Theatrical and teaser trailer research

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TEASER AND THEATRICAL TRAILER RESEARCH

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TEASER TRAILERS Usually 90 seconds in length which briefly revels into the plot and entices the audience.

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DISTRICT 9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmg3crbxX-I This teaser trailer is interesting considering the inventive plot, camera use and ambiguity which is essential to keep the audience intrigued. The teaser is full with fade to black transitions, which signals a switch between a mass of long shots usually depicting military vehicles and South African scenery between Documentary-style medium close-ups of citizens speaking of the ‘unwanted people’. This style effectively creates verisimilitude within the text as audiences can relate to ordinary documentaries. Shots depicting of military action gives little recognition to the struggle on the streets and builds tension effectively. The titles are used cunningly in the teaser to show the contradicting feelings of citizens and military towards the aliens. The soundtrack is fairly peaceful at the beginning but as more is revealed, it quickly takes a darker tone. From the slight backstory built up a the start to the climatic reveal of the spaceship, the soundtrack effectively generates the mood and sets up an interesting concept not usually delved in science-fiction films. Harsh declarative coloured red to give connotations of the hate intended. From the lack of action and violence in teaser, greeting could suggest how aliens were first treated. Lack of action is different from other science fiction teasers but majority of shots build tension such as the extreme long shot here.

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SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr91Y42MEsA would exaggerate the pain, creating a comical effect. Most of the trailer is a montage of surreal action and fighting, which is a contrast between the scenes at the start depicting the protagonist’s love for his girlfriend. The soundtrack follows this contrast with quiet acoustic music at the start to noisy dubstep with the simultaneous action montage. The camera techniques are heavily effective in creating sufficient meanings, such as with a zooming split-screen on the protagonist and his love interest. This is used again when the ‘seven evil exes’ are displayed and this method reflects a comic book’s panels. Overall, the teaser switches from the conventions of a romance film to a constant action fest, which is entertaining with the lack of realism throughout. This teaser trailer is of a surrealistic nature and is full of action. Titles are used commonly with a cartoon font give the trailer a comic book feel, such as when the protagonist is attacked titles Highly effectively close-ups reveal protagonist’s feelings instantly.

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BACK TO THE FUTURE http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsQRLkL8OlQ This teaser trailer is very ambiguous, it is compromised mainly of close-ups of the not-completely seen protagonist setting up a machine which is also a mystery. Considering camera shots and locations in this teaser, its fairly restrictive. The majority of close-ups restricts the viewer from knowing exactly what is happening and can only make their mind up as to what the protagonist is doing at the singular location. The mise-en-scene in the teaser is effective with the protagonists facial expressions and gestures, such as when he responds to what appears like a non-diegetic question the audience is thinking: ‘How far are you going?’. His response being: ‘about 30 years’ is the only recognition to the plot. The soundtrack to the teaser suits well with futuristic music to fit with the protagonist adjusting the machine and then upbeat jazz music after he explains how far he is going, suggesting a family-friendly tone for the film. The titles are fairly simple in bold white with a black background whilst the film’s title is bold and vibrant in red and yellow, symbolising the excitement involved detailed with the title. This teaser trailer is supremely effective in gripping the audience with being fairly ambiguous and only referencing the film’s exciting plot once, setting up high expectations with the use of special effects to an octane time-travelling adventure. Close-ups show the car is ordinary and so is the protagonist. the mise -en-scene resembles the car’s interior to being almost like a fighter jet – stunning the audience.

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THE NAKED GUN 2 ½: THE SMELL OF FEAR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUOV5wKLTFs This teaser trailer is a complete parody of the successful ‘Ghost’. The soundtrack is exactly the same as ‘Ghost’ whilst only a stern narration details on the action. Considering the mise -en-scene and location of this trailer, its restrictive. It’s set entirely in a dark bedroom with high-key bright lighting situated only on the two characters. The shots throughout are primarily close-ups and mid shots on the potter and the characters embracing. The high angle close up on the potter is interesting and used for comical effect to exaggerate on the surrealism and humour insinuated. The titles are grandiloquent and vibrant in colours and size, similar to that of ‘Scott Pilgrim...’ The teaser is almost identical to the scene from ‘Ghost’ with the exception of surrealism such as gestures from characters, mainly when they use their feet to mould the pottery. Overall this is effective in appealing to the audience, its heavily apparent the film is parodying various famous films with similarities in directing and the narration being declarative, stating ‘you won’t believe’ the scenes of the film. However, it’s unoriginal considering the main scene shown and hardly ‘teases’ the audience with reference to the plot. Surrealism with iconic shot from ‘Ghost’ generates comedy along with protagonists’ facial expressions.

