Conventions of 'Thriller/Horror' Genre

Cinematography

One feature which can be seen in the genre of thriller/horror is the use of close ups. These are used frequently in this genre to create a sense of mystery for the viewer as they want to see more of what's around the subject being filmed, and it also allows the viewer to see closely what is wanted to be seen, or what emotion a character is showing.

Another feature which is used frequently in this genre is slow panning movements. These are used to show the viewer what is going on in the scene, but it's slow to make them want to see more in a shorter amount of time. These are usually used, as well, to introduce a surprising section of film when the audience is subject to something shocking or unexpected. This is used to introduce this because it allows the audience to see the whole shot or setting and make them believe that they know exactly what is in that establishment, and when something appears that they weren't aware was there, it create an even more effective action.

Dutch tilts are used in this genre as well. These are used to adds a sense of confusion for the viewer and to make it seem disorientating. This adds a sense of realism or connection between the audience and the characters on screen as they get to experience or see what the character is seeing or feeling. This is effective in the way that the viewer gets more involved in what is going on, which in effect, makes them more interested in what is going on.

Another feature which is often used in thriller/horror films is low angle shots. This is done to make someone appear small and helpless. It is a convention of thriller/horror films because in these types of films, more characters are in a weak position, and the use of the low angle shot helps the viewer recognise their position.

Editing

One thing which is used in this genre is shot/reverse shot. This is used in most other genres as well, but it is used to show the conversation between two people or their relation or positioning to each other. The shots included in this feature as usually point of view shots, which are used to show the audience exactly what the character on screen is seeing and to make them feel included in what is happening.

As well as this feature, montages are used to show this genre, again with most other genres as well, but they are used to show the audience a lot of the film in a short amount of time. This is done so that they are aware of the narrative of the story and become more interested in it, which makes them want to go see the film.

One thing that is included in most thriller/horror trailers, is the use of fast paced cuts. These are used to create a panicked feeling and to create the feeling that things are going to happen quickly, even though you don't want them to.

Another feature added into trailers of this genre is match on action. Again, this is used in other trailers as well, but is used in this genre to show the result of something, usually bad, happening. Although this is true, some times in trailers of this genre, match on action is not used, in such situations as something has happened and they are not showing the result. This creates the sense of mystery, and encourages the audience to want to see what happens.

Sound

One feature which is used in trailers of this genre is the use of dialogue. This is done to show the emotions and thoughts of the characters on screen to allow the audience to know what is happening and what effect it is having on the characters.

Another feature which is seen in thriller/horror trailers is the use of a voice over. These are used, again, to show the audience what is happening in the film, but also because it's an easy way to get the to know as they don't have to watch reels of the film to understand, instead they can just be told.

Non-diegetic music is a feature of trailers of this genre as it creates a certain atmosphere, depending on what atmosphere the producers are trying to create. The use of non-diegetic music can be used for other reason as well, such as introducing a place or character which may have ties with the music being played, or it could also be played to introduce a new scene, where that particular music is being played in the diegetic world.

Non-diegetic sounds are also used to help create the atmosphere in certain situations. For example, when there is a tense or anxious moment, some types of instruments such as strings, or the beating of a drum could be used to make the audience feel what emotion is suitable for the atmosphere which is being attempted to be made.

Mise-en-scene

Usually the setting is a dark and spooky place, for a horror, or somewhere 'normal looking' for a thriller, which has the potential so easily turn into some where spooky at certain times of the day i.e. night time. The reason this is, is because most people associate scary or bad things happening when it's dark, and so using this in films allows them to quickly link certain situations together.

The costume of most of the people in thrillers/horrors is usually just normal clothing that you see people wearing everyday. As in, different stereotypical groups of people's clothing as well as people just wearing clothing which you can't really group. This is done to make the audience think the film is closer to reality then to any made up world, by putting people from all walks of life into it.

