family. Some aspects will be educational or the narrative will have a moral behind it, for children. To keep adults entertained, family films often include innuendos and adult humour.
Genre types and example films Horror - The Blair Witch Project (1999) It Follows (2014) Thriller - Inception (2010) The Pelican Brief (1993) Romance - Letters to Juliet (2010) The Notebook (2004) Drama - What Maisie Knew (2012) Suffragette (2015) Family - Home Alone (1990) The Incredibles (1964) Comedy - Mr Bean's Holiday (2007) Bridesmaids (2011) Action adventure - Indiana Jones and The Raiders of The Lost Ark (1981) Biographical - The Theory of Everything (2014) Steve Jobs (2015) Fantasy - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Teen - Mean Girls (2004) The Breakfast Club (1985) Crime - Dial M For Murder (1954) Now You See Me (2013) Film Noir - Laura (1944) The Lady from Shanghai (1947) Chinatown (1974) Animation - Up (2009) Inside Out (2015) Finding Nemo (2003) Seasonal Films (Christmas/Halloween etc) - Nativity! (2009) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) The Holiday (2006) Documentary - Amy (2015) Hybrids and Sub genres: Hybrids of Genre or Sub genres have come about because with expansion of the film industry, filmmakers found it hard to create a successful film which conformed to just one genre: the industry was become increasingly competitive. Therefore by combining elements of different genres, they could generate more audience interest. Hybrids and Sub genres: Examples Romantic Comedy - Just Go With It (2011) Historical Drama - The Book Thief (2013) Dark Fantasy - The Nightmare before Christmas (1993) Future Noir Movies - The Terminator (1984) Whodunnit/Detective movies - Murder Most Foul (1964) Musical Family Films - The Sound of Music (1965) Subverting Genre Conventions: If something subverts something else, it is going against it. Hence, in film, the movie can subvert our expectations of the genre. This is not usually done accidentally, it is done for effect and allows the audience to encode alternative meanings from the film. Fixed and Repertoire Elements Over the years, a variety of things i.e. iconographic props have meant that genres now include a repertoire (range) of elements rather than one specific thing (fixed elements). The repertoire of elements has also been expanded now we see more films which subvert conventions. Genre and Audiences The genre is important to the audience because normally people warm to a certain genre. Therefore they are more likely to enjoy the film if they know what genre it is. This is an example of audience pleasures. They will also be able to tell if it is suitable for, i.e., their family to watch. By their very nature, some genres such as horror are unsuitable for younger audience because they contain distressing scenes and violence. Genre and Institutions An understanding of genre is key to the smooth running of institutions. For example, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an institution. They would need to have good knowledge of the horror genre and give films in genre quite high certificates/ratings (i.e. "15", see British Board of Film Classification post) to prevent receiving complaints.
* Some of this post may be similar to the Understanding genre post that I wrote for AS. However, I have tried to modify and expand it to show how my knowledge has developed.
Titles are an important part of the editing process. They add another dimension to the trailer, and either help promote the cast, narrate the story or informing the audience of the awards and accolades the film has won/is nominated for. The Spectacular Now (2013) trailer titles
Publicises cast and performance
The type of title above promotes the performances of cast members. If they have been well received by critics, then the audience could be more inclined to go and see the film, increasing box office takings.
Context/Background
This title gives the audience context or background. By telling the audience the writers' previous work, they can gage whether the film we be of interest to them; they could be of a similar vein. It could also surprise them, and make them re-evaluate any preconceived ideas.
Award/accolade
By including any awards that the film has either won or been nominated for, it gives the film status. This could make the audience want to go and see it, because they realise it must be good. Therefore it helps the trailer adhere to its primary purpose of promoting the film.
Main Title
The main title at the end reinforces the name of the film, teased in the editing (see below). By putting the title of the film at the end it has more of an impact on the audience. They are more likely to recall the name of the film and perhaps want to go and see it.
Editing
The editing plays on the title of the film by emphasising the word "Now". It makes the trailer current and puts the audience in the moment, increasing anticipation and excitement surrounding the film, as well as giving a sense of urgency - suggesting the audience have to go and see the film.
