Different Types of Trailers - Final Observations

Having analysed the three different types of trailers and identifying the conventions in them, I have noticed that whilst there are some differences between the trailers in terms of the length of them, how much information is revealed to the audience and when they are actually released to the public, there are also lots of similarities between them, which I will take into consideration when making my two trailers so that they look like and feel authentic.

Typical conventions found across all three trailers include:

• Production company idents (usually at the beginning or production company logos which are typically found on the billing block)

• Images from the film throughout.

• Editing used throughout the trailer including quick fades, dissolves and cuts
  

• Title of the film usually at the end of the trailer

• Release date of film (either specific date or a vague release date such as ‘Coming Soon’) usually at the end of the film but also common to be throughout film such as ‘This Fall’

• Variety of camera shots/movement that make the trailer more exciting and tense

• Indication of genre (through mise-en-scene and music)

• Website, soundtrack and other social media found on the billing block at the end

• Voiceover man usually reading out at least one of the following between the film title, age rating or release date

• Cast, director and crew (throughout and on the billing block at the end)

• Possibly references to other films

• Music that reflects the genre and also works with the images on screen

• Images of stars/name of stars

• References to awards that cast/crew/film have won or been nominated for

• Eye candy (such as explosions, car chases and attractive shots of characters)

• Sound effects which intensify the trailer 

• Tagline (often broken into two or three parts)                                       

• Reviews from film critics or newspapers usually throughout the trailer.

• References to the source material the film is based on