I have chosen to analyse the theatrical trailer of ‘Gothika’ which is In the genre of horror/psychological film, released in November of 2003. This is a clever time to release a horror film since it is close to Halloween and is in the winter time which is a dark season and automatically gives the film a eerie feel.
Migrain model/Background info to film
The trailer is 2 minutes 19 seconds long, being the average length of a typical theatrical trailer. The film stars established actors such as Oscar winning ‘Halle Berry‘, ‘Penelope Cruz’ and ‘Robert Downey‘ and is Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz and produced by Joel Silver and Susan Levin. The director is a well known French director. ‘Gothika’ is one of the seven feature films he has done. Him being French and not very associated with the horror genre means he will bring something new to the screen giving the film a new and fresh feel which appeals to the target audience who are the youth. The actors are all very well known, Since the audience already identifies with these actors it instantly markets to a wider audience. People who look up to these actors and are fans of them from their previous projects will go see the movie. Well-known actors give the film a boost and increase the chances of the film succeeding.
The institution distributing this film is ‘Warner Brothers’ and internationally marketed by Columbia pictures. The institution which is promoted them is ‘Warner Brothers’ and ‘Dark and castle‘. These are recognised institutions and will appeal to a bigger market as they have customers which are loyal to that brand. Another advantage to distributing products through large companies is the bigger budget, meaning a lot more opportunities open for the film and the film can be marketed on a larger scale to more countries and cities leading to a larger profit.
The median of this product is a trailer. The film is advertised and promoted through the trailer. Therefore appealing to the target market through the trailer is essential since it is the main method of promotion and consumers will judge the product on the basis of the trailer. The audience the product is aimed at is mainly above 15 but more specifically would be the late teens and above. This is also shown through the age of the actors. Actors like Halle Berry and Penelope Cruz are associated with the older audience as they can relate to them and aspire to be like them.
The certificate of the film is a fifteen which also indicates the target market. The ideology the film carries is to show the life of a psychologist however in a surrealistic way. It represents the different personalities and the conflict which arise between hierarchies. For example: the psychologist and the patient will be presented differently through the clothes they wear. Stereotypically a patient of a psychologist is assumed to be mental however this film shows how this is not necessarily true and the victim may genuinely be telling the truth about their experiences.
The film represents its horror genre. This is shown through various elements and codes and conventions such as the music which is eerie, the dark sets and locations and with sudden sounds which creates suspense as well as shocks the audience. One of the first things I noticed is that the trailer does not use any voice over. Most horror film do not use this element as it can ruin the flow of the trailer and take away the suspense.
The narrative of the film ‘Gothika’ is about a psychiatrist in a women’s mental hospital who wakes up one day on the other side of the bars accused of having murdered her husband.
Textual analysis
The trailer begins with the green screen revealing that the upcoming content is a trailer. This is a typical convention that trailers use however there is no sound at this point. This clip lasts for roughly 5 seconds and then the first institution is shown which is the ‘Warner Brothers’ logo. Diegetic sound begins with this clip of a conversation between the patient and the doctor. The effect of this is the instant pull it has on the audience. Straight away this involves the viewer. I think this has a strong impact on the viewers and is a tool my group and I can also use. I felt it was effective. The first scene lasts approximately 10 seconds and then followed by the second institution, ‘Dark and Castle entertainment’ which isn’t as well known as the first institution. The shot in the first scene is from behind the metal fence looking on to the conversation taking place making the viewer feel like an on-looker to the situation. Several technical elements are used to present the theme of the film. Each shot lasts 2-3seconds on average. Especially with this trailer since it is a horror the takes are shorter and change quickly to build up the tension and suspense. The camera shots represent the genre and help set the mood for the scene and situation.
Camera
The trailer uses over-the-shoulder, medium shots which are usually used for dialogues and the conversation between two characters. The next scene uses a long shot which helps us establish the main character. The camera is in a fixed position with the character walking towards it. The following shot is of the same scene but a medium close up shot which helping the viewer identifies who it is. However this is an extremely short clip and only last for 1 second. The main character is a doctor and the fact that she is only shown for a few seconds may symbolise the fact that she has a very busy lifestyle. The scene after that is an extreme close up of the doctor and shows her looking at something which is not revealed and consequently creates a want for the viewer to what she is looking at. This builds up the tension.
