Initial thoughts

The theme of time travel
Initially this was my starting point, i was inspired by romantic comedies such as 'About Time' and 'The Vow' but as i watched more psychological genre film trailers my idea progressed as i wanted my trailer to have an emotional impact on the consumer, not by romanticising with the situation but empathising with characters and being shocked by events.

Brain injury
I feel that by making my character mentally impaired i will we able to tap into realistic life situations, and invoke an emotional response from the audience. Also without a clear cause for time loss the audience would be confused, too confusing for a film trailer even though there is conventionally suspense and a sense of anonymity.

Genre - psychological drama
The psychological aspect allows me to portray the mentality of the protagonist.

Target Audience 
The target audience for my trailer would be predominantly male in their 20's/30's. I have decided this because i feel that finding similarities with characters and situations within a text is important to immerse the audience. Throughout the trailer the main protagonist's age ranges from his late 30's-40's. The age of my target audience is reduced because of the way i plan to market and distribute my trailer. I have also chosen this TA as these characteristics are the epitome of the typical father figure; the theme of the breakdown of family relationships is something that they will be able to relate to.
My target audience will be interested in niche productions as my trailer will be for a low budget film, therefore not exposed on the mass market.

Main Task Brief

I will be producing a linked promotional package for a film; i will learn how to market my product and use promotional techniques. The task requires the production of a trailer for my film along with two ancillary products, i have chosen to create a poster advertising the film, also creating the front page of a film magazine where my my product would be promoted.

Concepts and ideas gained from trailer analysis

- Fractured narrative.
- Flashbacks.
- Close-ups.
- Different ways in which to show time passing.

'Memento' trailer Analysis

The Memento trailer is rated 'R' by the MPAA and is a NEWMARKET production film, an independent producer of diverse films. While evidently this trailer is targeted at an American audience, we can suggest from this the standard of the film and its unique or challenging content. The genre introduced is a drama - mystery and suspense, we develop the understanding of the genre throughout the trailer, there are a series of dramatic scenes and suspense and mystery is reinforced from the ambiguity of the first scenes.

The principal protagonist in this trailer appears to be an anti-hero as he is impaired, confused, and vindicative. It appears he is vulnerable falling into trickery.

The trailer opens with a black and white effect, adding mystery to the plot from the outset. The camera shifts up zooming in to an extreme close up of a man's face. We get the sense that we are in the mindset of the man as his lips do not move but we hear his voice say 'where am i?' ... in an 'anonymous hotel room' this establishes the setting while adding to the great sense of confusion, also the viewer is given something to relate to the character. The camera cuts to a snippet of footage which is hard to decipher in such a short time, the sound made synonymous with the action shown in the scene also marks the transition to the next scene, introducing colour to the rest of the trailer. This following scene is a mid-shot of a man, the main protagonist, walking towards the camera, his face is scratched, hair scruffy. These few scenes seem disconnected/disjointed, they are all confusing for the viewer, reinforcing the mindset of the character. There is use of continuity editing in that there is a focus pull during an over the shoulder shot. The shot of this shady character, head between the door in a mid close up, could fall under framing for purpose as later in the trailer he is shot at. This may be to reinforce the brutality of the protagonist's nature in a state of incomprehension and disillusionment.

The camera cuts to a mid close up of the protagonist lying down, he is dressed in a smart business suit as if he is not supposed to be in that situation, this provokes the viewer as they question why. Overlaying this shot is the dialogue 'it's my memory', the camera cuts to another scene of an over the shoulder shot, shallow focus attention on suggested 'inmate', there is fast cutting back to the bed shot and then to close ups of the protagonist's tattoos,the camera also casts over information and notes.

The fractured narrative, and reversal of narrative structure is reinforced in this trailer as there are a series of flashbacks featured. This trailer follows Barthes enigma code.

