a quick analysis of the film trailer for Divergent

2.  I have decided to analyse the trailer for
the Divergent movie
 I found the trailer provided a lot of
information regarding the film
 We identify with a number of characters
throughout the trailer.
 For this presentation I will discuss the
representation of characters, their
relationships and effects and sounds
used.

4.  The location is established in the first shot,
where we see a derelict New York. The camera
then zooms in so we can see a closer shot of
the derelict city. Gives the sense of a Post war
theme.
 Lighting suggests a sci-fi element to the, how
the chair in the centre of the one shot is lit up.
 Females may identify more with this film as
there is a strong female presence throughout
the trailer. Also strong male character may
appeal more to females.
 Mother figure present in trailer, mothers may
relate to the story within the film.

6.  When characters are shown throughout the trailer, it
is usually a mid-shot shown. This helps us to identify
with characters.
 There are a variety of establishing shots used to help
show us the environment and setting of the film.
 We have a long wide shot of all of the people
located in the derelict New York. We can see they
are placed in different groups as they are clearly
wearing different colours. This establishes grouping to
the audience.
 There are a number of action shots used throughout
the trailer to help build tension and leave the
audience with questions.

7. Diegetic sounds
•Character dialogue
•Dog barking
•Voice Over from character
Non-diegetic sounds
•Non-diegetic music plays
throughout the trailer, builds
in places and stops in others.

9.  There are a number of relationships set up in the trailer.
 Firstly we can clearly see the community separated in
different groups, this is established through their clothing.
 The relationship between the main male and female
characters is established through a close up shot of male
grabbing her waist and long shot of the pair on the
balcony.
 Relationship established between two female characters
when they jump together
 Different relationship shown between main female and
other female character with short blonde hair. We see the
main character refusing to look at the other female.

11.  In relation to Todorov’s theory the trailer starts with a calm
atmosphere. Although it is not normal to the audience, it is
a natural environment for characters.
 A long shot of characters around a tractor gathering
packages shows they are trying to be as normal as
possible within the environment.
 The calmness breaks when the main character is told she
is different and is ‘divergent’
 The character then transforms into a strong female which
adds to the disruption of the calm atmosphere.
 The trailer does not return to the calm atmosphere as this
would be giving away the plot, this leaves the audience
questioning what will happen and will it return to
normality?

13.  The audience learn mainly from intertitles
in the film.
 We learn that the film is based on a
bestselling novel
 We learn the date that the movie will be
released
 Right at the very end of the trailer we
learn the name of the film, which flashes
up on the screen so that it sticks in the
audiences minds.

14. The trailer is used
because…
The trailer is successful
because…
The trailer is targets an
audience as…

15.  The trailer is used as it gives the audience a basic idea of what
the film is about without giving too much of the plot away
 It leaves the audience with questions so that they are more likely
to go see the film in order to get answers to their questions.
 The trailer targets an audience as it depicts the main characters
and establishes the setting extremely well. The audience are
able to identify with characters making them more likely to go
watch the film.
 The trailer is successful as it leaves the audience with a number
of questions as to what will happen in the film but it also gives
them a basic idea of what the film will be about.
 It is a successful marketing technique as it makes the audience
want to go see the film to see what will happen to the
characters they have identified with.

17.  The film trailer establishes a basic
foundation for the film.
 It allows the audience to identify with a
character so that they will be more likely to
go watch the film
 It allows the audience to develop questions
which they will want answered when they
see the film
 The film trailer is an effective way to spark
excitement among the audience so that
they will more likely go and watch the film
when it comes out.