Evaluation of previous student made trailers. A2 Media Coursework

1. Zsanett Stockdale
EVALUATION OF
STUDENT MADE
TRAILERS

2. What I did
• I have evaluated six trailers, made by previous A Level Media students, around the UK. I have
included a list of each trailers strengths and weaknesses, as well as a summary of which trailer had
the best outcome. I personally researched some addiontal trailers, rather than the ones my teacher
provided me, as I wanted to collect several trailers all differing in genres. Therefore I have collected
those from genres of Horror, Thriller, Real Life Drama, Romcoms and Dramas. I purposely did this as
I wanted to expand my exploration into how different genres are portrayed and how things such as
mise-en-scene and camerwork are adjusted to fit with the specific genre. It also allowed me to look
a range of genres, rather one specific genre, as I haven’t finalised on the idea for my own film
trailer.
• Additionally, I selected each film trailer depending on it’s final achieved grade and the quality of the
trailer itself. My first two trailers picked were those achieved a C or below, whereas the rest
achieved a B or above. This enabled me to compare trailers of whom got perhaps a more lower
grade than other, especially as I aspire to produce my coursework to high standard (A-B). For
example, some trailers exceeded in their use of mise-en-scene, whereas other’s took little notice of
this, a key example to how some people achieved higher grades. Majority of my chosen trailers
where of a high grade as I believe it seemed inappropriate to focus on a an unaspiring grade as this
wouldn’t portray my individual understanding.
• The words in bold indicate media terminology, with words in bold, representing conventions of a
film trailer.

3. ‘Offline’ – Thriller/Drama
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGNeXbZk6s4
• Strengths :
• The trailer opened with the film company (Universal) which is usually included in
professional trailers, making it look more realistic and professional.
• A range of camera angles and movements are used throughout the trailer, which
shows a clear and confident understanding of camerawork.
• A good incorporated use of mise-en-scene. The lighting reflects the emotions of the
trailer as well the female protagonist, costume. She wears red dress on her date
which is associated with love, feminity and affection, but also as the trailer turns
sinister her dress can suggest danger.
• A clear plot however the ending is very sudden, no build up or anticipation.
• The title of the film and a slogan is used at the end of the film which again is a
convention of film trailers.
• The end of the trailer shows options linked to social media, which creates a bigger
audience as well as allowing us to assume their target audience.

4. ‘Offline’
• Weaknesses :
• Shows age rating (15), however the picture is a bad copy and doesn’t portray an
official looking warning.
• Exceeds the convention for a film trailer length - it’s 4 minutes long, when a usual
trailer is around 2 minute 30 or less.
• The filming was somewhat amature - the quality wasn’t great and when filming it was
often shaky and unstable.
• The dialogue spoken by the characters were very quiet and sometimes difficult to
hear.
• Lack of settings used.
• Off screen diegetic sound of the wind overpowers the voice of the characters.
• The intensity of the music started slightly too early on in the trailer.
• The soundtrack abruptly stopped and started again creating a jerky feel to the trailer -
it didn’t progress smoothly and the new soundtrack didn’t fade in smoothly
• No actors named and the opportunity for social media access or a website was
missed.

5. Going Nowhere -RomCom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkP6S4f06uI
• Strengths :
• Good, steady filming.
• Trailer lasts 2 minutes 40, an appropriate length of a film trailer.
• Good use of editing - jump cut, fast and slow paced.
• Acting looks relaxed and not uncomfortable.
• Text uses red, colour of love and white for innocence for their love – all links to the genre of the film.
• Great use of settings appropriate to the genre - creates a realistic approach.
• Mixture of clothing to indicate different days, however remains suited to the genre.
• Range of camera angles used.
• Credit to actors at the end.
• Gives website link and social media sites (Twitter and Facebook) to attract a wider audience and also
reflects their target audience (older people are less likely to be on social media).
• Says when in cinema and gives the genre away to attract the correct audience but also allows others
who would not be interested because of the genre, to be actually interested.
• Lottery funds, suggests perhaps an independent film – shows knowledge of the film industry.

