The duff follows a coming of age genre as it tells the story of a frumpy high school senior named ‘Bianca’, who has a rude awakening when she learns that her classmates secretly know her as the ‘duff’ (designated ugly fat friend). She is desperate to reinvent herself and restore social order within the school by overcoming a judgemental mean girl ‘Madison’. A potential unique selling point for the film could be the comedy aspect, suited for both teenage and adult humour. Another potential unique selling point was the chosen actors who weren't necessarily well known but they were up and coming, ‘Bella Thorne’ for example who played ‘Madison’ was highly involved with disney channels films and tv series such as ‘Shake it up’. Since the release of the duff ‘Bella Thorne’ has been given many more acting roles within successful films or tv shows.
The trailer opens with a bird's eye view establishing shot, overlooking a conventional neighbourhood combined with a upbeat non - diegetic backing track. This is followed by four quick executive medium close up shots, labeling 4 different stereotypical characters seen in coming of age films. Each of the shots are combined with a voiceover from the main character ‘Bianca’ illustrating what the typical labels are within the school. The first shot has lowered the angle to reveal a “jock” throwing an american football. The angle used indicates his superiority in the hierarchy of popularity within the school as well as showing his athletic and manly side. The second medium shot reveals a “geek” who is sitting down looking around in confusion, eating a sandwich. Her unusual behaviour and old fashioned clothing supports the representation of her outsider character. The third medium shot reveals a “Rocker” who is shown sitting on his motorbike, whipping of his helmet and flicking his hair. The use of the motorbike, black clothing and long hair support the representation of this rebellious goth like character. The final shot is a long to medium tracking shot which reveals the “mean girl” to be purposely pushing past someone and knocking their stuff out their hands. Her fashionable clothing, attitude and sarcastic response supports her representation as a popular, selfish and horrible character.
The trailer follows the components of ‘Todorov’s theory’ but in a different order. It opens with a realisation/ recognition, as the main character ‘Bianca’ is informed that she has her own label ‘the duff’. This discovery is shown through a number of alternate over the shoulder shots showing ‘Bianca’ and a jock character having a conversation at a party. The chosen setting of a party is stereotypically used in coming of age films as it is a relatable event which may occur in the target audience of teenagers and young adults lives. Another reason could be that lots of characters can be used to witness what happens or a climax moment. An example would be at the end of ‘Bianca’s’ conversation, a medium shot shows her throwing her drink over the male jock character. The shot also reveals the background characters facial expressions and reactions to this happening. As the trailer continues ‘Bianca’ befriends the male jock character to reverse the way she is seen by others. Alternate over the shoulder shots reveal these two characters to be shopping in a female's lingerie store, they are shown discussing ‘Bianca’s’ fashion disasters and what she needs to change. This montage of clips is combined with a non diegetic soundtrack called ‘Come get it bae’ by ‘Pharrell Williams’, this upbeat track may have been used to coincide with the positive attempt to represent ‘Bianca’s’ character. Throughout the trailer comedic moments are shown to target a wider audience as well as attempting to attract and entertain more people.
A brief section of the trailer reveals a disruption as ‘Bianca’ has to defeat not only her label but the mean girl character ‘Madison’. A number of medium to long shots show ‘Madison’ strutting down the corridor, the audience are able to capture her stern facial expressions. She walks down the corridor centrally and is shown to be the main focus of the camera with additional characters in the background. These shots are combined with a non diegetic soundtrack called ‘Problem’ by ‘Natalia kills’, this song has been chosen as the lyrics correspond with ‘Madison’s’ mean girl persona.
The closing section of the trailer follows an equilibrium, where ‘Bianca’ is shown accepting and embracing the fact she is different as well as confronting ‘Madison’. One particular tracking shot has been slowed down to reveal ‘Bianca’ walking into prom wearing a fancy dress and looking rather attractive. This chosen shot is similar to the previous ones introducing the character ‘Madison’, this may have been chosen as it shows ‘Bianca’ to be equal as ‘Madison’.
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