Download - THE MACHINIST TRAILER.pptx

7/27/2019 THE MACHINIST TRAILER.pptx

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Codes and Conventions of a

Trailer

The Machinist (2004)


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Use of TitlesThe first text the audience sees is the Institution titling in which the

films distribution company is shown. This is a way of the audience

gathering information about the film and what genre the film shown

could be. The particular titling here is Paramount Classics which

sets up an expectation of a big budget, thriller film. When creating a

trailer in my own group, I will research a company that is most

suitable for my chosen genre of Film Noir.

Another title shown in this trailer is a critics review. The layout of this is howeverunusual for the style of the fi lm, as it has a much brighter background of yellow,

and almost graffiti like typography. This is not synonymous of film trailers as you

would expect the text to be the same throughout. However the tilted appearance

here adds to the distorted theme of the film and symbolises the protagonists

mind. These critical views appear towards the middle of the trailer, which sets up

the beginning of the horror and links the idea of Hitchcock, with the narrative

plot.

The title typography here changes and remains the same for the rest of

the trailer. This style seems more apt for the film as it is dark and sinister,

therefore reflecting the central issues of the plot. The text addressing the

audience also has soft edges, which appear to fade into the black, this

symbolises a ghost like presence and heightens the eerie storyline

further. It is also noteworthy that only one actor has been credited which

may have been done in order not to disrupt from the dark atmosphere

that has been developed throughout the trailer.


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Introduction of characters

The introduction of Trevor, the

protagonist, is mysterious, as the

first mention of him is by a

character who is unseen- the

waitress, Maria. The image of the

machine coupled with the sound

of her voice dehumanises the

character of Trevor, thus adding an

illusion of unimportance ordisorder. Secondly, the stylistic

approach to this introduction

symbolises disorientation and

confusion for the audience.

The grey scale filter of the image

also adds to the dark atmosphere

and the tinges of blue depict the

machinery and symbolise the

character of Trevor. As well as the

atmosphere of the colours, the

sound bridge leads to a

subsequent scene of the

conversation taking place- thusclarifying the characters for the

audience and taking them out of

the darkness.Trevor is the first character to be seen as this

introduces him as the protagonist, embedded, and

living this nightmare. He is introduced before

Maria, as she is seen to be a catalyst for the key

question of the film Who are you? positioning her

as Trevors element of reality.


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The turning point

The signifiers throughout the

trailer are structured by a game of

hangman, as they provide the

frame for the narrative. This is

clear to the audience as they arethe only chronological aspects of

the trailer, and gradually build in

curiosity and present more and

more information. It can be

argued that the simplicity of the

notes themselves is haunting for

both the audience and Trevor,

adhering to the thriller genre.

Before the turning point of the

trailer, the audience sees an

exposition of who the character

Trevor is, and his struggle with

insomnia and weight decrease. Thisaspect is presented through many

short cuts of his daily life, creating a

chaotic fast pace. However some

elements of his life are left out in

order to create intrigue amongst the

viewer. On the other hand, these

disregarded aspects symbolises the

missing parts of Trevors mind.

Therefore, the narrative lacunamimics the protagonists' psyche.

It can be said there are many

turning points in the trailer,

however it appears that the

most significant is when this

particular post-it note is shown,

as form then on, the soundtrack

rapidly increases in pace, and

volume, as the scenes and action

shown become more erratic and

chaotic- building to the climax of

the trailer. These fast paced

jump shots connote the chaotic

elements of Trevors nightmare,

and create smaller climaxes.


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Soundtrack and audio

All the sounds and score in this trailer appear to be elongated and dragged

down . This could be interpreted as the symbol of Trevors life being

drained of emotion, or lack of energy, as the score seems slow and

lethargic. There is also a faint sound of a mechanical clock, or ticking in the

background, which can also be said to be connecting the theme of

machinery and defeat, or conflict.

The third character Stevie is also introduced through a sound bridge, much

like Maria. Her voice was heard whilst the object of machinery was on the

screen, a repetition of the introduction of Maria. This lack of clarification for

that moment, forebodes the theme of a ghostly presence or voices in the

mind. The character of Stevie is therefore linked to the idea of sound as she

says If you were any thinner you wouldnt exist which then introduces the

first critical view. This then establishes the idea of a film noir, and the element

of horror- as well as Maria, Stevie is also a catalyst for this.

The editing aspect of the soundtrack is used to highlight the idea that one

clip in it s entirety, complete with audio can serve to propel and strengthen

the narrative of the film and therefore develop the trailer itself. This will be

important when choosing what scenes to include in my own trailer, as each

one must develop and fit with the audio in order to create the desired

atmosphere.


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Climax

The trailer begins to come to a climax as Trevor is seen to be piecing clues together on the post-it notes,. Although there is no central scene

for these 3 minutes, the post it notes are used a running pattern throughout, and thus develop the climax of the trailer. There is a dramatic

shift in the action and soundtrack as Trevor runs though the station, and consequently the scenes become more erratic and jump cuts

appear more frequently. As the action is continuously rising, the soundtrack becomes louder and the pace increases to heighten the tone.

The last final loud tone of the music is used to end the trailer as Trevors face very suddenly disappears in the darkness. This is a successful

end to the clip as it connotes the action and thriller form is a sharp and precise way.

Download - THE MACHINIST TRAILER.pptx

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