Analysis of Trailers

Aftermath (2014)


I really liked this trailer and I will use it as my main inspiration. I particularly liked the editing which I will discuss in more detail.

This trailer starts off with the conventional foreshadowing of the apocalypse through news reports which is effective as it clearly shows the audience what caused the apocalypse and clearly shows them what genre it is.

The editing and camera shots are really impressive. I especially like this open framed canted angle, showing something is 'askew' or not quite right;

I like the idea of fast editing and flashes of single shots that matches the music and actions of the characters as shown in 0:55 and 1:38. I also like how they cut with a gun being fired (a shot with a shot if you like) at 1:08 and 1:35 and is shown again at 1:38 when it cuts in time as the actor 'cuts' or slams down. I think this is very effective and makes the audience jump like it's realistic and creates empathy.

The studios at the beginning and the credits at the end are a necessity and are conventional in trailers.





Monsters (2010)

I really liked the various camera shots and framing used. Again, the theme of hope vs. hopelessness is present (seeming to become a conventional theme of post apocalyptic films) and is shown through hopeful non diabetic music which silences when the candles go out and becomes darker as the trailer progresses. The sound effects also echo which adds a eerie feel to the trailer and shows emptiness as it echoes.

This trailer uses a video like effect on the credits and sentences they use. The words tell the backstory which is similar to Aftermath's rather in using a voice narration. They have also included various critic reviews to persuade the audience to go and see the film.

Again this one has the conventional credits at the end and also links to the Facebook page and website, promoting their film further. They also have the conventional green certificate at the beginning to possibly warn the viewer of any restrictions on the trailer.



 



The Road (2009)

This trailer is very similar to the Monsters one above with words telling a story (however here, The Road uses one word at the end (Run. Protect. Sacrifice. Kill. much like the book with its simple use of language suggesting language is dying out, like the world) to create a snappy impact on the audience and fits with the fast edits), a video effect and also has some traits from Aftermath's with news reports and fast edits to create suspense in the audience and edits to recreate a gun shot (such as the very end shot) and cuts with the music (e.g. at 1:26). The soundtrack music of eerie, screechy strings (making the viewer on edge) quickens as the trailer progresses with more action packed scenes.

I really like the above shot of skulls with a 'negative' effect to show the darkness of the shot and to scare/disturb the viewer.

Again, we see the conventional green certificate at the beginning of the trailer and credits at the end. This one is slightly different with their release date saying it's released "everywhere" furthering the impact on the audience and giving a scary and eerie atmosphere.

I could also take inspiration from the novel and how the narrative is set up, the language used and the mise-en-scene of the different characters and settings and how the apocalypse is revealed to us. I might not do the cannibalism idea and just go with the conventional virus idea for budget.



 



Alone (2014)

This one, unlike the others, uses a voice narration, therefore, challenging conventions. I really like how it fades to black and all we can hear us the narrator saying "..but I was wrong" giving a sense of hopelessness and creating goosebumbs in the viewer, but there is some hope shown in the trailer e.g. the light streaming through the very first shot and the helicopter near the end, but it is snatched away from us.

However there is some words used which flash up every time there is a thud in the music (especially at the end with the title of the film) creating a dramatic effect and enticing the audience. Although, I don't really like the font or how they have edited in the credits during the actual trailer (e.g. "directed by..."). It's not subtle.


 



Supernatural - "Swan Song" (05x22) (2010)

Technically this isn't a trailer but it deserves a mention and has some really interesting points I can use as inspiration.

I really like the idea of the melancholy echoed bell toll which I would like to include in mine (I have researched into songs I could use and found a really interesting one called 'No Man's Land' which I will discuss more on a seperate post). This creates a desolate and eerie atmosphere. The actual location furthers this with the abandoned graveyard with the mise-en-scene of the "no trespassing" sign.

Much like the trailers above, this one uses short and snappy sentences to grab the viewer's attention.

One shot used in this episode I found was really interesting and effective;



In this scene, Sam (our protagonist, in the mirror (mise-en-scene) which is broken, which reflects his broken personality in the episode) is talking to Lucifer who is possessing his body. This scene must have took a lot of planning out but it's done really well with great, chilling acting. I really like how it's done in a mirror and reflecting his soul and clearly separates them.