Black Mass trailer analysis

Plot summary/ Basic Info• Based on the life of James “Whitey” Bulger, the movie focuses on one of the

most notorious criminals and infamous gangsters of the 20th century.• Dir: Scott Cooper• Accessed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE3e3hGF2jc

Mise-en-scène: setting /location• The movie take place throughout a number of different decades, although it

primarily takes place in the 1970s. • The trailer primarily focuses on a scene set at a dinner table between “Bulger”

and some of the members of his gang.• The trailer does switch to different areas whilst Bulger does a monologue. These

include areas such as a nightclub, a FBI office and a urban area in which protests are taking places.

Mise en scene: iconography and props• A newspaper called the Boston Globe is shown in order to give the

audience an idea of where the film is set.• More simplistic props are used such as the dinner table setup and the

FBI office set up.

Mise en scene: colour and lighting• The movie primarily uses dark lighting, perhaps as a representation of the

way in which Bulger sees the world and is very much a reflection of his persona.• One shot that is particularly effective is when we see Bulger in darkness

with not even his face even being shown.• The colours are bright because of the vibrant 70s atmosphere but in reality,

it portrays a dark environment.

Mise en scene: makeup and costume• Extensive makeup is used on Johnny Depp in order for him to resemble

Bulger more. • For the rest of the makeup and costume, it is primarily used to enhance the

mise en scene.• An example of this is the leather jacket worn by Bulger

Editing: sound and visions• There is little music, except for some percussion instruments that help

build up the tension.• Most of the actors put on a “Boston” accent in order to establish that

the film is set in Boston. • Like most trailers, there’s very quick edits in order to show as many

clips as possible.

Cinematography • Shot types in the trailer including a “overhead” shot of a dead body.• There are also many distinct close ups, especially during the dinner

sequence in order to show the reactions of both Bulger and the person he’s talking to.• There are also over the shoulder shots during the conversation in order to

show the reactions and make the audience feel like they’re part of the conversation

Titles • The trailer uses intertitles throughout, telling basic information about

Bulger as well as the fact that the film is based on a true story. • The trailer also has the titles of the main actors, with specific focus on

Johnny Depp due to his star power being able to draw people in• The trailer also includes the title at the end, to show what the name of the

movie is itself.