Trailers and teasers

What's the difference?

My research findings

I have looked at a total of 12 trailers and teasers and the following slides will discuss the differences and similarities that they posses referring to the following aspects:Sound/musicMise-En-SceneCinematographyEditingChoice of TitlesSpecial EffectsNarrative Genre

Sound/music

TrailersTend to have a number of different tracks due to the length of the video. The score can also often change as the trailer introduces the 'problem' to the storyline, which often sees a change in the tone. More is given away about the film so sometimes songs created specifically for that film are used.TeasersTeasers often use just one track due to their short nature. The track will often reflect the mood/ genre but try not to give away too much by changing tone to often or being specific to the film.

Voice over

TrailersVoice over can be common in trailers as a voice (usually male) talks of the films ratings by well known media establishments such as newspapers. Voice overs are also used to introduce dates and the storyline. Speech between characters is also common with that helping to introduce the storyline.TeasersTeasers are similar to trailers in that dialogue is sometimes seen to introduce the storyline, but not as much due to the fact they do not give away as much. Voice overs can be used to talk of dates, however these are often not specific and state months or seasons rather than days.

Genre

TrailersGenre conventions can be evidenced throughout many of the trailers and are introduced through a variety of aspects including music, sound, mise en scene and editing.

TeasersTeasers are very similar to trailers in this aspect, often introducing genre through the same means.

Special effects

TrailersTrailers from that of a blockbuster production often include several special effects. Trailers often give away more of the dramatic events from the film.

TeasersTeasers are different in that they often limit the use of big scenes using special effects as they do not yet want to give away too much. This may also be because sometimes the teaser is brought out before the film has completed production and these scenes may not have even been shot.

Mise en scene

TrailersTrailers often include various props, costumes and work with the lighting and all other things in the scene to produce an image that speaks for itself about the film's genre. Some props can give away key aspects to the film.TeasersTeasers may only give away a little but in the teasers that I have analysed the mise en scene, particularly props play a big role. These enable the audience to understand the genre and what the film is about. Without them, effectively there would be no teaser at all.

Choice of titlesTrailersFull theatrical trailers often give the production companies involved, the director, dates, actors and ratings as well as titles related to the storyline. These titles give away more about the storyline as the film is often already playing at the cinema around the time that the trailer is released.TeasersTeasers, like trailers often credit the production companies, directors and occasionally actors. They rarely use titles to give away too much about the storyline whilst cannot give ratings as the film has not yet been released to critics. Titles concerning dates are not as specific, often talking of months or seasons rather than days.