As I begin researching media texts of the drama genre, I will format each trailer analysis as the following. This will provide me with a more comprehensive analysis, breaking down each portion of the trailer in order to achieve reference for the production of my trailers.
Format for analyses
Shot types/ movement
Editing
Sound
Mise- en- scene
Little Women (2019)
Genre: Drama/ coming- of- age
Shot types/ movement:
Close ups are implemented during dialogue scenes to heighten the emotional intensity of the production, especially in the romantic confession scene between Jo and Laurie. To emphasize the relationship between the March sisters, medium shorts are utilized to reinforce the narrative of familial/ sisterly bonds. Wide shots are exerted to display outdoor scenes such as the sisters running in fields to reinforce the themes of female possibility outside the societal standards at the time of the period piece. The wide shots serve as juxtaposition to the indoor scenes to display the convergence in independence and enclosement.
The camera tracks the subjects as they run in various scenes throughout the trailer. This reinforces a sense of youthfulness and determination of the girls; simultaneously being visually engaging as compared to the still shots that lean towards themes of conforming to expectations for young women.
Editing:
The trailer does not follow a chronological order of events, creating a complex narrative. Cross cutting is prominent as each of the sister's perspectives are demonstrated. This technique allows for a balanced approach to portraying each of the sisters' stories. The technique weighs each of the sisters' stories as of equal importance in the narrative. The pacing of the trailer slowly progresses and becomes faster, building up the emotional intensity pairing faster cuts with more emotionally- intense music. The montage toward the end of the trailer unites moments of achievement for the sisters, displaying them achieving their dreams, allowing for focus on emotion rather than plot points. The actors/ actresses are introduced at the end of the trailer, cutting from a blank screen with their names to a clip of each character, introducing prominent characters to aid in viewership attraction.
Sound:
An orchestral soundtrack is implemented, gradually becoming more fast paced. The non- diegetic music corresponds to the periodical piece. The gradual advancement in pacing of the music mirrors the ambitious tone created for the sisters. The diegetic sound includes dialogue, laughter and environmental noise. The diegetic sound creates authenticity in the narrative, reinforcing the strength of the familial bonds that are present, for example, when the girls throw a pillow at each other and laugh. The dialogue that is present is extremely intentional. While there are some lines of humor that are purposed to engage viewership, the majority of dialogue serves to reflect the main themes of independence and rejection of conformity and societal expectations of women.
Mise- en- scene:
The setting establishes a contrast between warm interiors with fireplaces and wooden furniture to the bright and open outdoor sets. This works to establish the outdoor scenes as area of possibility and ambition and the indoor scenes as confinement and the sisters' 'past' lives. The props revolve around the ambitions of each sister. Books, paper, paintbrushes. The props serve as an establishment of creativity and visually display the aspirations of the girls. The costumes reflect the 1900s setting to create historical realism as the narrative is set in the past. The girls dress in dresses as this was conventional to the attire in the 1900s. The lighting also works to create contrast in the indoor and outdoor scenes. Inside, the lighting is warm and dark (low key) to create constrainment. The outdoor scenes are predominantly demonstrated through high key lighting to reinforce possibility and freedom.
Lady Bird (2017)
Genre: Drama/ coming- of- age
Shot types/ movement:
The trailer employs close up shots during scenes with heavy emotional weight, such as the opening scene where Lady Bird argues with her mother. The close ups are implemented to concentrate the emotional intensity, drawing focus to the facial expressions of the characters. The internal conflicts are also emphasized, introducing Lady Bird's uncertainty about the world around her as she comes to age. The trailer implements wide shots to establish setting such as school or the thrift store. These shots provide insight to the life of the subject, showing the small, rural town she lives in and the mundane environments that she is placed in.
The camera movement is natural and the lack of technique is intentional. The shots are observing the events that occur, rather than engaging with the narrative. This technique adds realism to the production, grounding the piece in reality which makes the film seem genuine.
Editing:
The editing employed is that of continuity editing to maintain a cohesive narrative without the requirement of a chronological order. As the production shifts in location- school, home, stores- the continuity editing maintains the realism in the narrative. The pacing of the trailer is slower in dialogue- heavy moments and faster during emotionally heightened scenes, creating a mirrored effect to the life of the young girl- inconsistent.
Sound:
The non- diegetic sound in the form of music is light, developing a reflective environment. This technique is conventional to coming- of- age films as they revolve around the growth and reflection of a character. The diegetic sound consists of dialogue that creates realism- such as arguments with Lady Bird and her family. Authenticity is drawn through the employment of no to minimal non- diegetic sound- it concentrates focus on the everyday moments that the subject experiences.
Mise- en- scene:
The setting of the trailer switches between home, school, and there is implementation of social settings as well- such as parties and other gatherings. This reflects the everyday life of the girl- it is not overly stylized, just normal. Props such as phones, books and cars reflect the relatable narrative that the film attempts to create. The costuming is unique to Lady Bird- thrifted outfits and pink colored hair set her apart from other characters visually, reflecting her internal differences from normality. She is portrayed as deflecting conformity by dressing in mismatched outfits and having dyed hair. The lighting, similar to the editing techniques is natural to enhance the genuineness of the narrative. Indoor scenes are warm- lit and outdoor scenes are brightly lit as they exist in the natural world. It reinforces the observation of a real story- rather than an overly intentional and stylized piece, while still being intentional about the lack of stylism.
- Lauren ♡
.jfif)
