About Time

Basic Information
Staring: Domhnall Gleeson Rachel McAdams *Star Quality* Bill Nighy *Veteran Star Quality* Release Date: 8 August 2013 Genre: Rom-Com, Sci-fi Director: Richard Curtis (Writer of Notting Hill, Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral) Certificate: R-Rated (US), 12a (UK) Synopsis: At the age of 21, Tim discovers he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think. Taglines: A new funny film about love. With a bit of time travel.

 The genre of About Time is a romantic-comedy. This is easily identified as at the beginning of the trailer, it is heavily focused on the comedy of the male protagonist, Tim. But throughout the duration of the trailer, leading up to the peak of the trailer, the comedy side of the narrative is slowly filtered out to. This is due to the spoiler of Tims father, played by Bill Nighy, dying in a car accident, giving the trailer a more serious tone. However towards the end of the trailer, the beat is picked up as the romance is played upon towards the climax of the trailer. The film is also a feel good film as the soundtrack of the film is upbeat and fast paced. Previous works produced by the creators, gives the audience an idea of which genre the film falls under. The films USP is that it has a science fiction element to it to distinguish it from other works within the same genre. The inter-titles during the trailer state that About Time is from the creators of Love Actually, Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral, this gives the audience the idea that this is following a similar genre and narrative.

Genre

 The trailer and poster for this movie both mention that About Time is from the creators of Notting Hill, Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral. This gives existing fans of these movies, the idea that this film is of a similar type of genre. This also gives the creators a typical target market for the film, who are mainly females aged between 16-40. This however does not rule out audience members who do not fall into these boundaries, such as due to its nature of romance and marriage, this may be a film which is viewed by couples. However at the start of the trailer a rating is given at the start of the film is a R-Rating for America and this is the equivalent of a 12a in the UK, this allows audience members under 12 the chance to watch this film with an adult.

Audience

Narrative
At many points during the trailer there are scenes, which show that the story has a non-linear story, and it is in non-chronological order. This is done due to the nature of the narrative, which is about time travel. During the trailer, there is a potentially a major spoiler, a death of a main character. With most trailers this would be an issue, but this is not a problem for About Time, as this scene may not come to pass and effect the ending of the film because of Tim altering the timeline, so this seen may be re-written. Throughout the trailer, whenever there is a flashback to the past, the same camera shot is used at the same angle, with the same extras in the background, this makes the audience see that this is the same situation but with a different outcome.

Media Language
At many points during the trailer there are special types of editing techniques used, such as scenes from the film being played in reverse, with a white faded tint to it. This is used to show the time travelling side of the story, which implies that these scenes are being rewound and rewritten. Slow motion scenes are also used to get the full dramatic effect on tragic scenes, like the fathers car crash and Tim running into the hospital, this creates tension. Throughout the scene, we hear two types of non-diegetic sound. These are soundtrack and voice over/narration. The soundtrack starts slow due to the introduction of the main characters, but around the car crash scenes the music slows to generate tension within the trailer. The beat and pace of the film then picks up as the trailer reaches its climax, playing a upbeat soundtrack to show the feel good nature of the film.

Representation
Within the trailer we see the main cast involved within the storyline of About Time. We see: Tim: Tim is a typical British male, shown as being a nice and normal guy, this makes him relatable to the audience. Towards the start of the trailer he is portrayed to be social awkward, mainly with the opposite sex. Red headed men are rarely the leading male, this stereotype is challenged as Tim towards the end of the trailer is portrayed as being the hero of the movie and his social awkwardness is challenged due to him getting the girl. Mary: Mary is portrayed as being the girl, the object of Tims actions. Mary is an American identified by her clear accent, a stereotype of American is that they are wild and outgoing. This is shown through her impulsive actions. Tims Dad: Tims Dad is shown to be Tims mentor in this new found power due to him processing the same ability. He is portrayed as being very wise and knowledgeable about this subject.

Media Theories

Tzvetan Todorovs Theory

Todorov summarised that narrative structures followed these 5 stages of status, which can be applied to modern day media narratives: Equilibrium- Tim is a social outcast and living a normal life. Disequilibrium- Tims Dad tells him of their ability to travel through time. Recognition- Tim changes the past, by letting his Dad live and ruins the timeline, so he doesnt meet Mary. Repair- Tim allows his father to die, fixing the timeline. New Equilibrium- Tim and Mary are happily married with a family.

Levi Strauss Theory

Strauss theory was founded on the way we perceive certain words and our understanding of that word and its opposite, known as a binary opposite. Within the About Time trailer we see the following binary opposites and the conflicts between them: Life vs Death Past vs Future Male vs Female Old vs Young Wise vs Naive American vs British

Vladimir Propps Theory

Propp found that within many narratives there were certain characters created and written to serve a specific role within the narrative. 1. The Hero (Tim) 2. The Villain (Time/The Butterfly Effect/Tim) 3. The Princess/Damsel in Distress (Mary) 4. The Father 5. The Donor (Time travelling power) 6. The Helper (Tims Dad) 7. The Dispatcher (Tims Dad) 8. The False Hero