Trailer Conventions

I have chosen to analyse The Guest where i will point out the codes and conventions in this teaser trailer.

The Guest 2014
Directed By: Adam Wingard

Production Company Ident
(0:06) - When we see the Production Company Ident and as a film fan you would know that ICON is well known in the film industry.

Introducing the character
(0:09) - We learn that David (the main character) is introduced to us once the door is opened to him and he introduces himself to the women that he is her sons Friends. from this shot we assume he is just a normal visitor which is assumed as a characters trait of being a regular guy but like i mentioned before the character tait's are important.
(0:13) - We see a shot reverse shot of Mrs Peterson. in the shot Mrs Peterson looks worried and upset and we establish this is her character trait as she maybe depressed.

Eyeline Match
(0:20) - This is a shot of Mrs Peterson staring at her sons picture with medals around representing that he was in the army and maybe he hasn't come back from war. From this we understand that David is from the army and met her son there which is why he has arrived at his house.

Close Up
(0:22) - A close up of David assembling the gun represents a character trait of his is that he is armed and professionally trained to kill. the audience assume here that there will be a lot of action shots.

This is another convention as we are only given less then a minute to watch the trailer and seeing him prepare his gun shows us that this will be very important in the film.

Fast Cuts / Close Up
(0:24) - David is shown to assemble his gun in a few jump cuts ending in a close up of him pointing the gun. In this shot he seems focused and driven to kill anyone who would come in his way.







Inter title
(0:27) - The inter title here is telling the audience that the makers of this film have previously made a hit film in the past 'You're Next' and fans of that film would want to watch this film as it might be as good as the other one.

Medium Shot
(0:33) - In this shot we see David holding a laundry basket acting like a normal person but with the use of the jump cut / close up later on looks like the suspense is about to build up in the trailer.

Peak of Action
(0:36) - We see a few action shots of David having a little brawl and then cuts to a car blowing up giving the audience a bit of taste of what to expect but also not giving out to much information. This is because in a teaser trailer they do not show much as they want the audience to be ready for the next trailer or even the film.

Slow Motion / Close Ups
(0:39) - The trailer seems to start of slow, show a few action shot and then slow down again. I think this is shown because the film seems to be mysterious and the trailer represents this through the slow motion close ups of the main characters. it seems that somebody is watching them which could be David.

Close Up
(0:44) - A puff of smoke from David which represents his kind of a bad ass and lawbreaking kind of guy you would expect to not like but towards the end of the film you start to root for him. The green light shinning on him represents anger or could represents that David could have two sides of him as we see a different side of him at the start of the trailer.
We then see a shot of David under a car holding a gun. this is also a different side of David as he is shown to be like an assassin. the shot is focused on the gun and David is out of focus telling the audience the gun is the main focus of the shot.

Title
(0:56) - The title of the film 'The Guest' is shown at the end of the trailer in the center of the video as it gets bigger it looks as if someone maybe David is getting closer and closer to you. It is shown at the end because they want the audience to focus on the trailer and when their attention is captured they show the the title for the audience to go and find out more information. This is the main trailer convention as you cant have a trailer without showing the title.


Soundtrack
The soundtrack starts off slow but once he introduces himself to the woman it starts to build up. as the trailer goes on the scenes are edited to the pace of the music for example (0:44) where David is smoking, When he puffs smoke out you hear the music.

I have chosen to analyse The Purge Anarchy where i will point out the codes and conventions in this teaser trailer.

The Purge Anarchy 2014
Directed By: James Demonaco

(0:04) - In the first shot of the trailer we see this sign which mentioned that the purge is an american tradition and if you have watched the first purge you would know that the Purge is when in one day in america everything for 12 hours is legal for example crime. So this trailer is targeted to the fans and audience from the first film.





Two Shot
(0:13) - We are introduced to the first characters who are a couple in a car talking about the Purge as the girl is scared and the man is comforting her. This is a typical character trait showing the girl being the damsel in distress having to have her husband save her.


(0:18) - Their car breaks down which is creates suspense. this shot leads to the screen becoming blank and the voice over of the man saying 'no' as they are even more scared of being exposed during the purge. their reaction gives the audience the feeling that danger is approaching. This scene reminds me of Vacancy when the couples car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
(0:18) to (0:30) - A lot of fade in and outs are shown to increase the tension in the scene.


(0:32) to (0:37) - A voice over of a women announcing the Purge is played. Shots being shown of a shop closing down and the streets empty as no one wants to be out during the purge but only the criminals are out.
At first we think the man will protect her but he seems to be scared himself. Who will protect them?






(0:45) - We see two more characters locking their door with all force. this is a  character trait as all they have to do in order to survive they have to hide from criminals with armed weapons. shots of people preparing for the purge. the use of  close ups exaggerate the Purge but because people are exaggerating their security the close ups are used.

(0:52) - A gang show up and the editing is of quick jump cuts and the couple start to run. the enigma code here is are the couple going to get killed? or can the criminals be stopped?

Peak of action we are shown little action shots as they do not want to give too much information but want the audience in tuned to the trailer.



(1:01) - A mini camera on the bike tracks the biker as he chases the couple adding suspense to the scene because it makes the biker look more intimidating for the audience to see how scary it is for the couple. This is like a handle held camera which turns the film into a documentary type of thriller.







(0:07) - An inter title appears of the date the film will be released. the title shows up as if someone is watching TV but it keeps breaking up as this could normally happen if something goes wrong and the wrong thing is the Purge taking place.










(1:03) - An action shot of a building blowing up appears and there after a group of people getting ready to kill to build up suspense which is another thriller convention. We are given this sneak peak of the film as there is a lot this film consist of. the audience are excited as its not like the first film which was taken inside a house but outside, This also goes under the conventions of special effects.







(1:06) - The shot of the school bus with the criminals seems ironic as a school bus represents education and wisdom but because of the Purge the people are blinded and turn to crime forgetting their principles that they were taught.








(1:09) - A close up of a women crying represents the fear of the purge has everybody emotional as they could lose their dear ones in one night, This thriller convention emphasis how scary the purge is for everyone.









This scene is the idea of the purge as it gives criminals one night to get rid of all their anger in this night. guns, knives and blowing up stuff and for them its the best day but for others its a total nightmare.

(1:16) - The boy in slow motion is skating backwards. the intimidation in his face as he knows he has the upper hand becomes he seems ready for the purge and just like the couple we are unprepared of whats to happen.







(0:19) - The use of close up here is to emphasis the criminal. as on his mask is written 'GOD' making everyone this he is God and he can take your life and not be punished because the purge is all about killing and getting away with it.






(1:23) - The title 'The Purge Anarchy' appears as if the screen is breaking down. the background is of the American Flag representing that he Purge only takes place in America.The E is covered in red ink representing blood as the purge is covered with blood because of the killings.

(1:27) - The release day appears like the title and the caption 'How Will You Purge?' asking the audience if you were in that position what would you do and will you purge? the idea of the film is to make the audience think about if it were real what would happen? and because they give an example people are given second thoughts.





At the start of the trailer when shown the universal ident a song is played which is the son playing on the radio in the car which is a sound bridge. the music after is a typical thriller soundtrack where the music is in tuned with the action for example (0:53) when the bikers arrive and are getting their engines ready to go so is the music. At the end where we see the men in masks we hear 'God sees you' representing that they maybe aloud to get away with the purge but not in front of Gods eyes.