A2 Media Research Task 5

A2 Media Research Task 5

Explore the use of pace in two different trailers. What impact does pacing have on the effectiveness of the trailer?

Taken 3

Taken 3 varies its pace throughout their trailer to help make it as effective as possible on audiences. At the beginning, the shots are relatively quick, although the audio and narrative help create a slow pace during the opening shots. This is effective on the trailer as it allows audiences to settle into it rather than jumping straight into action. The slow pace at the beginning also allows the audiences to gain a brief understanding about the story and characters, for example in the opening 20 seconds of Taken 3 a small family are introduced and informed that everything within their life is currently going well. As the trailer progresses, the pace increases as action is introduced. At one point the trailer shows shots of a murder scene, the pace increases briefly increases to show quick shots of points that producers want the audience to see but not to see too much of them, for example the bloody knife and body on the bed.

Throughout the trailer pace varies dependant on whether the producers want viewers to know important information about the movie or if action is being shown to try and encourage viewers. There are many times in the Taken 3 trailer where information is being shared with viewers, particularly when the main character is being described by federal agents. During these shots the pace is significantly slowed down to enable the audience to listen more rather than focusing on fast shots. However, when there is no information or narrative being and action shots are being shown, the pace speeds up to create a dramatic effect and a bit more tension within the trailer. Overall, the pace used throughout has a positive impact on the effectiveness of the Taken 3 trailer.

Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift

Unlike the Taken 3 trailer, Tokyo Drift uses a much more frequent fast pace throughout. The trailer is representing a street racing film therefore using a much faster pace is appropriate to connote the speed of the cars and also other action taking place between rival characters. I believe the pace has a positive impact on the effectiveness of the trailer as it works well with the action shots used and race cars shown throughout. This attracts viewers to the trailer and encourages them to watch the full film as the trailer releases the impression of a high intensity movie from beginning to end.