Analysis on the poster and trailer of American Honey

1. American Honey
By Elisa Dubignon

2. Analysis on the title
‘American Honey’ can be interpreted in several ways:
• ‘Honey’ can be referred to ‘sweet’ so the title would refer to ‘Sweet
America’. This expresses the positives about America as the group
travel in the country discovering new things(see slide). However,
honey can be distasteful if it’s too sweet which is not good. Relating
to the film, there are problems such as money and alcohol (see slide)
which opposes to the positives of Sweet America.
• Perhaps, the title relates to the American dream as people strive to
find happiness. However, there are some obstacles to reach it such as
the three men who with cowboy hats (see slide).

3. Target Audience and Poster Analysis
Target Audience
The target audience is towards older teenagers as the
content shown in the trailer is explicit(It contains money,
alcohol and drug use). The primary audience is between
18- 24. However the aspirational age is between 15-40.
Aspirational age is an ideal age for the consumers to be
e.g in order to watch the movie: American Honey.
America :unique selling point and more
The poster is covered in stars and the style of the title
is the pattern of the American flag.
This reveals the unique selling point; the ‘location in
setting’ is America. People there would want to see it
as it looks quite patriotic towards the USA. Also,
people who like the country would want to see it.
We are offered a new vision of young America. Therefore it
would target the young generation of the country and
across the world because it demonstrates the new life in
America; people travelling and discovering that life is full of
hidden mysteries and it can be dangerous as seen in the
trailer with the money and alcohol. ( see slides for money
and alcohol).
Actors
The actors are in their twenties- thirties. The
demographic (age) would make the film more engaging
and closer to the young audience than older.
It is an independent film which has actors such as Shia
LaBoeouf. He has done a block buster film:
‘Transformers’ so people who like watching him in films
are likely to watch ‘American Honey’. This is one of the
film’s USPs.
Although, he is the only known actor, it means the
audience can discover new actors/actresses such as
Sasha Lane who is the protagonist in the movie. This is
her first movie and it could lead the audience to
watching more her movies in the future.

4. The Struggler
Struggler definition
They are looking/seeking for a break or escape
out of reality. Strugglers usually buy things such
as alcohol, junk food and lottery tickets for a
short buzz in order to make them happy for a
short while.
The psychographics shown here is the
struggler. From the image , they are seen
consuming alcohol which make them the
victims. Also, they are seen travelling in car.
It links to what these people seek; escape.
Here is an ‘over the shoulder’ shot, it is
used to establish the position of each
person, and get the feel of seeing one
person or a group from the other
person’s perspective.

5. The Explorer
Figure 1 demonstrates the life on the road. They drive in a
caravan which is a commonly used car for road trips. The car
symbolises the need for discovery. In Figure 2, it shows young
people with luggage. They have quite a lot of it which means it’s
going to be a long trip (many things to do) and also the
skateboard symbolises the adventure that they will have.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 1 demonstrates a ‘moving shot.’ This is used to
capture the people are travelling. It is a good shot because
it relates to their need for discovery as explorers.
Figure 2 illustrates the ‘over the shoulder shot.’ It is used
here to show the man’s perspective of all the members in
the group that he’s travelling with.
Explorer definition:
Explorers seek discovery and try to venture the outside world. They
have a need to discover new things. They tend to have a lot of energy
(which is why they are seen in quite a lot of action) individualized and
experienced. They admire difference and adventure than
the standard trend. They are the kind of people who try out new
brands and is usually the younger demographic students such as this
group shown in these two images.

6. The Explorer
Figure 1 is a ‘Tracking shot’ . It demonstrates two travellers on the top of the car. The
purpose of a tracking shot is to maintain action with a moving subject at least at a
constant distance. The effect of this shot is that the camera keeps the subject within
the frame. Directors use this in films in order to keep a constant movement with either
the character, vehicle, or another travelling object from a forward. It depicts a new
sensation that they are experiencing on the road trip.
Figure 3 and 4 shows the group having new experiences such as around the camp fire.
Figure 4 is a two shot which illustrates the relationship between the characters. Even
though they are independent explorers, they share their experiences with others
which makes it more enjoyable for them and is a way to be happy. Similarly, this relates
with Figure 2 as it demonstrates the group laughing together whilst discovering the
unknown places on their trip.
With all these images we can see that the members have independence, they explore but
they also strive for happiness.
Figure 1
Figure 3 Figure 4
Figure 2

