Teaser Trailer- Convention Comparison Concluding Timeline Task.

1. T E A S E R T R A I L E R T I M E L I N E
Comparison of Films

2. Similarities
 When comparing the teaser trailer for 'The Blair Witch Project' and
'The Conjuring 2' a number of differences and similarities can be
identified.
 Regarding the similarities within both of the trailers, text is featured, in
which both possess: a production logo as one of the opening shots, a
finalising shot of website address/contact information (regarding the
film's release) and narrative information conveying brief information
regarding the film's plot-line (often in the form of enigmatic messages).

3. Similarities
 Regarding the presence of text, both teasers used all of these features, this suggests these to be
elements highly conventional of a teaser trailer of which are not often challenged by producers.
 The use of a production logo at the start of a film is effective in crediting those that created the film,
allowing for the producer's reputation to grow with each film they create; the usefulness of this
convention thus justify its necessity within a teaser trailer and will therefore be a feature that I use.
 The use of narrative information is effective in granting the audience small slithers of information
regarding the film, intriguing their interest without revealing too much narrative information, this
effect of sparking my audience’s curiosity is something I wish for my own film to accomplish and thus
shall also be a convention that I feature within my own piece. Although, the way in which I accomplish
this may differ; for example through the use of voice-overs during a black screen rather than text, in
order to crate for more intimate atmosphere between the character and audience, building a closer
bond between the 2.

4. Similarities
 The use of an end screen, featuring online access to a website dedicated
to the film as well as links to the producer's social media connections is
effective in granting the audience the ability to further interact with
promotional features of the advertised film, thus keeping audiences in
tune with the film's release.
 The usefulness of this feature in promoting audiences to further
interact with promotional products for a film is also a convention that
seems to be a necessity in contributing to the teaser's success in
gathering audience members and thus shall be used.

5. Similarities
 Other similarities between the two films is the application of footage from the
trailer's promoted film. This however, can vary in the quantity of footage used,
as within 'The Blair Witch Project' teaser trailer only one brief piece of footage
is used; effective in conforming to the very enigmatic plot of the film.
 Whereas within 'The Conjuring 2', although limited, this features more scenes
from the film, thus revealing that when creating my piece scenes from my film
shall be used but shall be limited in content length in order to portray the
narrative but also to withhold certain narrative points in order to spark intrigue
within my audience members (compelling then to consume the film upon its
release).

6. Similarities
 Within both trailers a balance of ambiance/sound and silence is used,
this is effective in building/emphasising scenes of tension and helps
mould the atmosphere of the piece.
 This is effective in portraying the dark themes within the film (reflective
of the horror genre) and thus I shall also apply these technical codes in
order to communicate my trailer's genre.

7. Differences
 Regarding the differences within these trailers, the largest difference is that
of teaser length, in which 'The Blair Witch Project' is only of 46 seconds in
length, whereas 'The Conjuring 2' possesses a length of 1:23. This is
effective in conveying the varying lengths of teaser trailers, in which its
seems that as long as the piece does not extend to 2:00 (of which this
would then meet the classification for a theatrical trailer instead), then a
teaser does not have to conform to a certain length before this 2:00 minute
boundary. This therefore reveals that regarding the length of my own piece
I shall conform to creating a piece that is no longer than 2:00 minutes, yet
shall not worry if my teaser spans less than 1 minute.

8. Differences
 Regarding other differences, within 'The Blair Witch' the use of additional edited effects within
the piece is highly limited, in which the only visible editing seems to be the use of cuts from one
piece of footage to the next and the integration of text.
 This use of editing seems highly limited when compared with the highly edited nature of 'The
Conjuring 2 trailer' within which the use of filters, animated text and the integration of a range
of non-diegetic sounds conveys these features to, rather than be conventional of a teaser trailer,
are instead optional, depending upon the nature of the advertised film, as the 'Black Witch
Project's desire to present the narrative as though it were a true story corresponds with the lack
of editing to the piece; of which conveys a sense of verisimilitude.
 Of which, this is the opposite within 'The Conjuring 2' of which uses a great number of editing
techniques in order to convey the supernatural themes and the reality that the antagonist Anne
inflicts upon the film narrative and characters. Thus, within my own teaser trailer, I shall
consider whether the suitability of different techniques and only apply those of which can be
used to empathise the genre of horror and dark themes within my film.

9. Conclusion
 Thus, in conclusion, upon analysing the similarities and differences within these two teaser
trailers, it can be identified that there are both conventions of which hold necessity within a
teaser trailer. These being: text (of which credits the producers of the film, and informs the
audience of the product’s upcoming release), as well as providing small snippets of narrative
information, footage (of which conveys some of the visuals from the featured film), sound
(either often including both diegetic and non-diegetic) and an identification of the film’s
genre/themes (conveyed through the application of text, editing, imagery and sound).
 During this comparison I have found that the ways in which a trailer implements these
features into their product varies, in which some choose to apply each element in abundance,
creating for a highly edited and polished piece, while others select a more simplistic approach
in order to purposefully appear mysterious and give very little away. Thus, when creating my
own teaser trailer, I too, shall seek to mould these features to the nature and genre of my own
promoted film (making for a conventional but unique teaser trailer).