Fantasy Film Trailer Analysis.

1. Fantasy Film Trailer Analysis. Amber Barnes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYcGFLgJ8Uo

2. Narnia – The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Narnia is an epic Fantasy, it is shown to be a fantasy film with its elements of myth and magic. The film is centered on the fantastical world of Narnia and its mythological occupants such as Fauns, a Greek mythological creature. With a clear good vs. Evil conflict - The White Witch cursed the land and it has been winter for a hundred year. She stands opposed by Aslan who seeks to take the land back. Narrative - The plot is centered around Four British Children are evacuated during the Blitz to a countryside house in which they find a wardrobe which leads to the fantasy world Narnia. In Narnia they encounter mythical creatures on the side of good and evil, they find an ally in a lion called Aslan and an enemy in the White Witch. Themes - General themes of choice i.e. their curiousity drove them into the land of Narnia and once they had heard the prophecy they decide to help the Narnians defeat the White Witch.

3. Unique selling point – The plot is woven with timeless themes of good and evil, sacrifice and freedom, death and rebirth i.e. it is a Christian tale relating to Christ with the issues of Aslan being sacrificed like Christ being crucified and then both of them being reborn. Good V.S Evil The cast has been well chosen with the four children actors playing the four children superbly, Georgie Henley who plays Lucy offers a believable, wondrous viewpoint of the magical world of Narnia. Also Tilda Swintons portrayal of the White Witch is intriguing to watch as she portrays the witch as unfeeling and cold.

4. Target audience - The film is aimed at families in general, as the characters are not limited to a specific age or gender. However mostly to children who can relate to the characters in the film as they themselves are around the same age which means they could relate to some of the other possible themes in the film It appeals to the people who have read the book The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis of which the film has been adapted from. Generally for the older children as some battles scenes can be quite frightening for young children. The use of personifying animals i.e. them talking appeals to the child audience as the concept of magical creatures/animals is of more interest than learning about a historical world instead of imaginary.

5. Story – The trailer doesn’t let the audience know how they came to be in Narnia but there are subtle hints of the importance of the wardrobe. The trailer merely shows that the siblings came into the world by accident and were drawn in by their curiousity. Features epic cinematic moments such as the battle sequences but contrasted to more tenderhearted, sweet moments like the scene with Lucy and Mr.Tumnus embracing. Pace -Its only later as the trailer becomes more fast paced in sequence to the series of events, builds in tempo as the events become more out of this world/extraordinary i.e. the wardrobe leading to a snowy alternate world and as the trailer progresses the impossible becomes possible with mythological creatures (fauns, dwarfs ) coming to life and talking animals (Mr. &Mrs. Beaver). In general the pace ran along quite quickly as with most action fantasy films.

6. Characters. In Narnia the four children characters are the same as the innocent heroes, typically used in fantasy . The heroes are underappreciated i.e. child who are of a lower status than adults in general . The children are given distinct characteristics form the trailer – Lucy the youngest seems quite sweet and in awe of her surroundings. Edmund seems the rebellious type , Susan seems the smart one making her reluctant to believe in Narnia and Peter the oldest seems the most responsible. As the trailer progresses they become more in their element and we see them transform form ordinary to extraordinary. It is shown that saving Narnia was thrust upon them, they didn’t expect it therefore the trailer conforms to traditional fantasy trailers use of reluctant heroes. At first they were curious, then they wanted to save Lucy's friend Mr. Tumnus then finally they hear the prophecy.

7. The White Witch – ruthless, willing to destroy, kill anyone to keep in control of the kingdom which sets up a common fantasy element of death i.e.. the good vs. evil conflict will only end when she or the children are dead. She tyrannizes Narnia with her magically forced rule, turning any creature who does not comply with Aslan - His appearance in the trailer i.e. a gigantic paw emerging from a tent; all the various mythical creatures - centaurs, cheetahs s falling to their knees;, as do the children. Shows that he is regarded somewhat as a deity, he is the leader, they look to him to guide them through the journey.

8. Mr./ Mrs. Beaver – allows the narrative to advance as the clue in the characters/audience about the prophecies leading to them leading them to Aslan an important influence in the story. They update the situation bringing in the past history, the present and what the children must do in the future i.e. Go to Aslan. Mr. Tumnus – the first mythical creature lucky meets in Narnia , emphasises the genre as not only has she entered a new world, but its inhabitants are extraordinary/imaginary in the real world.

9. Visual style. Scenery – Narnia seems to be a big place, set up obstacles , the landscapes appear endless making the situation seem more dramatic, fantasy-like as there is unlimited potential. Trailer offers distinct ideas f two different worlds – reality seems normal, typical routines until Lucy finds the wardrobe where everything is thrown into disorder. The Wardrobe leads to the fantasy world, with its harsh yet beautiful snowy landscapes. Colour palette -In the world of Narnia it starts with icy white/blue tones in thrall with the white witch and as her power fades begins a colour palette of browns/greens more lively , earthier tones- showing life returning, winter ending.

10. In the trailer the character Lucy wears a knee length dress and a pea- cardigan in her visit to Narnia where she meets Mr.Tumnus. Her outfits emphasises her youth and innocence. Her hair is pushed back with a bow clip to reveal her young face. Costumes -Advertises the fashion of that period - i.e. the blouses, tweed jackets. Worn by the four children. To emphasise her evil to the audience she is seen clothed in fur, a sign which the child audience would be disturbed by. Everything about her appearance suggests an evil but she seems at one with nature, her clothes and appearance reflect the state of winter. The White Witch’s costume in the trailer represents the land of Narnia i.e. how she cursed it to always be winter. She embodies winter with her dress looking like ice or snow (some form of nature).

