Therefore within a trailer you will see a variety of camera
angles and shots to show different aspects of the movie. For instance, at the
start of the ‘Cemetery Junction’ trailer there is a ‘Two Shot’ showing Freddie
and the love of his life. This already opens up two main protagonists and along
with the dialogue you see there is a lot to this pair. However, other shots such
as establishing shots are used in movie trailers, such as ‘127 Hours.’ The
reason being is to show the audience the setting and location of which the
movie is set, 127 Hours is based on a true story set in the Grand Canyon. These
particular shots are found after a short close up of the main character Aron
Ralston (portrayed by James Franco.) The close ups allow the audience a view of
the main character(s) introducing the actors and general cast of the film, this
can be positive as you can appeal to an audience that favour certain
actors/actresses.
Depending on what genre of film is trying to be promoted, movement can play a big factor in selling a film. For example, a fast paced action movie such as ‘James Bond’ there would be lots of movements to signify a lot is going on, thus results in disorientation and a lack in focus. However with other films such as ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (especially in the courtroom) slow movement adds emphasis to what is happening and been said, when Andy (Tim Robbins) gets told his sentence in prison the camera zooms slowly and this zoom technique also highlights who Andy is and is used in other trailers to show the main protagonist.
Depending on what genre of film is trying to be promoted, movement can play a big factor in selling a film. For example, a fast paced action movie such as ‘James Bond’ there would be lots of movements to signify a lot is going on, thus results in disorientation and a lack in focus. However with other films such as ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (especially in the courtroom) slow movement adds emphasis to what is happening and been said, when Andy (Tim Robbins) gets told his sentence in prison the camera zooms slowly and this zoom technique also highlights who Andy is and is used in other trailers to show the main protagonist.
As for editing, due to it being a trailer, transitions are often seen within them adding text during each one a good example of this is ‘127 Hours.’ During the start of the trailer cut transitions are used between each scene/shot and that makes the trailer appear faster jumping from one scene to another before slowing down and fading in and out of scene merging them together. What this does is start the trailer off at an alarming rate creating an attractive and intriguing display before slowing down and highlighting what is going on. Within a trailer, the sense of reality does not apply like it would in the actual feature presentation therefore it allows for continuity to be broken as well transitions to be used such as fade in/out and dissolve. A technique I especially like in the 127 Hours trailer is the Rule of Thirds used to show 3 clips at once, this adds more and shows a lot is going on which creates a great effect that I would use in my film trailer. Film trailers can create a montage of the whole film, this allows them to squeeze in the full 1 hour 30 minutes in to 2 minutes 30 seconds, an example of this is the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ trailer. At the start you see Jamal and the Host stood, then a cantered angle on their faces to them sitting in the chair followed by a hand dropping money onto a pile. This jump-cut/montage shows progression and different sections of the film as well as highlighting what is going on with the clip of money falling. Throughout the trailer montage is used, showing scene from in the past to the present constantly, therefore mimicking the actual movie.
Mise en Scene within a film trailer can help create a mood/theme
or give a better insight in to what the film is like or about. For example, if
the colours within a film are dull and grey, such as ‘The Shawshank Redemption’
then it will appear to be a negative and possibly miserable setting and film.
Another point about Shawshank Redemption is the costumes. Starting off with
suits and serious behaviour from the characters, to dirty overalls and repeated
uniforms among the prisoners, this goes to show the difference between
situations and lifestyles but also highlights the situations the character are
in. The body language of Andy as well
shows disappointment, lack of life and generally negative altogether whereas
the body language of Red (Morgan Freeman) shows more dominance around his
prison-mates and a more comfortable appearance. This shows a major difference
between the two characters. Within a trailer, mise-en scene is very important,
it shows the surroundings and the life of the characters, creating a great
background image can open up a lot more about a character than just him. For
example, when creating a film if you placed a teenage boy in a room with a television
and an Xbox in the background, the audience could make the link that it belong
to the character and shows more about his life without it being said.
The Shawshank Redemption is a great example of sound used within a trailer. The character ‘Red’ (Morgan Freeman) applies a voiceover to the trailer showing his thoughts about Andy, but also opening up the trailer and stating who he is and that he is also important to the character Red. Another example of this is within the ‘Saving Private Ryan’ trailer, the voiceover is of members of the army discussing the deaths of three soldiers and how they are related before stating there is a fourth and he needs to be sent home. Rather than just one voiceover there are many stating how good the men were but also show deep sympathy for the family hence why the rescue of the fourth brother is so important. This opens up the storyline of the film and already the plot is pretty clear.
A soundtrack is often seen within a film trailer, this could be for many reasons, to attract the audience by playing popular music thus making the film appear mainstream for a younger audience or the soundtrack can match the theme of the movie. Slower music can highlight the more serious parts of the film where as fast more intense music just adds to the drama and main action of the trailer.
To conclude, the general aim of a film trailer is to be appealing to its target audience (obviously.) To do so, many techniques and aspects need to be taken into consideration it order to make an effective piece.
The Shawshank Redemption is a great example of sound used within a trailer. The character ‘Red’ (Morgan Freeman) applies a voiceover to the trailer showing his thoughts about Andy, but also opening up the trailer and stating who he is and that he is also important to the character Red. Another example of this is within the ‘Saving Private Ryan’ trailer, the voiceover is of members of the army discussing the deaths of three soldiers and how they are related before stating there is a fourth and he needs to be sent home. Rather than just one voiceover there are many stating how good the men were but also show deep sympathy for the family hence why the rescue of the fourth brother is so important. This opens up the storyline of the film and already the plot is pretty clear.
A soundtrack is often seen within a film trailer, this could be for many reasons, to attract the audience by playing popular music thus making the film appear mainstream for a younger audience or the soundtrack can match the theme of the movie. Slower music can highlight the more serious parts of the film where as fast more intense music just adds to the drama and main action of the trailer.
To conclude, the general aim of a film trailer is to be appealing to its target audience (obviously.) To do so, many techniques and aspects need to be taken into consideration it order to make an effective piece.
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