Media products can be classified into categories or genre.

The word 'genre'

comes from the French word meaning 'type' or 'class'. Therefore the genre of
the film is the 'type' of events that will be expected to take place within the
film. Daniel Chandler states conventional definitions of genres tend to be
based on the notion that they constitute particular conventions of content
(such as themes or settings) and or form (including structure or style). For
example romance is a genre, the audience expect there to be a certain
formula that is followed by most other films that fall under the romance
category, it is presumed that there will be a man or woman who have some
kind of association with each other and the film will follow them through
stages of their relationship. This supports Daniel Chandlers theory as most
films of the same genre follow the same patterns. However, although films
of the same genre follow the similar conventions, Steve Neale states that
genres are instances of repetition and difference. This shows that despite
there being repetition, there are differences between different films of the
same genre in order to engage the audience
There are a variety of different genres that movies follow, the
genre dictates what the film will include, as films of the same
genre follow similar patterns (codes and conventions).
For example horror.
Typical codes of the horror genre that feature in the trailer are
enigma codes such as, who is the killer? What is their motive?
And why target the victim?
Conventions include the killer or an unexplainable occurrence,
a small town, the victim and the investigation team. This all
introduces the story and links into the film whilst utilising the
enigma codes to engage the audience.
Another example of genre is action.
The codes and conventions of an action trailer tend to
reveal the character and their back story, showing
them within the action. However the trailer does not
explain why or how they were involved as this would
reveal too much. This leaves the audience wanting to
find out more about the characters and their story.
Our chosen genre is a teen/ coming of age trailer. This genre is a sub-genre
from drama as teen movies encounter issues that the characters may be
facing that the audience may be able to relate to.
The definition of a coming of age film is, a young persons transition from
childhood to adulthood.
Examples of this include the perks of being a wallflower, Easy A and The
Breakfast Club.
The typical formula of this genre is following a teen or a group of teens
through struggles that may be happening in their life, may that be at home or
at school.
We have chosen this genre as we can relate to it as we are teenagers
ourselves. This also means that we know what the target audience wants as
we are part of that market.
The common conventions of the coming of age genre is that
it is set in a school and or shows elements of family homes
as this is where most teenagers spend a majority of their
time and where a large proportion of their problems stem
from or are discussed. There always tends to be the
typical characters, such as the dumb blonde or the jock.
Furthermore the narratives include montages containing
flashbacks mixed with present day as the characters
reminisce over what they have experienced and emotions
that teens typically tend to suffer. Codes are what lead
the audience to wanting to find out more as they are
systems of signs, which create meaning.
Codes are what lead the audience to wanting to find out
more as they are systems of signs, which create
meaning. For example, enigma codes leave the audience
asking questions, it is good to include quite a few enigma
codes in a trailer as this encourages the audience to
watch the film.
Action codes are significant events which move the
narrative on in a particular direction. There wont be as
many action codes in a trailer as this reveals too much
information. There might be one which doesn't tell the
full story.
Me, Earl and the Dying Girl- The trailer includes the production and
distribution company which means that the audience get an idea of the
type of the film. The trailer starts off with diegetic sound followed by a
narrative dialogue which introduces the first character and what his
problem may be. The editing technique of the wipe followed by the zoom
creates disorientation as the audience cannot keep up with what is going
on as the scenes don't link, this could emphasize the characters confusion
of life. Furthermore the use of the high angle shot could show lack of
power and intimidation. The narration continues to vaguely explain the
plot, however it is not a narrator or character that guides us through the
trailer, it uses dialogue from the film and shows shots that link scene
before matching it to the actual dialogue. Throughout the trailer, further
characters are introduced which develops the story but leads to the
audience questioning the characters relevance to the film. The trailer
shows the development between the characters and the story without
revealing too much.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower- The trailer establishes
setting, mixed with non diegetic sound. The first
character is introduced and his problems/ worries are
also made apparent. After introducing the first character
the production company is shown. The narration shows
his aspirations but leave the audience questioning what
has he done that makes him want to change. The loose
shots shows he is an outsider as he is not seen with
anyone else. The trailer then introduces more characters
and the plot is further developed, this links to the
audience thinking that these characters have
significance to the initial character as they continue to
feature throughout the trailer. These characters show
how spending time together is helping them to find
themselves as he reveals that he wants to be a writer,
but doesn't know what to write. The trailer shows that
he has possible problems with socialising and this is
affecting him being able to find himself, but also shows
that the friends that he has made have encouraged him
to peruse his ambitions and come out of his shell.
The Breakfast Club- The trailer starts with the narrator saying previous
films that the director/ producer has made. This gives the audience a
idea of the type of film it is going to be as they follow a similar style, it
also attracts old audience who have enjoyed other films that they have
made. Non diegetic sound is played underneath the narration. Once the
initial narration has finished, it leads onto a small montage of clips from
film which shows cut editing between the characters as this introduces
them to the audience. The narration starts up again and gives a brief
explanation of the plot. The narration is cut but dialogue from the film
of the characters talking. Once the cuts of clips and their dialogue has
finished, the narrator further explains the story, as the narrator
summaries, shots from the film match his explanation. A variety of shots
are used, however it is mostly close up, mid and long shots as this shows
the audience what the characters are like and the actions that they are
doing. The narration s integrated by dialogue from the film which
further explains the plot . Towards the end of the trailer the narrator
says the names of the cast and it cuts to the character as he says their
name. This allows the audience to see the cast and the characters that
they are playing
Dazed and confused- the trailer starts off with dialogue from
the film showing a conversation between the characters, this
acts almost like an introduction to the film. The trailer then
begins with non diegetic sound and cuts of clips from the film.
The trailer shows further dialogue between the characters
before narrator starts and briefly explains the plot. As the
narrator talks the plot links to the clips that are being shown.
There is a variety of camera angles show in the trailer, these
are all used to introduce the characters to the audience and
also for the audience to see some of the action.
Throughout the trailers that I analysed I noticed that they follow a
certain pattern whilst remaining to have different plots. This
genre focuses on the teens struggles and their development of
friendship which changes them as a person. The trailers I analysed
have different methods of doing this, they show isolation and
problems, however one uses quick disorientating editing while the
other creates this sense of being an outsider by not fully
explaining the clip. This makes the audience want to find out
more about their stories and they have become intrigued through
the trailer. The audience can relate to the characters as they
have gone through issues at some point in their lives and can
therefore emphasise with them. A further method that is used is
they have the same or similarnarration style, the trailers include
non diegetic sound, ambient sound and narration. The ambient
sound makes the setting and situation more realistic and the
narration vaguely explains the plot to the audience. The narration
styles are similar as they include a combination of lines from the
film which summaries the plot.