Codal Analysis Steph Webb

Visual codes - Within the beginning of the trailer, the first image we see is of a young girl who is seen to be lying on the grass and looking up at the sky. The last image we see of the film is a zoomed in version of the same image as she speaks. These two images allow for the audience to see that the parts in between are simply her life story and everything that happened prior to the last image and after the beginning one. It allows for the trailer to tell a simple story that the audience can grab onto. Within the first few shots, we see small images of the two main characters being romantic with one another. The next few shots demonstrate how they first met and therefore uses imagery to indicate this. It then goes back to them being all friendly. And then it completely changes in contrast to a dramatic scene when she has to get rushed to hospital. This part of the trailer informs the audience that something will happen to Hazel in the film. It then goes back to the two being romantic again to contrast against the tradegy within the trailer. Throughout the film, we also see black screens that have informative writing on – i.e. ‘this summer’ and ‘based on the best-selling novel by John Green’. The colours within this trailer are natural and allow for the audience to see that this story is a real story. When Hazel gets taken to hospital, we see the colours become darker to create the dramatic atmosphere that is present.

Audio codes – The audio within this trailer uses both indriect and direct in order to inform the audience about the storyline. At the beginning of the film, we hear Hazel talking about sugarcoating the truth and how to tell sad stories. This audio can be defined as direct as it makes the audience question themselves and how they tell sad stories as individuals. The audio that can be heard within the scenes match the different atmospheres. During the scenes that Hazel and Augustus can be seen having a laugh and smiling, the audio is uplifting and joyful, compared to the scenes where the two are having a serious conversation – the audio has more of a seriouis tone to it to make it seem more realistic. The majoirty of the audio within this trailer is serious due to the fact that the story is quite a serious subject/topic to talk about. Towards the end of the trailer, we hear ‘Augustus’ speak about hurting and people. This goes back to being direct as it allows for the audience to think about the way they let people hurt them and therefore makes them question themselves as indiviudals.

Narrative codes – Within this film, there are two narrators that can be heard speaking. The first and most important narrator is that of the main female character ‘Hazel’ – whose story is shown during the film/trailer. She begins off speaking about how to tell sad stories – briefly going on about how to sugarcoat them and then she mentions that it’s not the truth and then the narration for this part stops. We briefly hear the second main character ‘Agustus’ ask Hazel about her story. During the shots that show Hazel being carried into the hospital, we hear her speak about blowing up and ruin everything and that she doesn’t want to hurt him. We then hear a narration from Augustus in which he speaks about being hurt by people. He then narrates about her effects to keep him from her. Hazel then speaks about how grateful she is to have a forever and then the narration finishes. The narration within this trailer demonstrates to the audience what the storyline is about and helps them to understand the types of problems and issues that the main characters encounter and try to solve.

Action codes – An action code that can be seen within the trailer is through the use of audio. We hear ‘Augustus’ ask ‘Hazel’ what her story is and she begins to explain. This audio can be heard during a shot of the train, the next shot then follows the audio that is being spoken. The action code therefore uses audio to move straight into that specific scene where they’re on the sofa. This is then repeated when Hazel talks about having a forever and infinity. The audio begins to talk as the shots of Amsterdam and the two on a boat before then going onto the scene where Hazel can be seen talking about it. This is an action shot because the scene follows the audio that can be heard prior to that scene.

Enigma codes – The main enigma code within this trailer is shown when ‘Hazel’ is rushed into hospital. This is an enigma code due to the fact that it makes the audience want to go and watch the film in order to find out what happened to Hazel. The shots of her parents panicking and taking her to hospital make the audience wonder what has happened to her and if she’s going to be okay. This therefore encourages them to go and watch the film and therefore works correctly and effeciently.

Technical codes – The first few shots within the trailer use low key lighting to ensure that the shots shown are dramatic and therefore creates a dramatic atmosphere. The shots that lead up to the hospital scene use low contrast lighting to ensure that they look as natural as possible and resembles real life colours. When the hospital scene comes onto the screen, uses a mix of low key lighting and low contrast lighting to build up the beginning of the sceen and then to make the hospital look as natural and busy as everyday life. The shots within this trailer are short and display a lot of different scenes that are in the film in order to inform the audience what the story is about without giving the storyline away.

The Fault In Our Stars

Visual codes – In the beginning of the trailer, we see different clips. We know these clips are old because of the way they look – they are blurry and have been edited in order to make them look like they were taken a while ago. We then see images of sperm and an egg being inserted with something. This comes onto the screen as the young girl talks about being engineered in order to save her sister. We then see shots of the family eating together and having typical family fun while making jokes about the girl’s condition. We see shots of the young girl trying to sue her parents and the trailer gives an insight into the young girl and how her life is affected by her sick sister. We also see shots from the girl’s prom who has the illness. We see her being happy and trying to be strong for her family. Towards the end of the film, we see a photobooth where the family are seen to be taking photos with each other with smiles on their face. The two sisters are seen at the very end smiling and having fun. There are sections within the film that using writing to inform the audience. We see the the words ‘based on the novel by jodi picoult’ within the trailer and also ‘from the director of the notebook’. This writing is black against a white background in order for the audience’s attention to be focused on the writing.

Audio codes – Immediately, we hear the use of music within the trailer. This music begins off slow and peacful and then as the trailer develops further, the music becomes more upbeat. When the trailer first begins, we hear the laughing of a young girl. Then be upbeat music happens. The upbeat music makes the overall atmosphere more happy as the situation is pretty sad. The music then comes back to a slow pace and becomes more serious after the narration speaks about cracks and threats. The music plays throughout the trailer and changes pace during different scenes in order to create the specfic atmosphere. Right at the end of the trailer, we hear the music in which the lyrics state ‘life is beautiful’ which emphsises the overall story of the trailer//film.

