PLANNING: TREATMENT

FILM TITLE : Dodging a Bullet

Our film 'Dodging a Bullet' is a comedy heist film with some thriller characteristics. The plot revolves around a group of criminals: Boss, Birdie, Blaze and Breach who are under the direction of Big Boss, an anonymous voice on the end of the phone. Their heist involves the rich and famous art collector, Sebastian Windsor who has just purchased a painting worth over £400 million and the criminals are set to attempt to steal it. The film captures the thrill and suspense of the dangerous mission as well as the comedy and wit that comes with it as the 4 criminals find they are not as good at their job as the should be. The heist starts to fall to pieces as they stumble across a murder and find themselves right in the firing line as the police look for potential suspects. 

So much is as stake, the big question is 'How will they escape the charges?' and 'Will they make it out of the heist successfully and £400 million richer?'. 

All the criminals in the film are female (USP), encouraging female empowerment and going against the common stereotype found in films where male characters are seen partaking in dangerous activity for example, James Bond. Our target demographic is young adults but may appeal more to women due to the feministic elements. It is rated at 15 due to strong language. 

PLANNING: MINDMAP

PLANNING: BBFC CERTIFICATE

Classification is the process of giving age ratings and content advice to films and other audiovisual content to help children and families choose what’s right for them and avoid what’s not. The BBFC publish guidelines in which there are listed features of a film that would place it in a certain age category for example a 12A rating would include a misuse of drugs which must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or five detailed instruction. 

We researched these guidelines on the BBFC website and came decided that our film would fit into the age 15 bracket as it may include some harsh language. I used PowerPoint to 'photoshop' our film name onto a template to create our own BBFC certificate. 

PLANNING: MY TARGET AUDIENCE

A target audience is who you intend to watch your film. It is important that you know who they are and what their interests are so you can structure the film towards their interests and include features that they will enjoy. Equally, it is important to market and promote the film in a way that suits your target audience, for example, specific social media platforms - if they are younger, perhaps platforms like Instagram are more suitable. 

I conducted research on my target audience by creating an audience profile. I looked at other brands such as Bauer Media, NME and Empire to see how they defined their audiences and which factors they looked into such as clothing brands they may like etc.

My Audience Profile:

1. Who is my primary target audience?

Our age rating is 15 and so is aimed at teenagers and young adults. Our film goes against stereotypical views and 'jobs' that are associated with women as well as having an all female cast so there is an appeal for women. 

2. What kind of films and television are they likely to prefer?

Our target audience are likely to enjoy comedy films as well as the crime/thriller genre. They would prefer sarcastic comedy - much like that found in Seth Rogan films but also want the plot found in crime films. 

3. What platforms do they choose to watch films and where are they likely to see information about films?

They would choose to watch films via online streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime due to the young age category and the variety and easy-accessibility. They are likely to find information about the film on social media such as Instagram and Twitter. 

4. What brands do they prefer?

Our target audience would prefer popular clothing brands like Nike and Urban Outfitters due to the age demographic that they are in. 

5. What makes my film stand out from the competition?

Our film stands out from the rest due to its all-female cast. The representation of women in the film goes against the stereotypes within the crime genre. 

6 . Why should my audience watch my film? 

My audience should watch my film as it has a strong narrative with empowerment towards women, it has a thrilling plot but includes lots of comedic elements that helps to bring a light-hearted mood to it. 

PLANNING: STORYBOARD

 

PLANNING: TARGET AUDIENCE

Made with Visme Infographic Maker

PLANNING: LOCATION

I used PowerPoint to collate together all the pictures that we had taken of the Mansion and the potential rooms inside where we could film our first scenes.

 At the beginning of our trailer, we establish the who, what, where, when, why and how of our heist (alongside a voiceover). To convey this, we plan to use lots of establishing shots of the location in order to give the audience a proper insight into the character's plan to rob this rich house and layout clearly the intentions in the plot of the film without giving too much away. 

