A trailer is a short clip of a movie, TV show or video game used to promote it. They are used to draw attention from viewers and can make or break the audience’s interest in a film. Trailers are often created by video production companies to promote their film and television shows, but can also be made by individual fans using audio or video of the original trailer or their own creativity. In the age of YouTube, trailers have become a popular art form and are a huge part of many movie makers’ marketing strategies.
Film studios have adapted to the new way that people watch movies by developing their own trailer production houses, creating teaser trailers to build anticipation and countdowns to the release of the full-length trailer, and even using online platforms like Vimeo and Facebook to create a more interactive and immersive experience. Trailers are now often short, focusing on a specific moment or scene in the movie and highlighting the main characters and storyline. They are often accompanied by music, usually composed specifically for the trailer and not the actual film, to further set the tone and build an emotional connection between viewer and film.
A trailer can be as short or long as the film itself, depending on what is needed to sell it. Traditionally, longer films are packaged with multiple trailers to give audiences a chance to decide whether the movie is for them. This allows the film to reach a wider audience and increase the chances that someone will purchase or rent the film.
While some films are made with the intention of generating their own trailers, such as the 2008 film Hobo with a Shotgun, most are created with the intention of promoting other films. As a result, the movie trailer industry has exploded into a massive multi-billion dollar business.
Although there are countless companies that produce movie trailers, a major part of the work is still done by the film editors who cut together the footage to make the trailer. They often have to use rushes or dailies, which may include footage not included in the final edited film. This is particularly true for documentary and independent films, where the finished product is often much different than the original idea of the film.
A film editor must often work with the director and producers to determine what will be included in the trailer, as well as how it will be presented. This is an ongoing process, with many trailers undergoing numerous revisions before they are finished. Sometimes, this is done to change the tone or focus of the film, and at other times it is simply a matter of trying to get the most out of the available budget.
In recent years, the trailer has been a tool for filmmakers to push their political agenda and highlight social injustices in society. For example, the anti-war film Draft Day used a trailer to highlight the issues of child soldiers and war profiteering.