"The Rules" on Making a Movie Trailer
Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation
2015
Christopher McQuarrie
Narrative
With the Impossible
Missions Force now disbanded and Ethan Hunt out in the cold, a new danger,
called the Syndicate, soon arises. The Syndicate is a network of highly skilled
operatives who are dedicated to establishing a new world order through a mounting
series of terrorist attacks. Faced with what may be
the most impossible mission yet, Ethan gathers his team and joins forces with
Ilsa Faust, a disowned British agent who may or may not be a member of this
deadly rogue nation.
Enigma Codes
Teaser trailers are typically known for holding a lot of enigma codes within the short time they have to show off the film, as the whole point of a teaser trailer is to 'tease' the audience to cause the anticipation and excitement of the film, leaving the audience wanting to see the film to find out the answers. This trailer does a great job of that within its 2 minutes and 20 seconds, leaving the audience scratching their heads. Here's just some of the questions we ask; Why is he being chased on a bike? Why is he being shot? Why is the IMF abandoned? Why is he locked in some sort of gas chamber? Why are his hands tied and why is he getting beat? Who are the 'Rogue Nation' and why do they need to be defeated? The list goes on and on. This teaser trailers portrays a perfect way of how to place enigma codes within a trailer.
How are the characters established and represented?
1. William Brandt
As soon as the trailer begins, we see a man get out of a brand new BMW. Wearing a nice grey suit, we can only assume he is some sort of special trained agent who has maybe taken a step back from the action. He is holding a brown envelope in his hand, which could hold some important documents of information highlighting to audience this character could hold some big authority and has an important role within the film. Around the 19 second mark in the trailer, we see Brandt again, this time with what only we can presume as one of the main men in the IMF who has just abandoned the IMF (we know this through the dialogue). We see this man questioning Brandt, and Brandt's answers tell the audience he is most likely an ally to his fellow agent (Ethan Hunt) rather than his superior, possibly out of anger and disgrace at the fact the IMF has been shutdown. The superiors voice allows us to know that Ethan Hunt is a danger, possibly to the people known within the IMF because he most likely wants to finish what he started - destroying the 'Syndicate'.
2. Ethan Hunt
The audience get a brief look at 'Benji' right at the beginning of the trailer, but only for a few seconds as the elevator doors open, so its virtually impossible for him to be established within the trailer. However, around 50 seconds into the trailer we finally see Benji again, handed a mysterious package in a Tube Station. It's a pair of glasses in which Ethan can talk to Benji about the Syndicate, letting the audience know Benji is an ally and is a trustworthy character. This is the first time we hear is voice, establishing his character as British. The audience can presume he's not an agent like Ethan as we don't see him in any physical action, especially when he's in the car with Ethan and Ethan asks "Have you got your selt belt on?" - this shows Benji isn't used to being in this specific line of work. From what we gather he's more of a technical guy, the man who's in Ethan's ear telling what to do rather than being in the nitty- gritty situations.
The audience get their first look at Ilsa when she saves Ethan from the torture chamber. This could possibly show how she may have been apart of the Syndicate as she knew where Ethan was being held. From what we gather from the trailer, she is also an ally helping Ethan defeat the Syndicate. The audience also gather that she is also British from her accent. She's the most secretive character from the trailer, as we can't quite work out whether she's good or bad, teasing the audience as they now want to find out, meaning the only way we can fully establish her character is to watch the film.
Camera and Editing Techniques
The next shot is the use of an extreme long shot. This shot emphasises the bravery of Ethan and how he just can't avoid these dangerous situation as he hangs off the door of a humongous plane. The extreme long shot allows the audience to realise the size of the plane compared to Ethan, showing how he's putting his life in jeopardy to get into this plane, but why? Once again its another Enigma, teasing the audience as the only way we're going to find out why he's so desperate to get into the plane is to simply watch the film.
