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Why is the film trailer made?

There are several elements to a marketing campaign for a film, from the trailer itself to posters in the street or on public transport, to online and viral marketing. The marketing campaign is designed to raise audience awareness and interest in a film in advance of, and during, its cinema release.

  1. Look at the titles of these three trailers – but don’t watch them just yet.
    • Identity Thief
    • Oz the Great and the Powerful
    • Robot and Frank
    Based on just the titles, what clues are there about the content of the film? Try to say what exactly you are basing your ideas on. Is it the associations of a particular word or phrase? Is it knowledge of other films?
  2. Now watch the trailers. How accurate were your predictions?
  3. Trailers help audiences understand the genre of a film. Referring to the trailers listed above, which ones fit the following genres? Do any of the trailers seem to fit more than one genre? Give reasons for your answers:
    • Comedy
    • Fantasy
    • Action adventure
Close

Identity Thief

TEXT: FROM THE DIRECTOR OF HORRIBLE BOSSES

MAN: It says we gotta cut the card, you don’t pay your bills.

MAN: I pay my bills. Swipe it one more time, nothing wrong with that card.

MAN: Randy, go get a debit card.

MAN: It’s Sandy

MAN: Sandy? (mocks in Spanish: My name is Sandy!)

MAN: I bet that was hurtful wasn’t it?

MAN: Oh hurtful, hurtful.

TEXT: AND A PRODUCER OF TED

MAN: (talking on the phone) Exceeded the credit limit? I use the card for coffee and gas. Florida! Right Beyond Watersports? Never heard of it. I’m in Colorado, we don’t have beaches, ya know, we’re land-locked.

MAN: Mr. Patterson. You missed your court date in Florida, three days ago.

MAN: I’ve never even been to Florida.

MAN: Pull a mugshot.

MAN: What the hell is this?

MAN: If I had to guess I’d say the person who stole your identity.

WOMAN: Sandy Bigelow Patterson

[WOMAN SNORES]

WOMAN: Argh! What the…

MAN: Your receipt

WOMAN: You know what, keep the card, it’s done.

WOMAN: Wooh! Party people!

TEXT: NEXT YEAR

MAN: Look at her she’s like a hobbit. I can handle her. I’m going after Bilbo.

WOMAN: This is crazy. You don’t chase criminals. You’re not Batman.

[CAR SCREECHES AND CRASHES]

WOMAN: Oww! My neck!

MAN: Neck hurts huh? Why don’t we swap information? Sandy Bigelow Patterson. Bigelow is such a rare name.

WOMAN: It’s  a family name. Jeremiah Bigelow was a pretty well-known bear hunter.

MAN: Sounds brave. Here’s my driver’s license with my name Sandy Bigelow Patterson. Gotcha!

[CAR CRASHES]

MAN: What are you crazy?!

MAN: We’re gonna have a little talk.

WOMAN: We’re gonna be adults about this.

MAN: Yeah, let’s!

[GUNSHOT]

[CAR CRASH]

MAN: Hey!

[WOMAN SCREAMS]

[CAR SCREAMS]

MAN: Oh thank god, you’re alright though? Huh?

WOMAN: The rental car doesn’t even have a scratch on it.

MAN: Whoa! That’s great news. Car’s fine. What’s more important is…

[LORRY CRASHES CAR]

WOMAN: Oh you should have put your hazards on.

TEXT: IDENTITY THIEF

TEXT: COMING SOON

 

Oz: The Great and Powerful

[Music]

OZ: Kansas is full of good men. I don’t wanna be a good man, I wanna be a great one.

MAN: You’re gonna need this!

[Sound of strong winds and man screaming]

TEXT: FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE SPIDER-MAN TRILOGY

[Birdsong]

OZ: Am I dreaming?

TEXT: AND THE PRODUCER OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND

THEODORA: You’re in Oz. I’m Theodora the Good Witch.

OZ: Where’s your broom?

THEODORA: You don’t know much about witches do you?

THEORDORA: It’s the Emerald City!

