Trailer Analysis:Mean Girls

The trailer begins with the name of production company Paramount. It then cuts to a camera film overlapping with voiceover, as the main protagonist introduces herself creating an initial bond with the audience. The narrative of the film is from protagonist perceptive, which is conventional for a teen comedy film. 

Lindsay Lohan, who plays the protagonist, is a unique selling point because she has a large fan base and is recognised therefore attracting a wider audience.

To show the protagonists life in Africa is in the past pictures are shown. Additionally, being the new kid is conventional in teen comedy; usually the character has traits similar to target audience so they can relate. The non-diegetic music in the background is upbeat and Morden appealing to the mainstream target audience.

Fast paced panning shot show the different “clicks” in the canteen, which relates to the target audience. The camera pans slowly when it reaches the “plastics”. The camera movement and dialogue “the worst “implies the three girls are significant in the film, as they “rule the school”. A wide shot is used to indict the power plastics have within the corridor. They are walking in a line together taking up space, creating the effect they have authority and people envy them or are fearful. They conform to the representation of promiscuous teenage girls, as they are showing a lot of skin and wearing high heels. One of the plastics is described as “stupid” she conforms to the stereotypical dumb blond “sometimes I think I’m physic”. To highlight the dialogue non-diegetic music fades into silence emphasising the comment about the plastic’s being dumb.

A high angle shot of boys lifting the leader of the "plastic" shows the audience the control and influence she has over everyone. Her body language e.g. blowing a kiss suggests she is confident, fierce and bold. Cady refers to Regina as “sweet” Regina then appears shouting, “get in loser”, which creates an ironic effect as she doesn’t seem nice, adding an aspect of humour/comedy. Regina's character is very cliché “the rich bitch” popular, affluent and mean.

To show Cady’s transformation into a "plastic" camera movement tilt up is used. However, she falls into the bin, which shows the audience she doesn’t fit in.

It cuts to editing technique split frame to show facial expression between the two main characters while having a phone conversation over the male love interest.

“This is girls world, all the fighting had to be sneaky,” this dialogue, suggests bitchiness and rivalry that is going to take place, which is conventional in a ‘chick flick’. Additionally, indicts narrative consists of fake friendships and back stabbing relating to the title “Mean Girls”.