RADIO TRAILERS
I investigated radio adverts used for films by looking at a playlist
on YouTube entitled 1970s radio adverts for cult movies. This playlist
has been a brilliant source for me as it allowed me to view a range of
radio adverts. - an introduction
- use of voice overs and music that establish the genre
- introductory voice over which also specifies genre
- dialogue spoken by key character creating drama and suspense setting out key thiemes
- a musical soundtrack which accompanies dialogue building to a climax
- tag line taken from the film poster
- conclusion with another voice over provides key information about when the film opens, when the screenings take place and the certification
ANALYSING RADIO TRAILERS - FANTASIA
I have looked at the 1979 london radio advert for the film Fantasia. The radio advert follows a specific pattern of an introduction, the use of voice overs and music.
In the radio advert for Fantasia, there is an introduction which includes the use of a voice accompanied by classic music.
The film name is immediately introduced with a factual selling point:
"In full stereophonic sound: Fantasia!". The sound of the string
instruments is effective as specific parts of the music are louder and
more bold. The upbeat tune in the background builds suspense as it
gradually becomes stronger.
The music assists in establishing the genre
of the film. It is fast paced and upbeat, the sound of the string
instruments almost becomes hurried and muddled together to create a
fantasy feel. The upbeat tone to the music suggests that the film could
be aimed at a younger audience. The voice over also confirms this due to the mention of "Walt Disney's Fantasia" which wil be associated with children's animations
and productions. The speech also develops the plot and genre of the
film: "where colour and shape merge with the worlds most beautiful
music". This conveys a musical, fantasy based film.
The conclusion of the radio advert
features another voice over with a different narrator. Change in the
voice here signals that the information being given has a different
purpose. Key information is coveyed by this new narrator which features
towards the end of the advert. The information conveyed here relates to
where the film can be viewed: "an exclusive presentation, now showing at
the Odeon Haymarket". The musical soundtrack can be heard to build to a
climax towards the end of the advert to build the suspense and
establish that this is the end of the advert.
ANALYSING RADIO TRAILERS - APOCALYPSE NOW
I have also looked at the radio trailer for the film "Apocalypse Now". The speech
at the beginning is not accompanied by music. The music is eased in
gradually as it is loud and bold. It is introduced after the first part
of dialogue where the film title is stated. This emphasises the release
of the film and the name of the film. The music used is key to
demonstrating the genre of the film as the bold audio has an adventurous
or thrilling tone to it. The dialogue at the begging of the radio
advert appears to be audio from the film which helps to portray the film
in an appealing way for an audience and to demonstrate the themes of
the film. The mention of key actors names draws in audience and may also signal what genre the video is likely to be.
The voice over at the end of the radio advert features key information such as the classification of the film, "certificate X", and where the film can be seen and when such as the dialogue "all over London from Sunday". There is also a voice over used at the end which works as a conclusion to the advert. It features a line that may be considered a tag line: experience apocalypse now and you will never need to go to war. There is also use of audio which gives insight agin into the genre of the film and is likely to have been taken from the film itself: "the horror" These words are repeated at the end and fade out to create drama and emphasis about the horror and thriller styled genre.
The voice over at the end of the radio advert features key information such as the classification of the film, "certificate X", and where the film can be seen and when such as the dialogue "all over London from Sunday". There is also a voice over used at the end which works as a conclusion to the advert. It features a line that may be considered a tag line: experience apocalypse now and you will never need to go to war. There is also use of audio which gives insight agin into the genre of the film and is likely to have been taken from the film itself: "the horror" These words are repeated at the end and fade out to create drama and emphasis about the horror and thriller styled genre.
ANALYSING RADIO ADVERTS - SUPERMAN
I have listened to the radio advert for the film Superman (1978). I have
been able to identify common features found in radio adverts.
The narrator used helps to grab the attention of the audience. A relationship is built with the audience through synthetic personalisation. The narrator states "nothing you have ever seen heard or imagined could ever prepare you for this reality", the use of the personal pronoun "you" helps to build this personal relationship with the audience. There is a strong and over dramatic description of the film such as "brought to you by the awesome technology of modern film and "the man and the story are as real as you are". Not only does this grab the attention of the audience but it helps to establish the tone and key genre of the film as it appears dramatic and action packed. The music assists in creating this sense of action and adventure as it is dramatic and in places and is a type of music that is very stereotypically used with action or hero movies. Super is now the movie - here there is an assumption that superman is known by the audience suggesting that the audience is viewed as being very broad.
As well as this, the advert features a tag line "you'll believe a man can fly" which allows consumers to make a connection between the poster and the film tying together all promotional aspects of the film. The title of the film "Superman" is repeated at various points in the advert to reinforce this to the audience. There is also, again following the pattern of radio adverts, information on when and where to see the film, "now at selected west end and suburban cinemas", and the rating "certificate A".
The narrator used helps to grab the attention of the audience. A relationship is built with the audience through synthetic personalisation. The narrator states "nothing you have ever seen heard or imagined could ever prepare you for this reality", the use of the personal pronoun "you" helps to build this personal relationship with the audience. There is a strong and over dramatic description of the film such as "brought to you by the awesome technology of modern film and "the man and the story are as real as you are". Not only does this grab the attention of the audience but it helps to establish the tone and key genre of the film as it appears dramatic and action packed. The music assists in creating this sense of action and adventure as it is dramatic and in places and is a type of music that is very stereotypically used with action or hero movies. Super is now the movie - here there is an assumption that superman is known by the audience suggesting that the audience is viewed as being very broad.