Locations List for Filming

House (Stairway, Kitchen, Bedrooms, Hallway, E.t.c)

Field with trees

Hill with trees

Bridge

Alley way, with gate

Props list and Cast list

Props

Torch

Kitchen and dining room appliances

Bed and bedding

Football

Knife

Cast list

Edward Gledhill - Youngest brother, Thomas

Christopher Gledhill - Oldest brother, James/Killer in kitchen

Script for Film Trailer

No diegetic dialogue, as the shots are going to be done to fast for any one to have a chance at speaking, but there may possibly be a voice over.

The voice over will just be stating what is on the title screens, apart from the last two.

Storyboard for Film Trailer

Synopsis for Film

It’s a normal day in the life of a family, Emily and Michael, and their two children James and Thomas. But then one night, James goes missing and notes start appearing.

He doesn’t get found, but his presence is still sensed, or is it someone else? The younger boy, Thomas, starts to hear things, and begins to investigate the noises and movements around the house.

After hours of investigating each night for a week, from hearing something, all he has come against is pieces of paper with words on, until the night he finds his brother... or his brother finds him... But he’s changed.

For the parents to recover their children, they must follow the notes, and go on a treasure hunt to find what was rightfully theirs.

Audience Research

For my research, I asked twenty people their age, gender and their favourite genre of film, and recorded it in a table similar to this. I did it this way to save time, which could be spent on other aspects of planning. The reason I only asked for these three aspects of the participants (age, gender, genre of film), was because after this stage of audience research, I wanted to look closer into the lifestyles of the people most interested in the genre of film I am doing; Thrillers/Horrors.

After researching which type of audience would be best to target, with the genre I have decided to do, which is horror/Thriller, I have found it would be best to target late teens to middle aged people, who are of both genders, but mostly women.

This came as a surprise as I was expecting to find that more men liked to watch thrillers and horror, but in actual fact the majority, which was 70%, said that their favourite genre of film was comedy. I found this in the majority of all my results, as 50% out of all participants said that this was their favourite genre.

I have chosen to target this audience (late teens to middle aged people, who are of both genders), just because the people that said this was their favourite genre of film varied, even though there was only 3 people that said this. Even though there weren't many participants who have this genre as their favourite, I am still going ahead with doing this genre, as I believe a Thriller/Horror film can be enjoyed by many ages, and by both genders. It doesn't matter if it's not their favourite, they can still enjoy it.

After further research into the lifestyles of the people that said they liked thrillers/horrors as opposed to any other genre, I found that they did have things in common. All three were into heavy metal music and gothic scenes. Participant 3, said that his favourite styles of music were 'heavy metal' and 'rock', which was similar to what participant 5 said,which was 'alternative metal'. Again, this response was similar to participant 6's answer, which was 'black ambient death metal'.

After asking each participant which was there favourite style of music, I asked them to put them self in a categoric group or a stereotypical assumption. All three answered similar, with 'Goth' or 'Mosher' being the main answer or grouping they would put themself in. In addition this, I asked them to tell me their main hobbies, to see if they correlated in a similar way. After listing three hobbies each, there were some similarities, but there some differences.

I found from asking them their hobbies, that all three enjoyed going to see live bands in concert or going to local gigs. Participant 5 and 6 also had a similarity in the way the they both enjoyed 'going on road trips' on their motorbikes, with there boyfriends/husbands. While participant 3 said he enjoyed 'hanging out with his friends in a scater park or just hanging around in town'. The other hobbies varied, as participant 5 said she liked to spend time with her children, which she said was one of her main hobbies. Participant 6 said she enjoyed playing hocky, which I found suprising for someone who would categorise themself as a 'goth', and participant 3 said that he enjoyed 'playing guitar'.

From the extended research I have carried out, I believe that the audience I should be targeting with my film trailer is people of all ages, and both genders, and also people into heavy metal music, who enjoy a range of different activities.

Textual Analysis - I Love You Man (Comedy)

Cinematography

The beginning shot of this trailer is a medium two-shot of the main character and his girlfriend. This is put there to show them in relation to one another in physical form, but also as a relationship from and what they mean to each other. It also allows the viewer to know who they are and what role they play in the film.

