Forms and Conventions of Trailers
A Walk Among The Tombstones
A Walk Among The Tombstones - 2014
Director: Scott Frank
Fast Cutting:
Within this trailer you can see that the edit is very fast, the shots cut from shot to shot very quickly and this creates a sense of action and excitement. And provides the audience with the typical convention edge of your seat action. This is a very typical trait of a thriller teaser trailer and of teaser trailers overall.
Every Shot Should Be There For A Reason:
Within the trailer, there are a variety of shots that can be questioned, but however as you work out the plot of the film you can see it links in with the narrative. An example of one of these shots is in the one below, where you see the white van pull up behind the car. This shot is there to show how the kidnappers work.
Camera Styles:
This trailer has the typical classical narrative filming as every shot is cut one after the other, this continues with the flow of the trailer and works with the films overall narrative.
Dramatic High Points:
One of the dramatic high points in this trailer is the part where the main character played by Liam Neeson gets a gun pointed to his head from behind. This creates several enigmas, for example Why is he pointing the gun at him? What has he done? This also creates a sense of excitement with the audience and gets them latched onto the film, and peaks their interest in it.
Key Character Traits:
Within the trailer we find out that Liam Neesons character is a PI for hire, through the opening part with the the customer. We also learn that he has some skills with guns as we see him shooting one (as seen in the picture below) This provides the audience with some knowledge of the character and gives them some insight s to what the film will be about, and about some of its narratives.
Heavy Emphasis on Close-Ups:
The use of Close-Ups throughout trailers are so the shots can be quick and be cut fast. This is also used towards the end of this trailer where it reaches it action peak, as you can see in the two shots below they follow each other and are both close ups.
Special Effects:
As you can see in the image of the knife above, in this trailer it uses fades to cut between shots, this is to create a sense of quickness in the shot, and links in very well with the overall atmosphere of the the trailer, it goes well with the action and fast paced editing.
Captions:
The captions in this trailer help provide with the continuity of the trailer, and also aids in our understanding of the character and provides a further trait for him, as the caption below states 'needs a man with no fear'.
Silence Of The Lambs - 1991
Director: Jonathan Demme
Fast Cutting:
As with the other trailer, this one also uses fast cutting, as you can see between the shot transitions. This helps build up the action and the suspense within this trailer. The fast cutting also allows the trailer to get everything across to the audience and builds up their intrigue and hopefully draws them in to see the film
Every Shot Should Be There For A Reason (& Key Character Traits):
Again with this trailer every shot is in here for a reason, whether it be to distinguish character traits or the overall narrative of the film. The one shot I picked out in this to explain is the shot of Hannibals face. This shot gives away more then what you originally think, not only does it show his appearance, but it gives away certain traits, one of the key ones being his expression, this shows anger, yet intelligence. This creates a scary atmosphere surrounding him and engages the audience into his character.
Camera Styles:
Similar to that of the first trailer, this one also follows the typical classical narrative filming as every shot is cut and followed up by another shot.
Dramatic High Points:
There are a few dramatic high points within this trailer, and that is what makes it a successful one. It aids in providing the audience with extra insight into the film and helps make their mind up on what the narrative is and if this will be a film they would like. One of the high points of this trailer I would pick out would be where the police officer gets handcuffed and then the shot is cut away to him screaming (as seen below), this is a key moment in the film as well as in the trailer as it grabs the audiences attention onto him, and leaves them with an enigma as to why he is screaming.
Heavy Emphasis On Close-Ups
As you can see in the two previous screen shots I have used from the trailer they are both close ups, this is to help with the flow of the fast cut as close ups give you the information you need from each shot instantly. They also help you to look at things in more detail such as with these two you can see their facial expressions which help give an understanding of the scenario they are in and potentially character traits too.
Special Effects:
Special effects are used well within this trailer, there is an effect used between a few shots which links in well with the type of film and trailer this is. The special effect is of Hannibal and the other main character Clarises' face going really fast in an orange smoke. This symbolises that they are trying to get into each others head which is primarily what the film is about.
