Ill Manors trailer analysis

1) What are the typical codes and conventions of film trailers - what information is usually provided?

Although all trailers are different, or have evolved over the years, they tend to adhere to an established set of ideas. Firstly, film production logos which are usually presented in the first part of the trailer. This is an intentional choice as it benefits the production company because it helps construct their reputation so fans of their content may choose to watch other work that they have produced, subsequently attracting viewers. Next, is the Film Title which is in almost every trailer. It enables the audience to known which film it is. Typically, it is presented at the end of the trailer rather than the beginning because you are more likely to remember it. The title itself, the physical design is important. The font and colours provide good indicators of the genre of a film. For instance, a light hearted film would tend to use bright colours and soft, friendly fonts, whereas a horror would use darker colours or sharp fonts with shadows e.g true blood. A BBFC Age Certification is another common convention of British trailers. Their classification is shown towards the end of a film trailer. Another convention, perhaps apparent in more recent, evolved trailers, is using social Media. This includes adding accounts to follow, hashtags or instructions to 'like' their Facebook page. This encourages the audience to find out more about the film. It can also help spread the word and gain hype for the film by people 'tweeting' about it. Character Introductions are another important feature of film trailers. This is an vital convention as it enables the audience get pleasure from films by identifying or relating to the characters, by their similarities, for example if there is a young female character who plays a prominent role in the film, people from the target audience who are young and or female connect to the character and are more likely to watch the it. Also, if the characters happen to be famous, they must have an established fan base which benefits the film as well as broadening the audience because it encourages fans of the actors/actresses to be attracted to the film. Music and Voice overs Music are also important. To continue, there will be name captions, these can be actor's names, director's names or producer's names. This is important because an audience can see a director or producer which they are either fans of, or weren't. Release date is essential for attracting a large audience to the opening night of a film release. The release date is usually shown at the end of the trailer, like the film title, so that the trailer grabs the audience's attention then gives them the information they need to go see it. Moreover, they often select quotes from notable critics. This is also called a review. This could convince us to give a film we're uncertain about a chance. In terms of narrative, we can apply Todorov's theory of equilibrium. This is apparent in more light hearted films such as romance. The trailer begins with equilibrium which transcends into disequilibrium until it is reinstated and descends into new equilibrium.

2. How are trailers usually distributed?
A trailer, also known as a preview, acts an an advertisement for a film.They tend not to last long and although it is specified that they are for films, recently trailers have been adapted as a promotional tools for a broader range of media such as TV shows, video games, books, series, concerts etc. Usually, these trailers are distributed by the same studios that produced the films e.g Warner Bros. distributes Harry Potter films, but also it's trailers. The majority of these film trailers gets posted on online platforms such as YouTube.

3.How does the Ill Manors trailer use film trailer conventions?

The trailer begins with an employment of non-diegetic music and a black screen. Gradually white, sans serif font emerges onto this black screen, juxtaposing with the dark background. From the onset, we can quickly see that this trailer conforms to the typical convention of using a tagline. To continue, once the text has faded, we are presented with a shot of a hand knocking at a door. The use of this action provides enigma codes, another convention of trailers. The intentional choice of using an enigma code at the beginning helps draw the audiences attention to the trailer and encourage them to watch it. The trailer uses an almost montage style of editing which contributes to the enigma codes about the narrative thus, making viewers desperate to watch. Therefore, we are able to apply Barthe's theory of enigma codes here. Another narrative code constructed by Barthe's are action codes. These are also heavily employed within this trailer e.g the shot of a gun or a knock at the door. In addition, we can see the employment of reviews used within the trailer. Again, this is another vital convention of trailers as it provides a sense of the film being promising. Individuals who may be unsure about the film, will perhaps give it a chance because of these reviews. Also, to elaborate on the use of music, it gradually increases in terms of speed and volume until it transcends into voiceovers. The intensity of the music increases along with the editing. We can see quick cuts and fast movement. This employment of quickly paced music and editing enables the audience to feel thrilled and excited about the film. It also establishes the genre, a drama, thriller and crime film. Moreover, the use of a voiceover, (by Ben Drew) is another effective convention utilised by the trailer. Finally, the trailer ends with presenting the release date. This is an effective method as it will be last thing the audience see. Underneath the release date, we can see links to social media, this promotes the film and helps to attract a young audience. Again, this is all conventional of trailers.

4.Watch the trailer carefully and discuss how it might attract an audience. Firstly, think about who the target audience for Ill Manors might include. Does it have a unique selling point or use particular techniques to appeal to the audience? Consider the way the scenes are edited together – does the trailer give away any clues about the narrative? Are the main stars visible in the trailer? Is there information about the director of the film? Is there information about the release date? Is a narrator’s voice-over used? Why?

