Film Trailer Conventions

Sebastian Hallett

The Purpose of a Film Trailer• To draw in and attract the films target audience and other niche audiences by

teasing them with clips from the film. Teasers are only supposed to hint at narratives, they are not supposed to give too much away. This makes the audience want to go and see the movie.

• The trailer is used to establish the genre so their target audience can clearly see what it involves and if it is their ‘cup of tea’ or not. This is important for your audience.

• The trailer needs to hint at character types, narratives and the main action of the film. Without giving too much away. This is so the audience get excited and feel they have to go and see the whole film.

• Finally to show actors, film reviews and recognised studios. This helps sell the film to the audience. For example if your film has ‘Matt Damon’ as the main character, many more people will be interested compared to if you have an up and coming unknown actor.

Conventions of a trailer• Genre: The genre is clearly established throughout the trailer to entice the

target audience.• Hybrid Genre: A hybrid genre is a movie with the best conventions of two

genres in order to make a ‘hybrid film’ such as a rom com. These films offer greater iconography to help establish genre or perhaps will keep the niche audience guessing.

• Finally to establish the genre through it’s iconography. In our film we have a ‘femme fetale’ as our main protagonist and she will be wearing a bracelet throughout the film and maybe a sword in which she kills her victims. This is key iconography. We took this influence from Kill Bill.

Trailer Narrative StructureThe 3 act structure conventionally looks like this:

• Part 1 starts off with the equilibrium (a state of normality) being introduced as well as the characters. The life of the main character is balanced and normal at this point.

• Part 2 of the trailer hints at the dis-equlibrium, which shows the balance being disrupted by the antagonist (conventionally).

• Part 3 of the trailer hints and shows clips of the resolution of the narrative without giving too much away. For example the protagonist beating the antagonist and restoring world peace.

More on Narrative..• Not all trailers will follow Todorov’s theory of narrative structure. This is

because the directors want to break conventions in order for their film to stand out. A good example of this is 28 Days Later. Which hints at part 2 and 3 before part 1. this is very much a postmodern idea although very effective.

• Our film ‘The Hunter’ will follow Todorov’s theory on narrative, however we intend to have a postmodern spin on it. We are not too sure how at the moment but our narrative order may be changed as our ideas progress over time.

Other Conventions include:o Narration: a voice over anchors the key points of the narrative or

characterisation within the film. Often using a powerful, dramatic tone. Key characters can do the voice over for example ‘Turkish’ from Snatch is doing the voice over in the trailer.

o Title: The title usually appears at the end of the trailer this is so it sticks in the audiences’ memory. Text helps anchor key meanings of the narrative or characterisation. E.g. 28 Days and Snatch.

o Director/studio/reviews: The Director is usually mentioned if considered an ‘auteur’ or successful such as Quentin Tarantino. This can work as a selling point of a film.

o Sound: the sound helps set the mood using non diegetic ambient soundtracks and effects. Often complimented by an original or recognisable soundtrack. E.g. Jackie Brown-Blaxpoitation.

o Cast: The stars usually feature early in the trailer helping the audience decide how appealing it is. Starring… Brad Pitt etc.

Trailer AnalysisSin City

Sin City is a crime thriller film which explores the dark and miserable town, Basin

City, and tells the story of three different people, all caught up in violent corruption.

Narrative: Character Types

Bruce Willis – Hartigan is the anti hero

Benicio del Toro – Jack Rafferty is an Antagonist

Clive Owen – Dwight McCarthy is a protagonist in the film

Sin City involves a wide range of character types from protagonists to damsel in distresses’Because this film is a dystopian film with many postmodern elements each character has an edgy side and some characters are hard to determine if they are good or bad by just watching the trailer alone.

Devon Aoki – ‘Miho’ is a Femme Fetale in the film

Trailer Narrative Structure• Sin City is very much a dystopian film with postmodern element,

throughout both the trailer and the film itself it is constantly breaking conventions in order to help the film stand out and maintain it’s postmodern twist.

• The trailer doesn’t follow a structure like conventional films do, it breaks Todorov’s theory of a 3 act structure. The trailer maintains a negative dystopian feel throughout without following a certain structure this is a convention of many dystopian films.