Voice-Over:
Within the trailer above of The Silence of The Lambs there is a very old fashioned voice-over, this helps explain the plot of the narrative along with the character traits of each character involved. This helps provide continuity between the shots.
Liam Neeson's character has been established in a very dark and sinister way, we don't find out a lot about his character within this teaser trailer, but we do find out that he is a person for hire, and that he has skills with the gun and solving cases. He is a typical thriller protagonist, as he is in his 30s-40s and is quite a dark character.
We also see a quick peep of another character at the start, as compared to Liam Neesons character, this person seems more professional. We can tell this because he is wearing a shirt and looks comfy where he is, insinuating that this is his house, which links in with us learning another key character trait from him that he is wealthy, as we can see his possessions of a grand piano, vases and an elaborate fireplace.
Within this film there are many close-ups and mid-shots, this is to focus the viewers attention on something specific, for example the shot of the meat cleaver is a close up, so it focuses the attention on the object. In between most of the shots there is a fade. this wouldn't normally work in trailers as it is commonly used to show a pass in time, however within this trailer it works very well and creates a more sinister, dark after-effect on each shot. An example of this fade would be in the shot above, as you can see the shot is going black, where it is fading down. The pace of the editing is fast, this is to create the sense of action among the audience, alongside tying in with what a teaser trailer should be like, fast and action packed.
Within the film there are two captions that appear, these help to provide continuity as well as provide some narrative and key character traits to Liam Neesons character. As one of the captions states 'Needs A Man With No Fear' this symbolises that Liams character has no fear. The font is very bold and is in a white/grey colour, this is so that the audience see it clearly, but the greyness provides a sense of decay, and age. This could have some link with the narrative. The background is also black, this could imply mystery or something that is hidden, maybe a plot twist from the audience? or something about the character isn't fully revealed.
The first character that appears on screen is Amy Fox in the passenger seat of the car. This shot is a close up of her face and is very dark, which only allows us to see her face and not any surroundings. This could portray that she is quite dark or foreshadowing some dark events that will happen to her over the coming days. So far in this shot she doesn't seem like a typical thriller character as a women in thrillers is normally either the evil seductive type, or they are in need of rescuing, but as the trailer goes in we find out that she is in fact a typical thriller character as we see she is the one that needs rescuing.
The next character that appears on screen is the mechanic, he is introduced via a mid shot of him jumping out on David and Amy. The way he enters the shot could symbolise that he likes scaring people and the dark clothes and dark lighting of the shot also back this up that he is a sinister, scary character.
The last character we are introduced to is the hotel manager. He is shown through a mid shot, this is so we can see that he has his hands on his hips, this shows a sign of power and dominance, so straight away we gain the trait that he is an over powering character. This is very typical of a thriller bad guy, they like to be in control and have power over the rest.
Thriller Teaser Analysis
A Walk Among The Tombstones - 2014
Director: Scott Frank
Narrative Context:
The film is about an ex NYP now gone PI who acts just outside of the law, He has been hired to help find a drug dealers kidnapped wife. However, as he investigates deeper into this case he notices that these group of people have done it more then once, and plan to do it again.
Enigma Codes:
- Why was this person wife targeted for a kidnapping?
- Who is the guy he is talking to?
- Who is he going after? and what do they do?
- What are these guys in the masks doing? what relevance do they have?
- How is the person that is holding a gun up to his head? and why is he doing it?
- What relevance does the meat cleaver have? Why show it in two shots?
- Why is it called 'A Walk Among The Tombstones? What relevance does it have?
