Film trailer genre analysis lesson aid

1. Genre Analysis of Film Trailers

2. Key Words – meaning/examples??
• Conventions
• Denotation
• Connotation
• Representation
• Stereotypes
• Challenge & reinforce
• Context

3. Key Words
Key word meaning example
Conventions expected/predicted elements Convention of ‘slasher’ film =
Knives, blood, murder
Silent moments with sudden actions
Denotation basic meaning A cross is 2 lines; 1 horizontal, 1
vertical
Connotation symbolic meaning A cross means christianity
Representation how something is portrayed Mia’s mother in Fishtank is
represented/portrayed as a lower
class, neglectful mother
Stereotypes labels Mia is a stereotypical rebellious
teenager (from council estate)
Challenge &
reinforce
challenge = to go against, defy
reinforce = to support, strengthen
Challenge stereotype = having a
down’s syndrome character who is
very able/smart
Reinforce stereotype = batman is
strong, male, big muscles, (as hero)
Context understanding the
circumstance/reason/background
Women did not have certain jobs 100
years ago because they did not have
equal legal rights.

4. Assignment 2: Genre Analysis
• You will be given a film trailer. You must answer the following questions. Complete as PowerPoint.
• You must provide screen grabs from trailer (by pushing print screen and then pasting onto slide)
QUESTIONS
• Identify the correct basic genre of the film and similar films
• The main audience for this genre is……..because…….
• List a few conventions of this genre (basic genre)
• Identify (screen grabs) and explain how the trailer has at least 3-5 genre conventions.
• Identify subgenres of the film (hybrids extension)
• With 2 screen grabs, explain the denotation & connotation of the meaning in the screen grabs.
• How are people, places and/or objects being represented in the trailer?
• Explain the stereotypes (people, places and/or objects) in the trailer.
• Are the stereotypes challenged or reinforced? Explain how.
• Identify the context of your trailer. (social, historical, political, etc)

5. Assignment 2: Genre Analysis
“The Dark Knight Rises”

6. Identify (screen grabs) and explain how the
trailer has at least 3-5 genre conventions.
ACTION GENRE
Conventions Evidence Explanation
High action scenes
with spectacular
explosives
Write explanation here or….
Hero and villain
will fight
The villain will
nearly win at
some point
Hero meets a
beautiful woman
Or complete as annotations

7. Identify subgenres of the film
• The subgenre is Action/superhero.
• Other films in the same subgenre are:
Spiderman
Iron man
Superman

8. With 2 screen grabs, explain the denotation &
connotation of the meaning in the screen grabs.

9. With 2 screen grabs, explain the denotation &
connotation of the meaning in the screen grabs.

10. How are people, places and/or objects
being represented in the trailer?
The heroes are seen in locations which are represented as a glossy urban cities.
Dark, mysterious, sexy, glossy/shiny locations which
enhance the ‘allure’ (attraction/appeal) of Batman.
The city is represented as an urban/metropolitan
city which looks similar to New York.
Batman on top of building =
superiority
Seen from top angle (above
ground) which shows the
power of the city

11. How are people, places and/or objects
being represented in the trailer?
The villain (Bain) is represented as a threatening terrorist.
There are low angles to portray him as
threatening as he looks dominating
His mask is similar to a gas mask which could suggest
terrorism/threat.
It makes him look scary as some of his face is covered (not revealing
the ‘human side’
He is clearly threatening
someone here which typical
villains do (disregard for
people)
Facial expressions are angry and serious

12. Explain the stereotypes (people, places and/or
objects) in the trailer
In action films, there is often a stereotype that the male hero possesses
macho bikes/cars/airplanes that are high tech and do fancy tricks like
make things explode.
The bike has additional features such as
guns/weapons A very high tech flying device

13. Explain the stereotypes (people, places and/or
objects) in the trailer
In action films, there is often a stereotype that the male hero will
encounter a beautiful woman who is either seductive or helpless.
Sometimes, women are quite powerful themselves.
It is clear the woman is very seductive
(masquerade mask) and her flirty facial
expression……hiding identity like hero
In contrast, here she is shown as
powerful and able to fight (hiding
identity)
She is vulnerable here (no mask,
looking serious and high angle making
her look vulnerable

14. Are the stereotypes challenged or
reinforced? Explain how.
Stereotype Re-inforced Challenged
Villain as threatening X
Often, villains are shot in
low angles to make them
look more powerful
Beautiful woman X
She is a beautiful woman
who is slim, polished etc.
She is also vulnerable
which often the women in
action films need the male
hero to save them
X
She is also represented as a
powerful character who
can fight (fighting men!)
(similar to hero with mask
and strong)

15. Identify the context of your trailer
(social, historical, political etc)
• Terrorism is a common threat in today’s
society which is a predominant theme in the
film.
• The film is a typical action film predominantly
made for a male audience.

16. Options (pick from board)
GENRE FILM NAME
Drama Pursuit of Happiness
Drama 127 Hours
Comedy Ted
Horror Dawn of the Dead
Thriller Panic Room
Sci-fi Star Trek
Action Mission Impossible:
Ghost Protocol
Romance Brokeback Mountain
Western Django Unchained
Crime Taken
War/historical Braveheart
Musical Hairspray