• The Trailer hints at; Narrative, genre and characters in mainly negative and dark situations this is good for the audience because they can pick out the important information and realise who are the main characters and what the story and narrative will include.

Camera and Mise en Scene• The trailer uses a lot of postmodern conventions as it is a

dystopian film for example, the whole trailer is shown in black and white with certain aspects highlighted in red such as women's lipstick. This is an effective way in order to help important parts of the film to stand out.

• The black and white scenes, low key lighting and the guns/costumes which are used help establish the generic iconography for the trailer. The low key lighting gives a strong hint to the 1940’s film noir era.

• The costumes used by each character help establish the genre of the film for example the long dark coats and outfits the men wear to show their mysterious ways which helps them to stay disguised from whatever it is they are running from.

• The sets are very effective in establishing the extremely different and bleak underworld which the characters live in.

• Finally there are a lot of close up shots throughout the trailer, this helps show character types and their expression which is effective in helping the audience piece together the narrative.

Editing• The trailer includes both slow motion and quick cut editing in order to

match with the speed of the non diegetic backing track, and also to offer the film more postmodern techniques. This helps draw in the audience.

• The editing has been influenced by film noir which can be clearly seen as it is in black and white with a mixture of fast and slow editing techniques.

• The trailer includes still frame shots which involve titles in order to explain to the audience certain important information and to help keep the narrative moving whilst explaining certain aspects. Without this the trailer won’t make sense. This is a postmodern twist and we hope to include some of these techniques in our film ‘The Hunter’ as Sin City is one of our big influences.

• An antagonist in the trailer seems to have a golden eye whilst the rest of the clips are in black and white. This shows how significant it is to the audience.

Sound• Non diegetic sound – The backing track which is an example of non diegetic sound has a fast pace to

it which is matched by the editing. The fast music helps set the pace and hints well at the genre which is important for the audience.

Other non diegetic sounds include gun shots and exaggerated fight scenes which again helps the audience determine the genre.

A voice over is also included by one of the antagonists this is very effective for the audience who can pick up character types and helps explain parts of the narrative to the audience which is accompanied with a mixture of scenes from the film.

• Diegetic Sound – The diegetic sound in the trailer includes dialogue from key characters both

antagonists and protagonists this is important for the trailer as keys quotes and information can be shown to the audience, easily. It also shows who the main characters are and how significant they are for the narrative.

Trailer AnalysisSnatch – British Crime

Snatch (200) is a comedy/crime hybrid film. It uses generic iconography and stereotypes from crime films in the 1960’s, crime capers, spaghetti western. Using influences from 1980 gritty gangland and heist movies. The director is Guy Richie and he uses postmodern elements and ideas including high art editing and challenging narrative themes.

Narrative: Character Types

Protagonist and Helper: Turkish (on the right) and Tommy (on the left) they are both Anti Heroes.

Antagonist:Cousin Avi – American gang leader stereotype

Antagonist:Brick top – British Gang Leader Stereotype

Helper:Mickey – Gypsy (Pikey) stereotype turns hero

Trailer Narrative Structure• The trailer follows Todorov’s narrative structure ,ideas and conventions. It

contains both equilibriums and disruption of equilibriums:• Part 1: part 1 of the trailer introduces both the characters and the narrative which

is a diamond heist. This is the equilibrium. Turkish is doing a voice over during this part of the trailer which clearly shows him as the main character to the audience. Turkish is also linked through a separate parallel plot of a boxing match.

• Part 2: part 2 of the trailer includes the disruption of equilibrium. The Disruption is two fold highlighted with key texts ‘where is the stone’ and ‘your going down’ hinting at a rigged fight, showing a montage of action shots from the movie.

• Part 3: The last part involves the cast, they are individually introduced using certain clips from the film, It uses a spaghetti western influence, graphic sequence with further hints at attempts to ‘fix’ the disrupted equilibrium.

Camera and Mise en Scene• This trailer uses many postmodern conventions for example; skewed framing.

Which gives a sense of unease within the narrative and the characters.• The props establish the generic iconography.• The costumes used throughout by each character helps establish the genre and

obvious stereotypes used in the narrative. This again tests postmodern notions and challenges representations

• Throughout both the trailer and the film the lighting is kept at low key levels, giving the film a ‘noir-ish’ quality. Hinting at 1940’s film noir.

