This document analyzes how the media product, a film trailer, uses and develops conventions of real film trailers. It discusses how the trailer uses a variety of settings, costumes, props, shots, editing effects and genre cues to portray the narrative and characters. While following many conventions like multiple locations and a dramatic climax, it challenges some conventions by revealing the title before the end and using effects like flashbacks not normally seen in romantic drama trailers.

1. IN WHAT WAY DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT,
USE AND DEVELOP, OR CHALLENGE FORMS
AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA
PRODUCTS

2. SETTING

3. SETTING
 When filming our trailer we decided to use many different shots, these
both being external and internal settings. We followed conventions of
film trailers for setting because in many film trailer they use a variety of
settings and locations.
 We wanted to create a sense of realism within our trailer which
enabled us to portray the narrative effectively.
This location in particular is important in our
trailer because this is the location we see
first and then return back to this location,
which suggests the importance of this.
It is used to reveal the relationship between
the main characters but also reveals the
narrative of the trailer towards the end.

4. TITLE OF THE FILM
 For the title of our trailer we developed the key conventions
of trailers slightly. Normally the title of the film is the last
frame we see, however we decided to put the title of the film
3 shots before the end. We did this as it meant that we were
able to hear the title spoken via the voice over as well as
seeing it visually on screen. We then followed this with a
poignant shot of the female character. The trailer ends on
the release date of the film.

5. COSTUME &
PROPS

6. COSTUME & PROPS
 Due to our genre there was no costume in particular that
we felt would follow the conventions. However in
particular scenes it was important we dressed our actors
in a particular way. For example when Melissa is in bed,
we needed to make sure we had her in clothing suitable
to the situation. Therefore we dressed her in an oversized
shirt so she looked comfortable. Also we felt that the
therapist should be dressed smart in order to show his
authority. Therefore we dressed him in a suit to show is
power and dominance.
 Props we used were flowers and a phone. The phone
enabled us to show who the main character was calling.
This helped to portray the narrative. The flowers helped to
show the romantic relationship between the characters as
well as follow the key conventions of romantic films.

7. CAMERAWORK

8. CAMERAWORK
 Within our trailer we used a variety of shot types including mid-
shots, close ups and a zoom on to a subject. This was
following key conventions of film trailers.
In particular this shot we positioned the
camera to create empathy for the main
camera. We did a high angle shot, which
made the female character look weak which
fits in with narrative of the trailer.
This shot is also effective, as it is a
birds- eye shot of the couple. This
helped to establish the relationship, and
it also enabled us to create a picnic like
situation in the studio due to the
weather.

9. EDITING/SPECIAL
EFFECTS

10. EDITING/ SPECIAL EFFECTS
 We challenged the key conventions of film trailers in the
romantic genre. Normally in romantic drama genre there
is not many special effects used.
 We used special effects to create a dream like state as
well as a flashback effect.
We used an effect on this section to create a
flashback effect. We did this by changing the
hue and saturation levels and adding overlay of
lights on top of the video.
We used this effect to create a dream-
like state, we did this by increasing the
brightness levels on the video, to create
a dream-like situation.

11. GENRE
 We established genre through mise-en-scene. We followed the key conventions of
romantic drama trailers by adding props that have connotations of romance.
The romantic prop of flower is a classic prop used in
many romantic drama trailer.
Romantic body language such as dancing and holding
hands.
Eye contact between the two main characters suggests
intimacy.
With additional shots like the one to the right which
suggest the drama side of the hybrid genre. Shots
that show despair, emotion and anger.

12. NARRATIVE AND CHARACTERS
 We are introduced to the two main character
in the first frames of the film, we are also they
are able to portray some of the narrative
which helps us see the romantic relationship.
This is shown through the body language of
the characters and eye contact.
We are then introduced to two more characters, these
being Melissa friend and also a therapist. We used the
mise-en-scene of these shots to establish a
relationship between these characters. Firstly
Melissa’s friend, we positioned this in a relaxed and
informal environment. There body language is relaxed
and they are comfortable within each others company.
In contrast to this Melissa and the therapist have very
different relationship. In these scenes we are in a
much more formal setting and the body language is
formal.

13. KEY CONVENTIONS
 The majority of our trailer follows the key conventions of film
trailers. We have followed many key convention including
the use of many locations and numerous variety of shots.
 In terms of the developing key conventions of film trailers,
the dramatic climax is normally positioned at the end,
however we decided to position this slightly before the end.
This enabled us to place a poignant shot at the end to draw
in the audience this is known as the killer punch..
 We also challenged the key convention of film trailers by
positioning the name of the title is not positioned at the end
of the film. This is instead positioned after the dramatic
climax and the last shot we see is the release date.