An analysis of the 2014 mockingjay part one trailer

1. FILM TRAILER
ANALYSIS:
MOCKINGJAY PART 1
By Erin Harper

2. About the film:
Mockingjay part 1 is a science
fiction, dystopian film aimed at
young adults. Based on the
bestselling novels by Suzanne
Collins, it is the 3rd film in the
franchise documenting Katniss
Everdeen's fight for freedom from
the hands of the overbearing
capitol. This trailer is the final
teaser trailer leading up to the films
release in November 2014, being
around 1.40 minutes, its shorter
than most conventional trailers,
however the Lionsgate films have
released 30 second long
clips/teasers of the film many
months in advance to build up hype
and tension.

3. Colour and Lighting:
The lighting and colour used in the trailer reflects the mood of the film, for
example, grey tones are used almost everywhere to reinforce the industrial
underground district 13, this gives a sombre, military look to the film, adding to
the audience experience by making them think this film is ‘darker’ than its
predecessors.
Also, low key lighting is prominent to highlight the underground scenes
of district 13, it makes it look gloomy, unappealing and industrial as
shadowy areas are highlighted.
The ‘gloomy’ light used in district 13
contrasts with the soft, warm light used
in the scene of Katniss and her sister
Prim, this tells the audience that this is
where Katniss wants to be and anchors
to the voiceover parallel to the visuals, “I
just wanted to save my sister” creates a
link with what is seen on screen.
To contrast the dull
lighting and colours used
in district 13, the colours
and lighting in the Capitol
scenes are very warm and
opulent, giving a luxurious
feel as colours such as
gold are typically referred
as a colour of the wealthy
and privileged.

4. Sound:
A voiceover is deployed at the beginning of the main character
speaking to allow the audience to build a relationship with that
character as they understand the situation from their point of view.
This is then used as a sound bridge to another scene when the
voiceover is finished, thus making a link between the sound and the
visuals. At the end of the trailer, a distinct four note sound motif is
used, this is an important motif throughout the franchise as it
symbolised the ‘call of rebellion’, therefore a motif is created for the
film that is instantly recognisable. A dramatic, non-diegetic score is
used in the middle third of the trailer to heighten excitement and to be
parallel to the fast paced visuals, this music has an apocalyptic theme
to it which links to the dystopian genre of the film. The soundtrack is
not part of the official film score but has been especially created to
match the ‘best bits’ shown in the trailer, this generates more
excitement and persuades the audience to buy tickets. At the start of
the trailer, a non-diegetic string score is used to build anticipation, it
also represents the loss and tragedy felt at the end of the last film,
therefore creating a sombre background to the trailer.

5. Camera angles:
To set the scene, a birds eye establishing sot is used at the start of the
trailer to create a sense of anticipation. Birds eye shots are used
frequently as a trailer opener to allow the audience to view everything
in the scene. Here a hovercraft can be seen, perhaps inferring war,
conflict and a sci-fi element to the film.
A canted angle is later used to depict Katniss on that
hovercraft, it represents the unsteadiness of flying on a
hovercraft, but also the unsteadiness of her emotions
since the last hunger games. It could also show
disorientation as to her reaction to her home of district
12 being destroyed.
An over the shoulder shot is used when Katniss is talking via
video to President Snow of the Capitol, this gives the president
more authority and power over her as he has the upper hand,
being the president of Panem. Therefore the audience can see
that in the film Katniss is seen as a diminutive figure as she is
only the ‘poster girl’ for the rebellion.
Here a two shot is used with a long shot format so the whole
character is seen, this emphasises the relationship between
the two characters. In this case an tv interview is taking place.

6. An extreme high angle shot is used to show president coin on a
balcony looking down at her subjects, this gives her a higher
status and portrays her as an authoritative figure. This also gives
her the upper hand and emphasises the fact that she is the leader
of district 13.
Low angle shots are used to reinforce dominance, for
example, Katniss and Gale are seen as dominant as they are
in the foreground of the frame, however in the background,
two hovercrafts threaten to destroy that dominance,
emphasising the conflict between the two sides. In the second
still, a low angle shot is used to emphasis height as the
characters are scaling a building, thus highlighting the danger
involved, therefore making it more exciting.
A long shot is used to view district 13. As the audience has never
seen it before, and anticipation has built for those who are fans of the
book, a long shot allows a lot of detail to fill the frame. Here we can
see many weapons, soldiers and vehicles, therefore highlighting
impending conflict, resurfacing the effervescent
Presence of war.

7. An eye level extreme close up is used to emphasise a character
relationship, here a video message is being given out from a
character calling for a ceasefire of the war, he is looking directly at
the screen, hence speaking directly to the people of Panem, this
could be seen as breaking the fourth wall as he is looking directly
into the lens.
Editing:
In terms of editing, this trailer uses a mixture of slow cuts and continuity editing
while she is on the hovercraft, this builds suspense, this is used alongside the
synchronous score which is also slow paced. The fade to blacks at the start of
the trailer slow down the visuals and signals the end of something, here, Katniss’
freedom. A cutaway is used to show her and her sister, which again links to the
sound as the voiceover at that point states ‘I just wanted to save my sister’. The
middle third of the trailer uses longer takes to allow the audience to see the
never before seen district 13, however the pace of the cuts quickens to
synchronise with the faster music. Eye line matching is used between Peeta and
Katniss to emphasise their relationship, referring back to the dialogue where she
states ‘and keep Peeta alive’. Superimposition of text on the screen adds
information of its release date and any more info on what the film is like, thus
creating audience anticipation. At the end third, a mixture of montage, action
matches and jump cuts are used to create the battle scene, this quickens the
pace of the editing to build to the finale of the trailer when the logo of the film
can be seen.

8. Mise-en-scene:
Props such as the bow and arrow are used frequently as
they are the weapon of choice for Katniss and the
symbol of rebellion, inferring she is defiant against the
capitol. The location is industrial as the film is set in the
future after a war/ uprising, the underground district 13
has a military feel to it, suggesting connotations of the
war to come. The symbol of the Mockingjay is shown on
the pin badge and as the logo of the film at the end of
the trailer, it is a symbol of rebellion and a key motif for
the film. Guns are depicted frequently, this links with the
films genre, a war based sci-fi, to emphasise the
impending conflict.