The document analyzes the teaser trailer for the film "The Perks of Being a Wallflower". It notes that the trailer uses a well-known song to appeal to its target young adult/teenage audience. It also uses dialogue to help audiences connect with similar-aged characters. The titles are vibrant in color to attract attention without revealing too much. Camera shots show characters in familiar settings like bedrooms, nightclubs, and schools to help audiences relate. The short trailer is effective at engaging its target audience and generating buzz around the film.

1. The Perks of Being a
Wallflower- Analysis
Shannon Doyle

2. What I notice first when looking at the teaser trailer is their use of sound during the
product. I notice that the soundtrack they use is a well known and ‘top 40’ song- used
throughout the teaser trailer from start to finish. This would have been used in order to
appeal to the target audience- a young adult/teenage group; most probably a female
audience also. The fact that most of the audience would listen to this music means that
by using a well known song, the audience can already begin to relate to the trailer and
may spark interest in the film- as many films are better loved due to a good soundtrack
that relates to the audience and engages them thoroughly.
Also, along with most teaser trailers, there is a strong amount of diegetic sound in the
format of dialogue during the majority of the production. It would be a good way of
engaging the audience- especially as the characters are of a similar age to the intended
target audience, thus helping to enhance the way in which they can connect to the
characters and their overall interest in the film.
In order to connect to a similar audience with my own production, I will attempt to use a
well known song for the soundtrack and include a small amount of dialogue from similar
characters to enhance a connection between audience-characters.
Sound

3. There are 2 visible titles during this specific teaser trailer- mostly due to
the extremely short length, being only 12 seconds.
The titles visually, are vibrant in colour and spark interest, without
giving too much away or going on for too long. The use of a bright
green attracts the audience and will be eye-catching enough, without
seeming too brash or childish. Also, in terms of the titles themselves,
the first one already attracts the interest of a possible already there fan
base- ones who have read the ‘critically acclaimed novel’. The titles also
use a font which seems youthful, rather than one which is quite old-
fashioned or restrictive- further being able to attract the audience. Not
only this but there is also no use of capitals in the titles, another more
youthful element to the titles- in another attempt to engage the
audience.
In terms of my own production, I may attempt a more simplistic
approach like these titles do- however I feel the bright colours may not
reflect the idea in the tone it should be. For this teaser trailer is a film
with a more light-hearted message whereas my production has a bit
more of a serious tone and thus the titles may slightly detract from this.
Titles

4. In terms of the camerawork, the most common shot type used is
that of a mid-shot; an effective way of showing the audience the
characters and enabling them to connect with them. Not only do
they see the appearance of the characters and can engage with
them in this way, but they can also see the character’s emotions
and possibly even engage with them on a deeper level as well.
However, their stronger way of connecting with the audience is
through their choice of setting. The trailer consists of clips taking
place in the following of environments; bedroom, nightclub, school.
These places are ones which would be familiar to the audience,
they would already have similarities with the characters before
even needing to understand their story. This is a good technique
to use which does not alienate any audience members and
specifically targets the intended target audience and can enable
them to strongly relate.
Camerawork/Setting

5. In summary, although this teaser trailer is extremely short- it still manages to be
effective towards their target audience but also in what a teaser trailer should do.
The teaser trailer is constructed in a conventional way as analysed previously, but also
uses multiple techniques which enable the target audience to connect with both the
characters and the story or whole film itself.
The way in which it has been constructed means that their will be a strong amount of
buzz surrounding the film and the audience will be engaged and interested- wanting
to watch the film as soon as it is released. This is helped also by their film already
having a fan base from their novel.
In relation to my own production, I will attempt to attract a similar target audience
through the use of titles, sound and the settings/characters used. This should
hopefully enable the audience to understand the characters and engage with the
message behind the film.
Conclusion