Decisions Based on Trailer Research

'Every Secret Thing' Trailer Summary

Narrative
This trailer begins with a flashback, making it unlike the others I have analysed and therefore unconventional. However, from there it transforms to present tense, and has a feel of history repeating itself. This narrative, while being slightly unusual is gripping, as although it has a repetitive feel, it doesn't have a clear ending where equilibrium is restored. This suspense makes the audience intrigued to find out more.

Conventions of mystery trailers
This trailer is conventional in terms of the technical elements as it uses an array of establishing shots and close up reaction shots. It also has lots of tension built due to the pace of editing and uses dramatic music and low-key lighting. However, it subverts conventions due to its narrative as it doesn't strictly follow Todorov's narrative theory structure.

Unique selling point of the film
The narrative in this trailer is what makes it unique as it has a cyclical structure, as history repeats itself, however, some questions are left unanswered and there is suspense and tension throughout, meaning it does still fit into the mystery genre.

'Every Secret Thing' Trailer Analysis

Camera Shots, Angles, Movement and Composition

This establishing shot familiarises the audience with the setting within the diegesis, which appears to be an unthreatening neighbourhood. This along with the children showed connotes innocence and harmlessness, conforming to the first stage of Todorov's narrative theory, which is an equilibrium.

This mid-shot of a baby again connotes innocence and youth, and therefore makes all the characters seem harmless.




There is a quick panning shot which follows the subject running, this creates adrenaline and feel of panic as it suggests she is in danger or trying to catch someone. The quick pace of in also helps to build tension and suspense.


This master shot establishes the setting and allows the audience to see where they are and as she is in the woods, there are connotations of danger and eeriness. Additionally, as it is mid-shot of one character it makes her look alone and vulnerable, however, she also seems threatening due to her facial expressions and clothing.

This canted angle and unsteady, hand-held camera movement create a sense of uneasiness and portrays franticness and panic. It can also be seen as an indication of intoxication or madness, suggesting that this character is experiencing a mental decline.

This two-shot is of higher status characters with a lot of authority, and the fact they are both in shot makes them seem more powerful and impactful. This contrasts with the rest of the trailer which consists mainly of singular shots of characters, making them appear vulnerable and slightly powerless.

This close-up allows the audience to connect with the character and study her facial expression, in this shot she appears scared and anxious, suggesting she is in a vulnerable position. This creates a sense of mystery and is intriguing for the audience as they want to find out what happened to her.

This is a high angle, crane shot of two characters which makes them appear vulnerable and exposed. This shot is also establishing, as their surroundings look destroyed and destructed, therefore suggesting they are in danger, adding to the suspense and sense of mystery.




How the camera shots convey the genre
The majority of shots of characters were one-shots creating suspense as it suggests that everyone is vulnerable and a target. The main exception to this is the authoritative figures who appear to be investigators, this suggests that they are Proppian 'heroes', which is conventional in mystery films to have somebody attempting to solve the crime.

Editing

There are fades to black between the shots at the start of the trailer, which immediately creates tension as darkness has connotations of danger and death, implying that something twisted will happen. This foreshadowing create anticipation within the audience, making them intrigued.

At 0:20 there is a very faced paced montage of news articles with headlines such as "baby girl missing" to create a sense of panic and anxiety, as well as being the disequilibrium. This quick pace of editing creates adrenaline for the audience and makes them want to find out what happened to the baby.

At 0:38 there are very quick flashes which capture the audiences' attention and imply chaos and energy. These flashes also indicate an emergency, therefore making the audience intrigued and wanting to find out more.

The editing from 0:55 onwards, although slow paced, builds tension as it includes shots from a wide variety of locations, portraying the severity of the crime and the wide impact it has had.

At 1:26 there is a shot/reverse-shot which allows the audience to see each characters reaction, therefore demonstrating the wide spread 

How the editing conveys the genre
This trailer is edited at a fairly slow pace, allowing time to build up suspense and for the audience to become invested and engaged in the mystery. There is not a particular character that is given prevalence and therefore adding to the 'whodunnit' suspense. 

Sound

The trailer begins with a fairly slow paced score, which has a regular beat to create suspense, however, it builds up to a climax at 0:18 which represents the beginning of the disequilibrium.

