The document provides examples of film trailers that effectively use music in their soundtracks. Example 1 for The Lucky One uses shifts between instrumental and lyrical versions of songs to change the emotional tone. Example 2 for Slumdog Millionaire uses different songs to shift between suspense, comedy and emotion. Example 3 for Whiplash uniquely focuses on diegetic music from the film itself to build tension. Example 4 for Boyhood uses a single nostalgic song, alternating instrumental and lyrical versions to match the visuals.

1. Soundtrack Research
Abii Birkett

2. Example 1 : The Lucky One
Although this film is more of a hybrid genre of drama and romance, the trailer has
a very good example of music and the use of it.
https://youtu.be/MKqaiQZdv3c
It starts off with the light piano intro as the voice over is the main focus. At 0:27 the pace
quickens slightly and the whole track changes (You’re a Wolf by Sea Wolf) which ends at 0:48
on a cymbal so the diegetic voices of actors can be heard with no music. Then the track
starts again at 0:52, it may have just been a short break in the instrumental version of the
song, which changes the atmosphere into a more soulful one. At 1:16 the track completely
changes to a well known track (You Found Me By The Fray) which is also an instrumental to
start with. For a more dramatic effect the lyrical version starts at 1:42 and brings with it a
wave of emotion that captures the audiences and may persuade them to watch the film. The
trailer then ends of the soft closure of the song.
(2012)

3. Example 2 : Slumdog Millionaire
This trailer starts with a very suspense scene and the music pays tribute to that
(they have used Estatica By Huixtralizer). At 0:37 it then changed to play ‘Great
DJ’ by the Ting Tings which adds a slightly comedic element to the mix but also
changes the tones of the trailer to a more lighter one. 1:11 brings the well known
song ‘Hippipolla’ by Sigur Ros to the trailer and instantly bring an emotional
element to it. Soft and light lyrics come in at 1:59 but are not distracting. The
trailer finishes as the song fades out.
https://youtu.be/AIzbwV7on6Q
(2008)

4. Example 1 : Whiplash
I wanted to include this as an example due to it’s uniqueness. As it focus is on music it’s
obvious that that is what is included in the trailer, expressing that element of the film. There is
little noticeable soundtrack throughout the trailer which adds to the isolation of the character
in the film. Here is a slight orchestral track underneath the voice overs at the beginning
however that stops as soon as the drums are played within the scene (Caravan by John
Wasson). Bass guitar strings are then lightly dumbed to build tension until 1:35 where the
diegetic sound takes preference and a dramatic effect is created when the drum roll gets
faster and faster as well as louder until 1:57 when a piano finished the trailer with a low note.
This music drama hybrid had a very different approach when it comes to the
soundtrack.
https://youtu.be/aHDEZXoh4-c
(2014)

5. Example 4 : Boyhood
(2014)
This trailer start with a very nostalgic soft guitar plucking pattern taken from the
song ’Hero’ By Family of the Year. It being out the childish and carefree quality
that the film wants to express. The instrumental version of this song is played
until 0:23 where song fades to a stop, then starts again, this time with lyrics. From
then on it changes between the instrumental and lyrical versions depending on
the visual scene. It’s an example of a film trailer that uses only one song for the
entire trailer.
https://youtu.be/Ys-mbHXyWX4