The Conventions Of Horror Film Teaser Trailers - Shaquile

A teaser trailer is used in terms of synergy, using one thing to promote another. Teaser trailers are small advertising campaigns which help to promote a bigger campaign on a wider scale. Here are a list of some of the conventions I have concluded a teaser trailer should consist of… 

•Low key lighting (optional) helps to set the mood, leaves an ominous/mysterious effect.

•Point of view shots/ the antagonist eye

•suspense: stimulates audience anxiety and raises adrenalin. In some cases its used to make the audience forget the fear of threat which leaves them in a relaxed state, this helps the build up of a climax and makes it more effective.

•Element of surprise: used to petrify and strike terror in the audience. If the climax is successful then the audience will demand to see me thus we can describe the climax as a persuasion technique.

•Cliffhanger: Raises audience anxiety and curiosity. Makes the audience eager to find out what happens next.

•Film Footage: This will help the audience decide if the film is worth seeing, so action packed footage is key.

•Music and SFX: Background music helps to fluctuate the mood of the audience, the tempo of the music is equally important. In action packed scenes the tempo will preferably be fast and in scenes used to create suspense the tempo will preferably be slow. SFX such as Foley sounds i.e. ‘footsteps’ or ‘a creaking door’ are useful for rhythmic purposes, these sounds do not require background music and helps to build climax. A commonly used sound in teaser trailers is the sound of a pulse.

•Duration: Usually between 30 – 60 seconds, a short version of a trailer.