The genre of the film is noted as a drama yet in the trailer and throughout the film there are clear themes of comedy as well as thriller. There is some elements of dark humour as well as satire which less noticeable in some parts of the trailer and film such as where Sophia asks Richie if he takes vitamins. There is also an element of crime since the main character finds a body and only later finds out who did it, yet this isn't key to the narrative.
Narrative
The film focuses on a 25-30 year old that's on the brink of suicide when his estranged sister asks him to look after her 11 year old daughter. However when his sister doesn't return home he has to continue to look after his niece whilst under different influences and trying to keep her safe from other people.Unique Selling Point
The film is unique for looking at the relationship between an uncle and his niece which, personally, I cannot think of any other film that looks like this relationship in such a heartwarming and also sad way. The film also has clever humour since it's funny yet still holds meaning, so it isn't flat.
Target Audience
Though including a young girl as one of the main character's, the film is largely targeted towards men and woman ranging from 16-40 as it deals with mental, family and relationship issues. It also deals, but doesn't dwell on, issues on masculinity and the ability men have to show emotion. For younger teenage audiences the film teaches them not to worry about grades as much, but to still love your parent/s for trying to make you do your best. The film is also targeted towards mainly a white, American audience and can appeal to spectators from New York as the main character has this accent. Furthermore the film was originally a short which was the winner of the 2014 SXSW audience award, so those who saw the short first would be intrigued to see the full narrative.
The trailer only uses three songs throughout, two of which each take up almost each half of the short trailer. The first song is calm and whimsical which juxtaposes the angry phone conversation until it transitions to an upbeat song by the American indie rock bank Io Echo. The song is enchanting and mystical which connotes the main character's delusions that the audience are introduced to at the beginning of the trailer. It also implies the fun action themes to the film. However towards the middle-end the song is changed to a much slower song where the female's soft, lullaby-type singing enforces the sad themes and the idea of death. This is where much of the sadder and more thriller scenes are shown as compared to the beginning where most of the comedy is shown.
Shot Types/Camera Angles + Pace
The trailer changes is pace according to whether Richie or his sister are shown. In many shots, slow motion is shown to imply Richie's slow thoughts and drug influence whereas a quick pace is used to connote Maggie's uneasiness and erratic character.
In terms of camera angles a lot of close ups are used to let the audience feel closer to the characters. Noticeably, no establishing shots are used to allow the narrative to be applied to anyone living between rough and rich areas that the trailer shows each of. Furthermore many tracking shots and low angles. Interestingly, the low angles are not used to connote the idea that the audience should look up to the character's but to imply an unsafe environment as from this angle the character's weaker emotions are shown when used.
From the argument at the beginning on the phone to the voiceover of Richie explaining what others have called him, it is clearly shown that he is a low class character with not to much to show. Much of the trailer includes his voice and only some from the other characters. Much of the dialogue shows the character's personalities but doesn't reveal so much what happens without looking at the shots that play alongside. Much of the comedy is said through the quirky dialogue as well as one-liners.
Special Effects
There are little to no special effects used in the trailer nor film.
Many effects or stunts are practical.CGI been used,however in some shots it's clear that lighting and sometimes filters are used which shows that the film is going back to basics with it's filming style. The film is much more focused on interesting props and practical and stylised effects
Credits and Intertitles
There are only a few intertitles in this trailer since it's a semi-independent film and used C-B list actors and actresses. The intertitles switch between between on their own shot or overlaid a shot from the film yet hold constancy and synergy in the blue and yellow colours chosen:
"ICU Films"-0:00 Distribution intertitle
"Official Selection Venice Film Festival 2014 Venice Days"-1:08
"From Academy Award* Winner Shawn Christensen"-1:37 This the main character and the director. No other actor or actress has been noted despite large actors like Ron Perlman and Paul Wesley to perhaps get the directors name out and since the other two are such large names the audience does not need to be told who they are since they can match the face to a name.
"BEFORE I DISAPPEAR"-2:05 The name of the title comes on a few letters at a time and then fades to resemble the coming and going of Richie's character.
"*Production information*"-2:12
From this trailer I am inspired by the lack of effects, the witty comedy and the interesting angles used. This also shows that I may not have to use as many songs as originally planned since I couldn't see only 2/3 songs working at first. Though this film isn't seen as a thriller it shows many elements of the genre. I like the way it shows the comedic scenes before it gets serious, with the change of song. Therefore I may only imply some of the thriller yet advertise my film as more of a comedy drama that will have more serious scenes later on.
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