A Film trailer analysis, in this case of the post-apocalyptic movie "The Road"

1. The Road
FILM TRAILER ANALYSIS

2. The Film
 The film is an adaption of Cormac McCarthy's Universally known
novel “The Road”
 Directed by John Hilcoat, it evolves around a father and son years
after a post-apocalyptic event, in trying to survive the journey across
America to “the coast” to where they believe will bring safety.
 The fact it is an adaption adds to the film’s USP as fans of the novel
will go and pay to watch the film, adding to the overall revenue the
film takes.

3. The Genre
 The film’s genre can be distinguished through the mise-en-scene and the opening shots.
 The opening shots tell the audience of the breaking of the equilibrium, in this case, a
catastrophic event has caused the world to change from what we know into a wasteland. One
example (seen below) is a establishing shot of the world, telling the audience the world is in a
post apocalyptic state, and thus the genre, is a post-apocalyptic.
 The first diegetic dialogue is news coverage stating “there is a state of emergency”. The use of
emergency here suggests again something catastrophic has happened, added with the quick,
sudden, flashes of rebellions, fires and protests, we can assume something bad has happened
to turn the world upside down
 The image of derelict roads and bridges help to distinguish the world as empty and post-apocalyptic.
The skies are grim and always grey this symbolises the demise of Earth and the dark
and harsh lives the characters embark on.
 The genre can also be identified through the gangs and militias. As seen below is a extreme long
shot, we see a run down truck helmed by a gang on a patrol, this is something commonly
associated with the genre and it shows the diversity of the ruined world’s inhabitants.

4. Target Audience
 The trailer targets it’s audience by showing extracts from the film only adults should watch,
violence and severe bleakness are most notable.
 One example is below a medium shot of what seems to a violent threat to the father and
son. The man is holding up a knife showing a possibility of violence This shows this film isn’t
meant for kids, and it shows only mature audiences should watch the film
 The film itself is known for it’s “harsh and bully-ish” nature according to IDMB and the film
does deliver emotional baggage with it’s bleak story-line and I believe this would mean
the audience would have to be at least near middle age.
 Its bleak nature can be heard through the diegetic dialogue “they are going to catch up
with us and then they are going to kill us”. This emphasises the danger and the aggressive
nature of the film, showing that it should only really be a mature audience who should be
watching this film
 The certificate rating is 15, and with all this information I would suggest this film’s target
audience is aged between 30-40 years of age.

5. Further Details
 The trailer lasts for 2:30. This is slightly long for the normal codes and
conventions of a trailer possibly signifying the long, hard struggle of
the characters, and their struggle for survival.
 The shot count is approximately at 130 shots. A huge amount of
shots which could be signifying the pace, the fast pace of the film. It
could be suggesting the audience’s heart rate whilst watching the
film may be similar to the shot count, suggesting a “heart-pounding”
movie.

6. Transitions
 Most transitions in the trailer are fade to blacks which could be
symbolising the character’s dark lives and the darkness that
possesses the world, these black-outs could be symbolising the fact
that there is no electricity in the world.
 Also there are quicken, sudden flashes, possibly trying to re-enact
the audiences heartbeat, suggesting the film’s pace is very fast.
These flashes also demonstrates the trailer’s “plateau” phase, which
shows the most dramatic and action-filled sequences in the film in a
fast, quick and exciting ‘flashy’ way which can attract those of
whom were bored earlier in the trailer.

7. Diegetic Sound
 When the female states “they are going to catch up with us and then they
are going to kill us” we not only can interpret the film as of the survival
genre but also gain sympathy for the seemingly doomed characters. It
implies a sense of urgency which keeps the audiences eyes glued to the
screen.
 We can help to understand the characters attempt to fix the equilibrium
when the man says “we need to get to the coast”. When mixed with
various shots of the two characters on a journey, we as a audience then
understand that they are journeying to the coast, attempting to fix the
equilibrium
 The trailer begins to quicken when we here the diegetic sound of a
gunshot, demonstrating shock and awe, but signifying the shocking end to
the life on the road, as they know it… They are now on the run.

