Trailers: Codes, Conventions and Useful Miscellany

BBC trailer for teen drama "Waterloo Road"

A trailer is a short piece of footage that is used to advertise a film or television series, the timing of a trailer is crucial, if it is shown too early then the audience will forget about it and then forget about watching the program too. If it is shown too late then it will not be able to attract a big enough audience. The majority of trailers for television series tend to be shown about a month prior to the release of the program they are advertising, they are then shown regularly from then on until the program is released. For those wishing to see trailers they are commonly found on television and on the internet. Film trailers can also be found in cinemas.

Official trailer for 'Skins' on YouTube,
 it is appropriate as we are doing a teenager themed Soap.
We particularly like the blurred effect of the shot to show a drunken party.

     A trailer is not actually a mini-film piece but indeed a genre in its own right and like all genres, trailers have their own typical codes and conventions.

Trailer for an existing Teen soap "Hollyoaks"

     Some of these codes and conventions are.,- attention grabbing, (require 100% of audience attention to attract audience) they create mood and a atmosphere.) trailers are fast moving and have a fast pace, (they require it as they are only 2 minutes long or more often even shorter still so they have to convey a general idea of the storyline and interest an audience in a short time.) Sound is particularly important in trailers, especially the music as if the music is good then it will engage the audience, if the music is not appropriate then it will be likely to disengage the audience and put them off watching the program. Some trailers have voice overs as well, the above principle is the same if the voice is good then the audience will be interested, if not they won't be.