The document analyzes the cinematography, editing, sound, mise-en-scene, and conventions used in the film trailer for The Time Traveler's Wife. It discusses how two shots are used to show the romantic relationship between the main characters. Close-ups reveal their emotions and a wide shot establishes their playful dynamic. Editing employs fades and shot-reverse-shot to signify commitment between the couple and build tension during arguments. Sound design utilizes dialogue to convey their affection and non-diegetic music to underscore dramatic life events and loneliness. Mise-en-scene features symbols of love and Christmas decorations to elicit sympathy. Overall, the trailer employs conventions of romantic genres and film forms to introduce
2. Camerawork
The purpose of two shots are to show the relationship
between the characters and how the female is leant back
against the cupboard shows her relaxed attitude in the
presence of the male characters. It emphasises there
romantic relationship. It also enables the characters to be
contrasted against each other revealing their both masculine
and feminine characteristics. The composition also shows
the male character to be positioned above the female
characters as if he is looking down at her making him appear
dominant and her as a more vulnerable character.
Close-ups are also used to show emotions of the
characters, it signifies there close relationship as
she places her hand on his cheek. Romantic
films emphasise the vulnerability of the male
character who in other films would appear
masculine. It creates the impression that only in
the female presence will the male character
behave this way. This is contrasted with the
males appearance and how he appears scruffy
and is wearing casual clothing. The purpose of
the shot is primarily to reveal emotions.
The wide shot shows the scene of a hotel room the night of there
wedding, it signifies there playful relationship as they are laughing
and jumping on the bed. It also leads on to when the vanishes and
she is left alone and gives a sense of vulnerability and loneliness. It
reveals her dependence on the male and how there life is different
to a normal married couple as he disappears unexpectedly beyond
his own control. The purpose of the shot is too create a sense of
drama.
3. Editing
The use of the fade in to the scene where they are
laying in bed together creates a smooth transition
between scenes. It shows them at different places
together emphasises there long term relationship
despite him time travelling and not knowing
where he will go or when he will be back. The
purpose of the fade is to signify a sense of
commitment and dedication between the couple.
Shot-reverse-shot is used when the two characters are arguing. The purpose
of this shot type is to build up tension showing how the female is upset and
distressed by the male going away at any time beyond control. It is typical of
romantic film to have conflict in order to resolve the issues and be brought
closer together.
The use of more feminine serif font signifies
how it is a romantic film and how it is mainly
focused towards a female audience. The use
of light pastel colours mean that the film is
not sinister such as a bold san serif red font
that may appear in a horror.
The purpose of the eyeline match is to show
perspective from the male time traveller when
he is looking at now wife as a young child when
he time travels to see her. It suggests her life is
planned out and she is destined to spend her life
with him connoting the typical romantic
elements.
4. Sound
Dialogue “I’ve known Henry since I was six
years old” and “one second he was there the
next he was gone”. The purpose of this
dialogue is to signify the vulnerability and
imagination of the girl at a young age being
retold in the voice of herself as a young
women. It creates a sense of naivety but also
magic and usually this type of story goes no
further than being fictional.
Non-diegetic sound where the
male is time travelling creates
a sense of mystery and magic
to the viewer. It allow the
viewer to associate the noise
with him time travelling which
therefore makes the
transitions smoother.
The male time travellers uses
dialogue such as “its like gravity I
go back to big events” and the
women says “ I was a big event”. It
signifies her affection for him as he
makes an intelligent remark and
she is more struck by the idea of
him suggesting she is of great
importance. It connotes there
romantic interests in each other.
Fast paced non-diegetic music is used when the
trailer goes through life events of the couple, it
emphasises the time and life they have built
together and therefore makes the times he
disappears much more significant and upsetting for
the audience as they see the upset and loneliness
of the female character. It also creates a sense of
contrast as the male possesses the power to do this
but the female remains simple and can not
understand entirely what happens to her husband.
5. Mise-en-scene
The Christmas tree and decorations emphasises the holiday as
being importance and how because the time travellers is not there
she is isolated and alone suggesting her vulnerability. She is
unwrapping her presents alone which positions the audience to
feel sympathetic towards her as she is not surrounded by family
which is typically expected at this time of the year.
The purpose of symbols of relationships
signify love between characters. The use of
the wedding dress signifies the love of the
two characters and the location being
outdoors connotes freedom. Romance
associated props such as flowers further
represent the relationship to the audience.
High key lighting is used here to show the
excitement and happy associations with
getting married.
The clothes on the floor show that he has time travelled
and that this is the only evidence that he was there. It
positions the audience to feel sympathy towards the
female who is left not knowing when he is going to be
back. The low key lighting also creates a sense of
disappointment and mystery and he is unaware of where
he will travel to and when he will be back. The purpose
of the use of clothing shows the physical remains of the
male when he disappears it does not suggest the
emotional implications of his disappearance.
The use of props such as the wedding ring is typical for
romantic films and it signifies how they are choosing to spend
the rest of their life together and therefore shows the strong
relationship between characters. At the time she is looking at
the ring when he has disappeared it creates a sense of
reflection and that she is considering the quality of life she will
have with someone who disappears and how she will cope
with it.
6. Conventions of genre
-Voiceover to introduce theme
-Main characters introduced
-Aimed at female-leaning audience
-‘Boy meets girl’ scenario, typical happy endings.
-Emotional
-Usually some sort of conflict.
-Symbols of love i.e. flowers, hearts and wedding ring.
-Traditional ‘happy ever after’.
-Non-diegetic sounds to build atmosphere.
-Soft pop music
-Soft music when characters meet and begin to fall in love
-Non-diegetic music when they begin a relationship with music building
up when conflict arises leading to a breakup.
-dialogue
-sound effects
7. Convention of form
• The Time Travellers wife is typical for a film trailer as it uses a lot of close-ups and wide-shots
to show the emotions of the characters and the environments in which they are in.
• It uses high and low key light effectively in order to reflect the mood of the occasions such as
the high key lighting when they are getting married and low key lighting when he disappears
suddenly without warning. Lighting is dim in order to create a romantic tense atmosphere
between the two characters to show the connection between the male and female
characters.
• Non-diegetic music is used to create tension and build pace within the trailer. Fast paced
editing creates an attempt of a montage of life events as they are shown in snapshots in a
short period of time.
• Dialogue is generally emotive and used in the trailer to give a brief outline of what happens
In the story.
• Costume is often casual.
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