the machinist trailer analysis
TRANSCRIPT
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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. 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 thisis however unusual for the style of the film, 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.
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 or disorder.
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 ofTrevor. As well as the
atmosphere of the colours, the
sound bridge leads to a
subsequent scene of the
conversation taking place- thus
clarifying the characters for the
audience and taking them out
of the darkness.
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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 built 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, however
some elements 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 lacuna
mimics 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.
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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 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.