A trailer is a short film that acts as a preview for a feature film. It is used to promote the film in theaters, cinemas, and on television. The trailer is a mix of action and special effects to create a suspenseful and exciting experience. It also includes narration and music. Taglines are important for the trailer as they help capture the essence of the movie in a few words. The trailer should also be well-edited and have an appealing soundtrack. It should also include a cast run, which is a list of the main actors in the film.
The trailer is a powerful marketing tool that can make or break a film’s box office success. The trailer’s first impression carries more weight than the actual film itself, and is often the only image most people will recall when asked whether they’ve seen the new film. During the golden age of Hollywood, stars like Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles specialized in creating elaborate previews that left audiences clamoring for more.
Trailers are an integral part of the film-making process and have been used for decades to promote movies and drive ticket sales. Today, the trailer is a critical element of every film and can be found on the Internet and other popular media platforms. They are also used to sell video games, books, and theatrical events.
Story Trailers transport the audience beyond the confines of a genre, introducing characters and their aspirations. They also reveal plot intricacies, conflicts, and character goals. Ideally, these elements are revealed in a way that fosters empathy between the viewer and the film’s protagonists.
Choosing the right trailer for your project depends on your target audience and how much information you want to give away. It’s important to avoid spoilers, as viewers will lose interest in a movie when they know what’s going to happen beforehand. Moreover, you don’t want to use too many special effects, as they may distract viewers from the film itself.
Central Characters: The central characters of a film should be introduced in the trailer, so that viewers can get a sense of who they are and relate to them. The trailer can do this by showing the actors in their roles, through a series of quick cuts, or with on-screen text and voiceover. Alternatively, the trailer can use music to create an emotional connection with the audience.
Time and Space Setting: The trailer should provide context for the time and place of the film’s narrative. It can do this by introducing the key settings, providing visual clues through on-screen text and/or music, or a combination of both.
Plot Essence: The trailer should introduce the key moments of a film’s narrative without giving away too much information. It can do this through a series of quick cuts, and by using music to set the tone – for example, it would be inappropriate to use happy music in a horror film or dramatic music in an action thriller.