What is a Trailer? What is a Teaser Trailer?

Clare:
The first trailer I will be looking at is "The Master" (2012)



Throughout this trailer, there is a continuous voice over from one of the characters. This is effective because it grasps the audience in a way that makes them feel connected to the storyline. The tone of the voice is also very deep and dark, setting the mood quite serious. The narration gives no clue as to what the storyline holds, therefore encouraging them to watch it and find out.


Another connection is made during the trailer from the beginning and onwards with a sound bridge. The sound bridge consists of a beating sound effect against a table and then a window and we witness a close up of these actions in between takes. This continues throughout the majority of the trailer and the pace increases to match the length of the scenes shown. I think that this is effective as it really joins up the trailer and the noise is powerful creating suspense and tension. 

Many of the clips have high-key lighting which is a type of lighting that illuminates a scene evenly and emphasises bright colours. This is often used to create a happy, positive atmosphere. This could suggest to us that it isn't a sad type of film, and could focus on a different kind of emotion.

The trailer contains no opening credits, which is beneficial as it avoids any concentration being drawn away from the main footage. The only credit is presented at the end of the trailer which shows the main title of the film in very simple black and white and then it shows a few of the actors names that are present in the film. I think that the style of the font is very professional and leaves the audience wanting to find out more.

Overall, I believe that the trailer didn't give away too much about the film, and it leaves the audience on edge. This is effective as it widens your curiosity and appeals to those who like mystery. Also, we see a close up shot of a well known actress, Amy Adams. Having a recognisable actor or actress present in a film will also draw in a lot of attention, which is a final benefit. On one hand, it is an advantage that we are left in suspense by this trailer as it doesn't reveal too much of the storyline. However, this is a disadvantage to some individuals because it doesn't fully uncover the genre, meaning people may be afraid to watch it in case it wasn't what they expected. 

The next trailer that I will be looking at is "The Human Centipede II" (2011)

Having seen the first of "The Human Centipede" films, I recognised the footage from the first film being used in the first half of the trailer. In a way, I thought this was a creative idea as it demonstrated the storyline to those who had perhaps not heard of or seen the first movie. It also meant that it wasn't revealing too much from the newer film. This was similar to "The Master" as it left you on edge but only slightly knowing what to expect. 

There are credits displayed in between short takes of footage, using words such as "shocking" and "horror" to immediately suggest the genre. The large, bold font increases the power and suspense of the trailer, as it is revealed alongside an eerie non-diegetic soundtrack. There are also violent transitions between takes with the screen shaking, setting a distressing mood. There are demoniac screams and shrieks, implying unsafe territory. 

Finally, there is chiaroscuro lighting used throughout the entire trailer, with high contrasts showing deep shadows and bright highlights. This arouses a sense of suspicion, fear or concern in the viewer and therefore is very well suited to this trailer. 




In comparison to "The Master", the genre is made a lot clearer due to the sound and mise-en-scene. Also, the general theme of the trailer contributes to the evidence. I enjoyed both trailers as they both gave a sense of mystery in their separate ways and didn't reveal too much of the storyline in both. 


Amanda:
The first trailer I studied is "Robocop" (2014)




There is a constant voiceover throughout the teaser trailer. The advert is actually an advertisement for the products involved in the film. This is effective because you feel like you're part of the film. The tone of voice is monotonous and futuristic.

The layout of the 'advert' in the advert is very futuristic and effective to display the genre of the film. The city divides the people and technology, revealing it as separate worlds combined together. The harsh lines used as dividers again reveal the modern, futuristic genre of the film. 

The clip of the protest and policemen fighting back shows an insight to our present life. The clip is almost shown as a flashback to the past. The use of the clip though makes it feel more personal to the audience; again making them relate to the film. The fast pace action shots reveal slightly the genre of the film. 

This clip again reveals the futuristic genre. It also advertises the products (props) involved in the film but in a very effective way. You only see the products in action once (see below for reference) so the genre and content of the film is once again hidden. 

This clip is at the end of the teaser trailer. The use of the word 'your' makes the advert more personal and once again shows the advertisement element of it. The use of the colour silver and red throughout the trailer reveal the future element with a hint of danger/action involved. 



Overall, this teaser trailer is brilliant because it reveals nothing about the content of the film. It only reveals the genre and names of the machines in the film. The advert left us all more curious to find out more about the film. 

