The Shallows-Trailer Analysis

The Shallows is a 2016 American horror/thriller film staring Blake Lively. The film is based around the characters strength and determination in which she requires to avoid a shark attack.

The trailer opens with an establishing shot of a beautiful looking beach in Australia with clear blue seas and white sand. In the center of the beach you can see a character making her way into the sea. The soundtrack of really low mellow music creates an uneasy, tense atmosphere. The clear blue seas connote happiness are relaxation, however, the darker tones demonstrate a more evil surrounding. We then see a low angle shot panning upwards showing the surfer from underwater to a behind shot. This enables us to feel her setting and feel as if we are in the water to. The characters costume is a bikini and surfer top implying she enjoys the water and does a lot of surfing and sporty activities. The use of the surf board quite clearly shows the film will be based around water and surfing. The slow motion shot of the character gliding through the water effectively puts the audience in suspense and feel quite weary about the environment.

We then cross cut to an establishing shot of hundreds of birds flying across the ocean. The slow pace and low mellow soundtrack continues throughout shots to keep the uneasy and freaky atmosphere. The birds connote nature and life which could lead the audience the think of more natural habitats living in these types of environments. Throughout the trailer there are cross cuts to different scenes and a montage of shots. This keeps the viewers engaged and interested in the film. There is then a low angle shot of our character about the enter a wave. The low angle shot makes the wave look powerful and superior compared to the surfer. As she dives under the wave, the soundtrack becomes louder and more tense due to the quiet peaceful surroundings. It subverts the idea of being underwater in the world of no sound and oxygen. The deep low angle shot watching the character rise to the surface looks as if something is watching her and waiting for her. This creates more anxiousness and unease to the audience.


 Once the character breaks through the surface the trailer fades to black creating an effect of changing situation or introducing something important. We then see an establishing shot showing our original character along with two other surfers. The soundtrack fades in volume, however, still produces mellow/stressful tones. We begin to here diegetic sounds of waves and paddling through water. The other surfers are introduced through their dialogue "Hey! You should come over here?" this implies they are friendly characters wanting to engage with the main character. There is then a close up shot of the girl responding "I'm good here, thank you". Through a close up she looks fairly jaded and unsure about the boys making the atmosphere even more disturbed.

As the soundtrack increases in volume and becomes quicker in speed we see a low angle panning shot from underneath the water moving towards the surfer extremely quickly.  As the scene fades to black we hear a aggressive bite sound in shot which would be diegetic sound. We are then shown a close up shot of the main character eating an apple. This immediately fills viewers with relief and throws them away from dangerous, life threatening ideas.  This scene creates humor as you feel ready to jump in your seats as the aggressive soundtrack and type of shot leads you on to think something different.

As the soundtrack leaves the scene we begin to hear seagulls and waves crashing onto the beach constructing a less tense and fearful atmosphere. There is a montage of shots including, a view of the ocean, a long shot of a boy playing football, the character chalking her board, un-clipping her bag and pushing the surfboard into the sand. There is a close up shot of the characters ID badge, introducing her name and occupation. The diegetic sound in shot is the skype ringtone suggesting she is trying to communicate with someone. Through a medium shot we see her sitting on the beach looking out to sea, this keeps the relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. There is a cross cut to a different location and introduces a character we have not met prior.

 Through shot reverse shot we understand that the main character is video communicating with her sister, "Mum was right", her dialogue demonstrates they shared the same parents. As her dialogue becomes the narrative we see a montage of shots showing the environment but also close ups of her emotions. Suddenly, a random sound effect a music drop enters the shot, as it goes silent viewers are left on edge. At 1:14, a louder sound effect drops and the character is dragged off her board into the ocean. Through a medium shot you can see her being dragged further and further down with the background turning into a red colour. This implies she has been attacked and blood is transferring

from her body into the water. There is an extreme close up of the main character showing her petrified facial expressions as she realises the experience she is about to endure. We then see a medium shot of the character struggling to reach the surface, the sea has turned a horrible red colour due to the blood. As she comes above the surface the non-diegetic sound of ringing connotes horror and fright. We then begin to hear deep breaths from the character suggesting she is tired, worn out and scared. There is a low angle shot of the character swimming as fast as she can to something in which she can protect herself from the shark with. As she reaches the rock there is a close up shot showing her grabbing it with her hands. The close up shows the muscles in her hands and the pure determination in which she has to try and save herself. One she has got on top of the rock there is a circling panning shot showing her watching out to sea and the emotions portrayed by her facial expressions. As she sees people in the distance she yells through her dialogue "SHARK!!!!!" this informs the viewers that it is a shark attack and that she is in serious danger.

We then see a long shot of the two surfers in the water, however, the shark jumps out of the ocean and attacks the surfer on the left. The soundtrack becomes more tense due to the environment. We are then shown the main character in a close up looking terrified and distraught. There is then a montage of shots of the remaining surfer trying to get to the rock, but unfortunately, the shark is just too quick. The scene then fades to black giving viewers time to take in the events in which have just occurred.

A close up shot shows the main character (played by Blake Lively) mending her leg, the diegetic sounds of her voice and heavy breathing implies she is in a lot of pain. We see in the shot there has been a bite taken out of her leg. We then see a low angle panning shot of the main character pulling herself up, the low angle makes her look powerful and superior. This helps portray her as brave and heroic. There is an establishing shot showing the main character stranded in the middle of the ocean, her dialogue is used effectively to demonstrate to the audience what she is thinking/feeling, "I'm not dying here". This successfully shows women as brave and heroic subverting to the stereotype of gender.

There is a montage of shots showing the viewers her ideas and plans of how she can save herself, we see her watching a floating signal and the shark circling the rock. "30/40 yards, it takes him approximately 32 seconds", this shows the viewers shes an intelligent female who becomes a very brave and strong women.  There is a birds eye view showing the shark circling the rock, the audience are able to view the size and terror of the shark. Its power creates waves which crash onto the protagonist.

A montage is used using close ups showing the main character (Blake Lively) prepare to enter the water. A low angle shows her diving into the sea followed by a close up of the aggressive terrifying looking shark. This positions the audience to sypathise with the character as we are unsure of what the outcome will be. She is given prevalence throughout as the writers want you to connect with her the most. As she reaches the satellite she falls, entering the water and coming face to face with the shark. The soundtrack is fast pace freaky music, making the atmosphere far more tense. The sound effects of slashing implies she has tried to stab the shark, although, as its so massive it may not be enough. We see the character shoot a gun with a big explosion aimed at the shark, the diegetic sound demonstrates the power of the gun as well as the colours created. The scene dips to black, informing viewers of the title as well as the soundtrack fading out.

The trailer ends with the shark bashing into the satellite and the main character falling into the ocean. The dip to black leaves the trailer on a cliff hanger and keeps the audience engaged and excited to see the film.