When are trailers shown?

The timing for trailers is important. The trailer must be released early enough for there to be an excitement for the upcoming film however, if it is shown too early then by the time the film comes out in cinemas, people will have forgotten about it.

Beautiful Creatures

From looking at Beautiful Creatures, I think the main buzz about this film will be the fact that the main character is a 'caster' which is just another term for 'witch'. There aren't many other films about like this so this uniqueness will enhance the excitement. The non-diegetic music used is by a popular artist, Florence and the Machine and so with her behind this film it puts emphasis on it's high expectation.
 

UK Cinema Release Date

Wednesday 13th February 2013
 

UK DVD Release Date

Monday 17th June 2013
 

I think Beautiful Creatures was released in the cinema on February 13th because this is when most schools have a half term and so seeing as the target audience is children aged 12-16 this is perfect timing and will mean that they will receive a larger audience as more people will be able to go watch.

The DVD would have been released on June 17th in time for the break for summer holidays and so children can watch it during their time off. Also, they could watch it with friends and then from introducing the film to them they may want to buy it for themselves. The DVD was released about four months after it was screened in cinemas; seventeen weeks is the usual gap in the UK for theatrical release. Whereas ten years ago it was six months.

Jack the Giant Slayer

The excitement of this film will be the innovative use of computer generated imagery, there was an extremely big hype for this film and its $195 million budget.

UK Cinema Release Date

Friday 22nd March 2013

Estimated UK DVD/BLU-RAY Release Date

June-September 2013

The film is screened towards the end of March which is when Easter holidays are and so this is perfect for children to be able to go to the cinema with friends and family. Also, this could work as a nice present for the children for Easter.

Again, the film is most probably going to be released on DVD in the Summer months as this is when children break up for their holidays so it is convienient. This is a similar reason to the one above for Beautiful Creatures. If the film comes out on to DVD in July then this will be the regular and conventional four months after it was screened in cinemas.

Hitchcock

The excitement for this film is the fact that it is based on a true story. Ed Gein inspired the novel 'Psycho', this graphic and true story is what inspired Alfred Hitchcock to produce this novel into a film. This film, Hitchcock recreates the filming of Pyscho in order to focus more on Hitchcock and Alma's relationship. This is a Biography and Drama so still follows how the film was made. Hitchcock will appeal to older people who remember the 1960 original version of Pyscho and also how Hitchcock was one of the most famous film directors ever.

UK Cinema Release Date

 Friday 8th February 2013

 

UK DVD/Blu-Ray Release Date
 

Monday 17th June 2013

There is a half term in February where some children may want to go to the cinema to watch this film, it is a certified 12A. Again, like the above responses for Beautiful Creatures and Jack the Giant Slayer the film is released onto DVD before the Summer holidays.

Why is the trailer made?

Firstly, I will look at the names of three films and without watching the trailer’s I will try to determine the content of the film. This is to see what effect a trailer can have on the audience and how without them you aren't given a lot of clues as to the plot.

Identity Thief

Definition of ‘Identity’: The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity; individuality.   

Definition of ‘Thief’: A person who steals another person's property.

From researching the definitions I think this film is an action – crime film about a person who literally steals people’s identities and uses them to his power. Maybe they have a status which he wants and so impersonates them. Due to the fact I think this is an Action film there will be conventions like chases, fight sequences and a hunt or journey to find something. These could be used for tracking the thief down.

After watching the trailer I can see that I was a little wrong with my expectation of the film. Identity Thief is a Comedy however, I was correct in saying it was also a Crime. The person who steals this man's identity is actually a woman so this is comedic. The whole plot is fairly unrealistic as it seems that he hunts her down and tries to bring her back to his state to charge her I suppose but, if this was real...I don't think he would be the one having to do this and matters would probably be taken into someone with a higher status's hands. But, this scenario fits into the Comedy genre and also could work as a USP as the two genre's (Comedy and Crime) are an odd and rare combination.

Oz the Great and Powerful
Definition of Great: wonderful; first-rate; very good
Definition of Powerful: influential: able to exert a lot of influence and control over people and events.

