The trailer for the teen drama film Freaky Friday provides audiences with key information about the genre, narrative, and main characters over its 2 minute and 23 second runtime. Through a combination of editing techniques, camerawork, sound, and mise en scene, the trailer establishes the conflict between the mother and daughter who swap bodies, and teases the central magical plot point in a way that draws the audience in without revealing too much. It addresses a target teenage female audience and leaves viewers wanting to know how the characters will resolve their unusual situation by the film's end. Analyzing this trailer's effective storytelling has helped inform the student's own plans for structuring an engaging trailer that emphasizes important teen film conventions.
3. Editing –
The trailer all together looks like a continuity sequence because it
has a begging, middle and an end.There are many different
transitions in the trailer such as straight cut, fade in, fade out, pop
up and a few more.The straight cuts are used to keep the
continuity between the shots which are part of the same scene and
then the other transitions such as when a calendar pops up shows
the sequence is moving on with the narrative.The pace of the
trailer isn’t slow but I wouldn’t say that it was fast pace. Most of
the shots are within a long sequence and then there is the
occasional fast short shot to keep the trailer at a good pace.This
allows the trailer to give its audience enough informaions about
the film without making it seem slow and boring or on the other
hand too fast which could mean that the audience may miss
understand what genre the film is. For example if the trailer was
fast pace with short snap shots it would follow the conventions of
an action trailer not a teen drama trailer.
Camerwork –
The first few shots are long shots to establish the setting (the
picture to the right is one of the long shots used).The other shots
consist of close ‘s on the mother and daughter which establish
they are the main characters.
Sound –
Diegetic sound that can be hear are dialogue and an alarm clock
going off. Non- diegetic sound that can be heard is simple
background music and a voice over telling the audience about the
family they are watching. At the very start there is a magical sound
that gives the impression something ‘special’/ out of the ordinary is
going to happen in the film.
Mise en scene –
In this shot the mood is funny for the audience
but tense between the two characters which is
shown by the mothers facial expression.The
information within the shot shows that mother
stereotypically is trying to get her teenage
daughter out of bed.The room itself shows that
the girl in the bed is a teenager from the posters
on the wall, soft light colours and ordainments.
How are text graphics used? Consider information,
placement and style.
Text graphics that are used are a calendar showing the days of the week which
links back to the title ‘Freaky Friday’.When the voice over speaks, when he
mentions a day of the week the calendar pops up, this emphasises and gives a
clue to what is going to happen or what the story title means.
4. - Editing –This shot is part of a continuity
sequence.This sequence shows the ‘school run’
which is often seen in teen films.This shot itself is
only shown for a second but is very important
when it comes to the narrative of he story. It gives
a lot of information to the audience quickly and
effectively.
- Camera work –The shot that is shown is a mid
shot of the mother, daughter and son.The angle
of the camera is straight but slanted to the left.
The characters themselves are all at different
heights.This shows authority and age.The mother
is driving the car and is at a higher level so most of
the focus is on her, but because the angle is
slightly slanted to the left attention also gets
drawn to the daughter.
- Sound –As soon as this shot is shown non-
diegetic sound (the voice over) says ‘The Coleman
family’ which confirms they are a family and
introduce them to the audience.The voice over
dominates this sequence and is louder than the
background music.The voice over itself is a deep
mans voice, this is very effective because it gets
the audiences attention since the voice is
dominant.
Mise en scene –The mood created in this shot shows that
the characters are being awkward/ tense with each other.The
facial expressions on the characters faces give he audience an
insight into how the characters behave towards each other. For
example in the back is the little brother, his face looks smug
which gives the impression he enjoys annoying his sister (this is
a stereotypical relationship between younger and older siblings
in teen movies). The car itself and the mothers outfit gives a
clue that she is an ‘office’ mum.The comparison between the
daughters clothes/ hair compared to her mothers shows that
they have very different personalities.
5. Editing – This shot is in a continuity sequence which is
showing why the mother and daughter do not get along. In
teen films whenever a band is playing in the garage the parent
always turns off the electric or gets annoyed at the band for
playing loudly constantly. Right after this shot the mother is
shown turning off all of the electric and shouting from
upstairs. The shots of the band are short and fast where as
the shots of the other are longer and slightly slower.This
shows that the difference between the two characters again,
it suggests that the teen age daughter is lives a wild and fast
life where as the mother has a a less wild and calmer attitude.
