Below is the teaser trailer of '(500) days of summer' following its analysis:
• Opens with ‘the following preview has been approved for all audiences...’ etc, which highlights that it is a reliable movie
• Film pens with distributor 20th century fox, as music gradually begins. Is quite quiet, with a low guitar riff. The screen then fades to black and cuts to the opening of the trailer, as the music continues
• The shot shows a couple from behind on a bench, which hints that it is a typical romance or possibly rom-com from the connotations of the couple. Therefore, the predicted genre has been revealed within the first shot of the trailer, instantly absorbing the audience
• The shot then cuts in to their hands, which are placed on top of one another. This adds to the presumed romance, due to the physical contact of the male and female. A narrator’s voice is then heard, misguiding the audience with the line, ‘this is not a love story.’ Therefore, the equilibrium has been disrupted, which adds a twist to the trailer, avoiding its expectations.
• However, in the next cut the narrator speaks again, to reveal ‘this is a story about love’, simply adding a unique twist to establish this advert as a new film – with the use of this unique line – however, the conscious predictions shown beforehand are revealed as correct. Within this, two reaction shots are shown separating the boy and the girl, adding to the stereotype of romance as they smile at one another
• A typical American, male narrator has been used (showing that this is probably an American film). His voice is deep and quite strong, used in aiming to alert the viewer to both the screen and the happenings of the actual plot
• The use of fading to black is repeated, which could highlight the changes in time in both the narrative shown as well as the aim of the advert – to express various different images from throughout the film. The use of black works well, both in time to the rhythm as well as highlighting the skip in time and the distorted images (being in non-linear order)
• The narrator sums up various areas of the plot, although the images have obviously been selected purposely, for example the most appealing and revealing in relation to the story, as well as working well alongside what the narrator is revealing. However, the entire film or story is not revealed, therefore being the main aim of an advert – to not reveal too much, but to appeal
• Throughout this only music can be heard, but the lyrics begin, with a long vocal complimenting the visual well, as it parallels in length of the shot – to which pans from the male to the female, whilst revealing the setting – a library. This could have been selected due to the camera use, although it may have worked in order to reveal an essential destination within the film
• The shot then fades to another setting at the guitar begins again
• Typical ‘romance’ connotations continue, with the use of the male standing over a balcony, appearing to ponder. As well as revealing another setting, hinting at the destination of the film, it could also reveal his thoughtful character, his preference or his emotions in relation to the assumption he is considering the female previously repeatedly revealed throughout the trailer. Therefore, the trailer is full of revelations about the film, although in a subtle manner; rather than just stating the plot, from either the narrator or revealing full conversations between the characters
• The narrator continues, hinting at areas of the plot, such as stating ‘within five days of summer...’ as well as revealing the destination of ‘Los Angeles’, both correlating with appropriate shots, e.g. – a sunny day or a large building emphasized with America. In mention to Los Angeles, the man is thoughtful against a wall peering out, when the camera pans upwards and the use of fast-paced editing allows the shot to begin in the morning and range to night time. This is shown through the darker setting of the night sky and the vast amounts of lights within the Los Angeles building, an association of the city.
• The clips are cut in time to the narrator’s speech, with an example including ‘uncertainty’ and the use of reaction shots complimenting the emotion. Between each speech he pauses slightly, before his speech fastens alongside the quicker shots
• Repetition of faded summer shots relates to the title of the film as well as showing further romance connotations and the overall setting of the film – possibly late afternoon occurrences? Nighttimes/dusk is better associated with romance in previous films, with night time having connotations of love e.g. going out on a ‘date’, intimacy, etc... Also, there is a shot of the male star at what is presumed a wedding (as expressed from the mise-en-scene) adding to further romance.