How are Characters Established and Represented:
Liam Neeson's character has been established in a very dark and sinister way, we don't find out a lot about his character within this teaser trailer, but we do find out that he is a person for hire, and that he has skills with the gun and solving cases. He is a typical thriller protagonist, as he is in his 30s-40s and is quite a dark character.We also see a quick peep of another character at the start, as compared to Liam Neesons character, this person seems more professional. We can tell this because he is wearing a shirt and looks comfy where he is, insinuating that this is his house, which links in with us learning another key character trait from him that he is wealthy, as we can see his possessions of a grand piano, vases and an elaborate fireplace. Camera and Editing Techniques:
Within this film there are many close-ups and mid-shots, this is to focus the viewers attention on something specific, for example the shot of the meat cleaver is a close up, so it focuses the attention on the object. In between most of the shots there is a fade. this wouldn't normally work in trailers as it is commonly used to show a pass in time, however within this trailer it works very well and creates a more sinister, dark after-effect on each shot. An example of this fade would be in the shot above, as you can see the shot is going black, where it is fading down. The pace of the editing is fast, this is to create the sense of action among the audience, alongside tying in with what a teaser trailer should be like, fast and action packed.Use Of Sound:
(0:00-0:07) - To start the trailer off there is a sound bridge of Liam Neesons character and the other man, this helps with the explanation of the narrative alongside gaining some of the character traits associated with Liam Neesons character (for example we learn that he is a detective, and that this man has assigned him for a task). This starts off as non-diagetic sound and becomes diagetic once we see Liams character.
(0:07-0:12) - There is a voice over with Liam Neeson talking about the people who committed the crime, this gives us further insight into what it is that he has to do, and with the narrative from the whole film. There is also a small piece of audio when the two captions are on screen, this has been edited to the pace of the music and provides a break from the voice overs so the audience can focus on what the caption says.
(0:12-0:19) - This next section we hear a conversation between two men through a phone, this provides us again with further insight into the narrative, but also establishes some key character traits regarding the criminals in the film. For example we know that they have the girl, but we also find out they are dark and like to lurk in shadows, we get this from the fact that the voice over the phone isn't clear and has been edited to sound like that.
(0:19-0:24) - During this section there was more dialogue between Liam Neesons character and the criminals again, and furthermore provides us with more character traits. As with Liams character we learn that he isn't afraid of dying, nor is he afraid of someone pointing a gun at him, we also find out that he has some sort of accomplice.
(0:24-End) - This last segment contains some music that aids with the pace of the peak of action in the trailer, and finally finishes with a gun shot, this is typical within thrillers as guns are predominately used as the choice of weapon.
Captions/Titles:
Within the film there are two captions that appear, these help to provide continuity as well as provide some narrative and key character traits to Liam Neesons character. As one of the captions states 'Needs A Man With No Fear' this symbolises that Liams character has no fear. The font is very bold and is in a white/grey colour, this is so that the audience see it clearly, but the greyness provides a sense of decay, and age. This could have some link with the narrative. The background is also black, this could imply mystery or something that is hidden, maybe a plot twist from the audience? or something about the character isn't fully revealed.Intended Target Audience
I think this film is targeted at a more mature audience as it has a dark narrative, of criminals kidnapping women. This isn't the sort of film teenagers would go to see in the cinema, so the age range would be 25+ and where it is a thriller it will appeal to everyone above that age. However, where this film does have such a big name as its protagonist, him alone may attract the younger teenage audience.
Vacancy - 2007
Director: Nimrod Antal
Vacancy - 2007
Director: Nimrod Antal
Narrative Context:
David and Amy Fox's car breaks down in the middle of no where, they are forced to stay at a near by motel, however with only the TV to entertain them they soon stumble upon some tapes of murders, with the setting of these murders being the room that they are staying in. They now face the challenge of getting out of the motel alive before they become the next victims of the murder films.
Enigma Codes:
Where are they? and where are they heading?
Who is this guy jumping out at them?
What are these movies they are watching?
Why are they killing these people?
Why are they filming them?
Who is the masked man?
Why are they now after these two people?
How are the characters established and represented:
The first character that appears on screen is Amy Fox in the passenger seat of the car. This shot is a close up of her face and is very dark, which only allows us to see her face and not any surroundings. This could portray that she is quite dark or foreshadowing some dark events that will happen to her over the coming days. So far in this shot she doesn't seem like a typical thriller character as a women in thrillers is normally either the evil seductive type, or they are in need of rescuing, but as the trailer goes in we find out that she is in fact a typical thriller character as we see she is the one that needs rescuing.