'Whats the last thing you do remember?' - the camera draws full attention to this woman, using shallow focus. The first flash back of the trailer reinforces the fractured narrative and the reversal of the natural order. Tension is built through ambiguity however we are not prepared to be shocked, during the flashback the camera focuses on the mirror, we see the reflection of the masked murderer and then the protagonist projected forward violently in to the mirror making a piercing smashing noise followed by a warning repetitive sound that raises further suspicion, the camera moves to a close up two shot when he hits the floor face to face with his dead wife.

The scenes are very intimate in that there seems to be continuous use of close ups.

'About Time' trailer Analysis

The trailer is immediately introduced by its rating by the MBAA; About Time is rated R, which hints at the somewhat violent, and sexual scenes included. About time is a romantic comedy-drama about a young man who has inherited the ability to time travel of which he uses to relive moments of his life and attempt to improve the quality of his future. Surprisingly for a movie trailer much of the plot is revealed, the trailer seems to be a microcosm of the overall film hence it follows Todorov's narrative theory in that there is an equilibrium, shots of a new year party, time following its natural course, followed by the disequilibrium or disturbance which occurs when the narrative starts jumping back and forth, also when repercussions of this time travel arise. He realises that he cannot time travel without putting his life in turmoil, without erasing a fragment of his life or changing it in some form. The entirety of his life depends on creating a future with the woman he loves, hence the genre of About time being a romantic comedy-drama. The new equilibrium is restored in the end as the tempo increases and it appears that there was a happy ending, as expected of the romantic genre.

The voice over introduces the protagonist straight away, 'My name's Tim'. He establishes that the year is significant to his life which intrigues the audience as they question why. This links with Barthes enigma code as the audience attempt to unravel the reasoning and significance of this in relation to the plot. The party atmosphere is shot in deep focus meaning everything in the shot has clarity, to suggest the lively jovial mood of New Year. The tension builds up as the pop music is broken by an intense sound effect which ends as the frame freezes. This point is momentous as it appears that the last words 'Happy new year' set up the rest of the story, therefore it could be said, in terms of structure, that this part of the trailer is a preface to the plot or story. A wipe transition follows as the film production company, Universal, is introduced. Universal is one of the major film producers in the world and part of the Big 6. It has enormous financial power at its disposal which may suggest to the audience that the film has a big budget which is mistakenly synonymous with quality actors and texts in general.
Working Title is an internationally recognised British film producer. This means that About Time has a specifically British audience who are able to identify with the genre. The film's main protagonist 'Bill Nighy' is a typical British actor for Working Title films. His presence as a renowned British actor can mean that it is not crucial that the plot is notably enigmatic as the target audience for this type of film would be more concerned with the actors and being able to relate to the genre. For example, in reference to the Uses and Gratifications theory, from this trailer the target audience would be provoked to watch this film to gain an element of escapism or to connect with a character or their experience, most commonly for emotional pleasures linked to the romantic genre. The target audience would also be drawn in by the mention of 'from the producers of Love Actually and Notting Hill' laid on a pastel pink mottled background redolent of romanticism.

While the production logo's appear dialogue overlaps introducing a second main character, Tim's father while an establishing shot is used of the house, cross cutting to the conversation between the two characters. The fatherly figure is standing while Tim is sitting on he couch, the camera cuts back and forth through the use of low and high angle shots so distinguish the relationship of the two characters. A pivotal point of the story, his father telling him he can travel in time, is marked by silence which is significant as the frame exists of nothing but the shot of his father and the dialogue which sets off the rest of the narrative. After this point there is sense of confusion in the truth of this statement, fast paced editing us used to emphasise this as the camera cuts back and forth between the conversation. The camera cuts to the wardrobe scene and shows close up shots of Tim's fists clenching and eyes closing in sync with the dialogue which is giving these instructions. There is juxtapositioning of the lighting as the camera cuts from the light living area to the dark cupboard, this could be suggesting that the world he is entering from this point is dark, hinting at the power of the gift he has been given and the complications it may bring.

