Moving Image Assignment - Gladiator

English Media Coursework

Moving Image Assignment

‘Gladiator’

Introduction

A trailer is a brief outline of an up and coming film, the main function of a trailer is to promote the film and persuade the public to see it. The trailer must have a number of persuasive features in order for it to be a success; it should be targeted at different sexes and age groups at numerous points in the trailer. This will attract a more extensive audience, making the promotion a success when the film eventually hits the “big screen’.

Ingredients that are crucial for a successful trailer are:

THE CAST: Famous actors and actress’s are renowned for their ability to promote their film competently on their own.

GENRE: It is imperative to include this, not as a promotional feature but as an indication of what the film is about.

ENTICING CLIPS: Including snippets of the film that end abruptly encourage the viewer to see the film to find out what happens next.

RATING: This is a great promotional feature; the ratings will usually be written by reputable newspaper companies such as ‘The Times’, this will give the public high expectations of the film, which will hopefully be met when they go to see it.

TITLE: A good title is vital in order to successfully promote a film.

MUSIC/BACKGROUND/VOICEOVER: These are an essential part of setting the scene for the film, and therefore giving the audience an insight into the feelings and emotions at different points in the trailer.

INTRIGUEING FACTORS: These must be used positively to captivate the audience and convince them to see the film.

DATE OF RELEASE: This is very important and must be clearly indicated in the trailer.

NAME OF DIRECTOR: A well-recognized director will give the audience high expectations of the film.

PRODUCTION TEAM: A reputable production team will infuse the viewers minds with confidence, and encourage them to see it.

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AGE CERTIFICATE: This is also an important factor in giving an indication of the context of the film.

This is a preview of the whole essay

AGE CERTIFICATE: This is also an important factor in giving an indication of the context of the film.

The trailer opens with a highly promotional close-up shot of the “Universal” logo, this immediately gives potential viewers the confidence to see the film as universal is a recognisable name in the film industry. There is a strong drumbeat in the background, which begins to create tension, the next shot is of the “DreamWorks” logo, and this is again a reputable production company that would, even at this initial stage in the trailer persuade viewers to see it. The following shot consists of a plain black screen with upper case white font stating “THE GENERAL”, this immediately gives high expectations of the character and the drumbeat is building up to give an indication of war, power and defiance. The next shot introduces us to the main character “Maximus”, we are given the impression he is a strong respected character with power and authority as we see him walking with pride, out in front of his army. The next shot states “WHO BECAME A SLAVE” when we see the word slave we think of poverty and lack of independence, this shot sparks the imagination and questions are asked. The image that follows is of maximus in a line of black slaves, the main colour is dull orange and this indicates maximus’ decent from the top to the bottom of the hierarchy. The following shot, states “THE SLAVE” this reveals his new position. The next shot is set in the Coliseum; Maximus is walking away from the camera, which is behind him. Tension and curiosity are cunningly created as he walks fearlessly into the arena, oblivious to his surroundings, the camera moves from a mid to a long shot to show the intensity of the crowd. The following text shot states “WHO BECAME A GLADIATOR” this shows Maximus’ new status, he has fought his way out of poverty and is steadily working his way back up to the top. His name is being cheered in the background this once again demonstrates the respect and honour that has been secured due to his ambition to conquer. In the next shot the camera seems to be looking up to him in admiration of his triumph, he is back in silver armour, which symbolises his reinstated intense, fiercely powerful image. The following text shot shows his desires have been met, “THE GLADIATOR” at this point both the pace of the music and frames increases dramatically to create tension. The next shot shows a close up of Maximus turning to face the camera, we are drawn into his eyes this is intended to make us sympathetic towards his struggle, his eyes show loneliness and aspiration to succeed.

“WHO DEFIED AN EMPIRE”, these are very strong, consequential words, which describe his quest for revenge has forced him to go against what was expected. Comodus, the Emperor, waving from his high position in the coliseum demonstrates the contrast between his wealth and Maximus’ poverty. The next shot, shows the enemy’s chariot almost crashing through the screen, this reveals the force Maximus is up against. The fiery colours in this shot show fury, at this point the anxiety intensifies and we start to wonder whether Maximus is capable of facing the strength of the opposition. The tension in the following shot reaches a climax as we hear the clash of Maximus’ sword; this sound demonstrates the savagery and brutality of a gladiators fight for his life. When the enemy chariot is blown up, it indicates the fall of the empire and proves Maximus is dominating. “IN THIS LIFE OR THE NEXT, I WILL HAVE MY VENGENCE” this is spread across the next few shots and shows he is willing to fight to his death in order to get revenge. Maximus pulls his battle mask over face to indicate his personality change when he is fighting, the long shot of the coliseum lit up in orange symbolises the power and mightiness the place holds. The following shot shows a close up of Maximus’ face the focal point is his eyes; these are the window to his soul and expose great pain. The shots now begin to merge together with increasing speed to create additional tension; the Emperor, in front of the orange background is clearly indicating the power of Maximus’ antagonist. The pale shot of the Emperor has a cynical heavenly feel to it, it shows him rising up with petals falling to the ground this demonstrates his increasing dominance over the Empire. The next long shot of the coliseum is followed by intense drama through Maximus’ fight with a tiger; this abruptly announces his hostility and violent behaviour when provoked. This is dramatic as his fight with the tiger is a representation of the Emperor overpowering his sister in the following shot as he looks down on her and shouts “AM I NOT MERCIFUL?” this indicates his ever-increasing power over her. Maximus catches his sword whilst on his horse, this demonstrates his control over the current situation and moving forward on the horse means that he is destined for success over the Emperor. The next shot shows a chariot in the air the colours are dark and bleak, this symbolises death and destruction, and “THIS SUMMER” is the release period of the film. The close up of Maximus raising his hand demonstrates vigour and also shows his acknowledgement for the support and respect he has received. In the corresponding shot Maximus kisses the Emperors sister, this shows a kind compassionate side to him and would persuade women to see the film as it has a romantic aspect to it. In the next shot we see Maximus on the floor, this demonstrates his current state of vulnerability and we hear a clash of swords, at this point we lose faith, but only for a second. As Maximus comes through the flames on his horse it is a clear statement of victory, expressing he is leaving his troubles behind and moving on to start a new life. “A HERO WILL RISE” this shows his acts of pure heroism have paid off and he has dragged himself out of poverty to realise his ambition and defy the empire. The next shot shows the celebrations for Maximus’s triumph over evil, and with a great sense of pride and admiration for his accomplishment Maximus stands alone in the coliseum to receive the gratification from the people of the Empire. The following shot shows small clips of fighting shots with clashing swords this shows that the film is both action packed and fast moving. The final shot shows the film title “GLADIATOR” exploding onto the screen to make a statement, as a result of this the music then dies down and “SUMMER 2000 A.D.” comes up, this shows the release period and is in the same historical context as the film.

Personally, I think this is a very effective trailer; the director has obviously taken a lot of time to cover all aspects of the film in such a persuasive manner. I particularly found the text statements very beneficial; they made the context of the film easy to follow allowing the audience to concentrate on the action instead of trying to figure out what the films about. Another successful feature of this trailer is, on the outside it just seems like any other war film but Ridley Scott has done a very good job in releasing an emotive quality into the trailer. If I were asked to improve the trailer I would try to get across the emotions of some of the other characters. I would like to know from the trailer if Comodus is really as callous on the inside or if it’s all just an act to keep the empire in order, does he feel any remorse for the pain and torture he subjected Maximus to?