The next character we are introduced to is David Fox, similarly with Amy we also see him in a dark light, but this time it is a bit more brighter, this could suggest that he is less dark then her, that he has some good in him, but where it is still dark it could foreshadow dark times to come again. This time the character is introduced in a two shot, this could symbolise who has the power and control between these two and where David is closer to the camera and seems bigger then Amy it appears that he has control over her. So far he does seem like a typical thriller character, as he is in his 30s and wearing a shirt which suggests that he is professional, these are typical traits of thriller men.
The next character that appears on screen is the mechanic, he is introduced via a mid shot of him jumping out on David and Amy. The way he enters the shot could symbolise that he likes scaring people and the dark clothes and dark lighting of the shot also back this up that he is a sinister, scary character. Camera and Editing Techniques:
Within this trailer they use a lot of close ups (one of them seen in the image below), this is so they can move the shots on quickly as the audience can see straight away what each shot is showing so it doesn't have to linger on screen. However the close ups are also used in a way which allows the audience to see facial expressions, as you can see in the shot below the close up is used to portray the scared and confused look on Davids face, this is part of the horror narrative of the film.
Fast and Furious 6 - 2013
Director: Justin Lin
The first main character we see is Hobbs, in this mid shot we can see that he is quite muscular and his posture states that he is a man with power and control. We later figure out in the trailer that he is the lead detective on this case, so he has the power over the group as he is recruiting them.
The next character we see is Brian, he is introduced in a quick close up shot saying 'Pardons all the way round'. This could show that in the group of drivers he is the leader or one of the head figures, as he is the one doing the talking for them.
The last main character we see is Dom, his character is also shown first of all in a quick close up shot with him saying just one line, again this can imply that he is also one of the head figures of the group and has power and control over them. We also see later on in the trailer that he is very skilled behind the wheel of a car as he is racing and dodging tank shells, this could suggest that the action revolves around him and he likes to be in the thick of it all.
The editing within this trailer was very basic, however towards the end of the trailer during the peak section the shots started to fade in and out as you can see in the image below. This is used to create a sense of danger and to build suspense in the audience. The pace of the editing at the start is quite slow for a trailer, but as the action picks up towards the end so does the pace of the editing.
Use of Sound:
(0:09-0:27) - This segment is mainly diagetic dialogue, this dialogue helps to build up the narrative of the film as we find out why they end up at this hotel.
(0:27-0:31) - This part of the trailer is the jump scene where the mechanic scares you. The sound used here helps with the jump as it goes loud and is like a bang, which adds to the effect.
(0:32-0:47) - This segment again is mainly diagetic dialogue, which builds up the narrative further. However this time there is use of some non-diagetic music in the background which plays a little bit louder in between the dialogue, this is starting to build up the tension in the audience.
(0:48-1:17) - This part is furthermore dialogue, which builds up the narrative of what will happen to them, and what has happened at this hotel. The music in the background also starts to get faster and slightly louder, this is build up the tension even further and have the audience on the edge.
(1:18-1:34) - The music is now going really fast and is a constant boom noise, this then leads to the music becoming constant picking up the pace til it stops and goes silent. This pace of music now has the audience wanting to know what happens next and has them on the edge as the suspense has now been built up. This is the finish of the build up til the peak of action.
(1:34-1:40) - There is the background noise of someone trying to get into the room, banging and trying to open the door. This creates a sense of panic and works well with the other shots that are on screen, as where the audience is now panicked they are feeling what the characters are feeling, it creates a sense of empathy.
(1:40-2:11) - Again this part is mainly dialogue helping to build up the narrative and give information about the film to the audience, there is also a slight constant music playing in the background, this is helping to build up the suspense as it is quite an eerie track.
(2:11-2:25) - This section is where David is on the phone and we hear him trying to contact the cops, this just provides us with extra narrative and continuity as it leads onto the next shot.
(2:25-End) - There is a slight electrical noise when the titles appear at the end, this just links in with the title as it is a broken neon sign.
