The trailer for the neo-noir film "3 Days to Kill" uses various techniques to establish genre conventions and build intrigue. It begins with an establishing shot of Paris at dusk and includes voiceover from the main character. The trailer challenges expectations through a comedic scene and uses lighting, editing, and camerawork to depict tension. It also features icons of the genre like a female fatale and weapons to position the film as fitting within the neo-noir tradition.

1. 3 DAYS TO KILL
KATIE COSTELLO

2. Trailer analysis
At the beginning of the trailer a conforming establishing shot pans
the scenic view of an urban city, Paris. It occurs at dusk suggesting
many scenes in the film will fall at night building the trailers sense of
enigma. The camera movement somewhat circles the cities
skyscrapers suggesting themes of wealth and business. The shadows
in the shot cascade over the city below where as the skyscrapers are
enlightened by sunbeams, this may infer the hierarchy of power
within the film suggesting the lower class, yet innocent people, are
those who get hurt.

3. VOICE OVER
The non-diegetic voiceover overlays the montage of clips from the
perspective of a character of whom we trust. The voice creates an
enigmatic atmosphere due to the content of the dialogue and the husky
undertones of the character. Majority of the diegetic dialogue in the clip
changes to non-diegetic as it turns into a sound bridge cutting to clips of
the content of the dialogue.

4. This trailer challenges the typical trailer and conventions of a normal neo noir film through
the inclusion of diegetic comedic dialogue in the scene involving the ‘Italian chef.’ The
inclusion of this scene promotes the film to have light hearted elements and as a result
more versatile to a variety of audiences broadening the typically niche genre. The camera
shots in this scene begin close up, this exaggerates the fearful facial expressions and
showcases the nervous sweat on the victim’s face. This is then juxtaposed when the non-
diegetic backing track is cut off by the sound motif of the trigger of the gun. The silence
emphasises the importance of the dialogue and the camera switches to a wide shot to fully
capture the comedic element by the location of the scene.
Challenging the conventions

5. At the beginning of the trailer a three way split screen occurs implying
multiple scenes of action are occurring at once. This montage of
synchronised footage suggests there are many branches contributing to
the narrative suggesting the film has a complex and intellectual plot line
for audiences to immerse themselves in. This fulfils the uses and
gratification of escapism once again.

6. In one sequence involving a suggested strip club chiaroscuro lighting occurs. This highlights the protagonists discomfort
in the scene. Because of this it is suggested that characters will be ‘pushed to their limits’ and audiences will witness
scenes of tension and discomfort themselves. The shades of blue depict the emotion of sadness and isolation typical
emotions characters face when within a neo noir film.
A generic convention of a neo noir film is for its trailer it feature an analepsis. This is prominent in the three days to kill
trailer with flashbacks and flash-forwards featured throughout. The flashbacks are made evident through various jump
cuts to different lines of action and multiple fade to blacks implying the passing of time and a shift in location.

7. FEMALE FATALE
The female fatale character is a convention of neo
noir films. Her costume of a dark trench coat
connotes a sense of power also reinforced by her
icy hair and bold red lip creating a dominating
presence.

8. TENSION
DYNAMIC
Further conventions conforming to the neo noir
genre are the multiple camera angles utilised
throughout the trailer. Multiple obscured scenes
and inverted frames contribute to the making of the
genre accompanied by Dutch angles. They are
featured in a montage of shots where a fade
transition is used to highlight the confusion of the
character. These angles provide an insight to the
delusional state he is exhibited to be in and creates
an erratic feel to the trailer.
ABSTRACT ERRATIC
UNSTABLE
MENTAL PICTURE

9. OVER THE SHOULDER
The over the shoulder shot positioned behind the main protagonist when looking at
his daughter evokes emotion amongst audiences. The shot suggests we will feel
compassion for his character and form a relationship through understanding his
viewpoint and being supportive of it.

10. FONTS
The non diegetic soundtrack of
the trailer runs parallel to the
editing screened. For example, as
the text enters the screen it is
amplified by an increase in beat
and sound of the backing track.
The entrance of the text fly in
from either side of the screen
followed by a colour trail of reds,
oranges and yellows. The colours
connote a sense of urgency and
danger heightening the tension
amongst audiences. This use of
colours makes the text seem
alarming and of importance so
are acknowledged greatly by the
audiences in return.

11. Iconography throughout the film consists of
high class weaponry such as the foot
detonated bomb, guns and violence. Further
iconography of neo noir is the dark yet
professional clothing worn by the actors and
elements of drug use (even though medical.)
These components together succeed in
creating a trailer fitting to the genre.