• The use of a tom drum being used in time to the cuts adds to the editing team appreciating the music of the trailer, too. The vocals are also slow, with the male vocalist sounding dreamy and focusing on his chords, adding emphasis to the soundtrack too. The use of the vocals alongside the drum beat makes it seem less harsh, and therefore more peaceful, relating to the intimate connotations of this film
• The use of a focus pull is used, with a long shot of the couple approaching a bed. As they reach the bed, the focus pull is pulled into a lamp, adding to it being inside and a bedroom. From this, we understand further romantic links – sexual in relation to the couple and bed – as well as a trailers aim of hiding some secrecy from the viewer, therefore not revealing too much in these opening shots. Added to this, questions may probe throughout the narrative of the plot, as parts are hidden here
• The male narrator’s voice speaks again, following the male walking onto an open street, through an establishing shot. The use of animation follows within this, adding to a technological aspect of the film rather than plain filming. It adds appreciation to the amount of input put into the film. During this shot, the narrator reveals the distributor, followed by the title – the use of these in little narrative highlights they are an important aspect of a movie
• Following this, the imagery follows the narrators voice, as he speaks the title paralleling it be revealed ‘(500) Days of Summer’. The title is shown with a black background, and plain font, although the colours vary from blue to yellow to red on the font. These are colours linked to summer (yellow being bright, red being the sun and blue the sky)
• The chorus of the song here follows, being numerous sentences sang with emphasis and quite quickly. To match this, numerous shots are shown through the film in relation to his fast vocals, ranging from happy times to sad times – different possible emotions within the film
• The narrator then speaks again, relating the title to a number of adjectives, such as “’ (500) days of...magic’”, and then a shot corresponding with his speech. With this example, the male character appears to be dancing in the street appearing very jolly, with the use of an animated bird on his hand – emphasizing this film is ‘magical’. Other examples are of the narrator reading ‘(500) days of uncertainty’, with the use of a split screen highlighting the main actor’s emotions. The use of the split screen and the animation adds to a technological value the film, highlighting a romance doesn’t have to just have plain filming, in comparison to the assumed use of animation within cartoons and possibly action movies. In relation to this, there are further romance connotations with his ‘(500) days of...’ speech, as he links in adjectives such as ‘tenderness’.
• The narrator eventually introduces the actors. During his speech, a separate shot of each one is shown, presumably being of a clip from the film. These clips show the male appearing quite thoughtful and serious, whilst the female laughs aloud, possibly introducing us further to their characters.
• The narrator concludes the teaser trailer with the speech: ‘(500) days of summer’, which tells the audience the main aim – being of the title – and that the advert is therefore over. The title expresses the same font and changing colours of before, contributing to intertextuality, as well as including typical trademarks needed for behind the film. This includes the distributor, the use of colour, camera equipment, etc... They include this as it is vital to advertise these areas due to the contribution they inflicted within the film, although they are shown in small grey writing at the bottom of the title, highlighting how unimportant this piece of evidence is to the audience. The audience focus on the images/plot/title, rather than how it was actually made
• The trailer finished with a ‘COMING SOON’ message, also with the same font/black background as the title. This is the release date, so the audience know when to look forward and out for the picture. It is the small advertisement essential for a teaser trailer, which releases little information.
