Basic Conventions of a Film Trailer

Basic Conventions of a Film Trailer

1. The beginning

   • Production Logo
     • Production logos are included as they may help gain more viewings and a wider audience due to the reputation that the company may have gained.
       • E.g. Working Title
       • This also gives the audience an idea as to what the film genre would be as production companies often stick to a certain genre
         • However there are many situations where this is not the case, which has happened over the more recent past.
         • E.g. family friendly films

2. The end

   • Film title
     • The film title is in every trailer and most often shown at the end of the trailer
     • Fitting the genre
       • Colour
         • Colour conotations
           • Red = Romance
           • Black & White = Thriller
       • Font
       • Back drop
     • BBCF Age Certification
       • When a UK film is released it is always given an age certification by the BBFC (the British Board of Film Classification)
       • Acts like a guideline for the target audience age
       • The certification hints the context of the film
         • E.g. 18 Certification = blood, violence, sex, drugs, swearing

3. Social Media

   • New additions to trailers
     • Website URLs
     • hashtags
     • facebook accounts
   • This is used to spread awareness of the film
     • Works like an advertising campaign

4. Character introduction

   • This is an important way for characters to engage with the film as they like to connect and relate to certain characters
   • Famous actors
     • already have a fanbase so it widens the fanbase of the film as they enjoy the actors work previously
       • E.G. Legend = Tom Hardy

5. Music and Voiceovers

   • This is very important for film trailers and can either go really well or really badly
   • The music sets the pace and genre of the film
   • Voiceovers often inform the audience of the plot and introduction to the characters

6. Name captions

   • Directors
     • Some directors have very specific film types/genres meaning like the actors will have certain fanbases which helps with the fanbase of the film
   • Actors
   • Producers

7. Release date

   • The trailer is often released a few weeks before the release date as it gives time for the audience to grow.
   • The date is usually shown at the end of the trailer as it is important for the audience to remember so they don't forget to go and see it