Differences between film trailers and openings

A film trailer is essentially a compilation of footage from the completed production that advertises the film through highlights and climatic moments in the sequence. Very occasionally, the trailer will contain scenes that are not actual footage and are computer-generated, but these are often `teaser trailers` that are created during pre-production rather than post production.

Film openings present a title and include details such as the cast members and major institutions. It also establishes a diegesis and suggests to the audience what the atmosphere of the film is likely to be. It is not a requirement to hint at or reveal the storyline (in the same way a trailer has to), but some film openings move at different paces. Many openings will move slowly and hold information until the production's climax, but others will give away a critical detail within the first 120 seconds.

In terms of creating a film trailer in A2, the differences to the AS courses' film opening include:

• The order that some information and/or text appears will be different - e.g the title will be at the end of the trailer rather than the beginning of the film opening.
• The film trailer must hint at the story-line. A film opening does not necessitate this.
• Creating a film trailer will involve shots and scenes from the (intended, implied) film production but they will not be the same order as the events from the story proposal. It cannot give away the story structure, only the content.