Film Education | Teaching Trailers 2011

Analysis

In order to communicate key messages to an audience, producers of film trailers use certain conventions and devices.

This chart shows the beginnings and endings of jumbled-up sentences. Using your mouse, move around the endings in the right hand column so that each sentence describes a different trailer convention.

Beginnings of sentences	Ends of sentences
Voiceovers are used to...	...are showcased
The stars of the film...	...is interspersed with actor or director credits on screen
Key points...	...not appear until the end
Conversations between characters often...	...plays an important role in creating atmosphere
Dramatic camera angles may...	...is often used to highlight the most dramatic, humorous or fast-paced aspects of the film
Action...	...tell the story and give credit information
Music...	...builds to a climax, where it ends
The film’s title may...	...are sometimes conveyed through titles (words on screen)
The trailer...	...be chosen to show events or characters
Montage (a series of shots from different points in the film, edited together)...	...consist of one-liners
Check your answers

Extension

Watch a trailer on the disc Teaching Trailers Secondary 2011. Try to spot three of the conventions listed in the task and discuss how they function to communicate an idea of the film.

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Teaching Trailers

Analysis

Beginnings of sentences

Ends of sentences

Extension