Independence Day: Resurgence 

Target Audience: The target audience of this film is fans of the first film (Independence Day), sci-fi fans and young people. The producers are not only trying to keep the same fans entertained and interested by using some of the same characters and cast, but also attract a new audience so that their film can grow. By keeping some of the same characters they are giving existent fans of the films a sense of familiarity and comfort, but by including new actors like Liam Hemsworth, the producers are reaching out to a new, younger and wider audience.

How the images have been put together to create interest in the target audience: The images in this trailer have been put together so that we are not shown too much. We are never shown the 'other' (aliens) which enables the anticipation and excitement to be build up because the audience are not aware of what they are going to look like so their imagination and interest can grow and develop. We are also only shown the violence and fighting scenes only in short sequence so not a lot is given away. 

How sound has been used to create interest: The speech (non-diegetic sound) creates interest as it dramatises it all. Also, the low and slow music generates excitement as it adds the sense of mystery and unawareness because it informs the audience that something may happen but we don't know what or when. 

Uses and Gratifications: Diversion has been promised to the audience through the use of aliens and space; being questionably real, they provide the biggest escapism. Independence Day: Resurgence also provides socialisation as people are able to talk and enjoy it with friends/family. 

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British and Hollywood Comedy Films

Codes and Conventions:

1.   Settings – bright, sunny, social places

2.   Bright colours – emit happiness and positivity, blue and yellow

3.   Sarcasm

4.   Camerawork –

                               i.     Naturalistic, none of the characters are shown to be better

                              ii.     Medium shots – emphasise character expressions

5.   Diegetic sound – dialogue

6.   Non-diegetic sound – emphasise certain scenes or moments

7.   Lighting – bright and natural (daylight)

8.   Props – objects that can cause pain, sometimes footballs, golf clubs etc.

9.   Characters -

                               i.     Idiotic people (accident prone) are used in contrast to the ‘normal’ group, showing the contrast of personalities and emphasises the stupidity.

                              ii.     People with above average intelligence – socially awkward and unaware of social boundaries.

                 iii.     Regular people – accidents occur around them

British Comedy	Hollywood Comedy
·      Shaun of the Dead	·      Frances Ha
·      Four Lions	·      The Hangover
·      The Inbetweeners	·      Superbad

Shaun of the Dead 

This trailer shows a very conventional comedy film; with the use of bright colours, sarcasm and props this film seems to follow each convention.  The protagonist, Shaun is having a bad day and thus decides to turn his life around by attempting to get his ex to take him back. However, his timing is unfortunate as they are right in the middle of what could be a zombie apocalypse. With this, he decides that it is an opportunity to show everyone his use by saving them all, so all he has to do is survive and get his ex back. Although predominantly bright, Shaun of the Dead does include some dark scenes. Use of both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds are used to emphasise the comedic moments, e.g. when Shaun is brushing his teeth the sound is accentuated to add humour.

Frances Ha

This trailer is immediately breaking the convection of a modern comedy, as the film is black and white, meaning the use of daylight and bright colours is non-existent. Following the life of Frances, a woman living in New York but without an apartment, she apprentices for a dance company although she is not a dancer and throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as their possibility dwindles. This film does include sarcastic and socially awkward people, it is set in social and populated places and shows the idiotic characters alongside the ‘normal’ characters to emphasise their stupidity. The film also uses the use of non-diegetic sound (music) that sets a happy and positive mood.

Comedy is a feel good genre and the main reason why people watch it is because they want to be entertained. The positivity and joy shown on screen is often transferred to the person behind the screen, which leaves them feeling upbeat and positive. Also, this genre helps provide escapism for the viewer as whilst they are laughing at other people’s pain they often forget their own suffering. Furthermore, comedy is something that is universally enjoyed because anyone can find it funny, whereas a biopic film that discuss’ the issue of 3^rd world poverty cannot equally be enjoyed by everyone. Also, comedy is not something that needs prior knowledge and understanding before you can enjoy it. 

The Shrek Franchise



The bold, bright colours used in these posters prove the intended audience to be children. The vibrant blues, greens, yellows and reds supports this and demonstrates that the target audience is young parents too as they’d be the ones taking them. This also shows the genre. The animated characters on all of these posters, prove that there is going to be a mixture of genres, including animated, fantasy and family. They also prove that this film is for children. The fact that someone is always smiling in the Shrek posters demonstrates that it is also going to be quite comedic.

Excluding the Puss in Boots poster, they all include Shrek and he is always bigger than the rest. This, supported by the fact that the films are called Shrek, demonstrates to the audience that he is going to be the main character in each film which gives us an idea of what to expect – the main role to be focussed on him and quite comedic. Having blue as the background colour in each of the Shrek posters tells the audience that they can expect a similar story line that follows on from the previous. The style of the Puss in Boots poster is similar to the first Shrek one – the fire and flames. This implies that these two films may be similar - exciting, fun and mysterious. It also implies that it will be quite action filled.

In each poster, more characters are shown (except the third). This insinuates that the same characters are going to be in each film along with new ones, implying that the story line is going to develop in a new way compared to the last. Puss in Boots is a part of the Shrek franchise yet that poster is different to the others, this informs the audience that the film is going to be different to what is already evident in the Shrek series and instead he will be the main focus. Moreover, as he is familiar to the fans of the Shrek film series they will have a vague idea of what to expect in this film as they know the character he is. Also, because none of the other Shrek characters are shown, it leaves a mystery as to whether they’re going to be in it or not. Fiona is different in the first two posters which implies to the audience that her character is going to change at some point. This will excite the audience as it will build curiosity about why she changed and subsequently, what impacts this may have on the story line, if any.  Puss in Boots is a spin-off prequel to the Shrek series and this builds excitement and anticipation with the fans of Shrek because they will want to see it because it is a part of the franchise.