American HoneyBy Elisa Dubignon

Analysis on the title ‘American Honey’ can be interpreted in several ways:• ‘Honey’ can be referred to ‘sweet’ so the title would refer to ‘Sweet

America’. This expresses the positives about America as the group travel in the country discovering new things(see slide). However, honey can be distasteful if it’s too sweet which is not good. Relating to the film, there are problems such as money and alcohol (see slide) which opposes to the positives of Sweet America.• Perhaps, the title relates to the American dream as people strive to

find happiness. However, there are some obstacles to reach it such as the three men who with cowboy hats (see slide).

Target Audience and Poster AnalysisTarget AudienceThe target audience is towards older teenagers as the content shown in the trailer is explicit(It contains money, alcohol and drug use). The primary audience is between 18- 24. However the aspirational age is between 15-40. Aspirational age is an ideal age for the consumers to be e.g in order to watch the movie: American Honey.

America :unique selling point and more The poster is covered in stars and the style of the title is the pattern of the American flag. This reveals the unique selling point; the ‘location in setting’ is America. People there would want to see it as it looks quite patriotic towards the USA. Also, people who like the country would want to see it. We are offered a new vision of young America. Therefore it would target the young generation of the country and across the world because it demonstrates the new life in America; people travelling and discovering that life is full of hidden mysteries and it can be dangerous as seen in the trailer with the money and alcohol. ( see slides for money and alcohol).

Actors The actors are in their twenties- thirties. The demographic (age) would make the film more engaging and closer to the young audience than older. It is an independent film which has actors such as Shia LaBoeouf. He has done a block buster film: ‘Transformers’ so people who like watching him in films are likely to watch ‘American Honey’. This is one of the film’s USPs. Although, he is the only known actor, it means the audience can discover new actors/actresses such as Sasha Lane who is the protagonist in the movie. This is her first movie and it could lead the audience to watching more her movies in the future.

The Struggler

Struggler definitionThey are looking/seeking for a break or escape out of reality. Strugglers usually buy things such as alcohol, junk food and lottery tickets for a short buzz in order to make them happy for a short while.

The psychographics shown here is the struggler. From the image , they are seen consuming alcohol which make them the victims. Also, they are seen travelling in car. It links to what these people seek; escape.

Here is an ‘over the shoulder’ shot, it is used to establish the position of each person, and get the feel of seeing one person or a group from the other person’s perspective.

The Explorer

Figure 1 demonstrates the life on the road. They drive in a caravan which is a commonly used car for road trips. The car symbolises the need for discovery. In Figure 2, it shows young people with luggage. They have quite a lot of it which means it’s going to be a long trip (many things to do) and also the skateboard symbolises the adventure that they will have.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 1 demonstrates a ‘moving shot.’ This is used to capture the people are travelling. It is a good shot because it relates to their need for discovery as explorers.Figure 2 illustrates the ‘over the shoulder shot.’ It is used here to show the man’s perspective of all the members in the group that he’s travelling with.

Explorer definition:Explorers seek discovery and try to venture the outside world. They have a need to discover new things. They tend to have a lot of energy (which is why they are seen in quite a lot of action) individualized and experienced. They admire difference and adventure than the standard trend. They are the kind of people who try out new brands and is usually the younger demographic students such as this group shown in these two images.

The Explorer

Figure 1 is a ‘Tracking shot’ . It demonstrates two travellers on the top of the car. The purpose of a tracking shot is to maintain action with a moving subject at least at a constant distance. The effect of this shot is that the camera keeps the subject within the frame. Directors use this in films in order to keep a constant movement with either the character, vehicle, or another travelling object from a forward. It depicts a new sensation that they are experiencing on the road trip.

Figure 3 and 4 shows the group having new experiences such as around the camp fire. Figure 4 is a two shot which illustrates the relationship between the characters. Even though they are independent explorers, they share their experiences with others which makes it more enjoyable for them and is a way to be happy. Similarly, this relates with Figure 2 as it demonstrates the group laughing together whilst discovering the unknown places on their trip.

