This is England

Trailer Analysis

Act One

The production companies build

reputation for the film.
Films by Red
Envelop
Entertainment
include:
Sherrybaby
Maxed Out
Phoebe in Wonderland

Films by IFC
Films include:
Sleeping Beauty
Hellion
The Den
Loosies

The film festival logo build expectations.

The slow guitar

non-diegetic music
creates a slow mood for
the trailer allowing the
audience to create an
idea of a negative start.

The establishing shot and slow edited fades

introduces the setting effectively as the dull
colours add to the negative atmosphere.

The mid shot of the

young boy allows the
audience to be
introduced to the
main character Shaun.
The non-diegetic music in addition to Shauns sulky voice
creates the equilibrium of the film, suggesting his bullying has
happened constantly, therefore is becoming normal.

The sound bridging, in

addition to the slow fades
which is then follows the
action of Shaun throwing
off his jacket allows the
audience to see that he is
in a miserable state.

Shots of kids making fun of

Shaun is sandwiched between
his dialogue allowing the
audience to align and
sympathise with the young
boy. A sense of the genre
social realism is created
through the hardships the boy
faces

Act Two

A sudden crescendo of
non-diegetic sound as
well as diegetic sound
create a build up which
leads into the second act.

The title screen confirms the presence of

the second act. The typography allows a
old feel for the film. The
looks
like clippings of a
news
article. Suggests the
political
views surround Skinhead culture.

The editing pace

increases
synchronous to
the beat of the
non-diegetic
guitar music.

The montage of news clippings from 1983 create a context for the period of the film. The non-diegetic music increases at a steady volume
above the montage of images however then diminuendos as the dialogue of Shaun is introduced again, allowing the audience to focus on the
boy. The convention of a trailer is created through the montage which also emphasises the social realist genre through the news clippings
presenting that it is in fact factual information

The slowly moving camera

allows a sense of comfort
and reassurance towards
Shaun from the audience.
The typography looks like
clippings of a news article.
Suggests the political views
surround Skinhead culture.

The close ups of the boys as they are

introduced allows the audience to
familiarise themselves with characters.

The music shows

a full
transformation
for Shaun. The
pause of the
melody
illuminated his
transformation
into the skinhead
identity group.

Sound bridging of
Shaun laughing is
used over title
screens to
emphasise a
sense of
reassurance and
happiness,
changing the
mood.

The typography looks like

clippings of a news article.
|
Suggests the political views
surround Skinhead culture.

Synchronous editing
shows his involvement in
the group.

The fade transitions

changes the shift of tone
from happiness of kid to
sternness of
mum.

The music shows full

transformation into him.
Pause in tune highlights
his transformation into a
skinhead/group.

Sound bridging of Shaun laughing is used over title

screens to emphasise a sense of reassurance and
happiness, changing the mood.

Shot of ball going onto drawn

goal on the wall, highlights the
upbringing of British kids. In
addition the sound bridging dips when they talk.

Talks over the

top this is the
best day of my
life showing his
happiness and
is displayed through scenes depicted of Shaun
playing with the guys. This creates a juxtaposition
from beginning

Act Three

A low pitch is used in order to

transition into the third act. This
creates a serious tone to the film
ensuring the next at.

A whoosh noise is added leading to

Shaun punching the larger lad. It
then follow on with a thick texture
and rushed melody emphasising the
change of character.

This title screen builds the

reputation for the film through the

reputation of the director

The sound
bridging of
Combo
conveys his
dominance and
power in the group. ..

The use of the

constant close
ups between
Shaun and
Combo allows
the audience
to see the growing relationship between them.
This is augmented as Combo says Its like
looking in a mirror
Once again it is emphasised through the
threatening nature as Combo holds a sword at
the corner shop owner. The use of the depth of
field highlights how Shaun is seen as the priority for Combo.

The close up of inking shows the

impact the group has had on
him. Furthermore, it matches to
the one of Combos on his head,
therefore showing the influence
of him on Shaun

A white flash transition

is used to create
heaven-like
connotations. This
enables to audience to
view Combo as almost
a Godly figure for
Shaun. As the
dialogue want to
make my dad proud
is said over this, the
flash also symbolises
the respect Shaun has
for his father through
the dream-like state.

Close up of
Combo and
others highlight
their
threatening
behaviour
which can be
interpreted to
be racist. This is
confirmed
through the
cultural
representation
of the Skinhead
culture being
racist.

The fast paced editing creating a montage shows the violent behaviour of the group. The
use non-diegetic music as well as diegetic sound creates a sense of chaos which further
heightens the threatening nature of the group and the damage they are doing. This
presents a sense of Todorovs narrative theory of the action, as Combos racism seems
to fuel the violent behaviour.

The black transition matches to the

fade of music. This is also
synchronous to Combos movement
of stomping his foot down showing
his dominance through a low angle
shot. The lack of music heightens
Sean's vulnerability and mums
concern. It is then through the
change of music which creates a
solemn and serious impact,
matching the scene shown.

The use of the Film Festival logos depicting

highly regarded film

festivals build up reputation for

the independent
film.
The close up of Sean shows
his vulnerability as the depth
of field presents to be
exposed especially through
the plain background.
The shaky camera movement
again present his vulnerability.
The typography of the title is
patriotic through the use of
red, white, and blue.

Comments from
critics are also
used in order to
build up
reputation.

The final image shows all information of names and institutions. Although this
only last a moment before the trailer ends, the audience can instantly be
drawn to the logos at the bottom enabling reputation to be built.