Task One: What is a trailer? What is a teaser trailer?

A trailer provides a small insight into the plot and characters of a film. It enables the audience to create a primary opinion based on what they see from a film's trailer. Usually, in a trailer, the audience is provided with a voice over which delivers general information about the film and it's release dates. Similarly, key clips from the film are shown in the trailer in order to draw the audience in. There is also the use of dramatic music in order to build tension and create suspense.

A teaser trailer gives the audience a brief hint of the film's existence. It is usually no longer than 3 minutes and gives a preview of the official trailer. It is usually released long in advance of the film, so as to "tease" the audience. A teaser trailer reveals less of the plot than a trailer does, but contains similar characteristics such as; dramatic music, quick cuts and cast credits. However a teaser trailer does not reveal a release date as a trailer does, it instead will just say something along the lines of "Coming Soon", and will also sometimes name other successful films produced by the same company.

The Secret Life of Pets (Teaser Trailer)


Within The Secret Life of Pets teaser trailer, we are shown brief clips of dialogue to hint to the audience what the film itself will be like. Instead of a voice over to give information, the production company has simply chosen to let the clips express the film in visual manner with the release date information displayed at the end.

Due to the fact that it is an animation, it uses bright colours and high key lighting throughout the trailer which will attract it's younger target audience. The characters are animated in a caricature manner which extenuates their features and therefore expresses the genre of the film, which is a comedy. This once again appeals to their younger target audience.



There is use of upbeat music (non-diegetic sound) to draw in the younger audience and keep them waiting in anticipation for the film. They will also be able to recognise the music if they then hear it somewhere else and will be able to relate it back to the film. We also noticed from the trailer that all the characters have friendly and inviting voices (diegetic sound) in order to draw in the target audience.


The subtle use of animal food and toys immediately suggests that the whole film revolves solely around the animals.






Moreover, when the creators of the trailer talk about the producers of the film, they refer to them as "The Humans" that made Despicable Me, showing that once again the film revolves solely around animals.

We believe this trailer is very effective when it comes to drawing in it's target audience. We liked the fact that it uses it's bright colours and humorous animations to attract the younger viewers. In addition, the brief clips of the film we do see, tend to be funny - meaning even people who may be older than the target audience will find the comedy enjoyable. We were each very interested in the film after it showed who was casted in the film - bringing up names such as; Louis C.K, Kevin Hart and Steve Coogan. Who are all very popular comedians, which will once again draw in the older viewers.

The Hateful Eight

"The Hateful Eight" trailer is similar to "The Secret Life of Pets" trailer, in the way that they have both chosen to do away with a voiceover. Instead, they have allowed the chosen scenes of the films to speak for themselves. Within the Hateful Eight trailer, there are aspects of Mise-En-Scene that give away the overall genre of the film. For example, we are shown a carriage driven by six horses, which shows us that it may be set in the late nineteenth century to early twentieth century - most likely a film based around highwaymen. It is not completely clear what the whole plot of the film is about, but that is expected from a 'Teaser' trailer, as it leaves the audience wondering what happens in the film.

For this trailer, more dramatic music is used in the background as the non-diegetic sound, in contrast to the upbeat music we heard in "The Secret Life of Pets" trailer. This instantly shows the viewers that the film is more dramatic overall, and links to the fact that it is aimed at a much older target audience. Along with the music, we see several characters talking, and giving 'one liners'. This diegetic sound demonstrates hints of comedy and dark humour, but also shows the audience that the film is possibly more violent and contains more action.

As seen in this screenshot, the film is clearly violent and is not intended for viewing by the type of audience "The Secret Life of Pets" would have.                                                          

Quentin Tarentino's films also all show similar properties, for example, "The Hateful Eight" is vaguely reminiscent of "Django - Unchained" due to the fact that they are both set in a similar time period, and share similar props, such as the horse and carriage and colt revolvers. The costume is also similar as everyone seems to wear a hat, to show almost that society has accepted them.

