The trailer introduces Jane, the main character who has been a bridesmaid 27 times but has never been married herself. It reveals that she meets Kevin, a man who does not believe in marriage, and he helps her while she continues to support her friends' weddings. Scenes show Jane and Kevin interacting at a wedding and discussing her many dresses. The trailer establishes the film's romantic comedy genre through its use of pink fonts, blue backgrounds, and lighthearted dialogue between Jane and her friends about relationships and marriage. It concludes by announcing the film's release date in the style of a wedding invitation.

1. 27 DRESSES (2008)
Textual Analysis

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV1-pePln_I
The official trailer of ‘27 Dresses’.
Again, this acts as a
disclaimer, the common thing
to have as an official trailer.
The first character to show up signifies that
a female as main character. The wedding
dress behind her describes the place setting
she’s in, giving the clue for the film’s title
and obviously it is related to this girl. The
voice asking ‘Jane is that you’, introducing
the main character’s name.

3. The written code alternates with the shot that is related to it to make
it looks like the main character is getting married.

4. But then…
The written code tells everything,
especially the main part of the film.
To inform the audience, Jane is only a
bridesmaid breaking the thought of
audience who might think that she’s
getting married.
The font, font colour, and the background used in order to convey the written codes
conforms the codes & conventions of a romance genre. Pink connotes soft and innocence
which can also signifies as pure love. This could define the main character, Jane. The sky
blue as a background strongly associated with tranquility and calmness. As opposed
together, pink and blue, these are perfect combination bring out the consciousness and
intellect which could be a clue for this film. The written code used to describe the character
at first, then it replaces by voice over explaining the character in details.

5. Then reveals another character that’s
helping Jane, this suggests that he is the
hero in the film and will be the character
that goes alongside Jane’s character. This
shot is where they meet each other for the
first time by listening to their conversation,
introducing themselves.
The long shot indicates the place
setting for the film which is New York
City. This can be identified by looking
at the well-known yellow taxi.

6. ‘Very refreshing, A man who doesn’t believe
in marriage’ from what Jane said, this
describes the male character which
contradicts with the Jane’s character
especially when she’s working as a
bridesmaid.
Introducing the production companies that
working on this film to produce it
successfully. To notify the audience about the
films is made by well-known production
companies especially 20th Century Fox is one
of the big companies in filming industry.

7. These shots
symbolize where
the title of the film
comes from. Kevin
says 27 dresses,
which probably
describes Jane who
has 27 dresses.

8. The voice over saying ‘Jane was good in
taking care of everyone, but she never
took care of herself.’ describes in detail
the personality of Jane to get the
audience blend in and understand the
trailer before they watch the film.
In romantic comedy genre, there
is always a best friend that helps
the main character in the film.
We can conclude that she is the
best friend of Jane since she’s
the one who is always giving
advices to Jane based on the
trailer.

9. To lure the audience that this film
will be good by announcing the
screenwriter who has work on a
famous or successful film before. To
let the audience ‘believe’ or have
‘confidence’ in watching the film, and
it’s not going to waste their time.
They only introduce the main
character for the audience to know
using cute fonts with pink colour.
This font again symbolizes the genre.

10. R.S.V.P – To make it as if it’s a
wedding card invitation, a creative
way, related to the film to tell the
audience when is the film will be
released. Small production
company logos at the bottom sides
of the ‘wedding invitation’ and
official website of the movie
included.
The non-diegetic background music used – in order to set the mood of the trailer
and show that what is happening in a way in which appeals to the audience.
Editing used for transition is not heavy, which will apply to the genre because this
film doesn’t have very intense storyline unlike the horror genre. The most common
transition used in the trailer; crossfade, cut or fade to black (to change the scenes).