MAKING TRAILERS

We look at the trailer genre and discuss how its conventions (= what elements are usually in trailers). Trailers are essentially advertisements for films. Their aim is to persuade audiences to see the film. They have to signal the film's genre, stars and directors (if they are selling points), release date and enough of the narrative to hook audiences but not so much that they spoil the surprise.

Film distributors organize the screening of trailers in cinemas (cinema theatres) and on television. 

Here is a cinematic trailer for a brand new release, Charlotte

Increasingly, distributors cut films for smart phones with portrait format. The trailer also appears on the film's social media sites (FB, Instagram, Twitter) all of which have different target audiences. TikTok is used as a platform to reach GenZ.

Here is the film website for a low-budget independent film, The Institute (the sort of film that you might make, starting out). We look at the TikTok video on its social media link.

Notice that....

• editing is not continuity editing (as the narrative arc is long)
• inter titles between clips (= writing) about the director, actors, awards, pull quotes
  
• additional inter titles explain the narrative (THOSE WHO HAVE SURVIVED / LIVE BY ONE RULE / NEVER MAKE A SOUND
  
• sound track build to the climax
• release date
• film title
  

We watch A Quiet Place as a possible model for us to copy (=make a swede)

HAVE A GO: you can team up with another person and share footage.
If you have iMovie, there is a great TRAILER TEMPLATE - choose the thriller one! EXAMPLE BELOW! "I'm Here, Find Me"
Keep it simple - creep around the house / garden, whisper about the creature that is stalking you... let the soundtrack do the work.
Add the film title and release date 12.02.2021
Perhaps add an inter-title like THE LAST ONES LEFT...

FILM POSTER - example below that I made yesterday
Either landscape or portrait, with a strong central image, release date 12.02.2021, FILM TITLE is the biggest text
Star talent at the top (names of actors) in capital letters - but keep them small or the whole poster will look out of proportion.
Tagline - like 'If they hear you, they hunt you'. ......Don't make a sound. ......Never leave the path.

IRL LESSON: SEATING PLAN

 

ADVERTISING

Advertising: TV commercials (moving image) and advertising posters (still image)

We are going to consider how an advertisement sells the product.

What 'language' does it use? This can include the set, the casting, the genre, the 'story'.

Print ads always feature the product, the product's name, the sell line ("Washes whiter") and the aspirational audience.

Does the time of year make a difference?

Who is the target audience? Does the age / gender make a big difference?

We have many examples to look at on the school's ClickView site.

Today, we start with others:

Lynx Attract: Unleash The Chaos

Christmas at Iceland: There's A Ran Tan

Levi's 501 Laundrette

Make an advertising poster

This lesson, use Powerpoint. 

Pick a backdrop image. 

Bring in your target buyer and then your product - use the 'remove background' feature in Powerpoint. 

Add the product name and sell line.

Post on Google Classroom

PREP finish for prep!