Trailer Analysis - The Road (2009)

THE ROAD

I have chosen to analyse the trailer for this film as it is set in a post-apocalyptic setting. It was also a successful trailer as it managed to attract a wide audience to watch the film.

Camera angles, shots and movement

• Throughout the trailer there are many two shots featuring the protagonist and deuteragonist. This makes it apparent to the audience that the characters have a strong bond.

• Near the beginning of the trailer, there is an establishing shot of a large destroyed building which slowly pans left, allowing the viewer to see more destruction and gain a better understanding of the film’s dangerous setting.

• Throughout the trailer, there are long shots showing the characters travelling through the post-apocalyptic setting. The use of long shots means that the characters look small, conveying their weakness and that the world is dangerous.

• A third of the way through the trailer, there is an extreme close-up of the protagonist’s eyes and face, and the gun that he is holding is out of focus in the foreground. This conveys a sense of danger and conveys that the characters have to fight to survive.

• During this part of the trailer, the camerawork is handheld. This is more intense as it is more reminiscent of the protagonist’s point of view, which helps to evoke a feeling of danger.

• Shortly after, there is a brief extreme close up of a knife that the protagonist is holding. As this is the only object in the shot, it conveys that life is dangerous and the characters will have to be violent to survive.

• Towards the end of the trailer there is a shot of the deuteragonist’s face which pans down to reveal a gun in his hands. This conveys how people have had to change to live in this dangerous environment.

Mise-en-scene

• At the start and throughout the trailer there are many shots that show the two main characters walking through destroyed landscapes (as well as shots of the destroyed landscapes by themselves). This establishes the setting of the film as being dangerous and post-apocalyptic.

• The trailer begins with a shot of the protagonist caring for the deuteragonist. This instantly establishes the relationship between the two characters. It also conveys that the main focus of the film will be these how these two characters survive in the apocalypse, not the apocalypse itself.
• Soon after there is a shot where a crucifix can be seen in the background, followed by a shot of the protagonist praying. This religious imagery helps to establish a post-apocalyptic setting, as a religious 'judgement day' is a stereotype of the genre.

• Throughout the trailer there are shots that are lit by an ambient, orange firelight which create a hopeful atmosphere that is attractive to an audience. These are also the only colourful shots in the trailer, which again, creates a hopeful atmosphere.

• The majority of shots in the trailer are lit with high-key, grey lighting, and the shots are mostly devoid of strong colour. This creates a bleak and dangerous atmosphere.

• Around the 30 second mark, there is a shot of skulls displayed on sticks in a line. This is used as an audience can instantly recognise it as being a sign of extreme danger.

• At the end of the trailer, many of the shots are of positive things such as the characters smiling. This conveys a hopeful atmosphere which is attractive to an audience.

Editing

• Before even mentioning the post-apocalyptic setting, we see shots that establish the relationship of the two main characters. This conveys that the main focus of the film will be these how these two characters survive in the apocalypse and not the apocalypse itself.

• Later on in the trailer there is a shot showing a row of skulls held up on sticks. There is then a jump cut and the shot is more zoomed in and is in negative colouring. This effect has been put on the shot to make it seem more sinister and convey the danger of the world in which the film is set.

• Soon after this, there is a section of the trailer that is reminiscent of a standoff in western films. This has been included as it is a stereotypical scene that the audience can instantly recognise and therefore instantly get an idea of the high-stakes atmosphere of the film.

• At the end of the ‘standoff’ section, the protagonist fires a gun at something off-screen and the screen briefly flashes white before cutting to black. This creates mystery as we do not see the outcome of the scene, which entices the audience to watch the film.

• Following this, there is a montage of shots of the antagonistic people that the narrator is talking about. This conveys the danger of the film’s setting and makes the threat seem very large.

• Shortly after there is another montage showing the protagonist holding weapons and looking dangerous. This gives a hopeful atmosphere, but also helps to establish the setting of the film, as it shows how the world has changed.

Sound

• The trailer begins with calm, serene music played on piano and strings. This creates a hopeful atmosphere right from the start, which displays the film in an attractive, positive light.

• There is narration from the protagonist throughout the trailer. He talks about the state of the world, making the story of the film accessible to the audience, meaning that they will be more likely to watch it.

• To end the calm music, there is a reversed cymbal sound with some deep drums. This creates a dramatic change in tone from the opening music, which helps to convey the danger of the film’s setting.

• Later on in the trailer, there is faint moaning/whistling music that is uncomfortable to listen to. This creates a tense atmosphere and connotes the high-stakes nature of the film.

• Following this, there is deep, intense string music that has a steady, marching pace. This helps to demonstrate the strong, unrelenting nature of the threat in the film.

• However, toward the end, the trailer takes on a completely different tone. A positive-sounding song with major chords begins, which conveys a hopeful atmosphere which is attractive to an audience.