The last shot I've decided to use is the Over the shoulder shots when Ilsa and Ethan meet for the first time. It helps establish both characters in the trailer, especially Ilsa as this is her Mission Impossible debut, and from a trailer point of view is seen as more effective than the standard shot reverse shot.
Editing is just a crucial, especially within the teaser trailer. It's especially used during the 'peak' of a trailer, where all the action scenes are cut into small sections to create a fast paced editing sequence of pure action. However there are other effective pieces of editing too. The use of fades are used a lot within the trailer. This helps build suspense in a subtle way, as it gives the audience a little bit longer to see the scene as shots stay on the screen for longer. The use of fades also helps the transition from scene to scene/ shot to shot, as there is as much as possible all crammed into 2 minutes or so. The only time there's fast paced is when the the music is at its fullest, adding to drama and tension. There is also some use of slow motion when the car is reversing of the wall and falling down, adding to the suspense as the audience are left waiting a little bit longer to see what happens.
The use of sound
Music
The music to start the trailer is quite a hard beat with no actual lyrics. This is because this minute is used to tell the audience the narrative and re introduce the characters, so that's got to be the main focus. it does some very clever things though. Not only does it let the screen take over, it allows the narrators voice to go over it. It's really good for matching the shots on the screen. It matches with the Gavel banging and also when Ethan banging the glass in the gas chamber room.
After 1 minute has passed we finally get the 'real' music of the trailer. Again the beats match whats happening in the trailer, but it's the lyrics that have big significance. "Ready or not, here I come, I'm gonna find you....and take it slowly". These lyrics tell a lot about the film. Ethan is finding these wether the Synidcate or the IMF like it, and when he does find the Syndicate, he's going to take all their lives. Her voice is really eerie and goes with the movie trailer really well. Of course near the end of the trailer we get the 'mission impossible' music. (Skip to 1 minute to listen to full song)
Enigma Codes
Teaser trailers are typically known for holding a lot of enigma codes within the short time they have to show off the film, as the whole point of a teaser trailer is to 'tease' the audience to cause the anticipation and excitement of the film, leaving the audience wanting to see the film to find out the answers. This trailer does a great job of that within its 2 minutes and 20 seconds, leaving the audience scratching their heads. Here's just some of the questions we ask; Why is he being chased on a bike? Why is he being shot? Why is the IMF abandoned? Why is he locked in some sort of gas chamber? Why are his hands tied and why is he getting beat? Who are the 'Rogue Nation' and why do they need to be defeated? The list goes on and on. This teaser trailers portrays a perfect way of how to place enigma codes within a trailer.
How are the characters established and represented?
1. William Brandt
As soon as the trailer begins, we see a man get out of a brand new BMW. Wearing a nice grey suit, we can only assume he is some sort of special trained agent who has maybe taken a step back from the action. He is holding a brown envelope in his hand, which could hold some important documents of information highlighting to audience this character could hold some big authority and has an important role within the film. Around the 19 second mark in the trailer, we see Brandt again, this time with what only we can presume as one of the main men in the IMF who has just abandoned the IMF (we know this through the dialogue). We see this man questioning Brandt, and Brandt's answers tell the audience he is most likely an ally to his fellow agent (Ethan Hunt) rather than his superior, possibly out of anger and disgrace at the fact the IMF has been shutdown. The superiors voice allows us to know that Ethan Hunt is a danger, possibly to the people known within the IMF because he most likely wants to finish what he started - destroying the 'Syndicate'. 
2. Ethan Hunt
The main man throughout all the Mission Impossible films, Tom Cruise is reintroduced to the audience in typical fashion - right in the thick of the action. The audience are re-introduced to Ethan being chased on a motorbike, helping the audience decode this is an action thriller, as this is what Tom is notoriously known for throughout his career. Explosions on a mountain side and all on his own, straight away this trailer re-empathises how Tom's character is always in danger and is always able to get out of it. We see this again as he's being chased down a narrow corridor with bullets firing behind him, then we see him managing to fight with only his feet as he's tied up. He's established in his typical manner; a no nonsense adrenaline junkie with no fear.
