History Of Trailers

The range of trailers have expanded throughout the years and become more appealing and attractive towards the viewer’s awaiting the upcoming movie.

In 1950’s – movie trailers were rather long and basically told the whole story or revealed the plot of the movie in full. Rather flash and bank, bold words would be displayed such as “HORRIFIC, YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS”

1960’s – Trailers were still using the same old bold flashing words as quotes and words that will try to being the audience an attraction. Narration was used also so the story was summarised but again giving the story away through the trailer. They would try and build on putting the famous actor’s names inside the trailer also.

1970’s – This was when the trailers were beginning to be cropped and shortened more as the basic trailer before then was like 5 or 6 minutes long. The story also became more unknown and less was getting revealed.

1980’s - This is when trailer began to start looking more and more like the trailers that are released in the 2000’s. Cuts from the film were used on the trailer that was not included inside the final edited film. Mysteries were told instead of actually spoiling the movie for viewers by telling the actual story. Catchy tag lines were starting to get used instead of the bold and tacky writing.

1990’s – In the 1990’s the film companies began to bring in more rock genre of music to give movie trailers that kick to make them the most attractive piece that will be shown at the time. No plot was actually given away other than the basic story line but never told too much about the plot.

2000’s – The current trailers that are released these days are more developed and well laid out and give a good mood for what genre the film is, what the film is about and what is actually happening. Most of the time when trailers are released, they actually look so much better than what the actual film hypes up to be when it is out. The editing used is faster and more effective giving the story line more of a boost to the viewer’s eyes. The soundtracks used are more upbeat such as with an action movie they will include either a heavy rock tune or an upbeat dance to give that fast paced feel towards the movie. Popular artists from the time when the movie is out will be used as the soundtrack to include more popularity and more viewers if they like the artist chosen. 

Trailer History

Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs - 1937

Gone With The Wind - 1939

Casablanca - 1942

Cinderella - 1950

Psycho - 1960

Dr Strangelove - 1964

Star Wars; A New Hope - 1977

Terminator 2; Judgment Day - 1991

Trailer Analysis #2

Friday The 13th (Remake)

Analysis;

The trailer for this movie is a lot short than the previous but gives so much more off and instantly brings audiences in within the first 10-15 seconds. It starts off showing beautiful scenery provided a nice ambience sound to go with it, then the music dims and the clip fades out of the scenery and fades into a dark forest. It then begins with a voice over with some old women saying “did you know a young boy drowned here?” then shows different scenes of people looking round for a certain something as the music begins to do a kind of beating sound to enhance some danger. A doll is then shown with all of its face burnt and completely torn apart. You then clearly know something is wrong as clip is shown for not even a second with a  girl with a hand on her mouth and looking scared as anything, then jumps to a girl and a boy both running as fast as possible. Then text shows saying “From the producers of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre” so this instantly give a bigger audience because that was one of the most popular horror films in history so fans of that are definitely going to like this one. The voice over of the women then says “he was my son, his name is Jason” then shows a sign saying Camp Crystal Lake” and then it jumps towards a light swinging and it flashes and shows Jason stood with a certain hockey mask on. And the women implies “and today is his birthday” it then jump cuts to him running at a girl and swinging some sort of machete knife but you do not see any contact so you don’t exactly know what happened to the girl. It eventually ends and provides some detail towards Jason’s face as it zooms out showing his mask in full. 

Trailer Analysis #1

The Tapes

Low Budget Horror Movie

Analysis;

Throughout this trailer nothing much is shown about the actual cause of any of the drama as it wants the viewers to get that feeling so they will go buy the movie to actually find out. The accents personally don’t give off a very professional success rate towards the movie as they are English and I don’t entirely think that they suit this type of movie. The acting is rather dull really and they don’t give off the certain fear that Americans do in terribly situations. Throughout the trailer there is not much threats or action being shown other than the 3 people trying to get away from whatever is chasing them so this is an eye catcher towards the audience wanting to go watch the film.

There is not much sounds inside the trailer other than dialogue of the kids screaming and shouting with their fears but yet there are some upbeat sounds that seem to pick up towards the end of the trailer as the fear erupts, until the ending as it shows a pig like person glaring into the camera. Jump cuts are also used as the beats increase to give that shocked look and provide the audience with a bigger popular chance of them actually going to see the movie.

At the end of the trailer text is shown in bold white font saying “see what they saw” as this is basically just a preview into what is actually going to be confronted inside the movie and what fears await the 3 kids. 

Review;

I’ve watched this film recently and it is very concerning to the fact that is is obliviously dull throughout and makes no sense entirely. No action is actually created until the last 15 minutes of the film, no glimpses are shown either to initiate the ideas of anything weird going to happen other than they are inside an “abandoned farm” so to speak. 

Codes & Conventions Of Trailers

The reason trailers are made is too give the audience a taste for the film that is being released and produce an introduction towards it. Most popular ways to give the audience a taste in the movie as they watch the trailer is too show off the genre and storyline that is being created.

Genres create a scene throughout the film which can lead into different directions inside the film and change the mood of each scene. For example; horror movies would consist of having certain items and scenes; house in the woods, mainly always at night, knifes, clowns, masks, murder weapons, screaming, investigations etc. Originally trailers were edited rather slowly and they were really simple at the same time.

What is a trailer?

A trailer for an upcoming movie is an advertisement that previews certain parts of the film to bring the audience into watching.  Trailers appear in many different media references these days such as; internet adverts, on tv and also before the film or main menu starts on DVD movies. 

Below shows the trailer for the horror film Paranormal Activity 3. 

Media Products

Film Posters;

Posters that are associated with the film are crucial for attractiveness towards the audience. Characters are mainly used that are popular in the upcoming movie as such in the avengers poster below shows all the main characters in the film during the processed action and the scenery that the main battle is used in.

Trailers;

This is the main attraction for when a film is being released as it gives the most information about the film and provides clips to attract an audience into watching.  Funny, exciting, thrilling and words that provide laughs for the audience are the big key points in making the trailer essential towards the film. Quite a lot of clips are shown inside the trailer but not too much as it would spoil the film or any crucial parts that are important. The time of trailers varies around 2 minutes so in that way they are able to send the message to the target audience.

Magazines;

Magazines are used for when a film becomes big and popular and magazines that are also popular can advertise them and get their popularity up even more than it is. They are used to get the audience who have not heard of the upcoming movie but yet read the certain magazine.