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REC http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaUokzE9fI This teaser trailer is dark and atmospheric. The lighting is largely important in creating tension with the low-key dark lighting to emphasise the creepiness with the mise -en-scene and overall feel of the film. This is most effective when the fire-fighters encounter a young girl and the low lighting almost covers her completely, giving only a spooky aura. The titles and use of transitions is fitting with the film’s title based on video filming; transitions between scenes is the camera cutting off resembling the mechanics of the video camera. This also fits with the shot types and filming technique of the teaser with the effect of amateur filming from a personal video camera to create verisimilitude and the use of mid close-ups along with close-ups exaggerates the fear felt by characters. The absence of a creepy soundtrack and instead only diegetic and non- diegetic sounds of the camera cutting out and phone calls to fire services. The titles are fairly simple in the trailer with the exception of the film’s title being animated with a flashing signal symbolising the recording icon. The other titles only reveal slightly film’s plot, detailing on the emergency services’ calls. The ambiguity and constant effect of a personal video camera throughout builds tension. Change between title to an added amount of ‘unclassified’ incidents, prepares the audience for a fright with the film’s proposed plot.

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SOURCE CODE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMdBJ_W4wYE This teaser trailer is interesting with the plot and overall repetition in scenes, it effectively intrigues the audience. The shots consist primarily of mid shots and close-ups throughout, with extreme long shots and establishing shots focusing on the destruction from an impending train explosion. What is most interesting with the shots is the repetition. The intertextuality used with T.V screens to the protagonist not only explains the plot situation to him but also the audience. A close-up displaying the screen is used commonly but what is most effective is a extreme long shot displaying a train explosion. When more plot details are told and the protagonist is able to travel in time, the shot is used again but reversed to give a time effect. The hi-tech CGI in the teaser also implies a switch from the protagonist moving into another body. The soundtrack is fast-paced and climatic as the scenes become shorter with the teaser’s progress. The concept of being trapped in another body is also lightly explored in the teaser, with a brief shot showing the protagonist looking at a mirror only to be another person, though he remains the same to the audience. There are only few locations in this teaser with the train and the protagonist’s office. Yet the effective transition between both as the protagonist switches and having to find the bomber is exciting with the possibility to who it could be invading the viewers mind. Shots of characters intrigues the audience as to who the bomber could be.

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TANGLED http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW19ERnFUbI This teaser trailer is first set up as a action adventure as the criminal protagonist manages to escape prison and steals goods. This expectation is quickly demolished as he hides in a castle and cues a slapstick routine. Being an animation, the mise -en-scene is perfect and all fits the medieval context featured. The titles and soundtrack are most effective in the teaser, with the font for the titles being smart and bold in yellow. The contents of the title are comical and light-hearted filling in with details of the plot. The soundtrack is also of a light-hearted mood and fits with the slapstick and comedy throughout. The shots are fairly simple throughout with mainly mid shots and long shots to display most of the action taking place. Diegesis in the teaser consists mainly of similar screams from most of the characters, accidents and slapstick is constant to create humour. The location variety is limited with the forest yet it sets up the differences between the protagonists and the feeling of them being stuck together. The male protagonist seems a caricature of Robin Hood whilst the female protagonist is similar to Rapunzel, her excessive hair and elaborate costume being a pun of the famous character. Costume almost identical to Robin Hood, prop displays he is dangerous. Defensive posture shows character isn’t frail woman as usually depicted with Rapunzel character.

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THE TOWN http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyrtn53OpeU This teaser trailer is dramatic and compelling. The editing is mainly quick takes and frequent fade to black transitions between scenes. The music throughout is dark and dramatic, with the main point of interest being when the music fades in on a credit, it arrives with the non-diegetic sound of a church bell. This is used to later relate with the bank robbers’ nun disguises. Shots in the teaser are varied, the camera placement is heavily effective especially in one scene where an FBI agent arrests a robber and smashes his head against a glass table, with the camera placed beneath it. The mix between slow motion and fast paced is effective in creating the plot, primarily at the start with the bank raid. The elapsed time as the robbers take the money and then the car chase increased in speed exaggerates how fast-paced the film is. Action is constant throughout with guns shooting and various car crashes creating a sense of conflict in the film. Whilst the teaser focuses primarily on the conflict between the FBI and the robbers, flashbacks are used to show the tension between the robbers themselves, along with the close-ups used to focus on the facial expressions and gestures of characters. Quick takes displaying the criminals robbing the bank creates a fast paced feel, swiftly moves the plot forward and gives audience can connect to how quick the criminals have to be.

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THE SOCIAL NETWORK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BpvUY8Mgeg&feature=player_embedded#at=42 This teaser trailer is completely unique and compelling compared to conventional teasers. Seeing as the film itself is based on the cultural phenomenon social networking website ‘Facebook’ a fascinating idea to drawn in audiences would be to use the site’s famous features. The entire teaser is filled with intertextuality, the audience is watching a computer screen whilst various characters type in responses to the website. The plot is sufficiently filled in here with the comments from characters on the website narrated and the quickening pace throughout with the main protagonists trying to avoid law suits and people offering them money. The titles are also effective with the films title being an almost exact copy of the ‘Facebook’ logo, which again is appealing to audiences. The soundtrack for the teaser is rather quiet, how its quite dark and rises slowly as the tension builds and responses from characters quicken. Cut to black is completely dramatic, the rising pace of tension and music in the teaser suddenly comes to a halt.

