The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) Trailer Analysis http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=n5rh7O4IDc0 The film trailer opens with an establishing shot of a cityscape, setting the scene for the viewer in concern to the location. Over the footage, there is inclusion of a non diagetic soundtrack cut in; the music is guitar/folk which contrasts with the environment shown (garage, rap or hip-hop etc. would be more suited to the said area) these listed urban music genres would also be more relative to a coming of age movie as they are stereotypically seen to be listened to by a younger audience. On the other hand, cities are typical sites used within the particular film genre as they tend to be viewed as cosmopolitan and vibrant hubs; this leads to the stereotypical assumption that such a location is inhabited by younger generations. As the shot features the cityscape during the night, the phrase 'the city comes alive at night' springs to mind, further increasing the representation of the younger generation within a film of this particular genre. This is because the lesser matured age groups stereotypically tend to go out during these particular hours. A fade transition transfers the clip in order to introduce the protagonist; the close up shot captures a male in a reflection of a window and a sound bridge is utilized to continue the soundtrack. The music is also accompanied by a voice over which we assume is that of the male pictured, further enhancing the clear representation of the character playing the role of the protagonist. The non diagetic speech addresses the consumer as friend in order to create a personal feel a typical convention of coming of age films is to give the viewer a personal perspective into the life of the protagonist. As the male's features are unclear through the glass reflection, it could be connoted that his near future is unknown - within this genre of film we generally can expect to see the character change as a person and perhaps a revelation to be made. Therefore, although the protagonist may feel his future is unpredictable now, the audience can expect to see this change throughout the proceeding feature. The camera zooms out and another fade transition has been inserted to lead onto the following footage. Tilting camera movement from an over the shoulder shot gives a clear impression of the protagonist, in comparison to the first sighting given to the viewer. Here we see that he is a young adult; it is an obvious essential convention of 'coming of age' movies to include a protagonist who is of the teenage/young adult age group. This shot also emphasizes his importance within the film as he takes up the majority of the screen. Again, within this certain shot the soundtrack and voice over follow through with sound bridge editing - this is to be expected of a trailer as the included sounds create a connection between the montage edited clips. The following scene is a three shot of the protagonist interacting with people of a similar age. This again confirms the genre of the film due to the age group presented. The fade transitions continue to be used between clips, and the soundtrack and voice over follow through as a sound bridge over individual shots of the protagonist male. These are the particular captured images mentioned:

It could be connoted from these clips that the voice over is the males words being read; this is a suggestion made as the scene shown above is of the protagonist writing. It is typical within 'coming of age' films to see the protagonist's clear thoughts through personal diaries, letters and so on - this depiction is made through the above shots. It is important to note that the aesthetics have been dark so far, not only in lighting, such as the low key arrangement shown above, but through mise en scene eg. clothing. We see the male protagonist wear dull colours, perhaps suggesting something about his present life or

connoting that there could be a dark side to his past or himself. A lack of transition between the previous clips and a blank screen creates a divide between the proceeding shots and those prior. This is because the transfer of footage before was soft with a 'fade' effect but the sudden cut creates a new mood. The continued voice over informs the viewer that 'I really want to turn things around this year'; again, conforming to the stereotypical conventions found in narratives of 'coming of age' films, the audience can predict there will be change within the protagonist featured. In this case, the male wants to create the change himself - 'turn things around'. These words are of high significance, as the lack of footage means the attention stays on what is spoken. The soundtrack also cuts off as the voice over says these words, and then cut in after - again increasing importance. Information is still withheld however, thus, deliberately confusing the audience and raising questions. This is a typical convention found within trailers. The black pause then cuts to the appearance of the studio 'ident' which has been edited into the trailer. Summit Entertainment are a Lionsgate subsidiary, renowned for producing teenage films such as Twilight, Sorority Row and American Pie. Studio ident's can hint at the film genre and target audience so it is clear to see that 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' is a 'coming of age' film directed toward a consumer base of teenagers/young adults through this. Incidentally, a non diagetic sound effect of a school bell ringing is cut in as the ident appears; many films of this certain genre are based within a school environment due to the age groups represented. The inclusion of this establishes the following location but also relates back to the previous voice over where the male protagonist mentions his 'first day'; this we can connote is at school. Following the ident, the camera cuts to a wide/establishing shot of students entering a school. Here, the camera also tilts to echo the movement of those walking. This shot is used to add context to the following clips and introduce location. As mentioned previously, by including a school site the film is conforming to conventions of the genre - schools are typical iconography for 'coming of age' films. The soundtrack still continues to create a sound bridge, adding continuity between clips cut in. The scene which proceeds focuses on the male protagonist sitting alone in a canteen, surrounded by tables of groups sitting together. His lone self is emphasized through a wide shot. By showing this scene, his character is represented as an outsider; this representation is seen in a lot of Hollywood 'coming of age' films (such as Mean Girls (2004)). In some cases, this may allow viewers to relate, thus, adding interest and perhaps intrigue. Within this shown shot, a voice over is cut in of a male who is then revealed in the following clip - he is adult and dressed in a suit. As the location is a school environment, we can infer that he is a teacher. The character represents a figure of authority through his costume which connotes power. In the proceeding shots, the representation of the main characters unpopularity is further depicted as we see a bullying incident take place....