7. The Explorer
Exploration is not only done by
travelling in a car but by
running too. There is a link
that exploration has a lot of
action involved.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 1 is a ‘tracking shot’ and it is used to capture the
characters in action. Figure 2 is known as a ‘wide shot.’ It
allows viewers to see the subject and the environment
around them. This is a good shot because it demonstrates
where the setting is.
Figure 3 is a ‘Cutaway
shot’ which captures
a bird in the sky. The
bird symbolises the
need for escape and
freedom. It explores
many places and it
represents the group
in the film.
Figure 3

8. Romance and
Mainstreamer
Throughout the trailer we see that
there are two lovers. They take a
journey together on the road trip. They
meet hard situations and they work
together to escape it as seen in the
next slide. The structure in this film is
correct for a romantic genre as it has
the dilemma and they try to get away
from it.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 1 and 2 both show the characters close together. It is used
as a hint to illustrate to the audience they care for each other as in
a relationship.
Figure 1 is a ‘Cut-In shot’. The
shot has a significant meaning
which is love. Security is also
shown which links with the
pychographic: Mainstream.
Mainstreamers definition:
Mainstreamers tend to seek security and be
domestic, sentimental and favour value for money
brands including family brands. Although these
characters are not domestic, they protect one
another which comes under the sentimental and
security of a Mainstreamer.

9. Action, Crime and
Gender and Camera
angles
There is no gender specific, they make
the lady and the man protagonists in
the film.
It suggests both female and male will
be the audience viewing this movie.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3 Figure 4
The two victims (the man and lady from the previous slide) find themselves in a
dangerous environment. There is gun violence as shown in figure 3 and 4. Then,
the pair try to escape which builds up the action in the movie. They are seen in the
car travelling as fast as they can. The ladies' face expression reveals how horrifying
the incident was which also creates tension and fear so the film is targeted at a 18
and over audience.
Camera angles
Figure 1 is an eye-level angle . It
puts the audience on an equal
footing with the character/s. This is
the most commonly used angle in
most films as it allows the viewers
to feel comfortable with the
characters.

10. The Aspirer and Struggler
and Crime
Struggler example
Figure 2 shows one of the men pouring
alcohol into the lady’s glass. She is the
victim and possibly seen as vulnerable as
she is the only girl with them.
Also in Figure 3, there is money which can
be quite dangerous, it relates to the
theme in the film: crime. Also, in the shot
there is a sharp object which connotes
that there is violence between these
people. This highlights the dark tone of
the movie.
Figure 1
Figure
2
Figure 3
Aspires definition and example
Aspires seek status in terms of
what they own and tend to be
very materialistic. They also
seem to care a lot on how they
look and are very orientated to
image, appearance and
fashion. For example in Figure
1, it shows three men who are
in a classic car. It represents
their wealth. They also wear
the same clothing to show
their reputation. Their status is
their priority.

11. Reviews After a trio of distinctly British features, Andrea Arnold’s American Honey takes a road
trip into the poverty-stricken hinterlands of the US Midwest, following the hard-
partying adventures of a young woman who joins a crew of door-to-door magazine
subscription sellers. By Simran Hans.
Drive, She Said
+ Drive, She Said
The road movie is generally associated with men, but the cinema is also full of women
who take to the road, whether in pursuit of escape, adventure, crime or just that high-
speed thrill ride. By Kim Morgan.
Cruising alongside, Kim Morgan takes a ride through film history and finds that
any assumptions that the road movie is a male genre is a dead end; the road
has been a place for cinematic escape, discovery and crisis for many women on
screen. “What kind of dames thumb rides?” asks Tom Neal in Edgar G. Ulmer’s
Detour. It turns out all kinds, from Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night
(1934) to Quentin Tarantino’s feminist rebels in Death Proof (2007).
Here are several reviews taken
from ‘Sight and Sound’
magazine.
What is the purpose of a
film review?
To criticize the film. It lets the
audience know what points
were good or bad in the film,
and whether or not it is worth
spending time or money to
watch. Reviews are usually
done by professional film
critics who have experience in
the film industry. For example:
this magazine has been
existing since 1932 which
demonstrates the level of
professionalism.
Demonstrates the film is
suitable for both genders.