This location has lots of acres of land (which helps to convey one of our characters as incredibly rich) and so if possible, we want to include a drone shot that could capture the Mansion from a distance and showcase how impressive the location is. Equally, this kind of shot would give our trailer a high-quality and polished look, promoting a strong sense of professionalism to our audience. 

PLANNING: TASKS

1. The name of our film:  The Framing
2. The name of our Production Company and our co-production companies: Silver Screen Productions, MCJE Films
3. The name of the director that will appear in our trailers: Ellie Smart
4. The name of the 2-3 main actors that will appear in our trailers: Millie Wyatt, Jess Foster, Charlotte Coppellotti, Ellie Smart
5. (Optional)  "From the director of..." Camera-Shy
6. The names of the film festivals where our film will be screened (more festival names here): 
7. Pull quotes from reviews etc; wording: London Comedy Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival
8. Our location recce - take photos and collate in an attractive way + written explanation: Mansion CFC
9. Our target audience Mainly girls 18-25+
10. Social groups and issues in our film... Women, Criminals, 
11. Our props list - photos + stereotypes + clothing - ??? Painting, gun, computer, funny costumes,
12. Our social media - write down decisions about who is taking responsibility for which platforms: Instagram, FB, Twitter
13. Our music - we researched (this type of music) as the background track... and narrowed down our choice to include... , Voice-Over 
14. Our call sheets are being written by ... ALL 
15. Make your storyboard - include.... 

• how you plan to frame shots - identify establishing shot, wide shots, two- shots, three-shots, CUs, ECUs,
• words of any other inter titles - Actor names, Character profiles
• release date - decide on wording - COMING SEPTEMBER 2022, TO CINEMAS NEAR YOU

RESEARCH: WHY IS A FILM TRAILER MADE?

I look at three trailers on the Teaching Trailers Resource supplied by the FDA Online in order to further my understanding of why trailers are made and how they signal the film's genre.

The trailers I viewed were:

The Mustang

I gathered from the trailer of The Mustang that the film was a drama. I was able to infer this from the mature themes shown - the main character is in prison who is given the opportunity to join a rehabilitation program that consists of taming a wild mustang. The film depicts a feel-good plot as the main character starts to form a connection with the horse and his daughter and the audience can see the heart-warming nature of the storyline. A sense of intrigue is also created as the plot is based on real-life events. 

Fast and Furious

The trailer of Fast and Furious includes extremely fast-pace editing and dynamic action shots that show the characters partaking in crazy stunts. These features infer the genre of action and adventure and would be suitable for an older audience. The genre is further enforced through the powerful non-diegetic music immersing the audience in what's happening on screen. The film is also part of a franchise so has an established loyal audience and has access to a high budget that allows them to produce a film with massive explosions, technology guns and fast cars. The film also has some comedic elements that feature between American Agent Hobbs ad British Mercenary Shaw which also appeals to another type of audience who like their films to be funny. The typical good vs evil theme appeals to younger audiences as it is a common convention of many dramatic action films.

Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl came across as a children's fantasy film because the central character was a confident assertive child who sets off on a daring adventure to discover dark truths and who seemed to swagger his way through the scene. The quest theme is a typical narrative trope in action adventure films, this one embroidered by fantasy and magic. Trailers like this appeal to both genders but mainly children as they can relate more to the main character. As the film comes from Disney, it is highly trusted by families and parents know it will be a suitable watch for their children. 

RESEARCH: WHAT IS A TRAILER?

I have started further research on trailers, using the FDA Teaching Trailers online course. 

I watched the trailer for Booksmart before considering the following questions about trailers in general: 

During my study of the film industry last year, I learnt about how both Hollywood majors and UK independent films created different marketing campaigns to reach and engage their audiences. A film marketing campaign may cover many different ways in which the film's message is presented to potential audiences. 

The major elements of a film marketing campaign are: the trailer and teaser trailer; social media and viral marketing; film poster and the film website. The marketing for Black Panther was very successful and utilised the prestige and status that Disney and the MCU hold and were able to engage the loyal audiences as well as new ones. The film website acted as a convergent hub and used convergent links to showcase the social media, merchandising, trailers, posters and other insights into the film. It was released during Black History Month and Fashion Week: Welcome to Wakanda to emphasise the positive ethnic representation of African Americans in the film. 