There is then a close up of the main character proposing to his girlfriend. This, again, shows there relationship with one another, but also it lets the viewer know who is the most important character in the film, because he is the first to be shown by himself, but also what the narrative of the film is based around, as the viewer gets to see clearly what is happening in that scene.

Included in this film is some cut away shots. One example of this is when the main character and his girlfriend are in the car and she is talking to someone on the phone. The camera cuts to look at the phone, which has on it the name of the person she is speaking to. This gives the viewer some insight to who she is talking to, but also lets them know of another character that will be present in the film.

Through out this film trailer, there aren't many establishing shots. One example of when I found one in this trailer is when it shows the gym. The use of this establishing shots shows the viewer where part of the film is taking place, and how it might have some relation with a character in the film.

Medium shots are used quite a lot in this film trailer. I think this is done to show the viewer, and make them, realise who are the main people to watch and also what they are doing. This is done to add to the genre of the film. It's a comedy, so it's not so much the narrative that's funny, so the use of medium shots gets the viewer to watch what the characters are doing and saying, instead of waiting for a big event to happen.

The medium shots, in this trailer, also make it a little more personal because the viewer is constantly watching the same people closely. They get to know that characters better, through the trailer, as opposed to learning what the narrative is about and getting interested by that, like in usual trailers, instead of getting interested by the characters.

Another feature used in this film trailer is a noddy shot. This is done to show the reaction of the person listening to someone speaking. An example from this film trailer is when the main character, his girlfriend and his family are sat around a table, and his brother is talking about him to everyone else. The camera cuts to show the main characters reaction, even though he isn't saying anything.

Over the shoulder shots are used in this trailer, as it is in most trailers. It is used to show the viewer a conversation and who is involved in it. It allows them to see who is speaking at different intervals, but also the reactions and emotions the different characters convey throughout the conversation.

Editing

The main thing that can be said about this film trailer, and most others, is the use of a montage. This is a common feature of film trailers, as it allows the viewer to see all areas of the film in a short amount of time, and allows them to know the narrative in condensed form.

Through out this film trailer, all the cuts a straight without fades or dissolves. This gives the effect of clean changes from image to image which allows the viewer to imagine the situation for themselves as opposed to it being edited to make them feel a certain way towards what is going on in that particular scene.

Shot/reverse shot is used throughout this film trailer. Again, this is used in most film trailers as it's done to show different characters speaking in a conversation. It allows the viewer to know who is speaking to who, and who is showing what reactions and emotions.

Sound

At the beginning of the trailer, there is an upbeat steady non-diegetic drumming, which opens the trailer with a happy atmosphere. It allows the viewer to recognise the feelings going on within this scene and the rest of the trailer, as it immediately shows them how to feel towards what's happening in the film, as it's giving them the thought that the 'happy' feeling is going to continue.

Throughout the trailer, there is an upbeat drumming and at some points there is some soft guitar solos. This is used as a non-diegetic sound to over the top of the dialogue spoken in the film, and helps create an atmosphere so that it's easier for the viewer to understand different situations.

Whenever emphasis is put onto something in the trailer, the non-diegetic music stops. This is done to make sure all the attention is put on to whatever someone is saying or doing. It adds emphasis by making a change in what the viewer is watching, the viewer then recognises the change, and pay more attention to what is happening on screen.

In most film trailers, there is usually a non-diegetic voice over to get the narrative over to the viewer. But there isn't a voice over in this trailer. I think this is done to show the viewer as much of the comedy involved in the film as possible, instead of using up time describing what is happening in the film. By the viewer just seeing what is in the film, and knowing the type of comedy involved, it will attract them more.

Throughout the trailer, the guitar solo's that are done, I feel, are done to relate the main character and his new 'best man' together, and allow the viewer to foresee some of the film. This is because the song that is used in the non-diegetic music, sounds similar to the music the main character and his friend are playing in one part of the trailer.

Mise-en-scene

Throughout the trailer, the main character is wearing suits, shirts, vests and smart trouser. This shows his personality, career and social status. By wearing suits e.t.c, it makes the viewer think he is a formal person, with a good, smart job, which is well paid. We can also see this from his house. His house is very clean and bright, and looks very well decorated and furnished. This is also going to make the viewer think he is a formal, well-paid man.

