Harry Brown - trailer analysis

This is the link to the Harry Brown trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVOSfHFNlcI

Harry Brown is an action film, and we can see this from the meanings within the trailer. The trailer itself is quick and involves a lot on the side of guns and explosions. It is set in dark lighting to give it a more sinister look. There are a lot of things in this trailer which i like, and there is a lot to be learnt about the codes and conventions of real trailers.

• One of the first shots in the trailer, after the establishing shot, is the following one. In it we see a darkly lit face to the side of the screen. This tells us that there is something important about this character. He is a famous actor and as a result the film is being sold by the star appeal of him as a purpose. The fact that we only see half of his face is almost saying this guys so famous you don't need to see his whole face to recognise him.

The camera is also looking up at him, which gives the impression he is somewhat important.

• The trailer features a lot of quick cutting which makes the trailer seem to go with a lot more pace and excitement. This makes the audience concentrate and also highlights the action genre of the film.
• The lighting of the trailer is dark the whole way through, which puts a more sad and more upsetting spin on everything. In the dark everything seems worst and more scary, the fact that it is dark, again, scares the audience and makes them feel slightly uncomfortable.

• The next couple of screen shots show some of the mise en scene that is involved in the trailer in order to establish it in the action genre. For example, we see explosions and guns. These are things that we would associate with no other genre other than action.

• The way in which Harry appears the most in the trailer tells us that he is the most important character in the play and is central to the story line.
• One thing that I noticed when watching the trailer was the use of shot reverse shot. This is a feature that we see in continuity editing, and as a result the audience get a sense of perspective, but at the same time are kept concentrating on what’s happening rather than what the editing is doing.

• The final shot of the trailer is of Harry Brown himself holding a gun, the camera is looking up at him and as a result we understand, as an audience, that him is in a position of power.

• When the police come into the trailer it becomes lighter, which puts a more happy and hopeful spin on the situation. This could be said to symbolise the police as a form of hope and salvation within the film.

• The trailer has certain occasions where it fades to blank and writing is seen, these is a common theme that you would find in teaser trailers and it is something that i will need to consider. Not only does this add dramatic effect, it also tells the audience that there has been a change in place or time.