FILM TRAILERS

My Film Trailer: 

My teaser trailer:

         RESEARCH: WHEN ARE TRAILERS SHOWN?

http://thefilmspace.org/teachingtrailers/2019/secondary/theory/when/

Trailers are produced, usually, during the time that the editing is going on. The release point of the trailer is important because if it is released too early, people may forget about it by the time it comes out. Similarly if it is released too late then there will be no opportunity for audience excitement to build. 

I watched three trailers from the FDA website:

Toy Story 4:

• It is a sequel which would be the main talking point- nostalgic- people know the characters
• Even older children/ adults would watch it because they know the previous films and would be curious to see the next story. The amazing animation quality would also entice an older audience who are able to appreciate the characters from their childhood knowledge of the prequals as well as the amazing animation quality.
  

         
• I think the producers would choose summer or spring for the film's release because that is when children have their biggest holidays so parents would be looking for activities to preoccupy them. 
• Similarly, it appears to be based in summer which would be good to emulate with the release date for that upbeat summer feel. 
• The soundtrack would appeal to parents as the songs are from their teenage years/ childhood which would be very uplifting. The songs behind the trailer is 'God only knows what I'd be without you' by the Beach Boys which is very popular with older generations but also knows as a joyful song with the younger generations. 
• Disney is selling the idea of family memories through the toys which parents will also want to create with their children- going to watch the film in the cinema. 
• Parents may also align Woody's desire to protest children and make them happy with their own goals as a parent. As well as wanting family activities and memories.
• The reintrocution of Bo Peep is also appealing as she is a strong femals character for young girls to look up to as well as comedic elements to attract parents.

Yesterday:

• The main talking point of this film would be its basis around the internationally famous band the Beatles with their music being so popular and definitely a huge attraction of the film.
• It would be nostalgic for an older generation but the Beatles' music is not limited to one generation so it can be appreciated by all ages as it is that well known.
• The title of the film 'Yesterday' will be associated with the song and would immediately make older people start humming along. The songs from the trailers could get stuck in the viewer's head and remind them of the film whenever they find themselves humming it. 
• It leverages the most famous singer songwriters in the world with the USP being the different take on tha band and their remake of it being inovative.
• The comedic element to the film would attract younger audiences who are not gripped by the Beatles but by the jokey style of the film. 
• Blind it by the light leverages the same type of buzz as it bases it off Bruce Springsteen's music.                                                                                                               
• Another main attraction is the star talent as actress Lily James is the love interest and she is very well known. Similarly Ed Sheeran has a guest appearence in it which adds a comedic element to the film and would engage his musical fans. James Cordon also makes a guest appearence. The intertiles also let the audience know that the producers have made Love Actually which 
• The pure obscurity of the world forgetting the Beatles is also an intriguing part of the film which implies magic has been used for it to occur. 
• I think the film would be released in summer because of the uplifting theme of the film (being comedic) and the Beatles Soundtrack. Similarly, the film has a festival theme to it and they happen in summer. By the film being released in summer it makes people feel involved and as if they are partaking. 

The Brink:

• A main talking point is its genre of political film. A USP of the film is the elements of documentary to the film with real footage being included which makes the story more reliable. Audiences might feel that they have an insight into the truth of events and would watch it to gain more knowledge. 
• This would be aimed at adults because the topic matter is more heavy and existing knowledge of politics would be needed in order to understand it.
• The release of the film would be important as ithe audience interest would depend on the proximity of the release to the events being filmed.
• I turned to Peter Bradshaw's article on the film for more information between my second and third viewing of the trailer. His opinion would be shared with regular readers of the guardian which is that the film made him realise that he was still unable to trust Bannon. He left a 4 star review but explained that it gave evidence on the events but did not neccessarily ask the harder questions. This may attract simpler audiences who are less informed on the events and would view it with the purpose of being informed. However people who are more engaged and knowledgable on these events would want material more stimulating and would therefore not see it as a good film, like Bradshaw.
• This trailer is very different from the Frost Nixon trailer which approaches the film as an expose style which is more engaging and mysterious. 