This can also be seen from his girlfriend. She is well dressed, clean looking and has tidy hair. This shows that he go for the 'nice looking' type of woman, but it also says things about her. The viewer get to see that she is a nice, average but well-off person.

Another character is shown, the girlfriend's friend, on a date. This gives some indication into the fact that she is single, but it also shows she is on her mobile phone talking to the main characters girlfriend. This shows that she has no interest in the man she is on a date with, which also gives an indication into the type of person she. This could make the viewer think that she is rude, as she is on the phone, and not talking to the person she should be talking to.

At one point in the trailer, there is a close-up of two picture. One of them is of the main character and his girlfriend. Give off the impression that they have being together for a while, and that they mean a lot to each other to have themselves frames together.

Throughout the trailer, the lighting is mostly bright and airy. This gives the feeling of happiness and contentment. Bright colours are also, usually, related to comedy, as they make you laugh and make you feel good about yourself, which is what bright colours have the effect of doing.

The man that the main character starts to get to know, is shown to dress very casual. He wears loose shirts with shorts, or just plane t-shirts with jeans. This allows the viewer to understand his personality, as it shows he is laid back and out going. This is a complete contrast to the main character, which makes it easier to create some sort of comedy between them, by showing their differences.

Although the main character and his new friend are very different. Within the trailer, it shows them each playing an instrument. This makes them a little similar, which allows the viewer to see some sort of relationship between, and it also shows how it would work as they have something in common, and something to do with their time spent together.

Textual Analysis - P.S I Love You (Romance)

Cinematography

At the beginning of the trailer, like in most trailers, there is an establishing shot. This gives the viewer a sense of setting and allows them to know where some or most of the film is going to take place. There is another establishing shot in this trailer, which is when she mentions going to Ireland. The establishing shot shows this to make the viewer aware of a change in setting, but to also let them know something has changed without have to be told.

After the first image on screen, which was the establishing shot, we see a medium shot of, first, the main character 'Holly' and then the main subject 'Gerry'. He's the main subject and not one of the main characters due to the fact he is only in it for a short amount of time, but is still the main focus of the film. These two medium shots are shown to allow the viewer to know who the important roles are played by in the film, and so they are aware it is them who are going to be shown or mentioned throughout the whole entire film.

At one point in the trailer there is a close up of 'Holly' and 'Gerry' holding each other closely together. This is done to, again, establish who the main people are in the film, but also to ensure that the viewer knows what the relationship is between the two physically and emotionally. This is because they are obviously physically close as they are closely linked together in the shot, but this also connotes that they are bound together emotionally.

Throughout the film trailer eye line matches are used. This is just to show that there is no powerful or undermining characters in the film, and that all characters are equally there for one another.

The letters that are sent to 'Holly' in the film are all shown in a point of view shot, but are also shown using a cut away. The effect of having it as a cut away is that the camera isn't moving, so all the focus is put onto the letter to show to the viewer that there is importance there. The effect of showing them in a point of view shot is that the viewer is sure of who is looking at them, and it draws them into the film trailer, as it makes them feel like they are there looking at it.

At some points in the film, a birds eye view is used. One example of this would be when 'Holly' is laying down of here bed and the camera is looking down on her. This gives the viewer a sense of where she is, but also, what her emotion is. This is because it shows her smiling, but if the camera was of another angle, the viewer may not of being able to have seen this.

Editing

As well as in most film trailers, the most commonly used feature is the montage. This is usually only done to show lots of the film in a short amount of time with a compressed version of the narrative. This is done in this trailer as it shows what happens through out the film and what it is about, but there is also a montage used just to show parts of 'Gerry's' life after the trailer announcing that this character dies. It is used almost as a flashback of his life from other peoples eyes, but makes the viewer feel like they have being there and lets them relate to it.

The cuts in this film trailer are slow and with soft transitions. This shows that nothing dramatic is happening, and that things are moving slowly and calmly. The transition are there to show a change in time and place, so that the viewer is aware that it's not a continual sequence shot.