The King's Speech (2010) Trailer titles (narrative)
Narrates story
The type of title above acts as a caption, accompanying the moving footage. It also helps to reinforce and explain events for the audience.
Promotes cast
This title helps to promote the cast in the film. They will often be well renowned actors and actresses, as it gives the film a selling point. In this instance, Colin Firth is a famous actor. If someone is a fan of a particular cast member, it could be the reason they go and see the film, so it is important to promote who features in it. By including any awards the person has won or been nominated for, it makes the audience realise the quality of the acting.
Mamma Mia! (2008) Trailer titles (time and star system)
Time indicator
This slide indicates to the audience when the film will be released, so they can prepare to go and see it. If the date is not close, the film producers can build anticipation and hype early on, it will be discussed and promoted.
Star system
Some trailers put the name of the cast member on footage of them, so that the audience can easily match up the name with a face. This is different to the name being on a black screen. In this case, the audience are being told that Amanda Seyfried stars in the film. Reflection Conducting more specific research into the titles that trailers use has made me realise the diversity of them, and how the genre of the film may cause them to differ. It will be interesting to see what types of titles are used for the genre that I end up choosing; this will inform the editing process.
My research has confirmed my initial thoughts that I would like to produce a full trailer. Although this is longer and therefore take longer to produce, I feel that a full trailer will allow me to explore the narrative better, and display a more complex use of editing. As a result, I hope that it will be a better platform on which I can exhibit my skills. I wish to show progression from my AS work to A2, which I want to be more sophisticated. Note that I have only analysed one full trailer so far because of the fact that there is more to discuss with full trailers, so the analysis is different. What have I learned? I have learned through analysing mise en scene, editing, camera and sound that there are a number of conventions which the majority of trailers follow. I am going to conform to some of these conventions when I produce my own trailer. I feel as if my research has expanded my knowledge of the editing used in trailers, as it is a compilation of footage it makes editing a pivotal part of a trailer. What do I need to do next? Next, I want to have a more in depth look at the conventions of full trailers, as teaser and full trailers have different purposes. I also want to make a firm decision with regards to the genre of the trailer.
For my product, I am going to create a full trailer. A trailer is a compilation of footage from the film. This is heavily edited and often uses "best bits" to portray the film in the best possible light to the audience. Trailers are usually non linear as they only want to show the most interesting parts. However, they also introduce the narrative to the audience; it will need to make sense. If the audience are engaged with the story, they will want to see the film. A film may have a teaser trailer, but as these are a little short, I am going to create a full (or main) trailer.
Conventions of a full trailer:
Music - usually non diegetic in the form of a soundtrack. This helps to add tension and atmosphere to the trailer. It often builds to a crescendo before ending simultaneously with the trailer.
Dialogue - conversations between characters frequently entail one liners. This makes the trailer seem more dramatic and exciting. If the dialogue is only one line, it can fit in well with the tempo, loudness and rhythm of the trailer. Having one liners may also make it easier for the producer to fade the music as there is a smaller proportion of the music they need to make quieter.
Montage - a series of edited shots show the key points in the narrative. Trailers often alternate between the montage and
titles.
Star system - titles showing the names of cast/key crew (for example, Director) are shown. Often a shot of the cast member will be shown before the title, allowing the audience to connect the actor/actress with the name. These do not usually appear until the end of the film.
Voice overs - often used to narrrate the trailer or give background to a film. They help put the audience in position of a character or the narrative, making it more engaging.
Interesting camera angles may be used to capture the attention of the audience.
Sound bridges are often used to give the trailer more continuity.
Institutional logos (for example, The Weinstein Company) are displayed at the start of the trailer
Non linear structure
Silver Linings Playbook (2012) full trailer
The above trailer conforms to the following conventions:
Institutional logo (TWC)
The Weinstein Company institutional logo
Non Diegetic music
Non linear structure/order
Dialogue
Interesting angles i.e. close up of book
Montage of clips
Star system at end (shot of cast member next to their name)
An example of publicising cast
It subverts the following conventions:
Voice over (none featured). Voice overs may not be appropriate for a comedy/romantic drama film.
