Research - Film trailer, Eagle Eye

Eagle Eye is the third trailer I have chosen to analyse because it falls into the 'Action/Thriller' genre, which separates it from the other two (as the others had hints of comedy). This once again fits into the genre I would like to produce my trailer in.

The trailer begins quickly, getting the production company logos out of the way, then jumping in to quick shots of the main character using an ATM, with very dramatic 'drum beats' in the background every time the shot makes a key change. Something immediately goes wrong, as we see him unable to withdraw money, yet 2 seconds later he is able to withdraw large amounts of money, and the machine begins firing bills at him. It then quickly changes to the character going home to his apartment, where upon entering we see him surprised to find an array of weaponry on the inside, once again using quick cuts.

These quick cuts help build suspense and add 'sudden drama' to the trailer, keeping the viewer enticed, but at the same time giving us a small amount of story for the trailer to progress.

The trailer continues to show the main character being arrested and going through some interrogation as well as encounters with an unknown being. The shots appear to show a continuous scene but with small bits cut out, effectively showing all of the action and none of the boring stuff.

Research - Film trailer, RED

RED is an Action/Comedy film released in 2010 starring some of the oldest action film actors. I have chosen to analyse this film as it falls into the action genre that I would like to make my trailer in.

The trailer begins with very relaxing violin music playing, with a few shot cuts fitting to the beat of the music. A few seconds of dialogue then takes place between two key actors, before it all ending abruptly after an actor saying “I do take the odd contract on the side”. It quickly switches to a shot of said actor on a mounted turret firing upon a convoy of vehicles in a parking garage. This kind of effect is sudden and is unexpected by the viewer, so is perhaps used as an attempt to get the viewers attention.

The next segment in the trailer has some very chilled cheerful upbeat music, cutting between title slides and shots revealing all of the actors/characters in the trailer, as well as releasing small parts of their personality/character histories. This is used to give the viewer a closer bonding with the character, perhaps to help them understand what may happen in the next segment of the trailer.

The last segment has a different soundtrack again, but reveals more action shots such as fight scenes, gun fights, explosions etc. basically anything associated with an action film. The use of these quick shots can reveal a lot about what's in the film, keeping the viewer enticed and wanting more.

Research - Film trailer, Knight & Day

Knight & Day is a 2010 action/adventure/comedy film with a slight tint of romance. I selected this film for my analysis as it is a classic sign of an action packed film, that has the slightly cheesy comedy tint to it.

The trailer begins with some shots that have been edited to the beats of the soundtrack, including fades and flashes to mix them together. Amongst these, the production company logos are cleverly blended in, instead of being at the very start like other conventional trailers. Continuing on, the trailer becomes very slow and more dramatic, adding a narrative of one of the main characters (Cameron Diaz). Her narrative is a line from the film, but also effectively sums up what the film is about, something useful for the trailer.

From here on, the trailer takes a more action packed turn, showing some of the more dramatic scenes in the film, along with a more fast paced soundtrack. In here are several action/gunshot scenes/car chases, but still mixed in with a couple of comedic moments. This overall gives an effect of how chaotic the films storyline could be, but also summing up what the entire film contains.

