researching into real_media_texts_,_trailers_ final 1 blog al

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Takers 4.3.2.1 Transformers 3: Dark of The Moon And Rush Hour 3 Research into real media texts

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Page 1: Researching into real_media_texts_,_trailers_ final 1 blog al

Takers 4.3.2.1 Transformers 3: Dark of The Moon

And Rush Hour 3

Research into real media texts

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Takers

1. Long shots to establish character, setting and dilemma.

This is an establishing shot that is at the beginning of the trailer. Here we can see that the plot begins in a big well known city such as New York, LA or London. We also see the setting and location which sets the scene for the movie which is atypical convention of action movies as they are all normally set in big cities due to the characters leading fast paced and glamorous lifestyles. This is shown in Takers through the characters costumes and settings such as ( the bar, sky high banks and busy traffic roads)

Next, is a close up of three main characters. This mid close up shot allows us to establish the characters. We also see symbolic codes of their costume. The black and white tie attire connate that the characters are rich, fashionable and suave. This is further supported by their own style. For example, from the 2nd right, the character AJ mixes up his own style and adds a bowl hat and bow tie, likewise the 1st right character Gordon decides to keep it simple in a black turtleneck and white dinner jacket . Each costumes gives off representations of the character’s persona. For example, AJ is youthful and playful thus he wears a bowler hat which is not the best choice for a formal dinner. This perhaps gives suggestions that out of the whole gang he is the baby or the youngest and the most playful in a serious group.

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Takers

Due to the trailer being only two minutes long, the trailer then moves onto the dilemma. The director has purposefully used two codes in this frame. A technical code which is reaction shot of the character Jake and a symbolic code which shows his facial expression to the situation of his love triangle. The use of the reaction shot here illustrates Jake’s reaction to Ghost’s return and also his body contact toward Lily, who he is protective over. We can see anger towards Ghost as Jake’s body language appears to be aggressive through his clenched fists and tight face. The director uses this as a mini narrative strand aside from the main narrative which is the heist. This is another typical code and convention of a action trailer.

In this frame, technical codes such as a fade are used. This suggests a shift in time in the narrative, it is also a generic feature in trailers. Fades are used in between montages because trailers are under a specific time limit yet some of the narrative must be revealed to build tension and to persuade the audience into watching it.

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Takers

In this shot, we see how the setting is established. Due to it being a long shot, we can see the city skyline, as well as the low key lighting that has been used to create a dim, mysterious mood. It also enhances the colours in the frame as the blue connotes a luxurious pool that we would see in a exotic country, which is on a roof top which is shown from an omniscient point of view shot.

The first ten seconds of the sequence begins with fast paced editing featuring booming SFX and montages as well as diegetic and non diegetic sounds. This is to create excitement and tension as instrumental music is also used which is T.I – We Ride. Each shot last two seconds then dissolves into a fade. This is because the directors don’t want to give away too much of the film and are just showing a “ teaser” to the audience and enticing them to watch the film if they want to find out more.

This is the next frame that follows from the previous one. Here a wide shot is used, to establish the setting and the superiority of one of the main characters, Gordon. The sky top apartment he lives in automatically gives connotations of his wealth and his personality. This is further supported through his costume of the bathrobe.; he appears to be a man of leisure.

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Takers

The shot then moves to graphic match of the city, which provides a transition for the next shot. This is used to provide a smooth transition between the shots and also to establish location. In this frame, high key lighting is used, as bright colours such as red, blues, oranges are apparent which are all used in classic Hollywood films. This creates and sets the mood for the scene which goes with the non diegetic sound in the background creating tension and unease as the audience are curious as to what happens next.

In this frame we see transitions accompanied by booming SFX. This is used to build excitement and tension and adds to the intertitles arrival on the screen giving it that “wow” effect. The use of the close up illustrates to viewers the actors who are going to be in the film. The intertitles are used to give more information to the audience, as if they are not sure of the actor or can’t believe it, the intertitles reassure them. It is also a form of advertising, as Michael Ealy is a well known actor with a popular fan base which is going to attract his fans to the movie.

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Takers

The sequence follows with quick shots and quick cuts of some of the most exciting moments from the film, this is to tease the audience without giving too much of the narrative away. These are the events that lead to the resolution but not necessarily in chronological order. They are used to entice and lure the audience and get them to anticipate the film’s arrival.

