Teaser Trailers And Horror FIlms: Codes And Conventions

There are many codes and conventions for teaser trailers and horror films.

For example with teaser trailers there is the time limit convention of a teaser trailer normally being very short, around 30-60 seconds long. In this time it will have shown you a basic outline of what the new film is about. It may include text to ask you questions which may relate to what the film is about, or just take your thoughts away from what the film could really be about.

The main purpose of a teaser trailer is that it is made to make you aware of a new film whixh is still being edited or produced. Some teaser trailers show just the first ideas of what they want to produce for the real film, and not necessarily what they will produce when it comes to that stage, as they may decide in the editing that they do not want to include a particular scene which we have already seen.

A teaser trailer makes the audience aware that there will be a film released soon, and may increase their curiosity of the film and make them go and see it. The reason why it is called a 'teaser' is because it does not give the audience everything, but enough for them to know some parts of what will happen.

The pace usually is fast or starts slow and picks up, it gives you a brief insight of what the film is about and leaves you wanting to see more. It contains a minimum amount of footage from the film so it just teases audiences.

There are much codes and conventions of horror films, these include a preliminary introduction into ordinary lifestyle, this is also seen in many horror teaser trailers. There is sometimes a bizarre type of murder/death and the killer is mostly unknown.

The credits and texts follow the horror theme, e.g. creepy font, title movement, pumpkins etc.

The main characters of a horror film are introduced as young and youthful, usually teenage kids who are an easy target due to their vulnerability. Usually a couple, athlete boyfriend and cheerleader girlfriend types.

Many horror films include the convention of unsuccessful acts of heroism, an unprotected victim and a superhuman killer who may not die successfully an come back in a sequel.

Many horror films tend to bypass the codes and conventions but some of them choose to follow these. They include dark/shadowy lighting, an isolated location, a female victim, a disruption of normality, a sub plot (usually a relationsship) and a defeat of the monster(s).