3. Benji
The audience get a brief look at 'Benji' right at the beginning of the trailer, but only for a few seconds as the elevator doors open, so its virtually impossible for him to be established within the trailer. However, around 50 seconds into the trailer we finally see Benji again, handed a mysterious package in a Tube Station. It's a pair of glasses in which Ethan can talk to Benji about the Syndicate, letting the audience know Benji is an ally and is a trustworthy character. This is the first time we hear is voice, establishing his character as British. The audience can presume he's not an agent like Ethan as we don't see him in any physical action, especially when he's in the car with Ethan and Ethan asks "Have you got your selt belt on?" - this shows Benji isn't used to being in this specific line of work. From what we gather he's more of a technical guy, the man who's in Ethan's ear telling what to do rather than being in the nitty- gritty situations.
4. Ilsa Faust
Camera and Editing Techniques
The camera shots used in the teaser trailer help establish the setting, characters and narrative. The Trailer starts with an establishing shot. This lets the audience know where the film is set and where the majority of the action should be taking the place. From what I gather, this establishing shot is Morroco as that is where the film was shot for the most of it.
Another effective piece of camera work in the trailer is the Point of view shot. The audience are put into the same situation as Ethan as we see the action from his perspective. This allows the audience to feel the speed Ethan is travelling at and how dangerous the situation he's in as he's swerving out the way of vans/cars while being chased.This emphasises the danger he's and gives the audience a feel of the action.
The last shot I've decided to use is the Over the shoulder shots when Ilsa and Ethan meet for the first time. It helps establish both characters in the trailer, especially Ilsa as this is her Mission Impossible debut, and from a trailer point of view is seen as more effective than the standard shot reverse shot.
Editing is just a crucial, especially within the teaser trailer. It's especially used during the 'peak' of a trailer, where all the action scenes are cut into small sections to create a fast paced editing sequence of pure action. However there are other effective pieces of editing too. The use of fades are used a lot within the trailer. This helps build suspense in a subtle way, as it gives the audience a little bit longer to see the scene as shots stay on the screen for longer. The use of fades also helps the transition from scene to scene/ shot to shot, as there is as much as possible all crammed into 2 minutes or so. The only time there's fast paced is when the the music is at its fullest, adding to drama and tension. There is also some use of slow motion when the car is reversing of the wall and falling down, adding to the suspense as the audience are left waiting a little bit longer to see what happens.The use of sound
Music The music to start the trailer is quite a hard beat with no actual lyrics. This is because this minute is used to tell the audience the narrative and re introduce the characters, so that's got to be the main focus. it does some very clever things though. Not only does it let the screen take over, it allows the narrators voice to go over it. It's really good for matching the shots on the screen. It matches with the Gavel banging and also when Ethan banging the glass in the gas chamber room.
After 1 minute has passed we finally get the 'real' music of the trailer. Again the beats match whats happening in the trailer, but it's the lyrics that have big significance. "Ready or not, here I come, I'm gonna find you....and take it slowly". These lyrics tell a lot about the film. Ethan is finding these wether the Synidcate or the IMF like it, and when he does find the Syndicate, he's going to take all their lives. Her voice is really eerie and goes with the movie trailer really well. Of course near the end of the trailer we get the 'mission impossible' music. (Skip to 1 minute to listen to full song)
Dialogue
In teaser trailers, dialogue normally consists of one liners. Here are the most significant ones:
- The IMF is uniquely trained and highly motivated
- The IMF is an agency of chaos
- The time has come to dissolve the IMF
- They're coming after us with everything they've got
- This may very well be our last mission
- You want to bring down the syndicate? Its impossible
- Desperate times. desperate measures
(These are done over a sound bridge)
Titles and Captions
Just around midway through the trailer, "This July" pops up. There's a red line behind the writing, possibly reminiscing a laser. As it is red, red usually connotes blood/danger etc, so it's a colour that fits with the film as it's connotation matches the genre.The writing is all straight/sharp lines a silver colour, possibly showing links to either a gun or a bullet.