To see different elements of the campaign, one would go to: the film website (where they have access to convergent links); cinemas (trailers) or TV (chat shows); blog posts by influences/fans; newspaper reports and magazine articles; P+A (posters)

The trailer for Black Panther was available on YouTube and on the website. Social media was used to announce events such as the Wakanda Fashion Show which was effective as such platforms are able to reach audiences globally. Anticipation for the film's release started 2 years prior to the release with interviews on radio, tv and YouTube. 

When deciding whether to go an watch a film, I am heavily influenced by the trailer. If the trailer engages me either through genre indication or star talent, it is likely I will watch the film. I will also look at reviews of the film to see what people enjoyed but also didn't enjoy about the film as I am influenced by word of mouth. 

RESEARCH: WHO ARE TRAILERS AIMED AT?

 Trailers are generally aimed at the same audience as the films they publicise. Different types of people like different genres of films and whilst everyone has their own unique taste, there are certain features that will have wide appeal to specific groups of people. 

I analysed three trailers and attempted to match the potential target audience to the categories below: 

The three trailers I watched were: Vita and Virginia, Frozen 2 and Apollo 11. 

My Conclusions

Vita and Virginia is suited to: Ages 25+, and probably more appealing to women. The film is a literacy adaptation and so literary, educated audiences would definitely be attracted to it and as the storyline involves literacy circles such as the Bloomsbury group. Additionally, it is set in the 1920s and so those who have an interest in period drama would enjoy the period costumes and set. The plot involves the history of women's liberation, meaning that it also might be of interest to women who are independent and social aware. Equally, Virginia's association to the Bloomsbury Group may interest lovers of social history, literature and art. National Trust and nature lovers are also targeted due to the beautiful gardens in which the film is located.  

Frozen 2 is suited to: Families and children under 13 which is the traditional target audience for Disney films. The film is animated to a high standard and so would engage adults who watch the film with their children. The main character also appeals to young female audiences who will aspire to be like Elsa - strong, courageous and independent. The appeal to children further comes from the dramatic music and visuals with hints of magic as well as the comedic element that we get from Olaf. 

Apollo 11 is suited to: A wide target audience of adults and teenagers and perhaps skew slightly more towards men. The trailer includes lots of action and adventure through dramatic visual and audio codes, enticing audiences who enjoy thriller genre-films and even space. The strong documentary style would appeal to those who enjoy modern history and NASA. The footage used is archival footage which builds to the excitement of the film and a sense of national pride. I recently watched the trailer for Gravity which also revolves around space travel but who suit another type of audience who enjoy tense, thrilling drama and action.

RESEARCH: HOW TRAILERS HELP FILL CINEMAS

The FDA Resources 'Teaching Trailers' taught me that marketing campaigns may use a film's genre to gain out interest, playing on elements that are familiar to audiences who love that genre. But at the same time, it must demonstrate to audience how the film is different to others and provides them with a new original experience. This is known as the Unique Selling Point (USP) and explains how trailers help fill cinemas. Common USPs are a popular A List actor, innovative use of special effect or an unusual mix of genres. 

I watched three trailers - The Lion King, Late Night and Spies in Disguise. 

1. The Lion King

The USPs of this film are its high quality animation which is attained through the use of computer generated imagery (CGI) and allows for the animals to look really realistic. The film is also a live action remake of the 1994 original and so attracts many of the audiences that watched and loved the film back then but is also providing them with a new kind of experience too. 

2. Late Night

Late Night's USP is the star talent of Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling who both have big fanbases. Equally, the storyline promotes and supports female empowerment and feminism making it different to quite a lot of films and allow it to stand out in the marketplace. 

