This trailer for the film Jennifer's Body analyzes its key aspects. It has two unique selling points: the villain is an attractive young female (Megan Fox), which is uncommon for horror films, and the villain is played by Megan Fox who was known for Transformers. The trailer establishes the characters of Jennifer and Anita at their high school and hints that Jennifer transforms into something evil. It showcases the horror and comedy elements through shots of violence and humorous dialogue. Megan Fox's character is presented as the object of male attention who gains power by preying on boys.
2. USP
This films has two USP’s I think. The first being the villain is an attractive
young female (Megan Fox). This isn’t common for horror films, the villain is
usually a man or demon type of thing. This would attract both male and
female attention for the film. The other USP being that the villain is Megan
Fox who at the time of the film had starred in films such as Transformers,
which in itself had gathered a lot of male attention, as she tends to attract.
Casting her as the villain would gather a lot of attention from both genders.
3. Sound
Music starts (the soundtrack) strokes of swimming, Jennifer says to Anita “you and me are
going out tonight, wear something cute okay?” Chip to Anita “you always do what Jennifer
tells you to do” Anita replies“its just that I like the same things that she likes” from this we
can tell that Jennifer is the controlling type of friend that everyone realises except Anita.
“hey jennifer you look really pretty” black haired boy from school. Jennifer later asks him to
go to her house and Anita realises this isn’t normal for Jennifer.
She attacks the black haired boy and we hear teeth and a roar and screaming
Anita “Jennifers evil” Chip “I know” Anita “no I mean she’s actually evil. Not high school
evil”
Explosion
Anita “you’re killing people” Jennifer “no I’m killing boys” – we see that she’s turned evil
and has begun killing people.
Anita “I thought you only kill boys” Jennifer “I go both ways” – this would attract typical
male attention.
Scream
Anita “I will finish you if I have to” Jennifer “okay you can barely finish gym class” – adds an
element of humour to a somewhat serious trailer/film.
4. Editing
Slow paced editing and transitions at the beginning of the trailer, followed by
some slow motion shots of Jennifer walking through the school corridor. At
0:45 the atmosphere of the film changes and so does the pace, everything
becomes faster as the action develops.
5. Credits and Intertitles
First intertitle shows that the
trailer is appropriate for all ages
but the film is restricted.
20th century fox is a large
institutional company and audiences
will assume that this is a good film.
Based in a school.
6. Credits and Intertitles
These two link to the previous intertitle that Jennifer is the
main character and she’s a person of interest in this school.
Then these two lead to the more sinister side of the story.
7. Credits and Intertitles
The date that the film comes out,
shown in the middle of the trailer
which is different to other trailers of
this genre.
The star of the film. The villain
and point of male interest. A
famous actress.
Another good famous
actress.
8. Credits and Intertitles
The title of the film shown at the
end of the film so that the
audience will remember for when
it comes out.
Another feature not seen much in other
films of this genre. But seeing as
teenagers are the target audience and a
common interest is music this could
appeal to them.
Credit to institutions involved in the
film and actors/actresses that star in it.
9. Credits and Intertitles
More credits.
The date again to put it into the
audiences mind. And a website.
The certificate of the film
written again.
11. Shot types/camera angles and
movement
Establishing shots and wide shots are used a lot in this trailer.
Establishing shot shows a large
dark lake, which is immediately
creepy. Suggesting the genre.
First image of Megan Fox in
the lake, suggesting danger.
Megan in the corridor at
school. Shes in colour
and everyone else is sort
of dull. Centre of
attention and shes in
the middle of the mid
shot.
12. Mise-en-scene
Lighting:
The lighting used from the beginning is dull with a slight greeny tinge. This creates an atmosphere and portrays
the genre well.
Costume:
Megans costumes are sexier than Anitas she wears low cut tops, tight jeans, etc. Anita is more geeky and
covers up a lot more with layers and baggier clothing.
Props:
A variety of props are used to create verisimilitude. Like the school, beds, school books etc.
Location:
A small quiet American town, all American school, dingy areas of the town are used later on, and the big lake at
the beginning. The location is key because in horror films, the small American towns are always the ones where
things happen.
Make up:
Natural looking make up for all of the characters, Anita looks as if she has none on and Jennifer wears more.
But when she becomes a demon she wears a lot less and looks worn out/drained when she hasn’t fed.
Hair:
Anitas is natural and wavy where as Jennifers has got volume and bounce when she is healthy, not so much
when she’s drained.
13. (Target) audience
The genre of the film is horror, this is made clear through the codes and
conventions that can be seen throughout the trailer such as: the small
American town, the all American schoolgirl who turns into a demon etc. All of
these aspects go together to create an obvious genre.
Genre
The film certificate is a 15 which I think is appropriate because it has some
scenes that younger viewers would find disturbing. The target audience I
think could be 14/15-19 because those are the ages of the people that go to
school and that this film would appeal to.
14. Narrative
Todorovs theory of equilibrium applies to this trailer. The beginning we see two
teenage school girls that are friends that are going to go out which is normal and
they’re enjoying their school lives. Then something happens that the audience
don’t find out about until they watch the film and that disturbs the equilibrium.
Then at the end the girls seem friendly again, equilibrium restored. This may not
be the narrative of the film but it is the narrative of the trailer.
Representation
The male gaze theory is featured in this trailer. Megan Fox is represented as an
object of lust that all the boys want. She is the girl next door. Her friend Anita
is represented as the typical best friend of a girl next door, she’s dull dressing
and typically less attractive through males eyes. Megan Fox literally turns into
a man eater in the film/trailer and this goes against the representation of
being an object of lust, she gets her own back on boys.
