Research in to Narrative Text

Narrative text analysis

Analysing trailers from different genres has helped me realise the importance of narrative text in teaser trailers. Narrative texts can be used for all sorts of reasons. They are there to tell the story and/or move it along but also to promote the actors in the film, directors and previous films the director has done. The release date is also presented through the narrative text as well as the distributors.

Narrative texts are what keeps the audience in and engages them in the trailer. This could be by asking rhetorical questions. Narrative text also supports telling the story also represents the genre of the film. Therefore including it is absolutely essential. To help our group create our own narrative text I felt it would be beneficial for me to anaylise narrative text specifically. Different narrative text is used for different genres. By doing this, I will also be able to identify codes and conventions, the similarities and differences used by all genres.

This is narrative text from the film twilight. It is on a black background like most narrative texts are. The colour of the font is a navy blue which represents the fantasy genre of the film. The text reads worldwide bestseller’, this promotes the film and people who are fans of the book will be interested in this film. It also assures the audience that this film is from a well-known plot which means it will be successful.

******IMAGE OF FROM THE DIRECTOR IN STAR STREK*********

This is narrative text from the film star trek. It has a black background with white text on it which read ‘from the director of’. This tells the audience that it is from an established director and fans from the previous films of this director will be more inclined to watch this film also. White on black is the best combination because this contrast is most obvious.


This is the film title star trek. This is also written in white text over black. The font represents the sci-fi genre. This tells me it is important that the colour and font of the text reflects the genre of the film. I would apply this to our trailer by using colours which are associated with thrillers/horrors and the font would be also if this relevance.


These are the end credits of star trek. This would help us know the layout and the content which is included in end credits. The information included is the institutions, actors and music directors etc.

This is the release date of the film. It is in the same font as the previous text. The release date only contains this information. It is obvious and easily read.

‘Pretty women’ is very well-known film with a similar genre to the film ‘Valentine’s day’. ‘Pretty women’ already has a huge fan base so will attract the audience instantly. People will trust the film as it is from established directors. Also by comparing the film to a big hit, helps the potential target market if they will like the film. The target audience will also be of the same gender and similar age so it is easier to market the film.


Here the movie has introduced their main actors by putting an image of them from the film in a box on the left on a black ground and white text on the left. This clearly allows the audience to identify who the actor is.



This narrative text supports the storyline and helps moving it along. It is directly speaking to the audience which helps the audience feel connected. This explains the situation and what is about to come.



This is the green screen typical and common to all trailers. This is something my group would have to use.



This is narrative text from the Pixar film Cars. To promote the film they have shown the audience that this is the same director has the massive hit ‘Finding Nemo’. Since Finding Nemo is a very well-known film, it increases the potential target market. The text is written with the same logo and font for ‘Finding Nemo’ and this helps it being identified easily. However, this film is mainly aimed towards children and therefore the style of this narrative text is very different from the previous ones i have analysised. The text is not on a black background but instead on a scene from the film ‘Finding Nemo’. It is bright and colourful and connotates a fun and exciting feel. This reflects the younger audience.

Evaluating research

From my research I have gathered the importance of narrative texts. The typical narrative text is on a black ground and this is something my group and I may also use since it also relates to our horror genre. White could be the best colour to write the text in because it stands out the best.
I also feel that including the previous work the director has done is also quite important as it gives the film a boost and helps it reach the target market. The release date is also written in the same font for all the trailers which will be one of the things we will keep consistent. Narrative text is also important when a voice over is not used since it helps explain the plot and move the story along.