This reminds me of The Wizard of Oz so they could be a connection to this film. Also, there’s been a production of Wicked which is supposed to be the untold story of the Witches of Oz. The Great and Powerful sounds scary at first however, there is a childlike feel to it which makes me think this film could be a Fantasy. Also, it appears that Oz is the name of somebody and so the small introduction after ‘the great and powerful’ sounds like it’s quite like a fairy tale as its rather surreal and you would not receive titles like this in reality. Furthermore the title could suggest that Oz is fairly old and maybe he has earned this title over the years.

Now I've watched the trailer I can confirm my prediction on the film fitting in the Fantasy category, it also is an Family and Adventure genre film. There is a connection to the Wizard of Oz as I said. The film uncovers the story of how the Wicked Witch is destroying their villages and lives and Oz's magic is the only thing that can save them. There is a lot of CGI shown in the trailer which is typical as this is a Fantasy film and so this and chroma key will enhance the magic and set the scenes. 

Robot and Frank
Definition of Robot: programmable machine for performing tasks: a mechanical device that can be programmed to carry out instructions and perform complicated tasks usually done by people.
Definition of Frank: expressing true opinion: open, honest, and sometimes forceful in expressing true feelings and opinions.
Judging by the name I think this is a Science-Fiction film because there appears to be a use of technology. The 'and' used shows togetherness and suggests that there is possibly a partnership or teamwork involved. So, this could be aimed at families as there is an element of togetherness here too. Ignoring the definition of 'frank' I reckon that he is a person which enhances the idea of partnership.

After watching the trailer I'm very surpised that this is a Comedy-Crime-Drama. It seems like a heart warming film and towards the end Frank (who is a mid sixties year old man) says he needs the robot because 'he's my friend'. So I was correct in thinking that there is an element of togetherness and a partnership. This friendship which forms is very unusual and so is the plot; this is their USP (unique selling point).

From this analysis I have concluded that I have to pay attention to my film title for the audience to have some suggestion as to what the film involves and maybe even the genre. I realise now some of the importance of having the trailer as without this insight into the film the audience can be put off as they receive the wrong impression of it and aren't willing to watch it.

The Host - How do trailers help fill cinemas?

  The Host

Each film has to stand out from the rest in order to receive credit and to make a profitable amount of money from cinema releases. The trailer is one of the most important aspects of marketing so this is the film’s chance to show off its USP (unique selling point). From watching the film trailer of The Host it is clear that it has an innovative use of special effects such as CGI (computer generated imagery) and stunts like jumping through glass and dropping three storey’s high to the ground and cars spinning and flipping off the road. These are conventions in an Action/Adventure genre film and so this film conforms to those. When you are at the cinema to watch an Action/Adventure film the trailers before will have been specifically picked to suit the audience watching and so other action films trailers will be shown. If the cinema is screening Despicable Me 2, the trailers shown beforehand wouldn’t be The Purge or World War Z.

This is a CGI image which shows what the future looks like. The CGI gives us a location and setting and this use of special effects is intelligent and appeals to audiences who enjoy Sci-Fi’s. This is a wide angled long shot which enables you to see the mass of the location and gives a small idea of how large outer space is. Even though this is a long shot you can see planet Earth is taking up the whole height of the shot which shows how enormous it is. Seeing outer space is rare on television so this can work as a USP too. There is non-diegetic music playing (Imagine Dragons – Radioactive) which starts with a slow pace with a guitar and another instrument, overlapping is a man’s voice quietly singing one note and fluctuating in tune and volume. When this shot appears you know it is the future as the main girl character says in a non-diegetic voiceover ‘this is the future and humanity is all but extinct’. As she begins to talk the music almost does a sucking sound and closes into silence until you hear these little rockets (left of earth) swoosh past. This shot fades in and out as if it is a memory and she is telling a story. Her voiceover in the trailer at the moment acts as a narrator.

