The trailer summarizes the plot of the film "Mean Girls" and introduces the main characters. It shows Cady, a student from Africa, struggling to fit into her new high school in America. She befriends the popular clique known as the "Plastics" but eventually has a falling out with them. The trailer uses many techniques common to teen drama genres like stereotypes, focus on friendship and popularity, and features a climactic montage to build anticipation for the film's resolution. It concludes with the film title and studio logo as expected.

1. MEAN
GIRLSSIMILAR TEXT ANALYSES

2. The film ‘Mean Girls’ is based off Rosalind Wiseman’s non-fiction self-help book, ‘Queen Bees and
Wannabes’ on the damaging effects that high school cliques can have on girls. The American teen comedy
stars Lindsey Lohan as Cady, attending public school for the first time having spent twelve years in Africa
on a research trip with her parents and is faced with fitting in and finding friends. The trailer begins on a
humorous note, with Lohan’s character being introduced in a mid-shot as “a new student from Africa,”
which the teacher mistakes for an African American student. This shows us clearly that the film is very
stereotypical and follows the stereotypes of American high school and culture that we would expect to see
which is an indication of the teen drama genre as this is a very conventional genre in regard to
stereotypes. The initial setting of a classroom also indicates the teen drama genre, as a school is where
teens spend the majority of their time and therefore is relatable to the target audience.

3. Non-diegetic asynchronous first narration is used in the
trailer, with Cady introducing herself. This makes the
narrative more personal to the audience as they will feel
directly targeted, as if the narration is aimed at them by
being giving additional information such as Cady being
“sixteen.” Her introduction as a character is accompanied
by the slow cutting rate of film roll showing her in Africa.
This has been done to show that these are now just
recorded memories and her past, and that the narrative
is central to her current situation in high school. The non-
diegetic asynchronous sound effect of a camera flash to
accompany the changing images supports the idea of
Africa being in her past and gives us some context of her
character; she is not the stereotypical teen girl interested
in makeup and so tells the audience that she may have
trouble fitting in at school. The fast cutting rate followed
by this of her in high school contrasts with the slower
cutting rate of the images of Africa to emphasis the fast
paced drama filled nature of American high school, with
action and drama always happening that she will now
have to adapt to. The wide shot of the school corridor
supports the busy environment of high school, indicating
that Cady feels overwhelmed, being trapped in the
corridor. Damion helping her through at 0:18 shows us
that he is her real friend, rather than the Plastics - issues
with friendship being a theme of the movie.

4. Light-hearted instrumental pop music plays in the background of the beginning of the
trailer, stopping at the introduction of “the worst people you will meet.” The choice of
music supports the equilibrium of the trailer, with no issues having surfaced yet. As the
happy soundtrack is abruptly cut out at the introduction of the Plastics, it is clear that
they are the antagonists. Wide shots are used in the cafeteria at 0:24 to show the
number of different cliques. The close up of the plastics suggests that they are the most
important and popular; popularity being of importance in high school. Cliques are an
expected code and convention of teen dramas and so the use of so successfully aims the
film at the target audience. Cross cutting is used between Cady and the Plastics at 0:30,
from three shots to over the shoulder shots. Continuous back and forth cutting shows
the conversation from the point of view of both parties and the relationship they are
beginning to form. Acceptance of Cady is shown through the over the shoulder shot as
Regina is conversing with her. Contrast of the mid-shots during their conversation at
0:29 and the long shots of the cafeteria emphasis the actions of Regina picking Cady and
conversing with her out of everyone else; unexpected behaviour from the most popular
at school.

5. Hip-hop music is used at 0:37 to introduce the Plastics.
Considered to be mainstream, the use of this music
illustrates their popularity as well as the long shot of
them walking through a parted corridor. This contrasts
with the previous corridor scene of there being no
room; however, here room has been made for them
highlighting their importance of being at the centre of
the school. A cut to their legs shows them wearing
heels and skirts emphasising their femininity, this
being stereotypical dress for popular girls. They are
represented stereotypically to further showcase the
nature of their characters and to fit with conventional
features of teen dramas to aim themselves at their
target audience. On account of her big hair, Regina
knows “everyone’s secrets.” This shows her popularity
also as she can use secrets against people to get her
way as well as indicating to the light-hearted nature of
the film with another humorous element fitting with
the teen genre. Conventionally, wealth is also
associated with popularity, so the use of a car and
Regina living in a mansion like house further illustrates
the nature of the character, being privileged.
•

