Harry Potter Movie Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EC2tmFVNNE

The argument: The argument in this movie trailer is that movie-goers should come watch the final installment of Harry Potter because it promises to be “Motion Picture Even of a Generation” and “The Finale to a World-Wide Phenomena.”

The Purpose: The purpose is to get all to participate in watching the movie, even those that may not be familiar with Harry Potter.

The audience: The audience is viewers that previously watched the other installments and are anxiously waiting for the last installment.

How they do it: First, the trailer begins using Pathos. The trailer creators make an emotional appeal by effectively placing at the beginning of the trailer what probably is the climax of their film—the “death” of Harry Potter. The dark set coupled with the dramatic music immediately draws the viewer’s attention to what’s happening on the screen. Furthermore, using a death scene to open the trailer automatically creates some emotions in the viewer such as sadness, fear, or curiosity.
Second, the trailer creators use Logos. Because they started the trailer at the climax of the movie, the rest of the trailer is spent on events leading up to the “death” of Harry Potter. The viewer is already thinking that something must have led to the death of Harry Potter. By showing little blurbs of the rest of the movie, the viewer can logically put together parts of the plot but still must see the whole movie to get the full story.
Some of the evidence used to coerce people to see the movie may not be accurate. For example, the final scene in the book between Voldemort and Harry Potter occurs among all of Harry’s friends. The movie trailer shows this scene outdoors in the ruins of the school. Harry’s friends are missing from the picture. Thus, some of the evidence used to attract viewers to the movie may not be exactly what occurred in the book.
While the evidence may not be accurate, it is relevant. Coupled with these scenes are phrases on the screen that read “The Motion Picture Event of a Generation,” and “The Finale of a World-Wide Phenomena.” If these are the points the trailer creators are trying to make about the movie, then dramatic scenes used from the movie definitely support these claims.

The movie trailer is effective. It appeals both to those that are knowledgeable about Harry Potter and those who may not be. By framing this movie as a phenomenon that should not be missed, and demonstrating this by showing the most dramatic scenes of the movie, the creators create a desire in the watcher to go see the movie.