A trailer is a film advertisement, usually short, that has been produced to advertise a film. They are often spliced together from rushes or dailies, and may contain footage that is not in the final movie. They are generally regulated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
Historically, trailers have been conceived as a way to promote films to theaters and theatergoers. These montage-like presentations were first created in 1913 by Nils Granlund, the advertising manager for Marcus Loew theaters, and have evolved into an industry that is now a specialized branch of the motion picture production and distribution business.
In the United States, trailers are typically produced by a number of different companies based in Los Angeles and New York City, including The Cimarron Group, MOJO, The Ant Farm, Ben Cain, Aspect Ratio, Flyer Entertainment, Trailer Park, Buddha Jones and many others. They are usually broadcast on cable television channels, on websites, and on DVDs before the film is released.
Specially composed music is also commonly used in the trailer. This music has been specifically designed to complement the image of the film and is often a favorite of the film’s composer.
The music that is played in the trailer usually has a certain amount of musical pacing, as well as a specific genre. For example, the soundtrack of a crime drama will have fast beats to match the fast-paced nature of the film. On the other hand, the soundtrack of a comedy will have slower paced beats that are more suitable for the comedic scenes within the film.
While the film trailer is a necessary part of the marketing strategy for many movies, it has also been known to mislead audiences. Some trailers may feature a celebrity who is only a minor character in the film, or they may advertise the film as being more action-packed than it actually is.
This is done for several reasons: it can be considered an artistic choice, or to give the film a unique look; it can also be used to attract an audience to the film, as a way to increase its sales.
A trailer can be made for many types of movies, from comedy to romance to thrillers and other genres. The main objective is to present the audience with an impression of what the film will be like and get them excited about seeing it.
Since trailers are a critical aspect of the marketing strategy for most movies, they are usually created at companies that specialize in this work. These companies often have large offices, and they will often have a team of professionals on-hand who are responsible for creating the trailer.
Some of these companies have also become major players in other aspects of the film industry, such as casting and distributing the finished product. These companies are sometimes called “production houses,” and they have become a major part of the film industry.
Another way that trailers have gotten into the film industry is by releasing their own movies. These are usually independent films that have not been produced by a traditional studio and may not have the same marketing budget as a mainstream film. These films are usually less expensive and can be screened at a lower rate than a traditional movie, and can sometimes be released in places that are not allowed to screen the film on television.