The next scene is of at a slightly high angle of the doctor’s office. This contradicts the status of a doctor. The shot makes her seem vulnerable and insecure which is the opposite of what she is supposed to be. This is a clever choice of camera shot as it helps the viewer feel in more power than her. This again is a very short shot which only 1 and half seconds. The quick camera changes are creating the tension. The next scene is the turning point of the trailer. Everything up till then has been calm however onwards the atmosphere becomes more tensed. The scene involves an establishing shot of the main characters work place. The shot shows the viewer the detail of the area and location. The eye-level shot allows the audience to feel this could be their work place which creates fear within the audience.
This following shot is a two shot which shows that there is a relationship between the two characters. It is zoom in from the previous shot. The next clip is of the back of a car and it is long shot. This allows us to feel like we are in the scene as you can visualise the surroundings. Then there is a quick camera change to inside the car which is a medium close up shot. This tells the viewer who is driving the car. This shot only lasts for 1 second and we see the car moving even faster. This increases the tension. Then it is a point of view shot zooming in faster and faster into the object which is vaguely in front. This is an effective shot because it increases the tension and pace of the scene.
When watching, this it brought me to the edge of my seat as I knew that something was about to happen. This is a typical camera shot used by horror films. Once the point of view shot finishes there is a flash of a close up the girl that doctor sees. The shot only lasts for a split second. This suggests that the girl is a ghost since she appears suddenly and the close up shows her abnormality. Once the girl is revealed the camera shot alters to the doctor in the car who looks confused and surprised. The shot is again a medium close to reveal her emotions.
The following scene is a car crash. This is a crucial part of the trailer and tensing therefore the cuts are very short only lasting for half a second each. The camera angles vary in each shot. One is at a low angle to the car suggesting the importance of the scene. The car then crashes and the screen goes to a black out. This shocks the audience and leaves them feeling numb. This camera shot is moving from a low angle, upwards. This awares the audience that something bad has taken place.
Another camera shot used is an extreme close up and this is a really good shot to use since it shows the intensity of the characters emotions and shows us how they feel. It creates an attachment with the viewer and character. This shot was used when the character of Halle Berry wakes up from a dream. This shows us that she probably had a nightmare.
Another interesting camera work is when the camera is at a close up to the doctor and the movement of the camera is turning. The camera rotates creating the panic and intense atmosphere. This shot is also classified as canted framing which creates the impression of instability. I felt this was a very good camera shot as it really helped define the trouble the doctor is in. This type of shot is one my group and I could also use as our trailer may also include a similar situation.
Another shot which is commonly used is point of view. This helps the viewer feel like they are in the characters shoes and making the film even scarier as you feel you are also going through the same feelings.
A bird eye shot is also included. This very shot is unnatural and strange angle. This type of shot makes the audience in a God like position who are looking down on the action. This also makes the character seem inferior and insignificant, worthless almost. This could represent the feeling of the character at the specific time.
Mise-en-scene
The visual elements of the scene help set the mood. The mise-en-scene of horror films are usually very similar but hold huge importance. Firstly I was expecting to see dark sets and dark themes to represent the darkness of the topic and sadness. The first scene was very dark. It was a blue shade suggesting the sad feeling. The status and state of mind of mind of each of the characters is expressed through their clothes and make-up. The patient’s hair is messy and she is wearing baggy clothes whereas the doctor is in a neat and tidy suit. This could also represent the difference in their status and the doctor has a well-paid job.
The location of the scene is the hospital and this is the primary location for the film. The clothes of both the characters are grey and black which makes the clothes less distracting and emphasises on the dialogue. The lighting is dull which denotes the misery and despair of the character. The set includes props such as a desk and chair. There are not many props which signify the dullness of the place giving the viewers the feeling that it is a mental hospital.
The characters are surrounded by metal fencing giving the feeling of no way out and isolation. In the following scene the doctor again is wearing the typical uniform of a doctor, formal wear. The costume of the actor’s helps the audience identify who they are for instance the doctor wears formal clothes. She is not wearing any make up throughout the film which makes her relatable and an accessible character. The office has a lot of props in it. Such as a T.V, coat, papers, desk, chair. There is a lot going on which represents the hectic lifestyle of the main character.
The establishing shots are in the dark/evening time making the atmosphere seem scary. The crucial scene of the car crash was very cleverly done. Dim lighting was used to show that the time was late. The weather is stormy, rainy and windy. Typical weather conditions of this genre and alerting the audience of something to come. The road which the car crash takes place on has no other car showing that the time is late. This also creates fear within the audience as they would feel deserted.
