AT FIRST SIGHT. Prepared for Group # 2 Movie Movement, Inc. Prepared by: --name-- October 2, 2006

Transcription

1 AT FIRST SIGHT Prepared for Group # 2 Movie Movement, Inc. Prepared by: --name-- October 2, 2006

2 TO: Group #2 October 2, 2006 FROM: --name-- SUBJECT: At First Sight re-release suggestions Upon reviewing the original trailer to the motion picture At First Sight (1999), I have some suggestions that I believe could strengthen audience response to the preview of the movie as the time nears for its re-release in HD-DVD. At First Sight is a very important story about physical disability in a well-adjusted, attractive man who falls in love with a woman. Through their relationship they endeavor to correct the man s impaired vision. The story is both spectacular because it is enters uncharted medical territory and common, as it explores the dynamics and adjustments of forming a relationship and the simple wonders of discovering a new way of life. With such a plainly attractive storyline that echoes familiar sentiments, but also ignites particular emotions about change and coping, I feel that the narration and the score would serve the movie better if both were used less in the original trailer. I am certainly dedicated to ensuring that the recreation of the trailer for At First Sight truly evokes the content and message of the story. It gives me great pleasure to be a part of the re-release of such an important and touching work. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact me.

3 Note to Group # 2: October 2, 2006 Below I have provided an overview of the original trailer for the 1999 release At First Sight. My concerns lie mainly in how the storyline is represented by the narration and the score in the preview. I have provided my observations about the narration and score, along with some simple suggestions that I feel could greatly improve the presentation of the trailer for the movie s upcoming re-release. Overview of the Original trailer At First Sight s (1999) trailer begins with suggesting the change that has occurred within a certain female character, though it is not the same character for which the central plot conflict exists. The audience learns that a man has inspired the change within the woman, and that man has the physical disability of blindness. The trailer s opening segment is a reflection on and description of the man as given by the woman. As the trailer explores the formation of their relationship and the dynamics of the conflict as it arises, hymn-like music fills the background behind the dialogue. Several different characters comment on the effects the man may feel as he decides to attempt to regain his sight. As the trailer introduces the pivotal moment of medical surgery, the music changes to simply instrumental and has a certain epic feel to it. A series of images and segments reveal the experiences of the main character as he sees the physical world for the first time in his life. Pieces of dialogue explain the way his adjustments to seeing take place. The audience is led to sympathize with the main character at the suggestion by words such as fear, revelation, and wonder, the dialogue suggests the main character s confusion in trying to compromise what he knows when blind with what he now sees. As the trailer ends the emphasis falls again on the relationship between the man and the woman. The audience learns that the plot is inspired by a true story and the trailer ends with the actors names and further emphasis on the man and woman s romantic relationship Narration and Score The trailer does not employ a narrator at all. The premise is completely guided by pieces of conversation between the characters. The explanations of the characters and the components of the storyline are provided by character dialogue, not narration or text. Music underlies the dialogue for the entirety of the trailer, filling any moments without character voice. The use of text either instructs the audience in the emotions they are meant to feel, credits the actors and the director, or explains that the movie premise is inspired by a true story. Recommendations While the choice to leave out an external narrative voice is appropriate, the amount of dialogue is extraneous. The dialogue reveals too much about the expectations of the characters. The original trailer attempts to evoke ideas of fear, revelation, and wonder at the character s journey, yet the character dialogue and melodramatic music

4 removes those sentiments. Less dialogue and series of shots with different music behind could draw the audience in without indulging in the conflict so as to reveal too much. Overall, I think the less-is-more approach would be more effective. The use of music in the original trailer is too grand and epic for the circumstance. While the storyline suggests miracle-work as a person undergoes immense change, the music, with its hymnal chant-like music and orchestration, almost undermines the main character s experience. The music should be more basic and complimentary to the trailer s tactic of conversational dialogue in giving nuance and detail about the story. The impact of the trailer is mostly anti-climactic because the dialogue and score are overbearing. The fact that it is inspired by a true story would better serve the movie if it were at the beginning of the trailer than the end in order to attract and engage audience interest and sympathy. Conclusion While I think the original trailer appropriately reveals the content of the movie, the narration, dialogue, score, and use of text in areas are insufficient in accompanying the storyline as revealed by the trailer. I feel that a new score or medley of music would better accompany the plot and conflict, as would less emphasis on explanations given by the characters through dialogue.

5 Works Cited At First Sight. Dir. Irwin Winkler. Perf. Val Kilmer and Mira Sorvino. Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer Pictures, 1998.