Narrative codes – The two narrative characters that are most common are that of the young girl and the dad within the family. The biggest narrative speech comes from the father who speaks about family life. The first narration is from the young girl who talks about being genetically engineered in order to save her sisters life. Immediately after that narration, the father begins to speak about having a child who is sick. The narration then cuts off for a scene and then begins again where the man speaks about cracks and threats. He then speaks about it being their fault and gives his opinion on their daughter. And how things that tear them apart, bring them together in ways they never could imagine. This narration allows for the audience to see the whole perspective of having a child with living with cancer from the father. This allows the audience to understand what it’s like from a parent’s POV.

Action codes – There is a scene within the trailer that shows the young victim and her family getting ready to go to the beach. We see the mother arguing with the father. A few shots later we then see the mother appear at the beach and kiss her husband. This is an action shot because the second shot follows the first shot. This therefore allows the audience to see that the mother didn’t want a divorce and wanted to spend time with her family.

Enigma codes – Within the trailer, we see the young girl ask to sue her parents. We do not see the end result of this but only her mother asking about being sued by her daughter. The fact that we do not see the end result makes the audience want to see the end result and therefore encourages them to see the film. We also hear her brother tell her to ‘tell them’ and therefore the suspense of not knowing what she is going to tell them makes the audience want to go and watch the film in order to see what she says and how they are affected by what she says.

Technical codes – Towards the beginning of the trailer, we see high key lighting in order to make the feel of this scene happy. The bright colours allow for the audience to understand that the memories that the family have had are really positive and good. The contrast between the beginning of the trailer works well. At the very start of the trailer, the lighting is high key, it then switches to low key lighting to make the whole ‘engineering’ thing more dramatic. It then switches back to high key lighting when the family can be seen having fun in the sun and on the trampoline. The contrast works well as it shows two different realities within one section of the trailer. The shots within this film trailer are quite short and therefore there is a lot that has been put into the trailer. The large amount of quick shots gives the audience an informative perspective withiut giving away the exact storyline but just sections of it.

My Sister's Keeper

Visual codes – Immediately within the first scene of the trailer, we see a couple who are arguing with one another. The next shot then shows the two as they ‘kiss and make up’. These two shots demonstrate what it’s like to be in a relationship. We then see a black background with white writing on it which says ‘His Life Ended’. We then see slow motion shots of him, him and her together and then her grieving. We then see another black background with writing on it, but this time it says ‘But A New Life’, followed by presents that he got for her. The next shot is a black background with white writing on it that says ‘Starts Now’. We then see different shots of the adventures and presents that she recieves from her other half who passed away. The colours are natural and everyday occuring as it follows her life before and after his death so the colours need to be as natural as possible in order to make the story seem realistic. Towards the end of the trailer, we see the film title appear in white writing against a black background.

Audio codes – We hear music within this film trailer. It starts of being upbeat and then it begins to become slower and more sorrowful when the trailer mentions the fact that he passed away. It then becomes more upbeat when she recieves presents and letters that she must read and follow. We hear the male character say ‘i’m not going anywhere’ which is then echoed in order to show the fading of his life from hers. The music makes the overall trailer more effective due to the fact that it creates the atmosphere that is present within the scene. When it shows that he has passed away, the slowing of the music allows for the audience to understand that it is a dramatic moment within the film.

Narrative codes – We hear the person speaking at his funeral as pictures of him are shown. This allows the audience to take an insight into his passing. We also hear a man who narrates within the film. He starts off saying ‘This Christmas’, then a scene takes place. He speaks again and says ‘he gave her the gift’. Another few shots take place and then he says ‘of a life without him’. This narration allows for the audience to hear when the film is coming out (Christmas time). It also allows for the audience to understand what the film is about by saying that he gave her a life without him. I think that this is really well used. We also hear the main male character say ‘P.S I Love You’ towards the end of the film when the screen is black and the white writing says ‘P.S I Love You’.

Action codes – We hear the main female character speak to Jerry. We then see a shot of the area they’re living in followed by the shot where she continues to talk. This is an action code as the shot follows the audio that can be heard. This therefore sets the scene and creates the scene prior to when it comes on screen. When we see the black background and white writing that says ‘His Life Ended’, the shots that follow are of him. This is an action code due to the fact that what is in the shots is what displaying who was mentioned in the writing. By doing this, it creates an action in which one follows the other.

Enigma codes – Within this film, we see shots of the letters and adventures that the main female cahracter is sent on by her husband who passed away. We do not get to see 100% of the adventures, but instead glimpses of them. This encourages the audience to want to know what happens on these adventures and therefore makes them want to go and watch the film. We also hear/see the fact that the male character passes away but we do not know how or why. This enigma code makes the audience want to find out and therefore they become inquistive as to what’s happened. By being inquisitive, it makes them check the film out in order for their questions to be answered correctly.

Technical codes – The lighting within this trailer is low contrasting due to the fact that it’s everyday colours in order to create a natural atmosphere and to ensure that it looks as realistic as possible. The use of dennotations can be seen within the trailer. There are slow motion shots of the young man as he is smiling and singing. The conotation of this is that his has passed away and the shots are of him prior to his passing. By doing this, it allows the audience to interpet the death of the young man even though the shots are just of the person rather than anything else.

P.S. I Love You