Soul Surfer
Teenage surfer Bethany Hamilton overcomes the odds and her own fears of returning to the water after losing her left arm in a shark attack. This movie is all about determination, confidence, bravery and strength. It teaches us many useful life lessons and shows us that anything is possible.
Denotative Analysis
What is heard?
Fast, upbeat music is used in the first scenes as it gives us a happy, cheerful vibe. Along with this, the sounds of skateboards and waves are used to emphasise what the story is based on, Surfing. Voiceovers are used from the surfing competition commentator, "Bethany Hamilton is holding nothing back." This automatically tells the audience that she is an excellent surfer, and she is determined and courageous. The sound of an electric guitar is widely used at the beginning of the trailer, this is a symbol for happiness and action. Digetic sound is also used immensely, e.g. fireworks, dialogue from characters, waves, surfing, skateboarding etc. After the first half of the trailer, you know that bad things happen. There is a turning point when Bethany says "Can you believe we get to come out here everyday?" she is referring to the waves, as that is where her second home is. After this, fast paced, intense music comes on as the shark attack happens to Bethany Hamilton. They use this type of music to build up tension and drama, so that the audience are on the edges of their seats. A high pitched, screeching noise is also used with this to build up the drama and action. After everything has happened, the sound of a piano is playing to show the audience the sadness and struggles that she has to go through. There is a lot of dialogue used to tell the audience the basis of the story.
Teenage surfer Bethany Hamilton overcomes the odds and her own fears of returning to the water after losing her left arm in a shark attack. This movie is all about determination, confidence, bravery and strength. It teaches us many useful life lessons and shows us that anything is possible.
Denotative Analysis
What is heard?
Fast, upbeat music is used in the first scenes as it gives us a happy, cheerful vibe. Along with this, the sounds of skateboards and waves are used to emphasise what the story is based on, Surfing. Voiceovers are used from the surfing competition commentator, "Bethany Hamilton is holding nothing back." This automatically tells the audience that she is an excellent surfer, and she is determined and courageous. The sound of an electric guitar is widely used at the beginning of the trailer, this is a symbol for happiness and action. Digetic sound is also used immensely, e.g. fireworks, dialogue from characters, waves, surfing, skateboarding etc. After the first half of the trailer, you know that bad things happen. There is a turning point when Bethany says "Can you believe we get to come out here everyday?" she is referring to the waves, as that is where her second home is. After this, fast paced, intense music comes on as the shark attack happens to Bethany Hamilton. They use this type of music to build up tension and drama, so that the audience are on the edges of their seats. A high pitched, screeching noise is also used with this to build up the drama and action. After everything has happened, the sound of a piano is playing to show the audience the sadness and struggles that she has to go through. There is a lot of dialogue used to tell the audience the basis of the story.
What is seen?
The first seen is of people skateboarding, the camera is underneath the skateboard to make it feel like you are skating with them, a panning shot is then used to show the scenery of everyone skateboarding. There are many long-shots of the waves of the beach, it is also a low-angle shot as it is looking up at the waves. This suggests that the waves are a dominant part of the movie, and acts as a symbol. There are several panning shots of Bethany surfing the waves, as well as mid shots and low angle shots. I find that there are several two-shots of Bethany and her best-friend, this suggests that they are always together, and are very close friends. A birds eye view is shown of Bethany surfing at the time of the Shark Attack. During this scene, it zooms up very closely onto her very quickly, first making her appear very small and vulnerable, and then immediately transitioning it to the dramatic scene of the actual attack. This emphasises the build up to the scene and shocks the audience. There is a series of shots where they transition into the next one very quickly. This also makes the audience wonder what is going on. When Bethany's best friend is looking down on her, it is an extreme close-up shot and the shot is also blurred slightly. This definitely makes it seem as though we are looking up from Bethany's point of view, as it is also very blurry. There are several shots like this. The people in this trailer are mainly just Bethany's friends and her family, they use close-up shots, mid-shots, long shots and over the shoulder shots to showcase this. I find that this movie is very colourful, they have a lot of colourful and bright backgrounds that make this movie really uplifting and cheerful. It gives off a good vibe with all of the sport going around and I like the fact that everyone is always so busy. They always use bright lighting when filming to capture every single detail in this film.