3. Spies in Disguise

The USP of this film is thee A-List actors who are used for the voice overs of the main characters - Will Smith and Tom Holland. Will Smith attracts an older demographic as he is best known for his sitcom Fresh Prince of Belair which came out in 1990. On the other hand, Tom Holland is much more well-known by younger generations through recognition from the MCU. Furthermore, the film's main character is a man of colour which is not that common, giving the film a unique angle and promoting ethnic representation. 

RESEARCH: WHEN ARE TRAILERS SHOWN?

Most trailers are produced at the same time that the film is being edited. The timing of a trailer campaign is important: it must be shown far enough in advance to generate excitement about the film's release but not so early that people forget about the film before it even comes out. 

Trailers are never released at a random date, the producers have always thought about what time is best to introduce audiences to the film. For example, horror films are likely to be released during Halloween season as it intensifies the buzz that the film creates and family films are likely to be released during summer as school is out and families are together. As a class, we watched and discussed the main talking points about trailers from Toy Story 4, Yesterday and The Brink. 

Toy Story 4

Toy Story 4 is a sequel produced and distributed by Walt Disney and Pixar. The main talking point of the trailer is the fact that it is a sequel and so audiences will feel a certain nostalgia seeing characters they've seen before. Throughout the trailer, intertitles come up with text saying 'old friends' which helps to reinforce the characters that the audience will get to see again. Equally, the song 'You've Got a Friend' is heard at the beginning which is iconic to the film's previous movies and so will attract the loyal audience members who are fans of the other Toy Story films. 

Secondly, the trailer successfully creates the feel-good sentiment that Disney is renowned for. This is achieved through the music 'God Only Knows' by the Beach Boys which evokes happiness for the parents watching as well as the 'school's out for summer!' vibe. It creates a sense of idealised happiness of childhood and convinces audiences that this is a family film that will provide audiences with happy memories of coming to see the film, promoting togetherness. The film also expresses good morals throughout the trailer through characters such as Little Bo Peep who is presented as a confident and independent woman who would inspire younger girls watching the film. 

The visuals of the trailer show funfairs and warm weather with blue skies and so it would be smart to release the film during summer as not only does it fit with the ambiance of the film but practically speaking, in the UK, kids break up for summer holidays at this time and so the producers would be making the most of the fact that cinemas would be full of families and kids. 

Yesterday

The main talking point of Yesterday's film trailer is the link to The Beatles and the fact that it takes a 'new spin' on the well-known and loved band. This instantly creates a strong audience attraction as both young and older demographics enjoy their music but are also getting a new, modern-take and unheard-of experience. The music that is included throughout the trailer generates nostalgia for audiences who have grown-up listening to it. The unrealistic element of 'magic' included in the trailer helps to create a narrative and sense of intrigue that tempts the audience towards the film. 

The film would likely be released during summer as many of the shots show blue skies and the sea, reminding the audience of the holidays and generating excitement towards to film. Furthermore, the trailer has a strong 'summer feel' because of the representation towards festivals, music concerts and live music and anyone who has been to a festival themselves will relate to the buzz that is created.

A-List actors within the film also create an appeal towards 'Yesterday'. Lily James is a big star talent of the film and will attract mass revenue as well as the guest appearances of Ed Sheeran and James Corden, helping to increase the production value of the film. 

The Brink

The main talking points about this trailer is that it follows real-life events and includes real politicians such as Nigel Farrage and carries a documentary feel whilst giving the audience a POV that they have never experienced - almost a behind-the-scenes. This stance allows audiences to feel like they have an understanding of what goes on behind doors away from the public and this intrigue makes them have a strong urge to watch the film. 

This film would attract audiences who have a knowledge of politics, especially right-wing audiences as many of the policies discussed in the trailer follow the beliefs of that leaning. Despite this, the film still manages to attract left-leaning audiences as they feel as if they are getting an insight into the secrets of those opposing politicians. The film would need to be released during if not, shortly after the life events took place in order to attain a invested audience whilst the plot was still relevant. 

