Textual Analysis
Batman Dark Knight Rises Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yh6SriAjdE
Codes & Conventions:
What techniques does the trailer use to persuade the audiences to watch the film?
Representation
How is gender represented in the trailer?
Audience:
Who is the target audience and how are they encouraged to watch this film?
Institution:
How will the films institution benefit from this Batman franchise ending?
Q1)
The trailer uses a range of different codes and conventions to grip the attention of its audience. One of them is their use of star appeal. The film 'Dark Knight Rises' has got an all-star cast of actors like Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman who are all winners of numerous awards. This will grip the attention of audience because they will immidiately expect an amazing performance from each of the actors. Another convention the trailer uses is the use of title shots. The trailer use phrases such as "The Legend Ends" and "The Epic Conclusion". These title will encourage viewers to watch the film because following the success of the Batman films fans will certainly want to know how the trilogy will end. The trailler also has its own composed music that fits the film. This will give audiences the knowledge that a lot of money has been put into this film and also the the success of 'Batman Begins' and 'Dark Knight' will persuade them to watch this film. Finally the mention of the director Christopher Nolan will persuade audiences to watch it because he's a very succesfull director who's won many awards such as Academy Awards, Golden Globe and BAFTA awards. This will give audiences the understanding that this film will be a guaranteed success.
Q2)
The sequence represents gender in very contrasting ways and also very stereotypical at times. The trailer shows the female protagonist (Anne Hathaway) in a very dominant role in this film as the female villain. She is represented as a very sexy female who uses her sex appeal to do evil. This is shown in one of the scenes where she is seen whispering into Batmans ear and it shows that she is in control of her sexuality. However, the appearence of Anne Hathaway could be represented negatively as it is very stereotypical as she's just there tp be voyeured on.
In contrast men are represented very stereotypically as strong and powerful characters. This is shown through the performance of Batman being very physical and depending on his strength. This is also shown throught the male villain who depends on those similar attributes. A negative representation could be argued that the film is representing men as the dominant sex.
Q3)
The target audience for this film would stereotypically be males between the age of 14 to 25. This can be identified through the typical conventions this film has that would attract this audience. This film has features like: vioolence, explosions and loads of action. Also this is about an iconic character (Batman) that is very often associated with the male audience. They are encouraged to watch this film through the success of the previous Batman film especially the prequel, Dark Knight which is one of the most successful film of all time. Also the fact that this is the ending to the franchise, fans would thereofre want to know how this franchise would end. Batman is very successful brand that has been going on for decades so that would encourage audiences immidiately and also comic book fans who follow Batman would certainly be interested. The secoundary audience for this film is females. This is because unlike the prequel this film is also starring a female villain so that would engage female audiences to see how this film would represent them. This film also targets both genders through the sex appeal of the very famous cast of this film, with the like of Anne Hathaway, Christian Bale, Liam Neeson etc.
Q4)
The film institution of Batman will benefit from this franchise ending because looking at the record of the previous Batman film from this franchise the films has been getting better and more successful each time. This film is almost guaranteed success because a lot of money has gone into this film to make it as successful as it can be which will attract audiences to watch it and increase the films popularity. Also from the previous films viral marketing has been extremely important in the success of the Batman films as it attracted many viewers in the prequel and this happening again is very likely. The fact that this is the ending of this franchise will encourage many people to wonder how it will end therefore increasing the amount of money this film will make.