With all these images we can see that the members have independence, they explore but they also strive for happiness.

Figure 1

Figure 3 Figure 4

Figure 2

The Explorer Exploration is not only done by

travelling in a car but by running too. There is a link that exploration has a lot of action involved.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 1 is a ‘tracking shot’ and it is used to capture the characters in action. Figure 2 is known as a ‘wide shot.’ It allows viewers to see the subject and the environment around them. This is a good shot because it demonstrates where the setting is.

Figure 3 is a ‘Cutaway shot’ which captures a bird in the sky. The bird symbolises the need for escape and freedom. It explores many places and it represents the group in the film.

Figure 3

Romance and Mainstreamer Throughout the trailer we see that there are two lovers. They take a journey together on the road trip. They meet hard situations and they work together to escape it as seen in the next slide. The structure in this film is correct for a romantic genre as it has the dilemma and they try to get away from it.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 1 and 2 both show the characters close together. It is used as a hint to illustrate to the audience they care for each other as in a relationship.

Figure 1 is a ‘Cut-In shot’. The shot has a significant meaning which is love. Security is also shown which links with the pychographic: Mainstream.

Mainstreamers definition:Mainstreamers tend to seek security and be domestic, sentimental and favour value for money brands including family brands. Although these characters are not domestic, they protect one another which comes under the sentimental and security of a Mainstreamer.

Action, Crime and Gender and Camera angles

There is no gender specific, they make the lady and the man protagonists in the film.It suggests both female and male will be the audience viewing this movie.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3 Figure 4

The two victims (the man and lady from the previous slide) find themselves in a dangerous environment. There is gun violence as shown in figure 3 and 4. Then, the pair try to escape which builds up the action in the movie. They are seen in the car travelling as fast as they can. The ladies' face expression reveals how horrifying the incident was which also creates tension and fear so the film is targeted at a 18 and over audience.

Camera angles Figure 1 is an eye-level angle . It puts the audience on an equal footing with the character/s. This is the most commonly used angle in most films as it allows the viewers to feel comfortable with the characters.

The Aspirer and Strugglerand Crime

Struggler exampleFigure 2 shows one of the men pouring alcohol into the lady’s glass. She is the victim and possibly seen as vulnerable as she is the only girl with them.Also in Figure 3, there is money which can be quite dangerous, it relates to the theme in the film: crime. Also, in the shot there is a sharp object which connotes that there is violence between these people. This highlights the dark tone of the movie.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Aspires definition and exampleAspires seek status in terms of what they own and tend to be very materialistic. They also seem to care a lot on how they look and are very orientated to image, appearance and fashion. For example in Figure 1, it shows three men who are in a classic car. It represents their wealth. They also wear the same clothing to show their reputation. Their status is their priority.

Reviews After a trio of distinctly British features, Andrea Arnold’s American Honey takes a road trip into the poverty-stricken hinterlands of the US Midwest, following the hard-partying adventures of a young woman who joins a crew of door-to-door magazine subscription sellers. By Simran Hans.

Drive, She Said

+ Drive, She Said

The road movie is generally associated with men, but the cinema is also full of women who take to the road, whether in pursuit of escape, adventure, crime or just that high-speed thrill ride. By Kim Morgan.

Cruising alongside, Kim Morgan takes a ride through film history and finds that any assumptions that the road movie is a male genre is a dead end; the road has been a place for cinematic escape, discovery and crisis for many women on screen. “What kind of dames thumb rides?” asks Tom Neal in Edgar G. Ulmer’s Detour. It turns out all kinds, from Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934) to Quentin Tarantino’s feminist rebels in Death Proof (2007).

Here are several reviews taken from ‘Sight and Sound’ magazine.

What is the purpose of a film review?To criticize the film. It lets the audience know what points were good or bad in the film, and whether or not it is worth spending time or money to watch. Reviews are usually done by professional film critics who have experience in the film industry. For example: this magazine has been existing since 1932 which demonstrates the level of professionalism.

Demonstrates the film is suitable for both genders.