• Uses a lot of close up shots to help show negative almost scared expression of the characters at some points.

• The sets used help establish the bleak underworld which the characters live in. This helps explain and piece together the narrative – Illegal bare knuckle boxing arenas.

Editing• Postmodern editing used throughout the trailer to draw in the audience.

Time remapping is used to accentuate action scenes and excite audiences. Many still frame shots are used as an anti narrative device to highlight key frame in the action. They are also coupled with film noir ish voice over, by the main character ‘Turkish’, to drive key narrative points in order to help and explain to the audience.

• The Still frames are used to introduce characters, this is accompanied with heavy stylised graphics. Spaghetti western fonts are used when naming the actors/characters. Which finally is accompanied with a soundtrack.

Sound: Diegetic and Non Diegetic..• Voice Over – the voice over is carried out by the key protagonist, Turkish.

This is to set the narrative, theme and plot of the movie. Turkish is a cheeky cockney drawl. This helps the audience establish the ‘crime caper’ element of the film and is key in understanding the characters.

• Non diegetic sound effects such as ‘fast rewind’ are used as the visuals and editing speeds up this is so they match on screen, it make it look a lot better and natural.

• The backing track has a fast pace to it. The remixed dance music helps drive the action and sets the frenetic pace.

• The diegetic sound involves dialogue from key characters hinting at plots and sub plots, this helps drive the narrative and draw the audience.

Trailer Analysis

Kill Bill is an American action/thriller (hybrid) film. Directed and written by Quentin Tarantino. The film involves a women who is looking for vengeance and will do anything until she get’s what she wants. The film is full of postmodern ideas and breaks the usual conventions constintly.

Narrative – Character TypesBeatrix Kiddo aka The Bride is the protagonist of the film.

Bill (Snake Charmer) is the main Antagonist of the film

O-Ren Ishii (Cottonmouth) is another Antagonist of the movie and is on Beatrix’s list of people to kill

Finally Pai Mei the Helper. He trained Beatrix and taught her the ways of Kung Fu.

Narrative Structure • Kill Bill has a fragmented narrative structure which is the same for most of

Tarantino’s films. The film goes against Todorov’s conventions which include; Equilibrium, disequilibrium and equilibrium (again). This film starts of bad which is unconventional and a postmodern spin on conventions. The film starts of with a wedding massacre which leaves the bride (Beatrix) seeking revenge of the man (Bill) who shot her in the head whilst she was pregnant with her child. The film is a great example of a postmodern film because the narrative goes against usual film conventions. This makes Kill Bill stand out and controversial.

Camera and Mise en Scene• Costume – The lead character ‘Beatrix’ wears a yellow jump suit which is

unconventional as this is usually been seen as a male Chinese or Japanese martial art/taekwondo outfit. Perhaps worn by Bruce Lee.

• Low key lighting used at most points to help fit with the genre of the movie hints at having ‘noir-ish’ quality. Opening shots in black and white links into dark narrative. Helps hints at genre, this is unconventional.

• Close up shots to show each characters emotions , this helps the audience identify who the protagonist and antagonists are by facial expressions and scenarios. Skewed framing at times gives a postmodern sense of unease in the narrative.

• Props such as the samurai sword help establish the generic iconography.

Editing

• The editing contains examples of both slow motion and fast pace shots in order to show the audience variety of what the film involves and so the audience will appeal to it. To include both slow motion and fast pace is unconventional because trailers usually contain none or one of two options. To use both is a postmodern spin. The editing matches the pace and tempo of the backing track this links in with non-diegetic sound ideas.

Sound• A short voice over of one of the culprit's saying she deserves her revenge,

whilst he is talking clips of her training are on going. This helps to show the narrative and genre and the past of the female protagonist. It explains a lot to the audience.

• Non diegetic sound of backing track, the track is a classic old fashioned cowboy western song which links in well with the narrative. Gun shot sounds and sounds of swords are also used to help show the genre and narrative to the audience.

• Diegetic sound - Dialogue of some important characters is also within the trailer this helps the audience understand key info and pick out certain characters and their roles.

• The pace of the trailer is fast and slow in some place and matches the clips well, the synergy between the pair is relevent and spot on throughout the trailer.