What
Makes a Successful Teaser Trailer?
When examining teaser trailers from a variety of films, it is evident that film directors use key conventions when producing their teaser trailer, in order to grip the audience and entice them into watching the film. Conventional production is evident in the teaser trailer of “Under the skin.” Within this trailer, Johnathan Glazer effectively creates the element of mystery within the trailer. There is no speech throughout the trailer which contributes to this concept of the “unknown” as the audience has no direction, with regards to the plot, other than the images which can be seen. Editing of the trailer also contributes to this convention of the unknown; the fast paced, cross-cutted montage of random shots helps to confuse the audience further. The speed of transitions also fits in with the timing of the music, giving the trailer a professional finish. This sense of mystery is also continued in the variety of camera angles throughout the montage; here, the audience is unable to grasp an understanding of the plot which leads them onto watching more. Glazer also continues his conventions into the typography of the trailer. The words can be difficult to read at times and considering that Glazer has aimed to develop a unique and interesting teaser trailer, it would be accurate to acknowledge that a successful teaser trailer mirrors all conventions throughout the trailer, shown by Glazer in his trailer. Glazer also aims to make his target audience feel uncomfortable throughout the trailer and he also continues this into the typography. At the end, the contrast of the white background on the black writing appears bright and overwhelming to the audience, considering they have just been watching a montage of dark short clips. Glazer highlights the effectiveness of shocking the audience and how scaring them can have a gripping effect on viewers.
At the start of
the trailer, the screen shows a dark circular shape which eventually
reveals itself to be someone starring into some sort of optical lens.
Before the eye is revealed, ambient sounds of the winds in
combination with the repetitive non digetic music helps to build
tension within the audience. This too is another convention which
proves to be effective in a teaser trailer, as proven here. This
tension eventually leads to a climax when all sound is cut and the
eye stares into the screen. The boldness of this eye undoubtedly
evokes fear which demonstrates how Glazer has related the genre of
his film to the conventions of his teaser trailer in order to
interest his target audience. He also uses obscurity to strike fear
and confuse the audience. One of the last shots, shows what appears
to be the skin and head of a man, floating through blue space. The
effect of making the audience focus on such an image for a
considerable amount of time will undoubtedly be uncomfortable and
will portray a sense of horror in the plot of the film.
What Makes a Successful Teaser
Trailer? (IMPROVED)
When examining teaser trailers from a variety of films, it is evident
that film directors use key conventions when producing their teaser
trailer, in order to grip the audience and entice them into watching
the film. Conventional production is evident in the teaser trailer of
“Under the skin.” Within this trailer, Johnathan Glazer
effectively creates the element of mystery within the trailer. There
is no speech throughout the trailer which contributes to this concept
of the “unknown” as the audience has no direction, with regards
to the plot, other than the images which can be seen. Editing of the
trailer also contributes to this convention of the unknown; the fast
paced, cross-cutted montage of random shots helps to confuse the
audience further. The speed of transitions also fits in with the
timing of the music, adding to the shock element of the trailer and
therefore, appealing to the target audience. This sense of mystery is
also continued in the variety of camera angles throughout the
montage; here, the audience is unable to grasp an understanding of
the plot which makes them eager to understand more about the film by
watching it. Glazer also continues conventions which he has been
using throughout his trailer, into the typography. The words can be
difficult to read at times and considering that Glazer has aimed to
develop a unique and interesting teaser trailer, it would be accurate
to acknowledge that a successful teaser trailer mirrors all
conventions throughout the trailer, shown by Glazer in his trailer.
Glazer also aims to make his target audience feel uncomfortable
throughout the trailer and he also continues this into the
typography. At the end, the contrast of the white background on the
black writing appears bright and overwhelming to the audience,
considering they have just been watching a montage of dark short
clips with a variety of events occurring in each shot.
At the start of
the trailer, the screen shows a dark circular shape which eventually
reveals itself to be someone starring into some sort of optical lens.
Before the eye is revealed, ambient sounds of the winds in
combination with the repetitive non digetic music helps to build
tension within the audience. This too is another convention which
proves to be effective in a teaser trailer, as proven here. This
tension eventually leads to a climax when all sound is cut and the
eye stares into the screen in an extreme close-up. The boldness of
this eye undoubtedly evokes fear which demonstrates how Glazer has
related the genre of his film to the conventions of his teaser
trailer in order to interest his target audience. He also uses
obscurity to strike fear and confuse the audience. One of the last
shots, shows what appears to be the skin and head of a man, floating
through blue space. The effect of making the audience focus on such
an image for a considerable amount of time will undoubtedly be
uncomfortable and will portray a sense of horror in the plot of the
film.
