Deconstructing Posters To Create A Criteria

1984 Trailer Deconstruction

'1984' is a dystopian film depicting a society in a governments physical and psychological control. The protagonist is Winston Smith, who attempts to rebel against the totalitarian government antagonists by falling in love. 

Mise En Scene and Camera Angles 

• The opening shot of the trailer is a pan across a group of people wearing identical blue uniforms. This unity of blue depersonalises the group, who are presented as a united army and are shown to be military-like. 

• The bars in this shot suggest the idea of being trapped and enclosed, and idea which is backed up in the anchorage later in the trailer which states that society is the 'property' of the government. The medium shot shown shortly after this shot of the bars of the protagonist looking out foreshadows his rebellion. 

• A long, tracking shot enables the viewer to then see the protagonist walking down a desolate street. This shot also allows for the imposing image of Big Brother to be clearly visible on one of the walls, one of the many times this image is visible within the trailer. The desolate street is showing the destruction caused, and the image of Big Brother on the wall indicates that the government is responsible. 

• A low angle shot is used to show a military group making a gesture to symbolise the government. This shot ensures that the group dominate the shot, they are made to look powerful and threatening. The idea of the gesture, also relates to a Nazi salute, and the idea of the rallies depicted in other shots within the trailer support this interpretation. 

• The protagonist's love interest is introduced through a shot which has been set up to depict her as different. She is in the centre of the frame, and therefore the center of the viewer's focus. She is also leaning forward slightly, away from the rest of the group she is with and tilting her head in a different direction. This idea of rebellion and individuality facing the government is typical of a dystopian film.

• The corruption of the government is shown in a pan of what seems to be a rally, which allows the scope of people present to be enhanced. The people are placed beneath the screens, suggesting their insignificance, and the government's power. Their cheering is an example of society's corruption within the film, once the violence on the screens is shown to the viewer. 

• The protagonist is shown writing, while half the shot is filled with an eye. This gives an idea that the protagonist is hiding from the government, which is typical of a dystopia. 

• The 'INGSOC' logo is a repeated motif throughout the trailer and is seen in almost every shot. This close up, however, gives the logo on the flag a threatening nature, and it is presented as intimidating and powerful. 

• The symmetry of the shot of a speech being given, creates a sense of power and domination of everything. It also suggests that the government's running of society is structured and ordered. 

• The protagonist is talking to an individual who has power over him. This is shown in a number of ways in this shot. This individual is placed in the centre of the shot, in front of the 'INGSOC' logo and is wearing darker clothes than the protagonist. 

• A close up of the year '1984' being written relates to the idea of a dystopian. This is because, even though the film adaptation is set in the same year it was produced, the original novel was written in 1949. Therefore, the film does not follow the features of a dystopia in that it is set in the year it was produced, however it is an adaptation of a novel that was written 40 years prior to the year 1984. 

• The lighting throughout the trailer is low key, enhancing the darkness of the film, and creating a depressive mood, typical of a dystopia. 
• The repeated motifs of the face of Big Brother and the 'INGSOC' logo are present in 20 shots throughout the trailer. This is indicative of the idea that the government is always there in their society, creating a suggestion of power and intimidation. 

Editing 

• Transitions used between shots are mostly either a fade to black, or a dissolve. These transitions allow for a fluid appearance of the trailer, and allow scenes to be shown in quick succession when necessary. Fading between shots also heightens the sense of drama within the trailer. 
• At 1:00 into the trailer, there is a shot of the protagonist writing. This shot is edited to appear after a shot of a rally in which many people are visible and insignificant. This makes the protagonist look more significant, increasing the idea of revolution. 
• Post Production has enabled a shot of a face to be played over shots of destruction and violence. This helps add to the idea that the government has caused the destruction of society, a theme seen in many dystopias. 
• The anchorage on the trailer introduced the basis of the film in blocky, bold, white lettering which is capitalised. This gives the trailer a military feel, and adds to the ideas of power. 
• The name of the film '1984' is shown in the same bold text, however in red. This is suggestive of the danger in the film. 

Sound 

• Non-diegetic music is played over the entire trailer. This music builds up in layers, creating suspense and tension in the first few seconds of the trailer. Then, halfway through the trailer, the music loses texture and slows down before rapidly regaining speed. Towards the end of the trailer, the music is louder in volume, has many textures and features a prominent, driving rhythm on drums. Overall, this creates a dramatic, threatening effect.
• The dialogue within the trailer is mostly either the antagonist (government) views, or a voiceover from the protagonist, the content of which contrasts the views of the government. This adds to the idea of rebellion within the trailer. 
• The sounds of gunfire are clearly audible in a section  towards the second half of the trailer. This is dramatic as the non-diegetic music has been building tension, and the gunfire represent the violence and power within the film. 

Dystopian Trailer Examples

THX 1138

A Scanner Darkly

Nineteen Eighty-Four

'The Dark Knight Rises' Theatrical and Teaser Trailer Comparison

The Dark Knight Rises	Teaser	Theatrical
Sound	Metallic creeks and booms add drama Non-diegetic sound -booming voice-over: ‘If you make yourself more than a man’ ‘If you devote yourself to an ideal, than you become something else entirely’ tells us a bit about who the character is but leaves a lot of confusion and mystery around the character and plot Diegetic sound – man in hospital, gives us more information about the plot but creates more confusion (making the viewer want to find out more)	Non-diegetic singing at the start lasts to nearly half way through Less dramatic sounds at the beginning, calmer music and dialogue Dialogue tells us a lot about the character and a bit about what’s going to happen in the film Chanting eludes to problems in the film
Content	Shots of the villain – gives the viewer a hint of what their hero is up against Shots of a man among bats – tells us it’s a batman film Shots of the Mayor smashing batman’s flash light – Intertextuality and links to the last film which gives more information to people who’ve seen the other film	Shots of a masked ball giving us information about the main character’s lifestyle Shots of an NFL game showing us how the public will be effected Shots of dark mysterious places giving an air of mystery around the film
Editing	Fades to black between clips – slows the pace down, gives it a gloomy sinister feel Film clips are dark and shadowy – gives the viewer an idea of the tone of the film, dark and sinister	Frequent cuts between clips makes it quite fast paced but at first the clips don’t contain much action so it’s quite calm Transitions used are mainly just cuts with a few fades to black, sometimes for text
Anchorage	'Every hero has a journey’ 'Every journey has an end’ 'The dark knight rises’ 'The epic conclusion to the dark knight legend’ Until the end it keeps it mysterious and tells the viewer little but if they know the films then it gives them more information	Text tells us the name of the film and that it’s an ‘end’ and an ‘epic conclusion’, giving away little about it
Purpose	At the beginning it gives clues that only batman fans would understand, which excites them and makes non-fans interested in where it’s going	To give viewers information about what the film will be like in terms of genre and mood To give a bit of information on the plot Leaves some mystery to evoke interest