Analysis of Three Film Trailers

Analysing Three Film Trailers

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

Editing: Alot of fading is used in the trailer to introduce the setting. Then slow cuts are used to show the characters, then the pace of the editing is increased to show the growing intensity of the action.

Sound: The trailer begins with slow paced non-diagetic music until Voldemort is seen, then Voldemort is heard saying “Harry Potter, the boy who lives, come to die.” Then after he casts a spell the non-diagetic music suddenly grows in pace and volume. Then for the duration of the trailer, the frantic music continues with some dialogue intervals. At the end of the trailer, the music changes to the trademark Harry Potter theme music as the trailer finishes.

Spiderman 3

Editing: At the beginning of the trailer a sequence of editing is used,  firstly there is use of fading, then there is a series of panning and tracking. Then lots of fast paced cuts are used to show character expression, then the pace of the cuts decreases as dialogue is shown. Then for the duration of the trailer fast and slow paced cuts are used, some fading is also used later on in the trailer.

Sound: While the characters and setting are being introduced, non-diagetic music is played which starts quiet but grows in pace and volume. Then the non-diagetic music stops and diagetic dialogue is heard, then the music plays again. For the rest of the trailer, the music grows in intensity while parts of dialogue are heard in between, then at the end of the trailer the music builds up into a crescendo as the trailer ends.

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Editing: The trailer begins with a panning shot of the shire, then a sequence of fading is used to introduce the setting. A zooming shot is then used when the ring is shown, this is to highlight the importance of the ring. A sequence of slow paced cuts are used to introduce characters and setting, the pace of the cuts grow and lots of fading is also used.

Sound: Throughout most of the trailer, the character Gandalf is heard narrating. As the non-diagetic narration stops, diagetic dialogue between the characters is then heard. The dialogue is present throughout the trailer, with non-diagetic music playing which grows in intensity. The music suddenly stops as Gandalf is heard shouting “You Shall Not Pass!” this brings an end to the trailer.