Trailer Analysis

This is my analysis of different film trailers, two from my chosen genre horror and one from another genre to show both the similarities and differences between film trailers.

Brothers:

Genre: Drama, thriller, war,

Narrative: A young man comforts his older brother's wife and children after his brother goes missing in Afghanistan

Unique Selling Point: Shows the true reality of war, that some people may be able to relate to

Target Audience: U and above

Music: Symbols, happy beat at the start to create a happy mood but the mood changes at the loud drum beat the music then becomes darker with gunshots/drums to show to the audience the realisation that something has gone wrong - creates drama and suspense for the audience

Shot types/angles: Lots of close up shots to show the high emotion in the film and also to establish who each character is. Many two people shots to show the different relationships explored in the film and finally a power shot of the husband to show his authority/ fear that the characters have about him

Pace: Gradual pace, starts off slow to create the happy setting then pace increases as the drama builds

Dialogue: The children, mother and uncle all speak at the start to show the family environment. But when the husband returns the dialogue changes with more screaming/shouting to show to the audience that the dramatic aspect of the film

Voice over: Tells is the main storyline to establish who the characters are and what the film is going to be about

Credits and Intertitles: Shows the institution Lions gate at the beginning so the audience know who has made it. Then the name of the film and release date right at the end of the trailer to leave the audience in suspense.

The Blair Witch Project:

Genre: Horror, mystery, thriller

Narrative: Shows the doccumentary footage of three students looking for the blair witch.

Unique selling point: Doccumentary style, speculation about it being based on a true story.

Target audience: 15+ rating and older

Music: Creepy loud drums roles throughout to create drama and tension

Shot Types/angles: Close up shots of main characters show their fear, Blurry shots create a running chase sequence to show the audiuenc what to expect, Flashing shots to give the audience glimpses but leave them wanting more.

Pace: Fast pace to create fear and build up tension

Dialogue: Screaming, apologies, crying all signs of despair and desperation

Credits and intertitles: Straight away starts with reviews of what different audiences have thought of the film; all of which make the audience believe the film must be good and is worth watching.

The Grudge:

Genre: Horror, mystery, thriller

Narrative: American nurse living in Tokoyo exposed to a super natural curse, one that locks a person in a powerful rage before claiming their life and spreading to another victim.

Target Audience: 15+ and older

Music: Wind, breathing, hearbeat at the start to build up tension, then a burst of music when the pace quickens to make the trailer more dramatic.

Shot types/Angles: Flashes of the movie following the story along, Close up shot to establish the main character, Close up shot of eyes establish "the grudge" create fear for the audience,

Pace: Gradual pace from slow to fast to build up tension and suspense

Special effects: The flying whispers of hair breaking up the trailer to establish "the grudge" and a reminder to the reader that she is still there

Voice over: Main character speaks about her experience in the house this helps to establish who she is as a character and also gives the audience an insight into what to expect from the film

Credits/intertitles: "it never forgives, it never forgets" the tag line of the whole film, so that it catches the readers attention and draws them into watching it.