Genre Research- Teaser Trailer Style- Flight Plan (2005)By Olivia Houlton

Flight Plan- Teaser’s Style• Camerawork• Angle- There are many low angles in this teaser trailer.

Firstly, 31 seconds in there is a low angle of the coffin that Kyle’s husband is in. This angle could represent the power his death had over Kyle’s life. Secondly, there is a low angle 55 seconds in when Kyle is trying to break out of the airplane toilets. This low angle could symbolize the power she has at this moment as she knows the engineering and passages in the plane better than anyone. Also, 1 minute 14 seconds in another low angle is used to make the fire above Kyle visible and show the danger and trouble she is in.

• Movement- 10 seconds in there is a tracking movement of the camera as Kyle walks down the isles in the plane looking for Julia. This effectively represents how fast she is walking and how concerned she is about her daughter. Also, 1 minute 14 seconds there is another tracking shot of Kyle running away from someone, which shows her faster pace and growing concerns. Also, it demonstrates the action and drama in the film. Lastly, there is a quick tilt movement when Kyle breaks through a windscreen of a car. This further symbolizes the fast pace and rapidity involved in the scenes and the rush she is in to break into the car.

Flight Plan- Teaser’s Style• Shot type- at the very beginning there is an establishing,

long shot of the airport. This s a very interesting image due to the symmetry and extreme architecture and engineering of the airport and airplane. Also, it effectively sets the scene for the following events. Secondly, there is a close up shot of the teddy symbolizing the sentiment and emotion it holds for Kyle. Also there is an extreme close-up of Kyle’s hands when she is adjusting the electrics. This shot represents how knowledgeable she is about the engineering of the plane.

• Composition- There is use of the rule of thirds, the 180 degree rule and shot reverse shot when Kyle is talking to Julia at the very start. This involves the audience in the conversation and allows them to see the closeness in their relationship. Also, 37 seconds in the composition of the people within the shot make it seem like a very crowded and packed area further reinforcing the theme of entrapment and the chaos the kidnapping is causing on the plane.

Flight Plan- Teaser’s Style• Depth of field- 34 seconds in there is use

of selective focus, when Kyle has just been told they think Julia is dead, where Kyle is in focus and the background blurred out. This further shows Kyle’s horrified reaction to the news. Also, the blurred out figures of the airplane workers could give rise to their participation in this event as some of them were involved in the kidnapping. Also, 1 minute 1 seconds in there selective focus on a gun and a blurry figure in the background. This depth of field captures the strong sense of mystery and enigma that is evident throughout the film.

Flight Plan- Teaser’s Style• Sound• Non-diegetic- At the very beginning there is a soft,

peaceful instrumental soundtrack implying how peaceful and comforted Kyle is with her daughter. Also, during the tour of the plane at the beginning there are sound effects of a digital swiping sound to echo how modern and advanced the new plane is. However when Kyle realizes Julia has been taken the music changes to a faster and more tense soundtrack to be parallel to the images of Kyle frantically trying to find her. Also, there is a sound bridge 52 seconds in over the credit reading “will be revealed” where there is dialogue of Kyle saying, “My daughter is alive”, this implies how the determined and convinced Kyle is of her daughter kidnapping.

Flight Plan- Teaser’s Style• Diegetic- During the scene between Kyle and Julia, Julia says,

“mummy, did you make that plane?”. This use of on-screen dialogue portrays Julia’s innocence and vulnerability in the film. This followed by a sound bridge where Kyle explains to Julia the many function of the plane, “2 stories, 7 galleys, crew quarters” whilst visuals of a virtual tour around the airplane are shown on the screen. This narration of the tour is very effective in communicating the impressive, contemporary features of the plane to the audience. However the dream like image Kyle is creating of the plane is almost ironic as it really turns into the nightmare journey of her life. 10 seconds in there is overlapping dialogue of Kyle questioning everyone where Julia is. This fast paced talk is effective in creating a sense of chaos and alarm in the scene. 23 seconds in all sound comes to a pause and the air hostess says to Kyle, “I don’t think that she here”. This use of silence creates a sense of unnerve and signifies that Julia is missing. Also 59 seconds in there is use of ambience sound when Kyle disarms the breathing masks as you can heat people panicking. This effectively portrays a sense of disorder and fright. Also, during the climax of the teaser trailer there is lots of screams where Kyle yells, “Julia”. This further shows the fear and horror Kyle is feeling and helps heighten the volume and build up of the trailer.

