Thursday, 23 September 2010

Textual Analysis of Teaser Trailer- Final Destination

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU625g_Lh_k&feature=related

Country:USA
Language:English
Release Date:28 August 2009 (UK)
Budget:$43,000,000 (estimated)

Lighting is an extremely complex aspect of mise en scene, as it can affect the whole atmosphere of a scene. In Final Destination 5’s teaser trailer Low key lighting was constantly used, colours such as black and dark blues, these colours may have been chosen to connote death, isolation or sadness.

The setting is an important part of creating meaning in a scene; the location can be used to give the impression to the audience that the scene is believable. There were various settings used in this teaser trailer for example a theme park was featured in the trailer starring a red roller coaster, essentially roller coasters are created to give people an adrenaline rush and a thrill. Roller coasters are usually the scariest rides in theme parks causing people to scream and shout from fear. The quick cut to the roller coaster and the loud screaming connotes that something is going to go wrong, however noting that this is the norm when one goes on a roller coaster: in addition the roller coaster being red can imply that someone is going to be seriously injured or involved in a fatal accident, involving blood. There was a small clip of racing cars on a racing track; fast cars are always the centre of attention on a track this contributes to the fact that a car crash may occur resulting in death, black skid marks on the track shows the audience that the cars are driving extremely fast which can connote danger or fearlessness whereas danger can connote blood, death, injury, pain and/ or agony. An important part of the car disconnected from the mains which then means the climax of the film is building up creating suspense for the viewers. It then cuts to a black screen with a deep male voiceover saying ‘Now you have to follow the signs’. This use of dialogue and text enables the viewers to use their imagination, allowing the viewers to use their imagination is called negotiated reading, this allows the viewers to interpret the text in their own way; this is an effective way of making the viewers feel involved. There is also a straight cut to a building which denotes a hospital a hospital denotes a serious injury may have taken place, death, pain agony.

The main character is a female who looked aged 18-21; she was wearing a black top which again connotes evilness, isolation, sorrow or mourning. More so she appears to be wearing a red jacket which signifies blood, anger and hatred all these words are initially associated with horror movies which are conventions. The Non- verbal communication of the main characters face looked disturbed; she was also looking directly into the camera this could help to trigger emotion from the intended audience. The other characters NVC were the total opposite of hers; they looked serious and shocked which could connote that she is the victim or the centre of the action. Subsequently the screen goes black then the shot fades into old clippings of newspaper articles which denotes death reading ‘ Youth dies in Grisly train accident’ alongside the picture of the young boy, this revealed that continuous deaths has occurred.

The silence used in the teaser trailer creates tension for the audience causing a buzz of excitement making the audience want to know more. Non- Diegetic music is added to direct the audience emotion (characters can’t hear). Towards the end of the trailer non- diegetic music was added the music was fast and adventurous this could have been simply to create excitement for the audience. The voiceover/ narration may have been added for the audience’s purpose only this can cause tension and anticipation. Also the use of design sound effects for example the rapid ticking of the clock denotes that time is running out this creates a sinister atmosphere and emphasises the content of the teaser trailer.

A low angle, medium close-up shot was used to exaggerate the importance of the subject when the main character is falling back, this connotes that the character has a low status and is being empowered by someone else. Another low angle shot was used when there is a man on the motor bike in-between two cars speedily rushing this again denotes that time is running out and something is going happen. A close up low angle shot of the man’s hand tightly clenched connotes strength and power. An eye level shot of the cars speeding on the track, the camera is positioned as though it is actually a human observing the scene and this angle causes the least discomfort for the viewers, plus the speed of tracking in, into the eyes of the characters was fast tracking, fast tracking as previously established causes thrill and adrenaline for the audience also drawing a closer relationship with the characters facial expression or emotion through the eyes. Quick cuts towards the end of the trailer created an exhilarating feeling for the target audience.

No comments:

Post a Comment