The document discusses some key codes and conventions used in film trailers. It explains that trailers typically begin with production information and age ratings/warnings to provide context and indicate what audiences the film is suitable for. Trailers then introduce main characters and highlight exciting or interesting plot points and moments to generate interest. Music and narration are used to set tones and moods that reflect the intended feelings of the film. Overall, trailers aim to attract audiences by promoting a film's stars, stories, and quality through conforming to standard structures and techniques.

1. Codes and conventions of
film trailers

2. The beginning
• The start of trailers all begin with the same thing , production information
and age restrictions and warnings.
• Big companies have higher budgets for there production information and it
makes the film look better and can appeal more to audiences
• This helps build reputations of big companies
• They are used to show who made the movie and who was responsible for
producing it

3. Age restrictions and warnings can show many
things such as the certificate eg PG , 12 , 15,
18 or if it is restricted or not, either way it
gives and indication like at the beginning of
films of the certificate
Production information and credits are shown to
inform the viewers of who made the Film and did
production , more well known companies with
higher budgets will have recognisable ones that
may be better
Conventions
• Film production Logos
• BBFC age certification
• Film title
• Social media webistes

4. Certificates of films
After looking at the British board of classification website I found the defining chart about ratings ,
these are more likely to be at the beginning of a film however if there is a trailer made about the film
it may have to follow some of the same guidelines so it is only scene by the right audience.
These are the Uk ratings however other countries may have different ones , however if a film is
produced and viewed in different countries the rating can most defiantly transferred to make sure it
reaches the right audience in that country as well.
There are different systems put in place in other countries for example
• America –PG ( 1-12) , PG-13 ( 13-16) , R ( 17) , NC-17 ( 18- 21)
• Australia- PG/G ( 1-14) , M/ MA15+ (15-27) 16+ and X18=

5. Characters
• Character introductions – A Narrator/ voice over can verbally show the
character within the film in the trailer this will correspond to clips of them to
visually show the audience
• In theory this is just the trailer lining up the cast
an example of this is in the trailer forThe DUFF , we get introduced the main
characters better looking friends( in her opinion( which is shown through the
narration), Her self , the Jock and the popular girl of the school who all play key
roles this is to inform the audience of there relevance in the story.

6. Sound
• There are two different kinds of sound within a trailer
• Music- Music is used to set a feel to the trailer , the music can be used to add a fast
pace and set the emotions. Different kinds of music can reflect different feelings. Slow
music can show sadness and fast music can show tension , these are used to take
advantage of people senses to great a feeling
• Narration and voice overs- these are used to show opinions and view points of
characters this can help gain opinions however it could be biased.This can show a line
up of characters and opinions on them these are good to gain insight about Characters.

7. Plot in correlation
• Films have to be well structured and interesting this is shown through the trailer
• Trailers will show the most interesting parts to grab the attention of viewers
• information is key like cast, credit and studio information
• In trailers showing of key and major stars who feature in the film may be an
effective way of promotion and a good way to sell the film having them in the
trailer shows the people there part of the film
• It will show the unique selling points
• And highlight the best moments

8. Importance of text
• Production titles are important to highlight the company , it can help quality by
how good the company is
• The title- this tells the viewers what they are hopefully interested in , they can find
my research and remember the name for when it comes out in cinemas
• Actors-The people in the film could be an indication of the quality, this could be
one the films unique selling points depending on the fame of the cast
• Age certificates – safety and guidelines