Differences between a trailer and an opening sequence

This post will explain the differences between the trailer and an opening sequence.

Trailers

A trailer is essentially a montage of scenes and clips that have been carefully picked out to produce an 'enticing' trailer for a film/TV programme that aims to allure viewers into seeing the whole of the film/TV programme so they can gain more of an understanding of what is happening, as trailers are usually at a much shorter length than opening sequences, which only allows the viewer to take in small hints and indications so they only know very little about the plot in the film/TV programme. The trailers below have been produced to entice viewers into watching their advertised product.

 

The trailer for 'SMILEY' gives short snippets of SMILEY (the main antagonist of the film) in action, by promoting his antagonistic status in order to garner more fear from the audience, yet also garner enough intrigue from them so they feel compelled to find out more about this 'SMILEY' character, which is a good reaction for a horror movie.

 

The trailer for 'The Dark Knight Rises' often mentions the product being advertised to reach it's 'epic conclusion'. The use of the word 'epic' builds up the amount of anticipation the audience will have for the film, thus tempting them to pay and watch the movie so they can see how the conclusion is as 'epic' as it is labelled to be.

Opening Sequences

An opening sequence is different to a trailer as the former of the two has a much longer length than the latter, and features only the beginning of the film/TV programme. Whereas trailers solely display the dramatic peak of the plot for the film/TV programme that they are advertising, opening sequences either show the normality of the characters and the setting, so the audience can get a good grasp of how to perceive the characters, or opening sequences will build-up towards that dramatic peak, which as a result, also building up the anticipation of the viewer and atmosphere for the characters. Opening sequences will also most likely feature the roles that people will have been given for the film (actors/actresses, director, editor, producer, etc.).



The opening sequence for 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' features the opening credits to the film (something that I have observed from this opening sequence is that the credits display unique titles such as 'Costume Designer' and 'Co-Producers') and also features a nightmare Lisbeth has, which shows part of her 'damaged' past. The nightmare sequence shows hints as to what Lisbeth has been through, that become much clearer as the film progresses.



Like the opening sequence of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', the opening sequence for 'Panic Room' features the opening credits to the film (including the actors/actresses, costume designer, film editors, production designers as well as other titles), whilst also showing establishing shots of the location, to give the audience a better grasp of where the film is set, and the normality of the citizens that reside in this location.