Research - Movie poster, Die Hard: With a Vengeance

The below film poster is once again for another Die Hard film, except this one is Die Hard with a Vengeance. Following the usual 'visual pattern' of looking from the top left, to the top right, across the center to the bottom left, then the bottom right, the first thing that hits you is the main actors name, Bruce Willis. This is capitalised and is in bold red writing on a black background. This makes it stand out, as by the time this film came out, Bruce Willis was almost a household name, so his name can effectively make or break a film. From this, you cut across the middle where it has the main image that's on the poster, a picture of Bruce Willis with a city in the background, combined with an explosion. The explosion represents that this film is going to be an action film like the other two, and the building in the back right is a popular building in New York, revealing the location. The picture of Bruce himself is him wearing a vest (once again a link to the first film), but his skin is also cut and he is covered in dirt. This suggests he is going above and beyond the first two films and bringing you more action. Around is neck/shoulders are his police badge (showing he's still a cop), and a gun harnest, showing the film will be filled with guns again. In the bottom left of the picture is a tag line "Think fast, look alive, Die Hard". This makes the film sound more exciting, which matches with the thriller genre that it has been labelled with. At the bottom of the image is the title of the film series, 'Die Hard'. This is written in bold red matching the actors name, showing the link between the Die Hard series and how the actor has been in them. Overlapping the words Die Hard is the much smaller text saying 'With a vengeance'. This is capitalised and bolded again like the others, but is written in white over the Die hard, to make it stand out from the link and that it's a new film compared with the other two. Last but not least at the bottom, there are another two actors names written in red, but smaller then the rest. The red would suggest, like the other text written in red, that they are linked with the Die Hard series, but they aren't. This must mean they are in red because they are important to the series as a whole, even though they haven't been in every film. Below that is just your usual mumbo jumbo of the director and the associated companies with the films.

Research - Movie poster, Kick Ass

Kick-ass is an american block buster action film with hints of comedy. I have selected it to anaylse because once again, it matches the genre of the type of trailer/film I want to create.

The poster is revealing about the main point of the film, but it also covers it up. In the center of the poster is the main character, a "superhero", but we only see the back of him, covering is identity like a real superhero. In the background of the poster is a typical city setting for a superhero film, but in the foreground infront of that but behind the superhero is the superimposed letters "CK". This can only be presumed to be taken from the film title, "Kick-Ass", where the CK appears almost in the middle of the phrase, and then in the middle of the poster.

Across the bottom of the poster there appears to be a roof which the superhero is standing on. This could imply his superhero powers help him climb buildings or possibly even fly. This could help the film appeal to people who like superhero films.

Research - Movie poster, Die Hard

Die-hard is, yet again, another film that matches the genre that I want to make. Firstly, this shows that the genre of trailer I want to make is a very popular genre filled with fantastic blockbuster films.

The poster shows a tower with the roof exploding and a helicopter being caught in this explosion right in the center of the poster.
One thing that can be noted about the poster is that it is all in black and white other then the words "Die Hard", which are displayed boldly in red. Not only does this turn the viewer's eyes immediately to the words Die Hard, their colour is the same colour associated with blood, which can tie in with the 'Die'. 

Research - Movie Genre

Before analyzing film trailers and posters, I need to make a decision over what genre I would like to look into. To make my decision, I have compiled a list of the most popular film genres, then I will weigh up which ones cover what type of film, and then make my final decision.

Action - films usually include an over use of special effects, fight scenes and gun scenes. Also included are car chases and any form of battle against the 'bad guys'

Adventure - films are usually exciting set in exotic or unknown locations, usually combined with action so that the film doesn't end up being a documentary.

Comedy - films are light-hearted and designed to make the audience laugh. This is usually achieved with the majority of the lines being a joke or a punchline, or using innuendos.

Drama - one of the more used genres. Drama films are serious films that stride themselves on their story, and usually involves character developments and creating a bond between the audience and the character. The films are usually high in emotion too.

Horror - the most simplistic film genre, a film designed to scare and frighten the audience in as many ways possible. The films usually contain a gripping ghost story based around paranormal activities and feeds off of peoples paranoia.

Sci-Fi - This genre covers any film that is usually set in the future. Science Fiction covers any sort of major technological advancements that would be unable to be achieved in the real world, such as sustained space travel through distant galaxies e.g. Star-Trek.

Thriller - this genre is a key genre such as drama. Thriller films are usually films heavy in story and character development, whilst being combined with drama to create the most gripping of films, that usually leaves the viewer dazzled by the amazement that just happened.


Each genre has its own pros and cons, but I believe it is clear which genre I will choose. I have selected to go for an Action/Thriller, because these genres are extremely popular, but also are both extremely easy to portray in a trailer with minimal spending and props.