Codes and Conventions Of Film Trailers (1)

Love Happens

• Begins with production company logo


• Voice over’s from different scenes in the film



• Two main actor/actresses names in large text which will bring in the fans of these two actors.
  Did You Hear about the Morgan’s
  
  

• Wide long shot of New York City to signify the setting of the film
  


• To signify the genre there is a range of short clips from the film in the trailer which have comic value.
  

Dorian Gray

• Begins with a voice over from the main character talking about his life so far, it then seems to go back in time and this is signified by the same clip being used to set the scene but the scene is suddenly brighter, less gloomy.



• Throughout the trailer the colours are dark and grim, this could signify a supernatural twist and that the film is dark and mysterious.
  

The Wolf Man

• To set the scene the trailer begins with a voice over of an old man telling a story. This signifies to the audience that the film will be related to this story.


• Towards the beginning of the trailer the shots are slow where as they become more fast paced towards the end to signify action.
  

Australia

• The production company logo is shown in a different way, it is set on a newspaper so that it looks part of the film.



• It starts with a scene from the film where one of the main characters is telling a story to a child, this then cuts to shots throughout the film so that it signifies to the audience that the story the character is telling is the actual plot of the film.
  

The Day after Tomorrow

• The production logo at the beginning was changed to signify the films plot.


• The trailer began with slow paced shots and no voice over, just large text, this creates tension and makes it more dramatic.
• After the slow paced shots the shots become more fast paced and have a voice over from several news readers, this signifies the films genre and the plot and creates further tension and drama.

August Rush

• Voice over from the main actor at the beginning, this sets up the plot of the film and possibly the genre.



• Leaves a narrative enigma towards the end, making the audience want to see the film to see what happens.


• Diagetic music in the middle of the trailer, signifying that this film is a musical.
  

The Bourne Ultimatum

o To signify the film genre there are a lot of action shots and fast paced editing.

o Because it’s a sequel the trailer includes shots from the two other films, this sets up the plot of the film well.

Slumdog Millionaire

o Includes a lot of positive reviews which are shown throughout the trailer in text form, this will signify to the audience that this film will be better than its competitors.

o Shows the two genres too this film, happiness and tragedy. The trailer begins with up tempo music and short fast shots showing “happy” memories. It then changes to slow tempo music which will make the audience think there is some tragedy in this film and will create some narrative enigma.

Twilight

o Slow beginning shots, quiet eerie music, creates feeling of supernatural.

o A voice over from one of the scenes in the film and this sets ground work for the plot and genre.

o Faster shots towards the end of the trailer, this shows the two genres of supernatural and romance (the beginning of the trailer)

Twilight Saga: New Moon

o Title of the film at the end of the trailer, this is similar to most trailers.

o Music is slow paced, but at crucial moments it becomes louder and faster paced.

o Leaves with a narrative enigma towards the end.