The long shot here shows the five main actors who are well known. It possibly suggests the audience as females are more enticed and inclined to watch the movie due to the good looking male actors. Also, special effects such as pyrotechnics are used to reiterate the film’s genre and to also suggest the stereotypes these 5 characters play which include the hero, villian, sidekick etc.

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4.3.2.1

The trailer begins with high key lighting of a airport runway. This is used to achieve a variety of effects. Firstly, it highlights the setting and props by drawing our attention towards them with a bright light source. The aeroplanes connate two countries to the audience or a global setting which is the case of this film as it is set in two big cities, London and New York. Lastly, the colour portrays the mood of the film. We tend to associate such colours with Hollywood action films without even knowing about the film.

In this frame, technical codes such as an establishing shot is used. This is used to help the audience establish the location. In the frame, we can see New York. The props in the frame support this, as we have the big TV screens, bustling roads , fast food restaurants and yellow taxi cabs which are all immediate connotations of New York. High key lighting is also used in this frame because New York is known as the city that never sleeps, by having such a well lit up frame it reassures any assumptions the audience may have had of the city.

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4.3.2.1

The sequence then moves onto a split screen, which consists of four images of the main characters in the film. This is done to establish and introduce the characters. Due to the use of the mid shot, we can see they are all four very different girls and can assume they are not sisters and are more likely to be friends. This is one of the special effects that are conventions of action movies and is something I would consider doing in my trailer.

A point of view shot is used in this frame to introduce the film’s main narrative; the search for illegal diamonds. This guides the audience into guessing what the film is going to be about as a trailer is not going to give away much, it prompts the audience to think for themselves and suggest their own ideas and not just rely on the information given to them. Moreover, the use of the props ( diamonds) reiterates the trailer’s genre. Diamonds are unlikely to appear in a thriller or horror, we are more inclined to assume it relates the romance or action genre.

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4.3.2.1

In this frame, a reaction shot is used. This is to show the characters expression. Here it shows, Shannon’s ( pictured) inner turmoil regarding his personal life. This prompts the audience to feel sorry for her and helps the audience respond emotionally , as the use of the high angle shot which overlooks the city building makes her seem small and venerable. Such an approach has worked as the audience are likely to have the preferred reading the directors and editors would want from the audience which is pity.

The director uses a two shot in the next sequence to establish power between the characters. This gives the audience a idea of what type of characters appear in the movie. For example, Tee ( on the far right) appears to be dominant and powerful over Jo ( far left), we can assume that he is most likely to be the villain as through the use of the mid shot we can see a symbolic code which is his body language which appears to be threatening as the distance between him and Jo, gives the impression to the audience that she is scared of him. This is further supported through her facial expression as well and prompts the audience to question or care for her safety.

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4.3.2.1

The director continues to use the two shot to establish relationships between characters as in this frame, we see a close up of the two siblings Kerrys and Jacob. The framing of this shot has been done deliberately so that we can see facial expressions and body language. Again, it is prompting the audience to respond emotionally to the characters, as Kerrys appears to be threaten by her brothers behaviour. This is supported as the mise en scene allows us to see her backed up against the wall, conntating that she is scared. This is equally supported through the next shot in the sequence of a menacing close up of her brothers reaction.

The director uses a close up here to show Jacob’s true emotion. Our attention as a audience is immediately drawn into his face and prompts the audience on how they should feel about this intimidating character, through the non diegetic sound of menacing music mixed with diegetic sound of his threatening dialogue. This is a convention of a action genre, as there is always a villain the directors guide the audience to dislike.

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4.3.2.1

We then see a tracking shot, this is used to follow the action to the next scene as the character appears to be running away from tension, this is one of the ways, the directors grabs the audience’s attention and to signify the genre as in action movies; there is always a chase. A sound bridge is used to join the incidental music from the previous scene to the chase, this helps to create smooth transition as it would seem disjointed and unprofessional to the audience if the sound changed every time the picture on the scene changed. The effects they have on the audience, allows the film’s narrative to be followed easily and also to enhance the continuity of the film.

