A2 Media Studies Trailer Analysis of: Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino, 1994

The beginning of the film is extremely frantic with lots of short shots within the first five seconds. It displays a hedonistic lifestyle between the two main characters Vincent and Jules. The opening sequence features sex, money and drugs- all of which are typical elements of noir/thrillers.

The obvious Femme Fatale was introduced in the character of Mia Wallace. We know this through the iconography of her costume- i.e. the jet-black hair and the bright red lipstick. For each emotion conveyed in the trailer there is a new title overlaid and a different soundtrack to match the emotion. The scenes featured use lo key lighting within bars which is a typical element of the genre

Opening: Establishes setting and introduces character.

Build up: relationships established; development of characters and their world.

Problem: a dilemma or series of complications: characters faced with an obstacle (or several) to overcome. There may be more than one ‘problem’ in the narrative.

Events: a series of events as characters try to overcome obstacles and solve problems. Further complications may arise in the process

The problem is introduced in a comedic fashion when Jules says, “I’m sorry, did I break your concentration?” Incorporated into this is the silencing of the music track and leaving that scene quiet- to make it feel more awkward. The idea of the crime is introduced with the line “you’ve got a corpse in a car- take me to it”. The music overlays the following clips which have no audio and shows the action within the film. This will entice the audience to view the film.

The trailer gives away very little of the plot, but chooses to focus more on the tone of the film. The voiceover at the end, which introduces the actors that play certain characters, is very symbolic of the time that the film was released. The editor of the film has also chosen to incorporate the gunshots of the main characters into the transitions of the film. The main actions sequences of the film are only shown for a brief few seconds so as to not give away the key details of the film.

A2 Media Studies Trailer Analysis of: Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino, 1994

The opening sequence of the film showing the hedonistic lifestyle of the characters

The over the shoulder shots of the two main characters in the lift

The Femme Fatale character of Mia Wallace

Low key lighting within the bar- a typical element of the noir/thriller genre

This shot confirms to the audience that Mia is in fact the Femme Fatale through the male gaze

A transition is cleverly used to cut to the title of the film from when the guns are fired