Super 8 Research

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http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=31184

Poster analysis

                       

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=136812

"Not only has he persuaded Steven Spielberg to serve as producer on his latest film — encouragingly neither sequel, prequel, nor attempt to deodorise a stale franchise — but the very film the tenderfoot filmmaker has written and directed is a fan letter to the spirit of early Spielberg. The kind of cinematic telepathy, touching hearts and minds, that gave us Jaws, Close Encounters and E. T.. "

"It’s nowhere close to E. T. — what is? — but amongst the hullabaloo of summer, Super 8 is something to cherish: a beautifully made homage to better times, and better movies."

Reveiw, Empire Magazone– Ian Nathan

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/aug/04/super-8-review

"Everything about the movie has been meticulously created or recreated: the homely suburban setting, whose housing sprawl is set across a valley or plain that can be viewed, all at once, from rising ground."

Peter Bradshaw

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-blog/8565762/Will-Super-8-live-up-to-its-marketing-genius.html

E Media

Viral marketing campaign

"Like Cloverfield, an earlier J. J. Abrams film, Super 8 was promoted through an extensive viral marketing campaign. Fans analyzing the trailer found a hidden message, "Scariest Thing I Ever Saw", contained in the final frames of the trailer. This led to a website, Scariest Thing I Ever Saw, which simulated an old computer and contained various clues to the film's storyline (the computer was eventually revealed to belong to Josh Woodward, the son of Dr. Woodward, who is trying to find out what happened to his father). Another viral website, Rocket Poppeteers was also found, which like Slusho from Cloverfield plays no direct part in the film but is indirectly related."

"The official Super 8 website also contained an "editing room" section, which asked users to find various clips from around the web and piece them together. When completed, the reel makes up the film found by the kids in Dr. Woodward's trailer, showing the ship disintegrating into individual white cubes, and the alien reaching through the window of its cage and snatching Dr. Woodward.The viral campaign generated massive hype for the film long before its release."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_8_(film)#Viral_marketing_campaign

http://filmonic.com/super-8-kicks-viral-marketing-campaign

"After the extensive viral marketing campaign for Cloverfield turned out to be so successful, its no surprise that J.J. Abrams intends to use the same formula to build buzz for his upcoming feature, Super 8. With the new trailer hitting the internet last week, fans of Abrams have already begun to look for clues. And it looks as though the people over at Unfiction forums have already hit on something substantial."

Marketing method, secret websites.messages/trailers.

 Broadcast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpzUCA5i6zY Teaser trailer (1:30)

Super 8 (2011)

Super 8 Website

Paramount Website



Super 8 Facebook

Super 8 Twitter

Super 8 IMDB

Super 8 Wikipedia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmIxLhklXD4

This is the beginning of Tim Burtons Edward Scissorhands (1990). The use of panning shots - especially around the statues - creates a sense of spookiness as it distorts the look of it; creating shadows and highlighting the cobwebs to connote thats its a desolate, old and un-cared for setting. The tilt used on the shot of the stair case creates a sense of mystery as it seems never ending, but yet, leading up to somewhere, however we do not know where at this point. Additionally, there are close ups of the machinery and scissors which makes us focus on them and show significance in them. The use of symbolism in the close us helps us to forshadow events to come. Along with all these shots, there is also music playing in the background which in non-diegitic. It creates a mysterious, spooky and meloncholy feel.

Analysing a Still Image

This still image is from Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008). The mise-en-scene of the still creates a very sinister feel. This is due to - firstly - the lighting; top lighting has been used (coming from the top right) which highlights the right hand side of his face. Consequently, this draws our attention to the lift in his right cheek as he his grinning. The fact that his head is tilted downwards makes his grin seem all the more sinister. Additionally, it puts the other side of his face in shadow which reflects mystery and a dark side about him. High key lighting has been used to create a more realistic scene - although still dim - as he is in a prison cell. The colours on this still are dull, washed out and lacks vibrance which connotes an ill-fated and a disconsolate mood for the Joker and reflects his evil personality. This also contributes to the sinister and evil feel of this still.

Analysing a Film Extract

This is a pivital scene in Harry Potter and the . A sound bridge has been used at 0:34 to show that although the charcters are not seen in the same place, they are in close proximity and in the same area, and also the fact that Harry Potter and the us - the audience are listening to whats going on up above. Throughout this scene, non-diegetic sound has been used. String instruments give the scene an solumn and meloncholy feel and also helps create suspense. At 3:00 the sound contributes to the sad feel as he falls to his death. The lighting from the begginning is high key although it is dim, we know this because the contast between light and dark isn't highly apparent. This gives us the effect of a realistic setting and also sets the mood: as it's a dimly lit and gloomy scene, we can tell that the events will have a unhappy and greivous outcome.