Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions

Drama Trailer

• Realistic plots, characters, props and situations - generally, in drama films the setting and location of the plot is fairly broad, and not confined, this is because the plot becomes more realistic; which is a code and convention of a Drama film.

• Often includes all the most heavy-handed dialogue in the opening 30 seconds. This clues the audience in to the movie's key themes and messages, and requires very little effort on their part

• The first 30-40 seconds usually set the scene of what the characters are like before the "drama" happens and then their lives are changed forever (this is usually accompanied by a change in music)

• Dramatic music in the background, particularly when emotional scenes are being shown, often starts of slow and builds in tempo, music sets to inspire the audience and make them see the better side of things in life

• Pianos are cinematic shorthand for both melancholy and euphoria so they're perfect for any dramatic scenario

• Story line often consists of Equilibrium at the start, disruption in the equilibrium in the middle, and then actions carried out by main character(s) to restore the equilibrium until the end of the film - although restore is never shown in trailers

• Where the equilibrium is usually restored however nothing remains the same for the main characters - they often end up with changes in their lifestyle, or they learn from their mistakes, or someone/something valuable is lost

• There are many emotional scenes - particularly consisting of despair or anger

• Sometimes the story is narrated by the main character, an awe inspiring monologue is often present too

• Usually a love interest of some sort or the relationship between two people is dominant in the film (mum+daughter, brother+sister etc)

• The dialogue used in the trailer also conveys to the audience the various issues that the characters have, and for this reason it entices the audience to see the film as they may have problems that they can also relate to, or they may just see how broadly this film's narrative explores various life issues. 

• Putting a funny bit at the end allows your audience to know that however gut-wrenching your war film/cancer drama/Holocaust epic might be, at least one moment is guaranteed to be chucklesome.