Music also intensifies the atmosphere of tension when the diamond is being stolen. At certain dangerous points within the scene there are long silent pauses, which prolong the action. At one point, when the diamond is about to be dropped, there is a short, loud, dramatic burst of music which makes the audience gasp and wonder whether the diamond will drop or the penguin will get away with the crime. The fast music played in the chase scene at the end of the film also creates tension. The fast beat makes the audiences’ pulses races and they are consequently left thinking “will the penguin get away?”
Sound effects are also used to create tension within certain scenes. For instance, a mechanical trudging noise sounds as the techno trousers are walking. This noise is especially predominant when walking down the metal chute, in the crime scene. This tells the audience that something is coming, something is going to happen. The signature noise also tells the audience when the techno trousers are going to appear onscreen and tells them that the techno trousers are not finished, as Wallace and Gromit think at the end of the animation.
The older audiences appreciate the use of music and sound effects as it helps to draw them in to scene and heighten the atmosphere.
The gentle pitter-patter sound effect of the penguin walking also indicated that the character was there before the audience could see him onscreen. It also told the audience where the character was in relation to the other characters.
Sound effects were also used to a humorous effect and added to the visual slapstick humour. Many simple sound effects have been used, like when a ‘splat’ sound sounds when Gromit is hit in the face with jam, or the ‘plop’ sound when the penguin landed in the bottle.
Sound effects of air are also used to create a slow motion effect, like when the penguin flies through the air, making it appear that he is flying for ages thus also creating a comical effect.
The rest of the sound effects used add to the naturalism of the animation. There are many examples of these naturalistic sound effects throughout the animation. For example, when Gromit waits outside the bathroom, a sound effect of someone brushing their teeth, then running water is heard. A rain sound effect is also played every time it appears to be raining. When characters are inside the house the rain sound effects let the audience know it is raining. Police sirens are also used to heighten the tension in the crime scene, as they are heard getting louder, giving the impression to the audience that they are getting nearer.
The dialogue is also very naturalistic, with Wallace having a typical Yorkshire accent. As Gromit is a dog and Feathers McGraw is a penguin, they would not talk in real life, so do not in the animation. Hence the only speech is from Wallace.
The dialog adds to the humour, as Wallace is such a stereotypical older man. He uses many well known sayings, but gives them his very own, personal twist. For example, when he is talking to Gromit about their financial status, he tells Gromit “there’s no point in prevaricating about the bush”, instead of saying, “there’s no point in beating about the bush”, which is the common saying. His speech always seems out of place at the time, showing that he is quite clearly clueless and it is the dog, Gromit, that is clever. For instance when he has just unwillingly assisted a well known criminal in the theft of a diamond, and is then locked in a cupboard, he says, “this wardrobe is nearly new!” worrying more about the cupboard then getting out. This appeals to the older audiences, as they will relate what Wallace is saying to many of the common sayings that adults use; it appeals to the adult sense of humour.
His speech also plays a part in the adult humour of the animation, by saying things like “Steady on there, watch where you put those paws”, as Gromit, intent on freeing them both, fiddles about with the wrong trousers, which Wallace is wearing.
The characters and their personalities play major parts in the humour of the animation. The reverse roles of Wallace and Gromit, is an example. The fact that the dog is extremely clever and can communicate to the rather stupid man, Wallace, through facial expression is extremely funny and would appeal especially to the older audiences, as it is more of an unusual occurrence to them.
Gromit is also a very human like dog, which both younger and older audiences find funny. For example, when the techno trousers are meant to be taking Gromit out for a walk, he ties a toy to the lead and plays in the park. A sign in the park is then shown on camera that says “Dog must be kept on leads” and the audience then sees Gromit sliding down a slide. Gromit is also seen to have his own decorated room, bed and book collection, which are just a few of his human like possessions and traits. Gromit can also communicate with Wallace with very melodramatic facial expression, which both characters have in common. This is needed in the animation, so the audience can pick up on their communication, as it is more difficult to portray emotion through animation.
