RESEARCHING INTO REAL MEDIA TEXTS Takers, 4.3.2.1, Transformers 3: Dark of The Moon and

Takers

1. Long shots to establish character, setting and dilemma.

This is an establishing shot that is at the beginning of the trailer. Here we can see that the plot begins in a big well known city such as New York, LA or London. We also see the setting, location which sets the scene for the movie which is atypical convention of a action movie as they are all normally set in big cities as they are fast paced and lead glamorous lifestyles. This is shown in Takers through the characters costumes and setting ( the bar, sky high banks and busy traffic roads) .

Next, is a close up of three main characters. This mid close up shot allows us to establish the characters. We also see symbolic codes of their codes of their costume. The black and white tie attire connate that the characters are rich, fashionable and suave. This is further supported by their own style. For example, from the 2nd right, the character AJ mixes up his own style and adds a bowl hat and bow tie, likewise the 1st right character Gordon decides to keep it simple in a black turtleneck and whit dinner jacket . Each costumes gives off representations of the characters persona. For example, AJ is youthful and playful thus he wears a bowler hat which is not the best choice for a formal dinner. This perhaps gives suggestions that out of the whole gang he is the baby and the most playful in a serious group.

Takers

Due to the trailer being only two minutes long, the trailer then moves onto the dilemma. The director has purposefully used two codes in this frame. A technical code which is reaction shot of the character Jake and a symbolic code which shows his facial expression to the situation of his love triangle. The use of the reaction shot here illustrates Jake’s reaction to Ghost’s return and also his body contact toward Lily ( his fiancé) We can see anger towards Ghost as Jake’s body language appears to be aggressive through his clenched fists and tight face. The director uses this as a mini narrative strand aside from the main narrative which is the heist. This is another typical code and convention of a action trailer.

In this frame, technical codes such as a fade are used. This suggests a shift in time in the narrative, it is also a generic feature in trailers. Fades are used in between montages because trailers are under a specific time limit yet some of the narrative must be revealed to build tension and to persuade the audience into watching it.

Takers

In this shot, we see how the setting is established. Due to it being a long shot, we can see the city skyline as well as the low key lighting that has been used to create a dim, mysterious mood. It also enhances the colours in the frame as the blue connotes a luxurious pool that we would see in a exotic country which is on a roof top which is shown from an omniscient point of view shot.

The first ten seconds of the sequence begins with fast paced editing featuring booming SFX and montages as well as diegetic and non diegetic sounds. This is to create excitement and tension as instrumental music is also used which is T.I – We Ride. Each shot last two seconds then dissolves into a fade. This is because the directors don’t want to give away too much of the film and are just showing a “ teaser” to the audience and enticing them to watch the film if they want to find out more.

This is the next frame that follows from the previous one. Here a wide shot is used to establish the setting and the superiority of one of the main characters, Gordon. The sky top apartment he lives in automatically gives connotations of his wealth and his personality. This is further supported through his costume of the bathrobe.; he appears to be a man of leisure.

Takers

The shot then moves to graphic match of the city which provides a transition for the nest shot. This is used to provide a smooth transition between the shots and also to establish location. In this frame, high key lighting is used as bright colours such as red, blues, oranges are apparent which are all used in classic Hollywood films. This creates and sets the mood for the scene which goes with the non diegetic sound in the background creating tension and unease as the audience are curious as to what happens next.

In this frame we see transitions accompanied by booming SFX. This is used to build excitement and tension and adds to the intertitles arrival on the screen giving it that “wow” effect. The use of the close up illustrates to viewers the actors who are going to be in the film. The intertitles are used to give more information to the audience as if they are not sure of the actor or cant believe it, the intertitles reassure them. It is also a form of advertising, as Michael Ealy is a well known actor with a popular fan base which is going to attract his fans to the movie.

Takers

The sequence follows with quick shots and quick cuts of some of the most exciting moments from the film, this is to tease the audience without giving too much of the narrative away. These are the events that lead to the resolution but not necessarily in chronological order. They are used to entice and lure the audience and get them to anticipate the film’s arrival.

The long shot here shows the five main actors who are well known. It possibly suggests the audience as females are more enticed and inclined to watch the movie due to the good looking male actors. Also, special effects such as pyrotechnics are used to reiterate the film’s genre and to also suggest the stereotypes these 5 characters play.