Captions/Titles:
The captions within this trailer relate to the title of the film, as with a motel you expect an old fashioned neon style sign, similar with this motel so the titles link in with this neon style as you can see in the image below. Also the 'no' in the sign inst turned on, meaning that they have space for new members and victims, this could foreshadow what could happen at the end of the film for these two current victims in the trailer.
Intended Target Audience:
With this film I think it is targeted towards a younger viewer, maybe someone in their late teens early twenties. As it is a soft horror film as it still falls under the main thriller category, and it seems like the sort of film they would be interested in.
Director: Justin Lin
Narrative Context:
After the gang managed to pull off a $100 million heist in Rio in fast 5 they have since scattered, but when their old enemy gives them the chance of a pardon from the law and a chance to get back behind the wheel it is an offer that they cannot refuse. Now they are aiding the cops in capturing an organisation of highly skilled mercenary drivers, with their second in command being Dom's ex-lover who was thought to be dead.
Enigma Codes:
Why would they take down this military convoy?
Full pardons from what?
What does he mean when he says ;this is not what we do'?
How did they get the aeroplane down?
How are the Characters established and represented:
The first main character we see is Hobbs, in this mid shot we can see that he is quite muscular and his posture states that he is a man with power and control. We later figure out in the trailer that he is the lead detective on this case, so he has the power over the group as he is recruiting them. The last main character we see is Dom, his character is also shown first of all in a quick close up shot with him saying just one line, again this can imply that he is also one of the head figures of the group and has power and control over them. We also see later on in the trailer that he is very skilled behind the wheel of a car as he is racing and dodging tank shells, this could suggest that the action revolves around him and he likes to be in the thick of it all. Camera and Editing Techniques:
Firstly the editing of this trailer is very fast paced, this helps to link in with the action and provides an edge of your seat experience for the audience which is typical for action thrillers. There is also the use of a fade (as seen in the picture below) just after the voice over is done, this could show that the narrative has now been said and that they are moving onto action, this helps with the continuity of the trailer.
The camera shots are mainly close to mid shots, this is to help with the speed of the trailer as the audience can see straight away what it is that they are supposed to be seeing in that shot so that the shot can change to the next quickly, however there are a few long to extreme long shots (one seen in the image below), this helps to provide the setting, or as with the picture below an aeroplane being bought down, this is a piece of action that would capture the audiences interest as it provides the enigma of how they done that.
Use of Sound:
(0:00-0:06) - Voice over that leads into diagetic dialogue. The voice over is typical of thriller trailers as it helps to provide continuity and to also provide some narrative that the audience need.
(0:06-0:11) - In this section of the trailer there is a few lines of dialogue that aid in the narrative and character traits that will provide us with further insight into what their characters will be like.
(0:11-0:24) - For the remainder of the trailer there is just the odd piece of dialogue which aids in the continuity of the trailer, alongside this there is a slight background music which slowly builds up towards the end of this section which is where the titles appear.
(0:24-End) - The last section of the trailer provides some crucial dialogue as to what will be in the film, saying 'Do you believe in ghosts?' this aids in the narrative of one of the characters who we thought was dead in a previous film, coming back in this one.
(0:06-0:11) - In this section of the trailer there is a few lines of dialogue that aid in the narrative and character traits that will provide us with further insight into what their characters will be like.
(0:11-0:24) - For the remainder of the trailer there is just the odd piece of dialogue which aids in the continuity of the trailer, alongside this there is a slight background music which slowly builds up towards the end of this section which is where the titles appear.
(0:24-End) - The last section of the trailer provides some crucial dialogue as to what will be in the film, saying 'Do you believe in ghosts?' this aids in the narrative of one of the characters who we thought was dead in a previous film, coming back in this one.
Captions/Titles:
There are only two captions in the film, these show the date and the title of the film (as seen in the little picture below). The one below is used to break up from the action of the peak on the film and the last enigma. The font of the title is bold and is in black with a white outline, this reminds me of a car as it looks like a typical vinyl of the type of cars that they drive within these sort of films.
Intended Target Audience:
This film is predominantly aimed at teenagers as it is a typical narrative that they will like and enjoy watching. Action thrillers aren't really aimed at the older generations, so this film will be mostly 15-25.
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