A group of highschool teens come home from a camping trip to find their town has been invaded and their familes have been taken. This gains a view of how teens react in an event with no adults. Themes such as friendships and morality play into the themes of war and survival. Here is the trailer:
The trailer jumps right into the narrative through the use of dialogue, making it clear they the characters are planning camping trip further away than before, this is so that the audience instantly grasps the context of the plot. The fast paced guitar music also sets the positive tone to reflect teen life, and also targets the teen audience because it' something that audience will possibly listen to. This beginning montage captures the good and normal parts of their life- following Todorovs narrative theory as this will help add structure to it, making it easier to understand and follow. This continues with helicopter shots of their car travelling along the roads on the montains which creates excitement a massive sense of freedom because it's like the viewer is flying along which and maintains the audiences interest. The helicopter shots show that the film is well shot and has been committed to, showing that its worth watching and fun. The music jumps a little louder as the first production credit frame come on-screen and even the design looked very positive and professional, showing that you can rely on the film to be a good film.
further montage scenes move the viewer though the story, entertaining the teen audience with subjects that they can relate to, such as 'what is this? makeup?!' this is humorous because they are going camping yet one girl brings makeup as if its a camping essential- some female audience member might agree in laughter. Whereas another male character say 'Homer, do you even know where we're going?' which is probably a phrase everyone has heard while exploring with friends- dialogue like this will keep the target audience connected to the plot so that they end up wanting to watch the rest. We also start learning the names of characters which begins to develop them and bring the viewer closer to them which is important because there needs to be a relationship between the viewer and trailer if they are going to see it.
They are now 'further up the river' set in a nature reserve. The first copy says 'A place for freedom' which will entice the teen audience because at that stage in life they will recognise how valuable and sometimes unattainable freedom is, making the film more interesting to watch. The music matches the on-screen action very well as the song lyrics come as the teens are running through the water playing a ball game, making it seem exciting and fun to watch. To support this, there's a shot of a female character taking her t shirt off with her swimming costume underneath, followed by and reverse eye line shot of Homer, stopping what hes doing because hes distracted from the game- time stretch has been utilised her because its almost slow motion, used to represent his attraction. Then we cut to his eye line shot of the girl looking occupied/disinterested in him or the game, resulting in another character knocking Homer down as part of the game. This will entertain the audience because it's conventional of teen movies to emphasise gender stereotypes and attraction through humor so that its less serious, like this scene. This might also be seen as minor 'eye candy' for some audience members which will maintain their attention. A shot of the other female character pointing and laughing at this also cues the audience to laugh and connect with the characters.
This is rounded of with the copy 'A time for friendship' because it sums up the introduction/context of the plot. It's also a key theme which facilitates the plot as it begins to unravel. The following intertitles 'And it was all' 'About to change' contrast with the typical campfire shots and voice over 'let's do this again, in the same place, and the same people', because it seems like the 'time for friendship' is sort of over when interrupted by Todorovs narrative theory. The campfire scene and VO of the group wanting to do it again are conventional plot devices that relate the to teen audience, but contrasts with what's about to occur. There's further emphasis on change because it happens so fast, from having a really good time, to the disruption being introduced all in the same place...
As they are laid under the stars sleeping, dozens of jet planes cross the sky and wake them. This threat is naturally portrayed through the use of the extreme low angle looking up and tracking them. The pace drastically changes pace as this point, as if the the speed of the jets crossing the sky has influenced this. The dramatic tonal and rhythmic changes is meant o represent the disruption and change the copy warned the audience about. Match on action is exercised to create this effect as the plan shot cuts to a missile launching into a house in the same direction of movement and speed, ultimately exploding the house- symbolising what I have just talked about, but also linking to the change in the changes and intrusion on domestic life, suggesting their parents aren't safe.
Continuing this pace, quick cuts with corresponding beats sets the new tone. Withing mise en scene, its set at night to represent the darkness and fear, while armed forces are also introduced in this part so that they gain the enemy identity, confirming war as the title suggests. I like the use of the oranges from the explosions and the blues from the artificial lights, as they are complementary colours they are opposites that contrast and through mise en scene, represents conflict within the plot- two side like a war.
We then jump to the scenes when the characters realise their parents are gone, shown by the dramatic acting, calling for them and saying 'hello?!". Then a group shot captures them to establish that they are closer together now they realise something is wrong, they have to stick together and work as a team. "theres no dial tone" is a line that shows they are disconnected from the world which emphasises their connection with each other. Now a main protagonist begins to become distinguished- through a mid shot of Ellie looking out in the distance, her expression is serious which highlights her attitude towards this situation as if she wants to conquer it, shown by the eye line establishing shot of the bay. A much more decorated inter-title explains that its from a novel, and also conventionally signifies the halfway point of the trailer, before the problem starts to become dealt with.
Rock music is used to create excitement and changes the outlook/tone of the trailer to be more confident and intense, as they begin to plan to solve the problem- as part of the narrative theory. This is shown by a montage of shots of group preparing to restore the power, and dialogue of them planning how. The music also targets the young teen audience as it's expected that they listen to that genre.
