Film Trailers: Theory

The release dates for film trailers are important as they often relate to the genre or general mood of the film. For example, 'Love Actually' was theatrically released in the UK on November 21st 2003. Subsequently the films trailer wouldn't have been far behind the theatrical release. This being relatively close to Christmas relates to the general mood of the film and it's themes of Christmas. For film trailers to be effective, they must be shown far enough in advance to generate a buzz but not too early so that people forget. So, how do film trailers generate a buzz in the media or within their target audience? Also, what relation does the season of the release date have to do with the release of the trailer?
A Million Ways to Die in The West 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXxqG4aqwY4
The film is a western comedy which is very uncommon in recent years of film production. The western genre itself used to be extremely popular however in recent years, popular western films are scarce. Although, there are evidently exceptions to this. For example, 2015's 'The Hateful Eight' and 2016's 'The Revenant' starring Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio. Despite these popular westerns, they are certainly not of the comedy genre. Therefore, it being a western comedy, will lead to it creating a buzz in the media. Also, the western genre targeting a rather niche audience, will subsequently attract that audience towards the film after seeing the trailer.


21 seconds into the trailer, it's made clear that the actor playing the central protagonist is also the same man who wrote, produced, and directed the film, and provided the motion capture and the voice for the title character in  2012's 'Ted'. MacFarlane also wrote 'A Million Ways to Die in The West' and subsequently wrote a companion novel based on the film's script. Due to 'Ted's popularity, this will subsequently attract the audience that loved 'Ted' towards MacFarlane's new film. The films star quality of cast will also create a larger buzz in the media and attract fans of the actors. The film includes actors such as Amanda Seyfried, Neil Patrick Harris, Liam Neeson and Giovanni Ribisi from 'Avatar'.
Exodus: Gods and Kings 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-8YsulfxVI
The trailer includes amazing and modern SFX and VFX which will create a buzz in audiences as individuals are consistently wanting higher quality cinematography. At 2.20, it reveals to the audience that it is from the same director as the popular 'Gladiator' this will subsequently have the same effect as 'Ted' has on 'A Million Ways to Die in The West'.
The trailer was released around October of 2014. The films theatrical release in the UK was the 26th of December 2014. The release being so close to Christmas means that during the Christmas holidays where audiences do not have school or work, they can visit the cinema more often. During the holiday period, individuals are usually more inclined to spend money, also, it being in the middle of winter, the probable bad weather would mean that individuals would like to go out and do something entertaining, without facing the weather. The cinema provides the perfect opportunity to do this. It's made clear that the storyline of the film is based around the biblical story of Moses. This is related to the Christian holiday of Christmas and so makes sense for it to be theatrically released around this time.
Kingsman: Secret Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl8F-8tR8to
This trailer created a buzz in the media as being a comical action and almost a spoof of the famous James Bond films which are inherently British. The film was also based on the comic book 'The Secret Service', this will therefore create a hype in the audience that were also fans of the comic book. The major British theme that is made evident in the trailer also highlights the themes of class and class division. This primary theme of class will create a buzz in both media and audiences due to it being a common factor in everyday life.
The films UK theatrical release was the 29th of January. The release date being in winter creates the same effects that 'Exodus: Gods and Kings' does.