Full Length Film Anaylsis - Paper Towns

Full Length Film Anaylsis - Paper Towns
How genre is portrayed and what we learn about the narrative and plot.

Plot -  A group of friends follow clues left by a girl called Margo, who has run away and they try to find her.

Narrative - Q, a teenage boy in senior year of high school is in an unpopular group of friends. He has a crush on a girl he used to be friends with but over year they drift apart. One night, this girl, Margo, comes into his room asking him to help her complete 'missions' to give revenge to those that have hurt her e.g her ex-boyfriend who cheated on her. Margo tells Q that he needs to live more and be a teenager, telling him to have more fun in life. The next morning Margo runs away. She leaves clues of where she has gone and Q gets his friends to help him find her as he expresses that he loves her. The group of friends face different difficulties throughout the journey of finding Margo. In the end, Q finds Margo however she says she only left the clues to show that she is safe and tells Q shes staying in this 'Papertown'. Q joins his group of friends at prom before they go off to college.

How the Genre is conveyed:

• Close up shots are used which creates a closer connection between characters and audience as we are forced to see their feelings and reactions which will influence us to feel the same way. one time a close up shot of Q was used was when he finally found Margo. As he had a nervous yet excited facial expression, as an audience we were forced to feel the same, which creates tension which is key in a drama film.

• The use of invisible editing throughout the film allows that really important emotive connection to flow fluently throughout and not get disorientated, as for a drama film it is vital that a character-audience connection remains throughout.

• Throughout the film the same genre of music was used but for different events. As the characters were being introduced, a very calm and gentle piece of 'indie pop' music is used, to create a upbeat mood. During times in which there are tension or alot is happening in the film, a more fast pace piece of music is used. This is used to correspond the audiences emotive connection with the characters and events in the film. The same type of music is used in the trailer and starts off calm then turns into a more upbeat piece towards the end.

• There is narration from the male protagonist in the film, which introduces the characters, their backgrounds and journeys up until the present day.It allows that early emotive connection between audience and the characters which means the audience is fully engaged into their story and lives.

• The directors decision to include the issue of social groups within schools and the different levels of popularity between the Margo and Q means that the audience is able to identify themselves in this situation as the target demographic are those that are still at school. The fact the audience would be able to identify with the characters creates a closer emotive connection

Trailer Analysis - Me Before You

Camera Shots:

• Establishing Shot - The Ariel shot of this old town establishes the location the film is set it. It starts to build the plot and diegesis for the film. As the trailer develops, as an audience we feel that the young girl is very out of place in this location, which is a main point of the film.

• One Shots - A series of one shots are used at the start of the trailer. These shots are single shots of the two main characters. It establishes that these characters have no connection or relationship as we are unable to see proxemeics etc.

• Two Shots - Two shots are used throughout the end of the trailer to show proxemics, reactions and to show the relationship the different characters have. For example, when the girl is feeding the male, a two shot is used which shows their far proxemics as the relationship wasn't that close then. 

• Long Shots - The long shots allows us to see the whole of the girls character as she walks through the door 3 times. We get to look a her facial expressions and look at her costume, allowing the audience to establish her character.

• Over the Shoulder Shots - As the plot develops in the trailer, we see a change in how the shots are framed. When the man is laying in bed and the two main characters are having a conversation, over the shoulders shots are used instead of one shots (used previously in the trailer) which shows that there is now a connection between the two characters, so as an audience we are then getting more knowledgeable about the plot and character profiles. 

• Close Up - Once the connection between the two characters is established in the trailer, we see them becoming closer. A close up is used during the shaving scene which shows them in a very close and intimate relationship. 

• Zoom - When the male character asks the female character to the concert, a zoom in is used to create that focus on the female character, creates a connection between the female character and the audience, but it draws the audience into the scene, making an element of surprise. 

• Focus Pull - A focus pull is used right at the beginning of the trailer and foregrounds the main female character but having the background unfocused, which allows the audience to focus on the main character.