Shot/reverse shot is used in this trailer at points. This is used to show the change is characters talking in conversation. As it's only a film trailer, there isn't going to be long conversational sequences as they have to put as much in the trailers as possible to gain the viewers attention, but shot/reverse shot is still used to show that these characters have had conversations in the film, which could show the viewer some relation between the characters.

Sound

Included in this film trailer, as with most others, is a non-diegetic voice over. In some film trailers the voice over is only one person speaking throughout to pass the narrative over to the viewer, but in this trailer, there is more than one. The first person to speak as a voice over is someone speaking, presumably at his funeral, i.e. giving a speak, or the vicar saying his part.

Later on in the trailer, after some images have being shown, and diegetic dialogue has being spoken, the person give their voice to the voice over is 'Gerry'. Although this is true, it's not as such a voice over, as the characters in the film can still here, but in a different time and place.

As well as this, we also here his voice as a voice over when 'Holly' is reading the letters to herself. This is done to make sure the viewer knows what is on the letter without having to quickly read it them selves while watching the film. It also acts as a way of bringing the viewer into the film ad making them feel part of it as they can almost imagine that it is them that is reading it and thinking it over in their head.

At the beginning of the trailer, the non-diegetic music is just a guitar being strummed, which could be the beginning to a song, after a few seconds or so, the music stopped for a part of the film being shown, which is done to add emphasis to this, and then starts again in a more fast paced, but still happy, manner.

When the page fades out at one point and states that 'Gerry' dies, the music also fades out to emphasise the information that is involved in this part of the trailer. But shortly after, the music gets a happy feel about it again, when it shows 'Holly' starting her new life. The change in music is done to help along the narrative and add a more effective atmosphere, but to also make it easier to differentiate between different situations in the film.

Mise-en-scene

The lighting in this trailer is bright and has a light and happy atmosphere about it. This relates to the film this trailer is advertising because it's a romance, and romance films usually have connotations with bright and colourful surrounding, and a happy and calm atmosphere.

In the opening images on screen when we see the two main characters, they are wearing contrasting colours, black and white. This could show either how they different, which is what they are going on about in this part of the trailer, or how they are similar in the way that they complete each other.

After the trailer has made the viewer aware of 'Gerry's' death, the main character 'Holly' seems to be wearing all black clothes. This is done to show that she is grieving over the loss of her husband, and also to show her emotion of sadness and depression. As the trailer goes on, her clothes seem to introduce more colours as it goes along, showing she gets over her husband, and becomes a happier person again.

As some of the film is in Ireland, and her husband was Irish, the people who made the film, decided to put something stereotypical of Ireland into the film trailer, which was a man dressed up as a Leprechaun. This is stereotypical because people who are not from Ireland assume that that is where Leprechaun's live. I feel that this is done to make it clear that Ireland has a big part to play in the film, and makes it obvious to the viewer due to the use of stereotyping.

Textual Analysis - Flight Plan (Thriller)

Cinematography

The first shot in this trailer is an establishing shot, which is of the plane at the airport before boarding. This shot is put there to let the viewer know the main location of the film, but also were the majority of the action in the film is going to take place. The use of an establishing shot is to make the viewer aware of the surrounding of the characters in the film, this shot does this perfectly in the way that this is where everything is happening.

In this film trailer, there is a lot of medium to close-up shots. A couple of examples of this is when the main character (Kyle Pratt) is shown and then it is cut straight to a medium to close-up shot of her daughter (Julia Pratt). This is done just after the establishing shot at the beginning of the trailer. This is done to show the viewer the main characters of the film, and to show their relationship with one another.

Another thing which is done in this trailer is the use of a medium shot of the two main characters, but having them in front of the plane, which is the main place of action. This is done to show the relation between the characters and the setting by putting them together in one shot.

