Summary of film analysis

By analysing films I have found that as well as in the trailers, there are many tracking shots used to portray gymnastics. This shows how shots from the film are used in the trailer so I will need to ensure my trailer uses shots that would potentially be in my film.

I have also noticed how the voice overs in the trailers are used from the voice overs in the films, however only small parts of the voice overs are included in the trailer. From this I can conclude that the voice over in my trailer cannot be too long and cannot consist of unnecessary information. I will ensure to include a voice over which includes information that is necessary to the part of the trailer being shown.

The films also use a lot of close up shots which are conventional for the genre of drama and therefore I will make sure I use this type of shots in my trailer, particularly on my protagonist as I want the audience to empathise with this character.

In addition to the trailers, the films also use a lot of establishing shots to set scenes, and tracking shots to portray gymnastics therefore I am going to include these in my trailer. Another way gymnastics moves are portrayed in these films are by editing and using slow motion. This empathises the shots and makes them more interesting; therefore from this research I have decided to add some editing and slow motion to the shots consisting of gymnastics.

I have also noticed from analysing the films that non-diegetic music is a big contribution to portraying the atmosphere of the scene. I have concluded from this that I will include non-diegetic music in my trailer to help convey the atmosphere of the scene. 

'McKenna shoots for the stars' film

The film begins with a birds eye view shot of girls doing gymnastics. This shot has been used to see the wider scheme of things and to immediately set the scene and theme of the film. Within this, editing is used to put the gymnastics in slow motion to exaggerate the movement.

Immediately after this, a close up is used on the protagonist. Juxtaposing this close up shot with the birds eye view shot makes it obvious to the audience who the protagonist is. It also makes it clear that gymnastics is a sport that McKenna (the protagonist) does.

Non-diegetic sound of music is playing at the beginning of the film and the lyrics say ‘winners never quit, quitters never win.’ This portrays the fact that winning and quitting is going to be a main theme of the sport and film and also a struggle that McKenna faces.

Diegetic sound is used through dialogue when McKenna’s best friend says ‘Olympics 2016, I’ll be on the podium with my gold, you next to me with your silver.’ This connotes the fact that the girls have big dreams that they are determined to achieve, and also shows their passion in gymnastics. This also shows that determination and passionate about something are characteristics a protagonist should have. This part of the film is shown in the trailer, suggesting it is a significant part of the film.

An establishing shot of a city is used to set the next scene. This shot has been edited to speed up the movement of cars and people to portray the fact it is a busy city. After this another establishing shot is used of the outside of a family house to further set the scene. A zoom in shot is then used to  suggest the next shot will be inside this house. The mise-en-scene of the following shots consist of a family sitting round a table generally talking, laughing and joking around by singing.  The way they are conveyed as a happy family makes them relatable to the audience.

A pan shot is used around McKenna’s room enabling the audience to see everything in her room and show clearly all the posters, trophies, medals etc that are all to do with gymnastics. A shift focus is also used along three trophies as it focus’ from one trophy to the next, allowing the audience to see that she has a lot of trophies. These shots convey how much the protagonist loves gymnastics and how passionate she is about the sport.

Whilst McKenna is attempting to do a science test, there is diegetic sound of a clock which has been edited to be made louder than normal so it is exaggerated. On top of this, more non-diegetic sound is used as a voice over of McKenna reading in her head. This has also been edited so many sentences are being said at the same time suggesting she is confused and stressed out.

In the scene of gymnastics competition, all shots of gymnastics have been edited and put in slow motion to make everything more dramatic. There is also non-diegetic sound of up beat music, and diegetic sound of applauding which work together to create a happy, but competitive atmosphere. 

Just before McKenna has a fall whilst doing gymnastics, her moves are put in slow motion and a lot of close up shots are used. The length of shots are quite long and fade into each other; this builds up the tension and makes everything more dramatic. The diegetic sound is edited to sound delusional which gives a sense of realism and also gets the reader involved and allows them the empathise with the protagonist at this point. 

After this there is an establishing shot used to show a thunder storm outside. This could be pathetic fallacy and relating to the protagonists current feelings. After this the mise-en-scene of the next shots of McKenna ripping down posters crying and the diegetic sound of thunder in the background portray McKenna’s feeling upset of angry.

A shot reverse shot is used showing girls doing gymnastics, and then McKenna. This shot is used to convey the fact McKenna is watching the girs doing gymnastics and is upset and jealous that she can not join in. 

A range of shots showing different scenes of the protagonist improving at gymnastics, improving with her school work and having fun with her friends are shown for a short length of time alongside with non-diegetic sound of up beat music. The length of the shots and type of music suggest determination of McKenna and a more positive atmosphere.

