The document analyzes trailers from different movie genres and identifies common cinematography techniques used. For a comedy trailer like The Hangover, fast pacing and transitions between clips are used to pack a lot in similar to a horror trailer. For an action trailer like Skyfall, black inserts are used to flash between shots quickly and heighten the pace. Music is also important, using dramatic music for Skyfall and rock music to set the tone for comedies. Common techniques identified help establish genre expectations through visual conventions in movie trailers.

1. Trailers into different genres
Lauren Fitzsimons

2. Hangover – comedy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Two shot is used to show that there will be a group or more than one person this isn’t a film based
on a individual.
Tilts are used as a transition to change from one scene to another for example to the car scene this
is also shot from a low angle looking up at the car this means that they are powerful.
Fast pace clips are also used like that in a horror trailer however I think they have used this to signal
that there will be a lot packed in.
This trailer actually includes a lot of conventions that a horror one would have they flash every
quick to a range of different clips in a short amount of time this then transitions to black.
They have used effects like making it blurry after the black to signal what a hangover would be like
for example the fact there is a bit they cant remember taken out. To also signal this a pan has been
used to spin around the man this refers to his head spinning from the hangover.
This also includes a transitions such as fade to white to give the effect of a camera being flashed
also shows that the longer the trailer goes on they find more and more information out.
Other things that are used in this trailer art when they quicken the pace of the clip and they slow it
down this messes with the time scale and makes us confused which would happen in a hangover
they have portrayed this well in the trailer.
The music used is by Rhianna and is just live your life this is to show that they are out to have a
good time.
A lot of the music is done using a electric guitar which shows the rock and roll tone of the trailer.

3. Role models : comedy
•
•
•
•
•
•
At the start of the trailer we see the van/truck coming towards the camera on the
eye level whereas before it was placed in a high angle. They have used transitions
such as black inserts to show maybe they are wild. In this trailer they have also
used text inserts to tell the story quicker I think without these in this trailer it
would be hard to understand the storyline.
They have used two shots to show that they are best friends and that they are in
together this is usually linked with the use of expletives this is a convention used in
comedy films.
A shot reverse shot has been used here to highlight the fact that this film will be
moving quick.
A high angle is used when the lady who is there boss is talking to them in the
office I think this is to show that they have to be there and she is the boss.
Music : they have used rock and roll music at the start of this trailer I think this is
to show that this is a fast pace movie.
Other music used in this trailer is a lot of drum beats this shows that there is also
music that says ‘I believe the world is burning to the ground’ this refers to the job
they were doing before as they didn’t care much.

4. Sky fall – action
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The trailer starts very abrupt with dramatic music and to quicken the pace of a action film the
common convention was to use black inserts to flash from one shot to another.
A range of shots are used when the black inserts are inserted for example there is a crane shot of a
city street and a over the shoulder shot of a women about to shoot.
A point of view shot is also used it is the view finder of the gun this is done to show the amount of
weapons and technology that they have.
Eye line shots are also used for example when the lady is looking at the computer screen we see
her then down to the screen this is done to show the technology of the secret agents.
There are interesting shots and colour design used in this trailer – when James bond is about to
shot he is lurking in the shadows but we can only see his silhouette this is to show the mysterious
nature of agents.
A over the should shot is used when Bond is captured this is to show him vulnerable and we are
interested in how he got there and how is he going to escape.
A wide shot is used when Bond is out on the roof looking at London he has his back to us in this
shot he is showing pride or power that he is keeping the city safe.
The famous Bond theme tune is played over the top of the quick pace editing with the use of black
inserts and quick clips that have been fasted up. The music starts slow and relaxed then it quickens
to match the action pace getting louder and louder which subsides at the end of the trailer.

5. Inception : action
• A eye line match is used in this trailer where the spinning top is going but
first we see him this is to show that this will be a feature or element the
fact that something will fall this means suspense is caused.
• A voice over is also used this signals it is a film about the mind as we are
listening into his as he says ‘the most resilient parasite is a idea’.
• A over the shoulder shot is used when the man is looking out of the
window this shows that he is almost controlling it as he doesn’t panic
when he sees fire.
• The use of time is also a big factor in this trailer as the food items slow
down when they are sitting in the café. I think this is used to show that
this film is packed with optical illusions and has many elements of action
conjoined.
• There is at the beginning eerry music as the trailer moves on we hear it
change to more instruments including violins these are known for being
for fast pace action. This music continues most of the trailer however it
gets faster when the action shots are being shown this subsides when the
eerry music kicks back in at the end.

6. Alien sci fi
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
At the beginning we are shown stars as we move through we already are shown this is going to be a
sci fi film this is very clear throughout.
Track shot moving across the floor which is made to look like the moon surface this gives us an
indication again of the background and the setting.
No sound just a heart beat type noise getting quicker and slower
High pitched noise is played over the heart beat sound effect this is to combine the aliens with fear.
Point of view of computer to show the humans tracking the aliens and hunting them out this
already causes suspense as from the trailer it seems they are fighting back.
Track when they are running through tunnel here we are following them through the tunnel this
causes suspense for us as we cant see what they are running from. We also are in the dark so we
cant see much apart from lights this makes us confused but also very nervous.
Wide shot of aliens coming towards the camera we can now see them in their own environment
and their anger when people have invaded it.
Sirens getting louder and louder when action kicks in this signals the technology but also indicates
the danger element as we associate sirens with that of emergency forces.
High shot going down tunnel shows being vulnerable as we see him disappearing into the dark we
feel nervous as we don’t know what is down there.
Cat screams then alien screams are heard noisy then subsides so that text can be added ‘in space
no one can hear you scream’ this at the end creates a powerful effect.

7. 27 dresses: chick flick
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Transitions such as wipe are used when the phone rings this is a commonly saw convention In girly
films because it highlights the drama of different peoples lives all intertwined. This is another way
of keeping action moving just like a horror would use black inserts this will use obvious transitions.
Text is used to give us a understanding that she is the bridesmaid and not the bride.
Fade to white is used as transitions like a camera when she is catching the bouquet I think this is to
show the job of the wedding photographer. She also had a bump on the head could represent her
being confused.
Two shots to show the friends together this is a stereotypical representation of girls being bitchy as
they are normally shot in either two or groups.
Two shot of the couple she doesn’t want to get together this is important proxemics because she is
standing in-between them this shows this is a awkward situation.
Split screens of her trying on dresses this is another common convention also as seen in wild child
this is another way to show action.
Point of view shot of outside the window looking in at her sister shows jealousy of her getting
married .
Voice over talking about her looking after everyone else helps us understand the story this I think is
a really clear trailer as it has text inserts as well.

8. Miss congeniality : chick flick
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Car’s high pitched noise is to show a rush of FBI agents and the life she had before
also shows a contrast in the beauty queen lifestyle.
Rock and roll music at the beginning to show the tough lifestyle of the FBI agents.
Point of view shot of computer screen and agents in a dress on there this shows
that the men couldn’t do the job as it’s a beauty competition and a women can
only do it.
Over the shoulder shot in the mirror looking at herself this shows the girly need to
look perfect with the help of hair and make up.
Slow motion when she is walking towards the camera outside after make over this
shows she looks good after her transformation and we begin to come interested in
what she is going to do next.
Two shot of her and the man to show romance this is another commonly saw
convention to have romance in a girly film.
Music is ‘I feel like a women’ this is girly music which presents the girly genre and
her transformation from FBI to beauty queen.
Other lines in the film is ‘come on girls’ this highlights the stereotypical girls that
stick together.