Flight Plan- Teaser’s Style• Editing• Shot order- 15 seconds in there are several shots of her running around

the plane looking for Julia. This order indicates how her worry of Julia’s disappearance is building up. 46 seconds into the teaser trailer there is a shot of Kyle checking the heart Julia drew on the window. This is followed by a close up of Kyle’s face looking extremely frightened and tearful. This shot order represents the worry Kyle feels about her missing daughter and how much she misses her. Also, 59 seconds in there is an extreme close ups of Kyle adjusting the electrics followed by a shot of the breathing masks falling down in the passenger area. The juxtaposition of these shots clearly demonstrate how she is taking matters into her own hands and has the ability to use her knowledge of the plane’s engineering and design to her advantage. Also, it symbolizes the strength of her belief that Julia is in serious danger to commit something so terrifying.

• Continuity- There is continuity editing during the conversation between Julia and Kyle at the beginning. This effectively establishes their close relationship and opens the teaser at a calm and slow pace. However the majority of the teaser are a montage of shots to encourage intrigue from the viewer.

Flight Plan- Teaser’s Style• Transition- There are many fade to black’s throughout the teaser. For

example, at the very start during the establishing shot of the airport to further help open the teaser in a composed manner so that the audience can really see the change in mood throughout. Secondly, there is use of the fade to black transition around the shot of the coffin, perhaps to symbolize the theme of death and passing away. However, during the fast pace sections there is repeated use of straight cuts to help keep the rhythm consistent. Also, there is use of focus transition 24 seconds in where the airhostess starts blurred out then comes into focus. This could symbolize the confusion Kyle must be feeling at this point when she can’t find Julia

• Shot duration/pace/rhythm- During the very opening the pace is very slow to represent how orderly everything was when Julia was around, however when Julia disappears the pace quickens hugely, implying the alarm and suspicion Kyle must be feeling. However, during the section where Kyle is told Julia passed away the pace slows to capture the utter shock and disbelief of Kyle. During the climax the pace quickens again but is then slowed down to show the title at the end.

• Special effects- There are many special effects during the virtual tour of the airplane at the start. This is effective in further emphasizing the technologically advanced and sophisticated design and structure of the aircraft. This raises the audience’s expectations of the plane and makes it clear that Kyle designed the aircraft.

Flight Plan- Teaser’s Style• Mise-en-scene• Setting- The setting of an airplane gives rise to

themes of entrapment and enclosure. Also, there is use of pathetic fallacy as in the establishing shot it is snowing, foreshadowing how the flight is going to cold and dangerous.

• Props- 17 seconds in there is a teddy prop, used to symbolize Julia’s youth and naivety. Also, 12 seconds in Julia’s passport is shown. This is effective in portraying a sense of mystery in her disappearance as Kyle is so sure she boarded.

Flight Plan- Teaser’s Style• Costume/hair/make-up- Kyle’s

appearance is very natural and motherly. This inspires the audience to believe her story and sympathize with her. Also, Julia’s tied back ponytail and young appearance help portray her vulnerability. Also, her black dress may symbolize that she is heading for danger and trouble. Gene’s appearance is very respectable as his hair arranged neatly and his clothes are ordinary. This could represent him as genuine character so the audience are not suspecting that he is really the culprit and villain of the plot.

Flight Plan- Teaser’s Style

• Facial expression/body language- 39 seconds in the body language of Kyle and Julia are very affection further implying their close relationship. 50 seconds in Kyle is furrowing her eyebrows and her eyes are watering showing just how frightened and terrified she is feeling about the Julia’s disappearance. 1 minute 15 seconds in Kyle is shown to be very angry as she scrunches up her face and uses a very firm and distressed tone of voice.

• Lighting/colour- 1 minute 2 seconds in when Kyle turns off the plane lights very dark lighting is used to symbolize the complete chaos and panic in the room. Also, 1 minute 11 seconds in Gene is shown as a silhouette running down a passage, perhaps indicating that he is darker and more secretive than he first appeared. Also, the green colouring behind him could further be symbolic of his villainous role.