The document analyzes the mise en scene elements of a movie trailer based on its props, costumes, lighting, and character positioning:
- The apple and bubbles props conform to fantasy genre conventions. The teddy bear suggests the child character requires comfort.
- The school uniform costume matches the narrative, while other costumes like the red ribbon and grey shawl represent danger and feeling lost. Being barefoot shows the child is neglected.
- A blue filter makes home scenes appear fantastical. Dark lighting indicates night, and a bright tunnel light suggests a journey into fantasy. These lighting techniques are common in films.
- High angle shots place the child in danger, low angles make another character intimidating
2. Props
The fact that the protagonist is eating an apple
makes it stereotypical of the fantasy genre with
poison apples appearing in other well known
fairytales.
Bubbles are stereotypically magical and therefore
match the fantasy genre. By conforming to the
conventions of fantasy it is conforming to the
conventions of trailers of its type.
Amelie can be seen to be holding a teddy bear, not
only is that stereotypical of a young child but it
could show that she requires comfort or is scared.
The fact that the prop acts as a signifier for a
deeper message makes it conventional as this is a
technique used in many other trailers.
3. Costume
The first image shows our protagonist wearing school uniform corresponding with the narrative
and hence conventions as the costume should match what was going on. Conventionally there
are several ‘princess’ and ‘fairy’ costumes which are expected of the genre but it must be
noticed that in other films costumes can act as a signifier for a deeper message. This could be
recognised in our trailer also where the red ribbon in Alice’s hair could represent danger whilst
the grey shawl could show that she is lost as it is dark in colour and it isn’t something that a
child would usually wear. The lack of costume in the last image where the child is barefoot could
show that she is neglected. This is a message intended by the director as she is meant to be like
Cinderella in this shot.
4. Lighting
The blue-coloured filter used throughout the beginning half of the trailer makes the
‘normal’ at home shots appear less ordinary suggesting that there is an aspect of
fantasy from the start. This avoids the whole piece feeling disjointed. It is typical of the
fantasy genre.
The dark lighting at night time tells the audience that it is the evening. This is a
technique used in many other films so that the audience has an indication of time.
The bright light at the end of the tunnel suggests a journey into a fantasy world. This is
typical of the fantasy genre as well as in other trailers where they are trying to show a
journey taking place.
5. Positioning of characters
Many films use high angle shots to show that a character is in danger; this can be
evidenced in our trailer where at the beginning we get a high angle shot of our
protagonist. Film’s also use low angle shots to show that somebody is dominating
or dangerous this can also be recognised in my trailer with the high angle shot of
Charli used. The fact that Amelie takes up just a tiny part of the screen again makes
her appear vulnerable whilst Charli takes up all of the screen making her appear
more intimidating. The positioning of Alice throughout the trailer is typical of
other films as she is often in the foreground of shots which establishes her
importance as the protagonist.
