Catfish Trailer

Editing

• At the beginning of the trailer, a montage of images, shown through close up shots of the computer screen, introduces us to the character of ‘Megan’. As we do not see direct footage of her, but instead, photos, and a large number of them, we get the idea that she plays an important role in the film but we cannot truly understand her character, or whether she exists.
• The text dissolves, and resembles computer pixels, stressing the theme of computers and technology within the film.
• At the end of the trailer, titles flash up like news headlines, making the events feel more real, and using another for or technology (TV) to resemble its importance and the idea that it is unavoidable in our everyday life.

Sound

• The trailer begins the with diegetic sound of a phone call. We can see the man but only hear the voice of the woman over the phone. This introduces immediately to the idea of technology and hidden identity.
• A non diegetic, upbeat percussion sound track begins to play after the phone call and continues throughout the majority of the trailer. It adds to the happy mood and is parallel to what is happening in the footage, with the characters appearing cheerful.
• The emphasis of the mouse clicking, which appears to be diegetic when there are shots of the computer screen, but also non diegetic as words appear and titles intercept the footage, exaggerates the theme of technology and social networking and makes it seem more real.
• As the footage and dialogue seems to make a sudden turn from cheerful and upbeat to uncertain and concerned, the percussion beat slows down and becomes minor, piano and guitar notes which is menacing and creates an ominous feel.
• Eventually all diegetic sounds fade out and the non diegetic soundtrack become louder and create a sense of danger. As text begins to appear on the screen, the notes are very harsh and loud with an added drum beat, adding further to the foreboding atmosphere.
• The last clip contains the diegetic sound of an argument, leaving the trailer hanging, with lots of questions and confusion. The music and abrupt finish gives the impression that the film will take an unexpected turn for the worst, and hints at a genre likely to be horror, although lots is left unsaid.

Camera Angles

• We are introduced to the main protagonist bye the use of a long shot, followed by an extreme close up of his face as he talks on the phone. This juxtaposes the way we are introduced to the female character, done through the use of many close up and extreme close up shots of a computer screen, showing photos of her. This emphasis the idea of social networking and identity over the internet.

• The majority of the shots are handheld shots, for example, the tracking shot following the protagonist approaching the barn. This adds a greater sense of realism to the film and exaggerates its documentary like style.

• A low angle shot of the man as he shows us a painting makes us feel more involved, as if we are sitting there watching him. Again this adds to the sense of realism, and pulls us into the story.

Mise en Scene

• When we are first introduced to the protagonist he is wear a blue t shirt and grey jeans. This outfit is very casual and modern which adds a sense of realism and established the modern setting.

• The characters are commonly seen holding iPhones and cameras etc.  In an over the shoulder shot of the protagonist we can see him scrolling through facebook photos on a laptop. This signifies the strong involvement of technology and social networking. We also see a close up of a man scrolling through text messages on his iPhone which again, signifies the use of technology and various ways of virtual contact.

• Google maps is used to map out their root. This is another example of how we rely on technology to get us around. It could also symbolize how the virtual relationship is long distance.

• As the parallel music makes a minor key change, the mise en scene completely changes with this. The setting becomes very dark and the main character seems to be crammed in a small car. Around them there is a poorly lit farm and many shadowed area. This creates a sense of foreboding and is a convention of horror, which could be an indication towards the genre. This is both unexpected and confusing for the audience as the trailer, which has shown us so much, has still left us questioning the true story behind this movie.

Typography

• At the end of the trailer, a simple font is used for the word ‘Catfish’. In the background, we can see an extreme close up of an eye, which appears to be a photo, as the camera pans across it on a computer screen. This strongly shows how the film is about social networking and internet identity.