Finding Perspective: "Trashed" Documentary Trailer

From just a one-minute trailer, several aspects of a ninety-minute documentary are revealed. 

Aspects such as perspective, bias, and purpose are easily perceived by the audience through a small window of compiled footage. This allows the audience to have a more defined expectation and a better understanding of the documentary. In the trailer for "Trashed", perspective, bias, and purpose serve their own roles in affecting the documentary's content.

Every documentary needs a perspective, no matter the topic. The trailer for "Trashed" very openly expresses their stance on waste, somewhat acting as the perspective of the nature that is being trashed every day. The trailer brings up major waste problems such as clogged oceans, poisoned animals, and even poisoned people. An example of the trailer conveying its perspective is the full-screen shots portraying seas of waste and landfills that seem to last forever. In addition to the imagery, the trailer also adds that "[waste] is not just a local problem", further emphasizing the documentary's stance on the topic.

Along with perspective, however, there may be bias. The trailer points to helping the environment by reducing waste, however, it never acknowledges the fact that not everyone has enough money to "go green" or be more "waste-free". It is said that "[people] don't think of the consequences when [they] throw stuff away", but perhaps people can not afford to think of the consequences when they throw stuff away or become less wasteful. The trailer is biased towards people who are more financially stable, as it doesn't make any comment on others who can only afford to live on instant food packaged in plastic.

Despite the bias the trailer holds, it is able to convey its purpose very clearly. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the waste that is thrown out every year and to encourage others to start reducing their waste. An example of this is the people wishing that "times will change" and promoting the "need to [reduce waste]". These statements are said with a hopeful tone and a motivated voice, portraying the want to improve the situation on trash.

Overall, the trailer of "Trashed" shows its stance on the topic by not only revealing its perspective and purpose but also showing a bias towards people who are financially stable enough to actually save waste and go green. 

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