At 0:33 there are police sirens which are enhanced diegetic sounds, connoting a sense of danger and franticness. They build up suspense and a sense of mystery as it indicates an attempt to solve a crime.

From 0:53 onwards there is a very intense underscore, which has a loud bass, building up tension within the diegesis.

The dialogue "We'd like to ask you a few questions" creates a sense of uncertainty, adding to the mysterious feel, therefore portraying the genre.

At 1:06, there is a score which builds up tension as it gets more intense as it progresses, this builds tension as it suggests an answer is about to be given, however, it cuts off to leave the audience in suspense, wanting to find out what happens.

At last scene includes a very heavy breath (diegesis sound) to portray exhaustion and panic, this conveys the intensity of the film and the negative effects on the characters within the diegesis.

How the sound conveys the genre
The score is key throughout as it is the main way of building suspense and tension. Additionally, the dialogue creates panic and fear as there are multiple references to the 'missing girl'.

Mise-en-scene

The setting in the first establishing shot appears to be a friendly, peaceful neighbourhood, conforming to Todorov's narrative structure theory, where the characters are going about normal day-to-day life.



This establishing shot is low-key lit creating connotations of mystery and fear, linking to the genre.




This character appears to be in a state of distress and panic as she has a worried facial expression. Additionally, her body language (hand covering mouth) suggests that she is shocked/surprised, therefore creating mystery.


This character is alone in the shot making her appear vulnerable and fragile. The vast amount of looking room suggests that she is exposed and that anything could possibly happen to her.





This shot is low-key lit but is also very shadowy, creating suspense and mystery. Additionally, the unclarity of the image may represent how the mystery is still unclear and unsolved, demonstrating the complexity of it and making audience members intrigued and interested.


How the mise-en-scene conveys the genre
The majority of shots are low-key lit to create an eerie and creepy feel. This adds to the overall sense of mystery and makes the trailer engaging and encourages the viewer to want to find out more.

'Coherence' Trailer Summary

Narrative
This trailer follows Todorov's narrative structure and follows conventions by missing out the final stage. It has a storyline that begins with an equilibrium, as a group of friends are having a casual dinner party together and having phatic conversations. Then an event occurs to disrupt the equilibrium, which appears to be a power cut, however, it is implied that there is a deeper meaning to it. The characters are then seen trying to resolve the mystery and discover the cause of what happened. The tension is built through the 4 technical elements discussed above and then left on a cliff hanger, leaving the audience uninformed about where equilibrium is restored. The cliff hanger makes the film intriguing and encourages the audience to watch the film and find out what happened.

Conventions of mystery trailers
This trailer somewhat subverts conventions as it doesn't build tension using short takes and a quick pace of editing, however, it does use climactic music that has an intense feel to create a mysterious feel. Another way in which this trailer has followed conventions is by having frequent close-up shots which allow the audience to see the character's reactions, therefore, allowing the audience to connect with the characters and become interested in what happens to them.

Unique selling point of the film 

This trailer includes reviews and awards it has won in order to boost its status.

'Coherence' Trailer Analysis

Camera Shots, Angles, Movements and Composition

This long shot establishes the dynamics between the characters in the diegesis, creating a sense of normality and conforming to the first step of Todorov's narrative structure. As they are hugging, there is a sense of unity and togetherness, creating empowerment and therefore juxtaposing with later on in the trailer when the characters are alone.


A master shot is used to display the bond and closeness between the characters. They are all sitting around a table, again creating unity, making them seem powerful and invulnerable. This shot contexualises the characters and setting, providing the audience with understanding that these people are friends.

This shot has a slightly canted angle which is used for dramatic effect to create uneasiness and disorientation. This conveys that something the character is in danger and along with the low-key lighting, creates a mysterious feel.


A close up of this character is used to create intensity and portray the worry and anxiety she is experiencing. The closeness of the camera allows the audience to see all the details on her face, making her seem exposed and therefore vulnerable.


A high angle shot is used here to make the characters appear vulnerable and in danger. It also diminishes the subject, suggesting that they are powerless and have a lack of control.





