Disney Trailer Analysis: Bambi

In this Disney classic, a young deer named Bambi starts his life journey with new friends he finds in the forest. As he grows up, he realises there are dangers in the open meadows and learns that there is tragedy as well as beauty in the forest world, leading him on a scary but fascinating path to adulthood.

Before the trailer even starts, we see a transition into the trailer of a Disney emblem 'cutting' into the first shot. This is a unique and clever idea because before the trailer has even started, we can already identify it's Disney. This broadens the target demographic because we see what company the trailer is by before getting a glimpse of what genre the movie will be; action; coming of age etc. Using the 'Disney Four Quadrant Marketing Plan', within only two seconds of the trailer, practically all parties are targeted. 

This transition cuts into a green background with a silhouette of a tree and the heading "AT LAST". The emerald coloured, mystical background gives a hint that the film may be set in a forest and the stars that are shining all around the heading connote fantasy and a make believe atmosphere, perfect for women and children along with families in the quadrant plan. The words 'at last' show that this is a film people have been waiting a long time for and creates excitement for the audience watching. 

After this heading, we see a tracking shot of a forest. However, the lighting is dark and the colour scheme is mainly greys and blacks. Although this doesn't fit the main genre of the film, I think it's important because a key aspect of the film is Bambi learning the dangers of the forest. Therefore, as well as creating an atmosphere of enigma for the audience and possibly attracting the boys and men category in the quadrant plan, it could also foreshadow Bambi's future endeavours in the film, making it a well thought out, symbolic trailer. 

We then see a cut to a shot with all different kinds of animals wandering and hopping about in the forest. This is then used with lighter, more bright lighting and lifts the mood and atmosphere of the trailer as the audience get more of an idea what the film will be about. The fact that a wide range of animals are used in the shot, could actually be leaving a message of all inclusivity for the children watching the film. The wide variety of animals from skunks to birds could have a deeper denotation to include everyone no matter what race, religion etc. Also the exotic location of a fantasy forest surely must attract families since it could possibly be a location a parent takes their child for a day out. 

The first time Bambi appears in the trailer, he is almost 'floated' in with a bright gold, colour that fades into a spark, in an essentially angelic way. This could denote that 1) he is the main protagonist in the film as he is given more importance and 2) The innocence he portrays as he wakes up from his nap due to endearing face. This will 100% attract children because already in a few short seconds, he is presented in such a cute way, we become fascinated by him and leave a soft spot for him. 

Around three quarters through the trailer, we see a quick, one second shot of fire travelling through the forest. This shot will attract the boys/men category in the quadrant plan since they are the core demographic for action and adventure films at the cinema. The fire denotes danger, peril and having this shot placed towards the end of the trailer, gets our hearts racing with tension, creating enigma and leaving us worried for what happens to Bambi. This is a clever marketing tool because it makes us want to find out what will happen next and hopefully go out and watch the film. 

The trailer ends with a Bambi's mother's warm voice saying "my little Bambi". This will attract the family category since the parents could relate to this and view their children with the same love Bambi's mother has for Bambi, making it a pleasant, capturing film to watch.