The trailer for the comedy film White Chicks uses various film techniques to introduce the plot and characters. It begins by establishing the two main characters as FBI agents who are given an undercover assignment to pose as wealthy white socialites. Various shots are used to highlight their transformation into the titular "white chicks" and the comedic discomfort that ensues from two black men passing as white women. The trailer effectively teases the fish-out-of-water story and struggle for the characters to settle into their new roles through dialogue, costumes, and their reactions. It concludes by identifying the film's director and genre to set audience expectations of a comedic take on gender bending and racial identity.

1. WHITE CHICKS TRAILER ANALYSIS
Key:
Camera Sound
Editing Mise-en-Scene

2. As is the case in most movies, the distribution/production information
is given at the start of the trailer. Through this, the audience is easily
able to identify the institution responsible for the film.
These companies have the ideologies of wealth and popularity, and
this implies that the movie will be using expensive sets and costumes.

3. Opens with a close-up of Shawn
& Marlon Wayans. This shot
allows for audience to see their
clothing and the background.
Background indicates they’re in a
supermarket, whilst their plain
clothing and badge around their
necks indicates they’re FBI
agents. The same is confirmed
through the voiceover.
Trailer begins with
an “action”
sequence, in slow-
motion. This adds
comedic value, as
it exaggerates and
parodies the
“action” scene.

4. There is a voiceover throughout the entire
trailer. This helps to add comedic value, as
the voice is significantly slowed down and
the pronunciation is highly exaggerated.
This indicates again that this is a
lighthearted, comedic film.
The use of narration in the trailer is also a
typical convention for comedy films, as it
helps to set the scene and provide some
information for the audience on the plot
and/or characters.
Trailer comprised of mainly dialogue; this
is expected from a comedy trailer, as there
has to be speech that includes some of
the funniest lines of the film in the trailer,
so as to appeal to the audience and make
them laugh.
However, the dialogue is kept quite short,
so as to keep the audience interested and
wanting to know more.
This shot shows the characters in a different and
more relaxed setting. Mid shot allows for the
audience to see them in a more professional work
setting (as represented by their suits). Facial
expressions indicate that both characters are
friendly and comfortable with each other.

5. Narration introduces the characters and the plot as
the trailer goes along. Makes it easier for the
audience to understand the trailer.
Body language of the heiresses, sartorial codes and
dialogue all help help to indicate that they’re meant to
be highly unlikable characters. At this point, the
audience feels the intended revulsion for their
characters.
Close up and mid shot angles also used to highlight
body language and facial expressions.

6. Establishing shots of expensive locations, whilst setting a new scene. It also serves to
familiarise the audience with the locations of the film.
“All you have to do is pick them up and drop them
off” – dialogue suggests that despite the beginning
of the trailer, our protagonists are still forced to do a
simple task. This indicates that their rank in the FBI
probably isn’t that high.
This is further cemented by the high angle shot, with
the person we assume to be their boss, looking
down at their characters, and intimidating them. This
could also be indication of a potential point of
conflict.

7. First shot of the FBI agents dressed up as the
heiresses. Close up allows audience to see the
successful resemblance between the heiresses
and these FBI agents pretending to be them. Also,
the shot allows for comedy, as it’s unexpected
seeing two black guys dressed up as two “white
chicks”.
“What’s up guys, you gotta problem?!” – dialogue
helps to sustain comedy, as although they now
look like women, the implied narrative struggle is
how they settle into their undercover roles as two
teenage women.
This struggle and the comedic aspect of it is
further cemented when “Tiffany”’s chest bumps
into a showpiece at the front desk and she
responds with “sorry, they’re new”, indicating her
breasts.

8. Titles used:
Heritage; director’s name allows audience familiar
with him to connect it to the film. “Director of…”
also allows audience to recognise that this film is
also intended to be as comedic as the ‘Scary
Movie’.
Font is serif, which makes it appeal to mostly
female audiences. The yellow text implies the film
is supposed to be quite light and humorous. The
addition of black with the yellow signifies a certain
level of (comedic) discomfort felt by the two black
men in posing as “white chicks”, thus signifying
the main issues in the film.

9. CONCLUSION
Trailer makes effective use of the 3-part narrative arc usually shown in trailers.
Trailer is effective in showing the audience the highlights of the film through camera,
sound (including dialogue), mise-en-scene and editing.