What Is A Teaser Trailer?

A teaser trailer is a short trailer used to advertise an upcoming film. In the following I will be analysing five very different teaser trailers in order to select aspects of teaser trailers that I like and hope to include in my own trailer.

Inception
Released: July 2010
Directed by: Christopher Nolan

There is no dialogue in the trailer, however, the musical accompaniment is so carefully composed, the lack of dialogue is not noticeable. The music begins with frequent thumps, which are surrounded by more sounds increasing in volume and tempo as the trailer progresses. The synchrony of the ominous music with the puzzling footage of the film depicted on screen definitely builds anticipation within the audience.

The synergy of the titles are very effective and in my opinion the best thing about the trailer. Opening with the classical ‘Warner Bros Pictures’ Logo, adapted to correspond with the content of the film; grey with buildings erected from it, is genius and, as such, before the trailer has even officially begun an expectation of the quality and standard of the film has already been set - very high! The zoom into the buildings of the logo gives the impression of the audience being transported into a different world, a world where things don’t make sense, people fight on the ceiling and ‘Your mind is the scene of the crime.’

The font used for the titles, keeps with the theme of the film and looks like buildings – being square, with sharp edges and metallic grey. The harsh and minimalistic typeface sets a tone of professionalism and hence puts a weight and importance behind the few statements it displays. The font is as dramatic as the music and commands to be looked at.

This teaser trailer does exactly what it says on the tin, teases and entices the audience. It does so expertly, by keeping the audience on a strictly need to know basis. All of the footage of the film actually featured in the trailer, when isolated don’t have any real significance or give any of the film away, however, the footage shows enough to pique an audiences interest e.g. the two men fighting in a seemingly anti-gravity hotel corridor. The commanding titles punch in with the tempo of the music and boasts to the audience all they need to know:

‘From Christopher Nolan’ a name attached to several successful blockbusters such as Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and in time, Inception.

‘The Director of The Dark Knight’ reinforcing the gravity of the name Christopher Nolan. But also showing this film is on the same scale as something as huge as The Dark Knight.

‘Leonardo DiCaprio’ a name synonymous with huge monumental movies like Titanic, Romeo and Juliet and The Departed.

I really like this trailer and it's my favourite of the bunch. I saw the film before this trailer, but I can say with certainty if I had seen this teaser first it would've only made me get to the cinema to see it quicker!

Cemetary Junction
Released: Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant
Directed by: April 2010

Cemetery Junction is a slightly unconventional trailer as it doesn't feature any footage from the film. It is inclusive of writers of the film, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant introducing themselves, the film and star Ralph Fiennes.

It is a medium shot depicting the three figures on a white backdrop. There is no music whilst the dialogue is happening causing conversation to be the main focus of the audience's attention. The simple smart black costume of the actors against the white background also contributes to making the conversation the most interesting thing going on as the eye is not distracted by any visuals. The dialogue is quite humorous and consist of Gervais' signature dry humour suggesting that said film 'Cemetery Junction' will be a comedy, and that is played on by having Ralph Fiennes as a star "as he's not known for his sense of humour" and mainly stars in serious films, such as Schindler's List.

The titles are very simple and in no way as innovative as Inception's, though the stark contrast between the black font and white backdrop commands the same attention.

I do like this trailer as it different to the typical teaser. However, as I am not partically a fan of Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant or Ralph Fiennes it did not inspire me in any shape whatsoever to look do research into the film, or to go and see it. Now, if it had been the same trailer but with Micheal McIntyre, Russel Howard and Mark Ruffalo, then it would've been a completely different kettle of fish, and I would have been eager to see it! The trailer is similiar in style to the Toy Story 3 Teaser trailer.

Toy Story 3
Released: June 2010

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Released: March 2004
Directed by: Michael Gondry

The trailer begins with an advertisement of the fictional science lab 'Lacuna' which is featured in the actual film. In this a doctor explains the concepts of a new treatment that allows you to forget bad memories - which is the concept of what happens in the film.

From here footage from the film is introduced depicting notable stars such as Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet doing a range of seemingly crazy things and having a good time to manically happy music. The musical sound track coming to an abrupt end with Jim Carrey shouting I don't want to do this anymore' highlighting the problem with this 'Lacuna treatment'.

What I like about this trailer is that it teases you in a less obvious way. It doesn't hide everything from the audience, e.g. Inception, Cemetary Junction. It presents the concept of the film - the possibility of being able to erase bad memories - and then presents the audience with the implication of it all - being trapped in this world of good memories, and wanting to get out - leaving the film to fill in all the blanks.

Paranormal Activity
Released: October 2009
Directed by: Oren Peli

Paranormal Activity has a very creative teaser trailer, in my opinion, as it actually depicts people watching the movie in the trailer, which is something I haven't seen before. Corresponding the reality of the film a with the reality of the people in the cinema makes it seem more powerful and intensifies the horror. This setup of the trailer puts the viewer in the place of the audience in the trailer that are watching the film, thus putting you into the trailer and making you apart of what is about to happen. You become the people depicted in the trailer as the audience as you are in the same position as them, hence making empathy with them easy and intensifying the horror of it all.

The choice selection of the scary footage of the film, followed by shots of the audiences reaction increases the horror of the trailer. This paired with there being no notable actors in the film enforces the idea that the audience are witnessing a legit home movie. It was a real couple and a real haunting.

The musical score is very similar to that of Inception, with its atmospheric building up as the trailer progresses before returning to its initial state. The ordinary household sounds such as, floorboards creaking and door slamming, are maximised in volume and played persistently which is really effective.

I think a really effective element of the trailer is that it challenges the audience to see the film, The trailer already puts you in the position of the audience seeing the film, shows you some select footage, and the proceeds to to challenge you to 'see it for yourself' after stating it's the scariest film of all time.

The cutting-edge approach gives the impression that the film could actually live up to it's claim of being 'scariest film of all time.' according to bloody-disgusting.com

Bring scared of all horror films, and anything resembling one, seeing this trailer would've definately dettered me from ever watching this film. Which basically means it was a successful horror film trailer. However, after watching the film on a bet I wasn't scared...and I'm scared of everything! On that note I think that several movie goers would've been dissapointed with the film as it most definately did not live up to it's claim of being the scariest film of all time.'

Live Free or Die Hard
Released: Len Wiseman
Directed by: June 2007

Live Free or Die Hard follows suit of other Die Hard trailers and action films in general, showing all the big, intense explosive moments.

No plot or storyline is exposed during the trailer, unlike with 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' and as such a viewer not familiar with the Die Hard series won't know what the film is about. However, those familiar with it can just expect more of the same, and would be pretty accurate in assuming so.

Ending with a humorous line from Justin Long's character, who is a newbie to the film to Bruce Willis "Have you done this before?"

Notable stars e.g. Bruce Willis and Justin Long having large fan bases will attract and guarantee a good audience attendance.

Click to enlarge :D ...