Another main thing which is involved in this film trailer is that the movement of shots is fairly random, and the camera is moving in all directions. A Dutch tilt is also involved in this part of the trailer and this is done to add to the feel of it being panicked, rushed and disorientating. But as the camera is moving like this, the images being shown are ones of the inside of the plane. This add to the atmosphere of the film, but also shows where all this panic and rush is involved.

Another thing that had this effect is when all the different images on screen are being moved and switched quickly. Again, it makes the atmosphere feel rushed, and allows the viewer to feel what is being passed through the images.

Close-up shots are used quite a lot during this film trailer. I feel this adds to the suspense of the trailer and also creates a sense of mystery, as the veiwer cannot see everything that is going on, but only a diluted part of a shot. This would not only act as an advertising device to get the veiwer to want to see the film, but it helps towards how the viewer understands whats going on.

Another feature which is added into this film trailer is low angle shots of the main character. I feel this is done to make the viewer view the main character as vulnerable, which is how she is in the film, as she is the main victim of the plot to the film.

Editing

Included in this trailer, is over the shoulder shot. This is done to provide the viewer with a sense of continuity, as they are seeing the conversation from both sides, and it allows them to know it's in the same time frame and same setting. It also lets the viewer know who each person is talking to.

One main feature that has to be mentioned for all film trailers is the use of a montage. This is done in all film trailers to allow the viewer to see different scenes of the film in a short space of time, and gives a condensed version of the narrative, so that the viewer gets a feel of what is going on in the film, and gets them interested.

The cut from one image to another is done in a fast pace through out, this is done to give the viewer a feel of what it going on, but also so they can see as much as possible in the time the trailer is on.

Another feature of editing that can be mentioned is the use of match on action. An example from this trailer would be when she has broken through the ceiling of the toilet, and it switching and changing all the wires in the large wire box. This is match on action because we see her do this, and then we see the result, which is in the passenger area of the plane, where all the oxygen masks are falling down, and the lights are flickering.

Sound

The main thing included into the trailer is dialogue. This is seen in almost every trailer as it is the easiest way to get the narrative across to the viewer. This is because they get to here what is going on, from the characters point of view, but also see it on screen for themselves.

At the beginning of the trailer there is non-diegetic music which is calm and peaceful. This is done to show the difference between the beginning and end of the film, as the non-diegetic music changes from soft to a sharp banging sound, as if someone if banging on a sheet of steel. This allows the viewer to be aware of the changing atmosphere within the film.

At one point in the trailer, nearer to the beginning, the main character is describing the plane and what is inside it, but as she speaks it seems to change from diegetic, from when she was telling her daughter about it, to non-diegetic, as if she is telling the viewer about the plane. We could also tell this because she starts using more facts and figures, and more complex names that a young child of her daughters age may not understand.

As the climax to the film is shown in the trailer, the soft non-diegetic music slows, and eventually stops. This shows the change in atmosphere and gives the effect of anxiety. When the main character realises that something strange is happening and that it's not some kind of joke, the non-diegetic sound changes to loud bangs, that were described a couple of paragraphs back. As the trailer progresses, these bang get closer and closer together, showing that things are getting of a faster pace, and they are leading up to something.

Towards the end of the trailers, along with the past paced bang sounds, aeroplane sounds start coming into the non-diegetic sound. This, I feel is done to remind the viewer of where all the action is taking place, but perhaps to make them thing of where that particular sound is being made, and where future events in the film may take place.

Mise-en-scene

The first image on screen is of the aeroplane. It is important this is shown as it is the main setting for what is going on in the film. As well as this, is it shown in it proper environment, a airport, which gives it realism.

Another thing which is included into this trailer is the inside of the plane. Many different images are shown of the inside, which gives the viewer the effect of them being there, but also, again, gives a sense of realism, as it's an ideal double of what a plane is.

The main characters are both wearing dark coloured clothes, this relates them together, but also adds the narrative of the father/husband figure dying, as it shows that they are still in mourning for him. It could also relate to the fact the genre of the film is thriller, and one connotation of this genre is that it is quite dark, and they are portraying this through the use of their clothes.

