The Dark KnightTrailer Analysis

Though The Dark Knight is not strictly a horror film, and so does not fall into the same genre as the film I intend to create, the trailer shares many conventions that can be applied to a horror trailer. For instance, the extensive use of dark images, and mysterious voices with know sign of origin can be linked to horror. For this reason, I have decided to analyse it.

The first thing that appears is the green screen with the statement "The following PREVIEW has been approved for ALL AUDIENCES by the motion picture association of Amercia, inc." This is common among teaser trailers as it states who it is that can watch the trailer itself.

The screen the cuts to black, a shade commonly used to represent mystery and darkness. Chilling orchestral music fades in, along with the logos and names for the distributing companies, in this case Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures. After fading back to black, a voice appears. It is the protagonist's voice, and it is taken from the film itself. The fact that there are no images displayed ads to the mood and tension of the trailer, purposefully trying to affect your emotions. After the sentence has finished, a glimmer of light appears on screen, firing out from behind a black object (otherwise unnoticeable on the black background).

The voice comes back, speaking more about the mob crossing the line before more shots of light appear; wind-like sounds are made as they do. A second voice is heard, beginning to explain the character of the anticipated villain, as the shots of light increase in speed, appearing more frequent. Eventually, the lights appear so often, it illuminates the central object, revealing it to be the Batman symbol, only revealing what the actually film is over half way through the trailer.

The light begins to disintegrate the symbol, depicting the downfall of Batman to capture the audience's interest, as the music increases volume to create dramatic effect. The antagonist's voice appears, talking about death as the symbol continues to break apart. As the character laughs, a joker card appears from the symbol as the final piece fades away and flies towards the screen, revealing the villain of the film as the Joker, and he may destroy the Batman in some form in the film.

The title of the film is shown on a black screen as the music continues, followed by a release date slowly fading in.