Action Trailer Analysis
The Maze Runner
The
trailer begins with a green screen; it shows that the film is rated so parental
guidance is suggested. This is always shown at the start of the trailer to
establish their target audience; the text shows the approval of the age range.
The film is targeted at teenagers and it also already has an established fan
base because it’s based on the bestselling novel.
There
first scene introduces a frightened boy inside an elevator by using a medium
shot, there is low-key lighting suggesting that he’s going to end up in a
mysterious location. There is a voiceover “can you tell me something about
yourself?” “Where you are.. came from?” this is used to make the audience
curious about the main character as the question aren’t replied instead the
screen fades showing the boy struggling to stand up, showing how vulnerable he
is. There is a close up of the wired elevator which shows that it’s speeding up
as he’s going to arrive to the location, the camera returns back to the boy who
falls on the floor and there is red light that connotes danger. He dressed in
dirty clothing and has dirt on his face implying that something may have
happened to him before he was put in the elevator. There is diegetic sound of
the elevator speeding up as the non-diegetic sound increases to create a
tension, which then stops as the screen fades black. There is a voiceover “can
you tell me your name?” to this the boy replies, “I can’t remember anything.”
The camera is in a low angles shot to suggest that he’s weak then the camera
shows the boy’s perspective, which shows a door opening, and other characters
are introduced. It switches back to the main protagonist as he covers him eyes
from the bright lighting then the other boy jumps in, we can see the terrified
expression of the protagonist as he’s cornered. There is diegetic noise of the
elevator squeak when the new character enters the elevator to give it a
realistic effect. There is shot reverse shot used as the boy speaks to
the main protagonist as he calls him by his nickname, this scene is accompanied
by an intense music, the main protagonist is then taken up by him collar
showing that the boy is more dominant suggesting that he’s a leader.
The
next scene is a medium shot of the boy as he looks on curiously, the camera
pans 180 mid shot around him, which also reveals the maze implying that they’re
trapped; there is non-diegetic sound, which increases as the location is being
revealed. The camera then zooms out into a long shot that shows how
insignificant the main protagonist looks compared to the maze suggesting that
the plot is going to be him solving how to get out of the maze. There diegetic
music stops then there is a voice over “where is this place” revealing that
it’s the main protagonists voice then the screen turns black then a medium over
the shoulder shot presents another character that answers his question “welcome
to the glade.” The distribution company shows that they’re promoting the film
however there is a dramatic tense music to create suspense.
There is
a long shot showing the characters working hard to build on the empty land
suggesting that they must work as a team to survive, there is a voice over of
the main protagonist “ who put us here?” then the same man replies “ we don’t
know”. The audience may not know much about the protagonist at this point
because only his appearance is revealed so it may be harder for them to
sympathies with the character but in the other hand it’s makes them curious as
they want to know what’s happening. The dramatic non-diegetic sound is still on
going to create a tense atmosphere and in the beginning there is high key
lighting used to show the setting. The main protagonist goes to see the
entrance of the maze showing his curiosity “what’s through there” then it shows
the inside of the maze from his perspective, there is low key lighting creating
an enigma as the location is unknown giving it an eerie feel. The camera
switches to a long shot showing the leader pushing him indicating that it’s
restricted then the rest of the boys come along, the audience can see the
frustration on the protagonists face as he aggressively shouts “you can’t keep
me here” to this the man shouts “I can’t let you leave” this indicates that
he’s the one who takes care of the group. He then asks “why won’t you tell me
what’s in there” the audience could emphasis to this as nothing is being
revealed as the group are being secretive. The camera then goes into a medium
shot of the leader showing his annoyed face then a loud screech from the maze
is heard, the camera zoom into to the protagonist face as his previous question
is answered.
The
editing is fast paced as more information about the maze is being told to the
main protagonist, there is a long shot which allows the audience to see the
size of the maze as the camera pans up. In the next few scene we can see young
teen characters, they are wearing dirty clothing and look exhausted. The
voiceover explains that when the maze doors open the “runners” has to find the
escape route suggesting that they have been trying to escape for a while, they
runner look older and experienced. There is non-diegetic music that keeps
increasing and creating tension. There is a high angle shot used to show the
group’s own model of the maze which indicates that they have an escape plan.
The shots keeps flickering revealing different scene, this may cause the
audience to panic because the non-diegetic gets loud, as there is a long two shot
of the runners trying to make it back however there is a high angle shot of the
maze door closing this leaves the audience curious; they have to watch the film
to know whether they survived, as they next dialogue says “no one has ever
survived a night in the maze” implying how dangerous it is as there is quick
scenes of the runner dragging the injured character as the maze door is about
to close. The protagonist is discovering more about the maze as the scene
switches to the perspective from inside them maze until it’s fully closed. The
screen goes dark as a mechanical creature steps into shot, there is diegetic
sound that matches to make it seem realistic. There is low-key lighting so the
audience can’t see the creature clearly which may make the audience worry about
the runners that are trapped inside then the boy reveals the name of the
creature “Griever”. In the next scene there is a long shot showing a character
being pulled as the boy screams, the non-diegetic sound is intense suggesting
that it gets harder for them to survive.
There
scene fades into a dark screen then the text appears, this informs the audience
that it’s based off a best selling novel to grab their attention. In the next
few scene we can see that the group are frustrated as there is a voice over “we
don’t belong here” this tells the audience that they’re going to fight for
their freedom as they light the fire inferring that they will revolt against
those who built the maze and escape. There is a long shot showing that they
have all gathered in front of the maze as they hold their weapons. The voice
over suggests that the main protagonist is different than others due to his
curiosity inferring that it will be him that is able to help save the group and
there is quick close up of new material they have found due to the protagonist.
There is a non diegetic heroic music as the
group run toward the elevator for the arrival of the new character which turns
out to be a female, this is the only female who has appeared so far showing the
audience that she may be a great help and the love interest of the main
protagonist. They find it unusual as they just stare at her because she’s
unconscious, then the camera zooms as she gasps and shots “Thomas” who reveals
to the audience the protagonists name. The leader has a problem with Thomas as
he talks about how due to his appearance everything has changed which reveals
caring side of the leader as they may face more problems. Thomas and the female
character interact “we were sent for a reason” inferring their importance to
the group. The light changes into low key light showing that it’s night time
however the medium shots of the groups face shows that they’re frightened and
scared because the maze doors aren’t closing. We can see the panic in their
faces as the non-diegetic music builds up “they’re here“ indicating the
entrance of the antagonist, this may have been foreshadowed by they leader as
changes causes more damage. In the next
few scenes it shows the deaths of the insignificant characters to which Thomas
suggests that they must leave to be able to survive as the creatures may return
during the night, they all seem desperate. The music builds up again as the
main characters decides to go in whilst the maze doors are closing, there are
close up shot of him trying hard to get through the gap then the intense music
stops. There are action moments of the significant characters, it shows them
fighting and running, the editing is super fast to keep the audience at the
edge of their seats.
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