RESEARCH: WHERE ARE TRAILERS SHOWN?

 http://thefilmspace.org/teachingtrailers/2019/secondary/theory/where/

Trailers are shown on various platforms. They are shown in the cinema, on TV and online such as social media and film websites. They are accompanied by posters which complement the film genre which is also engaging for their target audience. The trailers are often shown in cinemas before a film of a similar genre as they have similar target audience. Film websites publish the trailers which are official but also some which have been trimmed to suit a more general audience of a wide age range. 

There are disadvantages of playing adverts during live television as many people take the ad breaks as an opportunity to get food, chat or just simply don't pay attention. Although people watch television a considerable amount more than going to the cinema, adverts during a programme irritate people so audiences tend to switch off. Similarly, with the cinema, adverts are known to be shown just before the film starts so people might actively avoid them. 

Some people still use DVD players over streaming platforms. Although my family still use them, after a class discussion, the majority of people think that they are outdated. Despite it being less modern, you still have the fast forward function which many people use when trailers are shown at the beginning of a film. This means that the trailers will not always be viewed when they can so easily be skipped. Especially when DVDs are watched continuously the trailers don't change and will also become outdated.

Social media is a very popular way for younger audiences to find trailers on platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. They are so easily accessible which younger audiences prefer. The way that I find trailers the easiest to find is on a film website. Similarly, if I get to the cinema early this is a way that I will find film trailers with a similar genre to what I like. 

http://thefilmspace.org/teachingtrailers/2019/secondary/narrative-image/style/

Dan Skinner:

Teaser trailer:

• Shorter and more concise
• To inform of a brief storyline

Main trailer:

• Three acked structure
• Beginning middle and end
• More information- detail of the storyline
• Problems, antagonists, protagonists
• Montage towards the end- build excitement
• Work horse piece of marketing
• Online, theatres, cinemas and on social media
• Trailers in the digital age:
• More diligent about pictures on the screen + sound operating on different devices
• E.g. If a spaceship goes over your head in the trailer, the surround sound makes it go forward to mimic this
• Think about how the trailer will sound on a smaller device
• Tv Spots:
• Much shorter
• Work with previous knowledge of the main trailer
• More about creating an impression
• Three standard times: 30 seconds, 20 seconds and 10 seconds
• 30- Most impactful lines, very condensed, an art to choosing the most important lines
• Reviews are often included
• Using Graphics:
• Two types of graphics-
• Copywriting (copy): Help guide you through the story- complicated
• Pedigre- From the studio
• Speak about the director and what other films they have made

RESEARCH: HOW TRAILERS HELP FILL CINEMAS:

• The Teacher Trailers website, published by the FDA, says that a film should be able to clearly signal the genre so that audiences are able to decide if the film would appeal to them. There should also be a unique selling point in the trailer and film too so that it has something new to offer the audience. USP- Unique Selling Point.
• the innovative use of special effects
• an unusual mix of genres
• a popular star
• http://thefilmspace.org/teachingtrailers/2019/secondary/theory/how/
• Given three trailers, I identified what was the USP in each:

LION KING:

USP- A film which has only animal characters. They speak and the animation quality is extremely realistic. Studio Ghibli creates this hyper-realistic animation too which draws in an adult audience too due to its amazing quality.

LATE NIGHT:

Unique selling point- Star talent EMMA THOMPSON and MINDY KALING

- Focus on strong women and feminism within the work space

SPIES IN DISGUISE:

USP- Star talent- WILL SMITH and TOM HOLLAND

- High quality action- animation + special effects

- Spies are turned into piegons- unique plot

RESEARCH: WHO ARE TRAILERS AIMED AT?

 I watched three film trailers: VITA AND VIRGINIA, FROZEN 11 and APPOLLO 11 

http://thefilmspace.org/teachingtrailers/2019/secondary/theory/who/

Trailers are mostly aimed at the audience who they intend the film to be viewed by. There are different types of films like there are different types of people. Everyone will want different features in a film and the trailer has to highlight the ones their target audience will look for. I looked at and analysed the trailers and tried to look for the audience catagories below:

Vita and Virginia:

I would say that the target audience would be over 25 year olds. It would appeal to literary audiences as Virginia Woolf is one of England's greatest writers and it is an arthouse film. It is about groups such as the Bloomsbury group who Vita and Virgina belonged to. Similarly her views expressed about marriage show her modern stance on women and how she is independent. This would appeal to young women and socially aware women who are interested in the history of feminism. It is set in the 1920s, making it a period piece, which would appeal to people who can appreciate the clothes, costumes and lifestyle from a decade ago. This is shown through the use of the type writer, china tea sets and other props. It could also interest gay people or couples as it follows two women's journey of being together secretly at a time when it was socially unacceptable. The beautiful gardens and scenery would also attract gardening and Naitonal Trust lovers who can appreciate the beauty of it with gardens similar to Sissinghurst. The high production value will appeal to a prestige audience. It is based on a screen play so it is a 

literary adaptation. 

