Music

For our teaser trailer we had to create our own original non-diegetic music to make the action on screen more effective, and more interesting to watch.

As our trailer is a Psychological Thriller, we watched many other real media from this same genre, in order to gain inspiration.
One of our most predominant influences, for not only narrative, but music too, was Requiem for a Dream. This trailer uses fast paced, club-like music, which mirror the party shots. This music highlights the way in which the drugs are initially used - in order to have fun. The music connotes this enjoyment through its upbeat rhythm.

However,  on several occasions, the on screen action does not fit this upbeat music, as it displays mental breakdowns, and entrapment, such as the character screaming for help while in prison, and the protagonists falling into lives of addiction, pain and prostitution. Therefore, it can be suggested that, although on the surface it appears to be a positive depiction of partying, drugs, sex, and fun, as suggested by the music -  this music is actually perhaps contrapuntal as a darker message of helplessness and pain is presented. This could be suggestive of the negative effects of drugs and addiction.

This clip presents the upbeat music used in the trailer:






















In our trailer, we utilised the music in a similar way; we created a soundtrack from a remixed club version, of a pop, upbeat song. This mirrored the club-scene effect we were striving for, it suggested that the protagonist has started to experiment with drugs primarily due to the surroundings she now, as a young adult year old, finds herself in, such as parties, clubs, experimentation with drugs, sex, and alcohol. The music mirrors that of the music she would listen to, while in these situations.
Similarly to Requiem for a Dream, although the music mirrors the enjoyment she may initially experience while at these parties (as presented through the dancing shots), it also contrast the shots nearer to the end of the trailer, as she begins to lose control, and lacks mental stability. Shots such as her spitting out blood, and starting to experiment with hard, dangerous drugs, by injecting them, contrast the non-diegetic music, as they are portrayed negatively and suggest danger and unhappiness.
We aimed to portray helplessness, and the negative effects of addiction throughout the trailer. This is similar seen in Requiem for a Dream.

This clip presents the club-like music used in our trailer:




Another aspect of the sound that we looked at, and researched, was the way in which the Psychological Thriller teaser trailers often ended. It appeared to be a common convention that there would be a increase in tension throughout the trailers, which was followed by a moment of quiet and immediately contrasted by a climatic loud moment, mirroring the on screen shot. This is done to lure the audience into a false sense of security, by allowing them to believe the tension, and most dramatic shots was over, and had already been conveyed, then the climax is shocking, and induces surprise and perhaps fear. This is done to hook the audience, and having the climax at the end, with no restoration of equilibrium, it leaves a sense of complete ambiguity, resolving nothing, and leaving the audience with a mystery.
This technique is found in Requiem for a Dream, as the trailer goes in a full circle, starting with dialogue and no non-diegetic, ending with the same dialogue and no music, then this is immediately followed by the character screaming underwater - which creates this sense of fear and mystery.

This clip conveys the ending music used in Requiem for a Dream:



For our trailer, we followed this convention, by having a short moment of silence immediately followed by a shocking climatic moment. We did this to hook the audience, by leaving the trailer as ambiguous and mysterious, and to create the element of shock.

This clip depicts the ending music used in our trailer:

Requiem For a Dream Teaser Trailer Deconstruction (Camera Work)

The very first shot in this teaser trailer is an off centre still shot of the television, from behind the sofa, the mise en scene in this shot initially appears to be depicting normality, as an average living room setting is displayed, with a comfortable sofa, a table lamp and tea cups, which all connote comfort. However, the low-key lighting of the room creates an eerie feel, which is harshly contrasted by the bright colours on the television screen. The vivid colouring of the TV causes this the become the central focus of the shot, even though it is not central on the screen. This depicts the significance of the media, and television throughout the narrative of the film. This significant is also presented throughout the trailer though various other shots: 

Such as this 'We got a winner' shot, which displays a television presenter and an audience to a TV show, as the bold typography mirrors that to one that would pop up on a game show. Additionally, the non-dietetic voice over of the character saying 'I'm going to be on television', reiterates this importance of the media and specifically the television.

