Codes and Conventions of Trailers

Codes and Conventions of Trailers

The modern trailer has consistent codes and trailers, in this post I will be discussing the basic codes and conventions which are required within trailers.

The modern film institutions use teaser trailers in order to advertise their film towards audiences, these trailers consist of a variety of the shots used from the film and mixed together into a montage format. These shots are selected carefully in order to give glimpses of the film towards audiences.

Typical Codes and Conventions

- Reflective of the Genre
- Use of Graphic Captions
- Continuity Editing
- Narrative Enigma
- Diegetic Sound/ Non Diegetic Sound
- Institution Logo
- Variety of Camera Shots and Edits
- Editing

The Codes and Conventions above all appear in movie trailer as they are essential in projecting the right image and portrayal of the film.

Firstly the trailer has to be reflective of the genre in order for audiences to firstly have a clear view of what type of film the trailer is. This is used in a variety in different ways, many include through transitioning editing and the specific camera shots and angles used for the trailer.

The use of Graphic Captions within trailers are used commonly for introducing the film to audiences, or introducing the cast within the film or the producers. However in some films graphic captions are used for text which is in relevance to the movie trailer, this could be a couple of sentence describing the set e.g the year of date.

Continuity editing is used within most film trailers, as this is used to smooth trailers over to give the trailer a smooth transition through the editing of the shots, this is in order to give a clear narrative of the trailer. There are many rules are continuity editing these include:

- Establishing Shot
-  Shot Reverse Shot
- 180 Degree Rule
- 30 Degree Rule
- Crosscutting
- Match on Action
- Eyeline Match
- Re-Establishing Shot

The Narrative Enigma allows the set up of the film to be clear towards audiences depending on which is used based on genre.

Diegetic and Non Diegetic sounds are commonly used within trailers to ether reflect the genre of the trailer, or are used combined with specific shots in order to create suspense or give emotion to the audience. This feature is mainly used from soundtracks, as it gives the trailer purpose and definition. However voice overs may be used in order to cover the amount of narrative that my be included within the trailer.

The Institutions logos is mainly placed near the start of the trailer, this is here in order for audiences to know what film institution created the film, as there is well known institutions who have its own fan base such as Warner Bros. With placing the Institution within the trailer audiences sometimes can tell the quality of the film.

A Variety of camera shots and angles are used in order to make the trailer look exciting and appealing towards audiences. Different shots and angles are used within trailers in order to maybe express different scenes and motions going on within the trailer. This shots are mainly fast and snappy. Many different shots and angles of used from the film, which are Incorporated within the trailer to give audiences a idea of what the film is about.

Editing is used within most trailers to give the trailer definition and make trailer look effective and attractive towards audiences. Montage editing is mainly the most common form of editing, which is made of a collective group of camera shots and angles mixed together to form a film trailer, the montage editing can ether be full of fast snappy shots in order to make the trailer fast and explosive towards audiences of the montage could be slow and relaxed this is all dependent on the genre of the trailer.

Codes and Conventions of a Horror Trailer

As you can see the trailer above is called the "Possession." I will be highlighting the codes and conventions used within this trailer/

Firstly I feel this trailer is reflective of the genre, as the trailer itself starts slow and builds up to more intense scenes, this may indicate towards audiences the genre of the film which is horror, as it is making the film look unusual through the build up of the film. Making this technique used unique and effective.

The use of graphic captions have been used at the end of the trailer, this is to introduce what the trailer is called and who made it, in this trailer is is Sam Raimi who created this film. This is unusual as most graphic captions are near the start or middle of the trailer ether introducing bits of the story or actors. However in this trailer the use of graphic captions have been used at the end of the trailer, this again is reflective on the genre as the films name is stuck in the readers head as it is near the end of the trailer.

Continuity editing has been used throughout this trailer mainly shots fading in and out, this is to create the slow suspense building up to the trailer. I feel this type of editing has been used effectively as further into the trailer the slow transitions stop and fast snappy shots are entered into the frame, this is again reflective on the genre in terms of the film build up, and the suspense leading up to the fast snappy shots.

This trailer contains narrative enigma as this trailer I feel makes audiences question the trailer, in terms of what is happening to the character as she is being possessed, I feel the use of short snappy shots and a slow build up emphasis this narrative enigma as the slow build up appeals to audiences as the focus around the little girl makes audiences question why is she so special, and why is she the main focal point of the trailer. And the end of the trailer makes audience questions what will happen next.

Diegetic and Non Diegetic sound have been used throughout the trailer to created build up and suspense. I feel the non diegetic sound at the start of the trailer contributes to the suspense and the calm era which is created and with good smooth transitional edits this contributes nicely, as the non diegetic sound consists of a calm keyboard tone creating the whole scenario of the trailer relaxing. Throughout the trailer the use of non diegeitc sounds kicks in with screaming and a creepy voice over, this contributes to the genre as being spooky, mysterious and scary as it can makes audiences jump at any within the trailer and the use of action shots makes the trailer again stand out.

The institutions logo which in this case is Lionsgate is shown at the start of the trailer this is to show audiences what institutions distributed this film.

In terms of camera shots and edits, lots of still, high angle, and low angles shots have been used and over the shoulder shots are used in order to establish introduce the surroundings and characters to the audience, as the build up of the trailer is slow. In terms of the edits montage editing has been used as various shots have been taken and are being faded in and out in order to make the scenario calm and cool. Further along the trailer shot reverse shot has been used in order to make the trailer short and snappy which further represents the genre.

Narrative Theory 

This trailer follows a linear structure, as there is a clear start to the trailer, as audiences are introduced to the trailer, this trailers also has a middle which follows the introduction of the possessed character, and a end of the trailer which finishes, creating enigma codes as the trailer is a preview of the film, and this is making audiences question the trailer in terms of what is going to happen next.

This trailer fits the theory of Vladimir Propp theory as he proposed that characters through their actions, can be defined through clear roles and functions throughout the film. As throughout this trailer audiences can establish who the Villian, the Hero, The Helper, The father, and the princess. As Propp used some of these categories to tell the roles and functions of the characters. However this trailer also follows Tzveton Todoroz theory, as this trailer starts with a state of equilibrium as the start of the trailer portrays to the audience that the life is normal and the prognosis is happy. However further into the trailer the state of normality is disrupted, further through the trailer it suggests the problem will be getting fixed, and a new equilibrium is made.

Throughout this trailer, with the scenes of the character at the end possessed character  suggests to audience Engima, as this trailer teases audiences about the film, and presents a puzzle to the audiences in terms of the character being possessed, and what will happen to her, this is known as part of the Barthes Code. The Claude Levi-Strauss theory has also been implemented within this trailer through the binary opposition as through this trailer is it clear to see what is good and evil within the trailer as the character possessed inside is evil, and the father is good.