RESEARCH: WHO ARE TRAILERS AIMED AT?

 Trailers are generally aimed at the same audience as the films they publicise. Different types of people like different genres of films and whilst everyone has their own unique taste, there are certain features that will have wide appeal to specific groups of people. 

I analysed three trailers and attempted to match the potential target audience to the categories below: 

The three trailers I watched were: Vita and Virginia, Frozen 2 and Apollo 11. 

My Conclusions

Vita and Virginia is suited to: Ages 25+, and probably more appealing to women. The film is a literacy adaptation and so literary, educated audiences would definitely be attracted to it and as the storyline involves literacy circles such as the Bloomsbury group. Additionally, it is set in the 1920s and so those who have an interest in period drama would enjoy the period costumes and set. The plot involves the history of women's liberation, meaning that it also might be of interest to women who are independent and social aware. Equally, Virginia's association to the Bloomsbury Group may interest lovers of social history, literature and art. National Trust and nature lovers are also targeted due to the beautiful gardens in which the film is located.  

Frozen 2 is suited to: Families and children under 13 which is the traditional target audience for Disney films. The film is animated to a high standard and so would engage adults who watch the film with their children. The main character also appeals to young female audiences who will aspire to be like Elsa - strong, courageous and independent. The appeal to children further comes from the dramatic music and visuals with hints of magic as well as the comedic element that we get from Olaf. 

Apollo 11 is suited to: A wide target audience of adults and teenagers and perhaps skew slightly more towards men. The trailer includes lots of action and adventure through dramatic visual and audio codes, enticing audiences who enjoy thriller genre-films and even space. The strong documentary style would appeal to those who enjoy modern history and NASA. The footage used is archival footage which builds to the excitement of the film and a sense of national pride. I recently watched the trailer for Gravity which also revolves around space travel but who suit another type of audience who enjoy tense, thrilling drama and action.