HARMONIOUS DELIRIUM
The non-diegetic sound of an alarm clock beeping synchronously with the straight cut editing of the opening montage depicts a sense of normality and mundanity. The high-key lighting and the emphasised diegetic sounds of each shot add to this image. Everything is as it should be.
Until the alarm clock sound effect increases in pace and it soon begins to sound like a heart monitor measuring a quickening heart beat. The distortion of a mundane sound, into one that symbolises panic and danger, highlights how easy it is for someone's life to spiral out of control- even when it was seemingly perfect before. This could be a representation of addiction itself- one may think they have it under control but by the time they realise, it's too late. The use of the reviews at the beginning is to lure the audience in. The contrasts between the black background and the white typography is eye catching and draws the audience's attention.
Similarly, the alarm clock beeping is a sound people often find tormenting and uncomfortable which further draws their attention to the teaser trailer. The three shots used in the opening montage are examples of graphic matching and don't allow the audience to see the protagonist's face, leaving them wondering who this person is.
The time-lapse is used to present the passing of time, as the protagonist travels to the party. The sun is setting which not only depicts the sky going from light to dark, it depicts the protagonist transforming from good to evil.
This is emphasised by the use of breaking the fourth wall in the next shot, as Bethan takes a drug, looking directly into the camera. This act of defiance is paired with a non-diegetic pop song remix, to further highlight the distortion the protagonist is experiencing. The lighting has now become low-key and the lights of the party are multi-coloured, adding to the warped, distorted tone. Not only this but the use of a Fish Eye lens makes the point-of-view shots blurred and hazy, giving the audience insight into how one would feel under the influence of drugs. Some of the shots are lit with red lighting, perhaps symbolising danger and evil- addiction is not only dangerous, it can bring out someone's dark side.
Other than red lighting, layering is also used to give the effect of disfigured reality. An extreme close up of the protagonist's eye is layered with a long shot of her spinning around absent-mindedly, portraying the two sides of a person struggling with addiction. One is aware of what they are doing, while the other doesn't realise the consequences of their actions. Drugs provide the protagonist with a sense of both entrapment and escape. The music increases in speed as the intensity of Bethan's addiction worsens.
The use of the overlapping typography combined with the distorted music and silhouetted shot of Bethan taking one drug too many symbolises utter chaos as the protagonist's addiction goes from bad to worse. The fast paced editing that follows this, emphasises the downfall of the character as she continues to become more and more dependent on the drugs. Close ups of these drugs are used to present their significance on the plot. Bethan uses them as a short-term escape but is ultimately trapped within her addiction. Compared to their dark, low-key lit surroundings, the pills are brightly coloured and evoke a sense of both emancipation and intrigue.
The fast-paced straight cuts are parallel with the sound as they were in the opening montage, to present the drugs have now become a part of the protagonist's daily routine. The cold-tone shot of the protagonist staring into the mirror- looking afraid and puzzled as she slowly wipes her bleeding nose, is preceded by more warm-tone shot of her laughing and once again breaking the fourth wall.
The contrast of emotions are intended to make the audience feel uncomfortable while also giving them a close up look on the different ways in which one can be affected by addiction. The penultimate shot of the protagonist running, mirrors the tracking shot at the beginning, when Bethan is mundanely walking to the party. The alteration in lighting as well as the increased shakiness of the hand held shot signifies the huge juxtaposition between the start and end of the Teaser Trailer. The music stops momentarily as the screen goes black- leading the audience into a safe sense of security. When you think the addiction may be under control, the serenity is interrupted by the last shot of the protagonist screaming under water.
The last shot of a teaser trailer should be memorable in order to ensure the audience watch the following trailer and eventually the film and the jump from pitch black to a predominantly white shot as well as the abrupt increase in volume, does this effectively.
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