Forms and Conventions of Film Trailers - Media A2 Presentation

1. FORMS AND CONVENTIONS
OF FILM TRAILERS
FABIO CHIARIZIA

2. COMMON THEMES AND CONVENTIONS OF FILM
TRAILERS
• Upon thorough analysis of the film trailer for ‘ Marvel’s Avengers Assemble’, I have noticed that the
common forms and conventions of film trailers have been demonstrated clearly. During this
presentation, I will explain these features and provide evidence using screenshots from the actual
trailer accessed through YouTube.

3. COMMON THEMES AND CONVENTIONS OF FILM
TRAILERS
• To begin with, the trailer for ‘Marvels' Avengers Assemble’ is 2:23 in length. In terms of common
forms of film trailers, this is a normal, standard length when compared to other film trailers in this
genre, as shown below. By refraining from making film trailers too long will help the audience to
remain focused throughout, without getting bored or sidetracked.
All trailers belonging to the
same genre and sub-genre are
around 2.5 minutes in length

4. COMMON THEMES AND CONVENTIONS OF FILM
TRAILERS
• A common convention in film trailers, which is displayed in the trailer for ‘Marvels’ Avengers Assemble’ ,
is the dramatic sound played in sync with dramatic scenes on screen. This helps convey the severity of
the scene to the audience, increasing tension and fear. Using sound in this way helps to make scenes
more effective, drawing the audience in further. The annotated collection of pictures below show the
transition between loud clashes of dramatic music during scenes of action, and the silence used in the
dark shots in between these, which demonstrates the calmness when nothing is on screen.
Dramatic Music Silence

5. COMMON THEMES AND CONVENTIONS OF FILM
TRAILERS
• Film company production logos are a common form for almost every film trailer, and are
not only a way of showing the audience who the makers of the film are, but also a way in
which the audience recognises it, instantly conveying to them the type of film it is, and
which genre it most likely belongs to. For example, when you see the ‘Marvel’ logo on a
film trailer, such as ‘Avengers Assemble’, you can safely make the assumption that the
film will be an action film involving superhero's of some kind.
Marvel's Avengers Assemble Marvel’s Deadpool Marvel’s Iron Man

6. COMMON THEMES AND CONVENTIONS OF FILM
TRAILERS
• More common film trailer forms and conventions include; BBFC Age Certifications, Film Titles and
Release dates. These forms and conventions all share one thing in common, which is their use.
These specific features are used to inform the audience on important information. As they all
carry important messages, they are displayed in almost every film trailer. For example:
BBFC Age Certification
Film Titles
Release dates

7. COMMON THEMES AND CONVENTIONS OF FILM
TRAILERS
• Character introductions are very similar in the majority of film trailers. They are often dramatic
(due to being paired with voice overs) and important, which is why they are often introduced
using shots such as low shot looking up at the them, making them seem powerful. Mise-En-
Scene is also used to introduce main characters, making them seem authoritative.
Nick Fury is introduced using a
low shot whilst giving a
motivational speech about the
fate of the world in the
Avengers Assemble trailer,
making him seem powerful and
authoritative.
Tony Stark is introduced
wearing a suite in front of a vast
desert and mountains,
demonstrating his weapons in
the Iron Man trailer. The Mise-
En-Scene used here makes him
look powerful and in control.
When the Hulk is first introduced in
The Hulk trailer, he is seen facing the
camera, which is using a medium
shot to show his large structure,
resembling his great power. This is
coupled with his enormous roar and
mass destruction behind him, adding
to his powerful image.