 

This is a long shot of the ‘aliens’/antagonists base. This CGI shot has been used to enhance the abstract nature of this film as aliens are erasing human’s minds and taking over their bodies. The dark night sky indicates the abnormal nature of this plot and also allows the audience to see the three glows which shoot down into the base. This is their form of transport. Again, this is unconventional and so stands out against other films entering the cinematic world and will make it more appealing to the audience. The colour of the base is blue. This is associated with calmness, tranquillity and peace which implies that the ‘aliens’ are good and do not mean any harm. So, this could make the audience want to see the film in order to discover why they are the antagonists. The blue base looks like light beams attaching to one another and since this is their mode of transport it links to the cliché of ‘travelling at the speed of light’. This shot comes after the above one and the transition is a slow cut which is synchronised with a small non-diegetic bang. This is used as an entrance for showing the aliens base as it is powerful and its presence is intimidating. This use of CGI hooks fans of Sci-Fi’s and then the humans are introduced so for audiences who like storylines involving people appeal to this too.

 

These next two shots are medium shots which frame the girl lying on her back. We are on her level and so the audience is placed on her side. Also, the other people’s faces cannot be seen, implying their unimportance and how the girl is the focus. The girl is bruised and cut however, once this man has held this silver machine over her and pressed a button her cuts and bruises miraculously fade away. This won’t be CGI but the combining of two shots I presume in the editing room allows them to do this. All of the antagonist’s possessions are silver; their vehicles, rooms, healing machines, even the sheet used to cover the girl. After researching I have found on ‘alizons-psychic-secrets.com’ that silver represents intuition, imagination and illusion. The meaning of silver is also associated with mystery, femininity and female power. The main antagonist and leader of the invasion is a woman which goes against stereotypical conventions that men are the stronger sex. The people healing her are men and are working for the women which again is unconventional, this is a feature which could come under their USP as it will appeal to audiences. The men are wearing black which is a conventional colour which symbolises evil, darkness and is associated with being an antagonist.   

 

 

Once the aliens have entered the human’s body so you know they have changed the human’s eyes form a silver ring around the pupil. This is unusual in a film to have something affect you in such an obvious way. Another film which has had a change to them once something has invaded is Invasion of the Body Snatchers where the humans become devoid of emotion. The age of this girl will attract younger audiences as well. The camera pans around the side of the girl’s face and stops at her front, the audience expects her eyes to open as it is very typical and is repeated in other films such as Twilight: Breaking Dawn part one and Avatar. The music is the same non-diegetic piece and is fairly slow with what sounds like a whistle overlapping. It is quite mysterious which suits the scene as you know something about her will have changed. There is a non-diegetic voiceover of the female antagonist saying ‘their emotions are powerful. If her will has survived along with her memories, she may resist from within’. This gives the audience an insight as to the plot and it clearly is about the girl getting her body back and the alien out. This shot is a close up, the background is blurred which puts the focus on her as she is significant. The man is sideways so the camera must be on its side as she has turned over. This abstract feel to the shot matches the abnormal and surreal plot.

The target audience for this trailer is 12-20 year old boys and girls. The girl appeals to younger children, the action for boys and the romance for couples.

• Trailer Length - 2.08 minutes
• Action - Adventure - Romance
• Certificate 12A

Song for Marion - focusing on Target Audience

 This is an over-the-shoulder medium shot. It is clear the man is engaging in conversation because of the over the shoulder and so presents an element of togetherness. The rock sign is very unconventional for a man of his age and so suggests that the film is very unconventional and risky. He is dressed stereotypically like an elderly man with a knitted jumper and tweed cap. Tweed is a popular fabric worn in the countryside and so now we know his location. The rock symbol suggests this film is musical and comical for this age range. The quick non diegetic music stops to let the man’s best rock and roll sound be diegetically heard.

