The document analyzes the visual, narrative, enigma, and audio codes used in the trailers for three gangster films: Black Mass, Legend, and Gangster Squad. For each film, the analysis summarizes how the trailer uses visual techniques like lighting and shot structure, a voiceover narrative, ambiguous clips to generate questions, and an intense musical score to engage audiences while hinting at but not fully revealing the plot. The goal of these codes in all three trailers is to draw viewers in without giving away the entire story.

1. Codal Analysis
Isaac Randall

2. Black Mass

3. Visual Code
 The trailer immediately starts with an aerial establishing shot of the
setting of the film (Boston). The trailer then uses around 40
seconds of one clip from the film. The clip creates a calming
atmosphere through this dinner scene however, the audience
suspects the atmosphere to change quickly.
 The shots then get shorter and change more rapidly increasing the
pace of the trailer. The trailer uses dark and low lighting shots
mixed with graphic images of violence in order to convey the genre
to the audience.
 The costumes of the main characters also help to convey the
genre. The leather jacket and the other outfits worn help to give an
insight into the main characters and also the time period that the
text is set in.

4. Narrative Codes
 The narrative is only hinted at through the voice over
used in the trailer. The narrative is not specifically
stated throughout however what is used helps to
convey genre.
 The trailer uses text in order to show that the film is a
true story and gives an insight into the “notorious” main
character.

5. Enigma Codes
 The trailer uses short clips towards the end of the trailer
in order to create unanswered questions and draw the
audience in, making them want to see the film upon its
release.
 The audience are unaware of who the characters are in
the film and it is only assumed that Johnny Depp’s
character is the main one in the film.
 The voice over in the trailer also creates enigma as the
audience is unaware of what the characters are
referring to in detail.

6. Audio Codes
 The trailer uses a voice over as well as intense music
in order to create tension and convey genre
throughout.
 The voice over also is important, as previously stated, it
creates unanswered questions in order to draw the
audience in.
 The music also creates a tense atmosphere alongside
the visual, which further engages the audience.

7. Legend

8. Visual Codes
 The trailer begins in a club using an establishing shot,
conveying the genre through dark colors and lighting.
Shortly after this an ariel establishing shot of London
skyline is used in order to show the location that the
film is set in.
 The text uses a mixture of longer and shorter shots,
similar to that of Black Mass, getting shorter and more
fast paced at the end of the trailer building tension.

9. Narrative Codes
 The trailer uses a voice over in order to convey the
narrative to the audience and text to assert who is
playing the roles of the famous main characters.
 The trailer does however, use some longer segments
that have been taken from the film which help to create
an ambiguous sense of narrative and story line.

10. Enigma Code
 The trailer uses various shots in quick concession in
order to create ambiguity about what the film is actually
about. It is identified that it is about the Kray Twins,
however, if you are not familiar with the story of the
Twins then you will not know the story from the trailer
itself.
 The trailer also uses a voice over, similarly to Black
Mass, therefore creating some unanswered questions
throughout, grabbing the audiences attention.

11. Audio Codes
 The trailer, as previously stated, uses a voice over and
a music track suited to the genre (a rock, up beat,
intense track).
 The trailer uses a lot of speech from the film however,
they are only segments to create ambiguity further.
 The trailer also employs the use of music in order to
create a action style intense atmosphere, making the
audience excited to see the film.

12. Gangster Squad

13. Visual Codes
 The trailer uses a variety of short sharp shots that accompany the voice
over throughout the trailer. They do not give a huge insight into the story
of the film, but give more of an aesthetically pleasing experience, enticing
the audience.
 The trailer also uses setting and costume in order to convey the genre
and also the time period, allowing the audience to get more of a specific
idea of what the film is about, however, keeping some ambiguity.
 The lighting in the trailer is very shadowy, low key lighting in order to
create tension. The trailer also uses slow motion when the antagonist is
boxing, creating a more dramatic feel, supported by the use of graphic
violence, again confirming genre.

14. Narrative Codes
 Similarly to the other trailers, a voice over is used in
order to convey the narrative. The trailer doesn't’t
actually convey the story specifically but states that
“Los Angeles is in distress”, providing a direction that
the film will surely go in.
 The trailer doesn’t use long shots throughout to do this
but uses a voice over that is accompanied by specific
scenes.

15. Enigma Codes
 The trailer like many others uses enigma codes
throughout to ensure that the audience is not told the
story in its entirety, but that it only hints at it. Meaning
that the audience have to see the film to know what is
happening.
 The trailer uses more ambiguity around the characters,
introducing the antagonist but not really the
protagonists, again creating unanswered question.

16. Audio Codes
 The trailer uses an intense soundtrack in order to
create an atmosphere throughout. It also uses a voice
over similarly to the other two trailers, therefore linking
to narrative codes and enigma codes also.
 The trailer uses various diegetic sound effect linked to
the genre also, such as gun shots, explosions and car
sounds, again conveying genre and appealing to the
target audience.