Research Into Trailers

Initial Knowledge on Trailers

A trailer is an advertisement or a commercial for a feature film or short film that will be exhibited in the future. The term 'trailer' comes from their having originally been shown at the end of a feature film screening. That practice did not last long, because patrons tended to leave the theatre after the films ended, but the name has stuck. Trailers are now shown before the film begins.
Movie trailers have now become popular on DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, as well as on the Internet.
I believe there is a clear correlation between the amount of views from a trailer to how many people go and watch a film. Therefore emphasising the importance of how a trailer is essentially selling the film to an audience, needed to include major persuasive techniques, to make a viewer want to see what happens next.

Initial Research Into Trailers

Mission Impossible

Super 8

                                    

School of Rock

 

                                   

Here are some key points I have established from researching into trailers of a range of genres:

- Fades and cross dissolves are used in transitions alot to create engaging and exciting effects.
- Close ups and mid shots are used to establish the connection between characters, this also doesn't reveal too much of what is going on on the screen.
- The name of the film usually comes at the end of the film, to leave it in a viewers memory.
- The editing of a trailer shows a conventional pattern of - Slow - quick - slow. This keeps the audience interested as they follow the trailer.

- Non diegetic music sets the tone of the film, making it more exciting for the audience, also enhancing the sound of the trailer.

-Key scenes of dialogue shown to establish the main parts of the plot.

Reviews and responses to existing trailers

''Like a ton of bricks!”  When this trailer comes crashing through the theater for the first time every moviegoer gets rocked.  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo preview breaks the mold by giving you almost nothing to work with in the usual sense of plot, dialogue, or spectacle.  What it does give you is a provocative assault on the senses and heart-pounding sense of mood and tone.  Watching it gives you a rush.  The kind of rush you’ll want again, but will have to wait until December to get.''

''When you make a trailer you have to stay aware of how the public perceives product. No one takes those'Dammed dirty apes!' seriously anymore. So when a serious trailer like this one for Rise of the Planet of the Apes (Did Hemingway choose the title?) is greeted by audible chuckles most theaters you only need a mirror to see who is to blame. This preview was close to working, but in two distinct areas the trailer-makers dropped the ball.

1. It’s called… “The Cure.”  Are you actually trying to get laughed at? At least unobtanium had awe-inspiring special effects to mask the stank of its stupid name.If you’re making a preview it’s your job to hide bad screenwriting like that.
2. Three words. Sinister. Ape. Face.  Audiences could handle most of the super-ape actions, but the lack of a good reputation for the franchise prevented most people from suspending their disbelief when the leering monkeys came on screen.''

 

''Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol has plenty of issues to deal with. Namely being the fourth installment of a middle-of-the-road action franchise, and having a star who is more of a laughingstock than a ticket draw at this point in his career.

The people behind this trailer did a fantastic job of minimizing Tom Cruise’s role outside of quick action cuts. His face and dialogue are almost exclusively seen to set up the currently more popular Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg. The trailer also keeps the focus simple (action), and plays down the Mission Impossible name outside of the iconic tagline. Even the thumping theme has been moved to the end; a dramatic shift from its traditional place as the lead in where it used to scream, “This is MISSION IMPOSSIBLE!  We could show you Teletubbies for the next two minutes and you’d still want to see our movie.”  All of these subtle changes had a big impact.''

Research Into Short Films

Initial Knowledge on Short films

The Academy of of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as, ''An original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits.'' Elements included within most short films, include a development on a character or characters features. Also, development of a narrative structure, either following Todorovs Narrative Theory or disrupting this. Todorovs Narrative theory:

Here I have created a clear image, using Microsoft Publisher, to display in a simple and easy way of what Todorovs theory is. This is the basis for any short film. Either disrupting the theory or following through it. Todorov's theory implies that a story starts with an equilibrium, which means all is as it should be within the scene and at a 'normal' state. A disruption then occurs, evidently disrupting the equilibrium. In between disruption and resolution, a recognition of the disruption is made which can also be considered as another stage within the theory when going into more depth. Followed by a restored order, with the disruption being resolved therefore returning back to the narratives equilibrium.

Research Into Existing Short films

Dipper- By P.J. HarlingBait - By Tom Shankland 

Summary

The short film is about the dipper who essentially makes a fatal mistake. Throughout it shows development of character and narrative structure. I really like this short film and as a viewer you really become engaged into the male character and his witty personality yet with a hint of sinister. It has a good twist with a good range of camera angles. The edits also make it more interesting to watch. It is a real life take on a 'goody' catching a 'bady'.

Bait- Directed by Tom Shankland

 

(No link as we watched the film on a dvd in lesson)

 

Summary

Todorovs Theory:Equilibrium- establishes characters and initial situation; interior, no money. Disruption- Cafe, street shop with interview-Exterior. Hope and emphasis on importance of the job. Drunk man takes the bait (given to him). Next/Resolution- Long wait for the father, doesn't get the job, starts to fight the man then realises he is less fortunate (possibly how low he has got). Resolution- Back to the two characters, shown walking past the motorway to show hey couldn't even afford any transport. The short film is very emotional and powerful for a short film. It has effective shots that reflect the story very well.

 Directors Intentions For Bait:Watching the directors video after watching the short film, was a good way of learning more about the meanings within the film portrayed in effective ways to show this. The director wanted to create '' A hopeful film about relationships.. and the goodness of humanity'' showing ''love will win''.
This also is beneficial, for learning more basic skills in which I will need when going on the plan, organise and film my own short film for the media product. The director briefly speaks about the first steps within making a short film, elaborating on how you need to think about what you want to say within the film being a large importance when planning.

Gravity- By Colin Hutton

Summary

The film is really effective to what the moral is. I like how the title of the film isn't shown till the end, to emphasise why it is called 'Gravity'. The shots in the film are very good with a large variety, following the youths in what is like a documentary style capturing their every move, making you feel more involved within the story. However it doesn't follow Todorov's theory as it starts as an 'equilibrium', goes into the 'distruption', however doesnt go back to any resolution.