The Theory of Everything (2014) Institutional Information The Theory of Everything is a biographical film starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones. It was directed by James Marsh and the production company involved was Working Title Films. The film was distributed by Universal Studios, Focus Features and Entertainment One Films. Its budget was $15 million dollars. The film took $123.7 million, making a profit of $108.7 million dollars. Stephen = Character of Stephen Hawking
Synopsis
A biographical film of Professor Stephen Hawking, which details his university years, relationship with first wife Jane, his family and living with motor neurone syndrome, also known as ALS. The film follows him through the ages of approximately 20 to when he meets the Queen. An extended closing sequence shows Jane and Jonathan are happily married. Meanwhile, Stephen has declined his knighthood and is continuing his research.
Mise en Scene
The mise en scene in this trailer is varied and effective. At the start of the trailer, there is the setting of Cambridge University. This gives the movie a scholarly feel and immediately hints at Stephen's great intelligence. The prop of bicycles present Stephen and his friends as active and competitive. The costumes for the May Ball are formal and give the audience a sense of how important it is as well as the era in which the movie is set. The close proxemics of Jane and Stephen is suggestive of their relationship. In the May Ball scenes, the lights are emphasized in the dark to offer an aura of sophistication. The rest of the trailer uses low key lighting to create verisimilitude. However, the wedding footage at 1:18-1:22 gives a sense of nostalgia.
Stephen's glasses means he conforms to the stereotype of being "geeky" or intelligent. The predominant colour in the trailer, for me, is blue. This has connotations of sadness, serenity and space.
Editing
The transitions used in this movie are fade to blacks. They occur at 0:57 and 1:23, and 1:26-7 as well as 1:41. There are also fade to blacks at 2:22 and 2:26. (this is excluding titles). The trailer makes sense but follows a non linear structure. This is perhaps so that the director could pick the best shots in order to convey the essence of the movie to the audience. This is common in trailers. The shots get quicker leading up to the disequilibrium so tension is built up.
Editing - Titles
Titles
The titles used are black and white. This could demonstrate the juxtaposition of good (white) and evil (black). As white is on top of the black, it suggests that good is triumphant in the film. Alternatively, it could represent the logicality with which physicians think. Black could also connote space and the black hole. The slight glow of red around the letters could further symbolise the prominence of space, but also the element of danger and the unknown.
Titles (variation)
As the trailer progresses, the titles change. This could be because the educational/physics side of the story becomes more significant, and space is a big proportion of that. However, it may also symbolise hope, some may see the narrative as ill fated ("star crossed") and the fact that you can wish upon
them.
Camera
Medium close up
The above medium close up of Stephen lying in bed paints him as an genius. At this point, he is having a conversation with his friend. He manages to get top marks on his work.
Two shot
This two shot of Stephen and Jane demonstrates a stereotypical awkward "first meeting" and kind of makes the progression of their relationship obvious or inevitable. The fact that it is almost taken from over Jane's shoulder is significant because it shows how, as well as being the main character, he is going to be a large part of her life. Their relationship was documented in her book, which went on to become the film. Jane was his wife, and mother to their children.
Long shot
This long shot of the carousel is interesting, given that time is an important theme in the movie. For example, in the trailer especially, there is a lot of emphasis on "winding back the clock". Additionally, over time, Stephen's condition deteriorates. Carousels are often symbols of childhood. The fact that they are enjoying themselves almost results in the audience having more emotion. The dramatic change in the physicality of Stephen means he would find it more difficult to do something like the above carousel ride later on.
Close up
This close up of hands confirms to the audience that Stephen and Jane are together. This triggers audience pleasures such as happiness. However, there is also a hint of sadness because anyone who is aware of the plot knows that Stephen is going to receive life changing news which will present obstacles to be overcome. Though the fact that they are united could comfort the audience, they aren't alone.
Close up
This close up of fireworks is effective.Fireworks usually connote celebration, and conforms to the narrative point in the movie. However, this shot also denotes the start of the disequilibrium in the move. Firework explosions could connote danger. This connotation is made more plausible by the use of red, which usually signifies danger.
