film trailers

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Film Trailers

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Film Trailers

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Page 1: Film trailers

Film Trailers

Page 2: Film trailers

DefinitionFilm trailers are used to promote or advertise an upcoming film,

traditionally they were shown at the end of the film, but this was seen ineffective due to crowds leaving after the film, hence the name trailer. The first was shown in 1913 for the film musical The Pleasure Seekers.

Film trailers have many different conventions, for example, a voice over or a soundtrack, snapshots of the actors involved, or if they of a high enough profile names of the director/producer/actor/actress will be shown to capture the audiences attention. These names will also be shown for example if Tom Cruise was shown the audience would immediately affiliate the actor with an action film due to the previous genres and successful films the actor has starred in.

The genre of films I am going to look at are crime, famous directors of this genre include Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino. The films I am going to study are The Departed (2006), Dead Man’s Shoes (2004), and Harry Brown (2009).

Page 3: Film trailers

The trailer is 2:31 minutes long, making a fairly long trailer. The Departed, one of my films I have chosen, focuses on the crime genre. But there is also a very strong theme of identity, it "affects one's actions, emotions, self-assurance and even dreams” Stanley Kauffmann the film critic quotes. In the trailer all the main themes are portrayed, such as action through gun fighting, sex and relationships, and betrayal. Special effects are used such as slow motion as the gangsters move from their car, this is used to signify their importance and malice. Transition between slides cuts to a black out to show a slower and more effective change of scenery and actors, most of but not all screen shots are of an action such as loading or shooting a gun or of a conservation and then it is usually a mid-shot, close ups tend to be used more on scenes which want to show you something, either typing on a phone or once again, loading a gun.

The Departed (2006)

Page 4: Film trailers

This director is renowned for his “gangster” and crime type movies, this indicates to the audience the type of film. Also the colours used for the forename and surname seem to indicate that the blue colour indicates the police force and the white the crime. Another subtle hint to the films theme.

Captions such as Sacrifice is a test give the trailer a break from its vocal and more confrontational style. The trailer features 4 different soundtracks, ranging from The Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter to Dropkick Murphys’ I'm shipping to Boston. However, the music soundtrack only features as a background track as vocals (mainly conversations) take the main part in the trailer, mainly conversations about “killing” or crime. Supporting and emphasising the genre of the trailer.

The list of very popular and well known actors will catch the audiences attention and realise this is an “all-star” cast.

The final slide in the trailer shows the release date and the films website along with al the films institutions, this is a fairly traditional end to a trailer for a big budgeted movie.

Caption placed for deliberate effect to indicate the themes and to indicate death and loss, which features heavily in the movie.

Page 5: Film trailers

The opening of the trailer shows one of the main characters – Jack Nicholson – as the voiceover and in the scene smoking in a part of a town, giving the effect of his superior role in the film.

Themes of the trailer are portrayed early on, for example, action, through the image of a gun firing. The camera is showing a close up of the gun , this shows that guns and violence is a main theme in the film.

These connotations of action and screenshots show the stereotypical action shots. This gives off the genre of the film and the trailer. The trailer starts off with slow side transition to set the motif and also with longer scenes to let more vocal and peaking patrts from one of the main characters, then as the trailer gets into the depth of the pot, action shots tart to appear followed by a screenshot with some text on it. The slide transition speed up and so does the amount of action and the trailer comes to a close after an action pcked 2:31 seconds.

The depiction of violence is demonstrated through the anger of the attacker and his fist about to omit paid in to the victim.

Page 6: Film trailers

Dead Man’s Shoes (2004)The trailer for Dead Man’s Shoes is 1:39 seconds long, making for a medium

length trailer. The film is about a disaffected soldier who returns to his hometown to get even with the thugs who brutalized his mentally-challenged brother years ago. Richard returns home from military service to a small town in the Midlands. He has one thing on his mind: revenge. Payback for the local bullies who did some very bad things to his brother. At first his campaign employs guerrilla tactics, designed to frighten the men and put them ill at ease. But then he steps up his operation, and one by one these local tough guys are picked off by the terrifying angel of vengeance that Richard has become.