This is a long shot showing a choir room. The instructor is in the centre dancing whilst the others sing around her. This is a fun, happy clip which gives an insight to the rest of the film which will be jolly and involve teamwork. The mise-en-scene used makes it clear that they are a choir because of the piano and music sheets on top. Also, the people are holding music sheets too which they are singing off. Conforming to stereotypes of elder people the men and woman are wearing looser clothes and generally older looking items which fit them to the age range. Whilst this shot is shown, there is a non-diegetic piece of music playing which sounds like a guitar being played in a very upbeat, happy tune. Also, a conversation between an elderly couple before this clip continues as a non-diegetic voiceover. The woman says ‘Did Granddad tell you?’ and then the conversation follows on after a couple more clips. This links the shots together. The transitions used before this shot and after are cuts, this allows a clean finish and the fast transition keeps the trailer moving quickly and highlights the pace of the film. Even though this trailer is showing a younger, fun side to these elderly people I think that this is aimed at their age range, so 60-80 year old women and men, probably couples. It seems like a feel good film.

 This is a wide angled long shot, however, the wall between splits the shot as if it is two scenes. In each scene they are portraying different emotions. The elderly man on the left, Arthur, is slumped onto the end of his bed with his shoulder’s hunched forward and hands on his lap. He is conveying unhappiness and looks depressed. He is wearing darker colours and the mise-en-scene around him is mainly shades of brown which suggest dullness. The man is sat further back compared to the other two which suggests that he has distanced himself away from family life or is being pushed away. There is non-diegetic music playing which sounds like a guitar. It is being strummed slowly which matches the mood and pace of the film trailer at this point. There is also a non-diegetic voiceover of the gentleman who says 'I've got to go then' which indicates that he is moving away. Continuing in the trailer, his wife replies 'Oh yes, you bloody well have' and they are actually discussing him joining the choir. This slight confusion as to what is happening is intriguing and makes you want to watch the film. The lighting used is low key whereas the scene to the right is high key and so this contrast also highlights their opposite emotions. The man and daughter are wearing bright colours and surrounded by a lot of yellow. Yellow is associated with happiness, harmony and optimism. Also, they are together and have contact which connotes they’re comfortable around each other and have a close relationship. From this deconstruction of this shot it shows that there is an underlying theme of relationships and so this film could appeal to couples.

This is a wide angled long shot which has the film’s title appear on top. The word ‘Song’ is written and ‘for Marion’ fades on. This is wide angled to show the large ensemble making up the choir. The long shot is used to show how small they look stood on the grand stage, this makes them look vulnerable and because we don’t hear them sing it leaves it on a cliff hanger on whether they will or not. The man, Arthur, is stood in his own spotlight showing his importance to the song. He is the same man from the above shot looking sunken and depressed, his transformation to now being in the spotlight indicates that this film is about not giving up and succeeding. The use of the yellow sun as the backdrop could be a sunrise or sunset. If a sunrise it can be seen to represent their growth throughout this process and now they are reaching the top. If a sunset this could be seen as their last opportunity to show everyone what they have got, especially because of their age holding them back. There is a non-diegetic music of a guitar playing a few notes which synchronise with the writing of ‘Song’. It is soft and tuneful. The choir are all wearing yellows and oranges which show their togetherness and again link to yellow and orange being happy colours.

From looking at the film trailer I would say the target audience are couples aged 55-75 years. This is also the age of the actors in the film so it is relatable for this audience. The subject matter is relatable and when you reach this age the question of what to do in your spare time when you hit retirement. This film is happy and uplifting and would appear to end on a good note.

