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