EVANORA: You are here at last and the prophecy shall be fulfilled.

THEODORA: This is my sister…

EVANORA: Evanora, I am here to serve you.

EVANORA: The royal treasure of Oz. It belongs to you but only after you defeat the wicked witch.

OZ: Just how wicked is she?

GLINDA: Towns were destroyed…

[Witch cackles]

GLINDA: Children were orphaned. Great Wizard from Kansas, I’ve waited for you to come and set things right.

OZ: Me?

CROWS: You’ll die, you’ll die!
MONKEY: Did those crows just say we’re gonna die?

EVANORA: Your magic is the only thing strong enough to save us all.

OZ: Please tell me you gentlemen can fight?

MAN: No.

MAN: But we sing!

OZ: Guys, take five.

OZ: I might not actually be a wizard.

GLINDA: Yes, but they don’t know that. You’re capable of more than you know.

DOLL: Help! Please!

THEODORA: Are you the great man we’ve been waiting for?

OZ: I think I could be.

TEXT: THIS MARCH

TEXT: THE LAND YOU KNOW

TEXT: THE STORY YOU DON’T

TEXT: OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

TEXT: MARCH 2013

 

Robot and Frank

[Music]

[Phone rings]

FEMALE VOICE: Call from Madison Weld

FRANK: Maddie my girl!

MADISON: Hi, how are you?

FRANK: Oh you know, fine.

MADISON: Has Hunter been coming round?

HUNTER: Dad, you have a problem.

FRANK: There’s nothing wrong with my memory.

HUNTER: You’re worse every time I come up here. I brought you something.

ROBOT: Hi Frank.

FRANK: You have got to be kidding me. That thing is going to murder me in my sleep.

HUNTER: Somebody’s gonna murder you in your sleep.

TEXT: “MAGNIFICANT FUNNY & HEARTWARMING” MTV

ROBOT: Wake up Frank. Today we’re going to start a garden.

FRANK: I’m not gardening!

ROBOT: Well my programme’s goal is to improve your health.

FRANK: Just bring me some cereal.

ROBOT: Cereal is for children.

FRANK: You’re for children stupid.

TEXT: “INGENIOUS, HILARIOUS & MOVING” BBC RADIO 5 LIVE

FRANK: Hey, you took this?

ROBOT: I saw you had it but the shop keeper distracted you.
FRANK: Do you know what stealing is?

ROBOT: According to your file, you were first arrested for possessing stolen goods.

FRANK: I specialized in jewelry, diamonds.

TEXT: “WONDERFUL. A TREAT OF A MOVIE” THE TIMES

JENNIFER: Hey Frank. Is this your new robot?

FRANK: Yes it is.

JENNIFER: There’s this fundraiser party thing on Friday and all the young hoity-toity couples are gonna come.

FRANK: Sounds awful.

JENNIFER: Yeah. Do you wanna come with me?

FRANK: Yes.

JENNIFER: Cool.

FRANK: Look at all the jewels. These people are loaded. I know exactly who the first mark is gonna be.

ROBOT: Planning this burglary was a great idea. I’m very pleased with your progress Frank.

FRANK: That was your best time yet.

TEXT: “FRANK LANGELLA GIVES A PHENOMENAL PERFOMANCE” HEYUGUYS

JENNIFER: Frank, it’s me! What’s going on in there?

MAN: Frank Weld is a suspect in a multi-million dollar robbery.

FRANK: Get in.

HUNTER: That’s impossible.

FRANK: I’m in a bit of trouble.

JENNIFER: Of course you are.

TEXT: ACADEMY AWARD© NOMINEE FRANK LANGELLA, JAMES MARSDEN, LIV TYLER & ACADEMY AWARD© WINNER SUSAN SARANDON
FRANK: I need him.

MADISON: What do you need him for?

FRANK: He’s my friend.

TEXT: ROBOT & FRANK

FRANK: You’re starting to grow on me.

ROBOT: Thank you Frank. It’s time for your enema.

TEXT: QUOTES

TEXT: COMING SOON