The film chooses to use a 'fly on the wall' perspective where the audience sit and absorb the events being shown. This type of cinematography does not lead to searching questions or create a climax and so I read film critics from The Guardian and The Observer which helped frame my understanding of this film. The Brink positions Bannen in a completely different way than in the film Frost/Nixon (another political/documentary film). Frost/Nixon presents the politicians in a negative way whilst Bannen shows the events how they happened in real life which gives the audience room to form their own opinions rather than be influenced. 

 https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/prettylittlething-dot-com-ltd-A19-1035979.html

RESEARCH: WHERE ARE TRAILERS SHOWN?

Trailers are shown at the cinema, on TV and online with poster campaigns and radio campaigns also giving wide coverage for new film releases. Films often have dedicated film websites where the trailer can be viewed, and are suitable for viewers of any age as footage is cut to make sure there are no harsh mature themes. However, trailers that are shown in cinemas often match to the classification of the film being screened. 

After discussion, I came to the conclusion that...

• When people watch live TV, it is unlikely that they will watch the adverts shown between shows. This is because they have no interest in anything other than the show they sat down to watch. The adverts are often used as a 'break' to either get a snack, talk to people around you or simply zone out. 
• Even though the number of people that watch TV is considerably larger than those who go to the cinema, it is actually a more successful place to screen trailers. People are more likely to engage with trailers at the cinema because they can be viewed on the big screen and with surround sound. This being said, many people do in fact turn up late to the cinema because they know there will be at least 15 mins of trailers that they want to miss. 
• Trailer on DVDs have disadvantages as DVDs are viewed as quite outdated as we now have access to instant availability through platforms like Netflix.  Equally, you can fast-forward to the beginning of the film, missing out all the trailers before the movie.

I watched a video where Dan Skinner explains how the style of a trailer is affected by a number of factors including where it will be seen, who by and for how long. 

1. Teaser Trailer

This is a shorter and more succinct version of the main trailer. It's main aim is to give you a glimpse into what to expect from this film such as genre. It lacks in providing the audience with the plot and story of the film and instead focuses on making a positive first impression without revealing too much about the film. 

2. Main Trailer

These tend to last 2-3 minutes and follow a 3-act structure. They are far more detailed and give a deeper sense of the film, focusing on plot and storytelling. Throughout the structure, the trailer will set tone and storyline for the film - revealing problems the characters will face. In the final 'act', the trailer intends to excite the audience by showcasing star talent and director power. This is usually achieved by a montage where the editing creates fast-pace cuts as well as cast runs which is where an actor will be named followed by shots of them in the film. 

The Main Trailer is the most significant piece of media marketing as it will be shown online, in theatres and cinemas and on all social media platforms. 

3. TV Spots

TV Spots are condensed trailers and often are aimed at people who have previous knowledge of the film and main trailer. The main aim of these is to leave an impression on the audience which is a struggle as the duration of these clips is limited to 30 seconds, 20 seconds or even sometimes 10 seconds. Therefore, they have to choose the most exciting and impactful shots and lines. By the time the TV Spot comes out, the film has been reviewed and so sometimes the clips will contain positive reviews to encourage more people to watch it. 

4. Using Graphics

There are two types of Graphics - Copy and Pedigree. 

Copy (as in Copywriting) is the writing that features in a trailer which can be used to guide you through the story and point you towards certain aspects that the film makers want you to see and absorb. 

Pedigree can come from the studio such as a company logo, equally it could be about the director of the film as well as the cast and or writers. This allows audiences to be interested in the film as they can see it has either come from somewhere they like or the actors are ones they enjoy watching. 

5. Trailers in the Digital Age

Producers have to be aware that the trailers in the Digital Age are going to be viewed on many different types of devices and they have to make sure the trailer is tailored to fit each varying device in terms of visual shots and sound quality. For example, if the trailer plays in a cinema, producers are working with a wide and large canvas and surround sound. Therefore, they must make sure that the quality of the visual picture is high and they would use immersive sound (if a spaceship goes over your head in the trailer, the sound will move from the back speakers to the front ones). 

Furthermore, trailers that will be viewed on a smaller device such as phones need to be visually and audibly altered to fit the device properties for example, smaller bits of 'snackable content' which would appear online on platforms like Instagram. 