Editing:

• Insert - During the scene when the two characters are in the garden the dialogue in the clip talks about her shoes, we then get an insert of a close up shop of her shoes. This allows us to get to know the female character as we get to see her 'quirky' style. This develops character profile in the trailer

• Shot Reverse Shot - The use of SRS during the scene when Will and Lou meet, we as audience then understand that this is the relationship that is the main one in the film as the SRS establishes relationships.   

• Transition - The use of fades between transitions creates a smooth flow between the scenes. This sets a calm and soft tone throughout the trailer and also expresses the genre of the trailer too.      

• Slow Motion - Slow motion is used during the clip in which the main female character is running through the hospital. This captures the audiences focus by drawing them into the plot as it is displayed in a more dramatic manner.

• Pace - The pace starts of at a slow/medium pace and then towards the end where the most dramatic points of the trailer are, the pace become fast and then suddenly drops at the end. This creates tension towards the end, making you as an audience wanting more.

Sound:

• Music - There are two pieces of music used throughout the trailer. The first is begins as instrumental piece during the first quarter of the trailer where we get to know the female character. This piece of music is light and fun which connotes the protagonists bubbly personality. The  second piece of music shows a difference in the dynamics between the two main characters. This piece is a modern acoustic song that the lyrics can be interpreted in a romantic way. This piece of music builds up more of a dramatic tone as the chorus of the song is used at the most tension built part of the trailer as this section of the song gives the most emotion. The song then fades out with the sudden drop of pace at the end of the trailer.

• Dialogue - There is a lot of dialogue in this trailer, which allows us to see the connections between the characters and the changes in relationships throughout e,g at the start the male character hardly speaks, and uses harsh tones but towards the end of the trailer, he uses more dialogue and a friendly tone towards the female. 

• Pause in Music - This pause in the music allows the type of music to change. The pause draws the audience in by having a sudden change in pace, allowing them to be more invested in the trailer as it draws them in.

Mes en scene:

• Costume - The way the costumes have been shown in the trailer allows the audience to get a scene of the characters personalities. The use of showing the females floral green shoes, connotes her outgoing personality which contrasts to the dark colours in the males clothing. 

• Location - The use of location keeps the digesis of the film as it is set in this small, old town. If a city location was used then the digesis of the film will not work as the female chapter would be the one out of place.

Narrative:

• Equilibrium - Female character can/t find a job, just swapping between different jobs.
• Disequilibrium - She finds a job caring for a young man
• Recognition - These two characters do nit get along, personlities and lifestyles clash.
• Attempt - They begin to get closer and we see a relationship forming.
• Restoration - WE DO NOT LEARN THE OUTCOME AS THIS IS A TRAILER

Trailer Analysis - Ginger And Rosa

Camera Shots:

• Two shots - The series of two shots are used to show the relationship between the two female characters. These shots at the beginning are able to show their proxemics so the audience learn that these two characters have a very close relationship. We learn what the characters like doing together and get a sence of their characters personality and journey.

• Close Up - The very beginning of the trailer starts with a close up shot of a record player. This establishes the era the film is set in.

• Rule of Thirds - The use of a rule of thirds means that in the frame we look a certain point. At the beginning of the trailer there is a two shot of the two girls and the rule of thirds mean we look at middle of the screen. This shows the close relationship between the two characters therefore developing the characters journey. 

• Three Shot -  This type of shot is used when first introducing 3 of the older characters to show the difference between the younger and older generation in the film. This allows the audience to establish the plot and get a sense of the different relationships within the film.

• High Angle Shot - This shot shows Gingers vulnerability when talking about nuclear weapons.

• Long Shot -  The use of the long shot when the disequilibrium comes in connotes that the two girls relationship inst the same anymore and they have become isolated.

• One Shots - This shows the separation between the two girls to show how their relationship tested. 

Editing:

• Pace - The pace starts of slow and then after the plot twist comes, the pace is increased until towards the very end the pace is extremely fast and the suddenly drops. This builds the tension for the audience watching, leaving them with a sense that they need someone thing more, therefore making them want to go and see the film.

• Prevalence - The character of Ginger (who is also narrating throughout the trailer) has the most screen time in the trailer. This makes the audience see the events in the trailer from her point of view, this means we sympathies for her and see her as the protagonist. 

