Film Trailer Analysis

Film Trailer- Insidious

The movie instantly from it’s title has a threatening meaning as the word insidious means working or spreading harmfully in a subtle manner, which intrigues the audience into watching the film, additionally the trailer begins with the name, trapping the audience into it’s eeriness through the edgy text and black background. They use the title of the theme to manipulate the audience  by making the letters form words in a distorted fashion.

At what point in the trailer are we told the names of the film? Why is this?

 The title is shown 45 seconds into the fast paced trailer which leaves the viewer indecisive of what their watching, however, the makers of previous popular horror movies are stated in the first 10 seconds which suggests that by doing this fans of these films would automatically be drawn into this specific one also. Strangely, throughout this trailer the names of actors starring are not once mentioned. Possibly due to the fact that their not well known plus the trailer is focusing more possessively on the horror plot, than the importance of A-list star appearances, which highlights the film’s major interest in a scary segment of scenes to pull in an audience.

Why are we told who is starring in the film?

Possibly, to create a creepy atmosphere the only information and text we see is the film’s title that caves in to say ‘INSIDIOUS IS’. Distancing the audience heightens the fear.

What type of action from the film do we see?

The trailer starts very smoothly and calmly we see a domestic side to this family i.e. happy, close. Then the movies tension builds and rapid screen shots are flashed of horrific moments in the film. This makes the audience uneasy, the continuity is broken through these cut screen shots and this leads to the trailer being fast-paced. 

What clues does the music gives us as to what type of film the trailer is advertising? 

There isn’t a song playing in the background but more like distorted sounds, the trailer is relatively quiet but the creepy off-key sounds puts the audience on edge and create a frightening ambience. The distortion supports the distorted scenes and alarmed facial expressions and actions of the characters in the trailer.

Does the trailer come with a voice over and if so, what can you tell about the voice being used?

A voice is never heard throughout the trailer, but what is heard is the dialogue from characters in the film, used as script for the trailer also, the story is briefed through the actual content of the film which gives the audience insight  to the film and portrays the characters in the film as the main focus.

How does the speed of what we see compare to watching a clip from a film? Why is this?

The trailer is fast-paced and immediately sets out to disturb viewers. We see a once happy family torn apart and destroyed by something evil all this is shown through terrifying screen shots and dark sounds. The shots vary from close-ups, long-shots, mid-shots to toy with the mind and grip the audience by it’s eeriness and rapid pace.

Does the speed alter through the trailer or does it stay the same?

The speed is relatively slow to begin with but at a certain point such as: (when the female protagonist stops the rocking horse from rocking but she continues to hear the squeaking sound) the shots start to rapidly flash pass and the action is sped up.

What information are we given are we given about the film? At what point in the trailer is this information given?

The only information we are given in this trailer is the title of the film and date in which it is released in cinemas which gets straight to the point and is repetitive so it stays in the mind of the viewers as their always reminded. The fact that it states  ‘everywhere april 1’ symbolizes that the movie will be anywhere and everywhere as if it will devour the audience this is possibly a reference to the movies content also. The title ‘INSIDIOUS’ is regularly shown throughout clips in the trailer, the date of release is shown during the end of the trailer to make a lasting impact.

What type of audience is the trailer aimed at? How can you tell?

From the trailer the targeted age would start at a 15-30 as the themes are quite disturbing and young actors are used to grab a younger based audience, however the great fact abut this trailer is that its well-rounded and can suit any age over 15: a basic audience is symbolized through the content and context of this hybrid (horror/thriller) trailer.

Film Trailer: 30 Days Of Night

• We are told the name of the film near the end of the trailer this would be because it uses the conventions of a horror trailer for the film, it also displays suspense and keeps the audience gripped making them want to watch the movie further. The title is shown at 2 minutes 17 seconds the trailer is 2 minutes 24 seconds.  By putting the name at the end of the contents of the trailer is heightened by the sudden input of the title after the thrilling scenes.

• We are told who is starring in the film, so that the audience will know that it has high profile actors and dor actresses bringing in a crowd of fan based viewers. In this trailer we aren’t openly told who the actors are as the movie isn’t focusing on that aspect instead focuses on the context of the trailer. This information is given by the credits used however; we are not shown this in the trailer, although in high budget films we would be informed of this so that people are enticed to watch it. We see a helpless, unaware female getting pulled out of her window, people running rapidly, explosions and fire and people trying to survive this rising action is what instantly grasps an audience and relates the the films genre.

• The music is eerie and dark and intense and this supports the genre of the film, song; Apocalypse Please by Muse. It was used near the ending of the trailer maybe to keep us in suspense of what might happen additionally it intensifies the mood of the trailer. Also the music used gives us a sense of what is happening in the film. 

• The trailer does not use a voiceover, the dialogue from the characters are used as the voiceover and distracts us from the setting. There are taglines on the screen that are displayed to blend in with the genre of the film. The dialogue used lets us know what already might happen and draws us in.