• Trailer Length - 1.54 minutes
• Comedy – Drama – Music
• Certified PG

Trance - focusing on Target Audience

 This shot is presented through split stage showing an auction on the right selling a painting and on the left is somebody signing in. The green light indicates that the card has been approved and that they’re allowed to be there. The card being swiped is displayed in a close up which allows the audience to clearly see the action and green light. The person swiping the card appears to be wearing a suit, suggesting an important event. The auction is tightly framed connoting that it is a packed audience and this painting is particularly popular. There is the diegetic voice of the auctioneer saying ‘Let’s start the bidding at £5 million pounds!” and underlying is a non-diegetic piece of music which plays throughout. It has a quick beat to it and has a chiming and the sound of somebody’s voice singing short notes. The music is intriguing and follows the pace of the trailer which gives an insight to the genre of the film. The camera is focused on the people however; their backs are to us so it shows that they are insignificant to the plot. This is a long shot of the auctioneer and painting which again shows the mass of people in between the stage and camera highlighting the attraction and importance of the painting. The audience are dressed smartly and the presentation of the stage is clean and tidy not surrounded by various antiques and furniture items as you may see on Bargain Hunt. Due to the split stage it implies that these two scenes are coinciding and therefore suggest that this is a planned operation and has been timed. Also, to the audience while they just watch the auction they are unaware as to what is happening backstage. Auctioneers are aimed at 35-60 year olds. So at the moment I would say this is the target audience but, because of this coinciding scene with somebody signing in and at the moment there is no reason for it, firstly it indicates that this is important and it also is mysterious so this lowers the target audience to 20-40 year old's, women and men.  

 

This is a bird’s eye view which is wide angled and slightly canted. The tilt to the shot connotes the disjointed nature of the plot and indicates the imbalance of what is going on as it is unexpected. Also, this shot could be a point of view from somebody behind this interruption. From this high angle you are able to see a carpet of smoke rise and grow through the walkway and the surrounding audience start to get up to leave. The setting is grand which again emphasizes the importance of this event. The shot is wide angled and no longer tightly framed to show how many people attended, it is wide to capture everyone running away. The audience and staff look very small and so there is no emotional connection as they are not significant characters; instead you wonder what the reason for this is. The non-diegetic music is still playing and dietetically you can hear the people screaming. Due to the worry and panic it magnifies the mysterious plot so far and so implies that this is still aimed at 20-40 year old women and men. 

 This is a close up of the main character, the use of direct mode of address connects him to the audience and you feel involved. His facial expression is serious but he looks wise and knowledgeable. His eyes are blue which is associated with calmness, serenity and pureness so this is comforting and we see him as a protagonist. The lighting is low key on the right of his face and high key on the left. This suggests he has two sides to him being good and bad. He could be one to watch out for, this hint at an antagonist could be dangerous, however, the high key lighting is powerful and implies that he wants to be good and has intention to do right. This film could possibly be about finding a balance for him or maybe somebody is controlling him or guiding him on to a bad path. He is wearing a suit and looks smart and respectable. The non-diegetic music tones down and there is no voiceover playing so this diegetic silence whilst the camera slowly pans around the front of him is enduring. The character is not placed in the centre of the shot suggesting he is not the main protagonist in this film and doesn’t need the attention as maybe he is a secret worker or does something secretly.

This is a two shot and a close up of the two lead characters. There are very close together and this intimacy suggests that either she is a love interest or they are in a relationship. The lighting is high key but it looks musky and so maybe their fling isn’t the correct thing to do. The clip before had a voiceover of the woman saying ‘He wants the painting for himself’ and then he replies ‘I don’t believe that’ and this just overlaps with this clip so we can see the relationship between them and match voices to faces. Also, the speaking of the painting links this back to their beginning of the trailer, expressing its apparent significance. There is some very fast non-diegetic music playing which sounds dramatic and intriguing. Due to the nudity shown in the trailer and this relationship I would say couples could be a target audience, ranging from 16-35 years. 

This is a long shot showing a car on fire falling over a cliff edge into water. The explosion is conventional of an action film and expresses danger and drama which is going to be a part of the film. The non-diegetic music has built up and at this point of the trailer it shows snippets of clips of action from the film, the pace of the music is synchronised with the pace of the trailer. This fire will be CGI and chroma key will have been used for the background.

From looking at this film trailer I feel they are features which are appealing to many different people. The certificate is a 15, I would say this film attracts 16-35 year old women because James McAvoy (main character) is popular and many women will want to see the film because of him. Also, couples will be interested especially as there is a relationship which appears to develop in the film trailer. Typical conventions that men are attracted to are explosions, guns and danger which are shown in this film and so they will appeal to this.