The Penguin, Feathers McGraw, seems also able to communicate with Wallace, and rents a room in his house, which he pays for. This is also very humanlike and it is very entertaining for the audience to watch the innocent looking penguin’s plans unravel, as to look at him he seems innocent but the music and the instant dislike between the Penguin and Gromit, tells the audience there is something different and bad about the penguin. The fact that none of the other characters seem to recognise that Feathers McGraw is the penguin is also very amusing to the audience.
The whole animation is made to look very life-like, allowing it to appeal to a much wider audience. The set design is very intricately detailed, with very authentic looking buildings, so older audiences appreciate all that goes into the production of the animation.
The costumes of the different characters are also very life-like and these are enhanced by the characters’ personalities. Wallace, for instance, wears a knitted green jumper over a shirt, which is a stereotypical outfit for a middle-aged man.
The animation’s location is made to look very similar to the northern areas of England, mainly Yorkshire. The design of the set and props, along with Wallace's broad Yorkshire accent, signals to the audience where the animation is set.
As Wallace and Gromit are models in an animation, their facial expressions are over exaggerated and melodramatic to emphasize their feelings. This is needed because otherwise changes in emotions are hard for the audience to detect. This is also the reason for music being such a major film sign in ‘The Wrong Trousers’. For instance, when jam is flying through the air towards Gromit his face is frozen, his eye brows raised, eyes opened as far as they can go and his hands are in the air, so the audience easily recognise he is in a state of shock. Also, when Wallace wakes up inside the techno trousers in the middle of the robbery, he begins muttering out loud, with his voice very obviously worried and hysterical, to the point where it is extremely hilarious to the audience and his eyes opened wide apart, with his arms also flapping about. The melodramatic actions stress and highlight his emotion even more.
The penguin does not seem to change his facial expression very much and his gestures with his hands (or wings), along with the music, are what show the audience how he is feeling. An example of this would have been when he was controlling the techno trousers from the window sill. The audience senses that he is worried because his wings are wiping big droplets of sweat from his face. However, when the penguin is supposedly thinking, the audience are shown through the very obvious, melodramatic blinking. This first occurs when the penguin first sees the techno trousers and the audience guesses that he is working up a plan. This builds tension in the scene.
The lighting is also a film sign that dramatically affects the different atmospheres in ‘The Wrong Trousers’. We see this from the beginning of the animation, in the introduction. Whilst brass band music is playing, there is top lighting which brightens the scene and gives a pleasant atmosphere. This changes quite quickly, when the techno trousers appear onscreen. At this point, the lighting changes to under lighting and distorts the silhouette of the techno trousers. Gromit then comes into view, whimpering, with a large distorted silhouette behind him. The audience cannot see what the object is but can guess from the shape and title that it is the techno trousers.
The brightness of a scene is also used to hint to the audience what a character is feeling. For instance, when Gromit is sad, the lighting is much dimmer, so it appears dark and dreary outside. However, when he looks inside the house we can see, through a point of view shot, the silhouettes of Wallace and the penguin at dinner. The backlighting gives the scene a mysterious mood, yet the soft yellow lighting tells the audience that there is a pleasant atmosphere inside. The fact that Gromit can only see the silhouettes on the blinds shows the audience that Wallace and the penguin have shut him out and now he is only getting the basic outline, not the full picture. This signals that perhaps something mystifying is going on.
When Gromit has left the house, there is a scene with the penguin in it. The backlighting and under lighting creates many different shadows and silhouettes and sudden flashes of a bright white light give the effect of lightning, which together give the scene a horror movie feel. Lighting is also used to give the scene in which Gromit follows Feathers McGraw, a spy movie or detective atmosphere. The back alley is dark with just odd rays of light seeping through giving a shifty feel. There is also one point when the only ray of lights falls upon Gromit's eyes; compelling the audience to look where he is looking.