The medium close up shots create a feel of claustrophobia, which could represent the feel of the environment or the protagonists desire to break out from his status within the establishment. In this sense, he is the typical protagonist to be seen within a 'coming of age' film; belittled by others and wanting some sort of change. A close up reaction shot shows him to be passive, he accepts the bullying given from the antagonist. Within these shots, we can hear ambient sound cut in and inclusion of some speech, illustrating interaction between people. The soundtrack then cuts out, as a fade transition leads the viewer to a following medium

close up of the teacher and then an eye line match edit to the protagonist in reply. The first inclusion of an intertitle is then inserted, as shown here... Intertitles are a typical convention of a trailer, so when producing and editing my own I shall ensure that I include some. By having the intertitles included, the narrative within the clips is confirmed; we now know for definite that the protagonist is an outsider who 'never stood out'. We also become aware of his name which results in a proper introduction between the main character and the consumer.

Following the ident, we see a scene illustrated through different shot types of a homecoming dance. These are the particular captured images mentioned:

Wide shot

Medium long shot

Tracking medium long shot

Proceeding the intertitle, the soundtrack volume increases and becomes more up tempo; with this, an uplifting mood is created - this is reflective of the dance scene where we see the protagonist make friends with a girl and a boy, having stood by the wall alone beforehand. The star system is used here, a typical convention of trailers, as the viewer is able to recognize the renowned actress Emma Watson - this may create appeal in order for consumers to watch the film. By portraying the protagonists success at approaching people, we are beginning to see a change in his character - again, typical of the genre. The next intertitle, which is cut in straight after an aerial shot of the three dancing, again reconfirms the narrative shown in the footage. I may consider this method of highlighting the storyline in both the clips and intertitle's when editing my own production. Montage editing is demonstrated after the previous intertitle. Within the clips shown (between 0:48 and 0:54) the consumer can see, in a variety of shot types such as medium close ups and wide shots, the protagonist with his new friends - 'the misfit toys'. This gives the viewer the impression that he finally feels he belongs - he is 'welcomed'. Need I say that the trailer is further fitting to the genre conventions? It is clear that the protagonist Charlie - is new to the idea of friends as the male friend, earlier introduced within the homecoming dance, tells him that 'this is what fun looks like'. The party lifestyle depicted within the footage is a typical representation of the younger generation house party settings are iconography used in order to appeal towards a teenage audience. Edited in after 0:54 seconds, is another intertitle bearing the name 'Patrick'; through this we are properly introduced to the male character who the protagonist, Charlie, has befriended. In the following footage, we see Patrick and Charlie together at a soccer match - there are many links to American culture shown throughout the trailer, which establishes the location. Patrick is represented as an eccentric character through his actions and diagetic speech included within the clips - this is possibly why he is included within the 'misfit toys' friendship group. The next intertitle to show is another name - 'Sam', This is the name given to Watson's character and the female friend Charlie is now associated with. Again, she does not appear as the average teenager due to her short 'butch' hair - despite this however she reflects the typical wild side expected of the stereotypical young adult. Throughout the trailer, we see a variety of clips that are montage edited in and the same inclusion of intertitles following the established format. A variety of shot types continue to be used and further narrative revolving around the protagonist and his two

friends - we see themes of romance, emotion, celebrations....

Over the shoulder close up

Medium close up

Medium long shot

These are all typical aspects of 'coming of age' films as it is about the person growing and experiencing; this also allows for easy relation, increasing consumer enjoyment and resulting in successful persuasion on the distributors behalf. The trailer ends with the title and the words 'coming soon'. To conclude, I really like this trailer. It will be influential toward my final idea as I like the themes shown throughout and how it conforms to conventions of the genre. I like how there is inclusion of many clips and sounds to add variety and increase interest. It is clear to see that the best shots have been shown as they clearly reflect the genre and narrative. Despite this, information is still withheld meaning that the viewer is left 'wanting more' after, thus, leading them to watch the production in full.