Camera work – The camera work in the sequence is made
up of close ups, establishing shots, mid shots and two shots.
The close up just before the shot on the right is looking up at
Hannah (the daughter), this shows that she is slightly
dominating and can be seen as powerful or intimidating but
she isn’t looking straight into the camera, she is looking down
which shows she has insecurities or isn’t as confident as she
makes out.The shot to the right establishes what her friends
are like and shows their similarities.
Sound –The sound that can be heard I would say is
both diegetic and non-diegetic, his is because the
music that is being played sounds like the type of
music they as a band would be playing but it comes in
just before they start playing.The voice over is again
talking in this sequence and talks about how the
mother and Hannah don’t understand each other.
Dialogue (diegetic) can also be heard from Hannah and
her mum. Hannah ends the sequence by saying ‘Your
ruining my life’, this again emphasizes the conflict
between the two characters.
Mise en scene – The setting and objects along with the
costumes of the characters give the impression that these
girls are into indie/ rock music and have their own band.
Looking at the objects around such a Christmas Santa Claus
in the left hand corner and the floor, we can establish the
setting is a garage. InAmerican teen movies stereotypically
there is nearly always a band that plays in the garage of the
main characters house. The lighting is not natural lighting
either which suggests that there are no windows again
suggesting is a garage.
6. Editing –This sequence is another continuity
sequence which has been broken up by the graphic
calendar.This sequence is one of the fast in the
trailer, this is because it is about the key point in the
film when the narrative changes.The shots in this
sequence is short and fast to add dramatic effect.
Camera work –The camerawork in this sequence is
over the shoulder shots, close ups and mid shots.
This is because it is giving the audience information
but not enough information that they know
everything that is going on.The shot on the right is
a mid shot, it has been poses so the Chinese women
is in the middle of the mother and daughter who
are arguing, this is important because it suggests
she is a key part to this narrative.
Sound – At the start of the sequence the rock music
stops and a loud bang plus the deep voice over is
heard which emphasizes that this is going to be
important information that is being given to the
audience. Other sound that can be heard is a
Chinese bong, this also emphases on the setting
and the Chinese women.The main diegetic sound
heard in this sequence in Hannah and the mum
arguing. In nearly all the sequences they ae arguing
showing that their conflict is the main focus point.
Mise en scene - A new character has been
introduced (the Chinese women) and the setting
plus the new character shows that the shot is set I a
Chinese restaurant. All of the characters facial
expressions are showing a different emotion.
Hannah is showing anger, mother shock and the
Chinese women seems happy/ smug.The lighting is
slightly darkened which gives the effect that
something isn’t right and emphasises the tension.
7. Editing –The shot is part of a continuity sequence,
the transitions within these shots are straight cuts
because there are a lot of effects on the shots them
selves, this shot is the key moment of the whole
trailer and is edited to look blurred to show
something out of the ordinary has happened.
Camera work –The angles are slanted to emphasis
the confusion and abnormal/ out of the ordinary
circumstance’s.
Sound –The sounds heard are mostly non-diegetic
which consist of thunder and magical sound effects.
These sound effects ink in with all of the other
‘strange’ things that are unfolding in this sequence.
Mise en scene –The mood in this image is
confused, scary, worried, shocked and alarming.
This can be seen through the body language and
expressions
8. Editing –The sequence is again a continuity
sequence showing the event which are unfolding he
morning after. At the start of the sequence the
shots are slow but become fast and short when the
characters meet face to face and realize that they
are in the other body.The slow pace at the start
shows confusion and then the faster pace shows
panick.
Camera work –The camerawork is hand held at the
beginning and is from Hannah’s (body) point of
view and then goes on to mid two shots and close
up’s of the characters. This at first puts the
audience in the point of view of the character.
Sound –The sounds in this sequence are dialogue
and non-diegetic music.The music is the song Le
Freak by Chic, the song links to the title ‘freaky
Friday’ and also links to the characters emotions at
this point in time.The dialogue shows that the
characters are in he other body because of the
change of tone in the voice.
Mise en scene –The setting shows that the
characters are in the mothers room.The facial
expressions on the characters suggest that
something is wrong because instead of arguing
they seem scared of each other in a comical way
since the lighting is natural and soft.