Diegetic sound through the use of dialogue is used when one of McKenna’s friends says to her ‘you kind of inspire me, you're so fearless.’ This dialogue shows that the protagonist is inspiring and fearless which are characteristics that allow the audience to empathise with the protagonist.

When the protagonist is thinking back of memories with her friend, the shots are edited to make them look as if they are glowing. This ensures that the audience know these are the thoughts of the character.

'Stick it' film

The film begins with a zoom out shot from the credits to a phone screen, as if the credits are on the phone within the film. This immediately draws in the viewers attention as an establishing shot it then shown. This shows a big space of empty, dirty land; the protagonist is shown in this view on a bike. This establishing shot sets the scene for the first part of the film.

Multiple tracking shots are then used alongside of the characters riding their bikes; this shot is used to get the viewer involved as it feels like you as the audience are there with the characters. At the same time as this, non-diegetic sound of music is being used which the lyrics consist of the phrase ‘stick it’. This links the title of the film with the situation on screen as the characters are doing flips with their bikes and trying to ‘stick’ their landings. There is also use of diegetic sound of the movement of the bikes which gives a sense of realism to the scene. Editing is also used in this scene as the flips on the bikes are put in slow motion to emphasise the movement.

The mise-en-scene in this section of the film the audience would assume that it is all boys in the scene as this is seen stereotypically as a boy hobby. Also, all the shots show the boy characters however the protagonist has her hood up therefore it is not clear to the audience who she is or what she looks like which is another reason the audience would assume it is a group of boy friends in the scene. The clothing of the characters such as hoody and baggy tracksuit bottoms also seem stereotypically as clothes boys would wear. A close up shot is used on the protagonist so the audience can clearly see who she is and at the same time a non-diegetic sound in the form of a voice over is being used where the protagonist is giving general information about herself. This being shown after the scene with the bikes allows the audience to know a background of the protagonist, what her hobby is and who her friends are.

When Haley (the protagonist) is in court, diegetic sound through the use of dialogue is being used by Haley and her parents as they talk about her being ‘sent to VGA.’ The tone of Haleys voice in addition to the mise-en-scene of her facial expressions, her hatred for ‘VGA’ is portrayed however this leaves the audience wondering what VGA is. 

Close-up camera shots are used when Haley gets to ‘VGA’ and we see people running, doing sit ups or press ups. The close-up shots are useful here as it does not show clearly where the people are but it gives clues to the audience of what VGA is. 

Non-diegetic sound of music is used to build up the wait to see what ‘VGA’ which works well with the use of close up camera shots. The music suddenly stops as an establishing shot is used which shows a gymnasium. This shot has been used to enable the audience to see the place in full and to set the scene of the next part of the film. The length of this shot is quite long to enable the audience to take in the place; at the same time non-diegetic sound is used as the voice over of the protagonist says ‘Vickerman gymnastics academy.’ This happens suddenly as the build up is over and it is finally revealed where the place Haley dislikes a lot and is being sent to.

Another range of close up shots are used within the gym to give the audience an idea of what happens here; these shots of gymnastics juxtapose and contrast to the shots of the bikes as it is a very girly sport. This could also portray the fact Haley hates the sport of gymnastics as the audience know how much she likes her hobby of biking/skating. 

A pan shot is used around the gym which enables the audience to see how much Haley stands out. She is wearing a hoody, baggy shorts, a hat and a rucksack which juxtaposes to the other girls in the gym who are all dressed in leotards. This shot portrays the fact that Haley does not ‘fit in’ with the girls and the sport.

Non-diegetic sound is used in the form of a voice over; Haley is saying ‘gymnastics tells you no. It calls you an idiot and mocks you over and over.’ At the same time as this a shot reverse shot is being used with Haley and the vault, a piece of gymnastics equipment. It is used to show Haley staring at the vault, and suggests the vault is staring back. The sound and camera shot work together to personify the vault by portraying it as a person staring at Haley which suggests the protagonist see’s gymnastics as a person that is not nice.

When there are many gymnasts training in the gym, a tracking shot is used along all the girls to show a comparison between the protagonist and the rest of the characters. This shot enables the audience to see Haleys struggle with the moves compared to everyone else.

To portray a gymnastics competition in the trailer, editing is used to show multiple characters on each piece of equipment which enables the audience to view the whole competition in a short amount of time. This is shown at the same time as non-diegetic sound of tension building music is being played; these two aspects together connote competitiveness and mystery of who the winner of the competition will be. 