6. Subgenres of teen dramas conventionally include comedy and romance, which ‘Mean Girls’
successfully follows. The diegetic dialogue of “have you seen any guys you think are cute yet?” by
Gretchen to Cady introduces the element of romance to the film as well as the disequilibrium. A
close up of Cady at 1:14 supports her interest in Regina’s ex- boyfriend, with an intense facial
expression making her interest clear. A slight slow motion has been used here to emphasis her
interest, causing focus on this due to contrast with the rest of the fast paced trailer with a fast
cutting rate. Cady, Gretchen and Karen are all dressed in bright pink during this discussion adhering
to the stereotype of popular girls being overly girly, pink being considered a feminine colour,
supporting their conventional interest in boys. This also tells the audience that Cady has been
sucked in by the Plastics, leaving her real friends for those considered fake, evident by their name.
Rather than having her hair tied up and in a moss green seen in the beginning of the trailer, she is
dressed in pink wearing makeup and her hair down. This is an indication of her character
development and the influence of her new friends.

7. Teen issues are an aspect of the trailer, with Regina
wanting “to lose three pounds.” Weight is a common
issue within teen girls and so this narrative successfully
follows teen drama conventions and targets their
audience (teenage girls). Revenge is another common
theme of teen dramas, so Cady getting revenge on
Regina for kissing the boy she likes is expected
behaviour, making her character as a teenage girl more
believable and relatable. A drum beat is introduced at
1:53 making it the turning point of the trailer as this is
where the main action takes place as the pace picks up.
A succession of faster paced shots creates a
conventional montage, creating excitement for the
audience and anticipation of the outcome of the drama
which causes their interest in seeing the film to find out
where the narrative is headed and ends. A food fight,
crying, rain and screaming all contribute and add to this
montage, creating very dramatized events and
narrative. These are all loosely framed long shots to
illustrate the chaos at the time taking over all aspects
of the characters’ lives, emphasising just how bad and
out of hand these events are to the audience who are
then therefore enticed to view the film due to interest
in how things got so out of hand and how they will be
resolved.

8. An indication of the new equilibrium is created by the change in music to a happy upbeat
sounding pop music to show the change in narrative. Apologies are exchanged which shows
growth and character development, and a hint at the resolution of the narrative. A low angle
of Karen on stage highlights her remaining popularity as all attention is on her, supported by
being caught by the audience despite being in a vulnerable entrusting situation, seen through
the high angle of her being caught at 2:04. So though she is still popular, following the events
of the film she now is more entrusting and apologetic to those less popular, them now liking
and helping her. There is a continuation of the element of comedy with Gretchen claiming she
“can’t help being so popular.” She has changed little, supporting the lack of development in all
characters, a convention of teen dramas. Audiences may show an interest in the reasoning
behind this and chose to view the film because of it. A long shot shows no one catch her, with
the amplified asynchronous non diegetic sound of her hitting the floor to emphasis her crash.
The wide high angle used following this implies her new position of weakness as the social
dynamics of their school have changed. Rather than making way for her in corridors like
before, they let her fall. This may be enticing for audiences who have been mistreated in high
school, who would consider their change in behaviour brave and inspiring.
•

9. The film ends with the ‘Mean Girls’ film title
and the Paramount Pictures logo.
Conventionally film titles are placed at the
end of trailers and so this is the expected
place that viewers are expecting and
waiting to see it. This information allows
viewers to search the film further and find
out more information regarding it. The
institution logo is another conventional
feature which helps indicate to the nature
and quality of the film with reference to
other films they have produced. Having
produced other high quality popular films
such as Titanic, Forrest Gump and Mission
Impossible, ‘Mean Girls’ is automatically
assumed to be of a similar high quality
nature causing fans of pre-existing
Paramount films to entrust in it, causing
them to watch it.

10. The film ends with the ‘Mean Girls’ film title
and the Paramount Pictures logo.
Conventionally film titles are placed at the
end of trailers and so this is the expected
place that viewers are expecting and
waiting to see it. This information allows
viewers to search the film further and find
out more information regarding it. The
institution logo is another conventional
feature which helps indicate to the nature
and quality of the film with reference to
other films they have produced. Having
produced other high quality popular films
such as Titanic, Forrest Gump and Mission
Impossible, ‘Mean Girls’ is automatically
assumed to be of a similar high quality
nature causing fans of pre-existing
Paramount films to entrust in it, causing
them to watch it.