The document analyzes the soundtracks of two movie trailers, The Good Lie and Birdman. For The Good Lie, the soundtrack uses uplifting African music to set the scene and introduces the main characters as refugees from Sudan. For Birdman, the soundtrack shifts between classical and drum music to represent the protagonist's changing mood and life situation as a former celebrity struggling in the present. Both soundtracks effectively summarize the films' stories through music and dialogue without revealing the endings.

1. Soundtrack
Functions
The Good Lie Birdman
Specific information conveyed
Helps make
sense of the
narrative:
giving
background
information
The beginning music is uplifting until the helicopter
flies over the girl. It then quickly changes to the
helicopter noise and gun shots. Violent sounds are
conveyed. The different language suggests that they
are in a foreign country. There is dialogue of a mans
voice explaining what ice is. This suggest the people
he is talking to come from a hot country who are
given little education, which stereotypically
suggests to be Africa. When one of the Sudanese
men asks about dangerous animals such as lions
being in the area, it gives the audience context as to
where they have come from. Also, how they have
little understanding of this new world they have
entered.
At the beginning there is a drum introduction like an
opening drum roll. There is a lot of dialogue in the trailer
which explains the narrative well. ‘How did we end up
here?’ ‘This place is horrible.’ This suggests the main
protagonist feels trapped in his life. ‘We had it all.’ ‘You
were a movie star, remember?’ This dialogue gives the
audience context of the protagonists life. Sound effects
are used throughout the film trailer; such as, at points
with the helicopter noise, finger click, explosions and car
screeches. This implies to the audience that there is some
sort of action within the film.
Character
information
The audience is told that Karen is a job hunter for
those in need. We also find out that she is an
American single woman as the men later ask her if
she is married which she replies with ‘no.’ She also
provides for herself which the men are surprised by.
This highlights how they have come from a different
culture. The male characters say they are from
Sudan. However, the audience are only told they
are ‘orphaned by war across three countries’ from
the text on screen. The audience is also told
through dialogue that one of the men had 34
brothers and sisters but only one is still alive. She is
stuck at the Kakuma refugee camp where all flights
have been stopped. Thus, creates emotion of
determination and upset for which the audience
may connect with and therefore, want to find out
how this problem is solved by watching the film.
The guitar strumming beat follows with a mix of voice
overs and dialogue. ‘Who is this guy?’ ‘He used to be
Birdman.’ From the dialogue the audience is also told he
is ambitiously trying to create a play. He is trying to prove
that he is not a ‘washed up comic strip character.’ The
sombre piano music starts when his daughter is talking to
him. His daughter tells him that he doesn’t matter. This
creates realism within the film trailer which the audience
can connect to. Therefore, becoming more informed
about the characters. The voice over states ‘You are
Birdman. You are a god.’ This highlights to the audience
that the main character once had a status and has now
lost it. He is trying to gain it back but is struggling.
Showcases
stars
The main star in the film, Reese Witherspoon, is not
told to the audience through sound. Only her name
appears as text on the screen. ‘Academy Award
Winner Reese Witherspoon.’
No stars names are said in the voiceover. Their names are
not written individually as text on screen either. This
could be because the main character, Michael Keaton,
and his daughter in the film, Emma Stone, are both well
know actors. Therefore, the producers may have decided
that there names didn’t need to be said or written on
screen for their star titles to be known or for them to be
recognised.
Important
production
information
given
The production information is not voiced in the
soundtrack, but, like the star character, is written as
text on screen. The production logos are displayed
at the beginning of the trailer. Then later on, ‘From
Academy Award Winning Producers Ron Howard
and Brian Grazer’ appears on screen. This is quickly
followed by another piece of text saying ‘and
Executive Producer of The Blind Side.’ There is also
more text from the production company and other
important people involved in the film displayed on
screen at the end of the film trailer.
The production company information was not in the
soundtrack but was shown on screen. The production
logos were on screen at the beginning of the film trailer.
Also, ‘An Alejandro G. Inarritu Film’ was displayed as text
on screen at 1.23 minutes into the trailer. The names of
the actors involved appear at the end of the trailer. They
are shown in a list so not one actor is singled out. The
production details, like all trailers, are also displayed at
the end of the trailer. Another feature only displayed as
text and not said as a voice over is the film festival official
selection awards that the film received, which are on
screen at the end of the film trailer.

2. Creates
anticipation
about the
films release
The music becomes uplifting towards the end of the
film trailer which suggests there is a happy ending to
the film. The text ‘Inspired by the incredible true
story,’ appears on screen which helps promote the
film further.
The music changes a couple of times during the film
trailer. After the classical music, the drums start playing.
This creates anticipation as the pace increases towards
the end. This implies that the end of the film is
significant.
Reinforces the
film title
The African style music, such as the use of drums,
creates the idea of travel within the film. The
soundtrack increases in volume which helps create
the uplifting feeling in the film. However, the actual
title ‘The Good Lie’ appears as written text on the
screen.
The bird squawk at 1:39 minutes into the film trailer
directly reinforces the title of the film. ‘Birdman or (The
Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance.)’ The music builds to a
climax, then cuts off to match the calmer music when
the title is displayed on screen.
Sets the tone
for the film
The music is happy, joyful and light hearted.
Although, there is a sense of sadness at the very
beginning when the characters are shown to be
caught up in the war. ‘This Fall’ is text that appears
on the screen, telling the audience when it is
released. As it appears onscreen the music becomes
louder and the song chorus begins. The song playing
says the lyrics ‘I will find a way.’ These are very
powerful words as ‘will’ is an epimistic modal verb
expressing their opinion in wanting to do well. The
‘Coming Soon’ text also appears on the screen
towards the very end of the film trailer.
The music is fast paced which suggests excitement at
this point in the main characters life. However, when
the piano music starts, it implies sadness and a dark time
in the main protagonists life. After the classical music
finishes, the drums play alongside the sound of the
commotion of the people in the city. The classical music
suggests a comedy aspect to the film; whereas, the
drums suggests that they are living life in the fast lane
and that he could be in show business.
Summarises
the story,
helps to
create
anticipation
but does not
give away the
ending
The main dialogue that sums up the narrative is
when the man says ‘All flights from the Kakuma
refugee camp have been stopped.’ The woman then
says ‘Since 9/11 the program here is stopped
indefinitely.’ This is clearly referring to the refugees
coming to America which is displayed to be the main
narrative for the film.
‘Hey is this for real or are you shooting a film?’ ‘A film.’
This highlights that they are shooting a film. This was
followed by the classical music which was used to
emphasise the comedic effect of the film they are
making. The music then becomes more dramatic and is
stressed by the commotion of the people in the city. This
then changes to drums playing which is at the very end
of the film trailer. This implies the film takes the
audience on a journey, with this man, through a pivotal
point in his life. ‘He’s a Hollywood clown in a lycra bullet
suit.’ ‘Yes he is but he’s going out on stage risking
everything.’ This also summaries the narrative. He is
seen as a laughing stock and is putting himself out there,
on stage, to try and prove a point. He is trying to show
everybody that he is not a failure and that he is
something worthwhile.