This document analyzes and summarizes shots from a movie trailer to understand character development and genre conventions. It discusses how lighting, location, relationships and interactions between characters are used to convey that the main character is initially lonely but gains confidence and friends over the course of the film. The analysis also notes conventions like the use of a high school setting and coming of age themes that are typical of teen drama movies.

2. The low key lighting in
this opening scene
immediately
represents perhaps
how the character is
feeling. The contrast
between the light and
dark could imply that
the character is sad or
in a dark place.
The boy appears to be at a desk doing work, which
would suggest that he is of school age and is doing
homework. On a further level, it could suggest that
he is hard working and focus’ on his studies,
however, this is only the first scene so we cannot
infer too much about his character just yet.
The speaker on the desk could suggest
that he enjoys listening to music, which
is somewhat stereotypical of teenagers.
In this scene, we hear
this characters voice as a
voiceover, which is a
typical convention of the
teen drama genre, and it
suggests that he is going
to be the main character
of this film.
The medium shot is effective in
enabling us to create a
representation of this character
and what his interests are.

3. The second shot is of teenagers
heading into school, which shows
that the main location of this film is
going to be a high school, an
important convention of the teen
drama genre
The long shot, almost a high
angle, gives us a clear picture and
understanding of the main setting
and the characters that are going
to be in the film, also
emphasising that this is a teen
drama film.
Just from the second shot we can
establish that the editing of this trailer is
fast paced, and uses montage editing to
emphasise the key moments in the film.
Compared to the last shot, the
colouring of this shot is very
bright and colourful, with bright
reds and yellows, which often
implies youthfulness and
innocence.

4. This font is used
throughout the
marketing campaign
for this film, and is a
good use of branding
as it is an easily
recognisable choice of
typography.
This bright green colour is also
used as a way of branding, and it
fits the conventions of teen
drama as it is bright and youthful
and would attract a younger
audience.
This insert is used
throughout the trailer
when adding a message
or introducing a
character.

5. This medium close up shot
introduces us to two new
characters, a young male and a
young female character.
Although they are quite close in
proximity, it is unclear what
their relationship to each other
is.
This shot, although mainly being an eye line
match shot, it is also an over the shoulder
shot, and we gain a closer insight to what the
main character is seeing from his point of
view.
There is also a very faint focus pull
on this shot, which highlights the
two new characters and makes
them more distinct than the main
character at this point.
Two of these characters
are wearing very bright,
primary colours, which
suggest youth and
perhaps individuality as
they stand out more than
the other male character
who is wearing navy and
white, very plain, ordinary
colours and clothing.
In this scene, there is
dialogue which talks
about ‘finding
yourself’, which could
imply that this film is
going to be a coming
of age story.

6. This medium long shot is effective
in representing what kind of
character this main character is.
The shot of him sitting by himself
on an empty table adheres to the
convention of a teen drama having
a ‘loner’ character.
The young boy is reading a book
alone, which going back to the
first shot, could suggest that he
enjoys studying and is very
intellectual.
This shot would position
the audience to feel
empathy for the character
as he is alone eating his
lunch at school, and some
teenagers could relate to
this situation.
The colours of this shot are
fairly basic, mainly dull
colours such as grey and
black, suggesting that
perhaps he is feeling blue
and sad, and not very
happy.

7. This shot of the main
charcters at a party
used colour and lighting
to create meaning and
representation. It
suggests that teenagers
like to party and drink
alcohol, and adheres to
the stereotype of
teenagers.
There is a hue of blue lighting in this scene,
which could either represent that the
character are feeling sad, or, because it is quite
a blue light, could suggest that they are happy
and positive about life.
The soundtrack
throughout this
teaser is quite upbeat
and high pitch, which
adheres to the
conventions of a teen
drama.
The medium long shot
shows us the characters and
their relationships to each
other. It also shows us the
location and what is
happening.

8. This shot also shows us
another example of the
main character being
alone and by himself,
however, he is smiling
and looks happier than
in previous shots.
The medium shot also emphasises how he is by
himself with nobody around him, representing
him as a ‘loner’- a typical convention.
The lighting is quite
low key in this, using
mainly dark colours, to
emphasise the mood
of the character.

9. This medium shot
shows us the main
character surrounded
by two girls, showing
that perhaps he has
finally made some
friends.
Although the lighting in
this scene is still fairly low
key and dark, the
expressions and body
language contrasts this and
suggests that the
characters are happy and
content.
The length of this
shot is longer than
any of the other
shots, which
perhaps highlights
that this is an
important part of
the movie as the
main character has
made friends and
is no longer the
‘loner’
In addition, there is more
dialogue in this scene than
there is in any other shots,
which highlights just how much
the characters have developed.

10. The final shot in this trailer is of
two characters singing and
dancing with a view of the river.
The body language between
both characters suggests there is
a close bond between them.
The background of this scene shows the river
and a misty skyline, suggesting that they are
in New York or another popular, huge city.
The high key lighting in this
final shot suggests that the
characters are happy and
enjoying life, compared to the
beginning of the trailer which
was such low key lighting.
The soundtrack fades out of this shot,
and leaves the characters singing
loudly together.