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THEATRICAL TRAILERS Usually 150 seconds in length, gives audience a wider view of the plot.

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DRIVE http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAc23x2JJG0 This theatrical trailer is slow and convoluted. The use of voice-over and quick cuts at certain parts creates a quick pace, such as a police chase and a getaway scene. Whilst its also fairly slow at times, primarily as the protagonist speaks to his love interest. The most interesting aspect in this trailer is the contrapuntal music used at the end. It turns from traditional tense music with the amount of chases and action to orchestra with a montage of slow-motion scenes. This gives the film a classical feel and resembles films from previous eras. The amount of angles in the trailer is also interesting, high and low angles are constantly used on the protagonist, possibly to suggest an unbalance in his situation and a constant shift in control. Locations are varied, with city landscapes to race tracks. Shots are mainly filled with action which are captured by pans and tracks for a wide range and view for the audience. Fade to action effectively makes the trailer appear tranquil.

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THE SPIRIT http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDeOkaCUUI8 This theatrical trailer is dark and atmospheric, mainly because it is noir. What is also effective about this look is the choice of colour from the director, with the spirit’s red tie standing out. Whilst the shadows are mostly captured (a fight scene between The Spirit and a gangster is ambiguous with the lack of identity) , bright light is used from the large amount of helicopters and planes that fly out of shot, which give an almost heavenly feel to the trailer. Shots consist of close-ups and mid-shots, especially on the antagonist ‘The Octopus’ to show his hate. Another common feature is the skyline of the city, establishing shots often capture the protagonist running across buildings or looking down to the streets, which audiences can relate to as it’s usual of a superhero. Voiceovers are also effective in this trailer, it works as an internal monologue for the protagonist and his dilemma is quickly introduced in the first few seconds whilst a voiceover of The Octopus’s rants are constant throughout the end to create a sense of his determination and will to destroy The Spirit. Use of low key and high key lighting effectively creates ambiguity along with shadows.

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FIGHT CLUB http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxUPTA3ZQJI This theatrical trailer is surrealistic and interesting. The voiceover, like in The Spirit, already sets up the main storyline and the protagonist’s insomnia. From this the scenes switch from gritty realism to the surreal, especially with an effective use of mise -en-scene. This is exemplified perfectly when the protagonist is talking to a penguin in an ice cave, though he is wearing his suit. The graphic code in this trailer is also effective, with 3D titles appearing across the room in a slow pan, that all link to a catalogue the protagonist has read. This is an interesting use of intertextuality. The main titles are also interesting as the camera moves through electrons in the brain, resembling the protagonist’s disturbed state of mind. The shots and shot placement in the trailer are unique, with a low-angle tilt as the protagonist knocks a man to the floor. An interesting camera placement is behind a steel gate as a character attacks an innocent man, which could possibly represent the character’s future predicament of being thrown in prison. Music is dark and low key as a final montage of action and distress leads to the only upbeat and rise in sound throughout the trailer, with a quite bass song playing in most of the trailer. The final song is atmospheric and deep.

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DREAM HOUSE http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncLFpGdd8O8 Whilst this theatrical trailer is creepy with long shot lengths and chilling music, it fails to entice audiences with a big reveal on the plot and twists. The music is the trailer is most effective, it’s a simple nursery rhyme that is used contrapuntally for a sinister effect constantly, which works best when the actors’ names are revealed along with quick cuts from title to shot. Special effects in the trailer stand out, especially when the well-decorated house morphs into a dilapidated ruin through the wipe from a child’s hand. This confuses the audience as to what is the horror in the trailer, as constricted shots of unknown characters and protagonist’s noticing strange occurrences are frequent. Lighting is mixed to resemble the protagonist’s shift in personality with low key when the house is a ruin and high key, ambient lighting when the house is perfect and there’s a state of equilibrium. Final shot is chilling, tilt up as darkness ensues with effective character placement facing the wall, almost out of touch to the audience.

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http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvyqXFmV-LI TYRANNOSAUR This theatrical trailer completely stands out from the norm. It isn’t necessarily because an inventive use of camera or techniques but how the two protagonists are represented. The male protagonist is angry and spiteful. E xtreme close-ups deal on his facial expressions whilst long shots capture his destructive behaviour with him smashing objects and holding weapons. Its all action-packed and fast-paced focus on him whilst the female protagonist is represented as quiet with slow shot takes, that capture her facial expressions and the gestures of her tormentor. Close-ups and mid close-ups effectively show her grief and the long length in shots showing the protagonist gazing worryingly dramatically represent her pain. Fade to blacks are used often in the trailer, a common feature in dramas along with usual extreme long shots capturing the location. Overall, this trailer details on both of the protagonist’s dilemmas and though the audience is repulsed by the male protagonist’s violent actions, its easily recognisable he can help the female protagonist. Framing works effectively as it creates a feel of the protagonists’ isolation.