A trailer is a film or video game preview. Often, they are highly condensed versions of the story to be told in the film, highlighting important moments and climaxes. These short segments are used to market a movie and help attract audiences. Some trailers contain footage from the finished film, while others are entirely new and filmed to promote the film. They can be a key part of a film’s marketing campaign and can make or break whether the film is seen by many people.
While a trailer can be a great way to advertise a film, it is also a way for the studio to control the message. A good trailer can get the word out, but a bad one can make the film look too cheesy or overproduced. This is why studios carefully edit and balance the two to create a successful promotion for their films.
Typically, trailers are released to theaters and television before the release of a film. However, they are often distributed online as well. The Internet has become the studios newest and most cost-effective marketing tool, allowing them to release “red-band” trailers that cannot be shown on television and develop extended campaigns including teasers, countdowns and even footage-less promotions announcing when the trailer is set to drop. YouTube has become the new sandbox for editors as they try out different styles and edits to create interesting and intriguing trailers.
One of the most effective elements in a trailer is the sound track. A good song can add an emotional element to the trailer and can make the audience feel a connection with the film. The use of a song in the trailer can also help the viewer remember the film once it is released.
In addition to music, a trailer can contain voice over or dialogue to help tell the story. A good voice over can make the viewer feel a connection with the characters in the film and help draw them into the story. It is important that the voice over or dialogue is not too over the top or it may detract from the story being told.
Depending on the subject matter, trailers can be incredibly stylized. For example, a horror film’s trailer might have the use of dark, foreboding music and a slow-motion shot of the main character getting killed. A comedy or romantic film’s trailer might use humor and a light-hearted approach to get the viewers interested in the film.
A trailer can contain a list of the main cast and crew members. This is called a cast run and is usually featured near the end of the trailer. The cast run can include the names of the director and producer as well. The listing is often featured on posters and print advertisements as well.
A film’s rating is also commonly listed on a trailer. The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) sets the ratings for the film and it is important to follow their guidelines when making a trailer. For example, it is important to avoid showing shots of guns pointing at the camera. This is because the Columbine Massacre made the MPAA very sensitive about gun violence in movies.