Exploration of Film Trailers

Jassiem Moore

What is a trailer?• The main purpose of a trailer is to provide audiences with a preview of a

particular film in order to entice them into coming to see the film• Trailers are often used to promote films and thus can draw similarities to

food or sports advertisements as both have the main goal of promoting their product

• They usually consist of 1/ 2 second clips showcasing different moments from the film (usually the best) in order to attract audiences, this is usually combined with voiceovers, text, sound effects and music in order to provide audiences with more information about the film and also to express the tone of that particular film

• Trailers are usually seen in cinemas before a movie is about to start, on television or on video based internet websites like YouTube, daily motion etc.

Trailers also include (not all but most):• The film’s rating• Who’s starring in it• Website address of the film• Who directed it• Release date of the film• Logo of the films production company (E.G. Warner

Bros.)

But what makes a really good trailer?

• A really good trailer should be able to create a lot of excitement and buzz about the actual film, this can be done through promoting a really well known actor starring in the film (E.G Leonardo Dicaprio in Inception)

• Give a brief summary of the story of the film. Of course it shouldn’t tell the whole story but it should tell enough to want audiences wanting to see more

• Create a certain mood by the use of the shots used and also the soundtrack used as this can be vital in showing audiences what to expect from the film.

High Concept

• This term basically refers to a image that can be easily described and noticed by a audience

Costume already tells audience some of the plot: man holding gun implies there will be some sort of confrontation in the film

Suit shows authority highlighting that he is a main character in the film

Water signifies a obstacle-probably something he has to overcome in the film

But what makes the trailer for Inception so good?

• Production company shown at start to give audiences a idea of what to expect from the film• Uses music to set a dark atmosphere and tone to the movie which again gives audiences a

preview of what to expect from the film• Shows the name of a respected and experienced director as well as a film he has previously

directed which gives audiences a idea of what sort of film it will be and how good it will or will not be

• It focuses on the main star (Leonardo Dicaprio) that’s in the film in order to promote the film and encourage audiences to watch it.

• Uses dramatic and dynamic camera angles to shows a montage of the best moments from the film to show audiences what to expect from the film

• Uses voiceovers to reveal the plot and theme of the movie to audiences• Also uses text to reveal the plot to audiences• Links the design of the title ‘Inception’ to the theme of the actual movie with the title

representing a maze• Date the movie is released and the title of the movie is shown at the end so it is the last thing

audiences see and therefore easier to remember• B UT MOST OF ALL the whole trailer managers to reveal the plot of the movie without having

to give too much away which then makes audiences eager to see more.