Hooks of this 1984 film trailer for ‘1984':
- the integrity of the novel which, published in 1949, had long since been regarded a classic or as the trailer states “the biggest selling futuristic novel of our time”, with a previous 1954 TV film adaptation to its name. - The trailer begins with a black and white photo of the famous author, George Orwell. “In 1984 this man had a vision…” the voiceover begins, which will last throughout the 2minute 39 trailer.
- Orwell’s image creates credibility and gravitas for the film, the implication is that this film has stuck closely to the book and if someone liked the book they should be interested in the film. - Big stars, “a cast to match its stature”, also act as a major attraction and the actors playing the four major characters of the narrative are introduced individually and their names are then recapped at the end as well.
- Today concepts like ‘Big Brother’ and ‘Room 101’ are almost as iconic as the novel itself.
- the integrity of the novel which, published in 1949, had long since been regarded a classic or as the trailer states “the biggest selling futuristic novel of our time”, with a previous 1954 TV film adaptation to its name. - The trailer begins with a black and white photo of the famous author, George Orwell. “In 1984 this man had a vision…” the voiceover begins, which will last throughout the 2minute 39 trailer.
- Orwell’s image creates credibility and gravitas for the film, the implication is that this film has stuck closely to the book and if someone liked the book they should be interested in the film. - Big stars, “a cast to match its stature”, also act as a major attraction and the actors playing the four major characters of the narrative are introduced individually and their names are then recapped at the end as well.
- Today concepts like ‘Big Brother’ and ‘Room 101’ are almost as iconic as the novel itself.
Voiceover:
- sets up the complex narrative and is heard throughout.
- phrases such as “A haunting and terrifying vision of what the world might become before the end of the twentieth century…” which highlights that for Orwell this novel was a futuristic narrative of a dystopian society “in the grip of fear”, “conformity”, “continuous surveillance” and “ceaseless war”.
- emphasises the shocking and frightening world of the film
- links the disjointed images, which show visuals of what the voiceover comments on. - introduces the main characters
Characters:
Winston Smith “solitary rebel against a merciless state, a classic hero” = familiarity with the characters
= Winston gains audience sympathy
= intrigue with their roles
= his dialogue introduces the theme of ‘truth’ in the film
Julia “whose love for Winston transforms his secret dreams into vivid dangerous reality…”
= love interest - affection between them,
= the provocateur of the relationship and the catalyst for the events of the novel
= importance
= contrast with the “hatred” of the society
= their doomed existence/relationship, always under threat
Transitions:
- sets up the complex narrative and is heard throughout.
- phrases such as “A haunting and terrifying vision of what the world might become before the end of the twentieth century…” which highlights that for Orwell this novel was a futuristic narrative of a dystopian society “in the grip of fear”, “conformity”, “continuous surveillance” and “ceaseless war”.
- emphasises the shocking and frightening world of the film
- links the disjointed images, which show visuals of what the voiceover comments on. - introduces the main characters
Characters:
Winston Smith “solitary rebel against a merciless state, a classic hero” = familiarity with the characters
= Winston gains audience sympathy
= intrigue with their roles
= his dialogue introduces the theme of ‘truth’ in the film
Julia “whose love for Winston transforms his secret dreams into vivid dangerous reality…”
= love interest - affection between them,
= the provocateur of the relationship and the catalyst for the events of the novel
= importance
= contrast with the “hatred” of the society
= their doomed existence/relationship, always under threat
- Fades - creating a sinister slowness to the opening of the trailer
- cut-to-black edits or straight cut edits are used to increase the pace.
- cut-to-black edits or straight cut edits are used to increase the pace.
Motif of eyes throughout the trailer:
- constantly being watched creates a chilling ambiance on screen but also would make the audience also feel nervous and on edge.
- Big Brother’s face on the telescreen is a repeated image (also the final image of the trailer)
- he appears to be staring out, not just at the characters within the film world but also, at the audience.
Music:
- contrapuntal music - which is slow to begin with like a ballroom dance, orchestral sound, played at a low pitch, makes the images seem more disturbing.
