Trailers for a Star Is Born, Essay Example

1954 Version

The trailer features the orchestra music. The music is well pronounced during Judy Garland’s song at the beginning, acting as an underscore. Despite the background orchestra, Garlands’ pitch, voice, and words are well pronounced. She sings the man that got away at the inception of the trailer. The orchestra succeeds during the clapping of the audience after her performance. Violin, oboe, cello, double bass, drums, and flute are used in the trailer. There is a narration in the trailer that offers features of the Film’s significant events. The narration is accompanied by orchestra music, thus arousing the viewer’s expectations.

The singer sings four times alone, succeeded by a group of singers accompanying her. Garland’s born is a trunk that is sung, succeed by instruments. There is background music that accompanies the film preview. The narrator uses diction to dictate the tempo of the trailer, which conforms with the music. Supposing the music team took two  sessions for recording, the singer and her group of approximately twenty people, the costs would be as follows:

Concertmaster and contractor paid is $1,804;

(2* 800) =$1600 plus pension (102.40*2) =  $204.80

1,600+ 204.80= $1,804.80 (One session of three hours)

Two sessions= ($1,804.80*2)=$3,609.6

According to SAG-AFTRA rates, groups earn $ 408.25, with a pension of  $51.45

Group = (20* 408.25) + Pension (20*51.45) =$9,195 (One session of three hours)

Two sessions= (2*9,195)= $18,390

The singer is paid $1,005  (“2020 Average Solo Musician Cost (with Price Factors)”, 2020), based on solo singer rates of $1,005 per day.

Because it is filmed in one day ;

1*1,005= $1,005

The singer is also owed $1,088.00 because she records on Camera, based on SAG AFTRA commercial rates.

The hiring of orchestra musical instruments costs $500 for a 30-piece orchestra per day

Instruments=$500

Total=3,609.6+ $18,390+1,005+1,088+500

The total cost of music trailer =$24,592.60

1976 Version

It features two singers. Barbara Streisand’s Evergreen is the most outstanding song in the trailer. However, multiple compositions are also utilized, implying that eight musicians and two sessions were required for recording. The songs go beyond the underscore, composed and influenced by drums, solo vocals, electric guitar, electric and acoustic keyboards, and horns. The instruments are pronounced in the songs, hitting from the background occasionally. The songs are seven, all featuring in the Film. There is narration foretelling the events in the Film. However, the voice-over artist used does not fit the mood and context of the trailer/film. The narrator’s voice is deep, with poor delivery of the script. The editing is average, with slightly good motion pictures that define the style and setting of life during the early 1970s. However, flashes of different scenes keep occurring, thus disrupting the flow of an otherwise good trailer. Overall, the music costs would be as follows;

Based on the SAG-ATRA rates, the seven songs in the trailer will feature seven singers, recorded in two sessions paid $400 each, and pension of $51.45 each;

(7*400) =$2,800 plus pension (7*51.45)

=$3,160.15

Two  sessions= (3,160.15*2) =$6,320.3

 The singer is paid $1,005   based on solo singer rates of $1,005 per day

Total duo = (1,005*2)=$2,010

Also, because a Camera records them, they are owed $1,088 each, as per the SAG television wages rates;

 1,088*2= $2,176

Total is   6,320.3+2,176+2,010 =$10,506.3

The total cost of music for the trailer =$10,506.3

2018 Version

The trailer features music from Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. The narration by Cooper is accompanied by love songs that suit the movie’s main thematic concern. The beginning features a slight use of acoustic sound that paves for the beginning of Cooper’s lead song. The trailer has a low utility of narration, focusing on building resounding clips and chemistry between the lead actors. The songs utilized are short, including an intro of Shallow by Cooper and Gaga. One session would be required, with a music band of five people; The costs will be as follows, based on SAG rates ;

(5*400)= $2,000 plus pension (5*51.45)

Five musicians are paid = $2,257.25

Musical Instruments (Guitars and Drums) =$500 per day

Singers (Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper) are paid $2,010

SAG AFTRA rates are $1,005 per solo performance per day

Number of singers is(2)*1005= $2,010

When singing on Camera, the singers are owed $1,088 each as per SAG AFTRA commercial wages

2*1,088 = $2,176

Total cost of trailer music =2,176+2,010+500+2,257

=$6,943

Artistically, 1976 is the worst because it adopts a voice-over artist that contradicts the Film’s mood. The 2018 version, however, is the best.  It uses a highly resounding and catharsis music, with so much energy that builds the theme’s momentum. It begins with Cooper’s introduction to the audience, foreshadowing his alcoholic aura. He is playing guitar while singing; maybe its time. It is succeeded by an acoustic version of the same song as voice-over begins of Jackson’s friend, concerned about his alcoholism. Ally and Jackson engages in a small talk that heightens the tension, before the acoustic version of Shallow taking over the scene. As the trailer progresses, a mixture of Ally’s singing is shown with glimpses of the movie. Guitars and drums are used to construct the music. The trailer has a lot of chemistry and realism that leaves the viewer anticipating for more.