The Usual Suspects' Trailer Analysis.pptx

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.


4/8

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.

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The Usual Suspects' Trailer Analysis.pptx