Character development
Film trailers are designed to introduce the viewer to central characters and key relationships. In a short space of time, they can convey a range of information through the images and sounds used, as well as the pace of the editing – the movement between different types of shot.
Watch the trailer once all the way through and spend a few moments thinking about what you have seen and heard. Then answer the questions below. Use the character development chart below to help you organise your ideas as you watch:
Character development chart (PDF)
- Watch the first 35 seconds of the trailer, then pause the video player.
- What do you discover about the relationships between the characters from what you have just seen?
- What about the mood and atmosphere of their adventure?
- How would you describe the genre of these first 35 seconds and who do you think it is aimed at?
- Now watch the whole trailer once more.
- How do the characters and their relationships change and how is this change communicated to the audience?
- What observations can you make about the roles and development of the male and female characters?