Research on Recent Trailers - Scott Martyn and Dan

The A-Team Trailer,

• There is narrative at the start of the trailer which hints at the plot.
• There is mainly short clips followed up with dramatic music.
• The main characters are introduced straight away and only one character speaks at a time.
• The company that makes the film is showcased within the first thirty seconds.
• Scenes throughout the movie (montage) highlights the humorous and fast paced aspects of the film.
• Theme tune plays at certain parts and titles are not until the end of the trailer.
• Little play on words using titles at the end "There is no plan B."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3tMp_F50Y0

Salt Trailer,

• Screen keeps fading out to show a new shot lasts about ten seconds.
• Only the main character talking and then her name is shown at the end above the title.
• Shots pause and rewind after main character talks.
• Plot revealed, questions come up in titles "who is salt" and the film company is showcased.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ40WlshNwU

Inception Trailer,

• Narrative from the main character at the start.
• Dramatic music throughout.
• Titles of who the characters are played by are shown.
• Titles of other films that the director has made before are shown.
• All clips are short throughout.
• Titles at the end don't show a release date.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66TuSJo4dZM

Structural Conventions - Scott + Martyn

Here are some Structural conventions of film trailers.

The conventional narrative of the film will normally adopt a classic storytelling line, for example:

• Beginning- order is established.
• Middle - order is disrupted.
• End - order is restored.

Opening: Establishes the setting and introduces character/characters.

Build-up: relationships established, development of characters and their world.

Problem: a dilemna or series of complications for example characters faced with an obsticle (or several) to overcome.

Events: a series of events as characters try to overcome obsticles.

Conventions of a Trailer - Scott + Martyn

Here are some traditional conventions that are seen in film trailers.

• Voice overs are used to well the story and give credit information.
• The stars of the film are showcased.
• Key points are sometime conveyed through titles.
• Conversations between characters often consist of one liners.
• Dramatic camera work may be chosen to show events or characters.
• Action is interspersed with actor or director credits on screen.
• Music plays a important role in creating atmosphere.
• The trailer builds to a climax, where it ends.
• The films title may not appear until the end.
• montage (a series of shots from different points in the film edited together,) is often used to highlight the dramatic, humorous or fast paced aspects of the film.