Cross Media Case Study

The Superman Returns Film Trailer.

At the beginning of this trailer, there are many camera shots and techniques used. The most common edit the editors have used is a fade to black very slowly, to switch to the next shot. This could be used in conjunction with the slow mellow background music. The two combined techniques give us a slow and calm feel about the movie. This also can imply that the beginning of the film will be slightly calm and mellow. Also the lighting in Superman's secret layer, which is shown to be exposed by his arch enemy Lex Luther, is shown to be both light and dark. This can connote that he wants to stay hidden, however the light lighting contrasts with this. When the layer is revealed, there is a panning shot as one of the characters say "we have reached the co-ordinates". This emphasises the distance superman has had from society, hence the title and storyline "Superman Returns".

When Superman is first revealed in the trailer, there is an extreme close up of his eyes suddenly opening. This gives the audience of perhaps a rebirth or a new person. Then there is a slow panning shot of Superman reaching Earth, showing he has just arrived back and may be hesitant.

Unusually the film producers (Warner Bros) and the publisher and owners (DC comics) are shown about a minuite into the trailer.

When the first shot of the city is revealed, it is shown in darkness and has a very low angle shot which slowly pans upwards. This suggests that perhaps without Superman, there have been many changes in the city. And then suddenly unlike before, the edits become much quicker, and the first quick edit is showing Superman flying through the air. This connotes the impact of his arrival on society. Overall at the beggining ot the trailer, edits are slow and dull music is being played, however once Superman is revealed the edits become much quicker and the music becomes more upbeat.

Throughout the trailer mainly one type of costume is used, which is smart clothing. This also shows where the movie will mainly be set, which is in a newspaper production building. This also links back to the social class of the characters in the movie, which will be of working class.

The title of the movie relates to many shots shown in the video. Such as when superman is shown looking down to Earth, flying still in the atmosphere. This connotates that he can be thinking of wether or not he should return to the planet. This relates to the title and especially the word "returns", which gives us as an audience and immediate reaction of him returning to out planet. 

 During one on of the city scenes, pathetic fallacy is used to portray meaning. The city is surrounded in darkness and bad weather, this connotes to us that something bad is going to happen to the, or as we later see in the trailer,the ocean around the city of New York. This helps us and gives us an insight to the narrative and what it will mainly be about, also creates enigma codes such as why is the city being singled out? or what is superman going to do?. This leads to the audience being gripped and make them want to watch the movie.