11. Special Effects - The special effects are really good, and some characters are made completely from CGI but they all appear believable to watch and listen to. CGI used to create all the animal characters, it’s not very ostentatious, and it merely enables the narrative to advance into the key areas. computer generated imagery (CGI) is visually spectacular with Aslan, the lion coming to life. CGI was used on the character Mr. Tumnus from the waist down i.e. his hooves and goat legs.

12. Camera Work. Overall camera work is shot well, it is unobtrusive and integrated into the plot. Camera movement – The camera movements set the mood/atmosphere. Examples of movement – zoom ins, tracking the characters, pans across the various locations – horizontally. Features – tilts, dolly shots which move along side the action in the trailer. Focus in the trailer – Features both deep and shallow focus, with some parts blurred and others in focus. For example the part where Lucy comes into the empty room with just a wardrobe, the room seems to blur and the wardrobe is the focus as it is the pivotal point in the trailer which bring her to Narnia.

13. Camera Angles and Shot types. Framing – extreme long shots - features exterior shots, landscapes of England and Narina – which gives general details but no specific details. It sets up the various stages of the journey i.e. the changing locations as the adventure precedes into Narina. In Narnia the extreme long shots are used to identify the change in worlds. Medium shots – focus on waist up, shows the dialogue and how the characters interact with one another i.e. How the children react to the unbelievable mythical creatures of Narnia.

14. Camera Angles and Shot types continued - The trailer features a range of long shots to show the switch in locations, long shot is used to capture the ancient wooden wardrobe and its domineering position in the room symbolizing its power and magical ability to transport you into another world. In the fantasy world mid shots are often used to capture how the children react and interact with the creatures within Narnia often depicting surprise and Long shot of room, with a wardrobe. The Lack of other objects shows the wardrobes importance to the sequence of events which they audience may not understand now but will in the film. The Wardrobe is the focus point. Long shot of the magical world of Narnia – shows that we have been transported to a different time, place. The lamppost shows the time-difference with old-fashioned style.

15. Close-ups of characters – showing their emotions, makes us feel close to them as in reality we would only be allowed that close to people we trust. We see their growing curiousity and reactions as the events become more extraordinary. Overhead shot of characters interacting with the Beaver’s – captures how the children are adapting/reacting to the wondrous land and its inhabitants. Also it could show the relationships of the children i.e. they are close as the audience are not aware they are siblings yet.

16. Angles – Eye level – neutral shot , on level with characters, audience can see what they are doing and how they react to what is around them. High angle- extreme bird’s eye view, general overview over action, this shows the dominance and power of the Castle. Another example is of Aslan (the lion) on a high ground roaring this shows his power and dominance as his image can inspire fear in his enemies and awe in his allies. Oblique/canted angle – point of view shots, eyes of character.

17. Audio (sound outside the world of the story. Music - Ancient to reflect the area, folk music – different periods of time, makes the fantasy world more amazing and intense. Contrast between the everyday sounds of our world i.e. bells ringing and the ancient instruments, for example Mr. Tumnus plays music for Lucy with a Narnia instrument. The sound was produced by the duduk – an ancient wind instrument. Sound Effects - conveys mood/ action – For example the sound of the wolves howling to convey them hunting their prey. Voiceover – Mr. Beaver telling the children and the audience of a prophecy “ there is a prophecy that two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve will be here to defeat the White Witch and put an end to this hundred year winter”. Lets the audience know more background information i.e. why there will be a coming conflict between good and evil.

18. Diegetic sound- (sound within the world of the story) - Dialogue. Witch – “if it’s a war Aslan wants, it is a war he shall get” – shows the conflict in the kingdom, show the Queen to be strong, dominant unafraid of Aslan. “This is impossible” – Susan - the speech draws attention to the out of the ordinary, unbelievable nature of the events. various creatures speaking (the eagle) “they have numbers far greater than our own” “I think you’ve made a mistake were not heroes” – a traditional feature of fantasy filming is having the protagonists under-appreciated and not well regarded allowing them to become heroic through the journey of the film. Aslan is on the move” – Shows the coming of the one who will help, aid and protect them. He is shown as a key character and introduces the theme of the good standing against the evil of the White Witch.

19. Credits and titles – In this house there are many rooms, there are many doors, but only one leads to another world. Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media Presents…, Based on the Beloved book by C.S.Lewis., some journeys, take us far from home, some adventures, lead us to our destiny. Directed by Andrew Adamson, starring Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell and Tilda Swinton. Aslan voiced Liam Neeson.

20. Ideas for our Trailer - I think Narnia is a good film to gather ideas from as it contains many fantasy conventions. For example I think the use of a physical object to represent a barrier between the worlds is an effective one, it makes it seem more extraordinary and magical. Using a barrier like the wardrobe in Narnia would be a good idea to put in our trailer. In our group we have decided on the barrier being an archway in the castle leading to a fantastical forest in another world. I think it is also a good idea to only have snippets of dialogue of the key pieces of information, the rest of the key information could be shown in the sentences that appear on the screen.