Who are trailers aimed at?

Trailers are generally aimed at the same audience as the films they publicise. Different types of people like different sorts of films and whilst everyone is an individual there are certain features that will have wide appeal to specific groups of people. See if you can work out what these are.

  1. Watch the following three trailers using the clip viewer:
    • Trash
    • The Theory of Everything
    • The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
    Make notes on your observations, using a copy of the worksheet ‘Who are trailers aimed at?’

    Download worksheet: PDF icon Word icon

  2. Use the ‘potential target audience bank’ below to help you with ideas to complete the second column.
  3. In the third column, note the features that you think appeal to this target audience.

Potential target audience bank

  • Teenage boys and girls
  • Families
  • Couples
  • 16–25 year-olds skewed to boys
  • 16–25 year-olds skewed to girls
  • 25–35 year-olds skewed to women
  • 25–35 year-olds skewed to men
  • 35+ year-olds
Close

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

DOCTOR: You couldn’t have tried harder. We have explored every medical option.

JIM: Tonight, let’s have a kid.

CINDY: You heard what the doctor said, give it up.

JIM: There we go. Our kid would never give up.

[Music]

JIM: You know that kinda kid that would be a glass half full person.

[Cindy laughs]

CINDY: Picasso with a pencil.

JIM: Yes!

JIM: Our kid would rock.

CINDY: We so agree.

[Laughs]

JIM: Just once, our kid got to score the winning goal.

[Both cheer]

[Wind, rain and thunder]

JIM: Honey! There is something you need to see.

TEXT: DISNEY INVITES YOU

[Cindy gasps]

TIMOTHY: Hi.

CINDY: Hi. Is he for us?

TIMOTHY: Mom, Dad.

JIM: I’m getting that feeling.

TEXT: TO SEE THE WORLD
CINDY: Where did he come from?

TEXT: IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT

TEXT: THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN COMING SOON

 

Trance

[Music]

SIMON: There’s something hidden inside me. What is it?

[Taps on glass]

ELIZABETH: It’s a memory.

SIMON: A memory?

WOMAN: A memory of what you did.

SIMON: Anyone can steal a painting.

AUCTIONEER: Let’s start the bidding at five million pounds.

SIMON: All it takes is a bit of muscle.

MAN: Get down! Get down!

SIMON: But no piece of art is worth a human life.

MAN: Stop right there.

TEXT: A DANNY BOYLE FILM

SIMON: No piece of art is worth a human life.

FRANCK: Where is it?

SIMON: I can’t remember. I got hit on the head.

FRANCK: That you remember.

ELIZABETH: Have you ever been hypnotised before?

FRANCK: Whatever is in his head she can find.

ELIZABETH: Now I want you to relax Simon.

SIMON: Stop.

FRANCK: What can you make him do?

ELIZABETH: Anything.

[Simon screams]

SIMON: All part of your plan. The two of you planning it together.

FRANCK: She put that there, it’s not real.

ELIZABETH: He wants the painting for himself.

SIMON: I don’t believe that.

[Simon screams]

[Laughs]

FRANCK: Where is he?

SIMON: Why did you lie to me?

TEXT: JAMES MCAVOY

ELIZABETH: A memory is locked in a cage.

TEXT: VINCENT CASSEL

ELIZABETH: And with enough force a lock can be broken.

TEXT: ROSARIO DAWSON

SIMON: Elizabeth, I have something to tell you. You ready? I remember.

TEXT: TRANCE

TEXT: IN CINEMAS MARCH 27

 

Song for Marion

ELIZABETH: One, two, three…

CHOIR (SINGING TOGETHER): Let’s talk about sex baby, let’s talk about you and me, let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be. Let’s talk about sex.

ELIZABETH: I have entered us into a choir competition.

ELIZABETH: Oh hello Arthur.

ARTHUR: What are you lot doing here?

MARION: We’re going to be singing.

ARTHUR: Better get some folks who can sing then.

[Laughter]

WOMAN: Have you got a name?

ELIZABETH: The OAPS.

[Collective groan]

ELIZABETH: With a zed though to make it street.

ELIZABETH: Give me your rock and roll.

[TIMOTHY roars]

ELIZABETH: That’s a good start.

MARION: I’m going to do a solo.

ARTHUR: On your own?

MARION: That’s what a solo is isn’t it?

MARION: Did Grandad tell you he came to hear our singing?

ARTHUR: I wouldn’t call it singing.

JAMES: Why don’t you join in? Lay some beats.

ARTHUR: What like this?

ARTHUR: Bloody crackers you lot.

ELIZABETH: Marion! Marion!

ELIZABETH: If there’s anything I can do.

ARTHUR: Haven’t you done enough you lot?

TEXT: WHEN YOUR WHOLE WORLD CHANGES

ARTHUR: I’ve got to go then?

MARION: Oh yes, you bloody well have.

ARTHUR: Marion is sick. She asked me to come.

JAMES: Enjoy yourself?

ARTHUR: No. This, it isn’t me.

ELIZABETH: Let everyone see you.

TEXT: IT’S NEVER TOO LATE

ELIZABETH: This is called the robot dance.

TIMOTHY: Arghhhh! [sound of cracking bones]

ELIZABETH: Oh Timothy, I’m so sorry.

TIMOTHY: Not a problem. Happens a lot. Bye everyone!

[Crash]

TIMOTHY: Bloody hell!

TEXT: TO FIND YOUR VOICE

ELIZABETH: Would you like to sing?

ARTHUR: Alright.

ELIZABETH: You’re a dark horse Arthur.

TEXT: “SO WONDERFUL I WANT TO SING OUT LOUD ABOUT IT” BAZ BAMIGBOYE – DAILY MAIL

MARION: I love you Arthur Harris. You’re my rock.

TEXT: TERENCE STAMP, GEMMA ARTERTON, CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON WITH VANESSA REDGRAVE

ARTHUR: Even if I fall flat on my ass I’m gonna do the song.

GIRL: Come on Grandad!

TEXT: SONG FOR MARION

ELIZABETH: You must be the judge.

WOMAN: What do I have to do to get us through to the competition? I’m prepared to do anything.

TEXT: COMING SOON.