Analysis of the theatrical trailer for

“Changeling”

Vanessa Ofereh-Mugbeh

The trailer starts with the logo for Universal Pictures, while the background score is of the rain (that becomes diegetic in the next shot) and we also hear melancholy string music.

Part 1- Introducing the film

This is the first shot of the film that the audience get to see. The audience immediately understand what type of film it will be (genre, setting, year) due to this camera shot. Furthermore, it is of the star vehicle, Angelina Jolie, who plays the film’s main character. This shows her importance in this film.

Vanessa Ofereh-Mugbeh

Introducing the film cont...

As opposed to film trailers set in the modern day, there isn’t an establishing shot of the city itself. The location and the year are simply written to show when this film is taking place. There wouldn’t be an establishing shot of L.A because nowadays, it looks very different to how it would have in 1928.

THE EDITING so far is quite slow and calm. While Angelina Jolie’s character, “Christine Collins”, is narrating her brief story to the press, we see shots that correspond to what she is narrating. Various shots fade into black and others dissolve into each other giving the audience time to digest the story.

There is a build up as the story comes to the climax, and the music comes to a halt. Before the ultimate climax of the story when she says “He was not my son”, the pleonastic sound of the camera flash is heavily exaggerated to build tension.

Vanessa Ofereh-Mugbeh

Part 2- The story evolves

After a brief account of the main character’s story is given, we are shown in which season the film will be released. The editing still remains slow with the shots fading in and out of blackness and dissolving into each other, making it seem very dramatic. More characters are introduced, and also more facts of what the story is about.

THE MUSIC throughout the trailer crescendos, becoming more and more dramatic, as this film is a drama. As the characters’ emotions start running wild, the music builds up the tension too. The composition of the shots also matches the music.

Vanessa Ofereh-Mugbeh

The story evolves cont...

There is some inclusion of special effects to make the film more appealing. For example, these two shots are in slow motion, adding a dramatic effect to the shots.

Introducing the actorsAs the actors are introduced, there a up to 3 shots where their voices are played over what we see; what the characters say seems to be a significant and impactful quote from the film, also used to persuade the audience to go and watch it.

“I know my son is out there... I can still feel him.”

“Your son unfortunately would not be the first... But if you do it right, he may very well be the last.”

This trailer does not need the use of voiceovers, but simply just what the characters say and key shots in the film.

Vanessa Ofereh-Mugbeh

The Finale

While the editing still remains the same throughout, the shot duration by the end becomes slightly shorter.

We see more controversy within the story arise too.

The end the trailer finishes with Jolie’s character yelling emotionally.

By ending the trailer this way, it makes a big impact and stays in the

audience’s mind.

“I want my son back! I want MY son back!”

The title of the film is shown, followed by when it will be released and the production that went into making the film.

Vanessa Ofereh-Mugbeh