Camera shots also play a significant part in the media coding of this animation. This starts in the introduction when the high angle shot shows Gromit's vulnerability, whilst a close up shows he is scared and whimpering. Points of view shots throughout the animation are often used to show the audience what the penguin and Gromit are looking at. The first from the penguin, takes place after a quick zoom shot which zooms in towards Gromit. This makes the scene dramatic. From this, the audience sees the penguin take a prolonged look at Gromit and then sees another look from Gromit taking a prolonged look of the penguin. The audience senses mutual dislike from this. Further on in the animation, a big close up on the penguin’s face dramatises his blinking and shows that he is thinking of something, the audience are shown what he is thinking about through a point of view shot, which watches the techno trousers. This builds wonder and tension into the scene as audience members ask themselves, “What is he thinking about them for?” This is another technique used to predetermine the stealing of the diamond. Also, close ups and big close ups are used to create tension. This technique is especially used at points where there is slapstick humour. When jam is flying through the air towards Gromit’s face, there is a big close up of his frozen face. This creates tension as the audience realises that both themselves and Gromit know what is coming.
Towards the end of the animation, in the chase scene, a tracking or ‘Dolly’ shot is used. This helps give the sense of speed, making the chase on the trains more realistic and believable. It gives the scene an ‘old western’ feel. This is not the only example of spoofing different films and the animation mixes a variety of film genres.
The animation starts with imitating a 1950’s horror movie (e.g. Frankenstein), in the introduction. The lighting becomes dramatically darker, the colour goes into black and white and there is backing and under lighting which creates a huge silhouette behind Gromit for a spooky feel. The high angle shot on Gromit makes him appear vulnerable against the silhouette, so the audience assume he is a victim. The brass band theme turns into a dramatic orchestral tune reminiscent of the type of tune we associate with old horror movies. ‘The Wrong Trousers’ title then appears onscreen in a deep grey and in a stereotypical font from a horror movie, similar to the one used in Frankenstein, jagged and 2D.f`
The animation then goes on to imitate a fairytale pantomime style, in which Gromit leaves the house with a stick on his shoulder and a spotted hanky tied on it. The scene then changes to replicate a scene from ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’. The penguin stands with a working drill in the air, in the stance that older audiences would remember form the horror movie. There are then flashes of lightning, from the storm outside and shadows moving in the background. This is true horror movie style.
A spoof of a detective movie, or the spy film genre, is seen later when Gromit follows the penguin. In copycat style, Gromit watches the penguin over his broadsheet newspaper through a café window. When the penguin moves away, Gromit throws money onto his table and leaves. They progress down a dark alleyway with only slits of light entering. Gromit then hides behind metal bins etc, keeping just a few feet from the penguin. He then hides in a cardboard box and cuts eyes holes to see from, so that he can get a closer look. This is where the element of slapstick humour is added, as surprisingly, the box which Gromit has chosen to hide in has a picture of a dog on the outside. He has cut eye holes exactly where the eyes previously were, so miraculously the penguin does not catch him. Mysterious music in the background adds to the suspense along with the numerous point of view shots and close ups. The penguin also takes on a very James Bond like role, by measuring the windows for his plan with short sharp moves. This is also funny to the audience as he seems to be planning something very big, with just simple equipment- a measuring tape.
Nick Park then seems to ridicule the Superman movies, by showing how ludicrous it is that this clever dog Gromit, does not realize that the penguin and Feathers McGraw are the same person, just because of the rubber glove disguise on the penguins’ head. This is similar to the simple glasses disguise of Superman, which no one could see through either, until Louis Lane, like Gromit, saw the change take place.