Another thing which could portray the fact that this is a thriller is that is all based at night time, and this is usually where scary or unwanted things happen. It allows the viewer to also be aware of the time, and also allows them to relate to the fact that it's 'scary' as most people have connotations which the dark being like this.

At one point in the film, just after the pilot on that flight tells the main character her daughter has died, it cuts to an image of a coffin being closed by a man, which makes the viewer think that she is going crazy and that the young girl did die. This confuses the viewer and makes the gain interest into the film as they want to know what has happened to the girl.

At the end of the trailer, there is a image of the main character which an explosion behind her. There isn't anything else like this involved within the trailer, so it gives a clue as to something else that might be happening, and it also confuses the viewer more, which in turn with make them feel more interested in the film.

Conventions of Film trailers

Cinematography

Most film trailers use the same camera angles as in the film it is advertising, as this is where the clips are taken from. Many of the shots in film trailers seem to be close ups of the characters. I feel this is done to add to the feeling of suspense and wonder, which is what a film trailer is trying to create, to make the viewer want to see the film.

Film trailers also commonly use a few establishing shots to give the viewer a sense of place and time, this is done to make the viewer aware of the background to the film and context in which it may take place, but doesn't give away much of the story through imaging, as this comes from the added images and narrative over-voice etc.

Another thing that can be said about the camera shots is that most of the ones featured in film trailers are still shots, as opposed to pan or tilting movement shots. I think this is done so that the use of montages, which are commonly used in film trailers, are easily pieced together. This is because, if there is a lot of movement in each shot, the editor has to spend more time weaving the shots in together to make them feel continual.

Sound

A typical and common feature of a film trailer is a non-diegetic voice-over, which is used so the narrative can cross over fluently to the viewer. It is also used to create a sense of atmosphere, as the voice could be of certain depths, which gives off different connotations of the genre of the film; it could be rushed dialogue or slowly paced or it could be quiet or loud. Each would help towards the feel of the film, in which the creator wanted the viewer to experience.

Another feature of film trailers is non-diegetic sound and music played over images on screen. Non-diegetic sound is played to add to the atmospheric feel of the trailer. But again, the addition of this music/sound helps bring the montage together, using 'cut to the beat' clip changing.

Although, most of the time, diegetic sound from the film is included in to the trailer, it is sometimes deliberately left out to give a feeling of suspense or anxiety, depending upon what non-diegetic sound is accompanying the omission of the diegetic sound.

Mise-en-scene

The mise-en scene of a film trailer is certain clip from the film it is advertising. The mise-en-scene of film trailers is very diverse, in the sense that they are advertising films of all different genres.

For example, if there was a film trailer advertising a horror film, you would expect to have in the film trailer things that are scary. Things such as torture, murder or ghosts, and you would also expect it to be dark, spooky and perhaps gory.

Whereas, if there was a film trailer advertising a romance film, you would typically expect to see at least one male and one female being involved in the main role of the film, you would expect the atmosphere to be bright and happy.

Editing

The main form of editing that is used in all or most of film trailers is the use montages. This is clips and music put together with rapid editing and special effects to create compressed narrative information. These are used to allow the viewer to see different parts of the film to get them interested in it, in a short space of time.

Another thing that is used is 'cut to the beat' editing. Which is when the clips on screen are changed to the beats in the song. This allows things to run smoothly, but also gives the effect of it being continual, even though the clips are of different time and place in the film.

LIIAR of film trailers

Language

The language of a trailer has always got to be persuasive and intriguing. This is because the purpose of a film trailer is to draw viewers to watching the film.

Certain things that make trailers achieve these qualities of being intriguing and persuasive are the way dialogue is used as a voice over to make the viewer aware of the narrative of the film. Another thing is the way they show the most exciting parts of the film, through the equilibrium, disruption and possibly some of the quest, to draw the viewer in, but then leave them hanging and wanting more by not showing a revolution. The enigma that this creates allows for strong intrigue into the film from the viewer.

The most common language feature of a trailer are montages. These are used to allow the viewer to see more of the film than if it were just rolling camera, but can also be used to create suspense and a racy atmosphere or a serene feeling depending on the speed of the clip change.

