MOVIE TRAILERS

An Overview

WHAT IS A MOVIE TRAILER?

The term “trailer” comes from their having been shown at the end of a film. Why was this strategy ineffective?

Now, these “teasers,” as they are sometimes called, are shown before the feature film begins.

PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES

What techniques are most often used in movie previews to make the viewer want to see the movie?

How do the trailers that precede a feature film compare to the feature film? Why is this an important strategy?

WHAT MAKES UP A TRAILER?

Trailers consist of a series of the most exciting, funny, or otherwise noteworthy parts of the film but in very abbreviated form.

A trailer will not produce “spoilers” that give away the plot of a movie. Besides, the purpose of the trailer is to build audience curiosity about the film before they are able to see it.

One method editors use to prevent spoilers in trailers is to present shots from the film in a different order than they actually appear in the film.

TRAILER REGULATIONS

A trailer cannot be longer than two and a half minutes, according to theater regulations.

Once a year, a studio or film distributor s allowed to exceed the time limit if they feel it is necessary for a certain film.

ELEMENTS OF A FILM TRAILER

Genre: What type of film is being previewed? (animated, drama, documentary, comedy, sci-fi, horror, romance, etc.)

Point-of view: Who is the narrator? How are they involved? (first-person, third-person, etc.)

Location: What does the trailer reveal about setting? What are the clues?

Theme: What is the universal idea to be taken from watching the film? (not what the film is about)

Pacing: How is the trailer paced? Fast? Medium? Slow? What impact might this have?

ELEMENTS OF A FILM TRAILER

On-screen graphics: What kind of information is revealed by the graphics? Be specific.

Music and other sound effects: How does this set the tone of the film?

How does the trailer begin and end? Was it effectively edited?

What film studio is releasing the trailer? Do you know any previous films they’ve released?

Does the trailer tell you where you can find out more about the film?

ANALYZING A TRAILER

Horror:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1486192/

Comedy:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120888/

Action:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1345836/#lb