Codes and Conventions for Trailers

1. I found that production logos are normally
the first thing shown in trailers as they want
people to know who is behind the film.
However, I also found that in trailers such as
“Suicide Squad” there is a small scene
where they introduce the characters and
then the production logo is shown, but this is
still in the early stages of the trailer.
In the early parts of the trailers
establishing shots are used in
order to set the location that the
story and action is taking place in.
It is also used to show the main
locations that the characters will
be in and can set the theme of the
film.

2. Trailers tend to use dramatic words or
sentences that will make the audience
want to come and see the film. The words
help to build up the mystery or build on
the story, making the audience want to
find out what's going to happen next. They
are normally used near the end of the
trailer to leave the audience wanting
more, making them want to go and watch
it.
Trailers tend to put the titles of the
film at the end. This is so the
audience will remember the trailer
but then also the title of the film as
its the last thing they will see. As a
result it is more likely to stick in
their minds, which will make them
want to watch the film.

3. The release date or month that the
movie comes out in is usually shown at
the end of the trailer for the same
reason as the title. This is so people
don't forget when it comes out and can
be there to watch it in time. This is the
last thing they see and therefore will
remember it better. Sometimes the
season is shown in the middle of the
trailer e.g. “This Fall”.
Billing blocks tend to come up at the
end of the trailer, where it shows the
director and people who were involved in
making the film. They are normally in the
font style and colours which are suited to
the film. These colours and font styles
can reflect the genre and theme of the
film.

4. Trailers usually have a tag scene after
the title of the film is shown. This is
normally a comedic moment in the film. It
shows the audience that the film is not all
action but that there are funny moments
in it as well amongst the action.
At the end of some trailers they show
the films social media e.g. Snapchat,
Twitter, Instagram etc. This allows the
audience to connect more with the
film and see behind the scenes or
exclusive things that you can’t see
anywhere else.

5. Most trailers introduce the main
characters in the first few seconds. Some
introduce them before the production logo
comes up and some introduce them after
the production logo is shown. This is so
the audience can establish who the main
characters are and figure out the storyline.
The music for trailers reflects the
genre and pace of the shots that
are shown. Normally the music
starts off slow or mysterious to
reflect the genre and then starts to
build up as the trailer progresses
and may even change tempo and
get faster near the end for a
dramatic effect.

6. Some trailers contain voice over's at
the beginning or throughout. These tell
the audience a bit of the storyline and
provide more information about the
film in addition to what is shown on the
screen.
Trailers contain actors or directors
names in order to make the
audience want to go and see the
film. This is because the audience
may know the director and like there
style of film and therefore will want to
see the new one. These can be
shown at the beginning of the trailer
or near the end.