The film is part of the thriller genre but also drifts in and out of crime and drama genres. The films motif is very much focused on revenge and I am planning to focus this as my own main plot in my own trailer. Because the films motif is revenge and vengeance, the film is basically a tragedy.

Towards the end of the trailer the main character (Paddy Considine) is heard to be saying’ God will forgive them and allow them into heaven, I cant live with that.’ this is a very sinister line and foreshadows the tragedy, drama and thriller in the film.

Page 7: Film trailers

The trailer starts out very soft, the soundtrack is soft and gentle under the conversation between the two characters, which is not in sync with the films genre.

This is still continuing the strange vary in genre, representing the drama side of the film, the technique used to show a lack screen and a faded out use of text give the impression of something being hidden and subtext that will later be revealed.

This screenshot is placed before this one

This gives the affect of how a brother will do anything for his own, and the ‘Vengeance’ typeface is very aggressive and explosive. It shows the anger and violence intended throughout the trailer.

Page 8: Film trailers

The scene is showing a struggle of a man being almost forced into something – he is being dragged by a rope (almost animalistic) this gives off the traditional codes and conventions of thriller.

The creepy mask indicates that of a serial killer (again a code and convention of a thriller genre)

which sends out the fear to the audience.

The use of the axe indicates the violence in the trailer throughout the film, it also is a foreshadowing of the blood and gore.

The stance of the character shows his confidence and composure whilst holding an axe which makes the whole scene look incredibly sinister.

Text is displayed in a dirty red colour (probably blood) and shows the violence, horror and thriller aspect of the trailer. The text itself, ‘One Down’, is a disturbing term which indicates the elimination and murder of people.

The review and quote from a famous correspondent gives the audience a reassuring vote of confidence and shows the scary aspect of the text used, ‘Disturb’ and ‘Gripping’, give the quote a reminiscent to the thriller genre of the film.

Page 9: Film trailers

Harry Brown (2009)Harry Brown is a 2009 British crime thriller film directed by Daniel Barber and

starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Jack O'Connell, and Liam Cunningham.

The film also features actor and artist Plan B who, with Chase & Status, is also responsible for the film's theme music track "End Credits.”Harry Brown had its World Premiere as a "Special Presentation" at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically in the United Kingdom by Lionsgate UK on 11 November 2009; the film was released in the United States by Samuel Goldwyn Films and Destination Films on 30 April 2010.

The story follows Harry Brown, a widowed Royal Marines veteran, who had served in Northern Ireland, living on an Elephant and Castle housing estate that is rapidly descending into youth crime. Harry fights fire with fire after a friend is murdered.

The trailer is 1:48 long and features varied slide transition, different character voiceovers and towards the end of the trailer it features a song from the director himself.

Page 10: Film trailers

The early signs at the start of the trailer show violence and fighting. This is a foreboding factor on how the genres are represented in the trailer.

The depictions of violence are showing vandals and youths(the main antagonists) are seen throwing petrol bombs at a car and starting fires. This is in tune with the codes and conventions of thriller.

Scenes of a man being brought away by police, again coincide with the codes and conventions of thriller and crime and drama genre.

Page 11: Film trailers

The depiction of the threatening with a knife and the clothing chosen to represent the attacker is very much in sync with the codes and conventions of the traditional ‘hoody’.

Another representation of weapon which shows that the thriller genre is ever-present throughout this trailer.

An explosion indicates the action side, it also is a good code of thriller. The fire is a great part of portraying violence.

The scene with a character tied up with a bag over his head is a very thriller-esque code and convention. It demonstrates the struggle and fight people have to overcome in times like this.

The relaxed position the gun holder is in proves his capability and ease at the situation, supporting the thriller genre.

The quote from the well-known correspondent supports the idea for a viewer to watch the film. This also supports the trailer, as in it bolsters the strength from numbers of the likeness of the film.

Page 12: Film trailers

I hope you found my trailer helpful and insightful!

Thank you for watching!