The variety of camera angles in any current film trailer is influential towards the audience. The viewers expect to see new and exciting scenes but, also familiar viewings. This ‘safe but exciting’ viewing is essential for giving an edge to the film and produces a superior selling point.
I will now discuss each camera angle and the effect it causes the audience. The first camera angle is a close up; this is a framing in which the size of the object is shown rather largely. A person’s head is seen only from the neck up. This shot is used when Bond is dressed in a dinner jacket; he seems to be deep in thought. James Bond is standing still and there is a white light behind him, it gives an illuminating feel to him. As the audience see Bond, he is speaking in the background, he says “I have no armour left” the viewers then hear a scream afterwards, he says “They’ve stripped it from me.” This quote creates empathy towards Bond, we see a new different, vulnerable man. The pale and white colours behind him equal goodness and honesty, showing an unlike quality of traditional Bond.
A tracking/following shot is used next. This is a shot with a framing that shifts to keep a moving figure on the screen. It is used at the water scene; the audience see a very tall, ornate historical building. The building is collapsing vertically into water. This scene makes the viewers question who destroyed the structure and what motive do they have. It also makes them question why this building is significant. The audience feel edgy but excited. The beautiful bright blue sky is spoilt by the destruction of the antique building.
The next angle is a point of view shot. A point of view shot is a shot taken with the camera placed roughly where the characters eyes would be, showing a view the character would be seeing. The audience might be seeing the inside of the collapsing building, sparks are flying and cables are exploding. There is no sign of life, it’s dark and dreary but there is still some light. The audience question, why is this building important? They feel anxious and troubled but, the small gleam of light implies hope.
Another close up shot follows. The viewers watch the Bond girl fiercely gripping onto the side of a railing. She looks panic stricken, her ghostly pale face is a frightening image for the audience. Here this woman is finally recognised as the Bond girl or the ‘damsel in distress.’ The audience feel apprehensive and uneasy wondering what will happen to her and whether Bond will save her.
One more close up angle shot proceeds. James Bond is dressed in casual clothes. He seems upset and has a stern feel to him. He appears to be containing a fierce rage and the bright sparks in the background are the only source of light. The viewers begin to question Bond as it appears he is walking away from the plummeting building, suggesting he has already admitted defeat. Here, the audience realise how different this James Bond film is. The viewers start to believe Bond has been disloyal as he has given up.
Another tracking shot is used. This is back in the building; the lift is sinking out of control into water. It’s shadowy and mysterious, the darkness insinuates death. The viewers search for Bond and the girl in a tense and frantic way as something exciting is happening.
A wide angle shot is used afterwards. This is a still shot of scenery, from one side to the other. It can be used to create a sense of space for the audience. The viewers witness Bond swimming, trying to save the girl. No-one else is around him, he is totally engulfed in water. The colours are still mainly dark but, there is a white light around him. The audience may interpret this as the white light is guiding him to rescue the girl or the darkness around him shows there is no hope left. Although the scene looks bleak, the audience are relieved; Bond is determined again. This is the turning point in the trailer.
A medium shot is a framing in which the scale of the object shown is of normal size; a human figure from the chest up would fill most of the screen. This angle is used next. The viewers can see the Bond girl dressed in a red evening gown. Her dark hair and eyes contrast against her ghostly pale skin. She appears to be boxed in the lift. Even thought she is in a deathly predicament she seems strangely calm. The viewers realise how difficult the mission is for James Bond. It seems the Bond girl has accepted her death due to the fact she is wearing a red dress symbolising bloodshed. The audience are given false fear because they are positive Bond will save her; it is enthralling.
A pan shot follows, this is a camera movement with the camera body turning to the right or the left. On screen it scans the space horizontally. Here James Bond is running, he has captured a hostage and is shooting with a gun. The audience are happy and excited that Bond is shooting people, it shows he is back in control and seizing the moment.
To enforce a different and vunerable Bond a zoom out shot is used. This gives a sense of distance and space, it also shows the audience the scenery around them. On screen, the viewers see Bond holding the girl in a shower, fully clothed. Although he is protecting her, the audience can see it is not in a cocky or arrogant way. Here the audience realise that Bond is more emotional, indicating a change in him.
The last tracking shot is used. The audience see a traditional Bond in his usual car, Aston Martin. Bond is speeding on an empty country road, where is he going? Is he trying to save the Bond girl? The viewers are pleased to see the predictable Bond off to save the girl in a British car.
Finally, a long shot is used. This is a framing in which the scale of the object shown is small; a standing human figure would appear nearly the height of the screen. Here the audience see Bond in a catastrophic car crash, he’s lost control of the car. The directors chose this scene to end the trailer because it is very unlike to other Bond trailer endings. Instead of ending the trailer with a catch-phrase from Bond and a kiss from the girl, the audience assume Bond is dead along with the girl. This is the only James Bond trailer to end with a cliff hanger showing how modern and different it is.
In the Casino Royale film trailer narrators are not used, only excerpts from the film. A narrator is not used because the audience need to focus on watching and understanding the trailer, a narrator would have taken the viewer’s attention from the screen. James Bond, the Target, M, Vesper Lynd and Le Chiffre all speak in the trailer. M is a woman and is also Bond’s boss; this shows how the role of women has changed. Vesper Lynd is the Bond girl, she is not the typical Bond girl as she is independent and strong. The target at the start is important because he explains how Bond became a ‘00’. He also creates a tense and stirring atmosphere. Le Chiffre speaks in a low, soft chilling voice, I think this makes the audience feel nervous because of his stereotypical evil voice.
Film directors use catch-phrases to reassure the audience they will see an expected genre of film. The viewers feel excitement and a thrill. The audience assume they will hear certain catchphrases such as: ‘Bond. James Bond’ and ‘Shaken not stirred.’ But none of these are said. This is because this film is more sophisticated and serious than the others. It is also supposed to be the first James Bond film released, which contrasts with the later Bond films.
The producers of any film trailer use captions to reinforce key elements to the audience such as release dates and film titles. In the Casino Royale film trailer, there are four captions, these are at the end of the trailer. Firstly, there is 007 written vertically on the screen, then it changes into ‘Casino Royale’ and the ‘7’ becomes a gun. Thirdly the title changes into another ‘007’ but the ‘7’ is still a gun. Lastly the ‘007’ transforms into the 4th of November (the release date) and the seven is still a gun. The first caption is written in a luminescent white with a cloudy surrounding, which fades into black. The music then stops. All the other captions are written in a bright white with a jet black background. Black as a background symbolises death, this implies Bond died in the car crash.
I think camera angles, exciting music, memorable catchphrases and significant captions make an excellent film trailer. The purpose of a film trailer is to help the audience understand what the film is about, I believe the Casino Royale film trailer has achieved all of these key elements. It has captured the audience’s attention and therefore persuaded them to go and watch the film.
Normally, I wouldn’t watch James Bond films or action films in general but, after watching this trailer I have been tempted to go and see the film. Because of the enthralling images and music.
Leena Halim