Gone Girl

1) This opening establishing shot displays the setting for the film. The location
immediately strikes the audience as the characters being wealthy. This is
significant as although it follows the genre conventions of a psychological thriller
as the house has a modern finish, it challenges the stereotypical conventions in
the fact that the setting is not urban. The fact that the sun has not fully set in this
opening shot creates a sense of enigma as it makes the audience unsure of what
is going to happen as typically there would be a dark opening shot. Similarly, the
fact that there is a more rural setting connotes the idea that the story is not
stereotypical and challenges genre conventions.

2) This wide-shot correlates significantly to the diegetic dialogue as it states that the
male protagonist is the: Most hated man in America, hence in this shot where
he is stood alone this connotes that he is alone in his life and slightly lost within
himself. The fact that there appears to be little surrounding in terms of other
people makes him appear to be extremely isolated from others which
foreshadows the plot of the movie.

3) This mid-shot of the character and also a close-up of her diary fading into one
another this conveys the idea that this is her diary. As is typical of the
psychological thriller genre- this gives the audience an insight into the mind of the
character in order to allow them a chance to try and work out what is happening
in the story. However, the fact that the close-up almost appears as a point of view
shot from her husbands perspective connotes the idea that this is how he sees
her, in a perfect and angelic light. However, the fact that she is wearing black
connotes the idea that perhaps things arent what they seem, it creates a sense of
enigma amongst the audience because the is a contrast in the angelic impression
being created and the dark clothing choice.

4) As the male protagonist enters the room there is a piano being played in the nondiegetic music when he walks in on this scene. This conforms to the typical genre
conventions as this creates an eerie feel in order to build up tension and crate
suspense amongst the audience. Similarly, the use of black and white lighting
being enhanced in order to emphasise the shadows in the room helps to create an
enigmatic feel to the trailer. This acts as an allure in terms of making the audience
wanting to go and see the film as they would want to have their questions
answered.

5) This wide-shot uses the typical genre convention of dim lighting which connotes
the contrast in him being nice to young children as it makes him appear to be
slightly suspicious- this plays on the genre convention theme of perception as the
audience are debating what to believe. The dim lighting also connotes that there
is something hidden in the shadows as it makes the scene look far more
shadowy.

6) The

black and white

lighting which
creates an unsettling atmosphere through the contrast in the colours. The fact
that the female protagonist is made to look vulnerable and innocent with her eyes
closed connotes the idea that she is lost in her thoughts and doesnt know what is
going on which relates to the title of the movie as she is almost a gone girl. The
contrast in the black and white bath contrasts the idea of death, mystery and
purity and innocence, this is extremely enigmatic as the audience are unsure
what to believe, which is again a common theme of this particular genre.

7) This
scene is
immediately darker than the previous which emphasises the uncomfortable effect
as he is peering around the corner which somewhat resembles a stalker-scenariothis e
Contrast in this scene goes to dark-peering round the corner- resembles stalkerdark clothing-dark shot- music change- ask he walks past-wind resembles a horror
film in terms of the lurking and the exceptionally abnormal behaviour.

8) This mid shot connotes the fact that there are two sides to the story with the
white lingerie connoting vulnerability, purity, innocence and the victim which is
then juxtaposed by the use of black lingerie in the dark light which connotes
mystery, death, danger and essentially the killer in this situation. By using
complete contrasts this again emphasises the enigma in the scene, it also helps
to keep a hold of the eerie feel to the trailer as it is very mentally provocative in
terms of trying to decipher what is happening and who is innocent.

9) The use of the mid-shot in this scene makes the female protagonist looked curled
up and almost child-like in terms of the scared expression on her face. The light
on her face makes her appear almost angelic and innocent, whereas there is a
direct contrast with the dark lighting next to her which connotes the idea that
there are secrets lurking behind her perhaps suggesting that she is not as
innocent as she makes herself out to be- this again plays on the theme of
perception as the audience are unsure what is true and what is not.

10) This
close-up shot is
significant particularly as one of the final shots it first and foremost uses Ben
Affleck as a unique selling point to the audience in order to emphasise his prestige
as he is the first name that is mentioned. However, in terms of the shot, it is
extremely dark and shadowy which connotes the loneliness, frustration and
mystery of the protagonist. The fact that he is also wearing all black helps to
convey to the audience that there is a lot that is unknown as it makes the shot
feel heavily enigmatic and also conveys the idea of an internal darkness as the
character is alone when trying to persuade others of his innocence.