8. Non-Diegetic Sound
 The film uses a unique, thumping soundtrack involving orchestral
strings repeating the same low chord again and again. This
symbolises their ordinary lives, and when the chord rises, it signifies
not only the breaking of the equilibrium but also the devolution of
Humanity.
 Elsewhere is the trailer we hear a different non-diegetic soundtrack
giving a eerie, creepy almost horror feel to the trailer. It sounds like
stretched strings, which can resemble animals sounds, which could
be used to suggest humans have now turned into animals in the
world they fight for survival in.
 There is also a gunshot, which could be used to signify the dangers
of everyday life and the beginning of life on the run.

9. Characters and Relationships
 The main two characters in the trailer are the father and son. We are made aware of their
close relationship through shots such as the medium shot of the pair with the father giving his
son as gift long forgotten on Earth, Coca Cola. This gift , this act of sharing in a world as harsh
as theirs is very, very rare. This would help to suggest they are father and son. The shot being a
medium long shot and in a high angled nature does still present them as vulnerable, but
together as a group, again signifying their togetherness.
 When the father states “to kill anyone who touches you, that’s my job”. I believe that gives you
any verification you could need . It presents a father figure, promising protection to a young
one. This presents a close knit father-son (going along with stereotype) relationship
 The female below can be distinguished as close to the father and son as she refers to them as
“we” stating she part of the group. The medium long shot below is on a eye line match with the
father which does suggest they are on the same level and are possibly husband and wife.
 The low angled medium shot of the male below does suggest that he posed a threat to the
father and son, that he had the upper hand in the confrontation.

10. Narrative
 The trailer creates a sense of narrative by using asynchronous diegetic
dialogue throughout the trailer said by the father.
 Examples include “we are going to get through this” The use of “we” unifies
the audience with the characters making them not just relatable but also
familiar with the audience. This gives the audience empathy and a
connection with the characters in the trailer.
 A visible example can be seen below. The high angled medium shot is
attempting to get the audience to feel on the father and son’s side. The fact
we as an audience are behind the debris with the pair signifies our
connection and emotional empathy towards the characters. It also
symbolises that in the film it is side of the father and son that we shall follow
and it’s their story that shall see.

11. Plot
 As said earlier the opening shots tell the audience of the breaking of the
equilibrium, in this case, a catastrophic event has caused the world to
change from what we know into a wasteland. One example is a establishing
shot of the world, telling the audience the world is in a post apocalyptic state
 The first diegetic dialogue is news coverage stating “there is a state of
emergency”. The use of emergency here suggests again something
catastrophic has happened, added with the quick, sudden, flashes of
rebellions, fires and protests, we can assume something bad has happened
to turn the world upside down
 We can help to understand the characters attempt to fix the equilibrium
when the man says “we need to get to the coast”. When mixed with various
shots of the two characters on a journey, we as a audience then understand
that they are journeying to the coast, attempting to fix the equilibrium

12. Code of Enigma
 The trailer creates a series of questions which intrigue the viewer
these include;
 What happened to cause the apocalypse?
 What happens when the father shoots the gun?
 Do they actually get to the coast?
 Why are there people grabbing and attacking the two characters
and what happens to them?
 Its these questions that intrigue the on-looker, getting the audience
hooked and ensuring most of those questions are answered, people
will go and pay to watch the film

13. Titles/Inter-titles
 At the start before the flashes the audience can see the multiple studios responsible for making the film. This
goes with common stereotypes as most movie trailers show the studios at the beginning giving them more
time in the trailer to try and seduce the viewer to go and watch the film
 “10 years from now” is the first inter-title that is seen this makes the film seem more believable as they relate it
our real world.
 “One Event” and “Will change the face of the planet” This helps to get the audience to understand the plot’s
backstory, this makes the film seem more multi-layered and professional.
 “Wake…Search…Move…Hide” These inter-titles give a day by day guide to the audience of the father and
son’s life. This makes the audience feel sympathy towards the characters.
 “At the end of civilisation…An Epic Journey…Is about to begin” This excites the audience giving them a sense
of anticipation and a belief they can go along with the characters on the journey.
 “This fall…Run…Protect…Sacrifice…Kill” This suggests that if they were to watch the film, they WOULD be on
the journey themselves. This makes the audience feel not only more connected to the characters and the
hardships they have in life, but also more intrigued to the plot… Will the characters survive? Adding to the
code of enigma.
 The final title is the “The Road” this goes along with normal codes and conventions, to show the name of the
film at the end, keeping it fresh on the viewer’s minds.
 To conclude the trailer they list the actors and then finally the billing block to end (again) with normal
conventions of a movie trailer, and to list all the films credits and inform the audience of who did what in the
film.