As well as this, the advert features a tag line "you'll believe a man can fly" which allows consumers to make a connection between the poster and the film tying together all promotional aspects of the film. The title of the film "Superman" is repeated at various points in the advert to reinforce this to the audience. There is also, again following the pattern of radio adverts, information on when and where to see the film, "now at selected west end and suburban cinemas", and the rating "certificate A".
ANALYSING RADIO ADVERTS - DOCTOR WHO
Having looked at and analysed example of radio adverts from the 1970s,
I'e decided to also analyse more modern day radio adverts. I wish to be
able to find out the key information that should be displayed in these
types of adverts and what has changed between older and more modern
radio adverts so that I can include information that is necessary and
effective.
In the radio advert for doctor who it has followed a very similar
pattern to those of the 1970s. It used voice overs, sound effects and
music to advertise the genre of the film. The beginning consisted of the
use of a recognisable sound effect
which represented the "Tardis". This immediately helped the audience to
associated the sound with doctor who and can help to grab people's
attention. The voice over used was from one of the main characters who narrates
the advert offering he insight into her own character and the
relationship between herself and the doctor. She does not however
explain the storyline in detail in the way that some of the 1970s
adverts did. "The doctor"
is repeated and mentioned as well as the name of the female characters
narrating "I'm clara Oswald" however the official title of the
television drama isn't introduced until later in the advert where a
different narrator is used. This change in voice has enabled the first
narrator to stay in character and create drama and excitement however the second voice displays clear information about the programme such as: "on BBC 1" and "Saturday at 7.
Genre is established through music which creates dramatic tense feel as well as the speech and the sci-fi sound effects used. As well as this, the theme tune
for the television series accompanies the second narrator and there are
bites of audio from the television series being included within the
advert to add depth to the story. The audio creates excitement and tension as shouts can be heard.
Planning
RADIO TRAILER
I have spent time planning our radio trailer. Below is the script we have created for our radio trailer:
Narrator: Once upon a time...
Librarian: (interrupting angrily) Shh quiet in the library
Audio from our film: "Why can't real guys be like the men in my stories?"
Narrator: When one day love found her....
Audio from our film: "I see you got my sticky notes"
Narrator: But not all is as it appears to be
Audio from our film: "I love romance stories" "Ours is a better love story though, right."
Narrator: The ultimate feel good film, a modern fairy tale. CHECKOUT. coming July 2015
Narrator: Once upon a time...
Librarian: (interrupting angrily) Shh quiet in the library
Narrator: There lived a girl who was young and looking for love
Audio from our film: "Why can't real guys be like the men in my stories?"
Narrator: When one day love found her....
Audio from our film: "I see you got my sticky notes"
Narrator: But not all is as it appears to be
Audio from our film: "I love romance stories" "Ours is a better love story though, right."
Narrator: The ultimate feel good film, a modern fairy tale. CHECKOUT. coming July 2015
We
have chosen to use a narrator who will tell the story to the audience.
There is then an interruption from a librarian. The theme of the
library, books and stories is key within our film and therefore we felt
this theme would be useful in our radio trailer. This technique allows
the audience insight into what our film is about and works well in
portraying the story and information to interest our audience. We felt
this was also a differnet way to portray the information and would make
our trailer stand out. Using quotes (audio) from our film is a way to
interest the audience and hint at the plot of our film. We used key
quotes whilst making sure to keep the storyline hidden so that the
audience is intrigued. We have also planned out how we will include
institutional information such as the date of the film and the name.
Construction & Evaluation
(PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR RADIO TRAILER)
We have constructed a final radio trailer for our short film. After receiving feedback on our original radio trailer we have decided to look closely at the sound in our radio trailer. We recorded aspects of it again so that Georgina as the narrator could sounded clear and so that the intonation used complimented the trailer. We also made sure to ask people of the same age group as a our target audience if they felt the sound was clear so that we were sure we could be happy with the end product.
We have made sure to include a main narrator; Georgina took responsibility for the majority of the narration so that we could construct our radio trailer like a story. This was in keeping with our theme of books and stories throughout our short film. It also focused on the library as the words "shh, quiet in the library" are heard as the story is told. This, again, compliments our theme and will allow the audience an insight into what our film is about. Including tag lines such as "I see you got my sticky notes" was also important and was a key feature used in radio trailers that I have researched previously.
As well as this I suggested using the line "a modern fairytale". This line describes our film and gives the audience more information about the genre of our film. Using this line also compliments the idea that Propp has where a film has key features and characters in it such as a hero and false hero - two character roles that are clearly seen within our short film.
This is very thorough research and planning, which has prepared the ground for a very convincing film radio trailer.
ReplyDeleteYou have researched the genre carefully, providing evidence in 4 pieces of detailed close textual analysis. Your comments show a sound grasp of genre conventions which has enabled you to contribute fully to the joint composition of your own film radio trailer.
The trailer functions most effectively in addressing its target audience, from its opening 'Once upon a time' fairy tale formula, to its striking interruption "Sh! Quiet in the library!" then its use of the protagonist's wistful wishes and the extract from the film dialogue. The trailer combines the film's music with a neat wrap 'A modern fairy tale' and necessary information for the viewer. Well done for your strong contribution to the planning, recording and revision processes.