The Usual Suspects' Trailer Analysis.pptx

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  • 7/27/2019 The Usual Suspects' Trailer Analysis.pptx

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    'The Usual Suspects' Trailer

    Analysis

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    Introduction of setting

    The first few settings seen are dark andgloomy, cast over with shadows. This is a

    typical film noir feature, and connotes the dark

    themes present in the film.

    The small circle of light through the window

    symbolises a sense of hope or chance of

    freedom, yet the juxtaposing shadow

    surrounding it suggests a larger overpowering

    theme of entrapment.

    The red light in the last setting forebodes

    murder and death- with the large door leading

    to the tragedy.

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    Introduction of characters

    There is not a whole character first

    introduced, but rather features of aperson. The close ups of the shoe

    and the hand holding a gun distort

    the audience and fragment the

    importance of the character.

    The camera than tracks down a narrow,

    red lit corridor, which then fades to a slowmotion drop of a cigarette. These

    disorientated close ups suggest that this

    unknown presence causes destruction

    and danger. Similarly, the red lighting of

    the corridor connotes ruthless violence

    and forebodes danger.

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    Sound bridgeSo far, the non diegetic music has been tense but

    rather quiet. This is then overpowered by a classic,

    stylised, American voiceover, heightening the

    suspense of the narrative and giving it a more

    traditional action feel.

    However a sound-bridge is introduced through

    the character of the detective, as his voice is

    heard over the crime scene shots. Because of

    this, the audience creates a link between the

    detective, and safety, as the destructive force

    is absent from the screen.

    This gives the detective a higher authority and

    clearly explains the themes of the narrative.

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    The main protagonists

    The first sight of the protagonists is in the line up-

    each character looks individual and unique,

    however their placement is rather distorted. This is

    then reinforced as the non diegetic voice over

    states each name individually, adhering to a thriller,

    crime genre.

    The characters then appear to be united as each is

    shown individually through a cutaway of their face-

    highlighting their collective motives, yet individual

    threats.

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    Sound Segue

    There are two key changes in the

    non diegetic soundtrack, the first

    is on the close up of Kevin

    Spacey's face, as the music

    momentarily sounds like a 'gong'

    and forebodes a deeper motivefor that single character.

    However the music then

    continues as before to intrigue

    the audience and digress the

    narrative.

    The second more dramatic soundtrack changealso occurs on a close up of Spacey. This alone

    has been done by the editor to focus on this

    character and allude to a hidden persona than

    what appears on the surface. The non diegetic

    music here fits to an action film- therefore

    moving away from film noir, and heightening aclimax.

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    Rapid Cutaways

    The constant mention of the name 'Keyser

    Soze' is linked to a final cutaway of Spacey's

    face. This immediately suggests a link betweenthese characters and a hidden relationship or

    identity.

    The action throughout these cutaways is fast and highlights the

    film noir features of death and crime. The constant change on the

    screen also disorientates the audience and depicts a ratherunsettling, spinning feeling.

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    Effect of a 'calm' ending

    The ending juxtaposes the rest of the

    trailer and is rather calming and

    tranquil. The soft ripple of the water

    symbolizes a sense of tranquility and

    allows the end title to gently emerge

    on top.

    The font of 'The Usual Suspects' is Sans

    Serrife' and stands out against the black sea.