Understanding The Definition Of A Trailer And The Features That Make Them Special
A trailer is nothing but a sequence of still photos or video recordings intended to exhibit a certain product. In this context, a trailer may act as an illustration or a model of the product for which it is intended to communicate. It’s not every product that needs to be showcased in a trailer. Generally speaking, any product that has to be propagated or promoted needs to be in a trailer. Thus, trailers are created for almost every kind of product: an oil painting, a computer chip, or even the plastic fruit of a tree.
A trailer is also a commercial promotion for a particular feature film which is going to be shown in a film theatre/ cinema in the near future. The word “trailer” dates back to the earliest forms of mass communication. Back in those times, all films had to be shown in cinemas. The original format for trailers was the reel, which consisted of ten silent films affixed with tiny pictures to tell the story of the feature film being exhibited.
The original form of trailers used to be ten or twelve inches wide and very long. They featured two or more pictures on the reel. Modern day trailers have evolved into much smaller dimensions and are only a few seconds in length (which is actually shorter than the original versions). The modern day trailer is now a combination of a truck trailer and a semi-trailer truck. The truck trailer contains the actual film that needs to be shown in a trailer, while the semi-trailer is used to carry the film and other equipment to the chosen filming locations. Semi-trailer trucks can also be fitted with asphalt, tar, gravel or grass and soil covers.
A trailer may contain background music, a still photograph, a trademark logo of the company, or even some kind of artistic decorations. When it comes to the film, a trailer often carries the completed film itself, with dialogue and all. However, when a trailer accompanies an automobile, this is referred to as a drive-in trailer. Drive-ins allow film crews to take the entire vehicle to a location, rather than assembling it at the site of the shooting. In the case of independent films or short movies, drive-ins are often used to allow the director to film inside the vehicle.
Some films require extensive preparations prior to filming. One such example is the Dr. Strangelove trailer. This award winning film used a completely different form of trailer to convey its message. Although the title describes the content of the trailer as a Dr. Strangelove style film, there is no reference to what specific style the trailer shows.
If a producer or distributor cannot find the right kind of trailer, they will not be able to show the film in any competition. It is important for everyone involved in making, releasing, or holding the screening to know what type of trailer is required for the presentation. Knowing whether it must be shot on location, over a sound stage, or on a sound plane is critical to getting the most out of the trailer. Finding the right kind of trailer can mean the difference between being a winner and a loser at your film festival or national competition.