Film Trailer Analysis - Double Indemnity trailer.

Media language:

In the beginning of the trailer the film is introduced by the narrator, he mentions about the film and also the director of the film. This film was made in 1944 yet still follows the conventions of the everyday trailers we see today. This emphasises the common nature of the films in the 20^th century. The trailer gives a brief explanation of the film using the very best and tense cuts from the film; this shows the audience that the film is worth watching. The trailer is there to help the audience configure what the film will be about, this trailer does this very well, by the use of the quote “how could I know that murder could smell like honey suckle” shows the audience that the film will be including some sort of crime and murder. This will help to attract the target audience. Being a film noir, smoke is used in the trailer to give the film an edgy feel, again attracting the target audience.

In the final stage of the trailer the narrator speaks about the film production company, showing the audience that the production company is successful and well known, therefore encouraging the audience to see the film.

Institutions:

The institution that funds the film (Paramount) is very successful and at tat time was the most successful film production company, therefore when the audience sees this they will want to go and see the film.

Genre:

The genre of the film is a crime/film noir/thriller; this helps the film apply to many different audiences which will help maximise profit. The trailer helps to show the audience the three different genres very well, with the use of camera shots and speech. The speech in the trailer is where the trailer really explains its genre with the quotes it mentioned earlier. The main character has cuts from the film and when these are shown at the start of the film it is clear to the audience what the film genre is. Also in the middle of the trailer we see what actions the main character and the woman are doing and how she is hiding from the detective, again showing the audience that the film will have an element of crime.

 

Representation:

This film is represented in such a way that people are able to debate about the film and try and work out the result of the crime the characters commit. The trailer will affectively tease the audience as they will want to know what sort of crime the characters commit. Also the film trailer will allow for debate about who will commit the crime/murder, again stimulating the audience’s interest in the film and causing them to want to see the film.

Audience:

The audience for this film can vary depending on which of the three genres they are interested in. The diverse genre allows for a wider range of target audience. However the main target audience for this film will be the thriller audience as this is the main aspect of the film. The age range for the film would be from 15 onwards as the film does involve murder and therefore could be inappropriate for younger audiences.

Narrative:

The film involves many different complicated twists. The audience can realise this from the film trailer. The trailer explains a love for the main character and how their love for each other causes them to commit the ultimate crime. The audience are then allowed to make their own assumptions about how the film will play out from there. This will cause them to want to go and see the film, as they wish to find out what happens to the tow main characters in the film. This story line is helped by the narrator in the film trailer, explaining the beginning o the film and who the producers of the film are.

Ideologies:

The film will help to create different beliefs on the attitudes on the film its self. The film creates two different views that the audience will establish a relationship with. This engages the audience with the film with the use of the trailer and allows them to decide if they want to see the film or not.

Editing:

There is editing used in the film trailer, however due to the film being made in the mid 1990s the editing is very simple, it involves the usual straight forward cuts to move from scene, This helps show some of the cuts from the film and allows the audience to get a brief understanding of the film and cause them to want to see the film.