How the camera shots convey the genre
The majority of shots in this trailer are of the character's face and body language, therefore it allows the audience to process and understand the levels of danger they are in, additionally, the flitting between different characters builds up dramatic tension and creates a 'whodunnit' feel. There are a distinct lack of establishing shots in this trailer, however, this is successful as it creates mystery and makes the audience intrigued to find out more.


Editing

There is a fairly slow pace of editing up until 0:35, which demonstrates the equilibrium, suggesting that things are normal and the characters are living normal day-to-day life. The takes are fairly long and therefore the trailer is not particularly tense up to this point.

Up to 0:58, there are also fairly long takes, which is where the characters realise that equilibrium has been disturbed (stage 3 of Todorov's narrative theory), these longs takes allow the audience to process this information and understand that there is a sense of danger.

This shot/reverse shot builds up tension and creates a sense of suspense. It also allows the audience to get see the character's facial expressions, making them appear vulnerable and afraid.

The use of questions for captions makes the audience more actively involved in the trailer, as it makes them think. Therefore the audience would be intrigued and interested to find out more about what happens, and thus watch the full length film.

This cutaway of a box suggests that it is an important part of the film and creates a sense of danger as it is unclear what is inside it. This enhances the sense of mystery, which is key in portraying the genre of the trailer.




How the editing conveys the genre
The majority of the trailer has a slow pace of editing and long takes, this is not the conventional way of building up tension, as that is normally done by having short takes and a quick pace, to build up adrenaline. However, it successfully builds up tension in this trailer as the images work in conjunction with the eerie underscore to convey a sense of mystery.

Sound

Initially, the score creates an eerie and creepy ambience, foreboding that something dangerous or bad may be about to happen.

There is a loud piercing sound (non-diegetic) at 0:37 which disrupts the equilibrium, therefore, following stage 2 of Todorov's narrative structure theory. This sound is often associated with the medical condition 'Tinnitus' which can be caused by anxiety, suggesting that the characters may be experiencing fear and nerves.

The dialogue "the whole neighbourhood is out of power" is used which suggests darkness, therefore having connotations of danger and mystery. Additionally, it elevates the sense of mystery by demonstrating how many people have been affected.

There is subtle heavy breathing at 0:46 which is an enhanced diegetic sound, this conveys fear and anxiety, suggesting that the characters are experiencing panic and fear. Additionally, the irregular pace of the breaths is climactic and built up suspense.

The dialogue "this is bad, this is really bad" is used to highlight the severity of the danger the characters are feeling. The use of repetition, reinforced the messages and also indicates desperation and plead.

At 1:28 there are a number of different sounds merged together, including screaming, shouting and dramatic incidental music which is overwhelming for the audience. This creates anxiety and fear, therefore a climax, overall resulting in the audience being intrigued and wanting to find out what happened.

How the sound conveys the genre
The sound throughout the clip is mainly based around the dramatic music, which builds up tension as it becomes more intense as the trailer progresses. This helps to build up mystery and anticipation, therefore being intriguing and gripping for the audience.

Mise-en-scene


The first shot is low-key lit to immediately create intimacy and tension, this has a polysemic meaning as it could be foreshadowing danger, however it could also be symbolising death. Either way it creates a sense of eeriness and mystery.


One of the props throughout the trailer is alcohol, which suggests toxicity. Additionally, red wine is religiously a symbol of blood, potentially foreshadowing danger, but on the other hand it can be a symbol of friendship and love, therefore conforming to the first stage of Todorov's narrative theory of equilibrium.

This cutaway of a smashed phone screen creates a sense of distortion, suggesting that everything is not as it seems, and therefore foreshadowing events to come. Also, as it is broken, indicates that the equilibrium is about to be broken.


There is an image of broken glass which symbolises the breaking of the peace as the characters are now in a dangerous position.






The characters all have very serious facial expressions towards the end, juxtaposing with the smiling and laughter at the beginning of the trailers. This highlights the seriousness and severity of the danger they are in.


How the mise-en-scene conveys the genre
Most shots have low-key lighting to create mystery and eeriness, therefore fulfilling their role in a trailer of a mystery genre successfully. The characters in the trailer are all wearing very average clothing that is fairly neutral in colour, this makes them all seem unthreatening and equal, therefore creating more of a mystery, as along with the lack of Proppian hero/villain, there is no clear villain. This intensifies the mystery genre as it makes the 'whodunnit' quest difficult to answer.