- The corruption of the ‘future’ government is connoted to, “language and history are being systematically destroyed” by them to solidify their position in absolute power.
Genre:
Sci-Fi - images of poverty, conformity and oppression, through fear and violence, aims to shock the audience by highlighting the horror of this ‘possible’ future.
- Large crowd scenes of generic people, dirty and thin, emphasises the low quality of life and the power of Big Brother over them is that they cannot show passion, only “hatred”.
‘Thriller’ - secrets or hidden inner thoughts,
- the threat of torture and Room 101 and
- the ideas of rebellion against the corrupt
- ominous and tense atmosphere created.
- Quick shots of Winston in confinement or hiding in the dark from authorities all allude to mysteries and illegality of his actions, the audience is, by being placed next to Winston as the protagonist, rooting for him to succeed against the odds.
- Anticipation and excitement, as well as nervousness, are created through this desire.
- the threat of torture and Room 101 and
- the ideas of rebellion against the corrupt
- ominous and tense atmosphere created.
- Quick shots of Winston in confinement or hiding in the dark from authorities all allude to mysteries and illegality of his actions, the audience is, by being placed next to Winston as the protagonist, rooting for him to succeed against the odds.
- Anticipation and excitement, as well as nervousness, are created through this desire.
- Enigma’s and mystery
- very little narrative content is revealed
- if any key moments are shown the deep, often confusing, and philosophical content of the film still leaves a large amount of questions at the end,
- enticing the audience to view the film.
- eg. "Room 101 is the worst thing in the world.” = complicated puzzles are integral to the appeal and suspense of the plot.
- very little narrative content is revealed
- if any key moments are shown the deep, often confusing, and philosophical content of the film still leaves a large amount of questions at the end,
- enticing the audience to view the film.
- eg. "Room 101 is the worst thing in the world.” = complicated puzzles are integral to the appeal and suspense of the plot.
- Human relationships are the central interest of any narrative
- the love between Julia and Winston is juxtaposed with the rest of the society and
- creates hope for the audience.
‘Action’
-highlights the destructive nature of the government in power and the dangers of the society,
- constant war eg. Explosions and fire create tension and fear.
In one shot the protagonist, Winston, is shown to be thrown over by the force of a nearby explosion.
- Close up images, where the fire is in the fore-front of the screen and use of increased volume are contrasted with the stillness of the rest of the trailer and the dramatic edits to black create mystery, and fear for the lives of the characters.
-highlights the destructive nature of the government in power and the dangers of the society,
- constant war eg. Explosions and fire create tension and fear.
In one shot the protagonist, Winston, is shown to be thrown over by the force of a nearby explosion.
- Close up images, where the fire is in the fore-front of the screen and use of increased volume are contrasted with the stillness of the rest of the trailer and the dramatic edits to black create mystery, and fear for the lives of the characters.
Title:
- repeated twice in the trailer for memorability
- highlights its significance.
- The titular year was the year of release of the film (some scenes were even shot on the days noted in Winston’s diary in the book!).
- “The Film of the Book of the Year” uses a dual meaning of ‘of the year’ which is a term usually associated with awards or praise but also alluding to the film’s “perfect timing”.
Anchorage:
- red, bold and angular typography with black outline
- creates the idea of a rigid structure and conformity which is apparent in the society of the film,
- red as the signifier of danger.
- The title either fades in or zooms in, synchronous with an increase in music volume, for dramatic effect, filling the screen over an image of the dilapidated and grey world of the film in that year.
- repeated twice in the trailer for memorability
- highlights its significance.
- The titular year was the year of release of the film (some scenes were even shot on the days noted in Winston’s diary in the book!).
- “The Film of the Book of the Year” uses a dual meaning of ‘of the year’ which is a term usually associated with awards or praise but also alluding to the film’s “perfect timing”.
Anchorage:
- red, bold and angular typography with black outline
- creates the idea of a rigid structure and conformity which is apparent in the society of the film,
- red as the signifier of danger.
- The title either fades in or zooms in, synchronous with an increase in music volume, for dramatic effect, filling the screen over an image of the dilapidated and grey world of the film in that year.
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