Title/Credit Convention Research 
Tayla Humphris
Titles/Credits 
The title is most often then not shown towards the end of the trailer. 
Other titles that give the audience information is shown throughout. 
Credits acknowledge the people that helped making the film. Often it is the director 
that is given most credit in the trailer. At the end of a trailer credit is given to the 
production, distribution and other cast.
What they say/are about 
Reviews: 
Critics reviews can be essential in a trailer as a critics 
review is generally based on not only their own opinion 
but what audiences would make of it. It makes audiences 
decisions easier when deciding whether to see the film 
or not. 
Critics comment on the actors performances to the plot
Credits: 
Featuring ‘Based on a true story’ immediately 
attracts audiences to the unknown. It appeals 
to audiences as to what had actually happened 
and it intrigues them to find out more 
information. 
‘Academy Award Winning Director’ of a 
successful film captivates audiences. If their 
previous film had been a success what is to say 
their next one wont? 
Release Date: 
This simply informs audiences when the film will 
be released but to also keep an eye out for when 
it is finally released.
Who? 
Whether the trailer is for a blockbuster film elite actors will always be acknowledge ,because 
audiences can be familiar with that actors work. It also allows for fan bases to be attracted by 
the trailer.
The production and distribution companies are 
featured majority of the time at the beginning of the 
trailer and is normally the first thing that is shown. 
The funding that they give allows them to do so 
The well known directors/producers are 
sometimes not even named but their awards 
and success in previous films is acknowledge. 
Their success attracts audiences who know they 
wont be disappointed.
Why? 
The purpose of the title is to give limited information to the audiences. With this 
limited information it creates enigma and therefore attracts audiences. 
The purpose of credits is to give acknowledgment to those who helped create the 
film. Director, co-team and distribution and production companies are all given a 
feature within the trailer.
When? 
Titles and Credits duration would range from 3-5 seconds. This is enough time for the 
audiences to read what is on the screen. 
The production and distribution companies would generally feature at the beginning 
of the trailer. 
Main actors and a well known director i.e Michael Bay attract a wide range of 
audiences from fan bases who are familiar with their success. 
The title of the film is more often then not shown at the end of the trailer so that it is 
not easily forgotten.
Where? 
The production and distribution companies would generally feature at the beginning of the 
trailer. 
Main actors and a well known director i.e. Michael Bay attract a wide range of audiences from 
fan bases who are familiar with their success. 
The title of the film is more often then not shown at the end of the trailer so that it is not 
easily forgotten.
Narrative Structure & Enigmas 
Through titles there is enough information given to create enigmas for the audiences. 
Who? What? When? Where? Why? 
Some trailers address the audience directly to get a real feel of what to expect in the 
film. In the Horror genre it gives audiences the adrenaline to watch more and see 
what happens (this creates enigma)
How do they fit in with 
genre/subgenre? 
For example: Mission Impossible is a Action/Thriller/ The titled is motioned 
to count down from 5 seconds and then explode like a bomb. This reflects 
what happens in the film and fits the conventions of its genre.
How? 
Different genres affect the choice of font, colour and size. 
The horror genre typically use a dark background with either white or red bold text that 
stands out. Usually the font would feature blood or the red colouring and would connote this 
a symbol of blood

Title and credits conventions

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Titles/Credits The titleis most often then not shown towards the end of the trailer. Other titles that give the audience information is shown throughout. Credits acknowledge the people that helped making the film. Often it is the director that is given most credit in the trailer. At the end of a trailer credit is given to the production, distribution and other cast.
  • 3.
    What they say/areabout Reviews: Critics reviews can be essential in a trailer as a critics review is generally based on not only their own opinion but what audiences would make of it. It makes audiences decisions easier when deciding whether to see the film or not. Critics comment on the actors performances to the plot
  • 4.
    Credits: Featuring ‘Basedon a true story’ immediately attracts audiences to the unknown. It appeals to audiences as to what had actually happened and it intrigues them to find out more information. ‘Academy Award Winning Director’ of a successful film captivates audiences. If their previous film had been a success what is to say their next one wont? Release Date: This simply informs audiences when the film will be released but to also keep an eye out for when it is finally released.
  • 5.
    Who? Whether thetrailer is for a blockbuster film elite actors will always be acknowledge ,because audiences can be familiar with that actors work. It also allows for fan bases to be attracted by the trailer.
  • 6.
    The production anddistribution companies are featured majority of the time at the beginning of the trailer and is normally the first thing that is shown. The funding that they give allows them to do so The well known directors/producers are sometimes not even named but their awards and success in previous films is acknowledge. Their success attracts audiences who know they wont be disappointed.
  • 7.
    Why? The purposeof the title is to give limited information to the audiences. With this limited information it creates enigma and therefore attracts audiences. The purpose of credits is to give acknowledgment to those who helped create the film. Director, co-team and distribution and production companies are all given a feature within the trailer.
  • 8.
    When? Titles andCredits duration would range from 3-5 seconds. This is enough time for the audiences to read what is on the screen. The production and distribution companies would generally feature at the beginning of the trailer. Main actors and a well known director i.e Michael Bay attract a wide range of audiences from fan bases who are familiar with their success. The title of the film is more often then not shown at the end of the trailer so that it is not easily forgotten.
  • 9.
    Where? The productionand distribution companies would generally feature at the beginning of the trailer. Main actors and a well known director i.e. Michael Bay attract a wide range of audiences from fan bases who are familiar with their success. The title of the film is more often then not shown at the end of the trailer so that it is not easily forgotten.
  • 10.
    Narrative Structure &Enigmas Through titles there is enough information given to create enigmas for the audiences. Who? What? When? Where? Why? Some trailers address the audience directly to get a real feel of what to expect in the film. In the Horror genre it gives audiences the adrenaline to watch more and see what happens (this creates enigma)
  • 11.
    How do theyfit in with genre/subgenre? For example: Mission Impossible is a Action/Thriller/ The titled is motioned to count down from 5 seconds and then explode like a bomb. This reflects what happens in the film and fits the conventions of its genre.
  • 12.
    How? Different genresaffect the choice of font, colour and size. The horror genre typically use a dark background with either white or red bold text that stands out. Usually the font would feature blood or the red colouring and would connote this a symbol of blood