MAGAZINE
Following this, I went on to analyse a magazine cover featuring the film. Although I was unsuccesful highlighting an actual film review featured on a cover of a magazine, I came across the below cover, which features the main female character. I will overcome this issue next time by noticing a magazine cover firstly, to then following on with the trailer and poster. Below is the cover, followed by an analysis:
• This magazine features an interview with the joint-main star of the film, ‘(500) days of summer’. This is clearly shown with her name and herself portrayed in the centre of the cover of the magazine
• The title of the magazine is ‘NYLON’, which has been shown with bold clear lettering, hot pink in colour and the title being spread across the top. The use of the title covering the length of the magazine portrays that this is the title, and in high importance. The use of hot pink indicates that this is for a female-audience, due to its stereotypical connotations
• Underneath the title, adding to being a female magazine, the colour baby blue has been shown to portray the word ‘featuring’, followed by a list of powerful women’s names, shown in the same clear, bold font but in black writing. From this, the colours change, highlighting different features shown within the magazine, but the use of the colours are stereotypically feminine and therefore right for a female’s magazine. The word ‘AND’ has also been shown within these titles, in pink, blue and purple, furthering the female assumptions
• These colours are featured throughout the colour; from blue highlighting ‘THE IT GIRL ISSUE’ to further celebrities featured being told in pink
• In relation to the main topic, Zooey Deschanel’s name has been clearly shown, therefore broadly indicating she is the main focus of this magazine’s issue. Her name has been shown just below the centre of the cover, on top of the image of herself. The font has been made to stand out in relation to the rest of the cover, therefore being shown in bold but italic, swirly writing. This adds a feminine touch – complimenting both the audience and the woman featured – as well as drawing attention to the actress’ name. If well known, the reader will be interested in reading her interview, as well as learning about her further
• In relation to the image, a simple photograph of Zooey on a shoot has been shown. She is posing in a shy but cute manner and smiling slightly, adding to girl-like attributes. In relation to her outfit, she is wearing a baby blue shirt, tights and a girly hair piece in her hair, adding further to the womanly theme. She appears likewise to her character, mainly known through ‘(500) days of summer’, where she is presumably most recognised from. Her posture is small and petite as shown through her crossing her legs, although she is shown in the centre and covering most of the cover, adding to her being the main feature of that issue
• The white background works well alongside both the image and the font, as the variation of colours don’t clash with the colours used, as well as this background clearly being from her magazine shoot. (As shown from the shadows of her persona.) The colours combine well, although the white may have been used as it is less harsh then black, as well as appearing more classy and formal. This could relate to the theme of that particular magazine
• Further magazine stereotypes are shown, such as the date in black and the barcode below it. Although this needs to be featured, it is an eye-sore and not essential for the readers needs, so therefore it has been shown in small and in the bottom left-hand corner
POSTER
From this, I compared the poster that followed alongside the advertising compaign. This is to add to synergy, and relate to further understanding of how film posters are portayed, as well as how they work alongside both the video and magazine. Here is the poster, following a brief analysis of it:
• This poster consists mainly of images, which presumably relate to the film. The images are all different from one another and vary in areas of the plot of the film. Therefore, we get a slight insight of the narrative at glance
• In relation to the title of the film, we could also note that there are ‘500’ photographs, in relation to five hundred days
• The images vary in colour and size, and are frequently ripped and pieced together. This adds to further variation within the plots (the rips connoting bad times?) with the photos appearing to be pieced together. From this, we could analyse this piece as being a forced relationship, with the use of male and female hinting that it’s a romantic film
• In the bottom left hand corner shows a man writing in a notebook. It is thought that this is the protagonist, due to him being clearly highlighted in comparison to the rest of the image. Animation has been used beside him, showing an outline of typical ‘scratchy’ grass. This adds a fun motif to the film with the use of childish animation, on top of relating the setting of the film outside – further more in relation to the ‘summer’ title
• A main image shown behind the title is a yellow spiky shape; presumably a sun. Further images are shown here with a yellow filter, highlighting good times in these photos. However, these images are much smaller in comparison to the other images featured, possibly connoting that there are little good times.
• This sun image further relates to the title. The title of the film is ‘(500) days of summer’, which has been broadly shown in white bold letters, highlighting this area. The use of the contrast of colour (yellow) behind this title further brightens the title.
• The overall imagery appears quite fun yet thoughtful, as shown through the bright colours and animation, alongside a thoughtful motif, as shown through the loner man and the variation of the photographs – both in the image and the size
• Information has been featured at the bottom of the poster, mainly covering two thirds along the bottom. From this, we understand the use of small letters highlights the unimportance to a mainstream audience, although the covering along most of the bottom is a key reminder that this information is in fact somewhat important. It has been portrayed in black, to contrast alongside the white background, with yellow areas portrayed to show key information – awards and the website. These would probably seem more interesting in comparison to the remaining information, therefore complimenting the yellow sun further.
• The use of a white background connotes summer, as the light colour is more positive compared to black. We can see this background surrounding the images, as well as being at the bottom, illuminating the poster further – therefore adding to more attention
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