Extreme Close Up
This XCU of tea is interesting because it mimics the feeling of "turning back the clock". It demonstrates that everything is not progressing forward as it should and so represents the disequilibrium.
Medium close up
The above medium close up shot denotes the disequilibrium. This is because it is a stark indication that there is something wrong. It therefore evokes audience emotions such as shock. The fade to black immediately after this shock helps to further this effect and build tension. It signals to the audience that the trailer is entering the next stage. The music reaching the crescendo at this point also makes the shot feel more abrupt and in turn shocking.
Close Up
This close up of helps to portray the emotion felt by Stephen when he receives news of his illness. By placing the camera close to his face, the director is choosing to intensify the empathy felt by the audience. This is because we are being forced to experience the same emotions, feelings and position(s) as the character.
Close up
The above close up conveys to the audience the fact that he is a "family man" and could therefore increase the resonance the story possesses - it brings the situation closer to our own. Moreover, it evokes emotions such as jyo because we realise that his children bring Stephen happiness and that his positive spirit has been maintained.
Medium shot
This medium shot is effective. Prior to this, there is a shot of Stephen struggling to get to the top of the stairs. Whilst the baby probably remains a source of motivation, it is ironic. It brings sadness for the audience because usually babies would be the ones to struggle making it up the stairs. However, it has glimpses of joy as it is a moment which shows the father-son bond.
Long shot
The above long shot evokes happiness in the reader as it shows that Stephen has sustained a sense of joy. His friends are also treating him as they normally would, meaning that it is easier for the audience to see past Stephen's condition.
Medium close up
The medium close up holds prominence because it allows the audience to see the effervescence that Stephen possesses despite his illness. The fact that he is looking up is important because it could connote the stars, which are significant in life, but especially to physicians.
Sound The trailer uses a mixture of diegetic and non diegetic sound to effect. The diegetic sound consists of dialogue between the two characters, which helps the audience to establish the relationships between the characters, and their feelings. Therefore the audience is put in a privileged position. There is also the sound of fireworks, which occur within the scene. The non diegetic sound is a soundtrack (score). This speeds up at times to denote points of tension, as well as softening to indicate more gentle moments. It adds another dimension to the footage on screen. Evaluation and Critical Reflection The trailer successfully conveys the message of the film to the audience; it is a biopic trying to capture the life and spirit of Stephen Hawking. This is dramatized through the use of clever camera shots and mise en scene. The trailer may have been more effective if the editing was more adventurous, for instance giving the audience a sense of a flashback.
Room is a 2015 drama film directed by Lenny Abramson, based on the book by Emma Donoghue. Room was produced by Ed Guiney and David Gross. The film stars Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay. The film had a budget of $13 million and has $36 million box office takings.
Synopsis
The film follows a young mother, Joy (Brie Larson) and her son, Jack (Jacob Tremblay). They have been held captive in a shed for seven years, and live in a small space called "Room". "Room" is all Jack has ever known, she lets him believe that only "Room" and the contents of it is real, the rest of the world exists on the television.
One day, she attempts to escape in order to gain a better life for her and her son. When they do, they must adapt to the outside world acknowledging their past, learning about life and love.
Mise en Scene
The mise en scene in this trailer makes use of darker, more subdued colours to represent the mood of the characters. For example, by using colours such as grey and brown, it conveys how they have been forced to lead a very sheltered, black and white life. Despite her best efforts to sustain optimism, Joy has been emotionally drained by her time being held captive. It therefore also represents this. These colours help to illustrate, "Room", a shed. Brown is usually the colour of wood, and so substantiates this. In contrast, when they escape from "Room", the colours seem to be brighter, connoting hope. There is emphasis on the sky. It is blue, which connotes sadness and calm, portraying the conflicting emotions of the characters once they escape.
The costumes show that the characters have not been able to take care of themselves that well because of their situation. For example, they seem to be wearing clothes that look worn and old. Hence it suggests that the person holding them captive is not taking care of them. Although some boys do have long hair, it is likely that Jack has never had the opportunity to get his haircut - and this substantiates the fact that they are uncared for.
The proxemics of the actors demonstrate that they are very close - as you would expect a mother and son to be. This is especially true because of their situation and because they are essentially trapped in a small room.
