Teaser Trailer Analysis 3) Monsters University

The last teaser trailer I analysed is for the film Monsters University.

This is the teaser trailer:

• Production company logos at the start of the trailer - Disney and Pixar Animation Studios
• Voiceover
• Fades
• Many scenes of child friendly humour
• Little narrative development
• Little dialogue
• Name of the film in the middle of the trailer
• Shots of well known characters
• Reference to film format (3D)
• Some fast editing
• Release date near end of film
• Website displayed at the end of trailer

Teaser Trailer Analysis 2) Scream 4

The second teaser trailer I analysed is for a horror film called 'Scream 4'.

This is the teaser trailer:

• Production company logo at the start of the trailer - Dimension Films
• Fast editing with fades and impact sounds
• Range of different camera shots
• Eye-candy 
• Lots of horror scenes
• Reference to the director - Wes Craven
• Reference to previous films
• Little Dialogue 
• Little narrative development
• Exciting, dramatic music
• Taglines punctuate the images
• Name of film at the end
• Date at end - 4.15.11

Teaser Trailer Analysis 1) London Has Fallen

The first teaser trailer I chose to analyse is for an action film called London Has Fallen.

Here is the teaser trailer:

• Production company logos at start of trailer - Lionsgate and Millenium Films
• Quick editing with fades and impact sounds
• Shots to establish location
• Shots of star-studded cast
• Range of different camera shots 
• Eye-candy - Explosions
• Reference to previous film 'Olympus Has Fallen' - Both by name (almost like taglines) and by scenes
• 'Taglines' punctuate the images
• Many action scenes - explosions, car chases, etc...
• Very little dialogue (only hear words twice and that sounds like a news report in the background)
• Very little narrative development.
• Name of film at the end
• Release date at the end - coming soon
• Billing at the end

Teaser Trailer Conventions Introduction

I have now distinguished the differences between the conventions of teaser and theatrical trailers. I will now research more teaser trailers and identify all the common conventions that typically reappear.

I will look at 3 teaser trailers and analyse the coventions of each.

Comparing Teaser and Theatrical Trailer 2) Last Vegas

Below are the teaser and theatrical trailers for the film Last Vegas.

This is the teaser trailer:

This is the theatrical trailer:

• The teaser trailer has faster editing with some impact noises between cuts.
• The teaser trailer has very little narrative development and in comparison to the theatrical trailer, has little dialogue.
• The teaser trailer has a voice over which introduces the characters and tells us a little about the story.
• The theatrical trailer has slower editing.
• There is more dialogue and narrative development in the theatrical trailer.
• We see more characters in the theatrical trailer.
• The teaser trailer displays the production companies immediately. The theatrical trailer displays them after a short scene.
• Both trailers display the name of the film and the release date.

Comparing Teaser and Theatrical Trailer 1) Skyfall

Below are the teaser and theatrical trailers for the film Skyfall.

This is the teaser trailer:

This is the theatrical trailer:

• The teaser trailer has quick editing with impact noises and fades.
• The teaser trailer has very little dialogue and narrative development.
• The theatrical trailer has slower editing, even when the action scenes are displayed in a montage at the end.
• There is more dialogue and narrative development in the theatrical trailer.
• We are introduced to more characters in the theatrical trailer.
• Both trailers have the production company logos, 007 logo, social media links, film release date and the name of the film displayed prominently.
• However, the teaser trailer displays the production company logos at the start, the theatrical trailer does not.

Comparing Teaser and Theatrical Trailers

As part of my project I need to create a teaser trailer. In order to do this, I will conduct research on both teaser and theatrical trailers so I will be able to determine the conventions and differences between them.

I will look at the teaser and theatrical trailers of 'Skyfall' and 'Last Vegas' to discover the differences so I will be able to apply the correct conventions on my teaser trailer.

Empire Magazine Cover Analysis

Empire is a British magazine which focuses on mainstream Hollywood blockbusters. Empire's masthead is bold and vibrantly coloured (normally red) so it stands out against its background. The dominant central image tends to be of a famous actor in character (below Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games) and this is 'eye-candy' for the viewer. The coverlines also display the magazines Hollywood roots with actors names such as 'Angelina Jolie' and 'Christian Bale'.

American Cinematographer Magazine Cover Analysis

American Cinematographer is a film magazine which focuses on the art and craft of cinematography. The slogan (The international journal of motion imaging) suggests just that. The dominant central image is of a film called 'Gone Girl' and the coverline displays that there is an interview with Jeff Cronenweth, the cinematographer of the film. The other coverlines are also names of cinematographers.

Filmmaker Magazine Cover Analysis

Filmmaker is a film magazine which focuses on independent films. The 'modestly' coloured masthead is not designed to stand out to the viewer, it's more to look professional and not be overwhelming on the cover. The slogan (The magazine of independent film) also shows the viewer what the magazine is about. The dominant central image might be of a famous actress, but the coverline shows how she was interviewed as a filmmaker. The other coverlines are all independent films such as 'Cosmopolis' and 'Beasts of the Southern Wild'.