'McKenna shoots for the stars' trailer analysis

Camera shots:

The trailer begins with a birds eye view camera shot showing girls doing gymnastics which immediately portrays the theme of the film. This camera shot has been used to make the gymnastics look like a pattern which is appealing to the eye and therefore attracts the audience to the film/trailer.

The second camera shot used in the trailer is a close up of the main protagonist. This immediately after portraying the theme of the film, shows who the main character will be. The close up shot used connotes the fact the audience are going to be learning about this girls life and her thoughts and feelings which is conventional for the genre of drama. The shot also enables us to gain information such as the age of the protagonist which is useful for the audience to know.

A tracking shot is used here to show the girls doing gymnastics. This type of camera shot enables us to see the level of gymnastics the characters train at, which gives extra information about the film and gives an idea of how the sport is their main priority in the characters lives.

A tilt up shot is used here so the audience can fully see that Mckenna, the main protagonist, is in a cast and on crutches. The tilt enables time for the audience to think about the fact McKenna is on crutches and this will effect her life as gymnastics is very important to her and she is unable to do this sport whilst she is injured. 

Juxtaposition is used through the use of these shots; the first is an establishing shot which has been used so that the audience is able to see McKenna in the environment of her bedroom which has many trophies and gymnastics posters. This conveys the fact gymnastics is a sport McKenna loves; however the camera shot shows the protagonist looking sad and angry whilst ripping the posters down. The following close up shots a bit further on contrast this as they consist of McKenna smiling, looking happy, determined and motivated towards gymnastics. This comparison shows how the film is filled with different emotions and how the protagonist is a strong, inspirational character which is conventional for a drama genre film. 

Sound: 

The trailer begins with non diegetic sound of background music along with diegetic sound through dialogue of the protagonists saying ‘2016, I’ll be up on the podium with my gold…’ This tells the audience straight away that the girls have a big dream that they want to achieve. Diegetic sound still though dialogue is used when the main protagonist makes a joke, and the music stops to emphasise this. The sound here portrays the fact the film contains some humour and that the protagonist is a relatable character.

There is non-diegetic sound used in the form of a voice over throughout the trailer to give extra information on the film. For example it says ‘Mckenna was talented’ which is said at the same time as a shot of McKenna doing gymnastics is being shown, implying that gymnastics is her talent. The voice over states this to the audience to ensure they know this information. 

Diegetic sound of dialogue is used when McKenna’s dad says ‘gymnastics is taking up too much of your time, you're falling behind on your school work.’ This conveys the fact there is an issue with McKenna being so determined in gymnastics and to make this team; this is conventional for a film of a drama genre. In addition to this, the non-diegetic sound of music stops so that what Mckenna’s dad says is emphasised and the audience realises that this is a main struggle in the protagonist’s life. At the same time, a two shot of both Mckenna’s parents are used, suggesting they both agree with what her dad is stating which further connotes that this is a true statement. 

Here, diegetic sound is used as McKenna says ‘there has to be someone else’ and a new character is introduced and says ‘McKenna’. At the same time non-diegetic music is used which connotes a new beginning and implies there is a future friendship between these 2 characters. Also, diegetic sound through dialogue is used to introduce this character: ‘Hi, I’m Josie’ which suggests she will be a significant character within the film. 

Consecutive diegetic sound is used through dialogue as McKenna gets told ‘you kind of inspire me’ and ‘I am so proud of you.’ This shows this film is following convention as a drama due to the protagonist being portrayed as a brave and inspirational.

Near the end of the trailer, in the background of the diegetic sound of dialogue, there is non diegetic sound of music used to create a happy, positive atmosphere connoting that there is a positive outcome to the film. 

Editing:

An editing technique of ‘fade to black’ is used when the trailer is portraying the protagonists struggle within the film. The fade to blacks could be symbolising McKenna’s feelings, which is supported by the diegetic sound of her dialogue such as ‘it is the end of the world for me.’ Juxtaposing this, on positive parts of the trailer white is used rather than black as this is seen as a more positive colour; this shows there are many different emotions within the film.

The pace of the frames nearer the end of the trailer are faster; they are edited and cut together to be made shorter, making it more effective when conveying happiness; it also shows a climatic point in the film. All of these frames consist of shots that show the characters smiling or laughing and enjoying each others company which is highlighted by the length of frames.

An editing technique of slow motion is used here to emphasise the fact McKenna has hurt herself. This is further highlighted through non-diegetic sound effects which highlight the characters movement and her falling. This slow motion editing connotes the fact this is a serious injury and will have an impact upon the protagonist. 

Text captions have been edited in to the trailer to give extra information on the film. Text captions such as this are used to increase the brand identity of the film or can be used to further persuade the audience to watch the film. Here, the text caption has been used as a reminder of what the film is called as by this point in the trailer the audience are likely to be persuaded to watch the film. It also increases the brand identity of the film.

Slow motion is used in all shots of gymnastics later on in the trailer which puts emphasis on it to connote to the audience that the protagonist has got her determination and motivation back for the sport she loves; it also highlights how the protagonist got over the struggle she is going through which is conventional for the genre of drama.

Mise-en-scene:

Most of the trailer uses bright high key lighting to connote a happy, normal everyday life. The bright colours used in the lighting could also symbolise the protagonists feelings such as happy and focused. However, on parts of the trailer where the protagonist is going through a tough time, low key lighting is used which is darker to emphasise the feelings of the protagonist such as sadness and anger; the darker lighting helps the audience to emphasise with McKenna. 

The clothing of the protagonist is usually basic T-shirts, shorts and cardigans which portrays her youth to give the audience an idea of the age of McKenna. Also, the T-shirt she is wearing near the beginning has a gymnastics logo which portrays her passion for gymnastics. In a lot of shots McKenna is wearing a gymnastics leotard which suggests she spends a lot of time doing gymnastics, further portraying how much she enjoys the sport. 

Many frames in the trailer consist of the characters showing different emotions through facial expressions and also actions such as laughter, crying, smiling etc. This is conventional for a drama as many usual for it the consist of many different feelings and emotions.