9. Editing - Just before this shot a series of really fast
sort shots are shown of shoes, money and a hair
cut, and just before those Hannah’s body tells the
mother’s body not to touch any of the money.This
rebellion shows that Hannah’s mind is still
rebellious.The fast shtos relate back to Hannah
being wild and crazy.
Camera work –The camerawork just before this
shot are close ups which are all short and fast.This
shot is a long shot and is slower pace, this is the
establish the change the character has gone
through.
Sound –The sound heard in this shot is non-
diegetic sound that consists of the classic cash
machine sound showing that money has been
spent. ‘Shopping spree’ scenes are often seen in
teen films and the classic cash machine sound is
nearly always used because an audience identifies it
with shopping.
Mise en scene –The setting shows a clothing
store and the mother coming out in clothing that
doesn’t fit the characters personality.This creates
a comical/ shocking twist for the audience.Teen
films are full of light hearted comedy.You can see
as a member of the audience that the whole
character has changed because of the costume,
hair, faceual expression and body language.
10. Editing –This shot is an establishing shot showing
to the audience that this character is important to
the story.Within this trailer this is the second time
that this character is seen again suggesting that he
is important to the story and has a link to the other
main characters.
Camera work – Establishing shots, wo shots and
close ups are used within this sequence of shots.
The sequences revolves around the bike and the
male character and this is shown because he is seen
in nearly all the shots in the sequence.
Sound –The dialogue also revolves around the bike
in this sequence.As this shot is shown the song Le
Freak is still playing. Diegetic sound that can be
heard is revs of the motorbike.
Mise en scene –The setting is establishes by the
school bus in the background and characters
walking with backpacks.The character in the focus
of the shot who is on the motorbike is seen as the
stereotypical ‘jock’ in teen films.We can recognise
this because of his body and facial expressions and
from the costume.
11. Mise en scene –Two shots are mixed together in
this shot.This is because the fortune is an
important part of the films narrative.The
background image is a hot of Hannah looking
shocked showing that the fortune is behind the
out of the ordinary situation.
Editing – At the end of the trailer a
montage sequence is used to show extra
information.The shots shown are fast so
the audience doesn’t see too much
information.
Camera work – Close ups are used to again
make sure that the audience isn’t getting to
much information but is getting enough
that they will want to go and watch the
film. Most of the shots are showing the two
main characters Hannah and her mum in a
different light, the facial expressions and
body language is not angry it is happy,
therefore the characters are shown in a
different light.
Sound –The music in the background has
changed and is light hearted and uplifting.
The characters are also seen and heard
trying to work together instead of fighting
to try and work things out.
12. How long is the sequence?
Freaky Fridays trailer sequence is 2 minutes and 23 seconds long
What information is the audience given in terms of genre and narrative?
The information given to the audience in the trailers tells them that it is a teen drama.The
trailer itself has a beginning middle and an end showing the audience a simple version of the
narrative. Compared to most trailers there is a lot of information given to the audience in the
trailer but the information that is being shown draws the audience in enough to want them to
go and watch the whole film.The audience can expect a full on teen drama film with a
elements of comedy and magic.
What questions does it leave the audience with?
The trailer leaves the audience wondering how did that happen and how the two character sort
the situation out in the end.
What is the USP?
The unique selling point of Freaky Friday is that fact that something out of the ordinary and
magical happens. Normally teen films with magic in them revolve around a fairy tale where as
Freaky Friday has a narrative that no other film has and doesn’t conform to stereotypical teen
films.
What type of audience is being addressed?
Freaky Friday targets girls from the ages of 12-20 (mainly teenage girls).This is because the
film revolves around women and the stereotypical things they like doing/ what they go through
such as shopping, friends, boyfriends etc.
13. How has this been helpful with my
product planning?
■ This analysis of Freaky Friday has helped me start to plan how I can start to structure
my trailer and what elements I can link together to emphasis on teen film conventions.
■ Its made me realise that mise en scene, camera work, editing and sound are all as
equally important when it comes to getting the genre across to the audience.
■ Has given me a lot of ideas about how my group and I can make the story line we have
chosen light hearted.
■ It has made me want to add graphics into play e.g. the calendar in Freaky Friday’s
trailer.