As the sequence goes on, the director has used features of editing. The speed of editing being one of them. In this shot of the nightclub, it only last about 3 seconds. This is because the director wants to get in as much of the film’s highlights without giving much of the narrative away. Also, as a marketing tool the trailer has been designed to attract the audiences attention by emphasising the action of the movie by showing quick clips of the fights only. This fulfils the functions of a trailer as it entices the audience but still leaves the plot unsolved or as a mystery.

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Transformers 3 : Dark of the Moon

Within 3o seconds of the sequence, we see a written code of the film’s institution. This is employed to show the audience that the film will be good as it comes from a well known established institution, they have a reputation so they wouldn’t back a film that wasn’t up to standard with other films they have published. This makes the audience more inclined to watch as everyone knows its better to watch films from established, well known institutions as you are less likely to be let down by the movie.

Symbolic codes such as lighting and colour are used in this shot to establish the trailer’s genre and mood. Certain types of lighting are employed in different genres. For example in the action genre, high key lighting is used which is present in this frame. It provides clarity and brightness which is typical of Hollywood films. Likewise, the use of colour in the frame adds to the mood. Here, cold colours such as silver, blues and whites are used in Action, Sci – fi movies. As a viewer, such colours have a tense effect on me as I can foreshadow bad events happening.

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Transformers 3 : Dark of the Moon

Technical codes such as an establishing shot are used in this frame. After watching numerous trailers of the action genre, I have noticed that this is a generic convention of the genre. A establishing shot tells the audience the setting of the trailer, here we see a big city and as a viewer we can expect lots of action packed sequences. The directors have probably done this because as a audience when we think of big cities, connotations of action movies automatically come into mind, we would never really link a action movie to a small town.

In this frame, pyrotechnics are used to create a sense of action, excitement and shock in the trailer. Pyrotechnics are a typical convention in the action genre, as they help the film’s narrative and signify the genre of the film. By using pyrotechnics in the film, the audience are more enticed as their attention is fully on the trailer as they are curious to see what will happen. Pyrotechnics are done during the editing stage, this is something I would like to consider in my trailer to help convey meaning and also create that “ wow” effect in my audience. This is one of the ways, I plan to use real media products to create my own.

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Transformers 3 : Dark of the Moon

Audio codes are the most important feature in this trailer. There are numerous codes used to create tension, excitement, shock and astonishment. As a viewer, relying on the audio alone, produced so many emotions from me and made me eager to watch the trailer and await the release of the film. Firstly, non diegetic sound is used at the beginning which creates parallel sound as the images on screen complement the music, producing interest in the audience as to what is going to happen next. During the whole sequence, the audience is fully captivated by the audio alone. A voiceover is also used to add extra information not evident from the moving picture and to also link parts of a sequence together. By using the voiceover, it confers authority towards the audience as it is the voice of one of the arch enemies which appears to be unheard by the other characters. Secondly, sound bridges are used to help create a smooth transition from one scene to another, as the film would seem very disjointed if the sound changed every time the picture on the scene changed. This is used to help enhance the continuity of the film and as a viewer it gives a more professional look to the trailer, as well as help us follow the narrative easily which is also through the use of diegetic sounds such as dialogue Finally, SFX is used which is very effective at creating atmosphere. Sometimes they do not fit with the image we are seeing, thus creating a disorientating effect towards the audience at times. Overall, sound plays a major role in this trailer and could be argued without it the trailer is less effective.

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Transformers 3 : Dark of the Moon

In the trailer, written codes such as captions are used. Here, the caption is used a form of credits as they are advertising the producer who is a well known director in worldwide and is known for his high quality films in the film industry. The intended effect is again to tempt the audience and also reassure them into watching the movie. In a way, this is one of the conventions that helps the trailer fulfil its purpose which is to attract a audience or fan base before the movie.

Finally, at the end of the trailer, title graphics are used. The way the title and credits of the film are written and the colours chosen for both of them and the background tells us what type of genre of the film to expect. In this case, the cold colours of silver, blue , white and black and the bold, sharp metallic font that are employed connote action and sci fi. Whereas, a horror film might employ a red gothic font.

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Rush Hour 3

The first shot we see within the trailer is a establishing shot. This is used to establish the setting for the audience and also make the narrative more easy to follow. After watching numerous trailers, I have realised this is a convention of all trailers including action. Also, the colour portrays the mood of the film. We tend to associate such colours with Hollywood action films without even knowing about the film.This is one the ways I intend to use media texts to influence my own production, as I want my trailer to have that Hollywood look.

