A trailer analysis of the 2008 bio-pic on the political Harvey Milk

1. Milk
Trailer Analysis
By Alex Davies

2. Plot Summary
In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San
Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the
first openly gay man to be voted into public office
in America. His victory was not just a victory for
gay rights; he forged coalitions across the
political spectrum. From senior citizens to union
workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of
what it means to be a fighter for human rights
and became, before his untimely death in 1978,
a hero for all Americans. During the last eight
years of his life, while living in New York City, he
turns 40. Looking for more purpose, he and his
lover Scott Smith relocate to San Francisco,
where they found a small business, Castro
Camera, in the heart of a working-class
neighborhood. Then, with support from Scott
and from new friends like young activist Cleve
Jones, Milk plunges headfirst into the choppy
waters of politics.

3. Genre
In the opening moments of the Milk trailer, it becomes easy
to see the genre of the trailer. Among the first 18 seconds
of the trailer, it states in an inter title, ‘Based on a true
story’, which indicates that the events which occur in the
film would have happened in real life, which shows how the
film is biographical. The trailer gives the setting with inter
titles of San Francisco, 1978, which is the supposed date of
when the film is set. Already, the audience knows that the
film, is a period biographical drama.
Other aspects which reference to the genre in the trailer, is
the various shots of political moments, such as newspapers
referencing changes in government and someone running
for office demonstrates how the film is also a political
drama. Archive footage mentioning homosexuals as ‘social
deviants’ and being reference alongside prostitutes and
thieves shows how the film will be about the struggles and
rights of homosexuals, which ends up being a key feature
in the film.
From watching the trailer it is easy to identify key themes
within the film, such as gay rights, gay oppression, San
Francisco politics and the life of the famous politician,
Harvey Milk.

4. Characters
In the trailer, it is clear to see the characters which are
portrayed, such as the protagonist, romantic interests,
friends and the antagonist. In the opening moments of the
trailer the audience hears ‘My name is Harvey Milk and I’m
here to recruit you’, which indicates that film will be
centered on him. When the Harvey Milk says “We need one
of our own in office, we could have a revolution”, depicts
that Harvey Milk is a strong leader. Romantic interests of
Milk are shown in extreme close-ups, which indicates
sexual activity.
Other characters which are shown through the trailer are
Harvey Milk’s friends and advisors through his campaign to
become a member of the San Francisco Board of
Supervisors. One of Milk’s friends say “I don’t do losing”,
which strengthens the fact that the film is filled with
characters who are committed to their cause and having
equal rights as others.
Another type of character which is shown throughout the
trailer is the subtle antagonist, which is the man who refers
to homosexuals as ‘social deviants’ and doesn’t seem
comfortable with Harvey Milk. This already sets that there
will be an opposition to Harvey Milk and his political views,
which engrosses the audience and makes them wonder
what will happen.

5. Mise-en-Scene
Location and Setting
In the trailer, the overall location and setting given is of the
city of San Francisco, especially the Castro area. This
gives a sense of opportunity and freedom towards the
audience, since through the incorporating shots of people
in the film, they seem open and enjoying life. The opening
shot of the trailer, when Harvey Milk is talking to a crowd of
people, symbolises leadership among the character.
There are various shots through the trailer which show that
the film is set in the city of San Francisco, such as up-angle
shots of both the city and the federal building. Both of these
are in a different filter from other shots in the film trailer,
since they are archive footage from the 1970s since this is
a period piece. This obviously indicates to the audience
about the film’s time period.
Another setting which is conveyed through the trailer is the
setting of riots and protests. This makes the audience feel
that change will happen and that something will come out
of these people with signs. As well, many people protesting
outside a government building indicates that this change is
related to politics and ties back within the theme of San
Francisco Politics and gay rights.

6. Mise-en-Scene
Colour, Lighting, Makeup and Costume
Through the trailer of Milk, the whole colour scheme of the
film is referring to how it is a period film and is set in the
1970s.
Through the costumes used throughout the trailer, it is
recognisable to see how the film is set in the 1970s and
uses clothes among the characters to personify the setting
of the film. The common clothes worn throughout the
1970s, are bright, tight and revealing. Yet, since Harvey
Milk is a politician and is running for office in San
Francisco, many of the outfits he wears are considered
smart attire, like suits and long sleeve shirts. In various
shots, we see him wearing This is similar to the people
working on his campaign.
The clothes worn by Harvey’s friends are different than the
clothes he wears. The specific clothes are a lot more
casual, like t-shirts, jeans, brightly-colored jackets and
hoodies. This shows the variety of costumes throughout the
film. However, since there is a lack of female characters in
the film besides Anne Kronenberg, there is not a lot of
makeup construction to discuss throughout the trailer.
^ 1970s Male Clothing, these are
the sorts that Harvey Milk wears

7. Cinematography
In the trailer, there are a variety of shots which convey to
the audience, what the film is about and what are some of
the characters’ motives.
In the opening moments of the trailer the audience hears
‘My name is Harvey Milk and I’m here to recruit you’, there
is a single shot solely focusing on him and speaking those
words and switches directly to a wide shot from behind him
so we the audience can see who he is talking to and later
gives the audience a sense that he is in a position of power
and is taking control.
Establishing shots like shots of San Francisco and the
Castro Area creates a landscape of prosperity for Harvey
Milk and solidify the essence of freedom throughout the
film.
There are various times throughout the trailer where it
consists of shot reverse shots, to highlight important clips
from the film in the trailer, such as Harvey Milk wanting to
run for office, Anne Kronenberg becoming the new
campaign manager and discussing politics with Dan.

8. Editing
Sound, Titles and Credits
The titles and credits used throughout the trailer, consists of
washed-out blue text in capital letters in front of a white
background. When they are shown, they are synchronized
with the orchestral music playing and with it playing it gives
a sense of poignancy throughout the trailer.
The music begins to become tenser when Harvey Milk
receives a death threat, which makes the audience
becomes more aware and conscious of the situation.
In the archive footage used throughout the trailer is lightly
muffled, which for effect makes it seem more authentic,
than the normal sound from the other clips in the trailer.