'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.