RESEARCH AND PLANNING - Narnia trailer analysis: Sound

Sound

Unusually the first clip is not introduced with a fitting choice of music, but with the diagetic sound of the train as it flashes across the screen leading us into the opening shot. The music then fades quietly into the background; it is gentle and unobtrusive to mirror the docile nature of the country side. The volume of the music increases as the logo appears on the screen to show its significance. The shots which follow are bridged together with a voice over of a character to which we have just been introduced, after a while the shots match up with the sound and you are able to see one of the characters reactions to the speech which had just been overlaid in the first few clips. The music which is quietly played in the background is also reflective of the time period. The music becomes more tense and noticeable as the trailer draws to the pinnacle of it narrative, the moment when Lucy discovers the wardrobe. At this moment the music sounds almost magical, suggesting what lies behind the doors of the wardrobe. As Lucy opens the door the creaking of the hinges is amplified so as to create tension and emphasise the significance of the action. The following clips are accompanied by a piece of music which predominantly consists of a constant drum beat, suggesting that the events being shown are leading up to something bigger. All actions which are shown during this piece of music and are vaguely significant, have their sound amplified to add to the tension, such as the drawing of a sword or the crashing of a staff against the ground. The music speeds up towards the end, as the shots get shorter and each one contains a more action filled image. Until finally the music cuts out altogether with the final sudden fade to black, and a lions roar is left to echo through the scene of empty mountains for dramatic impact as the title and release date licker onto the screen one after the another. The drum music begins briefly again throughout the showing of the films title, however cuts off abruptly for the release date. The faint sound of a gentle wind whistling through a gap is played over the showing of the date, as the background is full of swirling snow, representing the world which into which the characters are about to venture.

Lucy :)

This trailer can be found through the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQCECF1Qzv8