Additionally, the digital age means that trailers are analysed frame by frame by fans when looking for theories. This means that producers have to be aware of this and make sure that they are careful in not revealing too much. 

SOCIAL MEDIA AND SOCIAL MEDIA ANALYSIS

MY OWN SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DODGING A BULLET:

Social media is an incredibly effective (and free!) way in reaching audiences and spreading word about a film. Our group decided to use all platforms available to us in order to reach out to the biggest audience possible. The 4 platforms we set up accounts for were Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok. I took responsibility for the Instagram account.

Link to social media

ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL MEDIAS:

I used 'A Star is Born' as a case study for research into how films use social media to promote their product.

ANALYSIS OF FILM WEBSITES:

When researching the elements of film websites, I used Sorry We Missed You, Black Widow and Mamma Mia. I found that all websites made sure to have polished aesthetics and colour schemes that matched the branding of the film in order to create a successful brand image and continuity of design. 

POSTER AND POSTER ANALYSIS

In order to research film posters, I analysed those from Black Widow, Rocketman and Greta. After researching what information features on a film poster and the typical layout, I started drafting out ideas on paper. Once I had a design chosen, I used Microsoft PowerPoint to edit images and Cool Text to design the title and bought it all together using Microsoft Publisher. 

 OFFICIAL DODGING A BULLET POSTER:

DRAFT IDEAS FOR POSTER:

These drafts were not used as I wanted to bring focus to the fact the film highlights women empowerment and therefore I felt it was important to make the focus of the poster the women criminals rather than the mansion. Equally, the painting is a major subject of the film and so the overall look for the poster includes the criminals holding the stolen artwork. The draft with the mansion didn't end up working as the colour schemes were not what I was looking for as it would have included the green grass and blue sky. Instead, I wanted a dark black, shadowed colour scheme as I thought it looked slick and more professional as I had limited access to editing applications: by using a black background, it meant the film awards, the social media logos could all be edited using a low-quality software but still look professional. Equally, black meant I could use brighter colours to make the main information of the poster really pop and stand out such as the title, the tag line and the reviews which all used a gold/yellow colour. Furthermore, black gave a sense of mystery and threat which matched the connotations of robbery and criminals which I would not have been able to achieve if I had used bright colours and a picture of the mansion in broad daylight. 

RESEARCH:

TRAILER ANALYSIS

American Sniper (2014)

The trailer for American Sniper (2014) is effective in creating tension and making the film appeal to audiences through the use of visual and audio codes whilst also successfully attaining the intended genre of war and action. 

The trailer begins with the diegetic sound of someone loading a gun before the camera cuts away from a blackout to a mid-shot of a sniper. This instantly creates tension as the mise-en-scene has connotations of violence whilst also teasing the audience with suggestions of action. 

Following this, the camera pans up from the gun slowly to reveal a close up shot of Bradley Cooper which further hooks the audience as he is a well-known and much-loved actor. It becomes clear that Bradley Cooper is the main character through the flashbacks that show him with his family which provide the audience with hints of an emotional backstory but does so without giving too much away. The trailer has an extremely bland and dull colour palette which helps to establish the genre whilst the diegetic sounds of gunshots and bombs allow the film to come across as one that has a strong sense of realism about the reality of war. Adding to this, the trailer includes a dramatic crescendo as the cuts and non-diegetic music increase in pace. - we can hear the sounds of a heart-beat quickening, panicked breaths and the Shepard Tone Glissando getting louder and louder which successfully puts the audience on the edge of their seat and makes them want to go watch the film. 

Gravity (2013)

The story of Gravity (2013) follows a medical engineer and a veteran astronaut whose space shuttle is destroyed, leaving them stranded in deep space with no link to Earth and no hope of rescue. The trailer begins with intertitles before launching straight into an intense scene where a wide shot shows the shuttle spinning out of control with one of the astronauts attached to it. The trailer works successfully in creating a strong sense of panic and urgency through both visual and audio codes. Throughout, there is both diegetic and non-diegetic sound - hyperventilating and panicked screams from the astronaut spinning as well as the use of Shepherd Tone. These techniques work hand in hand with the visual codes as the cuts move in sync

with the breathing pattern heard. This is effective as it allows the audience to emulate the emotion and feelings of alarm and terror seen on screen. 

