Trailer analysis

Trailer Analysis

The trailer I have chosen to analyse for this blog is for a film I saw recently called "Man of Steel". This film comes under the genres of action, adventure, fantasy and sci fi. It is also a film with a very large target audience, ranging from families to teenagers seeking action as well as comic and superhero fans.

The trailer begins using close up shots of characters along with soothing, calm music. This effectively creates a sense of calm and peacefulness to the viewer. Having close up angles to the characters immediately gives off an intimate feeling between the viewer and character; which is specifically effective in this moment of the trailer as the parents discuss sending their child away and helps the viewer feel their pain.The transitions between scenes are smooth and slowly add to the effects mentioned in creating a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, which is enhanced further by the reassuring and calm voices we hear.

As the trailer progresses the camera angles become more varied and scenes much longer. This is done to effectively start to portray the storyline and narrative to the viewers, through longer and more quantitative scenes. The music also gradually picks up, gradually leading us onto the action later in the trailer but ensuring the transaction is gradual, so that the viewer builds up interest. The use of conventional symbol and iconography is also in place in one of the more long scenes of the trailer as the symbolic red cape is worn by a child. This is a symbol the viewer will automatically recognise due to the history and popularity of the main character, Superman, and also ensures the viewer that they are going to get what they wanted, despite not seeing the actual fully formed character yet. Despite the longer scenes the transactions between them occur much faster than in the beginning which effectively keeps the viewer engaged and watching the story unfold.

When we begin to come towards the end of the trailer a lot of aspects significantly change. Camera angles are extremely more varied and transitions between scenes even quicker. Examples of varied camera angles include low angle shots of Superman flying upwards and close up shots of fight scenes. This engages the viewer as they engage in the trailer from various different angles and also boasts the films high budget quality as long shots of Superman flying look extremely realistic despite it being only a fictional ability and close up action looks flawless and captivating. The first shot of Superman in his symbolic red cape effectively takes place in a white background. This is once again done to put emphasis on the symbolic red cape to the audience which clearly stands out . The music has dramatically changed at this point of the trailer, going from a soothing, calm tone to a vibrant and exhilarating backing track which keeps the viewer excited and drawn into the fast paced action they are witnessing. A lot of emphasis in this part of the trailer is clearly set on the action and fighting scenes as this is a massive selling point of the film and one of the main reasons people going to watch it. Effectively targeting this in the trailer ensures trailer viewers, possibly specifically the target audience of men,  that they will get the action they crave in the film.

Right at the conclusion of the trailer the pace suddenly slows as we hear a small conversation between Superman and Lois Lane. More symbolic convention and iconography is used here as the symbolic "S" on his costume is addressed by Lois, another symbol the audience would have been able to recognise making them feel engaged and part of the story, simply because they could recognise this. A very effective technique. Also as she is about to call the other character his infamous label of "Superman" she is interrupted, to which he replies "excuse me" and the trailer dramatically returns to action and the exciting backing track again plays for the final seconds. This effectively leaves the viewer on a high and thrilled. The juxtaposition of his line "excuse me" and the subsequent snippet of action that follows massively escalates the thrill and excitement the viewer feels when the trailer finishes, compared to if the pace didn't significantly fall and rise and stayed at a fast tempo throughout the ending. As well as this giving Superman a clear love interest shall appeal to the specific target audience of women and families, ensuring that the trailer encourages as many people to watch the film as possible.

Very little typography is used during the trailer in order to ensure no emphasis is taken away from the fast paced action in the trailer and also to meet the requirements of the target audience, many of whom will be young children belonging to families, who would not want to read large chunks of text during the trailer.