Comparisons Between Two Movie Trailers

In Pokemon, there is a heavy voice over which easily gives away the movie genre. As the voice has a powerful, 'calling' effect, we not only notice what type of genre the trailer will show, but we also notice how demanding the trailer becomes because of it. For example, it is as if a person is calling you from the kitchen to come and see the trailer. Also, the music in the back fits in with the low voice and together they form the ultimate 'dynamic duos.'

Gladiator has an obvious unique selling point. It is Russell Crowe. Throughout each frame we see parts that link in with Russell Crowe. When we are told that Russell Crowe is starring in the film, by his name coming up in a black screen, we are straight after shown a mid shot from a camera pointing up at Russell Crowe in a mise en scene. This gives an overpowering effect and tells the audience that this is one of his movies where he 'means business.' Even more, people who watch over trailers will see that in the last frame of the trailer, the name Russell Crowe appears before the title itself. This is called an 'A' list and shows that Russell Crowe is the main actor of the film.

The unique selling point of the Pokemon trailer is somewhat different to an actual 'man' in Gladiator. As visual effects of the trailer are always based on Pokemon, we know that the unique selling point cannot be anything else but the title of the trailer itself. The Pokemon 'craze' was very well set up. When it spread to western countries including England, every child had to watch Pokemon television programmes, have their own set of Pokemon cards, toys and videos. When the trailer was released every child had to go and see the movie it brought with it. So the unique selling point is far less materialised, but is the actual Pokemon craze itself. In the Pokemon trailer, although we are made to believe the fight is between 'Mew' and 'Mewtwo,' we see many of the Pokemon in trailer wandering about or in the battles themselves. But even then we see that the craze is far more powerful than any other specific unique selling point.

Therefore by analysing both the genres of the trailers and their unique selling points we are able to see the target audiences that the directors are selecting. The target audiences for Gladiator are those who enjoy blood and gore, and those that like or would 'die' for Russell Crowe. Target audiences for the Pokemon trailer are those who enjoy cartoons and those who are mentally and physically obsessed with the Pokemon itself i.e. children. We can say mentally and physically because of the Pokemon craze. By mentally, I mean those children or people who enjoy watching and thinking about Pokemon. By physically, I mean those children or people who like collecting Pokemon toys and cards. In addition to the less detailed trailers, the Pokemon trailer is clever in the way that it involves its target audience: '... Bring all YOUR skill....' This allows the target audience to be allowed to have permission to feel like they are in an actual arena instead of feeling as if they are in the same old cinema.

All movies have some kind of an advertisement. An advertisement is the act of advertising or making something known, in this case the movie, using any means of device, for obtaining public notice or notoriety. Whether it be a trailer or a poster, the whole point of them are to lure people who enjoy the kind of setting it portrays (target audience).

All advertisements have their target audiences, unique selling points, genre, and show who directed the film, who acts in the film and has to show the title of the film. The adverts have visual and audio effects, which portray these subjects.

As both of the trailers show these subjects very well with special effects, both the trailers were known for their class and showings of these subjects. For example, this year at the Oscars, Gladiator was awarded best picture and picked up four other Oscars as well. Russell Crowe was awarded best leading actor for his appearances in his movie premier, Gladiator. The other Oscars the movie won were Best costume design, sound and visual effects. This shows that because of the vast amount of publicity that the advertisements of Gladiator brought, so many people went to see the movie, that in the end it was awarded all those Oscars.

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Serjevan Kalsi 10P/10TM Mr. Liddy