Tuesday 15 December 2009

RESEARCH AND PLANNING - The Ghost Teaser Trailer Analysis


I am analysing 'The Ghost' teaser trailer. This is a Drama, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller genre. As we are creating a thriller genre teaser trailer, I thought it would be good to analyse. This is a very short teaser trailer at only 17 seconds long. It gives no hint of the story away, only gains the interest of the audience. It creates this curiosity by ending on an enigma, and the only way the audience can solve this enigma, is if they go to watch the film.

The trailer immediately starts with non-diagetic music playing, with a clip of a helicopter taking off, with people running past the camera. There are two policemen there, standing next to a police car. This shows that the film is based around important people who need protecting. They are holding onto their hats due to the wind blowing from the helicopter.

The music is ethereal, creating a sad but realistic feeling for this film. It builds up tension as there is a violin playing and the note gets higher to only stop when the next clip occurs. There is the non-diagetic sound of the main character narrating his story. He talks about how he became prime minister, and this allows an incite to the audience, showing that the film is an autobiographical film, based on the Prime Minister of England. It shows Pierce Brosnan stepping out of a car, to face a crowd of people holding up banners and signs. This shows there is a protest occurring and there are several police there trying to control this crowd. From showing the audience that Pierce Brosnan is the main character, this can attract a large audience, as his fans would want to see him in his different roles, and also the people who are interested in the life of the Prime Minister would see this film. This target market would be adults.

Pierce Brosnan says “In one decision I made in ten years of prime minister”. It then cuts to a medium close up of Ewan McGregor looking very confused. This again, encourages a large audience, as Ewan McGregor is a very well established actor, and he has a younger fan base than Pierce Brosnan, so this may entice a younger audience, such as late teenagers.

The camera cuts to the main character, Pierce Brosnan, back in England, stepping out of his house, in Downing Street. This is a recognisable location as everyone in England, knows where the Prime Minister lives. He waves towards the camera, as though waving at a crowd nearby. The voice over then says “which wasn’t in the interest of the USA”.

The music changes to a climatic, thriller genre of music, giving the impression that the end is near and the action will happen soon. There is a black screen with the caption fading onto the screen. It says, ‘Directed by Roman Polanski’. This will encourage his fans to see his newest production. It then cuts to four people, standing outside in the dark evening, all wearing coats to show the cold weather, waiting to greet the Prime Minister. The next shot is of Pierce Brosnan, saying “Hello, who are you?” to Ewan McGregor, as he replies “I’m our ghost.” This creates the suspense, and leaves the audience wanting to know more. Throughout this clip, the music is very jumpy with a piano creating all the tension. It then cuts to a black screen and the title of the film appears, all in lower case letters. ‘the ghost.’ The font is very ghost like as well, as it is a see-through, white colour. Next to the title, is an picture of a silhouette of a person, in the ghost form similar to the font. It quickly fades out leaving a blank screen.


Here is the link to the trailer on YouTube:

Nikki Stock

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