We also see some very recognisable actors in this trailer. Specifically, Samuel L. Jackson, which may link back to the film's humorous side, as he is often known for playing funny characters.

Mockingjay - Part 2

The Hunger Games trailer is completely different to both the trailers we have already talked about in a certain way, however, similar to the trailers we have talked about already, The Hunger Games has also chosen to do away with a voiceover, to let the scenes used in the trailer speak for themselves.

The set is made to look old fashioned even though the film is very modern. There is also a large contrast of certain aspects of mise-en-scene within the trailer. For example, roughly three quarters of the way through the trailer, we see a soldier transportation vehicle. It is clearly modern, with the soldiers all dressed in white holding assault rifles, however, a few seconds before, we are shown a lavish banquet, which is set in what looks to be a victorian dining room. This contrast shows the large variety of sets they have included in the film, to perhaps make the film appeal to a wider target audience. 

The music in the background becomes more dramatic whenever intense action is shown within the trailer, for example, during the car explosion and when the protagonists where running away from the black oil like substance.

The film emphasises the contrast in the lower and upper class. This is shown in various shots throughout the trailer as we see the upper class citizens in ornate clothing and the tributes in their soldiers attire, then on the other hand, you have the ordinary district people. They are shown in poor looking, tatty clothing. This immediately highlights the difference of people in the district. Moreover, the city skyline also contrasts to the people inside the city. For example, when Katniss is walking with the district people following her, we see the colossal buildings in the background, which makes the area look wealthy rather than poverty stricken. However, we know that this is the other way round.

Insidious Chapter 3

It is immediately apparent that the Insidious Chapter 3 trailer is different in genre to the other 3 trailers. It is well known that Insidious is a horror series.

There is little light within the trailer. At the start when the girl is talking to her friends and her parents, there is light and balloons, and the image we are presented with is positive. However, as the trailer progresses, the trailer becomes darker and darker, and the producer has chosen to expose all of the horrors that he is using within the film. To reveal this dark section of the trailer, the producer has chosen to use the same image that he uses at the start of the film. The only difference is, the sky has turned to dark, this immediately hints to the audience that this is the time when all of the spooky happenings are going to occur.

Similar to the The Hunger Games trailer, they have included a lot of close ups on the characters face. This allows the audience to in a way gauge

the genre of the film through the emotions that the characters show on their faces, and perhaps let the audience guess how frightening or tense the film is going to be.

Within the film when the girl receives the text from her neighbour to say he isn't home, her facial expression changes from one of a childish crush, to one of a threatened or scared look, this also help the audience to assume the genre.

Zoolander 2

Zoolander 2 is far more unique than any of the other trailers we have talked about, due to the fact that it is an adult comedy, instead of a children's comedy, an action or horror film. The trailer starts with a very dramatic, scientific trip  through the universe and a microscopic view of brain cells - narrated by what sounds like Stephen Hawking's voice - making the trailer seem serious and with a deep meaning.



However, there are some early hints that it may be not be as serious as it seems, for example, during the scientific trip through the brain, 3+4=34 briefly appears - which tells the audience straight away that this film is definitely not serious.

After this short journey through the brain cells, the camera zooms out to reveal a very small brain within a large skull - once again emphasising the fact that the character is not seen as an intelligent person and links back to the genre of the film which is a comedy. The camera then quickly rushes out of one of the ears to reveal the main character/protagonist of the film - Derek Zoolander.

This is followed by a short comedy skit in which Zoolander is arguing with Stephen Hawking about what the name of the film should be, with Hawking coming up with ideas whilst Zoolander disagrees with ridiculous reasons. For example, when Hawking says, "II is 2 in Roman numerals", to which Zoolander replies, "But I'm not Italian" - this dialogue is guaranteed a laugh from most, if not all viewers, this, combined with his costume makes the character, and the film overall, seem even more eccentric than it may have first appeared.