Conventions within a Film Trailer

Bridget Cardenas Pazmiño

The Character TypesThe characters in trailers usually contain Propp’s Narrative Theory:

• The hero- This would be found mostly in superhero films, action, mystery but in the horror genre there isn’t really a hero but there is usually a leader if there is a group traveling together.

• Villain- The villain is usually the antagonist for example in Star Wars it would be Darth Vader.

• Donor- This idea would mostly be found in video games such as ‘Skyrim’ or ‘The legend of Zelda’ or in more medieval style movies were the knight would take the advice.

• Helper- This could be the person that either summons a demon in order to communicate with them or an exorcists

• Princess- The Princess once again would be found in more medival style movies or in animations such as ‘Shrek’.

• The King- The King would mostly be found in more animation style movie.

• Dispatcher- Relates more to video games or when in movies it usually is the Friend of the hero that sends them to do what they want.

• False hero- Example of this would be Hans from ‘Frozen’.

Location/ Setting

• Location changes completely when it comes down to the genre, for example in ‘The Conjuring’ it’s taken place around an isolated area which causes more tension within the film because nobody can all out for help like in ‘The Cabin In The Woods’

Lighting

• The lighting also creates the mood in movies for example in a horror movie, the lights would be dimmed inside the house and blue light would be used to create the effect of the moonlight.

CAM SAMC

• The Camera movement and shots allow the audience to feel what the character is trying to demonstrate with there facial and body movements. For example, if in POV this allows the audience to feel how the character is feeling also if vertigo is used, its to make the audience feel quite awkward since its as an angle.

Music

•  Music can help build tension within the movie by either building up moments for jump scares in horror films or relationship moment for romantic film, and even when the character wants to be funny the music helps show that it’s a funny moment.

Editing

• Editing in movies usually have straight cuts but in dramatic moments in drama series or in horror film trailers were tension is built it is most commonly used. But in movies where there is flashbacks editing is mostly noticed there.