The titles don't appear until the end, stating Mission:Impossible Rogue Nation. Again it's red, possibly showing the connotation I've previously stated. But this has a detonator running down the bottom, as if its a TNT bout to blow. This could maybe connote how this is the last ever Mission Impossible and it's going out with a bang/ explosion of action. Why do I think this? Well in those one liners just above, Ethan (Tom Cruise) says "This may be our very last mission". Then to finish off it says 'Coming Soon' in the same way it says 'This July'. However this one states the production company's and their Facebook page, showing how they're using cross media convergence to try and promote the film
Intended Target Audience
This is obviously intended for any thriller/ action adventure fans due to it's narrative, settting and the actors involved. With regards to age, I'd personally say 15-40 year olds is the age range they're trying to attract.
The titles don't appear until the end, stating Mission:Impossible Rogue Nation. Again it's red, possibly showing the connotation I've previously stated. But this has a detonator running down the bottom, as if its a TNT bout to blow. This could maybe connote how this is the last ever Mission Impossible and it's going out with a bang/ explosion of action. Why do I think this? Well in those one liners just above, Ethan (Tom Cruise) says "This may be our very last mission". Then to finish off it says 'Coming Soon' in the same way it says 'This July'. However this one states the production company's and their Facebook page, showing how they're using cross media convergence to try and promote the film
Intended Target Audience
This is obviously intended for any thriller/ action adventure fans due to it's narrative, settting and the actors involved. With regards to age, I'd personally say 15-40 year olds is the age range they're trying to attract.
James Bond - Spectre
2015
Sam Mendes
Narrative
A cryptic message from the past sends James Bond to Mexico City and Rome, where he meets the beautiful widow of an infamous criminal. After infiltrating a secret meeting, 007 uncovers the existence of the sinister organization Spectre. Needing the help of the daughter of an old nemesis, he embarks on a mission to find her. As Bond ventures toward the heart of Spectre, he discovers a chilling connection between himself and the enemy.
Enigma Codes
As I've already stated, Teaser trailers are typically known for holding a lot of enigma codes within the short time they have to show off the film, as the whole point of a teaser trailer is to 'tease' the audience to cause the anticipation and excitement of the film, leaving the audience wanting to see the film to find out the answers. This trailer does an excessive job of that within its 1 minutes and 37 seconds, leaving the audience scratching their heads. Here's just some of the questions we ask; What is Bond's secret? Why has he travelled to the Alps? Who is he actually talking too? Why was he at what looks like a funeral? Who is the silhouette? Why can't Bond trust anyone? This teaser trailers portrays a impeccable way of how to place enigma codes within a trailer.
How are the characters established and represented?
1. James Bond
The audience only get a brief look at Moneypenny right at the beginning of the trailer, but she provides a big part in the trailer. We see her handing Bond a black box with whats left of Skyfall whilst also informing us that Bond has a secret, making the audience want to see the film to find out what this secret is. Her dialogue is what makes her important to the trailer.
When we last saw Mr. White in Quantam of Solace, he was on the run - but still in good shape. Now, in the SPECTRE trailer, he appears to be a blind and disheveled recluse hiding out in a snow-covered cabin alongside a foggy lake. Furthermore, he appears to be absolutely terrified of Spectre. So what happened? Are the two organizations the same? Did Spectre overtake Quantum? Right now, we just don't know any answers, teasing us so that we make sure we go and see the film.