Another thing that is seen in most film trailers is the use of non-diegetic music. This is matched to the over voice, but also to the montage. This is because the clips in the montage are usually cut to the beat of the music, this adds a slight feel of continuity through the music as opposed to the film clips. As well as there being non-diegetic sound in most film trailers, there is also diegetic sound used as well. This then allows the feel of the film to still come through.

Institution

Most film trailers are produced by the production company that are creating that particular film. Some of the big production companies to be known in making these are 20th Centuary Fox, Paramount Pictures, MGM and Fox Filmed Entertainment. The people who are now high up in the hierarchy of management in these companies though, have all come from the same company, which was Kaleidoscope Films.

Kaleidoscope films had a branch open on the west coast of America in 1968 by a man called Kuehn. Kuehn and his company played a major role in the creation of film trailers for around 3 decades, but then demands became too large when producers decided to invest more money in the marketing of the films. Nowadays, the creators of film trailers, that used to work for Kuehn, are now in the management of the larger companies, as stated above.

Ideology

The main ideology of a film trailer is to attract the attention of the target audience and make them want to go view the film. The institution come up with a set of idea's that they believe will draw the audience in.

Such things as including the exciting parts of the film, or choosing to use a cliff hanger type effect to make the viewer want to know what happens. All these things help them gain the goal they desire. The institution expect that what they do will provide the best result, which is for the most attention.

Audience

Each genre of film will have a different target audience. For example, romance films' main audience would be females aged from around 16 and up, although people not in this category may be attracted to watching this type of film too. Another example would be of Horror. Horror has a wide target audience. This is because it can vary from male to female viewers, and also all ages, other than young children, may find them interesting.

Another thing that can be said about the audience of movie trailers, is the fact it's everyone who watched television. Film trailers are there to be seen by all. They are put on here, because the creators of film trailers know that whoever likes to watch films, like to watch television, because they are both visual things, so it's the best way of attracted that particular audience.

Representation

Film trailers are a representation of the film it's advertising. They are represented as being the best parts of the film which is done to excite the viewer of the trailer. Another thing that can be said about film trailers is the fact they are used to represent the specific genre that it's advertising.

To represent any film, you would have to put in certain things that are related to that genre. For example, to represent a thriller film, you would want to include something dark and gloomy or mysterious and dangerous, whereas if your film trailer was representing a romance film, you would stereotypically expect to see bright and colourful pictures on screen and experience a happy atmosphere.

History of Film Trailers

Trailers or Previews are advertisements of feature films that will be exhibited in the future at cinemas.

The term trailer comes from the advertisement been after a film programme. This was changed because the viewers of the film used to leave as soon as it finished and didn’t want to watch the trailer.

Besides at the beginning of cinema films, film trailers are one of the most popular things watched on the internet. Over 10 billion film trailers are watched on the internet annually, ranking them third after news and user-created video.

The first trailer shown in the US was in 1913 when the advertiser for the Marcus Loew Theatre chain produced a short promotional film for the play ‘The Pleasure Seekers'. Granlund, who created this promotional film, was also the first person to create a trailer for a motion picture as well. This was to promote the new film featuring Charlie Chaplin in 1914.

Most trailers in them times had much narrative in them, and those that did had stentorian voices in them.

In the early 1960’s, the face of motion picture trailers changed. Textless, montages and quick editing became popular as the new trailers. Stanley Kubrick was among the trend setters at this time, producing the trailers for such films as Lolita and Dr. Strangelove. Due to this new change in trailer features, they became popular on television as well.

Kaleidoscope Films was opened in 1968 by Kuehn and his company, who became a major player in the industry. As Hollywood began to make bigger blockbuster films, people were beginning to invest more money in marketing.

In earlier decades of cinema, trailers were only one part of the entertainment which included cartoon shorts and serial adventure episodes. Trailers nowadays are much more detailed and longer, including clips from the film.

Brief

A promotional package for a new film, to include a teaser trailer, together with two of the following three options:

-a website homepage for the film;

-a film magazine front cover, featuring the film;

-a poster for the film.