A three shot is used to show Haley and 2 other characters. This shot is used to show a comparison between the 3 characters; Haley is doing a rock sign with her hand with an unimpressed face as the other girls are smiling and presenting like gymnasts are meant to do in competitions. This shot shows that Haley does not care about the competition and is not taking it seriously like the others are.

Editing is used to put the gymnastics moves in slow motion. This highlights them and gives time for tension to build up to leave the viewer wondering whether they will stick their landing or not. Diegetic sound of the movement of the gymnasts in the air is also used to exaggerate their moves. This editing also links the scene back to the beginning of the film with the bikes which suggests the protagonist now enjoys the sport of gymnastics again as much as she enjoyed being on her bike. 

'The Fault in our Stars' film

At the beginning of the scene an establishing shot is used showing the sky with stars in. This camera shot sets the scene and relates to the title of the film and also the trailer as the trailer begins with this same shot. Another shot used immediately after that is also in the trailer, is a birds eye view close up shot of the main protagonist, Hazel, lying on the ground. The way it is shown immediately after the establishing shot suggests Hazel is lying under the stars which connotes a peaceful, but deep thinking atmosphere.

A non-diegetic sound of a narrative is used by the main protagonist near the start of the film. After a scene in the doctors talking about how Hazels mum thinks she has depression, the voice over says ‘depression is not a side effect of cancer, it is a side effect of dying. Which is whats happening to me.’ This non-diegetic sound gives context of what the film is about and extra information about the protagonist.

Diegetic sound is used through the use of dialogue when Hazel’s mum says ‘make some friends.’ Immediately after this the shot shows Hazel bumping into a new character, Augustus. A shot-reverse-shot is used at a fast speed to connote that there is a connection between these 2 characters. This part of the film was also used in the trailer suggesting it is a significant part as it is when the 2 main protagonists first meet. 

Diegetic sound is used through dialogue as Hazel is explaining to Augustus her ‘cancer story.’ A sound bridge is used as this dialogue changes into non-diegetic sound as a scene is edited in to create a flashback. This editing shows shots of Hazel as a child in hospital, with cancer. This in addition to the sound being used gives us more information on the main protagonist; how she has lived with cancer her whole life etc.

The mise-en-scene of the actions and body language of Hazel shows how she is interested in Augustus after spending time with him. She is constantly checking her phone and to further portray this, diegetic sound is used when Hazel says to her mum ‘it not like I’m waiting for him to call.’

Editing is used to portray Hazel and Augustus texting each other; the texts are typed on the screen with a non-diegetic typing sound. This engages the audience to ensure they read the texts to gain the information from the film.

When Augustus is telling Hazel how they are going to Amsterdam, a close up is used to show Hazel’s emotions which connote her happiness. There is also sound used to help portray this; diegetic sound of Hazel saying ‘thank you’ sounding very grateful and non-diegetic sound of happy music to create an atmosphere. The mise-en-scene also connotes their happiness and excitement as there is a shot of Hazel hugging Augustus. In contrast to this, immediately after, a black screen has been edited in which connotes disappointment and negativity. In addition to this, non-diegetic sound of a voice over is used as Hazel says ‘but then this happened.’ The black screen puts emphasis on this to show an anti climax and to prepare the audience for bad news. Editing is then used to show a scene of Hazel being rushed to hospital; the editing is used to put the shots in slow motion which emphasises them and gives the audience time to reflect and empathise. 

A zoom out shot is used on the character of Augustus waiting for Hazel at the hospital. The zoom enables the audience to empathise with the characters feelings as it enables us to see the mise-en-scene of his body language and facial expressions in which he looks upset and worried.

When the two main protagonists meet up before they go out for dinner, an over the shoulder shot is used on top of a shot-reverse-shot to suggest the characters are looking at each other. The mise-en-scene of their facial expressions shows smiles on their faces, and smart clothing suggesting a romantic meal. The non-diegetic sound of romantic music also contributes to the romantic atmosphere. All of this again shows the connection between the two characters and connotes love. 

A pan shot is used to show the entire restaurant. This sets the scene and looks very romantic again connoting love. This shot is also used in the trailer suggesting it is an important part of the fim. 

A close up camera shot is used on the two main protagonists kissing. At the same time non-diegetic sound of a voice over is used. Hazel says ‘I fell in love with him the way you fall asleep, slowly then all at once.’ This is used with the close up shot to suggest this moment was the ‘all at once.’

An establishing camera shot is used so the audience can clearly see the two protagonists walking towards each other; one in a wheelchair and once with an oxygen tank. At the same time as this shot, non-diegetic sound of sad music is playing to create an emotional atmosphere. This allows the audience to empathise with the characters and reminds us that they are both ill but also have each other to help them through it.