RESEARCH: WHERE ARE TRAILERS SHOWN?

Trailers are shown at the cinema, on TV and online with poster campaigns and radio campaigns also giving wide coverage for new film releases. Films often have dedicated film websites where the trailer can be viewed, and are suitable for viewers of any age as footage is cut to make sure there are no harsh mature themes. However, trailers that are shown in cinemas often match to the classification of the film being screened. 

After discussion, I came to the conclusion that...

• When people watch live TV, it is unlikely that they will watch the adverts shown between shows. This is because they have no interest in anything other than the show they sat down to watch. The adverts are often used as a 'break' to either get a snack, talk to people around you or simply zone out. 
• Even though the number of people that watch TV is considerably larger than those who go to the cinema, it is actually a more successful place to screen trailers. People are more likely to engage with trailers at the cinema because they can be viewed on the big screen and with surround sound. This being said, many people do in fact turn up late to the cinema because they know there will be at least 15 mins of trailers that they want to miss. 
• Trailer on DVDs have disadvantages as DVDs are viewed as quite outdated as we now have access to instant availability through platforms like Netflix.  Equally, you can fast-forward to the beginning of the film, missing out all the trailers before the movie.

I watched a video where Dan Skinner explains how the style of a trailer is affected by a number of factors including where it will be seen, who by and for how long. 

1. Teaser Trailer

This is a shorter and more succinct version of the main trailer. It's main aim is to give you a glimpse into what to expect from this film such as genre. It lacks in providing the audience with the plot and story of the film and instead focuses on making a positive first impression without revealing too much about the film. 

2. Main Trailer

These tend to last 2-3 minutes and follow a 3-act structure. They are far more detailed and give a deeper sense of the film, focusing on plot and storytelling. Throughout the structure, the trailer will set tone and storyline for the film - revealing problems the characters will face. In the final 'act', the trailer intends to excite the audience by showcasing star talent and director power. This is usually achieved by a montage where the editing creates fast-pace cuts as well as cast runs which is where an actor will be named followed by shots of them in the film. 

The Main Trailer is the most significant piece of media marketing as it will be shown online, in theatres and cinemas and on all social media platforms. 

3. TV Spots

TV Spots are condensed trailers and often are aimed at people who have previous knowledge of the film and main trailer. The main aim of these is to leave an impression on the audience which is a struggle as the duration of these clips is limited to 30 seconds, 20 seconds or even sometimes 10 seconds. Therefore, they have to choose the most exciting and impactful shots and lines. By the time the TV Spot comes out, the film has been reviewed and so sometimes the clips will contain positive reviews to encourage more people to watch it. 

4. Using Graphics

There are two types of Graphics - Copy and Pedigree. 

Copy (as in Copywriting) is the writing that features in a trailer which can be used to guide you through the story and point you towards certain aspects that the film makers want you to see and absorb. 

Pedigree can come from the studio such as a company logo, equally it could be about the director of the film as well as the cast and or writers. This allows audiences to be interested in the film as they can see it has either come from somewhere they like or the actors are ones they enjoy watching. 

5. Trailers in the Digital Age

Producers have to be aware that the trailers in the Digital Age are going to be viewed on many different types of devices and they have to make sure the trailer is tailored to fit each varying device in terms of visual shots and sound quality. For example, if the trailer plays in a cinema, producers are working with a wide and large canvas and surround sound. Therefore, they must make sure that the quality of the visual picture is high and they would use immersive sound (if a spaceship goes over your head in the trailer, the sound will move from the back speakers to the front ones). 

Furthermore, trailers that will be viewed on a smaller device such as phones need to be visually and audibly altered to fit the device properties for example, smaller bits of 'snackable content' which would appear online on platforms like Instagram. 

Additionally, the digital age means that trailers are analysed frame by frame by fans when looking for theories. This means that producers have to be aware of this and make sure that they are careful in not revealing too much.