6. ‘Going Nowhere’
• Weaknesses :
• No age rating.
• No film company or producers shown.
• The separate soundtracks don’t fade into each other, a harsh stop then start of a new
track, creates a less smooth transition.
• The problem in the storyline (if he will keep her) is rather sudden and not very much
explained but can be used as a short cliffhanger to allow the audience to want to watch the
film.
• Gives introduction to him but not her, would be nice to see what she's like and why at first
she says no to him – could allow the audience to relate to the characters. A very masculine
approach to the film in terms in characters.
• Longer montage would be more successful and then a few more shots on their issues as a
couple with the cliffhanger.

7. ‘Eighteen’ – Real Life Drama
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuF-QZjJ8DA
• Strengths :
• Shows awards won which makes the audience feel it’s
a good film and want to watch.
• Good quality filming.
• Series of shots which allow us to assume what the film
includes, but doesn’t give away the plot or ending.
• Good use of camera angles, especially of ECU of her
eyes or the use of drugs - creates a tense feel as it’s on
an unusual angle.
• The pauses within the trailer which include sentences,
allow us to understand the plot and gives us additional
information.
• The orange flickering text reflects to her mental state
of everything buzzing in her head and the orange links
to the fire shown in future scenes and the drugs used
are a yellow/orange tone
• Good use of editing – uses appropriate flashbacks.
• The flashbacks allow to understand and connect with
the plot as this trailer portrays true events, we feel
emotionally connected to film therefore we want to
continue to watch.
• Gives age rating at the end along with actors names,
producers and tells us when the film is to be
approximately released.
• Shows an emotive and interesting approach to
something very serious and real, allowing the
audience to understand and connect with the trailer.
• Variety of settings
• Brighter lighting for more happier, content scenes but
darker when concerning her addiction
• Darker clothes when darker scenes
• IFC films – independent film company, portrays how
independent film companies are still successful.

8. ‘Eighteen’
• Weaknesses :
• 11 seconds before the trailer begins its plot, time wasted by showing long clips of the film
company etc.
• The Trailer lasts approximately 1 minute, which is quite short as the storyline seems quite
rushed.
• They includes numerous reviews of the film, all in which are good, which does allow us to
see that the film is good, however there is perhaps too many used and takes us away from
the trailer itself, some of this time could of been dedicated to emphasise the storyline.
• The storyline does move quite fast once we understand the plot, which could've been
improved by using time taken up by critics reviews, to show us more key scenes containing
more action.
• Tension is built however it ends with a medium shot of the girl sitting on the ground, it
would be better if it ends with an action shot of something serious, to want viewers to
speculate what happens next and thus watch the film when released.

9. ‘Paralysis’ – Horror
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lcgc3iJQXY
• Strengths :
• Gives film rating at the beginning to allow us to understand
the target audience.
• Shows film company/producers for an appropriate time,
doesn’t show a long, unneeded intro which allows more of
the plot to be revealed.
• Lasts around 2 min 5 seconds, which is usual length of a real
film trailer
• The first scene (establishing shot) allows us to assume the
genre already (horror) as it shows an old looking,
mysterious house. The genre is then confirmed by first few
scenes by the sudden change in music and dialogue - seems
a normal house then the child has a nightmare.
• Dark lit lighting and settings with little colour to emphasise
the films genre and plot
• Smooth fade between soundtracks.
• Breaks in between the shots to show text are emphasised
and recreate this tension and eerie feeling - says things that
couldn’t be included in the dialogue.
• Effective use of camera angles and editing – lots of jump
cuts showing key scenes, and we what we sees, creates the
idea what he sees in his head we can also see. The trailer
speeds up near the end the audience can’t look away or
they’ll miss something.
• Actors and film company at the end.
• Shows a detailed plot but doesn’t give too much away
either, leaves us wanting more.
• Good quality filming.
• Includes website at the end to attract further audiences
and keeps them interested in the space between the trailer
and the films cinema release.
• Music gets more tense as the action does

10. ‘Paralysis’
• Weaknesses :
• The first few scenes give away what the film is going to be out, very stereotypical - child
with nightmares that come to life however we soon see the development of this plot
within the child.
• No extra use of social media a key way to involve their target audience.
• Trailers about a mother's quest to cure her possessed son, but this isn't easily given
away as only 2 shots that surround this idea is shown - shows more effects of the
nightmares.

