Key Moments #1

In this trailer you see a lot of different scenes and a lot of different things happening; I think one of the main things you see is when he the main character opens up his bag to see drugs and a gun. This instantly tells the audience the setting of the movie. This also contradicts other scenes which are shown in the trailer.

This also quickly tells the audience what the plot of the film is about and therefore what to expect.

It contradicts with scenes such as the first one where he is talking about how he wants to go to Harvard, he also talks about his cliche upbringing and the reasons no one believes he can go to Harvard.

I think these 2 scenes are in the trailer to show how different he is in the setting and that he is trying to do something no one else does. 

Key Moments #2

The next key moment in the trailer is when he is at the party of a 'drug dealer'. Scenes of the party are throughout the trailer and they become constant after the main character says that he will not go to a drug dealers party; this is yet another contradiction.

I think a lot of contradictions are shown throughout the trailer to show how different he is and also that he acts and does things differently to the people around him.

Furthermore, in these clips at the party you see him interacting with people that he hasn't spoke to in the trailer yet, this could tell the audience that he is out of his comfort zone and also out of place.

Furthermore, following the party you see him associating with new people, this is mostly because of the drugs which were given to him at the party. This could suggest that he is starting to fit in and his dream may not come true.

Key Moments #3

The last key moment I think is when you see the main character painting over a CCTV camera. I think that this is important because it shows what he is doing in order to sell these drugs and also that he is putting his dream on the line by doing this.

Another reason that I think this clip is important is because it shows that he is weak because he is doing something for someone he doesn't seem to know too well.

In addition, I think the fact that he is constantly doing things for both himself and other people throughout conveys to the audience that he is trusted by a lot of people and they all need his help; unlike any of the other characters in the trailer.

This is important because this further splits him apart from the people around him and also makes him seem like a business man.

The Title

Where is it positioned?

Near the end

The title appears near the end of the trailer; I think this is because the audience then has a fresh reminder of what the trailer is for. I think them putting the title at the end allows for the trailer to be uninterrupted and have the whole trailer play smoothly.

Also, after the title appears there is a short scene where someone makes a joke, this is to further make the audience remember the film and the unique comedy and story of it.

No actors?

In the trailer you aren't shown or told any of the actors on acting in it. I think this is because they want people to watch the film because they liked it, not because of the people acting in it.

On the other hand, you are told that Pharrell Williams made music for the film; I think this may be because the main character is in a band and also Pharrell Williams is known worldwide.

Director and Writer

At the end of the film you are told that Rick Famuyiwa is the writer and director of Dope. I think this is an important thing to include in a trailer and especially at the end of a trailer because you can then respect the person who created the story and even go and watch other films written or directed by him.

Voice Over

In this trailer their are bits of voice over done by the main character, Malcolm. It is mostly him describing his life and also the things which are happening in the trailer.

For example, at one point he tells the audience that a bad day is him at a drug dealers party; this gives the audience more of an understanding of the setting of the trailer and the type of person that the main character is.

I think the narration in this trailer is important because you get to know the main character more and if you like the main character you will probably like the film. You also have an understanding of the other characters in the trailer, like his friends or 'crush'.

Onscreen Text

Text

In this trailer there isn't a lot of onscreen text but when their is it is very colourful and bold. This links to the characters and setting of the trailer as they are also colourful and bold.

I think the colour and the font of the text is important because it still keeps the audience excited due to the bright, youthful colours.

Colours

Furthermore, near the start of the trailer the main character tells you he is in a punk band and that he is a 90's hip-hop geek; I feel like the colours and the style of the onscreen text links a lot to these aspects of Malcolm's life.

Also, throughout the trailer Malcolm and his group of friends wear very bright, pop art style clothes which the text also links to.

Music

Music

In the trailer there is a lot of different up beat music. The majority of it is Pop music which is very upbeat and contemporary.

I think that the music is one of the most important parts of the trailer because it keeps a constant atmosphere throughout; there is also some dub-step music when he is at the party, this further adds to the atmosphere of the party and also links to the scene and all of the characters that are surrounding him.

Furthermore, in certain parts of the trailer the music will either get more upbeat and exciting which also gets the audience excited or it slows down and gets quieter, this makes the audience listen more to what is being said and focus more on the characters rather than the scene or the setting they are in.

Also, because the 3 main characters in the trailer are very active and also wear colourful clothes the music links to their personalities.

Hope you enjoyed!

Josh Phipps