The teaser ends with a chilling bell-rendition of the Bond theme; and with a shadowy figure sitting at the head of a table: addressing 007 as "James." There's only so much we can say about this mysterious figure, but one thing we can most likely take for granted is that this is the villain of the film, possibly the one who is in charge of the terrorist group, Spectre (Spectre stands for "SPecial Executive for Counterintelligence Revenge Extortion").
The camera shots used in the teaser trailer help establish the setting, characters and narrative. The first shot I've chosen is near the begin of the trailer, as it is an long shot of the previous MI6 headquarters that got blown up in the previous film, Skyfall. It shows the narrative of the traditional story as it starts off in London, the city of Bond. It also tells the audience that MI6 is till in ruins, and that event of Spectre happen soon after.
Another effective shot is the use of Pan. When the brand new Aston Martin rolls out of the gates, the camera follows it round, showing the full car and how beautiful she is. This shot is important because it wouldn't be in trailer otherwise. Why? Well the Aston is notoriously known as 'the' Bond car, so its significant within every Bond film. Its basically like another character in the film, in the way that a Bond film isn't a Bond film without an Aston Martin.
A close up of James is used at the beginning of the trailer, once he receives the 'black box' of things recovered from Skyfall. The close up helps show the emotion of James, showing how something has evidently touched him, but as he is Bond, he is strong as can't look too much into anything. It shoes how resilient a character Bond is and how nothing from his personal life can affect his work life, following stereotypical traits of a man in his line of work.
As I've already stated, Teaser trailers are typically known for holding a lot of enigma codes within the short time they have to show off the film, as the whole point of a teaser trailer is to 'tease' the audience to cause the anticipation and excitement of the film, leaving the audience wanting to see the film to find out the answers. This trailer does an excessive job of that within its 1 minutes and 37 seconds, leaving the audience scratching their heads. Here's just some of the questions we ask; What is Bond's secret? Why has he travelled to the Alps? Who is he actually talking too? Why was he at what looks like a funeral? Who is the silhouette? Why can't Bond trust anyone? This teaser trailers portrays a impeccable way of how to place enigma codes within a trailer.
How are the characters established and represented?
1. James Bond
Obviously the first character is the man the film is named after. In this teaser we see Bond across different locations. The first the audience see is Bond possibly at his home, where we find out straight away he's got a secret. Bond looks through his black box of mementos on a couch - and we presume it's in his London flat. You can clearly see he never bothered to fully move in. Then we see him on secluded on a rubber boat speeding through the cold water into the Alps to meet someone who has previously worked in MI6. Lastly we see Bond in some sort of boardroom, but is he suppose to be there? Bond is established as a lot more secluded and a lot more within himself, we don't see no sign of action in this teaser trailer, it just gives hints about his past. He seems more secretive and shadowy, so could be a sign of his character within this film as we already know he's hiding something.
2. Moneypenny
The audience only get a brief look at Moneypenny right at the beginning of the trailer, but she provides a big part in the trailer. We see her handing Bond a black box with whats left of Skyfall whilst also informing us that Bond has a secret, making the audience want to see the film to find out what this secret is. Her dialogue is what makes her important to the trailer.
3. Mr White
When we last saw Mr. White in Quantam of Solace, he was on the run - but still in good shape. Now, in the SPECTRE trailer, he appears to be a blind and disheveled recluse hiding out in a snow-covered cabin alongside a foggy lake. Furthermore, he appears to be absolutely terrified of Spectre. So what happened? Are the two organizations the same? Did Spectre overtake Quantum? Right now, we just don't know any answers, teasing us so that we make sure we go and see the film.
4. 'The silhouette'
The teaser ends with a chilling bell-rendition of the Bond theme; and with a shadowy figure sitting at the head of a table: addressing 007 as "James." There's only so much we can say about this mysterious figure, but one thing we can most likely take for granted is that this is the villain of the film, possibly the one who is in charge of the terrorist group, Spectre (Spectre stands for "SPecial Executive for Counterintelligence Revenge Extortion").