The first seen is of people skateboarding, the camera is underneath the skateboard to make it feel like you are skating with them, a panning shot is then used to show the scenery of everyone skateboarding. There are many long-shots of the waves of the beach, it is also a low-angle shot as it is looking up at the waves. This suggests that the waves are a dominant part of the movie, and acts as a symbol. There are several panning shots of Bethany surfing the waves, as well as mid shots and low angle shots. I find that there are several two-shots of Bethany and her best-friend, this suggests that they are always together, and are very close friends. A birds eye view is shown of Bethany surfing at the time of the Shark Attack. During this scene, it zooms up very closely onto her very quickly, first making her appear very small and vulnerable, and then immediately transitioning it to the dramatic scene of the actual attack. This emphasises the build up to the scene and shocks the audience. There is a series of shots where they transition into the next one very quickly. This also makes the audience wonder what is going on. When Bethany's best friend is looking down on her, it is an extreme close-up shot and the shot is also blurred slightly. This definitely makes it seem as though we are looking up from Bethany's point of view, as it is also very blurry. There are several shots like this. The people in this trailer are mainly just Bethany's friends and her family, they use close-up shots, mid-shots, long shots and over the shoulder shots to showcase this. I find that this movie is very colourful, they have a lot of colourful and bright backgrounds that make this movie really uplifting and cheerful. It gives off a good vibe with all of the sport going around and I like the fact that everyone is always so busy. They always use bright lighting when filming to capture every single detail in this film.
Connotative Analysis
1) Upbeat Music at the beginning of the trailer- This defines happiness and pleasure. It is a symbol for Bethany's feelings at the beginning of the movie, before the whole incident happened.
2) Bethany's best friend Alana Blanchard- They are always together surfing, and have always been there for each other. Alana acts like the other half of Bethany, without Alana, Bethany wouldn't have the motivation to do what she loves, surfing.
3) The waves- This is where Bethany's second home is at. Bethany comes out surfing on the waves basically every day, this is where she loves it the most and where she feels most comfortable in. Without the beach, she wouldn't be able to surf like she can.
4) Fireworks- When Bethany and her friends go surfboarding at night, fireworks light up at the end. I think that this represents success and celebration, especially for Bethany. It also symbolises in certain cultures to keep the evil spirits away. It also may symbolise independence and freedom. I think that this is very important for Bethany.
5) Bethany's Surfboard- This is definitely one of the symbols that best represent Bethany. She spends so much time on her surfboard, she treasures it so deeply as it is one of her most prized possessions.
6) Intense music- This occurs when the shark attack occurs. They use this emotional, intense music to build up tension and drama in that scene, and also to get the audience's hearts pumping and surprised as to what had happened.
7) Ripped Barbie Doll Arm- During the trailer, you see the scene where Bethany rips a Barbie doll's arm off. This definitely acts as a symbol for Bethany, as she has lost her arm as well. Also the barbie doll has blonde hair as well, so it definitely represents Bethany.
8) 'Firework' By Katy Perry- I think that this song is very suitable for the trailer, as it definitely embraces how Bethany feels. She feels as though she is not good enough and can no longer compete, but with the support of everyone else around her she knows that she can do it.
9) The Colour blue- this colour is showed throughout the whole movie many times. I think that the colour blue represents the waves, and it is also the main colour on the film cover. It is the colour of the sky and the sea, and often symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth and heaven. Bethany also wears the colour blue quite often when surfing.
10) Fan Mail- Bethany receives a lot of fan mail during one part of the trailer. People from all over the world heard about her brave story, and have been so inspired by her to keep trying and succeed. E.g. a boy lost his arm but will try out for his school soccer team because of Bethany. Since Bethany is gaining so much support, it is pushing her to try even harder to do the best she can without her arm.