Editing
The editing for this trailer is intelligently crafted. The trailer uses fade to blacks to build suspense and introduce different shots. It could also link to how the two characters have been living in "darkness", disconnected to the real world. The shots are taken from different parts of the narrative, meaning it is not necessarily non linear. However, editing works with sound to explain what is going on with the audience.
Titles
The titles use white and blue, the sky being the background. White could connote the innocence of the boy (Jack) whilst blue connotes serenity. Some people find the sky and clouds inspiring; the skylight could be a constant reminder that they are still living and contribute to their desire to see the world.
Title uses blue and white, helps explain story
Sound
Sound is key to the effectiveness of this trailer. A sound bridge is used at the start (there is a sound over institutional logos which continues into first shot and beyond). This is non diegetic sound of the mother singing (featured in the movie). Though this is innocent, the slow speed of the sound combined with the footage on screen gives a sense of darkness. Therefore the audience are immediately introduced to the darker side of the film.
Camera
Close up shot
This close up shot introduces the audience to Jack as a character. Through this, we can see the curiosity that children often possess. However, as he is not obviously smiling, we can infer that he is quite subdued; he is running his hand along the wall. This solemness is most likely to exist as a result of their situation.
Two person shot
This two shot demonstrates that the characters are forced to do simple things to keep themselves entertained, a lot of their daily activities are derived from imagination. It is evidence of the close proxemics, which help portray a familial sense and suggest that the two manage to maintain a good relationship.
Close up shot
This close up shot is significant because it provides the audience with a rare glimpse of happiness for the character. It is made clear that her mental state is on the edge of deterioration. Therefore the audience can infer that she distracts herself from her situation by focussing on her duties as a mother.
Long shot
The above external long shot is key to the effectiveness of the teaser trailer. It acts as a visual aid for the audience to comprehend the characters' situation. By using a long shot, it emphasises the small size of the shed. The trees are imposing in comparison. The leaves on the floor are suggestive of autumn. From this, we can infer that the shed is cold and uncomfortable. It also shows that the two are missing out on the transition of the seasons because they are being held captive.
Long shot
This long shot substantiates the grey mise en scene. It shows how everything the characters own is in close proximity to one another, emphasizing the small size. There are many drawings on the wall which portrays how Jack is young and innocent. The washing line demonstrates how they are trying to live a life close to ordinary in a compact space.
Overhead shot
This overhead shot shows the mother looking up at the sky light. The fact that she is looking directly up (almost at the audience) shows a plea for help. She could also be praying and reminding herself that there is life outside where she is being held captive.
Mid Shot
The above shot of the sky light is important to the trailer, and the wider narrative as it serves as a reminder that there is life outside the room. Light is often symbolic of hope, while blue connotes serenity. Everyday, Jack sees a small piece of the outside world, making it significant. It also teases them because they can see it but can't reach it, whilst showing them that they are tantalisingly close.
Extreme close up
This extreme close up of Jack's eye and nose puts the audience in his position. Hence the shot evokes a range of audience pleasures, whilst increasing tension. We have learned from previous footage in the trailer that Jack is a lovable and innocent character, so we will him to escape unscathed. There is a saying that "eyes are the windows to the soul" and there is emphasis on his eye in this shot. This allows us to further see the emotion that he is experiencing.
POV shot
By showing this point of view shot, the director is taking the audience on the same journey as the characters. This therefore increases our empathy for Jack and also our desire for him to be alright intensifies. Although they are telegraph lines, they could represent the fact that serenity (a connotation of blue) is being disrupted by the black lines.
Close up
This close up is significant for the audience because it shows the emotions that Jack is experiencing. As an audience, we hence feel more excited and engaged for the next phase of the film due to the look of sheer disbelief on his face.
Evaluation and Critical Reflection This trailer is effective as it deals with sensitive topics successfully, translating them into emotions. Hence it evokes a range of audience pleasures. I especially like the use of sound, as it gives the audience a taste of the mother and son bond, which stays prominent throughout the movie. Whilst portraying a rare situation, the film is able to resonate with people due to the verisimilitude and empathy that is created.
