1. INCEPTION TRAILER ANALYSIS
INTIAL RESEARCH INTO CONSTRUCTION
OF TRAILERS

2. The inception trailer uses a variety of methods to
keep the audience engaged . The trailer tries to
appeal to the audience by displaying the different
genres such as action, psychological thriller and
the use of the different shots . Inception has a
very original/unique idea it breaks away from
genre. It has a massive audience it appeals to
teenagers (15+) but also has an adult audience.
The target audience for this film are young adults
and teenagers. Inception appeals to this audience
with the use of fast-paced action scenes with
create a fun buzz surrounding the film, and also
the complex narrative and themes within the
film. e.g (LEONARDO DICAPRIO)

3. The opening shot shows Leonardo DiCaprio’s
character Dom Cobb in a dark setting with only
parts of his body lit up. This shot engages the
audience because it establishes the main
character, because the main character is a famous
actor the audience will be engaged because they
want to see him. The use of lighting is also dark
and mysterious, this again engages the audience
because they are drawn in by the mystery and
leaves the audience questioning.

4. The 2nd image: The audience is also drawn in by
the way in which the dream world is nothing like
anything in the real world. The image above
shows the world folding over, this is something
that could not happen in the real world because it
is not physically possible, because it can be done
in the dream world the audience is drawn in by
this new world.
Towards the end of the trailer more and more
quick shots are used to create tension and
excitement as these scenes are usually action
packed. As the pictures below display a lot of the
pictures are action based and hook the audience
because it is fast paced.

5. All of these pictures engage the audience
because they are very fast paced and it keeps the
audience interested. The scenes vary between
shooting from a car to being at a cafe with the
world exploding around the main characters. The
audience wants to find out what is happening and
why it is happening. These quick cut action
scenes are a good way to engage the audience
and leave them wanting more.
The 7th image: This shot shows a close up of a
spinning top that DiCaprio has spun, from this
first clip we learn that DiCaprio is a key
character/ main prtoagonsit in the film because
he is the first person we see. The shot above
shows the spinning top, because the camera is
focused on the top it suggests that the top also
plays an important role in the film, however we
are unable to conclude what the top represents.

6. While this scene is on the screen DiCaprio can
be heard narrating over the visuals for 30
seconds. He says, “What is the most resiliant
parasite? An idea.
A single idea from a human mind can build a city.
An idea can transform the world and re-write the
rules
Which is why I have to steal it”
This non-diagetic dialogue in the opening 30
seconds of the trailer are important because they
are the first words that the audience and help
give the audience about what the film is about.
By mentioning an idea and its power implys that
an idea will be an important part of the film and
the last line suggests that he will be trying to steal
a single idea.

7. Each line in the trailer is linked the visuals on
screen. The first sentence is played over the top
of DiCaprio spinning the top, from the use of
the words and showing DiCaprio the audience
can link that he is somehow associated with an
idea.
The next line, ” A single idea from a human
mind can build cities” is supported by the visuals
showing a city being folded over. As you can see
in the picture below you can see the city folding
over on itself.
the 2nd image is a good representation of the
sci-fi nature of the film :The way in which the
city is being altered defines the law of physics
and is not real. By linking this visual image to the
dialogue being spoken over the top suggests that
this bending of the city has come from
someones imagination and is simply an idea. This
also helps convey the narrative by suggesting that
you need to be able to escape the laws of physics
in order to construct a city like that, and that the
subconscinous is the only place to go to be able
to do that.

8. the 8 & 9 image: From the two corresponding
images we can see the continuation of
subconsciousness and its importance with the
narrative and film. By using text the audience
gains more information about the film, learning
that the mind plays an important part of the film
and that the words “scene of the crime” suggest
something illegal is going to take place in the last
place you thought was accessible.
The last scene in the trailer however does not
carry on the narrative and is used more in
hooking role, it is used because it is dramatic and
out of the ordinary and the audience will want to
see what is going on and why it happening.

9. The final picture: The final image is this, and it
shows the word Inception built into a maze. This
is done because the mind is like a maze and when
entering someone’s dreams it is not a simple
walk, it is a maze and it takes a lot of skill and
cunning to work your way through the maze and
find out what is in the middle. The maze
represents different dimensions .
Film trailers do not only include famous directors
they also include the names of some of the
actors. Inception’s leading man is Leonardo
DiCaprio. He is famous for his roles in many
films such as Titanic and Romeo and Juliet.
Having a world-famous actor in your film will
attract many fans who like his acting and want to
see more. Big names also reflect a big budget and
if a film has a big budget it means the can do
better special effects and have more money to
spend then small independent film companies.
The picture below shows Leonardo DiCaprio’s
credit in the trailer. (FROM THE DIRECTOR
OF DARK KNIGHT) WARNER BROS