Balpreet's Advanced Portfolio Blog: Product Research- Teaser Trailers

What is the purpose of a teaser trailer?

Hint of the narrative - This will give the viewers a sense of the storyline, if its a non-linear or linear narrative.
The stars in the film - This allows viewers to be introduced to new actors, or actors which are seen as their favourite.
Show something of the genre of the film - Allowing the viewers to know the genre of the film, gives them an idea of they can expect from the film. This could include the setting, music, dressing of he characters and the lighting; these all create the atmosphere of the genre.

When looking at a few teaser trailers I will look at how it engages its viewers by the conventions of a thriller/horror film. These conventions could include the setting, lighting, sound (diegetic, non-diegetic), clothing, a motif, a troubled character, a villain, and there may also be a hidden story; this conventions increase the viewers tension.
The follow teaser trailers that I have decided to analyse will inspire me in the making of my teaser trailer, by using similar techniques. the few teaser trailers that I have chosen to look at include, Signs, Hide and Seek, Mirrors and Final Destination 3.

Mirrors

This teaser trailer is only 51 seconds, there is a lot of editing and different techniques used to put together a few clips which increase and engage the viewer’s intention of watching the film. The film seems the have chosen an object that we the viewers and everyone use in their every day to day life, this object is a mirror. The reflection of the person in the mirror has affected the family’s behaviour. The reflections have shown people living on the opposite side, an evil side of live that appears to be waiting to come out.

At the beginning of the trailer the distribution company has been introduced to the viewers, in this case it is 20the Century Fox which is well known for distributing mainstream films.
The lighting of the shots is very shady, making shadows/reflections, which links with the name of the film “Mirrors”. For example the reflection in the puddle, and dark shadows on the walls and floors of the characters.
The use of sound, both diegetic and non-diegetic are increasing in volume through the trailer. For example the sound effect of movement, like the doors and the wind.

Mirrors - official trailer

There are a few similarities in both the trailers of “Mirrors”. There are many similar shots, and also the beginning 15 seconds of the teaser trailer matches the original trailer. Throughout the trailer there is a continuous sound of a heartbeat, which increases tension for the viewers. They become more concerned about what might happen next, or they know what is going to happen and are uncertain if they want to see it. However because of the tension already caused, the trailers are continuously drawing the viewers in to carry on watching because of the tension building up, not already caused. As the viewers listen to every heartbeat, a different shot is shown through the use of cut editing in the rhythm of the beat; this is another reason to why the viewer’s tension increases. However there are also additional shots which give the viewers more to see, and hopefully increases their desire to watch the film. This gives the viewers a broader understanding for what they could expect from the film, through the use of dialogue in the original trailer.

Hide and Seek trailer

Looking at these four shots, they all show a sense of discomfort. This is due to the type of shot, either it be a close-up or a mid-shot, out of focus shot, or the composition of the shot.

Looking at the bathroom scene, the lighting is very dark, which adds an unexplained event, which confuses the audience. This is due to the psychological element that is added to the narrative. It also adds a sense of danger of someone else being there.
The scene in her room makes the audience look as if they are spying on both of them. This is due to the fact that the shot has been taking from inside her cupboard. This links to the title of the film “Hide and Seek”.

Looking at the scene in the kitchen, a person seems to be taking a knife. Due to the type of shot, and composition, the viewers are unable to see who the person is, which adds a mysterious feel to the narrative.
The shot that is out of focus makes it harder for the viewers to see the emotions on their faces. However we are able to see that the girl seems to be looking for something, her dad who is in the background seems to be going out. This makes the dad seem suspicious as he has not said anything to his daughter and is leaving her home alone.

Overall using a little girl as the main character makes her seem very innocent, which could however be subverted throughout the narrative. She could have been represented as a good person due to her appearance, but through her characteristics this could be subverted so she is seem playing a negative role in the narrative.