'Another Me' Trailer Summary

Narrative
This trailer follows the conventional narrative structure of mystery films as it begins with the characters going about day-to-day life. Then something bad happens to the protagonist which is the turning point, and the rest of the trailer is the effects and aftermath of the bad thing that happened, as well as the characters trying to solve the mystery. This trailer follows the first two stages of Todorov's narrative theory, as it begins with an equilibrium, which is then disrupted by an event. Stages 3 and 4 are then included as it is recognised that something is not right, and the characters attempt to solve the mystery and restore the equilibrium. However, the last stage is missed out, as equilibrium is not restored, this leaves the trailer on a cliff hanger and ensures that mystery and suspense is created.

Conventions of mystery trailers
This trailer is fairly conventional in terms of editing as it is very quick paced which creates suspense and a sense of mystery. It also uses generic camera shots frequently, for example, close ups and extreme close ups, as these demonstrate the protagonists vulnerability. Additionally, the use of sound, specifically music, builds up dramatic tension creating climaxes. I have discovered that this is key for the genre as it works in conjunction with the quick pace of editing to build up adrenaline and make the audience gripped. Finally, there is a lot of low-key lighting, especially towards the end, which is common in mystery trailers as it builds up eeriness and mystery.

Unique selling point of the film
The trailer uses captions such as the one shown on the left which are specific to the story and diegesis. These communicate the main messages of the film literally and help to reinforce the main ideas using multimedia.

'Another Me' Trailer Analysis

Camera Shots, Angles, Movement and Composition

The first shot in the trailer is an establishing shot of a set of swings. The swing is moving by itself which creates an eerie and creepy feel, suggesting that in mystery films it is important to leave certain things to the audience's imagination, leaving them intrigued and wanting to find out more.

There is then another establishing shot which makes the protagonist look alone and therefore vulnerable, this makes the audiences' sympathies lie with the protagonist. It is important in mystery films to make the main target look vulnerable from the beginning, so it is clear that they are in danger.

This mid-shot of the protagonist allows the audience to become familiar with her and as she is making eye contact with the camera, it creates a sense of anxiety and vulnerability. Having this shot at the beginning of the trailer establishes the characters instability early on.

An close-up shot is used to create an uncomfortable feel and make the viewer feel sympathetic towards the protagonist. This shot emphasises the character's negative emotional state as it creates a feeling of fragility.



This extreme close-up focuses on the protagonists eyes, which look like she has been crying, suggesting that she is weak. Additionally, the intimacy between the character and audience successfully make the audience feel connected to and sympathetic towards the protagonist.

This tracking shot conveys the extent of the danger of the position the protagonist is in, as she is running away from the camera. This is key in a mystery film as it focuses the audiences attention on the protagonist and makes it cleat that they are the one on danger and the target.

An extreme long-shot is used here to highlight how the character is alone and in a high vulnerable position. Additionally, it creates a sense of eeriness and danger, intriguing the viewer and making them concerned, therefore, successfully fulfilling the purpose of a trailer which is to make the viewer want to watch the film.

How the camera shots convey the genre:
The majority of camera shots used create a sense of eeriness and vulnerability which are key in the mystery genre. Most of the shots seem fairly clinical and blue toned, which connote loneliness as well as being commonly associated with mental stability, therefore posing the decline of the protagonist's mental well-being as a key theme throughout the narrative.

Editing

There are frequent fades to black throughout the trailer which help to built up suspense as the darkness connotes danger and mystery. Additionally, they are the transitions which make up a montage, creating a jittery, uneasy feel, as there is little structure between them. 


There is a very quick pace of editing between 0:45 and 1:00, which again create suspense but in a climactic way. This along with the fades to black and pulse-like underscore build up tension and highlight the vulnerability and danger of the protagonist.

The very quick paced montage between 1:25 and 1:26 is overwhelming and creates an uneasy feel. The fact that there is barely any time to process each image suggests that the protagonist is incapable of coping, as well as building up adrenaline in the audience and making them intrigued. 

The selection of clips in the trailer give the protagonist prevalence and generally show her in a weak and vulnerable state. This emphasises the level of pressure and stress she is feeling and pose her as the target throughout the film.