14. Mise-en-scene
 The trailer uses it’s mise-en scene to help the audience not only identify the
genre of the film but also the mood too.
 Examples include the image of derelict roads and bridges help to distinguish
the world as empty and post-apocalyptic. The skies are grim and always grey
this symbolises the demise of Earth and the dark and harsh lives the characters
have been embarking on.
 The genre can also be identified through the gangs and militias. As seen below
is a extreme long shot, we see a run down truck helmed by a gang on a patrol,
this is something commonly associated with the genre and it shows the diversity
of the ruined world’s inhabitants.
 Clothing is often dirty with big over-used coats. Hats are often very scruffy and
greasy hair and skin are usual features on the characters. This helps to make the
characters more realistic in the post-apocalyptic world

15. Notable Camera Shots
Here is a poignant extreme longshot of the two characters
wandering off into the wasteland. This signifies they are alone
in this ruined world and that it is a lonely and bleak place. The
low angled shot suggests that the world and nature have
complete dominance over humanity and the world/nature is
fighting back almost against humanity (of whom could have
caused the apocalypse
This medium shot of a high angled nature signifies the
character’s vulnerability against the gangs and militias that
dominate the post-apocalyptic. To show the gang/militia
above the two character it shows their dominance and
authority over the father and son, and that fact that they are
hiding from them also suggests this.
This high angled medium shot of the pair hiding and aiming a gun (at
a gang member) suggests that they are in danger. Because it is high
angled shot we could believe they are most probably in a weakened
position when compared to the person on the other side of the gun,
this adds to the code of enigma (“what happens?”)

16. Codes and Conventions
 They include;
 A visible breaking of the equilibrium
 Hardships and problems that affect the character’s lives
 They’re attempts to overcome the problems
 A Journey of some sought, notably to “the coast”
 A fight of some sought, which adds to the code of enigma “who will win?”
 Scenes of contrasting laughter and crying – “what happened for this to happen” (code of
enigma)
 To show the billing block, the credits and the studio details at the beginning and end respectively
 Extracts from the whole film, in no particular order, which begs the question “what actually
happens and when?” adding to the already big code of enigma
 A shocking last couple of sequences which attempt to win over anyone not-interested, these
sequences attempt to stay with the viewer.
 By having a inter-title stating “This Fall” it allows the viewer to know when the film is to come out
meaning more will know of the film’s release suggesting more people will go and pay to view the
film “This Fall”

17. Why Trailers?
 Trailers help to engage the viewer unlike print or just audio, you can
see the characters, making you feeling more connected to them
through their hardships, which also helps the audience feel more
relatable to them too
 You have more elements, hearing, seeing and possibly feeling their
story, this makes the audience feel (again) more connected to the
characters and their journey.
 You get to see the BEST parts of the entire film, this should give you
an indication as to whether you will actually like the film eventually.

18. Trailers as promotional devices
 This trailer can be viewed as a very, very good promotional device for the
film for the following reasons;
 Its provides a intriguing backstory to the film
 It teases the viewer with a exciting breaking of the equilibrium
 It teases the viewer with an extensive code of enigma
 It tells the audience of the films release making it easier for viewers to go and
watch the film.
 It makes the audience feel relatable to the characters using sympathy and
engaging inter-titles. This makes the audience feel almost compelled to see
the character’s fate
 The trailer makes the audience feel they are on “The Road” with the
characters, and it suggests that if the audience were to go and pay to
watch the film they would go along on the journey with the characters
 It introduces the two main protagonists and after seeing them go through
various hardships, we as an audience feel compelled to see what their
outcome is. Thus meaning more ticket sales.