tp

2. Setting
Trainspotting opens with a clip from the middle
of the movie. The placement of this clip is used
to foreshadow what is going to occur later on.
The use of such a clip helps build a dramatic
start to the film instantly drawing in the
audience. This is achieved through the use of
motion-the characters being chased through a
busy town centre which some members of the
audience will be able to recognise and as a
result familiarise themselves with the film. The
setting then changes to a football pitch where
the two characters being chased in the previous
scene and the other protagonist now
introduced are now playing football, this is used
to illustrate the double life of the characters
which is essentially what the film is based on.

3. Characters/Camera
The characters are introduced through
the medium of close up shots of their
faces and their feet this is used to
portray action movement in this scene
and also to illustrate them running away
from a crime. This is also emphasised by
the items falling out their pockets as
they run from the police and by their
distressed facial expressions and eye
movement.. The tracking shot is used to
highlight who the voiceover belongs to.
The characters are fully introduced as
the scene changes to a football pitch
where the clip pauses on each of the
characters as their name pops up
introducing them in order of hierarchy.

4. Genre
The police chase at the
beginning of the clip sets out
a genre of crime. A genre of
drugs is also clearly shown
through the mies-en-scene of
the empty room which comes
across as a typical drugs den
and is instantly recognisable
with the audience along with
the belt and needles which are
know tools of a drug user.

5. Narrative
The narrative begins slightly positive
emphasised by the upbeat soundtrack
and the occasional smile coming from
the protagonist. The narrative becomes
more positive as we change to a football
pitch where the group of friends are
having fun illustrating elements of
friendship and banter which both are
key aspects of the film. However this
soon turns negative as we again switch
scenes to the main character ”Renton”
in a empty drug den falling to the floor.
Which shows a much sinister side and
also illustrates the spilt personality
genre of the characters and the film as a
whole.

6. Lighting
The use of light is key in the clip
to demonstrate the opposing
lifestyles of the characters for
example when shown on the
football pitch the bright lighting
emphasises the positivity and
normality however when the
scene changes to the drug den
there is not much lighting which
gives off a dark look which
illustrates the sinister ambiance.

7. Sound
The diegetic sound playing is Lust for life by Iggy
Pop who is mentioned numerous times
throughout the film which puts the time in which
time the film was made and what was popular at
the time in to context. The lyrics of the song also
reflect what is happening in the clip and also the
narrative that we hear in together with the song
come to the idea of making the most out of life
and striving for your dreams. The repetition of
‘choose a…’ in the non- diegetic speech explains
the meaning behind the story line, that life is what
you make it and that anything is possible if you try
hard enough.
Also the indie like diegetic music is used to give a
sense of the location the film is set as it gives a
British feel but is far from “posh” if anything the
opposite the music foreshadows the living
conditions of the characters.

8. Editing
• The editing of the film consists of
quick jumps. This is done to quicken
the pace of the clip keeping the
audience interested and matching
the speed of the diegetic sound
underneath. Shot reverse shots are
also used to capture the reactions of
the characters and give the audience
a feel of their personality. In addition
jumpy editing of the sequence helps
portray the polar double life of the
character “Renton” by switching
from scene to scene”

9. Titles
The film was produced by Channel
Four Films which is a British film
institute who often produce realist
British drama films like the one in
question. Universal which is a well
know film company was titled as a
distributor along with other
uncredited companies such as
Miramax. Universal is global and is
well known for its success at
distributing films and may be one
of the reasons why “Trainspotting
"did so well as it did.