The rate of frames per second increases to create the sense of time travel, the camera is out of focus and blurs some of the frames; a lot of special effects have been added which create an almost warped effect, this may disorientate the viewer. This starkly contrasts with the clarity of the party scenes at the beginning. The shot cuts back to an extreme close up of Tim's eyes, it seems as though a blast of light is released within this shot which reinforces the fact that natural order can be played with. In the next scene the camera dissolves from a medium close up of Tim to a woman who is smiling directly at the camera. As this happens overlaying dialogue from Tim introduces the main theme of the trailer/film, love, if not already hinted at by the producer and the mention of other romantic films produced by them. At this point the third character is introduced, Mary and Tim's first encounter did not go as planned, hence the tension is built by the break in the warm-acoustic sound that was continued from the previous scene. This is comedic and here the viewers can relate to the awkward situation as life is full of unexpectancies such as this. The natural order and course of the trailer, and life, is reversed again as the protagonist rewinds to relive this moment, which is unrealistic.

Although Tim is the main character, he also narrates the trailer, therefore his narration is non-diegetic and the actual words he speaks within the scene are diegetic.

Why is it that the man in this film gets to time travel but the women just gets left behind, unaware. What would a feminist critic have to say about this?
- traditional rom-com relying on the male

series of two shots
transitions
lighting
costume
makeup of girl.

Investigating camera shots and angles

This photo is taken from a Dutch angle. The camera is tilted to create the illusion of a busy environment. It creates a fun atmosphere, the image is transcending the normal, and we can suggest that the person taking the photo is drunk, living the fun city life. The angle has been used for a specific effect, to give the viewer some sense of disorientation. Some of the icons within the shot, such as cars, are warped which draws attention to the urban life further ahead. The warped aspects may also connote that the character is in fact disorientated after partying and in a drunken state.

This is an aerial shot, looking over Dubai. This has been used to establish the setting and to show how vast the city is. This clear view immediately establishes a cosmopolitan environment as being colossal. The tall buildings are emphasised, a main feature used again to exaggerate the immensity of Dubai. This type of angle is frequently used when introducing a place at the start of a film. This establishment is usually followed by a juxtaposition of an angle looking up at the buildings (a worms view/low angle).

This image is a low angle shot, which is reflecting the towering city scrapers. This point of view creates a very intimidating picture for the viewer because they put themselves in the position of the camera; they’re surrounded from both angles by sky-high objects.  

Thomas Carlyle's Great man theory / Zeitgeist theory

Zeitgeist - spirit of the time/moment.
'the intellectual fashion or dominant school of thought that typifies and influences the culture of a particular period in time'. An example of this is modernism (a zeitgeist) which typified and influenced the art, fashion and architecture during the 20th century. This concept contrasts with Thomas Carlyle's Great man theory, a 19th century concept that suggests that history can be explained by the impact of 'great men'/ heroes. These men are thought of as highly influential figures of whom utilize their power to shape the world. Carlyle stated that "The history of the world is but the biography of great men". So rather than history being dependent on a spirits of the time (Zeitgeist) Carlyle suggests that the heroic figures, bestowed by God ultimately - in reference to the 'Divine right of Kings' and the natural order, create historic impact through the use of their great power. Something Carlyle found was that to study these heroic figures was 'profitable' as it helped to reveal ones own 'true nature', is this why we are presented with the heroes of today, for us to acknowledge our inner-self?
American scholar Frederick Adams supports this theory and has investigated the great influence of monarchs. However Herbert Spencer formed a counter argument to this in 1860, he said that these 'great men'; are products of the societies they come from and that the social conditions built even before their lifetime have enabled them to make these powerful actions. This may suggest that our societal value system and culture gives powerful figures such as monarchs the opportunity to make an impact through their actions. Spencer's theory relates more to the Zeitgeist theory in that the society and values that evolve over time, particular periods of time and their culture are what inspire changes and constitute history.