The costumes are dark and this is an aspect I might use in our trailer. The colour red is also used throughout which denotes blood and danger which is one of the ideologies of the film. They want to create the filming of danger and insecurity and this colour is worn by the main actor in the trailer. Throughout the lighting is low-key and fewer back lighting is used. Lighting which shines just on the characters face is used which discriminates the background and concentrates on just the actors faces.Moreover, other visual elements used are sound and editing.
Sound
Sound is absolutely crucial in playing with the audiences’ emotions. A happy scene but with sad music can make the scene seem upsetting and scary visual effects but with comedic music can completely ruin the effect. The music changes according to the mood of the scene. The trailer does not have the use of a voice over which I personally feel was a good choice as it would ruin the flow of the trailer.
The trailer begins with diegetic sound which is the dialogue between the characters. The dialogue is in synchronous. Non-diegetic music begins after the first scene. It is a soundtrack of slow but suspense beat. The music is on repeat but there is a drop every time the narrative text appears putting emphasis on them.There is sound of thunder which is diegtic and an off screen sound. The following scene is of the car crash which does not include non diegetic sound but instead the sound of car screeching. This sound is very loud and then goes to silent along with the blackout on screen. The music then changes to a more fast paced beat which escalates the anxiety of the viewer and brings it to a climax. The soundtrack ends at the end of the trailer at a high volume which is effective. This is something my group and I could incorporate.Editing is an important way of telling the story as well as makes the plot flow.
Edits
After each cut fade out has been used which leads the viewers into the next shot or scene. The fades help increase the suspense. The fades only last for lest then 1 second. Fade out and fade in are commonly used amongst both theatrical and teaser trailers. This would be an edit my group and I will defiantly be using as from our previous research this seems an essential aspect of trailers. Editing is also very important in trailers because most of the clips only last 2-3 seconds and therefore it is important there is a way to link them.
The first narrative text appears 22 seconds into the trailer and unlike most narrative text which is done over a black screen this is over the scene itself. This makes the text have some relevance to the scene. For example the first one read “Dr Miranda Grey is an expert” and this appears so does the character Miranda Grey. This directly links to one another. It is written in white so it can stand out from the background which is of dark colours. White is the best colour to put against dark colours therefore is most effective. This text last for 3 second and the last work ‘expert’ changes to the colour red. As this takes place the next narrative text comes along which appears right below it in the same font and style, with the last word being red. The colour red puts emphasis on the word as it catches the eye foremost.
The second narrative text is a follow on from the previous one. It fades out and into the next clip which also introduces another narrative text. Narrative texts are extremely important because they tell the story and help move the story along. Since the trailer does not have a voice over, narrative texts are essential so the viewers are not confused as to what is going on. The next narrative text reads “what is logical”, this questions the audience, involving them. This text then overlaps onto a black screen. The word ‘logical’ is emphasised on this time with the red colour. This is almost like an oxymoron because doctors are supposed to logical but this is questioning this ideology. An overlap edit is used to combine a few scenes. This connects the two scenes together. The following text reads “what is sane”, again contradictory to the perceptions of a doctor especially since she is a doctor of mental institute.
In the scene of the car crash negative flashes have also been included in very short takes. This generates the seriousness of the situation and also makes the scene slightly unreal. I found this edit to be very effective and I will consider using this in our final trailer.
End credits
The actors names are revealed towards the end of the trailer, similar to most trailers. ‘Halle Berry’ is the first name. This is because she is the main character and most well-known actor between the actors. It is written over a black background and written in the same font as the narrative text. It is written in white and red and lasts for only 2 second. It follows on to a short clip of Halle Berry in the film. The next name is ‘Robert Downey JR’ and this is also written in the same style as the previous name. It follows the same pattern of a short clip of this actor. The last actor shown is’ Penelope Cruz’.
One thing I noticed is that the director or producer is not displayed and this may be because they are not as well-known to have an impact on the audience whereas the all the actors are established and help market the film. The last scene takes place and leaves the viewers at a cliff hanger.
************gothika film title***************
The title of the film is shown and it is completely different from the rest of the next however is in red over a black background. The font is wavy and supposed to be scary. It is made to go with the horror genre. It is in white to begin with and then evolves to red. This shows consistency throughout the trailer since all the texts have adopted this style. The trailer ends with the institutions in a list along with the music producers and follows on to the list with the director and producer and consists of the crew information. This text is written in white over black background. At the bottom is a small logo of ‘Warner brothers’, one of the distributors and finally ‘Coming Soon’ which is in the centre of the page.
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