1) Upbeat Music at the beginning of the trailer- This defines happiness and pleasure. It is a symbol for Bethany's feelings at the beginning of the movie, before the whole incident happened.
2) Bethany's best friend Alana Blanchard- They are always together surfing, and have always been there for each other. Alana acts like the other half of Bethany, without Alana, Bethany wouldn't have the motivation to do what she loves, surfing.
3) The waves- This is where Bethany's second home is at. Bethany comes out surfing on the waves basically every day, this is where she loves it the most and where she feels most comfortable in. Without the beach, she wouldn't be able to surf like she can.
4) Fireworks- When Bethany and her friends go surfboarding at night, fireworks light up at the end. I think that this represents success and celebration, especially for Bethany. It also symbolises in certain cultures to keep the evil spirits away. It also may symbolise independence and freedom. I think that this is very important for Bethany.
5) Bethany's Surfboard- This is definitely one of the symbols that best represent Bethany. She spends so much time on her surfboard, she treasures it so deeply as it is one of her most prized possessions.
6) Intense music- This occurs when the shark attack occurs. They use this emotional, intense music to build up tension and drama in that scene, and also to get the audience's hearts pumping and surprised as to what had happened.
7) Ripped Barbie Doll Arm- During the trailer, you see the scene where Bethany rips a Barbie doll's arm off. This definitely acts as a symbol for Bethany, as she has lost her arm as well. Also the barbie doll has blonde hair as well, so it definitely represents Bethany.
8) 'Firework' By Katy Perry- I think that this song is very suitable for the trailer, as it definitely embraces how Bethany feels. She feels as though she is not good enough and can no longer compete, but with the support of everyone else around her she knows that she can do it.
9) The Colour blue- this colour is showed throughout the whole movie many times. I think that the colour blue represents the waves, and it is also the main colour on the film cover. It is the colour of the sky and the sea, and often symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth and heaven. Bethany also wears the colour blue quite often when surfing.
10) Fan Mail- Bethany receives a lot of fan mail during one part of the trailer. People from all over the world heard about her brave story, and have been so inspired by her to keep trying and succeed. E.g. a boy lost his arm but will try out for his school soccer team because of Bethany. Since Bethany is gaining so much support, it is pushing her to try even harder to do the best she can without her arm.
Message/Values
There are many messages, values and morals in this movie. They all revolve around the same topic. Bethany teaches us to never give up, and once you're determined to do something you have to stick with your decision. Dont second guess yourself. Terrible situations may happen, but even in the end you have to do what you love. I love the fact that this movie is based on a true story, and I find this even more inspirational now.
There are many messages, values and morals in this movie. They all revolve around the same topic. Bethany teaches us to never give up, and once you're determined to do something you have to stick with your decision. Dont second guess yourself. Terrible situations may happen, but even in the end you have to do what you love. I love the fact that this movie is based on a true story, and I find this even more inspirational now.
Appeal
I think that fans of surfing movies will appreciate the competitions, but also I think that teenagers will love this movie, as it is so soulful and compelling. I also think that adults will really enjoy this movie, so this is definitely a good family movie in my opinion. I think that the target audience is basically anyone, because it teaches a good lesson and I think everyone should learn from this movie. The genre of this film is Drama, and Biopic. I think that it is drama because it has emotional feelings in it, with Bethany being traumatised over the whole experience, and everyone else's feelings are hurt as well. This movie also counts as a Biopic, because it is based on a real life experience and a book.
I think that fans of surfing movies will appreciate the competitions, but also I think that teenagers will love this movie, as it is so soulful and compelling. I also think that adults will really enjoy this movie, so this is definitely a good family movie in my opinion. I think that the target audience is basically anyone, because it teaches a good lesson and I think everyone should learn from this movie. The genre of this film is Drama, and Biopic. I think that it is drama because it has emotional feelings in it, with Bethany being traumatised over the whole experience, and everyone else's feelings are hurt as well. This movie also counts as a Biopic, because it is based on a real life experience and a book.