• The speed of the trailer is fast and action packed the reason would be so the audiences are able to see what the film offers and so that they can compress all of the important scenes of the film so that they want to see it in the cinema. A clip of a film would be much slower. The speed does alter it starts off slow and steady but then when the music starts is gradually gets faster as does the action. 

• Additional information given is that the film is based on a novel and who it is produced by this is shown near the middle along with who is starring in the film but this is near the end of the trailer. The reason why it would be showed at the middle is so that it doesn’t take the focus off the scenes and context of the film. The actors starring in the film are shown at the end of the trailer this would because there isn’t any major actors in it and also because it isn’t the main motivation of the movie.

• The trailer is aimed at viewers of a young age possibly teens and early 30’s the reason being is that it contains some scenes that may upset younger children it also contains blood and gore and do it wouldn’t be acceptable for them to watch this film. Also there is a certificate rating on the film. Additionally young actors are used in the film grabbing a younger audience to this film.  

Film Trailer: The Haunting in Connecticut

• The title of the film is shown at the end of trailer this is so that it has a lasting impression on the audience so that they are somewhat hypnotised by it also so that it is easily remembered.  If it was at the beginning of the trailer people would easily forget what it was called so its placement at the ending has the most impacting importance.

• We are not told who is starring in this film because there are not any mainstream or A-list actors in the film and so if they were mentioned people would be inclined to watch this film however in the trailer there aren’t any mainstream actors mentioned which again takes the focus off the cast. 

• The type of action we see in the trailer are spirits and ghouls roaming and characters running for their lives, screaming occurs there is a lot of action shown in a rapid pace to entice viewers. It’s quite hard to focus on one part of the action at this pace and some of the action is lost from the speed of the trailer. 

• The background music used is chilling and suspenseful it keeps you on edge it starts off slow then the tempo gradually increases this goes with the tempo of the trailer. The music used gives us the sense of what genre the film is. The music emphasises the genre of the film and it adds the drama. There is no voiceover the music and the dialogue by the characters gives us the tension and suspense we need. If a voiceover were used it would confuse viewers placed against the rapid screen shots, making the trailer a whirlwind by the contrast.

• The speed of the trailer does gradually increase this may be because of the fast editing and also the cutting rhythm would be much faster to create the tension needed for a trailer for a horror movie like this. The speed would also be faster to relate to the conventions of a horror trailer. The speed alters from slow to fast.

• We are told the Distribution company right at the beginning and at the end, the name of the film company behind the production of the film, the actors and release dates of the movie are shown in the beginning while the rest of the information and dates are shown at the end this would be due to people remembering the main titles easily as most audiences are most likely to recall information in the middle of a trailer which capture all action scenes and main frightening shots.

• The film would be suitable for people aged 15 and above it is quite scary and has some gruesome disturbing images. Viewers might find some scenes unacceptable so the age certificate is appropriate for the content. Some children may not be able to sleep after this and so it wouldn’t be recommended and again there is a certificate rating on this film. 

Contrasting Film Trailer

Film Trailer: Norbit

We are told the title of this comedy near to the ending of the trailer this is the same for most trailers. The name of the film is expectedly at the end so that people remember the film and they can easily recall the name again. This is a feature most trailers share. 

In this trailer we are told that Eddie Murphy is starring in the film the reason being that he is a well known actor in the genre of comedy resulting in Norbit. The information is given to us in the middle of the trailer his name comes up onto the screen in big text. His name comes up three times on the screen as he plays more than one character representing his importance in the movie bringing in a fan-based audience. 

We see various types of action and humour like the different locations that occur in the trailer and film, characters having conversations amongst themselves and the antics they get up to. Also funny moments such as ‘one of Eddie Murphy’s fictional characters crashing through a wooden wall’ are highlighted for the humorous aspect of the trailer.

The music is upbeat and is comical so you would viewers know the genre of the movie instantly and not only by the representation of Eddie Murphy. The song used is a pop song by a well-known band: The Pussycat Dolls this brings a humorous contrast between the characters in the movie and the scenes within the trailer.

The voiceover is only used in certain parts of the trailer it is used to introduce the character and give us an overview about him because of his high status. The voiceover repeatedly uses the word ‘IF’ as a rhetorical question addressed at the audience. The voiceover used has an upbeat and tone and sounds happy and joyful following the genre of this trailer and film. The voice was possibly chosen because it’s humorous and something all viewers enjoy and understand and it lacks a harsh and sinister tone. The effect that the voiceover has on the film is that it’s amusing and the combination with the trailer works to entice viewers.

The speed of the trailer does not alter through because it is a comedy and stays at a steady pace, however if it was a thriller or horror like the previous two above the pace would gradually increase so that it would scare audiences but for a comedy its hard to do this and doesn’t relate to the genre, so this allows scenes to link with one another resulting in slow editing. The trailer would be different from watching a clip from the film because in a trailer a synopsis is created in a few rapid screen shots.

Information given includes the main actor in the film, the title of the film, the distribution company which is show at the beginning and also its release date. Most of the information is given at the end of the trailer. 

The film would be suitable for people ages 12 and above even though it may have language that may cause offence its mainstream certificate is 12A broadening the audience.