Notes of influence:
-verbally stating the need to fight
-use of copy 'friends become warriors' to signal change in character/plot
(I didn't have time to complete this due to timing schedules and other work, but I watched the trailer plenty of times for inspiration, stated in key points below).
What has influenced me:
further montage scenes move the viewer though the story, entertaining the teen audience with subjects that they can relate to, such as 'what is this? makeup?!' this is humorous because they are going camping yet one girl brings makeup as if its a camping essential- some female audience member might agree in laughter. Whereas another male character say 'Homer, do you even know where we're going?' which is probably a phrase everyone has heard while exploring with friends- dialogue like this will keep the target audience connected to the plot so that they end up wanting to watch the rest. We also start learning the names of characters which begins to develop them and bring the viewer closer to them which is important because there needs to be a relationship between the viewer and trailer if they are going to see it.
They are now 'further up the river' set in a nature reserve. The first copy says 'A place for freedom' which will entice the teen audience because at that stage in life they will recognise how valuable and sometimes unattainable freedom is, making the film more interesting to watch. The music matches the on-screen action very well as the song lyrics come as the teens are running through the water playing a ball game, making it seem exciting and fun to watch. To support this, there's a shot of a female character taking her t shirt off with her swimming costume underneath, followed by and reverse eye line shot of Homer, stopping what hes doing because hes distracted from the game- time stretch has been utilised her because its almost slow motion, used to represent his attraction. Then we cut to his eye line shot of the girl looking occupied/disinterested in him or the game, resulting in another character knocking Homer down as part of the game. This will entertain the audience because it's conventional of teen movies to emphasise gender stereotypes and attraction through humor so that its less serious, like this scene. This might also be seen as minor 'eye candy' for some audience members which will maintain their attention. A shot of the other female character pointing and laughing at this also cues the audience to laugh and connect with the characters.
This is rounded of with the copy 'A time for friendship' because it sums up the introduction/context of the plot. It's also a key theme which facilitates the plot as it begins to unravel. The following intertitles 'And it was all' 'About to change' contrast with the typical campfire shots and voice over 'let's do this again, in the same place, and the same people', because it seems like the 'time for friendship' is sort of over when interrupted by Todorovs narrative theory. The campfire scene and VO of the group wanting to do it again are conventional plot devices that relate the to teen audience, but contrasts with what's about to occur. There's further emphasis on change because it happens so fast, from having a really good time, to the disruption being introduced all in the same place...
As they are laid under the stars sleeping, dozens of jet planes cross the sky and wake them. This threat is naturally portrayed through the use of the extreme low angle looking up and tracking them. The pace drastically changes pace as this point, as if the the speed of the jets crossing the sky has influenced this. The dramatic tonal and rhythmic changes is meant o represent the disruption and change the copy warned the audience about. Match on action is exercised to create this effect as the plan shot cuts to a missile launching into a house in the same direction of movement and speed, ultimately exploding the house- symbolising what I have just talked about, but also linking to the change in the changes and intrusion on domestic life, suggesting their parents aren't safe.
Continuing this pace, quick cuts with corresponding beats sets the new tone. Withing mise en scene, its set at night to represent the darkness and fear, while armed forces are also introduced in this part so that they gain the enemy identity, confirming war as the title suggests. I like the use of the oranges from the explosions and the blues from the artificial lights, as they are complementary colours they are opposites that contrast and through mise en scene, represents conflict within the plot- two side like a war.
We then jump to the scenes when the characters realise their parents are gone, shown by the dramatic acting, calling for them and saying 'hello?!". Then a group shot captures them to establish that they are closer together now they realise something is wrong, they have to stick together and work as a team. "theres no dial tone" is a line that shows they are disconnected from the world which emphasises their connection with each other. Now a main protagonist begins to become distinguished- through a mid shot of Ellie looking out in the distance, her expression is serious which highlights her attitude towards this situation as if she wants to conquer it, shown by the eye line establishing shot of the bay. A much more decorated inter-title explains that its from a novel, and also conventionally signifies the halfway point of the trailer, before the problem starts to become dealt with.
Rock music is used to create excitement and changes the outlook/tone of the trailer to be more confident and intense, as they begin to plan to solve the problem- as part of the narrative theory. This is shown by a montage of shots of group preparing to restore the power, and dialogue of them planning how. The music also targets the young teen audience as it's expected that they listen to that genre.
Notes of influence:
-verbally stating the need to fight
-use of copy 'friends become warriors' to signal change in character/plot
(I didn't have time to complete this due to timing schedules and other work, but I watched the trailer plenty of times for inspiration, stated in key points below).
What has influenced me:
- Emphasis on teen life for target audience
- Friendship and change are too key themes that link to the teen genre
- Teens take charge when adults can't
- Teens Vs. adults
- Characters seem easy to relate to, down to earth and like people today (realistic)
- Growing up
- Strong female lead
- Copy and dialogue conveys narrative well
- Music/sound influences pace
- Preparing to fight
- Representation of equilibrium, disruption and restoration (structure
- Music that reflects stereotypical teenagers
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