The next trailer is "Pompeii" (2014)



This advert mainly reveals fossils of the humans that were killed in Pompeii by the volcano. The genre is not revealed throughout the teaser trailer. Only two characters are revealed; a male and a female. They don't say anything so  nothing is revealed about them. The genre is not revealed. The voiceover is a deep mans voice, adding mystery and suspense. 

 The dark lighting adds a sombre atmosphere and gives the audience an idea of a pace. It also tells the audience it is a true story and serious film. 

The ariel shot gives the idea of loneliness and abandonment  It leaves the audience curious. However, when watching the trailer, after the shots of the human fossils, people realise it is based on the volcano eruption of Pompeii. 

There is only one screen of credits saying 'THIS FEBRUARY'. This again, like 'Robocop' reveals nothing about the content of the film, and only when it is being released into cinemas. 

It is only in the last 30 seconds of the trailer that the pace of the film is released. The fast pace action shots reveal a little bit of the content of the film and what it is about. No genre is revealed. 





Overall, these two teaser trailers are very similar. Neither reveal genre and both only show a bit of action towards the end of the trailer. I think this style of teaser trailer is excellent and it isn't boring but leaves you in suspense as to what the film is about. However, you are given an idea of what the film will contain. 'Robocop' is robots and 'Pompeii' is a volcano erupting 


Adeola:
"Pacific Rim" (2013) was the first trailer I looked at.



This trailer is highly unconventional of a teaser trailer, mainly because the storyline is already made apparent within the mere 2:32 minutes. The action shots repeatedly used leaves the audience in no suspense because they can easily form a full judgement based on the teaser trailer, which normally shouldn’t be the case.

For example the action shot on the right is clearly taken from the movie itself and reveals too much action that should be left within the movie when the audience sees the full thing. We can already see that the city or town will be disrupted and there will be catastrophic action; elements which shouldn't be revealed until watching the full film.

There is a voice over which is highly effective because it keeps the audience gripped and allows a presence which the audience can connect to and follow without feeling lost. The non diagetic sound is dramatic and alternates frequently, in dynamics and beat depending on the scene. The faster the action, the louder and the faster the beat, this creates more anticipation within the audience and enables a fast moving pace. 


The lighting is creative and works very well with the sci-fi genre because its mainly dark but with streaks of blue and red lighting which may actually foreshadow the danger which continues to re-emerge. A screen shot of it on the left, It also enhances the genre of the movie and gives the film the same vibrance as the colours. 

At the end, actor, Idris Elba says a minor dialogue which enhances the appeal of the movie. 






The titles at the end allow the audience to be well informed about the actual movie. For example, the date and actors and directors which may be elements that persuade the audience to watch the movie.


The second trailer that I've looked at is "Man Of Steel" (2013)



Again, the audience are informed about the film, through titles which give background info, such as release year “2013” and directors. This teaser trailer is highly in contrast to its actual genre nature. Man of steel is a sequel to ‘superman’ which is usually packed full of action and violence as it is an action film. However, the teaser trailer is solemn. The non diagetic music is slow and sombre. 

The layers of the images are like a montage and the pace of action is slow. The lighting is mainly grey, but with minor bright and daily life colours which often emerge. The image in the above shows parts of it dark and greyish. This allows the audience to suggest that the film may be very tragic and poignant. 

The solemn nature of the teaser trailer which is highly in contest to the genre and even more the name ‘man of steel’, makes it an effective trailer because it withdraws the actual storyline and allows the audience to yearn for more insight into the actual film; persuading and teasing not being too insightful. This is once again done through the lack of allowing the characters to not speak,; withdrawing dialogue. 

The explosion at the end is like a clif hanger which makes the film more intriguing and different to the previous parts of the trailer. The explosion, which is shown on the left is a special effect which helps add even more suspense to the film.


Again, in this trailer,  the audience are informed about the film, through titles which give background info, such as release year “2013” and directors. And showing that its from "directors of 'The Dark Knight triology' It gives the audience a sense of what the actual film will be like. 

Clare:
Afterwards, we discussed the similarities and differences within each film. We discovered that overall most films used voice-overs, dialogue, special effects and credits. Only two represented the genre and only three used actors that our group recognised. This table was useful in demonstrating what is effective in a trailer.