• Insert - There are inserts during the montage of shots of the two girls at the beginning. This shows different levels within their relationship so that we see how each character is reacting in the scenes, getting again an essence of their type of relationship. 

• Fade -  The use of fades to black show time has passed. What this does is shows the audience the main points during the time that is passing and also moves the story along. The fades also make a contrast between the start of the trailer and the middle to show how the plot twist has changed the situation.

Sound:

• Music - The first piece of music used is first played through a record player (dietetic sound). This anchors the audience into the era the film is set in (1962) as the piece of music is from 1959. the music then becomes non-dietetic and is played throughout the first part of the trailer. This shows the care free personalities of the two young girls, making the audience feel positive towards their relationship also it sets the mood making the audience feel happy and good about the scenes. The music then changes into more dramatic music during the plot twist to show the difference in the personalities of the girls when in a different situation. The music builds up pace towards the very end and then just fades out with a few simple notes. There is no words in both of the pieces of music so that we are able to focus on the plot of the film.

• Narration - Narration is used at the very beginning of the trailer to only say "we had a dream that we would always be best friends". This throws the audience straight into the plot and tells them that this a friendship rather than a sisterly relationship. This introduces the whole trailer and we get the scene of Gingers gentle personality. 

• Ambient Sound - This is used when the radio announces what is happening with nuclear weapons as this sets the tone as the audience feel that the characters are in a bit of danger. A sound bridge is used so that we can see the reactions from each character and bow they feel towards the news.

• Dialogue - The selected dialogue allows the audience understand the plot and also we learn what each characters personality and role in the film is eg: we learn that Gingers mother is more strict than her father due to the dialogue we are given.

Mise en Scene:

• Set Design - The use of a prop of a record player at the beginning of the trailer establishes the era of the 1960's. This instantly transports the audience back to the era the film is it, therefore allowing them to understand the plot.

• Lighting - The majority of the trailer consists of high key lighting, especially during the scenes which show the best friend relationship at the beginning, however low key lighting is used during scenes where Ginger is by herself or in a situation where she is isolated from everyone e.g the second march, or looking through the hole in the door. This connotes her vulnerability from being on her own, and as an audience,  we learn to sympathize for her.

• Costume - The clothes worn by the characters, change throughout the film. Both girls at the beginning are wearing simple and causal clothing, from the 1960's however this changes as Gingers clothes before more darker, and Rosa start to wear more revealing outfits with more makeup. This shows that the girls have drifted apart as they are becoming less similar. The parents and older adults wear more smart clothing from the 1960;s and this doesn't change throughput. The only contrast to this is that Gingers Dad, although an adult, wears more casual clothing.

Narrative:

• Equilibrium - The two characters, Ginger and Rosa are best friends.
• Disequilibrium - Nuclear war threats come in
• Recognition - The two girls split up. Ginger joins protest marches, Rosa tries to seduce Gingers dad.
• Attempt - No attempt is made because either the characters go into separate directions or the trailer just doesnt show the attempt.
• Restoration - WE DO NOT LEARN THE OUTCOME AS THIS IS A TRAILER

Trailer Analysis - Paper Towns

Camera Shots:

• Establishing Shot - This identifies the location in which the characters live. We are shown a typical modern American town which connotes that the main characters in the film are normal people. This was then followed by a wide angled shot of a car pulling up with a young girl stepping out which throws us straight into the characters past.

• One Shots - At the start of the trailer, a series of one shots are used to show the fact that the characters are individuals and haven't got a relationship. As a viewer we are able to see the plot of the film this way.

• Over the Shoulder Shots - These shots are used in the middle of the trailer to establish the fact that there is a relationship/connection between the two main characters.

• Long Shots - These shots allow us to clearly see what the characters are doing so we get a feel of the plot. The fact we are able to see everything the characters are doing, We are able to get a sense of what the film is about.

• Pan - A pan is used to make us focus on the main male character in the trailer as the story is being told by him. A pan is also used at the start of the trailer when the young girl steps out of the car. Here the pan allows us to look and follow the character that the narrator is talking about so we learn that she will be a key feature in the story.

