'Inception' - Trailer Conventions

Now, I am going to look at the teaser trailer, TV spot, and theatrical trailer for the film Inception and list the conventions found in each one, before comparing the differences between each of them.

Teaser Trailer

Conventions that appear:

- Production Company logos

- Images from the film

- Director's name

- Quotes that reference another film (by the same director)

- Images of star/names of stars

- Sound effects - (loud booming)

- Tagline

- Editing - (fades to black)

- Eye candy shots - (action and chase scenes)

- Indication of genre - (tension shots and chases)

- Variety of camera shots - (bird's eye view shots)

- Release date - (Coming Soon)

TV Spot

Conventions that appear:

- Production Company logos

- Images from the film

- Release date - (July 16)

- Tagline

- Quote - reference to another film (by the same director)

- Music that reflects genre

- Images of stars/name of stars

- Eye candy - (explosions and chases)

- Editing - (quick shots, fast paced)

- Variety of camera shots

- Website

- Certificate/rating

- Title of the film

Theatrical Trailer

Conventions that appear:

- Production Company logos

- Images from the film

- Voiceover from character 

- Music that reflects the genre

- Editing - (slower fades)

- Director's name 

- Quote - reference to another film (by the same director)

- Eye candy - (explosions, snow cliffs)

- Images/names of stars

- Tagline

- Title of the film

- Credit block

- Release date - (Summer 2010)

- more narrative information

- wider range of characters are introduced

- more dialogue than previous trailers