We then see the heroine of the film, Daria, in a medium shot (some part of the subject is shown in more detail whilst still giving an impression of the whole subject). In this case we see her putting a huge chain around what looks like a door knob for a colossal safe. Here we see her take the lead role which emphasizes equality, this is not like a cliché where we see in most action films where the hero of the film is the masculine man. This shot will attract the women in the target audience who like action. In this shot, Daria is wearing a revealing low top, this is used purposely to attract the male target audience.
We then hear a short dialogue between two characters, we hear a guy say; “Big heist”. We can link this dialogue to the establishing shot, and think of it as a solved puzzle, the fact that a ‘risky heist’ will be taking place at a diamond exchange. We then see a quick flash of Anthony Fait picking up what looks like a missile, from a suitcase. We hear voice over, that I believe is from the dialogue earlier, we hear the same voice say, “risky heist”. We go on to see Anthony Fait loading the missile into some sort of rocket launcher. As the rocket is loaded in, the use of color is used to create suspense and connect with the audience, the shot is not normal but as a solarize effect, the use of lighting may have been also used to emphasize the sheer effect and power of the missile. We see all three characters standing beside the huge rocket launcher, we then hear the words, “Blow it”.
We follow on to see Daria with her hand over a detonator remote, with a red button. The trailer producers have included this bit in the trailer, once again to attract the target audience, in this case those who love action, and adrenaline. The idea of the red button associates with danger and explosion. This shot is taken in a close range shot, the purpose of the shot was to show the audience that the thumb was not on a normal remote, the fact that it was on a detonator remote, and also show in detail that it was over a red button. As she presses the red button, the rocket bursts into flames and shoots towards a wall it rips the door knob of the wall. The rocket hits a frame and we see how glass and other material scatter into the air. We go on to see Anthony Fait walk through a door followed by Daria and Miles.
The camera is directed towards Anthony Fait as we hear him say, “It’s looking good”. The purpose of the camera facing him and not the subject (whatever he says is looking good) was to show the expression on his faces as he looked at the object, which we cannot see. This was used to create suspense and also make the audiences think what this unknown good-looking subject is. The camera then swiftly turns towards a room, with lots of little drawers along the walls. We then see someone drop some black diamonds on a table. We hear the shimmering sound as it hits the surface. The audiences now know exactly what the gangs were after.
We follow on to see a close shot of Anthony fait, once again the purpose of using this type of shot was to show the expression on his face, as he saw the diamonds. We hear Miles make a “woooohooo”, sound in amazement, followed by Anthony Fait saying “Jackpot”. These words in the dialogue were used in the trailer, because they were the main words, and the purpose of including them in the trailer was to inform the audience once again that the gang had found what they wanted.
Further on, we see a man jump down from high ground, he lands in a crouch with Anthony Fait under his knees. As he jumps, once again the use of the solarize styled lighting is used. Also as the guy jumps down, the music is fast paced, this helps emphasize the idea of the action-based film. This also helps get the attention of the target audience.
In the next shot, we see four guys, all dressed in black, we see them knocking down a door, we can understand the fact that they are angry, and by the looks of it, there will be a fight. This underlines to the target audience that there will be fighting scenes, and more action, it also helps emphasize the genre. Further on, the main action is not shown in the trailer, in this case, the fight. This will make the audience want to come and watch the film, which is the main purpose of the trailer.
We see a quick shot of a guy on the phone to ‘Mr. Fait’. We hear him say; “I want my stones Mr. Fait”. We then hear Anthony Fait say; “I’m not go be able to do that”. This sound’s like a deal gone wrong and that someone will not be happy, and therefore there may be more fighting scenes. The dialogue is spoken in mild, street type language. This also helps establish the genre. The reason why there is mild street type language and not heavy street type language is so that the producers can attract a certain type of target audience, in this case, those who speak street type language, yet they don’t want to let down those who can’t understand heavy street type language. We follow on to see fast cuts of some fighting scenes.
The next shot, which is an over the shoulder shot (Looking from behind a person at the subject), where Anthony Fait is speaking to someone, we hear him say, “So who are you?”
The reason why the producers used an over the shoulder shot, was because they did not want to reveal this new guys face, but wanted to show the expressions on Anthony Fait’s face as they spoke, this is almost like a cliffhanger, as it would leave the audience to guess who this new character is, and the only way to find out is to watch the film, which is simply the main objective of the trailer. The audience will be able to tell from Anthony Fait’s facial gestures that he is confused. The purpose of including this part of the film in the trailer was to inform the audience that there will be a twist in the film plot.
Around half way through the trailer, we are introduced to a new character, Jet li, who plays the character of Su. He is introduced to the audience by showing him in a martial arts fighting scene. The point of including this style of fighting in the trailer would help attract those who like martial arts. We then see his name in a caption. The purpose of using captions in the film trailer was to inform the audience that this actor is famous and he is starring in this film, as this will help get attention of the target audience, in this case, the fans of Jet Li. This is followed by DMX’s name in a caption.
Further on, we see shots of helicopters, tanks and heavy artillery. Including these elements in the trailer would help engage the target audience and make them want to watch the film. We then see Su stunt jumping down a building. This shot will attract people who like to watch or do stunts. As he is jumping, the use of music is used, the fast- paced background music also helps establish the genre, creates a faced paced rhythm of the trailer, and also helps create a mood and connect with the audience.
We go on to see Anthony Fait and Su in a high speed police chase. We can hear the sound of police sirens, and the hip hop music is still playing in the background. We then hear a huge thump as two police vehicles collide head on. This shot will help attract the target audience; in this case, those who like to watch films involving high speed chases, cars and other types of vehicles.
Further on, we see lots of fast cuts of some of the action in the film. We see clips of someone firing a tank to heavy martial arts. These fast cuts are included towards the end of the trailer to summarise some of the best action shots in the film.
Towards nearly the end of the trailer, we see fait and Su, walking together, both looking at each other, as if they are pleased at each other. This will tell the audience that there will be a happy ending. This will also attract those in the audience who like watching an action packed film with a happy ending. We then see a clip of what looks like the final fight of the film, where either the bad or good guys win. We see Su fighting another guy in a circle of fire. We then see a shot of the name of the film. The trailer ends by showing the credits and the day it will be released.
I think this trailer is pretty effective and gives out its message clearly to its target audience very well because it shows parts of the film where the target audience will be intrigued and make them want to watch the film. It also contains fast paced music which helps emphasize the genre of the film very well, and as I had said before, it helps create a rhythm. The reason why the trailer producers used fast cuts was so that they can show glimpses of the best action bits, and not show it all. This will make the target audience want to see more, but in order to do that; they will have to watch the film, which is the primary objective of a trailer. What I realised was, in no parts of the film did it show the age certificate, this is a bad point because it will make the audience confused. Another bad point would be to keep the trailer short; the trailer is kind of dragging, and shows the same type of thing over and over again, this may bore the audience. The trailer lengthens to 2:12 seconds, where a normal trailer is less than two minutes, In order to shorten the trailer, producers should have thought about the structure, and an increase in use of fast cuts at the beginning of the trailer.
However, I think the trailer was successful, as it used many conventions to attract its target audience. The film was very successful in the market as it made lots of money; this comes to show that the trailer did its job, and achieved its primary objective.
