The trailer for Reservoir Dogs introduces the characters and heist plot through dialogue and shots of the actors in their signature black and white suits. It establishes that the heist goes wrong by disrupting the group's equilibrium. The editing cuts between scenes and action quickly to imitate the film, while the song "Stuck in the Middle with You" and gunshot sounds set the tone. Camera work like tracking and reaction shots show tension between the characters and foreshadow conflict during their "perfect crime."

1. TRAILER ANALYSIS
RESERVOIR DOGS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vayksn4Y93A

2. STRUCTURE
1. Introduction of characters
2. Introduction to the diamond/jewellery heist narrative
3. Disruption to equilibrium is introduced through dialogue- ‘if they hadn’t done what I
told them not to do they’d still be alive’
4. Actors are introduced, accompanying shots of their characters
5. Film title shown, and Tarantino (director and writer) introduced.
6. The title ‘Reservoir Dogs’ is an expression in America for dogs who hang around a
reservoir- like the gang in the film, there are brought together by something but do
not like each other.
7. The colours of the titles represent aspects in the film- the black and white resembles
the black and white suits the men famously wear. The red connotes the large
amount of blood shown.

3. EDITING
Editing
•Black screens between scenes with titles saying: ‘6 perfect strangers’ ‘are teaming
up’ ‘to pull off the perfect crime’ – this helps the audience to understand the
narrative without giving away anything crucial.
•In the scene (above) where the men are walking along together the speed has
been slowed right down
•Again at the end the men walk towards the camera in slow motion emphasize that
they are working as a team.
•The shots of the men hitting each other and suggesting torture are quickly cut to
imitate the action in the film.

4. CAMERA WORK AND MISE-EN-SCENE
MISE EN SCENE
•Suits are worn by the men suggesting they are gangsters. These black and white suits
have become signature to the film.
•Props: guns and cars feature throughout the trailer, typical of a crime genre film.
CAMERA WORK
•Tracking shot is used when the men are first introduced, this shows them looking
around at each other, suggesting the tension between them all.
•Quick shot of a gun being loaded. This immediately introduces the crime narrative to
the audience.
•Shots of the men hitting each other, and pulling out guns on each other tell the
audience that there will be a disruption to the planned heist.

5. SOUND
• The song played throughout the trailer is ‘stuck in the middle with
you’ by Stealers Wheel, also featured in the film. Because it is light
and upbeat it gives the trailer a lighter more comic feel.
• 3 times within the trailer there is a sudden bit of violence that stops
the music and is then followed by dialogue which pushes uncovers
a bit more of the narrative to the audience. For example: you hear
a gun being clicked into place and then following is the dialogue
‘what happens if the manager wont give me the diamonds’. This
introduces the heist narrative.
• Quick cut scenes of gunshots- both real guns and people saying
‘bam’
• Voice over introducing the starring actors.

6. SOUND
• The song played throughout the trailer is ‘stuck in the middle with
you’ by Stealers Wheel, also featured in the film. Because it is light
and upbeat it gives the trailer a lighter more comic feel.
• 3 times within the trailer there is a sudden bit of violence that stops
the music and is then followed by dialogue which pushes uncovers
a bit more of the narrative to the audience. For example: you hear
a gun being clicked into place and then following is the dialogue
‘what happens if the manager wont give me the diamonds’. This
introduces the heist narrative.
• Quick cut scenes of gunshots- both real guns and people saying
‘bam’
• Voice over introducing the starring actors.