Frozen 2:

This film will appeal to adults as well as children as the quality of animation is so high- the first few seconds show an animated ocean which is very realistic. The production values are very high which would people who appreciate film production. The main character- Elsa- is shown tying her hair up and running through the sea which would attract young female audiences as she is shown to be powerful which represents female empowerment. This is exaggerated through the repetitive shots showing her determination. It shows action, adventure and danger as she is struck down in the sea. This would also appeal to boys as a male character is shown charging through the forest on a reindeer. It has a comedic appeal with the character Olaf being light-hearted and funny. It is a family friendly feel good film which would attract parents to see the film with their children as it has an endearing plot. The vibrant colours will appeal to children as they are engaging. With the music behind it and the beautiful scenes, it is wholesome which is promoting good values.

Apollo 11:

This film would appeal to people who are interested in space as there are rockets and space- gear shown very soon within the trailer. It would appeal to a slightly older audience as space is not something that children can understand in complexity. It is a documentary which would appeal to people who would visit NASA and are fascinated by space history, especially modern. The procution value makes it appear authentic and therefore more realistic and therefore more reliable. The quality of the dialogue is in the style of a ground- control communicator which gives the film more value and more inside information which would appeal to people who are interested in Apollo 11. The footage is completely archives footage. The focus on the 'we were one' highlights the sense of national pride at this time which would appeal to the other Americans who felt that they were part of the 'one' and were happy to celebrate their nationalistic pride. I have watched the trailer for Gravity recently which appeals to a very different type of audience, although they are both based in space. Apollo 11 feels like it is moving towards a triumphant conclusion whereas Gravity is surrounded by danger and suspence. This shows how there is a wide range of potential audience who would like space- related films. 

RESEARCH: WHY IS A TRAILER MADE?

 I went onto the Teaching Trailers resource which is from the FDA. It is an online resource which I used to develop my understanding on why trailers are made and how the genre of a film is signalled.

I viewed these 3 trailers:

Artemis Fowl:

This film was presented as a children's fantasy film because we saw the main character who was a child with confidence and bravery as they go on a journey. The journey was to uncover truths and dark secrets. This follows the theme of a quest with narrative trope which is typical in the adventure genre. The theme of magic and adventure is also explored with the scenes and props being beautiful and extravagent. Trailers similar to this are not aimed st boys or girls so would be viewed by both. The magical element was shown through the special affects which is anotheer appealing element.

RESEARCH: WHAT IS A TRAILER?

Questions on trailers:

•  I looked at the trailer for the film BOOKSMART before I started to answer these questions. I based my answers on general trailers but looking at one beforeband helped. 
• I have started further research into trailers using the FDA's Teaching Trailers online course, from which these resources come. 
• http://thefilmspace.org/teachingtrailers/2019/secondary/theory/what/

The marketing campaign for a film is the different ways in which the film's 'message' is presented to potential audiences.

While studying the film industry last year, I found out about how Hollywood  majors and the UK independent films were able to create successful marketing campaigns which were intriguing for the audiences. The campaigns for film marketing cover many different ways to convey a film's message for the audiences. 

1. What do you think are the mejor elements of a film marketing campaign?

These major elements for the film marketing campaigns are the trailer which is a teaser for the audience which lays out the genre, main characters and a vague storyline. Another main element is the target audience which the production comany aims to reach through genre conventions and adveritising techniques. The Black Panther website had man convergent links which led to the trailer, information about the film as well as links to merchandise which would appeal to the existing Marvel fans who immerse themselves fully in the Marvel universe. More grassroot efforts were made to target different audiences such as a fashion show called 'Wakanda fashion' being set up to engage more female based audiences. A more global audience was reached through the use of social media. For example the #blackpanther was trending on Twitter globally. Star appearences were a large part of their film campaign. 

