RESERVOIR DOGS

TRAILER ANALYSISTRAILER ANALYSIS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vayksn4Y93A

STRUCTURE1. Introduction of characters

2. Introduction to the diamond/jewellery heist narrative

3. Disruption to equilibrium is introduced through dialogue- ‘if they hadn’t done what I told them not to do they’d still be alive’

4. Actors are introduced, accompanying shots of their characters

5. Film title shown, and Tarantino (director and writer) introduced.

6. The title ‘Reservoir Dogs’ is an expression in America for dogs who hang around a reservoir- like the gang in the film, there are brought together by something but do not like each other.

7. The colours of the titles represent aspects in the film- the black and white resembles the black and white suits the men famously wear. The red connotes the large amount of blood shown.

EDITING

Editing

•Black screens between scenes with titles saying: ‘6 perfect strangers’ ‘are teaming up’ ‘to pull off the perfect crime’ – this helps the audience to understand the narrative without giving away anything crucial.

•In the scene (above) where the men are walking along together the speed has been slowed right down

•Again at the end the men walk towards the camera in slow motion emphasize that they are working as a team.

•The shots of the men hitting each other and suggesting torture are quickly cut to imitate the action in the film.

CAMERA WORK AND MISE-EN-SCENE

MISE EN SCENE

•Suits are worn by the men suggesting they are gangsters. These black and white suits have become signature to the film.

•Props: guns and cars feature throughout the trailer, typical of a crime genre film.

CAMERA WORK

•Tracking shot is used when the men are first introduced, this shows them looking around at each other, suggesting the tension between them all.

•Quick shot of a gun being loaded. This immediately introduces the crime narrative to the audience.

•Shots of the men hitting each other, and pulling out guns on each other tell the audience that there will be a disruption to the planned heist.

SOUND• The song played throughout the trailer is ‘stuck in the middle with

you’ by Stealers Wheel, also featured in the film. Because it is light and upbeat it gives the trailer a lighter more comic feel.

• 3 times within the trailer there is a sudden bit of violence that stops the music and is then followed by dialogue which pushes uncovers a bit more of the narrative to the audience. For example: you hear a gun being clicked into place and then following is the dialogue ‘what happens if the manager wont give me the diamonds’. This introduces the heist narrative.

• Quick cut scenes of gunshots- both real guns and people saying ‘bam’

• Voice over introducing the starring actors.

SOUND• The song played throughout the trailer is ‘stuck in the middle with

you’ by Stealers Wheel, also featured in the film. Because it is light and upbeat it gives the trailer a lighter more comic feel.

• 3 times within the trailer there is a sudden bit of violence that stops the music and is then followed by dialogue which pushes uncovers a bit more of the narrative to the audience. For example: you hear a gun being clicked into place and then following is the dialogue ‘what happens if the manager wont give me the diamonds’. This introduces the heist narrative.

• Quick cut scenes of gunshots- both real guns and people saying ‘bam’

• Voice over introducing the starring actors.