Written codes such as captions are used to help the audience follow the narrative as the plot is condensed in a short time due to trailer conventions, by using the captions it helps reveal much of the narrative so that the audience understands it without giving too much away. It also builds a sense of tension, as a viewer I kind of get a sense of anticipation as to what is going to happen next. The director has used the captions to keep the audience focused and in a way forces them to follow the story.

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Rush Hour 3

In this frame, a two shot within a mid shot shows some of the background, which allows the audience to establish mise en scene. It is also used to show the relationship between the two main characters, as a viewer we can assume that the two characters are friends as they both appear to have a positive, playful body language towards each other. We can also assume that these two are the main characters, as a director would not put such a frame in the trailer without it having a significant part in persuading the audience to watch the movie.

In my genre, a action sequence is a typical convention of the genre. Here we have editing illustrated as a straight cut is used from the previous scene in the car to the medium shot of the stunt. By having a medium shot of the stunt, it allows the audience to see enough of the action to be enticed but it still teases them by not revealing the whole sequence. This is done through the speed of editing as the whole stunt sequence in the trailer only last two minutes. The speed of the trailer is combined with the speed of the parallel sound, to create a fast paced effect resulting in the viewer, feeling as though they are included amongst the action.

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Rush Hour 3

Written codes such as title graphics are most significant in this trailer. Here we have, a caption of one of the movie’s main actor’s. He is also a well known actor in the film world. The caption acts as a form of advertising as by namedropping actors in the trailer, the audience are going to be more inclined to watch the movie as one of Hollywood's best features in it. It is all part of the director’s purpose of gaining a large audience before the movie’s release. Forms of editing are also present as there appears to be after effects each time the caption appears. The effect on the viewer is a positive one, as the trailer looks more professional, expensive and high quality. This is one of the conventions I plan to use in my own trailer.

Finally, we have a omniscient point of view shot, which gives a sense of uncertainty, as a viewer I am wondering who is watching the chase , I think the director has done this to fully capture the audience’s attention as such a shot can only be appreciated if viewers follow from the beginning. The use of symbolic codes such as props ( motorbikes) reinforce the notion of a chase as instantly get connotation of chases, actions and stunts with motorbikes.

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Hybrids• As well as characteristics of a trailer, I had to investigate

characteristics of the sub genre crime-action-thriller.  Here is a website that I found useful for information.

• ·         http://www.filmsite.org/crimefilms.html: this link lists all the possible hybrids in the crime genre of movies.

• ·         http://www.filmsite.org/subgenres2.html: this link gives a variety of hybrids within a genre.

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What I have learned…• From my extensive research, I have learned that there are certain codes and conventions that

directors and editors use in trailers to convey the film’s narrative and genre appropriately. I think this is one of the most significant point of what I have gathered from my research, as if I don’t have certain codes and conventions in my trailer then the narrative of my film won’t be conveyed effectively or have a sense of verisimilitude. For example, if I don’t have the right props such as guns, ropes or action sequences such as a tracking shot of a running scene then my genre of action is likely to be unbelievable or unidentifiable. Codes and conventions are crucial in establishing my genre and narrative effectively.

• I have also learnt that editing and sound plays a major role in trailers. Without editing and sound, the trailer will not fulfil it’s purpose of persuading and enticing the audience to watch the film. The two key elements are crucial in fulfilling the purpose of a trailer effectively. It’s impossible for me to create a good action trailer without good editing and sound. It is almost expected and a must for my chosen genre.

• After looking a various conventions used within my genre, with my ideas and thoughts for my own trailer, I can create a happy medium, one that will effectively result in me getting a high quality trailer. For example, I was thinking of having green credits but after my research I know that such a colour is not going to go down well with my audience or genre. My research has prevented me from making little mistakes such as this.

• Sound is something, I would like 95% of my trailer to be based around. I think using a variety of sound will help convey meaning to the audience better and also build in them anticipation, shock and excitement. Sounds such as booming SFX is a code I would use in my own trailer as I responded to it very well, it grabbed my attention and made me curious about the film’s narrative when watching the trailers.

• Hybrids of other genres, are possible with action. I always thought it was one genre or the other, however my research texts proved me wrong as Transformers is a Sci-fi Action and I think it establishes and conveys the genre well.