Analysis of a film trailerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ5U8suTUw0

Abbi Allen

USPI think the USP to this trailer and this particular film is the Joker. This character is very unique to Batman and the audience are fascinated by the Joker and his actions. He played a big part in the marketing campaign for this film. The audience are drawn to him as shown in the marketing campaign (the scavenger hunt, the website WhySoSerious.com, etc.). The Jokers motive for crime is not known by the audience (unlike other ‘bad guys’ in films) and this will fascinate them further and draw them into watching the film.

SoundThe sound is fierce from the beginning of the trailer and it can be easily told that this is an action film. The dialogue starts with the Joker talking to his ‘army’ of criminals proposing that they “kill the Batman”. So the way the film is going to pan out and what’s included is known. There are a variety of sound effects used throughout the trailer including explosions. The background sound matches with the action in the film and goes along with what’s happening. So as the trailer gets more fast paced, so does the music; like with many other action trailers.

EditingAt the beginning of the trailer there are shots fading into other shots, this transition between shots is used quite a lot. The faster paced the action and music gets, the faster paced the transitions and shots get. At one point the screen goes completely black and all the audience can hear is the Joker saying “Good evening ladies and gentleman” then a shot is fired from his gun at the same the Joker is shown on the screen walking into an event (where he is obviously not meant to be). There are a lot of special effects used within this trailer such as; explosions, fire, gunshots, Batman flying. The editing is smooth and transitions well from one shot to another. It also really coincides with the music which is what most people look for in trailers.

Credits and IntertitlesThis is the first intertitle shown on the trailer. It shows that the trailer is suitable for anyone of any age.

The next intertitle shows that the film and trailer are Warner Bros. This type of intertitle is shown at the beginning of most trailer.

This one shows that Legendary pictures were also involved with the film and trailer.

Credits and IntertitlesAnother to show that it is a DC comics film. A common feature for films based on DC comics.

The title of the film. This is shown at the end of the trailer so the audience will remember the name of the film.

The date the film is released so the audience of the trailer can remember and go and see the film. The website if people want more information about the film. Also gives credit to companies that helped create the film at the bottom.

Institutional referenceThe trailer mentions three institutions that made the film. Warner Bros., Legendary pictures and DC Comics, all shown at the beginning of the trailer.

Mise-en-sceneLighting:The lighting throughout the trailer is typically dark to fit with the action of the trailer. Most of the scenes used in the trailer are used shot in the dark with lights from buildings in the city of Gotham or artificial lighting (at the event that the Joker crashes).Costume:The Joker is seen to be wearing the same scraggy looking purple suit throughout the trailer. Batman wears his Batman suit and Bruce is seen to be wearing a tuxedo at one point and then casual clothes at another – showing that the film portrays Batman and Bruce as two different people.Props:A variety of props are used like guns, various vehicles, the Jokers card, glasses (at the event shown), masks for the Jokers associates. The large amount of props are used to create a sense of verisimilitude that this is really happening, a battle between good and evil is actually happening.Location:Various locations around Gotham are shown during the trailer such as a posh building for an event, the city itself (rooftops and buildings), the Jokers hideout and what looks like Bruce’s apartment.Make-up:The most obvious make up is the Jokers which is a messy/scary replica of ‘The Joker’ from a pack of cards with facepaint. He also has scars which are made of make up meant to look like real scars. Other characters make up is more natural and looks like they are just ‘normal’ people from the city of Gotham.Hair:The Jokers hair is messy with paint in it as he is shown to not be clean or look after himself. Bruce and Harvey Dent both have natural sort of groomed looking hair which suits both of their characters. Then Rachel, being a woman, her hair is clean and put into smart looking updos for the event and for her normal hair.

GenreThe genre of this film is an action/thriller. The conventions are typical of an action film, for example: explosions, chases, gunshots/guns. Explosions are usually used in action films and that is shown throughout this trailer. The trailer draws the audience in using fast paced images and music. It gives them plenty to watch and think about until the film comes out.

(Target) audienceI think that the target audience for this film is existing Batman and DC Comics fans. The certificate for the film is a 12A so suitable for children under 12 that are accompanied by an adult. I haven’t seen the film myself but from researching on various fansites online I have discovered that many people believe that it should have a certificate of 15. Even from the trailer the audience can see that violence is a prominent theme. Although older people would also enjoy the film I feel that the teenage audience is being targeted.

NarrativeThe narrative of this film is a battle between good vs. evil (A binary opposite). The villain (The Joker) against the hero (Batman). This supports Propps character theory where the villian struggles against the hero and the hero gets everything in the end. Like any good trailer, the whole narrative is not revealed and leaves gaps for the audience to think about and fill in when they finally watch the film.

RepresentationThe identities created for each character are created through representation and how they are portrayed. So aspects such as class, age, gender and ethnicity all have to be taken into account when creating characters. The audience have to be able to identify with who is the villain, and who is the hero and everything else that’s in between. Also the representation of places is important so Gotham is represented (throughout previous Batman films as well) as a city in trouble with high crime rates and Batman trying to help out. The representation of everything is important because the audience need to believe that this is a real place with real people and that it’s really happening.