Research: Analysis of a full trailer - Theory of Everything (2014)

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.