Camera and Editing Techniques
The camera shots used in the teaser trailer help establish the setting, characters and narrative. The first shot I've chosen is near the begin of the trailer, as it is an long shot of the previous MI6 headquarters that got blown up in the previous film, Skyfall. It shows the narrative of the traditional story as it starts off in London, the city of Bond. It also tells the audience that MI6 is till in ruins, and that event of Spectre happen soon after. 
Another effective shot is the use of Pan. When the brand new Aston Martin rolls out of the gates, the camera follows it round, showing the full car and how beautiful she is. This shot is important because it wouldn't be in trailer otherwise. Why? Well the Aston is notoriously known as 'the' Bond car, so its significant within every Bond film. Its basically like another character in the film, in the way that a Bond film isn't a Bond film without an Aston Martin.
A close up of James is used at the beginning of the trailer, once he receives the 'black box' of things recovered from Skyfall. The close up helps show the emotion of James, showing how something has evidently touched him, but as he is Bond, he is strong as can't look too much into anything. It shoes how resilient a character Bond is and how nothing from his personal life can affect his work life, following stereotypical traits of a man in his line of work.
A wide shot is also used when James is alone in his flat. The audience can tell he's a man who lives alone as the the shot screams simplicity and we can see its no where near finished. This emphasises how busy Bond and the lack of time he actually spends at home. We know this because there'scardboard boxes both sides of the sofa and picture frames that are un-hung.
Editing is crucial in the Teaser trailer, especially as it doesn't really follow the typical conventions of a teaser trailer. See, most have a 'peak', where the action picks up and there is lots of fast paced editing to create excitement and anticipation. This trailer doesn't do that, it follows a relaxed range of shots/ scenes, possibly creating the way Bond is; Classy, cool, calm and collective. That's the way I see this trailer. It's helped look so smooth by the over-use of fades. The use of fades are used a lot within the trailer, which helps build suspense in a subtle way, as it gives the audience a little bit longer to see the scene as shots stay on the screen for longer. The use of fades also helps the transition from scene to scene/ shot to shot. Its worth mentioning the Spectre logo is very well edited and is also very smooth and classy.
The Use of Sound
Music
The music to start the trailer is quite a hard beat with no actual lyrics. This is because this time is used to tell the audience the narrative and re introduce the characters, so that's got to be the main focus. It does some very clever things though. Not only does it let the screen take over, it allows the actors voices to go over it. The chilling bell-rendition of the Bond theme sends a shiver down the spine. It perfectly matches with them last dark and mysterious shots in the trailer. I mean listen to it without any dialogue, it really is quite a chilling and scary soundtrack, especially at minute 1:07. Of course at the end we get the 'James Bond' music when the titles appear in the actual trailer.
Dialogue
Like I stated before, most dialogue in a teaset trailer consists of one liners, so here are the finest:
- "You've got a secret, something you can't tell anyone because you don't trust anyone ."
- "I always new death would wear a familiar face, but not yours"
- "You was in MI6"
- "You're like a kite dancing in a hurricane, Mr Bond"
- "Welcome James. It's been a very long time."
Titles and Captions
Unlike a lot of trailers, there are no titles or captions interrupting the trailer mid-way through.The only time these do pop up are at the end, which follows the typical convention for a trailer. It starts off with a bullet braking through glass which create the iconic James Bond logo/ title sequence if you like, then Spectre appears. The way the glass is actually broken actually creates the Spectre logo, which is very cleverly integrated. Then it finishes off with 'coming soon'. Unlike Mission Impossible, there isn't as much to analyse and look into as the trailer all together is quite secluded and doesn't give much away.
Intended Target Audience
I would say the primary audience is young males, 16-30 but Bond is popular with males and females in the 30-50 range, too... Many of the 40-50 age range grew up with the original Bond movies of the 60's and 70's. The classic secret-agent fantasy character appeals to both teenagers and adults.
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