The trailer analysis document discusses the 1994 film Pulp Fiction directed by Quentin Tarantino. It summarizes that the opening sequence establishes the hedonistic lifestyle of the two main characters through short shots featuring sex, money and drugs. It introduces the Femme Fatale character of Mia Wallace through her black hair and red lipstick. The trailer focuses on conveying different emotions through changing titles and soundtracks. It also uses low key lighting in bar scenes typical of the noir/thriller genre.

1. A2 Media Studies Trailer Analysis of: Pulp Fiction, Quentin
Tarantino, 1994
The beginning of the film is
extremely frantic with lots of
short shots within the first five
seconds. It displays a hedonistic
lifestyle between the two main
characters Vincent and Jules. The
opening sequence features sex,
money and drugs- all of which
are typical elements of
noir/thrillers.
The obvious Femme Fatale was
introduced in the character of Mia
Wallace. We know this through the
iconography of her costume- i.e.
the jet-black hair and the bright red
lipstick. For each emotion
conveyed in the trailer there is a
new title overlaid and a different
soundtrack to match the emotion.
The scenes featured use lo key
lighting within bars which is a
typical element of the genre
Opening: Establishes setting
and introduces character.
Build up: relationships
established; development of
characters and their world.
Problem: a dilemma or series of
complications: characters faced
with an obstacle (or several) to
overcome. There may be more
than one ‘problem’ in the
narrative.
Events: a series of events
as characters try to
overcome obstacles and
solve problems. Further
complications may arise in
the process
The problem is introduced in a
comedic fashion when Jules says,
“I’m sorry, did I break your
concentration?” Incorporated into
this is the silencing of the music
track and leaving that scene quiet-
to make it feel more awkward. The
idea of the crime is introduced with
the line “you’ve got a corpse in a
car- take me to it”. The music
overlays the following clips which
have no audio and shows the action
within the film. This will entice the
audience to view the film.
The trailer gives away very little
of the plot, but chooses to focus
more on the tone of the film. The
voiceover at the end, which
introduces the actors that play
certain characters, is very
symbolic of the time that the film
was released. The editor of the
film has also chosen to
incorporate the gunshots of the
main characters into the
transitions of the film. The main
actions sequences of the film are
only shown for a brief few
seconds so as to not give away
the key details of the film.

2. A2 Media Studies Trailer Analysis of: Pulp Fiction, Quentin
Tarantino, 1994
The opening sequence of the film showing the hedonistic lifestyle of the characters
The over the shoulder shots of the twomain characters in the lift
The Femme Fatale characterof Mia Wallace

3. A2 Media Studies Trailer Analysis of: Pulp Fiction, Quentin
Tarantino, 1994
Low key lighting within the bar- a typical element of the noir/thriller genre
This shot confirms to the audience that Mia is in fact the Femme Fatale through the male gaze
A transition is cleverly used to cut to the title of the film from when the guns are fired