Film Trailers: What are they?

Trailers are a very important part of a films marketing campaign as they are used to attract a large percentage of the films target audience. Trailers are produced while the film is going through its editing stage. This way it is clear what footage can be used within the trailer. The trailer has its own budget and isn't something that's created with money left over as it carries much importance with the films marketing and advertisement. Essentially, trailers are like adverts for films. They are screened in the cinema, on television and on social media. Trailers are not simply 'shorter versions' of the film, as they are often in non-chronological order. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example: 'The Shallows' trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgdxIlSuB70 is shown in chronological order.
Trailers inform potential audiences about a film but primarily target their target audience. Although, a films trailer and the film itself don't necessarily have to have the same target audience. Trailers are meant to encourage people to see the film at the cinema and so trailers often inform audiences of their theatrical release. For example, 'Saw II''s trailer showed that the movies theatrical release will be on
October 28th. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq2AzZB6DUE
Trailers and film posters often compliment each other as this is used to create a link between them in the media while marketing. For example, the first 'Taken' movies trailer and film posters compliment each other. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPJVJBm9TPA. As you can see in the examples from 'Taken's marketing campaign, the inclusion of the daughter, father, and the antagonists are shown in a row.

Film Trailers: Target Audiences

There are many potential target audiences that film trailers can address. These are often the same audiences that they are targeting to with their film, however this is not always the case. These potential targeted audiences are:
- Teenage boys and girls.
- Families.
- Couples.
- Ages 16-25 skewed towards girls.
- Ages 16-25 skewed towards boys.
- Ages 25-35 skewed towards women.
- Ages 25-35 skewed towards men.
- Ages 35+


Trash 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPXyZD_QDC0


'Trash' appears to target a wide range of ages. I think the trailer targets audiences of ages 16-25 and 25-35 which is orientated around males. I think the trailer is directed towards a predominately male audience due to its inclusion of crime and guns. Those of which, aren't stereotypically liked by females, however this is a stereotype and generalisation and won't account for all women. The trailer is also directed towards males due to the central protagonists (the three friends) being all male. It is  common that individuals find identifying with characters much easier and more effective if they are of the same gender. The trailer targeting an older adult audience of 25-35 will be effective as the trailer raises third world issues which adults will be more aware and sympathetic of instead of younger adults or children. However, the trailer targets younger adults of ages 16-25 by the strong inclusion of friendship which is very important to young adults in this generation and also due to the fact that the central protagonists are also teenagers., which thus makes them easier to identify with.


The Theory of Everything 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Salz7uGp72c


'The Theory of Everything's trailer suggests that it could be targeted towards families because of the friendly nature of it. However, the trailer itself does contain and also suggests the film will contain, very complex and mature emotion that children may not understand or be able to identify with. The trailer targets both audiences of ages of 16-25 and 25-35. Although, predominately it targets the older adults (25-35). This is due to the central protagonists being adult and growing into older adults. This target audience will be able to identify with the central protagonists more effectively than the younger adults. However, the young adults are still targeted due the central protagonists starting off as young adults also. The primary target audience would be couples. This is because of the strong romance theme displayed throughout the trailer. The trailer suggests that the story is primarily orientated around the journey of the central protagonists as a couple. Due to this prominent romantic theme, the target audiences will be targeted more towards female audiences. This is due to the stereotype that women are more attracted to romantic films.








The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3REYWGRmLnQ

There appears to be a clear target audience for 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'. This appears to be the over 35's, skewed towards women. This is clear due to the characters shown within the trailer. The central protagonists shown in the trailer are all aged 35+. People find it easier to relate to characters that they of a similar age to and relatability is very important when it comes to films. The trailer displays more female than male characters and this will subsequently attract more female viewers. The trailer also shows the female characters making the more humorous and comical comments. Statistically, men prefer comedy from male comedians and as a result female comedians are less popular.

Film Trailers: 'Gravity' Trailer Techniques

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTiKOy59o4

The trailer begins completely silent, with text gradually appearing on screen. This subsequently builds anticipation for the trailer as nothing yet is revealed except the text on screen, which speaks a troubling message.

There is no gradual introduction to music or sound, instead there is a sudden burst of sound by SFX which is accompanied by the panicked panting of what is suggested to be the central protagonist, ‘explorer’. This sudden introduction of sound is used to make the audience ‘jump’, imitating the panicked feelings of the central protagonist. The sound then proceeds to cut in and out, resembling the pillar that the central protagonist is attached to, spinning. This high pitched sounds like a combination of mechanical and orchestral sounds. Perhaps defining the difference between human and machine.

In the beginning of the trailer, there is one long continuous shot, this is sued to establish the setting, character and dilemma. All three of these feature are evident in the beginning of the trailer, thus making the shot successful and effective. At 0.44, there is a sudden finish to the shot which is shown by a plain black screen. There is no fade out to black, which is supposed to suggest a shift in time. This perhaps suggests how time is distorted in space and in moments of fear, stress and panic.

Within two seconds, 0.50-0.52, several shots are shown in quick succession. This is used to build tension and suspense, and also increase the heightened panic and disorientation. This is then followed by a pulsing beat which also adds to the tension. A continuous shot of the central protagonist spinning has sudden cuts within the shot, to black. This is used to reinforce the disorientation of the character. With each blackout, there is an orchestral sound of low and staccato strings. At 1.30, there is a sudden silence after the loud, pulsing, orchestral music. From 1.30 to 1.40, the sound of the central protagonist’s panting is the primary sound, with music gradually building in the background. Much like the building tension. With each panting breath, is a cut in the camera shot. This highlights the panicked breathing pattern and allows for an increased pace in shots. These shots aren’t in chronological order and are used to increase anticipation for the film.

The cut shots increase in pace towards the end of the trailer, revealing a wider variety of shots from the film. The increased pace of shot cut pace is accompanied by louder SFX music. The music gradually increases in pitch which is used to build tension. At 2.00, the music reaches a climax and then silences. At 2.06, the music is then heard again, beginning to increase in pitch again to a climax. Finally at 2.14, there is silence again.