A trailer is a wheeled vehicle that can’t move on its own and requires to be pulled by a larger vehicle, such as a car or truck. It’s also the name of a film preview or advertisement that theaters show before a movie.
The word is also used to describe a type of boat that can be hooked to a vehicle and trailed behind it. For the most part, though, it’s the movie trailer that people think of when they hear the word.
Movie trailers have long been a powerful form of advertising for films, but they’ve since spread to other types of media, including television shows, video games, books, and even theatrical events or concerts. The purpose of a trailer is to create interest in the full feature film, and it accomplishes that by revealing just enough of the story to intrigue viewers and make them eager to see the whole picture.
The first step in creating a trailer is to collect all the footage that will be included. Then, edit it together to create the right tone and pace for your trailer. The music you use will also be a key component to the trailer’s success. The best trailers have the music synchronized with the visuals, and this can help to make the transitions between scenes feel more natural and compelling. The tempo of the music can also be an effective way to build tension and heighten suspense. The music will often crescendo at the climax of the trailer, preparing the audience for the powerful resolution that the full movie promises.
A teaser is a very short version of a movie trailer and usually includes just the beginning and ending sequences of the trailer. A trailer is typically longer and includes more of the exciting parts of the movie, but it still doesn’t reveal the entire plot of the film.
Trailers are a great tool for teaching students how to analyze and interpret a visual text. The brevity of the format and its strong verbal and visual content mean that it’s a text that can be taught at almost any grade level. Additionally, the narrative and persuasive nature of a trailer makes it an ideal text for teaching students about the conventions of persuasive speech.
When it comes to movie trailers, there are some general rules to follow. The most important one is to not give away too much of the story. The best trailers will introduce the viewer to the main characters and set up the central conflict, then end with a cliffhanger that leaves the viewer wanting more.
The narrator is another crucial element of movie trailers, and the most famous of these was Don LaFontaine, who narrated thousands of trailers for Hollywood blockbusters. The presence or absence of a voice over can have a big impact on the trailer’s effectiveness, but it isn’t necessary for every trailer. It is essential, however, that the title of the movie be prominently displayed at the end of the trailer, as well as the director and production company’s logo.