Beauty and the Beast (2017) Teaser Trailer Analysis

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The trailer opens with the typical Disney intro, however this is not the normal colourful and bright looking appearance that we are accustomed to. It instead contrasts dramatically with a combination of dark and grey colours creating a haunting feel. Of course, with such colours connoting danger the audience are immediately made to question the child-appeal that the film has, which is an interesting idea as this film is a remake of the previous Beauty and the Beast. So perhaps the target audience for this film is a more mature and older viewer.

As the camera fades into and out of a black mist, we end up with an establishing shot of a grand castle- something that stereotypically plays a big role in modern day fairy tales. However the castle itself doesn't invite the audience inside and the slow and almost monotone non diegetic sound, creates the idea that the castle is a dangerous place. And as you can see, the theme of darkness is carried throughout the opening shots

The establishing shot then fades into a bright and laminated setting of an open room with a piano in the centre. This is accompanied by a sudden change in sound which has now become the non-diegetic sound of a piano playing. However as the camera slowly pans down,  the room gradually darkens and the once bright chandeliers which occupied a large part of the upper shot composition, become blackened.



The piano in the background continuous as a sound bridge throughout 3 shots, before changing to a complete non-diegetic soundtrack at 34 seconds, at this point we also consider that during every shot the camera position is moving. There is also a gradual change to darkness. For example in this case the wide shot displays the bright setting becoming quickly engulfed in webs- which coincides with the suddenly fast paced piano soundtrack.


However 34 seconds in, we see a change in tone, this is triggered by the high tempo music as well as the fast-paced fades between scenes which speed up the teaser and allow the audience to experience a variety of different settings at once within a short space of time. Additionally the enhanced zoom when focusing on the painting, exposes the audience to a sense of shock when the painting is ripped, in a claw-like fashion. Which conforms with the fantasy genre, in the sense that we typically assume there will be a villain or " bad guy".

After this scene however, the teaser resumes with a slower tone and pace due to black screens in-between shots. Perhaps enabling us to  to experience more of the storyline, with the voice-over as well as the short takes. It is also worth considering that both these two wide shots are shot with a still camera- perhaps to focus the audience or as an attempt to encourage a sense of nostalgia.

Also the following scene almost explains the storyline to the audience, with the red rose, and as the camera spirals away from an extreme close-up not only do we consider the romantic connotations of the rose (represents love). But also during the shallow focus we see Emma Watson, a huge female actor who will of course be one of the unique selling points of the remake.

But the final sound sequence as well as the inter title "Be Our Guest" reminds the audience of the classic film "Beauty and the Beast" which will for sure create nostalgia amongst the original viewers. This was achieved without giving away too much from the storyline which is perhaps why Disney decided to release a short teaser, just to remind the audience of the film itself.

To summarise, there are numerous things I have taken away from this teaser, one of them being that the fantasy genre is not something that I would like to create just because it limits me in terms of my audience, unless of course I make a sci-fi and the other aspect    being that I will include inter titles for my final product- despite my trailer being in the early stages, I think that it keeps the trailer flowing and at the end of the trailer I can further advertise my trailer.