Trailer Analysis - KiDULTHOOD

KiDULTHOOD

“Before AdULTHOOD Comes KiDULTHOOD”

...Narrative...

Set in the area of Inner West London, KiDULTHOOD is a 2006 British drama film which tells the story of three friends who quickly realise that life comes at a price and that it is not to be taken granted for. KiDULTHOOD is based on a group of West London school kids who react in different ways to the suicide of a classmate. It focuses around the character "Trife" who is caught between his pregnant ex-girlfriend (Alisa) and gun running for his malevolent uncle. Then there's Trife's mates (Jay and Moony), spoiling for a fight with the neighbourhood bully (Sam).

Costumes = The costumes that are worn in the film as you can see from the trailer are mainly hooded clothing, tracksuits and trainers, this represents today's youth in a huge way as many teenagers in today's society wear these sorts of clothes. With many of the characters wearing hoods, it represents the major issue of crime within today's youth as many teenagers wear hooded pieces of clothing such as jackets and jumpers to cover their faces when committing a crime such as shop-lifting of which you may be able to see within the trailer.

Lighting = There isn't very much use of lighting within the trailer, but from what I could see, during the parts where crime or violence is taking place, for example, when Trife is getting beaten up the lighting is very dark and dim whereas during the parts where they are outside in the city, the lighting seems to be very dim which symbolises the darkness of the film and what is going on. Right at the beginning of the trailer it shows a party taking place where extra lighting has been added to show the excitement of being in that sort of environment.

Actors = Even though KiDULTHOOD will mainly appeal to those of a young age group, it could possibly appeal to those of the older generation due to the actors and actresses. Noel Clarke who is the writer and plays the character of "Sam" also stars in Doctor Who playing the character of "Mickey Smith". The way in which the film will be able to attract those of an older generation is if they like the way in which Clarke is able to adapt to his characters and how well he plays them.

Make-up = The make-up used within the trailer is very brutal due to the fact that there is a lot of violence being shown which gives the make-up artists the chance to create make-up which is very detailed and full, for example, the characters show a lot of cuts and bruises.

Props = Throughout the trailer you see that there are a lot of props being used, especially during the clips where violence is taking place, during these clips there are guns and baseball bats being used showing that even the easiest of things can be used as weapons, it also raises the awareness of the crime that is happening among teenagers in today's society where a lot of them are being attacked and even killed.

Setting = The setting is based in the deprived areas of Ladbroke Grove and Latimer Road where crime is most common and violence seems to take place more than anywhere else.

...Representation...

The representation of KiDULTHOOD is about the lives of several teenagers growing up in the deprived areas of West London; the way in which the trailer is represented by this is that we see what kind of environment these kids are brought up in and some of the temptations that surround them.

...Language...

Due to the portrayal of teenagers within this film, it seems that a lot of people who watch this trailer may be able to develop their own opinions of what they think teenagers in today's society are like based on the language in which they speak. There seems to be a lot of "ghetto" language used within the trailer, KiDULTHOOD is filled with a lot of modern slang which greatly characterizes today's youth.

...Appeal...

The target audience for this film is mainly aimed at people aged between 15-24, the film itself attempts to represent a serious number of issues of what some teenagers growing up in today's society have to go through; this explains why so many people who are in this age group may watch it. There is also a very realistic approach within this film as most of the actors and actresses are within this age group and therefore know what others their age go through.

...Sound...

The mood of the film is set within the trailer based on the music played. Throughout the trailer, the music is very upbeat which keeps the audience engaged and focused, added to the music are sound effects which also keep the audience engaged as it not only shows the level of violence within the film but also a view into what the film is about and what kind of film it is.

...Camera shots...

A variety of shots are used within the trailer; close up camera shots are used to provide a dramatic emphasis, highlighting characters' expressions which gives a sense into what will happen within the film based on their emotions and how they are feeling. Long range shots have been used to show viewers the environment and surroundings of which the characters are brought up in.

...Length of trailer...

The trailer only lasts for 2:05 which is quite short seeing as how other trailers last for about 3-4 minutes but in that time viewers get to see how sex, drugs, crime and violence can affect teenagers. Each shot used within the trailer seems to only last for a short while which shows how fast paced the film is. There is a linear medley aspect towards the trailer as each clip is quickly played after one another which leads onto how the story of the film unfolds.

...Institutional values...

In a way, KiDULTHOOD is able to educate those who watch it as it gives the audience an understanding into what people who live this lifestyle have to go through on a daily basis. The audience gets an inside look into how peer pressure can affect teenagers and how some can be persuaded into living a dangerous lifestyle; this is represented by the crimes they commit and the things they get up to. By viewing the trailer, the overall message that it is able to give the audience is that you should not be a follower or maybe even a leader but that you should choose your own path into how you wish to live your life.