Cloverfield

• Outcomes- To have identified conventions in the trailer cloverfield.

• To identify how these choices create meaning, enigmas and are a selling point to the audiences

• STARTER: in groups, recap the conventions trailers.

Cloverfield

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvNkGm8mxiM

• Consider how this trailer works to entice the audience.

Cloverfield teaser trailer analysis

Edited institutional logo – make it look like its either on a TV screen or a camcorder – shaky – disrupts the normality of the situation which creates an enigma for the audience

Bad robot is an independent institution where it may change the people’s view of the movie – having a low budget can affect the film’s quality/ its storyline

Establishing shots of the party suggests equilibrium before the camera zooms in onto the person in the show below giving the implication that he is one of the main characters.

Camcorder zooms in again onto the man which can suggest that he is one of the main characters of the movie. Although, the camera does not place him in the centre of the frame to show this, but then again, the camera man is an amateur. This could connote that he is someone who has to become a hero as the film progresses.

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The camera man is filming these different characters from the movie itself which imply to the audience that these characters have important roles in the movie.

The disruption of the equilibrium started from this scene. This started when an earthquake occurred during the scene while the lights switched on and off. This lasted for 3 seconds to emphasise the intensity of the situation.

The point of equilibrium last for about 40 seconds in the trailer. The use of this technique enables its audience to feel sympathy for the characters as their sense of good vibes has been disrupted.

The use of a black screen after the disruption helps grow the tension to its audience. This also reflects the danger to its characters showing that there is a little chance for their survival.

The fact that this woman is captured giving us a direct mode of address draws its audience in to the film making them feel as if they are part of the situation.

The scene where the people were gathering around the TV listening to the news report connotes the idea of their realisation that a disruption has occurred.

Here is another example of this. People are starting to wonder what really is happening. It also shows us a little sneak peek of where they are – New York.

The idea of showing us the view of New York city symbolises the distraction and chaos that is going to happen. New York is usually the main place used for movies with the genres of action and sci-fi.

Zooming in on the explosion in a very fast pace connotes the characters’ fear of the situation.

From the occurrence of the explosion to these flying balls of fire, this also shows the realisation of the disruption of equilibrium.

The idea of shaking the camera connotes the idea of realism; a documentary. It also shows disruption to their previously safe world.

The use of a canted camera angle while falling over suggests that the camera man is also one of the main characters who is part of the same situation others are experiencing. The use of this technique places its audience in the same situation giving them the mutual feeling the characters are having.

The red undertone in this scene connotes the sense of danger and panic.

Capturing the head of the ‘Statue of Liberty’ reflects the loss of freedom in New York city and also the little chance of the character’s survival.

This part of the trailer is quite ironic as it was captured before the chaos started which is then shown in the end. This can be used to provoke the excitement of the audience which enables them to watch the movie.

The use of inter-titles has been edited to fit in the genre of the movie; shaky, broken camera; sci-fi. This connotes the distraction that happens in the movie which also represents the plot of the movie.They have also shown the same producer of the films; Star Trek, Super 8, Mission impossible etc. which can attract the same fan bases.

The inter-title showing the release date of the movie has been shown but not the title. This creates a sense of confusion to its audience as they don’t know what the film is going to be about; enigma.