1. Analysis of a film trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ5U8suTUw0
Abbi Allen

2. USP
I 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.
Sound
The 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.

3. Editing
At 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.

4. Credits and Intertitles
This 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.

5. Credits and Intertitles
Another 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.

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

7. 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.

8. Genre
The 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) audience
I 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.

9. Narrative
The 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.
Representation
The 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.