11. ‘Haven’ - Sci Fi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFdoX51Gvr8
• Strengths :
• Includes who made the film at the start (Lionsgate) – fairly known company which allows audience to want to watch.
• Narrator sounds believable and fits well with the music.
• Uses a wide range of camera angles and movement which are appropriate to the scene - especially hand held when
running.
• Great use of editing - fast paced, transition to scenes is done smoothly.
• Gives a clear understanding of the plot but leaves on a cliffhanger, creating mystery to the film in which the audience want
to find out.
• Great use of sound effects.
• Off and on screen diegetic is heard well within the background noise, it doesn’t appear too quiet or loud
• Mise-en-scene is incorporated appropriately as they use a range of settings used that link to the film, the dark, grey
lighting reflects the mood of the film and the costumes change darker as the film progresses and shows a darker side.
• Creates an intense watch, builds up the tension.
• Looks professional throughout.
• Good clip of BBC news – looks real.
• At the end of the trailer they include a link to website, the name of the film and reminds of you of the film companies and
credit to the actors.
• The ‘3 months later’ allows us to understand the progression of the trailer.

12. ‘Haven’
• Weaknesses :
• Doesn’t give age rating so we are unaware of their target audience.
• 15 seconds until dialogue is spoken, to begin the trailer itself. The 15 seconds
was dedicated to the film company and studios which could have been
shortened to include more key scenes.
• The 3rd fade between soundtracks is slightly sudden.
• Actors sound somewhat uncomfortable when speaking and makes the scene
loose its seriousness at times.

13. ‘Voicemail’ – Thriller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBZHv3rV_WU
• Strengths :
• Various settings used - made it more professional followed conventions of films having
numerous settings.
• Wide range of camera angles appropriately used - see things from different perspectives.
• Music gets more intense as the story progresses and fits with the action - reflects the story.
• A positive to their frequent use of enigmas is that it provides a want for the audience to
watch the film to understand.
• It’s consistent use of a montage is to highlight the most dramatic aspects of the film.
• Looks professional - gives warning for age restriction, shows the film producers and
distributors
• Filming was steady - no shaking or jerks, created a smooth transition.
• Excellent editing, everything joined smoothly.
• Good use of props.
• Dark lighting to reflect the dark mood of the film.
• Gives title of the film at the end and a coming soon - allows anticipation for the film release
and for the audience to remember as it was the last thing they saw.
• Fast paced to remain audience's attention and if they were to look away they’d miss
something
• Names of all production team at the end with a repeat of the title.
• Appropriate length for a trailer – 2 minuets.

14. ‘Voicemail’
• Weaknesses :
• The background music was sometimes overpowering as it made it difficult to
hear the narrator clearly.
• Shows key pieces of action within the film to create an enigma however comes
across quite confusing to the audience as there is perhaps too many and we
forget what the storyline is.
• Unsure who the main character(s) are - left to assume by the audience.
• Gives a very brief introduction to the film itself, moves quickly to enigmas.
• Lack of camera angles that show clear shots of the main characters - moves too
fast.

15. Conclusion
• In conclusion I have chosen ‘Voicemail’ to be the most successful trailer, which turned out
to be full marks! The students behind this trailer have spent a lot of time creating this,
which you can see from the fine details they include, from camera angles to the costume of
a character. The trailer runs smoothly and looks realistic and professional. At certain times
the plot got confusing however after watching it throughout you understand. The plot was
is original and very interesting. Their use of settings and props were outstanding as it
portrays as extremely realistic. It is clear a lot of effort went into this trailer. Comparing this
to the trailer ‘Offline’ I can understand what needs to be carried out in order to achieve my
aspiring grades, such as a range of different settings, costume and a use of props.
Additionally, a original and interesting plot attracts a large audience, as well as including a
cast of confident speakers and actors.