2. Where might you expect to see each of the different parts of the marketing campaign?

The trailer was avaliable on Youtube but also the convergent link to it was included on the Black Panther website which was a convenient place for viewers to find it. The convergent links to merchandise were also found on the website but could also be searched on the main Disney/ Marvel store. The fashion show and celebrity appearences were mainly announced on social media as it is able to reach the widest audience, globally. Magazine articles were also published about Black Panther as well as radio interviews and regular TV/ Youtube interviews which built the anticipation for the film's release as the marketing campaign started 2 years before its release. 

3. What factors make you want to go and see a film? How do you decide which films to see?

I like seeing ethnicity within a film as well as even gender distributed roles. This is key for me when I see a film I tend to notice this very quickly and will be put off a film that is not inclusive. For example, I look to see weather the white people are always the heroes and people of colour are painted as the villains. I really like action-filled films so the indication of genre in a trailer, for example, is key for me. I also decide films on subject matter. I do not like films which are too sad so if it is a Cinéma vérité, I would be less interested if the subject matter is really sad and serious. 

PRACTISE FILM TRIALER ANALYSIS:

  Nocturnal Animals:

The trailer begins with non-diegetic mellow piano music with a voiceover of many questions which are unanswered. A zoomed in shot shows a woman’s eyes and her ginger hair. The questions appear to be directed at her as a two shot shows a woman asking another, concerned, question with the ginger lady stood in front of her. The woman answers the question about her sleeping and a montage of motivated edits shows her tossing and turning in her bed which suggests that she has problems which the audience may be intrigued to find out about.

 A quick-pace montage of shots shows a man, a gun, a car and a knife which suggests possible trauma which is keeping the woman awake or concerns and fears she has about the man. This may intrigue the audience to find out more about the man. Another character is introduced, her ex-husband. She reveals she did something horrible to him and as he is introduced, the music is accompanied by non-diegetic screams which infers a conflict between her and her ex-husband. The genre of mystery/ crime is implicated through the eerie music and the unanswered questions. The intertitles highlight the A-List actors including Jake Gyllenhaal who is playing the ex-husband which will attracts his outstanding fans who want to see all of his acting work. A series of hard-cut edits frantically takes us through conversations which appear to be surrounding revenge on both sides. This suggests a conflict between the ex-husband and the main woman which escalates.

Cloverfield:

The trailer for Cloverfield uses editing to create a shaky transition between the intertitles which mimics faltering technology. Another intertitle flashes text onto the screen which outlines the area which is ‘cloverfield’ (Central Park) which sets the film’s destination. The continuity editing suddenly speeds up and reverses footage of what looks like a party which highlights the theme of cameras and feels like we are re-watching events through the camera footage, hence the ability to fast forward or reverse. The happy words of ‘surprise’ are cut short by a black screen, accompanied by the non-diegetic sound of a thud being played as the next image.

 The first character is possibly introduced here as you see his face as the first in the trailer through a zoomed in reaction shot. The shaky filming reiterates the idea of the film being seen through this video camera as a shaky zoomed- in shot reveals an explosion accompanied by the ambient sounds of gasps and a loud boom. The consistently frantic filming is confirmed to be from a video camera as a point of view shot shows ‘Robert Hawkins’ documenting his name in the hope that someone would find it later in case he was dead. This possibly is foreshadowing the upcoming events and clarifies that something unknown has attacked the city. This hints as aliens which fits into the action- sci-fi genre.

The continuity editing adds effects over his footage to break it up and highlights how it is faltering. A montage reveals people hiding, making phone calls and more explosions. The man we were shown before starts talking quickly and in a worried tone about a woman who is dying. This introduces a possible other main character who has great significance to him. The quick-pace editing emulates the frantic and desperate way the people are trying to escape the mysterious thing attacking the city. The montage also reveals people from the army getting involved which highlights the severity of the issue at hand. The main conflict is between the people and the unknown object which is attacking them. Another hard-cut edit and the non-diegetic sound shows 3 shadows and then a squelching sound and a yell. The squelching sound suggests the creatures are inhumane.

Birth of a Nation:

The trailer begins with some sound codes of mellow piano music accompanied by the non-diegetic (faint) sound of chain clunking together. A tracking shot reveals a huge cotton field which has connotations with slavery as it was where they commonly were made to work. Slavery has devastating connotations and could touch the hearts of the audience.

