Research- Evaluating Micro Elements in Kids Trailer

Kids Trailer- Representation

Mise-en-scene:

Firstly it is important to note the props used, there are shots of alcohol seen throughout the trailer, such as in the club there is a mid-shot of a large bottle of spirit on the table. The connotative effect of this is that teenagers are reckless and uncontrollable.

There is high key lighting used throughout the trailer which conveys a light hearted and care free representation of the society that the teenagers live in.

The costumes used throughout the trailer are a mix between very baggy clothing which conveys the representation of a gang/violent lifestyle as this is stereotypical attire for a gang member. Contrasting with this is that there are also many shots with characters wearing little to no clothing which once again reflects a careless representation of teenagers in the trailer.

Lastly the characters in the chosen for the film are a very culturally diverse mix of race with an equal amount of white and black people. This represents teenagers as a very accepting and culturally affluent group of people.

Editing:

Fast paced editing is seen throughout the extract from the offset as soon as the titles come out with very quick cuts. This establishes a representation of energetic and dangerous of the teenagers in the extract.

Cut screens with comment about the film allow for the inference that the film gives a realistic representation of the younger generation due to the fact that it claims it is an important film.

Soundtrack:

Siren at the beginning, gives inference of crime in younger generation.

‘do you know where your children are?’ followed by heavy music, infers that the younger generation are not as the older generation view them.

Letters of ‘KIDS’ matching beat of the song, directly links their behaviour to the aggressive music.

Change back to calm music at the end to represent the outside view of youths as it is less exciting for the target audience, establshing the concept that youths are negatively looked at.

Camera:

There is a longshot in the trailer, at about 0.24 seconds, this shows two young teenagers’ umping over barriers that they are clearly not supposed to be jumping. This suggests to the audience that they are of a rebellious nature and do not follow rules. This is only the 3rd shot in the trailer; this is done to set up expectations and themes of dangerous and silly behaviour by teenagers, right from the beginning of the trailer. This is a very negative outlook to have on teenagers, this is a negative representation.

At 0.34 seconds there is a mid-shot of a boy and girl smooching, this  mid shot as a result suggests to the audience that there are going to be themes of sex and potential romance in this movie. So far the representation of teenagers in this extract is too be young, rebellious free spirits. This midshot is evidence of that.

Between 0.37 and 0.40 there are various different shots including close ups, mid shots and high angle shots which show a brawl between the teenagers, this fight includes weapons and furthermore there is a close up on a man getting hit in the head with a skate board. This whole sequence of cuts emphasises the danger and violence in the film, the world shows teenagers in a very negative light.  I personally disagree with this representation, the director was very clear in portraying the teenagers as reckless, they could also be seen as thugs, the is greatly in this extract and it seems that drugs, sex are valued in this world.