• Length of trailer = 2.00 minutes
• Crime – Drama – Mystery
• Certified 15

The Odd Life of Timothy Green - focusing on Target Audience

 This is a medium shot of the two main characters. They are both using direct mode of address which engages the audience and makes you feel involved. The two look upset and so immediately we sympathise with the characters because we have an emotional connection from meeting them and seeing a part of their story within the trailer. There is no non-diegetic music, silence is used so we assume that something serious is going on and it makes the audience listen and focus. There is the diegetic voice of a woman speaking who says 'You couldn't have tried harder. We have explored every medical option' which implies that the couple were trying for a baby and have been unsuccessful. At the moment it would seem that the target audience is 25-40 year old couples who either have children or want them. The voice is heard from behind the camera which is who they're looking at so this is also a point of view (POV) shot. The lighting is low key here, it's dark around the couple and they're faces are lit which allows us to see their expression. The darker lighting suggests hard times and difficulties which matches their situation of not being able to have a baby. The brighter light on their faces suggests that they possess a little bit of hope and that this film will be hopeful and eye opening. The woman is dressed traditionally and the colours are co-ordinated which suggests that she puts time and effort into how she is presented and possibly because she does not have many other things to concentrate on. The man looks smart with his jacket which conveys he has made an effort into his presentation. His overall colour that he is wearing is brown and looks quite depressed and worn down which matches his mood. Both characters look respectable and clean, proposing an important meeting. The setting looks quite traditional too with the backdrop of artwork and there is a glimpse of the chair which the woman is sat on. The placing of the chairs indicates that they are in an office arrangement and that this shot is a point of view from the person in charge’s perspective. The traditional design on the office implies that the person on the other side of the desk has a good profession like a Doctor, Manager of a business or Lawyer. From what she says at the beginning you guess she is in the medical profession. 

This shot is later on in the film trailer showing the same two with a small child dancing in their living room. This a wide angled medium shot. This shows the whole of the room and indicates their financial situation which also judging by the smart, antique looking furniture implies they are well off with money. The three are dancing which expresses a happy family life, contrasting to the above screen shot. Due to the joyful mood it suggests that this film is going to be uplifting. The younger child is dressed similarly which connotes that he is theirs. There is a non-diegetic piece of music playing underneath this montage of happy clips, the music sounds like trumpets and I believe there's also the overlap of a  tambourine. It is very uplifting and joyful and gives a clue as to what this film's overall emotion will be.

From watching the trailer I can see that this is targeted at females aged 25-35 because of the maternal nature of the plot. However, after researching into the target audience of the film ‘The Odd Life of Timothy Green’, I have seen that it is aimed at families. The features appealing to the target audience are the playful colours, the genre being a fantasy and the story is magical. Also, the producer is Walt Disney which is known for children’s films.

•  Length of trailer – 2.07 minutes
• Comedy – Drama – Fantasy
• Certified U

QUICK NOTE.

Even though I haven't finished my audience research or planning I wanted to contact the record label who own the copyrights to the music I would like to use. I have a rough idea of what sort of genre and plot I would like and this music will fit so instead of waiting till I have finished my planning I thought it was worth contacting them as I did not know when they would reply or if they would even reply.

Just because I have some music available does not mean I will restrict what I research to suit my genre and will not definitely, absolutely use the music if the audience research goes completely wrong and in a different direction.

Permission from Burning Big Screens the record label for Scorched Score Music

Questionnaire

Questionnaire

(Please circle your answer)

Gender          Male                Female

Age                 16-20              21-30              31-40              41-50              51-60              61+

Favourite Genre     

Action    Adventure    Animation    Biography    Comedy    Crime    Documentary

Drama    Family    Fantasy    Film-Noir    History    Horror    Music    Musical   

Mystery    Romance    Sci-Fi    Short    Sport    Thriller    War    Western

Do the actors affect whether you want to see the film?

Yes                  No

Does the trailer have an impact on whether you want to watch the film?

Yes                  No

How often do you go to the cinema?

Once a year                Once a month                        Two or more times a month                       

Once a week               Two or more times a week              Never

Reply from Scorched Score Music

Email to Scorched Score Music

I wrote to Scorched Score Music in order to find out whether I could use their music for my film trailer. I am awaiting a reply.