The imitating of the old Western style film genre is also extremely well put together. Wallace and Gromit are portrayed as heroes, climbing up the trains whilst dodging bullets that the villain penguin was shooting at them with a revolver, with many bullets ricocheting of the lampshades and the valuable diamond in a sack over his shoulder. This scene takes a quick turn in film genres when the penguin changes the direction on Gromit’s carriage. Gromit then begins putting down extra train track as the train goes along, in a silly style similar to that in the black and white Charlie Chaplin movies of the 1920’s.
This spoofing of different film genres would appeal to the older audiences, as they recognise both what is going on and the cleverness that has gone into the scene and animation. Older audiences recognise the scenes from when they took place in the original movies, which younger audiences obviously could not do. This shows that a lot of the animation is on an adult level.
There are also many details throughout the movie that have obviously been made to catch older audiences’ interest and eyes. These are very subtle. Nick Park has paid particular attention to every minor detail on the set and props. Throughout the animation Newspaper headlines are relevant and humorous, but only if the audience understands them. The first headline, ‘Moon cheese shares soar’, is a joke that only the cult following or fans of Wallace and Gromit would appreciate, as they already know of Wallace’s love of cheese. This is a theme throughout the animation, Wallace speaks of cheese in his dreams and there is a picture of cheese in his room. Adult audiences would also relate to Wallace’s dismay when all his post is bills and more sophisticated audiences would notice that Gromit was reading the heavy, philosophy book- ‘the Republic of Plato’ over breakfast. This is definitely unusual and would be funny to observant people. There are also many humorous features in the background of the set that are more subtle. Only very alert observant audiences could be expected to notice, such as the change from bones wallpaper when the room was Gromit's to fish wallpaper when the room is the penguins. There is also a picture of a piggybank used to hide a safe with a piggybank in it, that turns out to have no money in and a billboard behind Gromit when he is walking up the wall to the museum sound asleep, that say ‘Sleepy Time’ and pictures sheep jumping a fence. It also seems that Nick Park has incorporated a more serious adult issue into the animation as at the end when the criminal Feathers McGraw is captured, he is pictured behind bars. He looks as if he is in prison, then the camera zooms outwards and the wall that the window is on says “Welcome to the Zoo”. This is relating to the adult issue of animals being kept in captivity and perhaps displays his view on this issue, by saying putting animals in zoos is like putting them in a prison.
Although there are many parts of the film that are on an adult level, it is made entertaining for younger audiences with more obvious slapstick humour. Examples are evident throughout, but the most obvious was the scene in which Gromit was tipped from Wallace’s bed. After he is tipped from the bed by a clever contraption another one then begins to make breakfast; jam on toast. It is when the toaster button pops up and there is no toast for the jam to land on that Gromit and the audience realize what is going to happen. It is then that Gromit's face freezes in horror as the jam flies through the air and lands “splat” in his face. There is more slapstick humour later on, when Wallace and Gromit finally capture Feathers McGraw. Air sound effects are played so the penguin appears to be flying in slow motion through the air, whilst this is happening Gromit grabs a bottle and the penguin lands with a “plop” into the bottle, and squashes in to the bottle perfectly with his head poking out.
Nick Park has used all these techniques and different forms of media coding to create a very successful animation. It is entertaining and interesting to a variety of different audiences and relates to them on different levels, making the animation appealing to all.
Older audiences, that do not usually watch animations, may be more willing to watch this, as it is very naturalistic. They can appreciate the skill that goes into the craft of the props etc. This works both ways, as younger audiences are more likely to watch the animation because it is animated.
The spoofing of different film genres and the subtle humour make this animation appealing to older audiences as it relates to a higher level. They appreciate the wit and sarcasm behind the animation, whilst younger audiences are entertained by the obvious slapstick humour that features throughout and the clever contraptions.
The sophisticated nature of this animation attracts cult followers, as there are numerous subtle links which tie into each animation, whether it is feature length or part of the series.
The ending is also very vague an open ended; the techno trousers walk into a golden sunset, which gives hope for their return and shows it is a happy ending. This makes it an enjoyable animation for all the family and leaves cult followers anticipating a return.