The next shot is a central still shot of a dimly lit fridge. Similarly to the previous living room shot, upon an initial glance one may analyse this shot to connote comfort and an average life, do to the family photos, fridge magnets, and untidy side counters. This shot depicts normality through the mise en scene. However, the low key lighting changes this, as the room is very dark all apart from the white fridge, which stands out in the shot, becoming the pivotal factor. This demonstrates an aspect of the narrative, as the fridge is displayed as somewhat daunting, this is because of the character's anorexia, as within the plot she develops a fear of the fridge as it will tempt her to eat.

One of the main factors to the plot of this film is the use of drugs, this is depicted all the way through the trailer. One effective way in which this is done is through the use of extreme close ups, such as:

Extreme close-up shots of the characters' eyes, which convey the physical effects that drugs have on their bodies; as the shot displays their pupils dilating.









Various extreme close up shots of drugs, such as a syringe, a lighter, and pills. These illustrate to the audience that the characters are using a dangerous amount of different drugs; it depicts how their lives are arguably drug-orientated, due to the sheer amount of it all.

Love is an theme which is displayed throughout this teaser trailer, it is depicted through various different shots:



A sexual love is conveyed through this elevator shot of the two characters kissing. Simultaneously, there is a non-diegetic voice over of the female character whispering 'I love you', which adds to this theme of love.
This shot has a post-effect over it which causes it to appear as if it is footage from the elevator camera, this could suggest that the characters are willing to express their love no matter who is watching.

Furthermore, the same sexual love is presented though this extreme close up of the characters kissing, the kissing effect mirrors this at the same time. The indiscreet nature of the shot is very apparent, as it is straight in the audience face and leaves them nowhere else to look, and the sound effect also makes this shot very explicit.
Similarly to the previously discussed shot this suggests that the characters do not care about hiding their love, but want to express it regardless of the audience.

Familial love is also portrayed through this trailer, as it explores the love between the mother and son. This is conveyed through this close up of the two characters embracing. This is an important aspect of the narrative as their relationship is weakened as they are both caught up in drugs and addiction. The contrast between the bond they have prior to the drug use and their isolation after the drugs have taken their toll really emphasise the negative effects of drugs.

This shot depicts a romantic love between these two characters. Here they are displayed to be running together, holding hands, through a bright, sunny park. The high-key lighting of this shot connotes their happiness together, and contrasts the low-key nature of the rest of the drug-filled trailer. This suggests their happiness before their drug troubles.





These shots are contrasted against the shots that are displayed in the later part of the trailer, which depict the very negative effects of addiction

This is close up shot is very low-key and presents the female character in a negative light. Her make-up is smudged, she is sweating, and looks very exhausted. This displays the character craving the drugs she is addicted to. Money is another theme that is a apparent through the trailer, which is depicted through various close up shots of money. From this it can be suggested that the character has run out of money and is therefore suffering from withdrawal symptoms. This is also displays through the blue lighting on half of her face, which causes her to appear sickly.

Deconstruction of Requiem For a Dream Teaser Trailer- Editing

Editing Techniques

Distortion is a common theme throughout this teaser trailer, various aspects manipulate the shots in order to convey this, and the content of the film is highlighted in several ways. One very effective and common way in which this is done is through the editing; many of the editing techniques effectively exaggerate aspects of the trailer, such as split screens. These split screens emphasise the effect of the drugs and suggest that this is how the mind is effected. Additionally, as the drugs are presented on screen simultaneously with the characters, it suggests that they are losing as sense of self and allowing the drugs to take over.

A fish-eye camera lens is used throughout the trailer to reinforce the impression of distortion, it is presented as a point of view shot, and indicates that this is a mirror of the character's mental state.

Pace is used for effect in this teaser tailer, aspects of it are cut and overlapped to result in multiple shots being displayed on screen within a very shot space if time. This could be mirroring the internal chaos that is occurring within the characters. This fast pace is made to appear even faster when is it immediately juxtaposed by a following longer, slower shot. This draws attentions to these slower shots. signifying their importance and creating  intensity.

The post-productions editing, such as layering, again reiterates this theme of distortion, as it physically distorts the onscreen images, making it difficult for the viewer to distinguish between images and be sure of what is happening.

Post effects such as the one seen on the right, are used to exaggerate the character's emotions, the onscreen action clearly conveys their distress, and the effect on top of this further demonstrates it.