analysis of kids trailer

The start of the trailer for KIDS uses the same longshot as is used at the end of the trailer. This shows the characters walking along the side of a busy road full of traffic. This could connote the recklessness of teens to the opposite reading, which is likely to be adults that do not have links to teenagers so therefore do not understand them so they will see them as being careless, by walking down the side of a busy street. However, the preferred or negotiated reading may see this differently as the calm, non-diegetic music emphasises the calm and well behaved personality traits that the teenagers do have and present to their parents and members of the public. The repetition of this scene, and the fact that it goes in a cycle of calmness, then the montage of crazy party scenes, to the calm scene again, further emphasises this point and how the public see teenagers when they conform to society.

The sudden change in non-diegetic sound, as the music changes from calm to a heavy song with a quick tempo, exaggerates the two differences in teenager’s personalities. The personality their parents see and the personality and characteristics they show when they are with their friends. In this example it changes to show new themes such as partying, drugs, sex, violence and rebellion. The editing also changes to create much quicker cuts, making the whole pace of the trailer much faster, which further emphasizes the way teenagers are represented in films. The large contrast in the teenager’s behaviour relates to the audience positioning theory by Stuart Hall. This is because the audience of the film are likely to have a negotiated reading as they will accept the stereotypical representation of teenagers, as they themselves are likely to have seen teenagers acting this way at some point; however they will not agree that all teenagers conform to the stereotypical way in which they are presented.

The teenagers are shown to be equal in the trailer based on gender within the trailer. Stereotypically boys are shown to be the most rebellious characters doing drugs and carrying out violent acts of rebellion, however, a countertype is shown in this trailer instead. This can be shown in two different clips in the trailer. The first is a mid-shot of a female character who is partying and due to the special effect used to make the screen look hazy, we can tell has taken drugs. The second shot is a close up shot of a male character smoking. The comparison between both of these shots connotes how both male and female teenagers both take drugs and rebel. Stuart Hall’s theory also applies to this as the preferred reading are likely to agree with this. On the other hand, Laura Mulvey’s male gaze theory applies to this trailer as the females are all pictured in very revealing clothing, which connotes teenage girls to be sexual objects to men.

The uses and gratification theory has four key elements. One of which being personal identity, this is where the audience of a film find links between themselves and the characters. This can be linked to the KIDS trailer as the preferred reading, target audience would identify with characters in the film because this is how they picture themselves.

A mid-shot is shown of a teen girl in a car looking upset. This represents teenagers to be emotional and emphasises how upset they can get. Overall, the trailer represents teenagers to be rebellious and to have two different personalities that they portray to the outside world. It exaggerates the reckless decisions teenagers make when they are not with their family and in the public eye.