Storytelling Unit - Trailers

Although I am not doing a trailer instead I'm doing the opening 2 minutes, I still thought it was relevant and interesting as I learnt about this today in a session with Simon. Its important for me to understand what a trailer is and its conventions.

The main aim for the trailer is to contain enigma codes and enticing moments to give the audience a sense of what the film will be about giving a buzz. It hooks an audience into watching the film in its entirety. Lasting around 2 minutes, they are made up of key moments in the film without major spoilers creating drama, suspense, comedy and action depending on the genre. Below is an example showing the trailer for a film released late 2016 called The Girl On The Train

When watching this it shows clearly that its a thriller/ crime mystery as it sets up the plot through the use of dialogue, the visual edits and the use of titles "one week ago, at 4:36pm, a woman disappeared". The Audio is ominous and dark setting the mood for the film with related lyrics about a woman being heartless hinting that the plot could be to do with a not so likeable woman has been killed although it could also be hinting about a woman's involvement in the disappearance. Doing this helps the audience to piece and fabricate the plot for themselves without even seeing the film creating the hook. There is also a title that says "based on a thriller that shocked the world". Since the film has been adapted from a book it will appeal to those who have read it but also entices people who haven't read it to see "The book that shocked the world". The edits become fast paced as the music heightens creating tension and excitement to the viewers. Overall it lasts just over 2 minutes but gives enough content in a gripping and mysterious way to get the audience wanting more and to go and watch the film. 

A teaser trailer is generally much shorter and usually focuses on one or two specific enigma codes with less information creating a hype. It still shows that its a mystery and its exciting but its very short and gives away much less.

When looking at a TV trailer they generally have no relation to the actual programmes style but use it as a sole hook. When watching the programme its very different to what the trailer is portraying and often shows elements of the characters personalities and a vague hint and the storyline. Below is a clip showing a trailer for coronation street and a particular storyline they want the audience to focus on.