Film Trailer Analysis - Da Vinci code trailer.

Media language:

There is text used as we move through the film trailer to increase the tension and encourage the audience to continue to watch the film its self. Also non-diegetic sound is used to build up the tension and reveal the best parts of the film; this is typical of film trailers as it leaves the audience on a cliff hanger and causes them to want to see the film. In the trailer the actors are revealed, (as seen in the pictures below) this allows the audience to develop a slight knowledge on each character and what types of acts they will be playing, this also allows the audience to see who is featuring in the film. In the trailer there is also a narrator who gives a brief description of the film as the trailer unfolds, this gives the trailer a more dramatic and professional feel.

Institutions:

The institution that will be funding the film (Columbia) is featured at the start of the trailer in order to establish who owns the production of the film.

Genre:

The genre of the film is mystery/ thriller, this is an unusual type of mixed genre, it will involve investigations into a specific topic (in this case religion) and in that will come a sense of thriller and ‘on edge’ entertainment, this is shown and established well in the trailer. The audience will be able to see that the film will have a sense of thriller immediately by the non-diegetic sound that is introduced. Also when the narrator explains a brief synopsis of the film it is clear that the film will include some sort of a mystery, Coupled together with the tension created with such things as the characters running through the street, this trailer offers a good in sight to the film.

 Representation:

The trailer is represented in such a way that the target audience will be able to relate and debate about the film its self, this trailer causes the audience to wish to go and see the film. The actors are represented as closed minded people who seek the truth, and others that wish to hide it, a good dramatic combination. The place in which the film is set is represented as a historical setting, this fits the theme of the film as it looks back at the early stages of Christian life and how it all unravelled. The events that are represented in the trailer are some of the main parts of the film; the production team will do this in order to make the film look as good as possible for the audience, in turn causing the audience to want to see the film in full.

Audience:

The type of people who this film is aimed at, are people that believe in conspiracies and who seek the truth towards this certain topic. The film is aimed at the older generation as they will have slightly more knowledge on the main subject of the film; also the film is relatively complicated and would be hard to understand for younger generations; however the film is rated a 12A so this indicated that it would be suitable for younger viewers as the film does not feature any explicit imagery.

Narrative:

The storyline of the film is based on a murder, this then leads on to a mystery on Da Vinci’s paintings, this unravels secrets that the world was never meant to know. The trailer effectively shows this storyline, with the use of quick cuts and the narrator gradually explaining the synopsis of the film briefly at the start of the trailer. This sneak peek on the narrative of the film will cause the audience to want to view the film.

Ideologies:

The film represents a new type of story, one that contrasts to the original story of Christianity, this story is meant to be kept a secret but others are sent to try and find the truth. It represents new beliefs which will encourage and encourage the audience to watch the film.

Editing:

The trainer features many different cuts and transitions, the trailer features a cross fade affect, and this is where two scenes are edited in a way so that they overlap each other showing both shots for a short period of time. This effect is used to ensure a smooth transition between scenes in the trailer. Sound editing is also used in the trailer, this is mainly used to, again, ensure smooth transitions throughout the trailer but also to increase tension throughout the video to emphasise the genre of the film.