A zoomed in shot reveals a black man picking the cotton which relates to slavery as well as a man’s soothing voiceover telling someone that they have a purpose. A reaction shot shows a little boy which could be a flashback of the man picking cotton being reassured by his father possibly. This highlights him as the main character as his background is being explored in more depth compared to other characters. Another flashback shows a white woman telling the child ‘his kind’ wouldn’t understand books. The racism showed in this clip could resonate with black audience members and make the white audience members possibly shocked as we have never faced anything similar. This montage cuts between the man picking cotton and a young boy, presumed to be his younger self.

An intertitle reveals that it is based on a true story which feeds into the biography/ history genre which is educational above all else. The main conflict is between the slave owners and the black people who are being oppressed, abused and discriminated against. This was shown throughout as props such as whips and ropes used as leads are used to highlight the antagonists (the white people) and the protagonists (the black slaves).

 The main character is pulled apart from the other slaves as his talent of ‘preaching’ is used by the white slave owners to ‘calm down’ the other slaves. This was common back in plantations that one black slave would be the white slave owner’s eyes and ears and would be rewarded for keeping his fellow slaves in cheque. This may be surprising to the audience showing that the film has a huge educational element to it- which could enrich the audience’s knowledge to their benefit. This implies a possible moral conflict between his desire to ‘help them’ versus his fear of siding with the white slave owner.

Another montage shows the man looking anxiously at the children who have ropes around their necks as he sits comfortably reading. This contrasts to his previous treatment as he was banned from the books which highlights his gained status. He is then whipped in a scene where he fights back against the white man and this emphasises how brittle their trust had been. The music becomes louder and more upbeat as they begin to form a plan and gather hope to rise up against their oppressors.

 The use of the soundtrack 'rise up' has connotations of hope and rising above our problems as we continue to fight against them. This fits in well with the story of the 'Birth of a Nation' as they are fighting against their oppressors. The later intertiles accompany this by suggesting that the problem is still prevelant in today's society. Its relevance today would have a deeper emotional impact on the audience as they realise their black friends or family may be experiencing discrimination similar to in the film.

 

American Sniper: 

The trailer is able to create a sense of genre immediately through the ambient sounds used without any accompanying images. The diegetic sound of a rifle being clocked and loaded. This has connotations of war and conflict and suggests gun involvement. This relates to action which suggests an action-thriller genre. The sound of the gun clicking into place marries up with the establishing shot. The ambient sound of the wind highlights the desolate atmosphere which draws more attention to any noise that is made.

The amount of guns shown throughout the trailer suggests violence and may be foreboding a battle. The solo inclusion of diegetic sounds intensifies the scene and relates the suspense to the ‘thriller’ genre. The mise-en-scene also suggests a place of higher power as the soldiers are heavily equipped with fire arms which contrasts to the villagers who are shown to have very few possessions. The dull colours also have connotations of poverty and defeat in regards of the village.

A zoomed in shot reveals a man with blue eyes followed by a point of view shot which focuses on the troops in the village below. This suggests that the man is of a higher significance as he is represented as higher than most soldiers physically. The same character is the first person to speak during the trailer which suggests a significance. He is also focused on in the two-shot with another soldier as he is at a closer proximity to the camera suggesting his greater importance. The non-diegetic dialogue between him and another soldier (through a walkie talkie) highlights how he is not of complete seniority as he has to run his decisions past someone else. A montage of flashbacks of the man’s life reiterate his significance and show snippets of the most important moments of his life- marriage- birth of his child- sadness- death. This hard-cut editing builds the tension and suggests pressure that the soldier has to fulfil the task and the inner turmoil he might experience in his life every time he has to shoot someone. This possibly forebodes an internal moral conflict that the man may have later in the film. Bradley Cooper is also a very well-known actor which creates intrigue for the audience.

The mise-en-scene and specifically the use of guns highlights a theme of violence and conflict immediately in the trailer. The soldiers are revealed in wide-shots as well as a more personal two shot of the main character and another soldier. A wide shot reveals what is assumed to be a village in ruins as a tank rolls through the rubble with soldiers either side of it. The rubble and guns highlight the damage that has been caused to the villagers with connotations of destruction. Through the continuity editing, we see a villager on the phone (a point of view shot through the gun barrel) which highlights them as the enemy.