How the editing conveys the genre:
The editing in this trailer is very quick paced and consists of short takes, creating adrenaline and gripping the audience's attention. Additionally, this way of editing allows the audience to become familiar with the diegesis in the film, as it conveys many aspects of the protagonist's life.

Sound

There are non-diegetic camera sounds added into the trailer during the transitions, these create a sense of exposure and vulnerability as it is implied that somebody else is taking pictures of the protagonist, overall making her seem targeted and as if she is being watched/followed.

The score throughout the beginning of the clip uses the phrase "you haunt me" which emphasises the danger and fear in the trailer as it is foreboding.

The protagonist says "hello, is somebody there?" which is a stock phrase, within the genre, to show that somebody is fearful and feels as it they are being watched. This creates a sense of mystery, linking to the genre and grabbing the audience's attention.

There is foley used to emphasise the scissor sound at 1:08, this accentuates this moment as it is a clear moment of downfall in the character's mental wellbeing and stability. The effect of foley is that it makes the action more significant and as it was a scissor sound, it forebodes that something bad is about to happen.

At 1:40 there is an enhanced diegetic sound of a car screeching, this grabs the audience's attention and portrays danger and threat. Moments like this are key in mystery trailers as they bring the momentum up and are unsettling, therefore adding to the overall mystery.

How sound conveys the genre:
The most important sound in this trailer is the music as it creates a sense of eeriness and danger, which in conjunction with the speech and diegetic sound, create an overall mysterious feel successfully.

Mise-en-scene

At the beginning of the trailer, the characters seem to be smiling and happy, going about the normal day-to-day life. It is key to involve this at the beginning, to provide a contrast when abnormal things begin to happen, as it creates a sense of shock and allows the audience to see the psychological decline of the protagonist.

The smeared mascara down the protagonists face makes it look like she has been crying, this suggests that she is emotionally fragile and vulnerable. However, the fact she is taking a picture of herself suggests that it is a cry for attention and that she is maybe causing herself to be victimised.

The person that is backgrounded in the shot suggests that the protagonist is being watched/followed, creating danger and mystery as it is unclear who the person is.



Low-key lighting is used here to create uneasiness and fragility, portraying danger and mystery. I think low-key lighting works successfully in the mystery genre as it makes the image difficult to make out, creating a literal sense of mystery.


This shot is also low-key lit, again, to built up suspense and mystery.







How mise-en-scene conveys the genre:
The mise-en-scene through the trailer doesn't give too much away, which makes it clear that the genre is mystery. Additionally, it is gripping as it creates suspense and questions within the audience, therefore, making them want to see the whole film to find out what happens.

Todorov's Theory of Equilibrium

Tzvetan Todorov came up with the theory of equilibrium as a simplified version of the narrative theory, by using 'equilibrium' (meaning: a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces) and 'disequilibrium'. He split the narrative up into 5 simple stages:

1. A state of equilibrium - where everything is as it should be and there is an equal balance of power.
2. Disequilibrium - a disruption of this order by an event
3. A recognition that disorder has occurred
4. An attempt to repair the damage cause by the disruption
5. A return of equilibrium or a new equilibrium

These stages are seen as a circular structure, as eventually the day-to-day life from the beginning is restored. The narrative is usually based around the attempt to restore the equilibrium.

Most films follow this structure however in trailers the last stage is usually missed out in order to create a sense of mystery and suspense.

Mystery Trailer Conventions

Conventions of mystery films-

                                                 

Lighting: The lighting for crime films is mostly naturalistic. Usually, low key lighting is used when the villain is seen so they remain faceless and mysterious.

Recognisable characters: The hero is usually an intelligent, private detective or persistent policeman. There is usually a very mysterious villain who is only revealed towards the end of the film.

Themes: Good vs Bad, Justice, Confusion, Persistence, Mystery, Interrogation

Narrative: Mystery films generally begin with the victimised character going about their day to day life. The crime is then committed, which is the turning point of the narrative. The quest to resolve he crime then begins, and this is usually carried out by a detective or police officer. At the end, the criminal is caught and the normality is restored. Alternatively, sometimes there are a group of people in an isolated area, who are targeted as strange happenings occur. The group of people are the people who are trying to resolve the crime.