To use grids to organise essay structure when analysing stimulus material.
Key words:
The stimulus material for
question 1 of your exam may be film trailers or an extract from a film, for example an opening sequence.
Film trailers are an important way for the film industry to market their product.
The purpose is to raise audience expectations so that they will want to go to see the film.
The main codes and conventions are:
The name of the film. This will usually feature prominently in the trailer.
If the film is new then the name may give a clue to the film's genre.
For example Cowboys versus Aliens.
If it is a sequel then the audience will already be aware of the film's genre.
For example Scream 2.
The use of graphics to reinforce the name of the film and its stars. The
font style may help to establish the film's genre. Here the name of the film is bold and is surrounded by a dark stormy sky giving connotations of the action and power associated with the word.
The main characters are often introduced using technical codes, for example close ups to establish them in the minds of the audience.
A tagline may give a clue to the genre and the narrative.
The Truth Can't Stay Inside Forever.
Audio codes.
These may include a theme tune or soundtrack which may be recognisable to an audience. For example the same theme tune was used in all of the Raiders of the Lost Arc films.
There may be sound effects placing the film in a particular genre, for example gun shots, explosions, in an action genre film.
Atmospheric music may be used to create a mood and suggest the film's genre.
The use of voice over.
The purpose of this is to establish continuity between the scenes chosen for the trailer, to establish the narrative and to give promises of pleasure to the audience.
Genre specific lexis.
This helps the audience to know what to expect from the film.
Highlighting the stars that are appearing in the film. This feature is important as some stars tend to appear in specific genres and often the star will be the key selling point of the film.
Editing.
The trailer will be constructed and the best extracts from the film will be selected to attract the audience. The chosen extracts will also establish the narrative strands in the film and may include some of the plot situations. These may be recognisable to the audience who may be familiar with the genre.
These stills from the trailer for Dream House demonstrate that the film is from the thriller/horror genre.
The lighting is low key.
In three of the shots the characters are only lit by lamps and are surrounded by darkness.
The codes of costume and expression represent the family as vulnerable; this is further enhanced by the Mother wearing white in two of the shots. Connotations of innocence and purity.
The iconography of the knife and the close up shot of the scream are genre conventions for this type of film.
The use of the distorted reflection is also a conventional technical code and is enigmatic for the audience.
Enigma codes.
Trailers withhold information from the audience to encourage them to want to watch the film to find the answers. Sometimes rhetorical questions will be asked by the voice over or by words appearing on the screen. For example, 'What if the mystery you were trying to solve was your own?' appears on the trailer for Dream House.
This, combined with the narrative clues, increases the enigma effect for the audience.
Additional information. This may include the release date for the film and certification.
Task 1:
Identify each of the above conventions within the trailer for Dream house.
Indicate the
purpose and effect of the conventions.
Explain how enigma codes have been used in the trailer. What has the director don e to keep the audience hooked and willing to pay to see the film?