4.3.2.1

The trailer begins with high key lighting of a airport runway. This is used to achieve a variety of effects. Firstly, it highlights the setting and props by drawing our attention towards them with a bright light source. The aeroplanes connate two countries to the audience or a global setting which is the case of this film as it is set in two big cities, London and New York. Lastly, the colour portrays the mood of the film. We tend to associate such colours with Hollywood action films without even knowing about the film.

In this frame, technical codes such as an establishing shot is used. This is used to help the audience establish the location. In the frame, we can see New York. The props in the frame support this, as we have the big TV screens, bustling roads , fast food restaurants and yellow taxi cabs which are all immediate connotations of New York. High key lighting is also used in this frame because New York is known as the city that never sleeps, by having such a well lit up frame it reassures any assumptions the audience may have had of the city.

4.3.2.1

The sequence then moves onto a split screen which consists of four images of the main characters in the film. This is done to establish and introduce the characters. Due to the use of the mid shot, we can see they are all four very different girls and can assume they are not sisters and are more likely to be friends. This is one of the special effects that are conventions of action movies and is something I would consider doing in my trailer.

A point of view shot is used in this frame to introduce into the film’s main narrative; the search for illegal diamonds. This guides the audience into guessing what the film is going to be about as a trailer is not going to give away much of the audience, it prompts the audience to think for themselves and suggest their own ideas and not just rely on the information given to them. Moreover, the use of the props ( diamonds) reiterates the trailers genre. Diamonds are unlikely to appear in a thriller or horror, we are more inclined to assume it relates the romance or action genre.

4.3.2.1

In this frame, a reaction shot is used. This is to show the characters expression. Here it shows, Shannon’s ( pictured) inner turmoil regarding his personal life. This prompts the audience to feel sorry for her and helps the audience respond emotionally , as the use of the high angle shot which overlooks the city building makes her seem small and venerable. Such an approach has worked as the audience are likely to have the preferred reading the directors and editors would want from the audience; pity.

The director uses a two shot in the next sequence to establish power between the characters. This gives the audience a idea of what type of characters appear in the movie. For example, Tee ( on the far right) appears to be dominant and powerful over Jo ( far left), we can assume that he is most likely to be the villain as through the use of the mid shot we can see a symbolic code which is his body language which appears to be threatening as the distance between him and Jo, gives the impression to the audience that she is scared of him. This is further supported through her facial expression as well and prompts the audience to question or care for her safety.

4.3.2.1

The director continues to use the two shot to establish relationships between characters as in this frame, we see a close up of the two siblings Kerrys and Jacob. The framing of this shot has been done deliberately so that we can see facial expressions and body language. Again, it is prompting the audience to respond emotionally to the characters as Kerrys appears to be threaten by her brothers behaviour. This is supported as the mise en scene allows us to see her backed up against the wall, conntating that she is scared. This is equally supported through the next shot in the sequence of a menacing close up of her brothers reaction.

The director uses a close up here to show Jacob’s true emotion. Our attention as a audience is immediately dawn into his face and prompts the audience on how they should feel about this intimidating character through the non diegetic sound of menacing music mixed with diegetic sound of his threatening dialogue. This is a convention of a action genre, as there is always a villain the directors guide the audience to dislike.

4.3.2.1

We then see a tracking shot, this is used to follow the action to the next scene as the character appears to be running away from tension, this is one of the ways, the directors grabs the audience’s attention and to signify the genre as in action movies; there is always a chase. A sound bridge was used to join the incidental music from the previous scene to the chase, this helps to create smooth transition as it would seem disjointed and unprofessional to the audience if he sound changed every time the picture on the scene changed. The effects they have on the audience allows the film’s narrative to be followed easily and also to enhance the continuity of the film.

As the sequence goes on, the director has used features of editing. The speed of editing being one of them. In this shot of the nightclub, it only last about 3 seconds. This is because the director wants to get in as much of the film’s highlights without giving much of the narrative away. Also, as a marketing tool the trailer has been designed to attract the audiences attention by emphasising the action of the movie by showing quick clips of the fights only. This fulfils the functions of a trailer as it entices the audience but still leaves the plot unsolved or as a mystery.

Transformers 3 : Dark of the Moon