Romantic Comedy Trailers

Romantic Comedy

500 Days of Summer (2009)

Director: Marc Webb

Company: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Release Date: 2nd September 2009

The trailer consists of many of the usual conventions used in modern film trailers. The trailers uses clips - some humorous, some emotional - to help set up the story without giving away the whole story. This is used to tease the audience so they will be more likely to want to see the film and see the whole story. The trailer also shows the production company behind the film which is Fox Searchlight Pictures, and is also another usual convention of film trailers.
Non-diegetic music plays setting the tone of the trailer. Usually in romantic comedies light-hearted music is played but with this trailer the music changes into a different tempo with the editing and cuts of scenes being shown to help portray the emotions in the film.
A Narrative Enigma is used to establish the plot of the film and to create curiosity as it gives a warning to the fact the the film is not a love story. The voice is similar to the narrative in older trailers such as 'How To Marry A Millionaire' in 1953 in which the narrative tells the audience of the characters and the typical 'boy meets girl' plot which has a twist in '500 Days of Summer'.
Close-up shots are used as well which can also be a typical trailer convention as they are used to show the actors starring in the film. This trailer also uses a medium-close-up two shot to show the two protagonists together. Close-up shots also show the emotions - love and depression - and the characters emotions to show that the film romance is rocky and has its ups and downs.
Captions are also edited into the trailer with text saying what day the scene took place on which is used in the film and is related to the title of the film.


Bridget Jones' Diary (2001)

Director: Sharon Maguire

Company: Little Bird

Release Date: 13th April 2001

In this trailer, the film production company logos are quickly edited onto the beginning to show the audience who the film is made and produced by. The first shot you see is a medium-close up of the main character and of the actress. This shows the audience the star of the film and is also repeated in the introduction of Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.
The narrative enigma changes from a man's voice introducing the story of the film to the main character speaking from her diary which also sets up the film.
Text is shown over the top of clips. This text shows the names of the actors in the film and positive reviews from magazines and critics. There are also quick elliptical edits to show you the funniest scenes briefly so the audience gets a taste of the film and are intrigued to see the rest.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Director: Rob Reiner

Company: Castle Rock Entertainment

Release Date: 1st December 1989

The 'When Harry Met Sally' trailer is slower paced than the '500 Days of Summer' trailer. The music and editing is much more slower and gives a laid-back, relaxed and light-hearted tone to the film.
The narrative enigma is presented in text captions about relationship issues presented in the film. The main focus of the clips used from the film in the trailer are of the two protagonists, Harry and Sally. This is similar to that of '500 Days of Summer'. This shows the audience who is starring in the film and also shows some of the funniest and awkward moments in the film to set up the basic plot line to the audience.

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Director: Blake Edwards

Company: Jurow-Shepard

Release Date: 5th October 1961

The narrative enigma in the 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' trailer is presented in voice over form. It sets up the characters more than the storyline and shows off the fact that the film stars Audrey Hepburn who was a big name in the 60's cinema and George Peppard. Text captions are placed over clips of scenes in the film and also informs the audiences of the names of the actors in the film. The clips shown vary throughout the trailer showing humour and emotional reactions of the characters.
The music played is quieter and has no lyrics so the audience can pay more attention to the narrative enigma.
Establishing shots and wide shots are used to show the audience that the location is New York and further characterise Holly Golightly.

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25/11/09 http://www.youtube.com/

29/1/10 http://www.imdb.com/