the machinist trailer analysis

7/29/2019 The Machinist Trailer Analysis

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Codes and Conventions of a

Trailer

The Machinist (2004)


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Use of TitlesThe first text the audience sees is the Institution titling in which the

films distribution company is shown. This is a way of the audience

gathering information about the film and what genre the film shown

could be. When creating a trailer in my own group, I will research a

company that is most suitable for my chosen genre of Film Noir.

Another title shown in this trailer is a critics review. The layout of thisis however unusual for the style of the film, as it has a much brighter

background of yellow, and almost graffiti like typography. This is not

synonymous of film trailers as you would expect the text to be the

same throughout. However the tilted appearance here adds to the

distorted theme of the film and symbolises the protagonists mind.

The title typography here changes and remains the same for the rest of

the trailer. This style seems more apt for the film as it is dark and sinister,

therefore reflecting the central issues of the plot. The text addressing the

audience also has soft edges, which appear to fade into the black, this

symbolises a ghost like presence and heightens the eerie storyline

further. It is also noteworthy that only one actor has been credited which

may have been done in order not to disrupt from the dark atmosphere

that has been developed throughout the trailer.


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Introduction of characters

The introduction of Trevor, the

protagonist, is mysterious, as

the first mention of him is by a

character who is unseen- the

waitress, Maria. The image of

the machine coupled with the

sound of her voice dehumanises

the character of Trevor, thus

adding an illusion of

unimportance or disorder.

Secondly, the stylistic approach

to this introduction symbolises

disorientation and confusion for

the audience.

The grey scale filter of the

image also adds to the dark

atmosphere and the tinges of

blue depict the machinery and

symbolise the character ofTrevor. As well as the

atmosphere of the colours, the

sound bridge leads to a

subsequent scene of the

conversation taking place- thus

clarifying the characters for the

audience and taking them out

of the darkness.


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The turning point

The signifiers throughout the

trailer are structured by a game of

hangman, as they provide the

frame for the narrative. This is

clear to the audience as they arethe only chronological aspects of

the trailer, and gradually built in

curiosity and present more and

more information. It can be

argued that the simplicity of the

notes themselves is haunting for

both the audience and Trevor,

adhering to the thriller genre.

Before the turning point of the

trailer, the audience sees an

exposition of who the character

Trevor is, and his struggle with

insomnia and weight decrease. Thisaspect is presented through many

short cuts of his daily life, however

some elements are left out in order

to create intrigue amongst the

viewer. On the other hand, these

disregarded aspects symbolises the

missing parts of Trevors mind.

Therefore, the narrative lacuna

mimics the protagonists' psyche.

It can be said there are many

turning points in the trailer,

however it appears that the

most significant is when this

particular post-it note is

shown, as form then on, the

soundtrack rapidly increases in

pace, and volume, as the

scenes and action shown

become more erratic and

chaotic- building to the climax

of the trailer.


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Soundtrack and audio

All the sounds and score in this trailer appear to be elongated and dragged

down . This could be interpreted as the symbol of Trevors life being

drained of emotion, or lack of energy, as the score seems slow and

lethargic. There is also a faint sound of a mechanical clock, or ticking in the

background, which can also be said to be connecting the theme of

machinery and defeat, or conflict.

The third character Stevie is also introduced through a sound bridge, much

like Maria. Her voice was heard whilst the object of machinery was on the

screen, a repetition of the introduction of Maria. This lack of clarification for

that moment, forebodes the theme of a ghostly presence or voices in the

mind.

The editing aspect of the soundtrack is used to highlight the idea that one

clip in it s entirety, complete with audio can serve to propel and strengthen

the narrative of the film and therefore develop the trailer itself. This will be

important when choosing what scenes to include in my own trailer, as each

one must develop and fit with the audio in order to create the desired

atmosphere.


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Climax

The trailer begins to come to a climax as Trevor is seen to be piecing clues together on the post-it notes,. Although there is no central scene

for these 3 minutes, the post it notes are used a running pattern throughout, and thus develop the climax of the trailer. There is a dramatic

shift in the action and soundtrack as Trevor runs though the station, and consequently the scenes become more erratic and jump cuts

appear more frequently. As the action is continuously rising, the soundtrack becomes louder and the pace increases to heighten the tone.

The last final loud tone of the music is used to end the trailer as Trevors face very suddenly disappears in the darkness. This is a successful

end to the clip as it connotes the action and thriller form is a sharp and precise way.

the machinist trailer analysis

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