The Sci-Fi/Thriller genre is also established throughout as in many of the shots, captured in the background is Earth so it is clear to the audience the action is taking place in space. 

The trailer also gains audience attention as the intertitles show off the A-List actors used in the film - Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as well as highlighting the fact that the director of the film is Alfonso Cuaron, who is known for many successful films and so audiences will see his name and feel encouraged to go out and watch it. Adding to this, at the beginning of the trailer, the Warner Brothers ident shows on screen which also helps the film to gain a more superior and professional reputation.

Cloverfield (2008)

The trailer for Cloverfield (2008) is effective in selling the film through the use of editing. All of the camera shots are shaky and jolty to give the effect they are coming from the POV of a camera that one of the characters is holding. This adds to the thrill of the film as when something comes across the screen, the angle means that the audience cannot fully see what it is. However, the effect of this is really enhanced after the editing is added as the footage becomes scratched, broken up and of mediocre quality. 

The audio is also given a slightly worse quality to make it seem the audience are watching the action through the camera. The cuts between shots are edited so that the camera is winding back and forth between footage and is done so at a quick pace so the intensity of the action is heightened as the audience only get a glimpse of scenes from the film at a time. This also works well so that the trailer makes the film look thrilling but doesn't give too much of the plot line away. 

Cloverfield is an Action/Horror/Sci-Fi/Thriller and the trailer's introduction into a central conflict matches up with this style of film neatly for example, the dark colour scheme used throughout suggests thrill and uncertainty. Although the trailer does not showcase any A-List actors, it does a good job of teasing action right from the start and flaunting the gripping conflict that the characters have to face in the film.

The Birth of A Nation (2016)

The first thing that is used within the trailer to gain audience attention is the intertitles that showcase awards that the film has won at the Sundance Film Festival. This gives the film a certain type of prestige and makes audiences feel it is worth seeing. Additional intertitles show that the film is 'based on a true story' which works well to link to the Biography/Drama/History genre and appeal to the target audience of the film who would appreciate this kind of element in the film. Visual codes such as the mise-en-scene also highlights the genre such as the clothes the characters are wearing which suggest it is from a past time period.

 The genre and realism of the film is also suggested through the dark and cold colour schemes which give the film connotations of sadness which matches with the key themes such as racism and slavery. 

The audio codes used in the trailer are successful in heightening the emotion such as the sound effect of chains used throughout whenever a shot of slaves doing their work is shown. Equally, non-diegetic music plays such as 'Rise Up' by Andra Day which also adds to the intensity of the trailer. 

Nocturnal Animals (2016)

This trailer focuses on introducing the audience to the main character right from the start as the first shot is a extra-close up of a woman's face with her voice-over on the top making it clear to the audience that she plays a major role within the film. As well as this, the trailer introduces the main conflict she faces but does so without giving much away - it relates to her husband but there are gaps in the storyline that mean the audience has to follow through and watch the rest of the film to fill in those gaps. 

Many of the visual codes help to infer the genre of the film such as the rapid cuts and tease of intense action. There is a clear dramatic crescendo as the trailer moves along which is most evident through the addition of non-diegetic music. There is a descending ostinato figure that sounds coincides with the spiralling action happening on screen which successfully intensifies the film making it look more appealing to audiences interested in Thriller/Mystery style films.

There are intertitles to show off some of the Unique Selling Points of the film such as the number of A-List actors : Amy Adams; Jake Gyllanhaal; Armie Hammer; Isla Fisher and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Equally, the trailer mentions the director Tom Ford and other successful works that have made him well-known ('Acclaimed director of A Single Man') which helps audiences to make connections and those who follow his works will recognise his name and will want to watch the film.