Before I Go to Sleep- Trailer Analysis-4

8/11/2019 Before I Go to Sleep- Trailer Analysis-4

1/12

Before I go to sleep- trailer

analysis


2/12

At the start of the trailer, there is an extreme close-up of a closed eye. Thismakes something familiar seen unfamiliar. This is uncanny.

However the eye is only shut for a matter of a second as it quickly opens andlooks directly into the camera. This still image instantly allows the audience to

perceive what genre the film is as its an unusual shot to start a trailer with. Itcreates an uncomfortable feel as we as an audience feel slightly threatened bywhats to come. This is also due to the fact there is shallow focus being used onthe image as her hair is blurred out, this is in order for the audience to really feeltargeted by the direct eye contact of this person.

Followed with this shot, you hear the woman whispering a monologue. Withinthis, she explains how shes lost her memory. This introduces to the audience

the narrative of the film. A fragmented flashback is then shown to show whereshe has lost her memory. A non-diegetic crescendo then plays which is reflectiveof the flashback. This creates an eerie feel. The image of the eye is then shownagain, combined with the dialogue Im scared being said by the woman. Thisincorporates the audience in the fear as they have no idea as to how she got tothis state.


3/12

The next part of the trailer is shown through the change in track. This nextpart conveys the institutional information.

There is a low angle pan shot which helps to explore her confusion to thegiven situation. The duration of this shot is very quick, this highlights therapid deterioration of her character Christine. Another useful aspect of thispan low angle is that it allows the narrative to shift location.

A sound bridge is then used whilst the panning shot is going on and theninto the next scene with Ben. The sound bridge is of Ben introducinghimself both to Christine and to us as an audience. The camera shot isslightly shaky, this represents the themes of hidden messages and secrets. Italso makes us an audience think that something is not quite right.

The same copied sequence of her flashbacks of images such as a corridor,her eye and so on are repeated. This makes us think that she is trying reallyhard to gain her memory back, however is only remembering certainaspects. It also suggests that these specific images being shown have some

form of important relevance as to what happened that night.


4/12


5/12

There is then a sound bridge of a phone call which makes the call ominousand strengthens the sense of the unknown.

There is then a static image montage that is accompanied by the sound ofDr Nashs voice. This is the third character that is introduced, however wedo not visually see him, we only hear his voice which therefore stressesideas of the unknown and mystery.

The sudden fade to black then expresses the lacuna theme to the trailer. The

fact that the trailer is not going in a standard order and is skipping certainparts, makes us feel as if we can relate to Christine with her blackouts ofmemory.

Time is then sped up which could possibly symbolise that time is runningout and danger is increasing. Quick flashbacks of memories within her pastare shown. This emphasises the confusion that Christine is experiencing as

she has no recollection of any points within her life


6/12


7/12

A fade to black and crescendo is then used after Dr Nash says the words No one byyou. This helps to emphasise the large amounts of pressure that is being put onChristine to be able to remember what happened that very night. It also represents

themes such as isolation as she must feel so alone and helpless in trying to recall hermemory. A critical accolade is then shown Based on a Best selling novel this text helps to

emphasise that this film is one that many should go and see. After this section of the rising action is shown, the complication part then comes to

the screen. We hear dialogue from Christine such as How can I trust you? whilstvisually seeing an image of her on her bed crying into her lap. This portrays her

desperation to be able to know what has happened to her and to become at peace inher life again. It is then noticed that within the trailer the snippets of different shots are getting a

lot faster, combined with the quick and short dialogue. This really picks up the paceof the trailer and really intrigues us into what is being shown. We feel completelyinvolved in the narrative and almost get to the point where we want to help sort thecomplication ourselves.

We then get introduced to the fourth character Claire. However she says the words

Im so sorry I disappeared. This makes us question whether she had something to dowith that night that Christine lost her memory. It strengthens the idea of theunknown as we have no idea as to why she disappeared and the trailer also gives usno hints as to why either. This is a clever strategy though because it entices us intothe film and we want to find out more.


8/12


9/12

The non-diegetic music after Christine says Dont trust anyone thencreates another shift in the narrative. The feelings given off by the chosen

track is imminent danger and alert. The sound is minor and comes across asvery off-key. This makes the audience feel very uneasy as to what is about tohappen. It is also staccato which breaks up and disjoints the current actionof the trailer, this however makes it a lot more tense and fearful.

Added to this non-diegetic music, a repeated beat then starts to come in.This stresses the high amounts of desperation within the narrative as timeis quickening and is running out.


10/12


11/12

There is then a fade to black. After this, the audience are placed in theposition of the amnesiac. There is overlapping sounds of dialogue from

characters such as Dr Nash and Ben, this makes us as well as Christinewonder who we can actually trust. It almost allows us to see into the mindof an amnesiac and how chaotic and confusing it truly must be. Wesympathize with the character of Christine.

The same repeated montage is then shown which further strengthens thetheme of confusion and despair.

The trailer has a cyclical structure, as it starts and ends with the same imageof Christines eye.


12/12

Before I Go to Sleep- Trailer Analysis-4

Documents

Transcript of Before I Go to Sleep- Trailer Analysis-4