A trailer is a vehicle that is designed to promote a movie or show, usually in a highly polished way. It is also sometimes used to refer to a mobile home or small apartment. Trailers are made up of a few different components.
The first is the body, which includes all the parts intended to be in contact with the frame. Some trailers also have a tongue, or the handle that lifts and lowers a metal pipe. Another important component is the suspension, which is the elastic movement between the frame and the axles.
This is often the most impressive part of a trailer. Many of these are accompanied by music that doesn’t make the cut for the film’s soundtrack. These may be orchestral pieces, such as an eerie ominous symphony, or an upbeat, catchy song.
Another notable feature is the voice-over. Voice-over narration can enhance the audience’s understanding of the plot, if done well. It can also be used to make a brief introduction to the film or its premise. There are a few instances where it is used purely for satirical effect.
As the years have passed, trailers have become more refined. They now contain special effects, stereophonic sound, and are sometimes mixed in a multichannel sound mix. In addition, they’re often used as promotional materials for other media.
The National Association of Theatre Owners, a trade group, issued a guideline for film distributors to provide trailers no longer than two minutes. However, this rule is not mandatory. Since no clear rules or guidelines for running time were in place prior to the guideline, it’s possible to find some trailers that run much longer than this.
In addition to the aforementioned features, a trailer is also known as a “billing block.” On the screen at the beginning of the movie, it usually lists the principal cast, director, and production company. Sometimes, these are accompanied by a promotional logo, which is also used in print publicity materials.
Depending on the studio, the trailer might also include footage that wasn’t in the film. For example, the Terminator 2: Judgment Day trailer featured an elaborate special effects scene. Other examples include the Psycho trailer, which featured Alfred Hitchcock’s tour of the Bates Motel.
While a trailer may be a gimmick, the most important function of a trailer is to sell the movie. Even a bad movie can be redeemed with a well-designed trailer.
While most of us aren’t likely to see a live action trailer, there are many online sites that allow users to watch and download them at any resolution they desire. Additionally, there are dozens of companies specializing in making trailers. Several of these are located in Los Angeles and New York City.
A trailer is a great example of the complication involved in advertising. Today, we have access to high bandwidth Internet connections, which allow for the easy distribution of trailers to audiences around the world. With this, we can get the same experience that we would at the cinema.