Trailer Analysis: The Piano

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

Camera angles Editing Sound Mise-en-scène

Mid-shot of piano in boat, followed by a long (establishing) shot of the boat in the sea.

Cuts and fades are used throughout the entire trailer, which helps match the pace of it with the music.

Piano music playing all the way through the trailer, and a voiceover.

Ties in with the title of the film and establishes that the piano plays an important part in it. The moody, dark skyline and bad weather suggests pathetic fallacy, and that the film will also be quite dark and moody.

Information about the film – shows that it won the award for Best Picture at Cannes film festival.

This immediately draws the viewer into the trailer more, as they can see that the film has obviously had enormous success.

Long-shot of a boat surrounded by silhouetted men in a rough sea.

Diagetic sound of waves crashing.

Emphasises the location to the viewer.

Camera angles Editing Sound Mise-en-scène

Mid-shot of the woman being carried by the men.

Diagetic sound of waves crashing.Non-diagetic sound of voiceover: “She came to a strange land”

Suggests that she is a main character in the film, as the focus is on her (this is then confirmed by the focus on her in the voiceover). This shot also allows the viewer to notice what clothes are being worn – the top hats, bonnet and old-fashioned dress indicate that the film is set in a previous century.

Shot of the greenery and trees.

Non-diagetic sound of voiceover: “She came to a strange land” (overlap)

Suggests that the film takes place in quite a remote and isolated location, and therefore gives information about the setting.

Camera angles Editing Sound Mise-en-scèneClose-up of the woman from the previous shot.

Non-diagetic voice-over: “In search of a new life”.

Emphasises that she is a main character and that the film revolves around her, which is confirmed by the voiceover.

Long-shot of the luggage and furniture on the beach.

Non-diagetic voice-over: “In search of a new life” (overlap).

Implies that she has moved here – this is confirmed by the voiceover.

Mid-shot of the woman looking worried and anxious.

Suggests that she is not altogether happy about the move.

Close-up of the little girl. Diagetic sound – speech: “We can’t leave the piano”.

Suggests she could be related to the woman. The fact that she is saying “we can’t leave the piano” at the same time as an extreme close-up of the piano keys suggests that the piano plays a pivotal role in her life as well.

Camera angles Editing Sound Mise-en-scène

High-angle shot of the piano isolated on the beach.

Diagetic sound – speech: “There are too few of us here to carry it”

Reinforces its importance in the film. Its isolation could link in with themes of isolation potentially running through the film - as the woman appears to have moved to an isolated location, this is likely to be accurate.

The close-up of the man (who the voiceover implies is the woman’s husband).

Non-diagetic voiceover: “She came to a husband she had never met”.

Helps to introduce another main character to the viewer.

Close-up of the man drinking tea.

Diagetic sound – speech: “With time I am sure she will become affectionate”.

Could suggest that he is of a high status and wealth due to the china cup he is drinking out of.

Camera angles Editing Sound Mise-en-scène

Close-up of him reaching out to hold her hand.

Gives a further indication of the relationship between them, reinforced by the close-up of them sat in what appears to be a theatre – this kind of outing is typical of a married couple in the era the film appears to be set in, as it would be considered scandalous to be seen out in public with another man.

Mid-shot of the woman playing piano at the same time as the voiceover says “and discovered a passion”, followed by a close-up of the man grabbing her by the neck and kissing her.

Non-diagetic voiceover: “And discovered a passion that would change her world forever”.Diagetic sound: Gasping.

Could suggest that the voiceover is ambiguous; her “passion” appears to be playing the piano, but it could also refer to the passion between her and her husband. However, as he appears to be treating her quite roughly, and she appears uncomfortable, this suggests that the relationship between them is quite forced. This is confirmed when she gasps and walks away from him.

Camera angles Editing Sound Mise-en-scène

Close-up of the man looking through the keyhole, followed by a close up of his wife embracing another man.

Suggests that her passion is for this other man rather than her husband – this gives a bit more indication of the plot.

Close-up of the woman’s husband looking angry, followed by a close-up of her looking shocked, surprised and scared.

Suggests to the audience that she has realised her husband has seen her with the other man.

Long-shot of him then dragging her through some woods.

Appears ominous, and suggests that he is going to punish her.

Close-up shots of the three main characters, whilst the voiceover says the actors’ names.

Non-diagetic voiceover: Listing main actors’ names.

Let the audience know the main actors cast in the film – if they recognise the actors from another film, this may encourage viewers to see the whole film.

Camera angles Editing Sound Mise-en-scèneClose-up of the inside of a piano whilst it is being played, followed by a close-up of the woman playing piano.

Non-diagetic voiceover: “The Piano”.

Links in with the title and themes of the film, and is shown at the same time as the voiceover says “The Piano”, creating synergy.

Close-up shot of the man standing behind the woman and kissing her whilst she is playing the piano.

Suggests that she is literally and metaphorically stuck in the middle between him and the piano – this creates the idea that she is trapped, both physically and mentally.

Extremely positive quotations from critics superimposed onto extracts from the film.

Non-diagetic voiceover: “The critics say…” and then reads the quotations from reviews that appear on screen.

Act as a persuasive device for viewers to see the film.

Mid-shot of the little girl doing cart-wheels (similar shots repeated throughout entire trailer).

Juxtapose with the dark themes that seem to run through the rest of it – could suggest that woman’s life is spinning out of control?

Camera angles Editing Sound Mise-en-scèneTitle of film and institutional information at the end.

Non-diagetic voiceover saying title of film at the same time as it appears on screen, as well as “from acclaimed director, Jane Campion”.Piano music ends.

Conventional to all trailers.