Conventions of a horror trailer

1. CONVENTIONS
OF A HORROR
TRAILER
LAURA BRUCE

2. FILM
ADVERTISEMENTS
Film trailers are often released long before a movie is out in
order to promote the film. A trailer is short clips of the actual
movie put together to give the audience an insight into the
narrative. Films are best advertised through trailers as they
are visual mediums therefore they are best advertised
visually.
Trailers are generally shown in a non- chronological order
and show the best scenes of a movie, however they never
show any spoilers.

3. TYPES OF TRAILERS
There are two types of trailers;
Teaser- This is a short trailer that is usually put together
whilst filming is still taking place. Teaser trailer are the first to
be released and aren’t more 1:30 long.
Theatrical- These types of trailers are put together at the end
of a production or soon before the end. These types of
trailers are much longer and are around 1:30 – 2:30.

4. WHAT MAKES UP A
TRAILER
Shots- This is the visual part of the trailer which is shots clips
from the film put together. The shots shown in a trailer are
normally the best parts of the film to create excitement and
interest the audience.
Dialogue- Dialogue is used over the shots to briefly explain the
narrative to the audience so they are aware of what’s going on in
the trailer. This is usually dialogue from the characters taken
from the film.
Voiceover- A voiceover is added on top of the clips so narrate
what’s going on. This is used to add dramatic atmosphere.
Music- Music is also used to create the right atmosphere within
the trailer. They use music or songs that is appropriate for the
type of genre film. For example in a horror trailer loud jumpy
music will be used to create a scary atmosphere. In a trailer for a
romantic comedy soft upbeat music will be used to create a
happy atmosphere.

5. WHAT MAKES UP A
TRAILER
Text cards- These are often used instead of voice overs to
create an atmosphere.

6. WHAT MAKES UP A
TRAILER
Director/ producer/ Source material info- These are also put
on text cards and placed in the trailer to give credit to these
people. The director would me mentioned to inform the
audience he/she has directed the film. This interests the
audience as they want to see the film is they have seen films
they have previously directed and liked them. In the 30Days
Of night trailer producer Sam Raimi is in the trailer. Sam will
be known for his involvement in the Spiderman films and it
will also attract fans of the Evil Dead series.

7. WHAT MAKES UP A
TRAILER
Shot taglines are used throughout the trailer to express
statements that create an atmosphere for the film. These will
often be rhetorical questions to involve the audience in the
trailer. For example, these taglines are used in the 30 Days Of
Night trailer.

8. WHAT MAKES UP A
TRAILER
Studio logos are used to let you know who made the film.
These are sometimes altered to fit in with the genre of the
movie being advertised.
Most films have their own logos with specially designed
fonts to make they easily recognisable and fir them to be
associated with the film. In 30 Days Of Night “Columbia” is
given credit at the start. They also have their own logo for the
movie which is represented in the film.

9. WHAT MAKES UP A
TRAILER
At the end of the trailer Billing blocks are usually put in
which is a list of important people are crew members
involved in the making of the film.
Most trailers will give a release date at the end of a trailer to
inform to audience on when they can expect to see it,
however sometimes when a date is not being released yet
there will be a text card which reads “Coming soon.” This is
usually on a teaser trailer.

10. STRUCTURE
A trailer starts with an equilibrium, a disruption will the occur
however the change back to an equilibrium will not be shown
as it would show spoilers.
Trailers reveal the plot slowly and then move into short shots
placed together to create a build up of events. A final scare
will then be placed at the end of a horror trailer.