Trailer Analysis:The Hunger Games

Genre: Action/RomanceThe hunger games is a hybrid genre its consists of both action and romance. This is clear from when the female character and the male character are sitting speaking to each other about running away. But is also clearly action from the use of bow and arrows and the special effects and fast pace that is used.

NarrativeThe narrative of The Hunger Games links in with Campbell's narrative theory. Campbell believes in the heroes journey; the trailer appears to follows each stage of his theory as the main character lives an ordinary life then she is called to battle where she must go on a journey before returning back to normality. The story is about a female character that is called to fight on a televised show where the contestants have to fight to their death. This follows each of the stages in which Campbell believes each narrative follows.

Unique Selling PointThe Hunger Games was a best selling novel before the film was made which could be the unique selling point of the film. This might be the unique selling point as people who had not read the book but had heard good things about it may want to go see the film and people who had read the book will be interested to see how it is portrayed as a motion picture. Also the protagonist of the film is a female character which is not as common as having a male protagonist. The Hunger Games is the first of a trilogy which suggest that’s after this film we can expect two more to be released.

Target AudienceThe hunger games has a wide target audience as it is a global best selling novel. It appeals to a wide age range from around 15+, people who had read the books will be a main target audience of the film as they will try to make it as much like the book as possible. The trailer has to be able to appeal to a wider range of people that the film itself so people will want go and see the film. They also have to ensure that the trailer isn’t only aimed at people who already know the story, they do this by setting the story in place and also aiming it towards them who want to know what it’s about.

MusicThe trailer starts with non – diegetic sound as a sound track starts over the top. This is played throughout the trailer although picks up the pace when the action starts this is done to create a more dramatic effect for the audience and adding to the suspense. Non – diegetic sound is also added when she shoots the arrow this is done to give it a better effect. Diegetic sound of the actors having a conversation is used this done to give the audience a better understand of the story and an insight to what the characters are like.

Shot Types/Camera AnglesThe trailer starts with a wide shot containing the main character and giving the audience an

idea of the setting she is in. This sets the mood of the trailer allowing the audience to get an idea of what type of film it might be like. We then have an extreme close up of a danger sign that she passes which leaves us to presume that she is doing something she shouldn’t be. Eye-line matches are used throughout the whole trailer to allow the audience to see what the characters are looking. Half way through the trailer we have a close up of one of the male characters face which is clearly full of fear, followed by an eye-line match of an establishing shot of the city which we assume they are arriving to. This shot sets the scene of the filming allowing us to have a better idea to what type of film it is going to be.

PaceThe pace of the trailer starts off slow and peaceful which makes the mood feel calm. As we get further into the trailer the pace picks up which adds dramatic tension. This is shown when the main character volunteers to take her younger sisters place in the games. As we move towards the end of the trailer the pace is even faster, this starts to happen when the action starts to kicks in. The pace changes speed constantly throughout the trailer and is done using fades. This makes the audience on the edge of their seat wanting to know what is going to happen next.

DialogueThe dialogue throughout the trailer varies. It is used to build up he story line, to add effect to the scene and to give us a better understanding to how the characters are to be portrayed. It starts with the conversation between the main female character and a male character speaking about running away. This straight away makes the audience curious to what they are running away from. Further on into the trailer dialogue allows the audience to see the seriousness of the people being chose to go into the games when the main female character says ‘I volunteer as tribute’ in replacement of her sister. We are able to hear the panic in her voice which suggest she doesn’t want to be has to do it. Dialogue is used to make the trailer more exciting and edging the audience to go see the film to find out the rest of the story.

Special EffectsSpecial effects and CGI are used throughout the trailer, we first see it when the main female character shoots her arrow at the bird in the woods. This is done to make the shot more exciting as the actor possibly couldn’t do it themselves. It is also used to put things there that don’t exist for example when the hover craft appears over the top of the wooded area. CGI is used on the establishing shot of the city that they enter into later on, this is used as the place they are going to doesn’t physically exist and is done to give a greater effect. Using special effects and CGI throughout the trailer adds to the drama and excitement of the film; making it more interesting and have the wow factor.

Credits/IntertitlesTowards the end of the trailer of The Hunger Games, a few intertitles are used to add dramatic tension to fast pace and action that is happening at the end. The intertitles say ‘the games will change everyone’ which makes the trailer much more intense and attention grabbing. These are added to make the audience feel pulled into what is happening then left with a cliff hanger which make them want to go to see the film. Then at the very end we have a closing credit of the date which the film will be released which allows the audience build excitement to be able to go see the film.