Questions on 'The Expendables' Trailer

·At what point in the trailer are we told the name of the film? Why is this?

We are told the name of the film at the very end of the film just before the release date. This is because the audience are much more likely to remember the film name at the end rather than at the beginning as it would still be fresh in their minds.

·Why are we told who is starring in the film? How is this information given to

us?

The information of who is in the film is given to the audience towards the end of the trailer. The names of the characters have been written in clear, big, white font which then is followed by a shot of the character. The audience are usually told this as the majority of stars in the film are all big Hollywood actors meaning that they will be easily recognised. A film with lots of famous people in usually suggests that the film is going to be really good meaning it is more likely to be watched by a very large audience.

·What type of action from the film do we see?

Throughout the film there is a lot of action, there is a lot of violence as well as well meaning this could be one of the reasons why it has been rated 15. There is a lot of fighting with different types of gun eg machine guns. A lot of special effects have been used in the trailer such as big fire explosions and sound effects which go with explosions and shootings.

· What clues does the music give us as to what type of film the trailer is

advertising?

The majority of the music that has been used in non-diegetic, the music is very tense and loud. This could have been used to cause suspension when the audience watch the trailer. The music also fits together with all the explosions and shootings that take place in the film which suggests that the film is an action film. When the action scenes are being shown in the trailer the music then starts to pick up pace and becomes very quick in order to make people want to see what happens next.

· What can you say about the voice of the person delivering the voiceover?

Why do you think this voice was chosen? What effect does it have?

I think this voice was chosen because as it is very serious and immediately sets the atmosphere for the rest of the trailer. The voice over has also only been used at the very beginning of the trailer this could have been to show mystery to the audience as the characters do not know what is going out yet.

· How does the speed of what we see compare to watching a clip from a

film? Why is this? Does the speed alter through the trailer or stay the same?

At the beginning of the trailer the speed is quite a slow place, the trailer also seems to be flowing in order of events of what happen throughout the film. As the trailer moves on the music starts to get louder and louder and the trailer starts to get quicker this is because it is only showing very small snippets of the film at the end.

· What information are we given in the very last frame of the trailer?

‘Join the fight’ The word ‘join’ is very effective as it will make the viewers click on the facebook link to see what is going on. It is also a very persuasive word as it could make the person feel very involved with the film and automatically side with Stallone and his men. However by putting this on social media it could then mean that different people can discuss the trailer and also could help the trailer get more views as if a lot of people are talking about the trailer then this could make people who haven’t seen it go and check it out.

· Which is more effective in making you want to see the film, the poster or the

trailer? Why is this?

I would definitely say the trailer as this actually shows you different clips of the film meaning that you are more likely to understand the film. I also personally think that the trailer is more likely to leave it fresh in your mind meaning there is more of a chance you actually going to see the film. Whereas if it was just a poster then there is more of a chance people would forget about the film. A poster cannot really tell you what the film is about either.

· Where would you expect to see this trailer : (give reasons)

a)    before what films at the cinema-

I would expect to see ‘The Expendables’ trailer before going to watch an action film at the cinema as the people who are going to watch the film being screened must be into action films meaning if this trailer were to be shown before another action film then these people are more likely going to go and watch it as they must like films like this.

b)    before what TV programmes ?

Probably before crime programmes on TV or even big reality TV programmes just because a lot of people would be watching the TV meaning all the money spent on the advertising wouldn’t be a waste and may actually pay off as it would be reaching out to a large amount of people on the TV.