To begin, this trailer undeniably utilises several techniques efficiently in order to attract viewers. Their target audience appears to be 18- 25. This is most apparent through the BBFC rating they are classified under (18+) and the themes which appeal to young adults rather than the older generation. The psychographic group would be C2 and D because the films contains elements that are more relatable to their own experiences. I think this trailer  suggests the film appeals most to strugglers as they seek escape which appears to be a pervasive theme in the film. In terms of gender, I think it is evident from the strong violence and sexual nature of the film that males are also the more targeted gender.

From the onset, the trailer opens with a title. The keeps viewers engaged by the employment of sans serif, white font which juxtaposes with the black background. This hooks viewers to the trailer and establishes the gritty, intense realism of the film. The trailer then uses the tagline that supports the nurture side of the debate. Instantly, this appeals to a large group of people who are seeking rejuvenation and change in their lives. Next, we are shown a man knocking at a door, here we can apply Barthes' theory of narrative codes. He stated that enigma codes are employed in order to evoke feelings of intrigue in viewers. This subsequently led to viewers wanting to relieve their unanswered questions, ultimately encouraging them to watch the film. Throughout the trailer we see use of an almost montage style of editing which contributes to the enigma codes about the narrative thus, making viewers desperate to watch the film. Another narrative code constructed by Barthe's are action codes. These are also heavily employed within this trailer e.g the shot of a gun or a knock at the door. This also helps engage viewers.
In addition, we are presented with several instances of scenes with pull out quotes from reviews. These reviews have positive connotations in regards to the content of the film and helps to attract viewers because it ensures the film is promising and that it will be enjoyable. Any fans of these reviewers may be encouraged to watch their film because of their loyalty and trust in the critic or their organisation. At the end of the trailer, we are presented with a release date. This convention is an effective method as it will be last thing the audience see. Underneath the release date, we can see links to social media, this promotes the film via social platforms and helps to attract a young audience.

In terms of the narrative, the film uses fast paced editing and music. This establishes the genre of the film along with the content within the trailer. By establishing the film as a thriller, drama and crime, it helps appeal to males and explorers who have knowledge and can relate to the hardships of life they may have had experience of. Also, the trailer ensures we can see the director (Ben Drew i.e Plan B) feature in the film. This attracts Plan B's fan base to watch the film. The unique selling point for this movie is the original soundtrack utilised in the film. Plan B has made this choice intentionally as he is aware that this is an effective way of attracting his fan base to watch the film. As well as this, he does the voice over in the trailer to further heighten his presence in the film's making and we are shown his name in the trailer to ensure viewers are fully aware who the director is. The producers have also ensured that we are shown Riz Ahmed, a starring character in the film as he has an established fan base which helps promote the films reputation as a whole.

5.How has the genre of the film been represented through characters, settings, lighting, colour, music/dialogue, camera shots/movements/angles and editing?

The genre of the film is represented in a myriad of conventions and other techniques. Most evidently, we can see the use of narrative codes, constructed by Ronald Barthes, employed in the trailer. The use of many action codes e.g through the shot of the gun establishes the film's genre effectively as it suggests it is a thriller. Also, Medhurst's stereotype theory also applies. By using stereotypical characters such as 'chavs', it is made clear to viewers that the film will focus on gritty realism and portraying the reality of estates and urban London. This helps establish the film as drama because we are being shown several types of stereotypes that are explored in depth in the film. Moreover, we are presented with several props that allude to crime e.g guns, drugs and blood. The use of props also helps establish the urban drama genre of the film. We can see specific types of  clothing in the trailer that help to establish this.

In terms of editing, the pace is quite fast and editing in a montage. This helps heighten the genre of thriller and crime because it builds tension and suspense in viewers. The non-diegetic music fits into the genre of grime, contributing to the genre of the film which is quite urban. The music intensifies in terms of pace and volume which also helps establish this. Furthermore, the lighting used is primarily high key in order to accentuate the characters and ensure we are able to see the contents of each shot properly. This helps establish the drama aspect of the film. However, some shots are more dimly shot which has implications of crime.

The cinematography within the trailer appears to be, predominantly, quite shaky. This helps reinforce the realistic feel of the film effectively. Moreover, the use of angles are employed throughout the trailer. For instance, we can see several low angle shots on specific characters to highlight their danger which links to the genre of crime, prominent in the film. Also, the use of high angles establishes specific character's weaknesses and vulnerability, again alluding to drama and crime.