Editing:

• Eye-line Match - An eye-line match is used at the beginning of the trailer as we see the young boy looking at the young girl. This editing technique allows the viewer to see visually who the main character is taking about in his voice over. This makes it easier for the viewer to get hold of the plot.

• Short Takes - The takes were quite quick, therefore creates a more tense pace towards the end of the trailer, building up that tension which will make the viewer want to go and see the film.

• Insert - In the section of the trailer where the two characters are looking over the town from an office building, insets are used as different shots and angles of the characters are taken. This connotes the levels of the new relationship between the characters, making the viewer understand the plot.

• Intercutting - The use of putting scenes out of chronological order (which is opposite to the film itself) creates tension within the trailer as we get to see the two story-lines of Margo going missing with Q looking for her, and the story-line of their growing relationship before she went missing. It creates tension but also draws the two story-lines together. 

• Pace - The pace of the takes and music become quicker towards the end of the trailer. To start the pace is normal and then gets faster. At the end the pace is very fast and then suddenly drops and then the trailer ends. This leave the viewer wanting to see more as the fast pace builds tension.

• Prevalence - The two main characters have the most screen time as they are the main characters and therefore part of the main story-line in the film. By these characters being on screen the most, we as viewers get the main sense of the plot. The other characters are shown throughout but we can establish that they are not as important other characters however we learn that they have some sort of influence in the film.

• Shot Reverse Shot - The use of SRS allows the viewer to see the growing relationship between Margo and Q as these shots contrast to the one shots used towards the beginning of the trailer as now they are both seen together in each shot and it shows the visual connection between the two characters. 

Sound:

• Music - The music used throughout suits the genre of the trailer and also suits the age of the target audience of the film. The first score is a simple piece of music that works well along the part of the trailer were were learn the basis of the plot. The slow pace allows the viewer to process what they are seeing and hearing. The music is changed as the plot twist of Margo going missing is introduced. This piece of music slowly builds up the pace until it reaches its peak and then suddenly drops and becomes slow again, leaving the viewer wanting more.

• Voiceover - A narrative voice over is used almost the whole may throughout this trailer. It allows the viewer to identity that the film is from the point of view of Q which builds his character as we learn a lot about him.

• Dialogue - I feel like their is a lot a dialogue throughout this trailer however I think that it works well with the approach the film is taking. The film wants to draw an audience in my creating a connection between them and the characters and the dialogue lets the characters describe themselves, shows show they speak(tones,volume etc) and it also carries the plot along.

Mise-en-Scene:

• Costume - All characters shown in your stereotypical teen casual clothing, with Margo wearing more 'trendy' clothes than Q which show the viewer the hierarchy within the school social system. This allows the connote how different these two characters are. 

• Lighting - As this is an uplifting drama film, high key lighting is used throughout the film allowing the viewer to be left feeling positive and happy about seeing the film.

• Location and Set Design - The establishing shot at the beginning conveys to the viewer that the film involves normal people in a normal American town and the other locations in the film keep the diegesis throughout the whole trailer which makes it easier to understand the plot. The abandoned building connotes an abnormality of events which shows the plot twist in the film.

Narrative:

• Equilibrium - The two main characters do not interact. Margo is popular and Q is your typical high school student.
• Disequilibrium - Margo comes into his room and the two spend time together pulling pranks on those who have hurt Margo
• Recognition - Margo goes missing.
• Attempt - Q and his friends try to look for her
• Restoration - WE DO NOT LEARN THE OUTCOME AS THIS IS A TRAILER

                                                                                 

The Theory of Equilbrium

Drama Films

Genre
For my film trailer I have decided to use the genre of Drama. The type of drama film I'm portraying in my trailer is one for a younger demographic. Trailer conventions will vary slight;y due to who their target demographic is and what the plot is. The genre of Drama is a genre that is used alot within crossgenre films e.g Comedy, Romance and Mystery.


Similar films in my genre and target demographic:

• Paper Towns 
• Ginger and Rosa 
• Me Before You 
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower 
• Love Rosie
• Now is Good

Conventions of Drama films

• Uses real life situations and stories
• Development of Characters and their journeys
• Storyline emotionally connect to the audience to the characters
• Conflict
• Audience can identify with the characters