16 Film Trailers and Narrative - Shot Types (Assessment task HT3)

Learning Objective: 
You will translate the trailer for Skyfall to storyboard panels.

Key words: Establishing, mid shot, close up, pan, track, tilt.

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The narrative structure of a film trailer could be simply shortened to this:

• Opening 
• Build Up 
• Problem 
• Events 

Occasionally people complain that film trailers give far too much away. An effective trailer avoids any suggestion of resolution and ending, perhaps just a hint that the protagonist is going to learn an important lesson. The intention is to leave audiences wanting more, not feeling they have seen all the ‘best bits’ already. The key events are often put in non-chronological order so the actual film will not be too predictable.

Task 1:
Watch this trailer for the film Cabin in the Woods (2012) and list any spoilers or information that could have been withheld from cinema goers.



Task 2: 
Watch this trailer for Cast Away and list any spoilers or information that could have been withheld from cinema goers.



Trailer techniques
Once key moments from a film have been chosen, the editors who cut the trailer refer to editing conventions (some might say clichés) that can provoke the intended emotions and begin to tell the story.

Task 3: List these conventions:
The following are some examples that can be seen in horror, action and fantasy:
Long shots to establish character, setting and the 'dilemma'
Fades to black that suggest shifts in time.
Transitions accompanied by booming SFX, building tension and placing significance on the text on screen – often white on black
Short shots and quick cuts of some of the most exciting moments from the film, the ‘events’ that lead to resolution but not necessarily in chronological order
Quiet music to establish story, menacing music to highlight villains, build to a crescendo
Sudden moments of quiet and silence between and after music and SFX, which have equal impact on mood and pace.

Trailers for a comedy are very different. Editors can play fast and loose with transitions to create a lighter touch. The use of split screens, wipes and sound effects become acceptable as the film is not to be taken seriously.

The voiceover and text on screen will most likely feature the film’s USP, its unique selling point. This will be something that can be communicated on a poster. If lots of the chosen moments of the film feature character dialogue then these phrases may appear on screen to read instead.

Here is a selection of commonly used techniques:
'This Season'… (creates a sense of anticipation)
'From the people who brought you…' (refers to established audience)
'Based on the unbelievable true story…'
'Based on the bestselling book…'
Star names (actors or director)
The title (often heard and seen at the same time to cement it in viewers' minds)
Official website so audiences can find out more

Aside from these persuasive features however, the language on screen and in the voiceover can also establish the narrative. Words chosen can suggest key themes and summarise the plot in a grand way to suggest the plot is timeless and universal. 

Some clichéd examples are:
…They will find hope where they least expect it
...One man's destiny…
…She will face her biggest challenge
...It will change their lives forever!
...Experience a new kind of fear

Task 4:
Analyse the trailer for Skyfall.
List the shot types used in the first ten scenes.
Names of shot types covered in class can be found at this blog post: Camera angles and shot types.



Task 5: (Assessment task HT1)
Using the given story board template, rough out the first six to ten shots of a trailer of the Skyfall trailer.

This is an assessment task and you must should show evidence of knowledge of the following:

• Shot types: Establishing shot, mid shot, close up, *Pans and tilts can be drawn outside the border of the panel.
• Visual codes and their purpose.
• Technical codes such as lighting, sound.
• Indication of voice over narration.
• Enigmas such as shadows

This is not an Art exam. 'Stick figures' will suffice if other elements are clearly indicated such as;

• the direction the characters are looking into. 
• Where the light is coming from.
• The horizon line. 
• Body language. 
• Colour (just write the colours if necessary)

Year 10 Written task success criteria
Knowledge of the concept of genre/narrative/representation
Awareness of relevant theories
Demonstrates knowledge of the convergent nature of contemporary media
Use of media terminology/key words
Quality of written communication