Trailer Research - Romantic Drama

The Notebook (2004)

Institutions

-         Distributed by New line Cinema – A Warner Brother’s division, major American film studio.

-          A Gran Via production – Small, only real success-to-date was this film.

Selling Points

-          Based on a best selling novel – a niche audience is already established (i.e. readers of the novel)

-          Big studio in New Line Cinema behind it

-          Two main actors are young and rising stars having won, in the case of Rachel McAdams “Best breakthrough female performance” for her role in Mean Girls earlier that year at the MTV Movie awards. In addition, Ryan Gosling was nominated in 2002 at the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards for “Most promising performer”, for his role in Murder by Numbers.

-          James Garner and Gena Rowlands brought a host of awards and experience in the film industry with them, and therefore must appear in the trailer.

-          A love story which everyone can relate to

Establishing genre, mood and expectations

-          Romantic settings, in the country with big houses, and natural light

-          Non-diegetic soundtrack romantic, classical piece played on piano

-          Cross-cutting between past and present, the story is narrated to help establish mood

-          Pace builds as narrative unfolds and problem is established, contrast in close-ups of joy and happiness when they’re together and the dark, iconic scene in the rain sets a powerful atmosphere.

Successful?

-          I believe this trailer is successful because it reaches out to every audience for everyone can relate to the story.

-          The use of close-ups in particular, on the lead actress showing her times of joy and sadness, I believe makes the trailer more powerful and interesting, and overall draws in viewers.

-          I think the “based on the best selling novel” part should appear earlier in the trailer, so that audiences do not change the channel, as within the first few moments of the trailer there is no acknowledgement of awards or why someone should go see this film.

Target Audience

-          All ages, because of the narrative which everyone can relate to. However the 15-24 year old age bracket will probably be the target audience because of the casting of roles and this age bracket is more understanding to romantic films such as this.

-          There is also a niche audience of an elder age who can relate to the elder characters.

-          Finally, being based on a novel, a niche audience of those who have read it will be established, because they will want to see how the novel is transformed into a film.

How is the audience targeted explicitly?

-          Use of graphic, highlighting that it is based on the novel

-          Focussing on not only the youthful two main characters but also showing the elder characters to target both audiences.

-          Set in and around World War 2 which explicitly attracts the elder generation who can relate to those times.

Another Year (2010)

Institutions

·      Thin Man Films led the production together with Film 4 and Focus Features International.

·      Thin Man Films - production company set up by Mike Leigh, relatively small, but with 8 successful feature films before this one, such as Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

·      Film 4 – They develop and co-finance films and is known for working with the most innovative talent in the UK.

·      Focus Features International – art house films division of Universal Pictures

Selling Points

·      The official selection at three big Film Festivals

·      Well known director in Mike Leigh

·      Cast who have worked with Mike Leigh before and produced good work, in film and television.

·      In particular, Jim Broadbent, who has won a host of awards in his career and appeared in films such as Harry Potter and Iris

·      Passionate and powerful narrative…”The power of this film creeps up on you by stealth” – Peter Bradshaw, Guardian.

Establishing genre, mood and expectations

·      Non diegetic sound is calm, slow guitar piece which suits the narrative being portrayed.

·      Shots of elderly couple going about normal day life is sweet.

·      Pace builds with piano piece and introduction of character who’s life is not as smooth as the others, tears and this music tell the audience that this film isn’t just about the boring lives of a couple.

·      Use of graphics telling the audience the awards that this film has won and the graphic telling the audience the name of the director and his successful previous work, heightens expectations.

·      Final use of graphics such as quotes from critics also heightens expectations

·      Laughter and comic lines establish perhaps that it is a “feel-good” film, mixed in with the dramas of everyday life.

Successful?

·      The focus on something, which seems so boring and mundane, yet still makes one feel it in the heart is a product that is successful.

·      The trailer cleverly tells the audience that this film has been well received at film festivals near the beginning so that the audience does not lose interest.

Target audience

·      Elder generation who can relate to main characters and the narrative

·      Retired couples that can understand the dramas and troubles of life that these people are facing in the film.

·      A film to watch with your partner because it focuses on the relationship of a couple.

·      Film lovers that pay particular attention to winners of film festival awards

How is the audience explicitly targeted?

·      Casting of characters that suit the roles that an elder generation can relate to.

·      Graphics highlighting awards that this film has won at famous film festivals

·      The film does literally revolve around the life of a couple and their friends around them, this is highlighted in the trailer by the use of graphics and shots.