Making a Trailer

Donald LaFontainehttp://www.soundtrack.ne

t/trailers/

Task 1

• Watch and create a PP or Prezi that presents the key features of Noir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2_wWc99g88

• Cinematography (shot composition)• Mise-en scene (settings)• Editing (juxtraposition of images/sounds/text)• Sound (music/dialogue/momologue)• Themes (messages, ideology)• Characterisation (types, function)• Narrative (plot conventions)

Define these terms

Genre Story

PlotSetting

CharactersVoice OverThemeMoodOn-screen graphics Editing

Post production

Music

Sound Effects

Events of the whole narrativeType of film e.g. noirAural effects added Key fictional people (age/gender/ethnicity/class etc)Words used superimposed/intertitlesNarrator (objective/subjective)The tone(s) of the trailer?Shots juxtaposed using transitionsLocation, e.g. interior/exterior, urban/ruralThe order of eventsVisual effects added after shootingThe message(s) of the film?Aural medium

Definition of the form

• Trailers consist of a series of selected shots from the film being advertised. Since the purpose of the trailer is to attract an audience to the film, these excerpts are usually drawn from the most exciting, funny, or otherwise noteworthy parts of the film but in abbreviated form and without producing spoilers. For this purpose the scenes are not necessarily in the order in which they appear in the film. A trailer has to achieve that in less than two and a half minutes, the maximum length allowed by theaters. Each studio or distributor is allowed to exceed this time limit once a year, if they feel it is necessary for a particular film.

Trailer Conventions

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvcEBftK8M8&list=PL3DCEF3CC55687A3D&index=1

Trailer Conventions

• Ratings advice (BBFC)• Studio logo• Montage of clips• Fades/other transitions apart from cut• Voiceover• Dialogue used to convey narrative• Text for narrative and credits• Music• Title• Release date

Film Noir Trailers

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzuaR5YuOdY&list=PLEE0B887DCB0F943C&index=2

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B70_R1igohw&list=PLEE0B887DCB0F943C&index=6

Neo Noir Trailers

• LA Confidential - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0qgbccDS78

• Mullholland Dr• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=PqxxMljN5_Q• Batman –• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

HlsM2_8u_mk• Matrix• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ls19O-

9p3s• Jackie Brown-• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

G7HkBDNZV7s• Bound –• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=7kA0K66yQxo• Resurrection of Serious Rogers• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=LtYh1Q_3fYw

Task 2: Written Analysis

Write a written analysis of a neo noir trailer (1500 words) – To what extent is the trailer for XXXX conventional of this media form. Think about what the audience is shown and why.

Use the following terms:• Credits and intertitles: these are words on

screen that give information to the audience • Dialogue: any conversations between

charactersGenre: a type or category of film e.g. horror, romantic comedy

• etc. • Music: the choice of music can have a huge

impact on the ‘mood’ of a film • Narrative: the ‘story’ or plot structure of a

film or trailer • Pace: how quickly or slowly the shots within

the trailer play • Shot types/camera angles: for example,

close-up, medium shot or long shot • Special effects: includes computer-generated

graphics, stunts and explosions • Target audience: the group of people a film or

other product is aimed at • Unique selling point: what makes a particular

film unique and ‘sellable’ • Voiceover: a voice recorded over the top of

the trailer to give information to the audience

Task 3: Comparative Analysis

• Compare two noir film trailers, one classic, the other noir.

• What are the key similarities?• What are the key differences?

• Account for these: time, audience, type of trailer etc

Task 4

• Create your own trailer for a classic noir film• Use Stream Clip/Final

Cut/Garageband/LiveType• Beginning/Middle/End• Pace• Techniques• Voiceover

• http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3DCEF3CC55687A3D

Task 5

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oytYLm1OTcM&list=UUSFAYalJ2Q7Tm_WmLgetmeg

• Present a timeline Prezi on the history of the movie trailer

Stages

1. Choose sequences using log sheet

2. Import using MPEG Streamclip

3. Paper edit

4. Edit in Final Cut

5. Create and add titles in Live Type

6. Export as Quicktime

Stage 1

• Select the clips using log sheet

Stage 2

• Import the clips using MPEG Streamclip

Stage 2

• Import the clips using MPEG Streamclip

Stage 3

• Paper edit – This allows you to plan the trailer logically (this stage could be bypassed but think of the learning you are missing) If you miss this stage, please add a table of the pros and cons of this decision.

Stage 4

• Edit in Final Cut/Premiere: import, move, audio, speed up, colour correction, transitions

Stage 5

• Add Live Type titles

Export as Quicktime

Task 6 - Evaluation

1. What specific techniques did you use in your trailer?

2. Who is the audience?

3. What have you told the audience in terms of plot/characters etc?

4. What have you not told the audience in terms of plot/characters etc?

5. Document your new technical skills with examples.

• http://www.frankwbaker.com/movie_trailers_as_persuasion.htm

Task 7 - Noir Lighting

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsmVL7SDp5Y

• Using still and moving images, create a video that explains your experiment with three point lighting

Task 8 - Dolly Zoom

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amj6RiGiTOE

• Using still and moving images, create a video that explains your experiment with a dolly zoom