1) Film trailers typically include certain codes and conventions such as showing the title of the film towards the end to help viewers remember it. 2) They also usually display the release date/information towards the end to generate interest and encourage viewers to watch the film. 3) Production logos are often the first thing viewers see in a trailer and can provide clues about the genre and quality of the film based on the production company's reputation.

1. Codes and
conventions in
Trailers - General
By Josephine Pobee

2. Title of film
The title of the film occurs in every
trailer. Most of the time it shows
towards the end. This helps the viewer
to remember the title of the film as it is
one of the last things they see in the
trailer therefore more likely that they
will remember the film name. Here we
see some examples from the films
inception, Think like a man, Takers,
Temptations, The Great Gatsby and As
above so below. All of them have the
names shown towards the end of the
trailer and are designed to fit in with
the genre of the film. One example
shown is ‘Think like a man two’,
because the film is set in Vegas and is a
comedy the font and the way it is
designed gives the audience an idea of
what the film will include.

3. Release Date/Info
Most film trailers will show the
release date info also towards the end
of the trailer to try and get as many
viewers as possible to want to watch
the film. On the left we see that the
film ‘The guest’ & ‘The Phone Booth’
Both decided to put coming/visiting
soon. This can help the audience
understand that the film promoted is
soon approaching. Not specifying the
audience about the actual date like the
film ‘After Earth’ and ‘The other
women’ can make the audience more
interested about the film as they have
just seen an exciting trailer but then
do not even know the actual dates of
the release therefore they may be even
more intrigued because they will want
to know the release information.

4. Production Logos
Production logos are an important part
of making trailers. They are usually the
first thing that the audience see when
watching a trailer. Most production
company’s may have a reputation of
the types of films they produce usually,
therefore by having the production
logo showing it can help the audience
to know what to expect in the movie
shown in the trailer being shown. The
advantage is that if a certain
production company is enjoyed by a
certain member of audience then it is
likely for them to want to go and watch
the film shown in the trailer. The
production company logo can also
indicate what type of genre the film
will be.

5. Inter-title/Narrative
This is narration in which
helps to explain the storyline
of a trailer. It can help draw
the audience in more as
usually the writing is in bold
and catches the audience’s
eyes. Here we see an example
from ‘The other women’. The
text can seem like a mini
narrative in which has
missing parts and doesn't tell
the whole story therefore it
makes the audience want to
see the rest of the story
revealed and be resolved.
Text

6. Music/Sound
Music is one of the very main things when creating a
trailers. It helps to tell the audience what genre the film is
by creating a certain tone and atmosphere. It also sets the
speed for the trailer as the pace of the trailer changes
therefore the music can help make the scenes more
effective by making a change in pace through out.
With the sounds some trailers have voice overs and can
seem like a guide to help the audience understand what is
happening. Sometimes it can be actual sections of dialogue
playing over film.

7. Introducing main
Character
Another common convention seen
in most movie trailers is having the
main character/characters one of the
things the audience sees. And
throughout the trailer they will get
the most screen time. This can
sometimes help attract an audience
to want to watch a certain film
because of a certain celebrity/actor
they know in the film and can also
help them know straight away who
the main character is and
understand the story. Here we can
see an example from the film ‘Rio’
the first character we see is him
therefore the audience knows who
the film is about right from the start.

8. Faded transitions
Sometimes the faded transitions go into a black out
(fast paced). Like the example shown above from the
film ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘Fast & Furious 6’ this
can help create the sense of scenes are moving
forward through time.