I have analysed the trailer to “The Social Network”. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53OUHupfqws&noredirect=1

What is communicated about Facebook in the trailer?

There are many aspects of the trailer for “The Social Network” which help to communicate about Facebook to the audience. These aspects include: music, camera angles, specific shots, structure and scenes from the film.

Firstly, the structure of the trailer is carefully planned and very effective. We first see a montage of many pictures, comments and statuses from Facebook. This helps to enhance the sheer size, importance and versatility of the site. Photographs are shown through every stage of someone’s life, including starting a relationship; parties; marriage, and having a child. This communicates that Facebook is there throughout life, and holds memories of every important stage.

Regarding the specific shots, each of the shots move quickly into the next. Quick editing has been used. This helps to communicate the idea that Facebook is changing all the time; social media never stands still. We also see the shots fade into one another, not only adding effect, but illustrating the idea that Facebook’s changes are subtle. Secondly, scenes of the main character on a computer are juxtaposed with university partying scenes. This could link to the contrast which Facebook has with real life. The director is communicating that there is a significant difference between real life and a virtual life online.

Moving on to the music, we notice that the choice is very dark and depressing, this communicates that there is a negative side to Facebook. There is a changing in the music, although its mood stays the same. The beginning is very choral as we are shown random photographs from Facebook, along with comments. It sets an eerie and mysterious mood, especially as the people in the photographs are unknown to us. We feel distant. Later on in the trailer, the music becomes much louder, and more frantic and dynamic. This communicates the battle that happened to get Facebook to where it is now. One of the lyrics I noticed in the song is: “Notice when I’m not around.” This strongly links to the way that Facebook is communicating, as it is saying that even when you’re not with someone, they can still know everything you’re doing.  

The scenes that we are shown from the film are mostly of arguments and debates of opinion. This communicates the fact that Facebook is often seen to be very controversial, and can sometimes be used negatively. We hear the line: “Violating individual privacy”, which links to the controversial and unjust side to Facebook.

Finally, regarding camera angles in the trailer, lots of close ups and reaction shots are used. The communicates that Facebook doesn’t hide anything. Everything is magnified for all to see, and your feelings are published to the world.

In conclusion, I believe that the trailer for “The Social Network” communicates Facebook very well, to be a vast and versatile piece of technology, that although controversial, plays an important part in modern life and battled to be where it is now. 

How does the trailer engage the audience?

There are many ways in which the trailer for “The Social Network” engages the audience, and keeps them watching until the end.

Firstly, the music is non diegetic which adds a sense of mystery. It is dark and spooky, which keeps the audience wondering. Facebook is usually portrayed to be a positive thing, so an alternative slant has been used to engage the audience. The music changes later on in the trailer, to a more frantic and dynamic piece- although no sound bridge is used to transfer to non diegetic. This dramatises the scenes which are being shown, keeping the audience on the edges of their seats.

Quick editing has been used to create sharp, dramatic transitions between each of the pieces of film clip we are seeing. It helps to communicate the idea that Facebook is changing all the time, and the audience is kept engaged as they see many different aspects of the creation of something so popular. The specific shots are of sides to the creation story which have never been witnessed before. This gives an insight into something that the target audience would never have usually seen. This engages them. Regarding what is specifically shown in the specific scenes and shots, we see many agreement scenes which add drama and excitement. We also see lots of the main character. In the trailer, he is presented to be the hero (according to Vlladimir Propp’s theory) through the powerful and determined persona which he is portrayed to have. Representing this frequently shown character as a hero engages the audience, because it is a character type which they are familiar with. Heroes are also often related to excitement and drama.

Regarding the structure of the trailer, it is very effective in engaging the audience throughout. It starts of very strongly, as it uses a montage to capture the audience’s attention. We see photographs or shots taken from Facebook pages. They fade into one another, and seem to be following a journey through someone’s life- relationships, parties, marriage, having children. This captures the audience’s attention because they can strongly relate to what they are witnessing. Facebook is also most definitely something that the target audience would use of a day to day basis. They therefore feel like what they are watching is something which plays a main part of their life. They feel part of the story which is unfolding in front of them.

In conclusion, the trailer is very effective in capturing the audience’s attention, and engaging them throughout. Factors which do this are the music, structure and specific camera shots and scenes.