How does the trailer signal its genre through visual and sound codes?
Gravity is a sci-fi thriller with elements of horror. Some signals include the typical white astronaut suit as well as scenes set in space as often sci-fi films like ET are set partially or fully in space. Therefore by setting the costumes to reflect the setting within the trailer shows that Gravity is at least partly sci-fi.
The thriller genre is often characterised by showing fear on characters faces, using sounds to create an atmosphere of tension and apprehension. Gravity shows Sandra Bullock's emotions as uncertain and fearful, as well as using erratic, loud and tense music to build up the direness of the situation, supported by the quick breathing, usually meaning a character is scared or tense.
As well as this, a thriller trailer should introduce the central conflict. Gravity does this by setting out the danger within the world, as well as showing the tense environment through meticulous closeups of Bullock's facial expressions that range from stressed to worried. Sound can also be used to highlight conflict. Often film trailers don't contain silence as they will be made to highlight action and tense moments in the film. However Gravity uses silence in the first inter-title to make the audience feel uncomfortable, as well as immersing viewers into the silence of space, where the main characters are located.
How does the trailer draw attention to the roles taken, particularly star talent?
There are many ways a trailer can show off the star talent, including title cards, references to other works they've been in, or, like Gravity does, show close-ups of their face.
Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are two extremely well known actors that are utilised as unique selling points for the movie. This means fan of the actors themselves will want to see Gravity when they know the actors starring in the movie.
As this movie is a thriller, the intertitles have to be carefully picked. While there were not individual intertitle cards for the actors themselves, a shared card placates the audience as many fans can feel annoyed if big names like Clooney are not credited properly.
What essential narrative elements are explained in the inter-titles?
As the Thriller genre relies on tension, Gravity's inter-titles are usually there to provide some context but not much. The facts presented are straight to the point. An example reads "At 372 miles above the earth there is nothing to carry sound. No air pressure. No oxygen. Life in space is impossible." By setting up the rules of the universe Gravity is set in, the viewer automatically knows that this will be important for the plot and shows it is a survival story, which immediately makes the story more tense.
How does the trailer use dialogue?
What little dialogue is used in the trailer is very important and establishes the character relationships. Clooney's character addresses Bullock's as Dr Stone, showing she is a high status, smart character, and Clooney respects that status. Clooney also mentions people down on earth "Do you think that there's someone down there looking up?" which suggests Clooney has motivation to go back home and there must be some form of a plot point around people back on Earth.
What institutional information does the trailer contain, such as names, production companies, talent, directors and release date?
The ident for Warner Brothers shows clearly the production company, as well as a card showing the director, Alfonso Cuaron. Cuaron has a very large fan following, and his films have been critically acclaimed (like Roma, located on Netflix), which is guaranteed to bring in a large audience. It reassures the audience that this film will be of high quality. Like said earlier, Bullock and Clooney are credited as well to bring in more viewers. The film trailer finally shows the release date (10.4.13) which helps allow the viewers to keep an eye out and book tickets for the film. However, Gravity's trailer does not include any critic reviews, perhaps as to not disrupt the tense atmosphere of the trailer. Gravity does not need to rely on reviews as most viewers will recognise Sandra Bullock, George Clooney and Alfonso Cuaron.
How does it inspire me?
I like that the trailer is very straight forward with setting the film's rules and uses inter title cards to relay this information. I want to be able to create quite a simplistic trailer that doesn't overwhelm the audience but still shows viewers the basic plot and important information in a fun way.
How does the trailer signal its genre through visual and sound codes?
As a dystopian horror film, an audience may expect dark music and monotones. Cloverfield does indeed follow the conventional horror sound codes. The use of static sounds, explosions and screams also reinforce the horror genre as well as creating the sense of a post apocalyptic society. Shots show Robert Hawkins with a dirty marked face, intercut with many scenes of chaos, which show visual codes for dystopian films.
How does the trailer draw attention to the roles taken, particularly star talent?
The trailer does not focus much on the roles taken but the audience get to meet the main character through some shots and a monologue, which gets the audience invested in the story revealed within the monologue. Robert Dawkins is clearly the character who will take the viewers through the adventure of this bleak society.
What institutional information does the trailer contain, such as names, production companies, talent, directors and release date?
This trailer has very few inter-titles, but there is one for the producer, J.J Abrams. Many Abrams films are followed by many fans and this is a clever technique on the marketing teams side. At the end of the trailer the title and logo are showed in keeping with the promotion package and at the start the production company's ident is also shown.
How does it inspire me?
I felt very inspired by this trailer as I am very interested in the genre. I read a lot of books similar to the plot of Cloverfield, and with the resources we have for our trailer, it could be achieved. I also thought the use of sound was excellent and I hope to be able to use sound more effectively within my work in order to immerse the audience within the story. Cloverfield also mimics cinema-verite. "The trailer is unique in its style, as it is shot entirely handheld from what seems to be a video recorder or mobile phone." Cinema verite is a style of documentary filmmaking which combines improvisation with the use of the camera 'to unveil truth or highlight subjects hidden behind crude reality'. Cloverfield uses shaky camera work, casual zoom work as well as flitting between subjects to present a 'mockumentary'. This lends a historical feel of authenticity to the events shown as if they are being recorded. This is reinforced by the testimonials apparently recorded on the camcorder. This is something I would like to attempt as an amateur film maker, as I love documentary style dramas.
TRAILER THREE: THE BIRTH OF A NATION
How does the trailer signal its genre through visual and sound codes?
The Birth of a Nation is a biopic, drama and also historical film. Inter-titles reveal it is based on a true story and this immediately lets the audience know. Sound bridges with particularly powerful emotional music helps present the main character, Nat Turner, as an inspiration as well as the constant referring back to Nat.
The chains show that whilst the film will be empowering, there will be a serious undertone to the movie.
How does the trailer use dialogue?
The dialogue is extremely helpful in showing the storyline of the film. When Nat Turner talks to his fellow slaves and says something controversial, the viewers are shown the consequences of his words which represents what views many characters in the film hold.This is also shown through the derogatory remarks made towards Nat Turner by his captors.
What many different elements make a good trailer?
I believe that a good trailer should perfectly balance important information like star talent, directors, release date and crediting the production company. It should leave you questioning but not as much as before seeing the trailer. It should make you feel excited for the film and concerned for the characters. A good turning point is also helpful in capturing the viewers' attention. In The Birth of a Nation, a series of slow shots of the oppression Turner faces allows a slow pace to the trailer until Turner stands up to the oppressors, with each major shot being separated by a black screen. This also shows the turning point in the movie will be that Turner stands up to the oppressors.
How does it inspire me?
This trailer inspired me because it took a real story and made it interesting to viewers by showcasing one character. It also used music to heighten the story rather than be the main event which is something I want to look at in my own trailers.
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