Trailers are a kind of advertising, a vehicle for promoting films, TV shows, music, and other events. Usually, these advertisements are made up of scenes from the film they are promoting. However, they can also contain elements from the film not included in the actual movie.
The word trailer is derived from the word trail plus the word -er. It is a brief segment of a reel that is positioned at the end. In the past, they were used to advertise movies in the theatrical market, to encourage people to leave the theater, and to signal the end of the short film program.
Nowadays, trailers have become highly polished pieces of advertising. They often include signature music, action shots, and sound effects. Movie trailers also use creative editing techniques to control the pace of the footage. Many trailers are also mixed in multichannel sound mix.
Teasers are usually shorter than trailers, and provide basic information about the film. They typically contain just one or two minutes of the film. Although they don’t reveal any plot details, they can stir up excitement by showing parts of the film. Often, teasers are created during the filming process.
Featurettes are more in-depth trailers. They are used to introduce the film’s characters, setting, and themes. Often, featurettes are televised and then released as DVDs or online. For instance, the trailer for Psycho featured Alfred Hitchcock giving a tour of the Bates Motel.
Generally, the format of a movie trailer is three acts. The beginning contains the premise of the film, the middle focuses on conflict and tension, and the end provides a dramatic climax. During the final act, trailers are sometimes enhanced with an orchestral score. Featurettes can also be used to advertise a specific event, such as a marathon or marathon-related show.
Several companies specialize in creating film trailers. These companies are often located in Los Angeles and New York City. When a new movie comes out, dozens of these companies may be involved. As a result, many trailers contain original music that isn’t available on the soundtrack. Sometimes, trailers contain deleted or alternative scenes.
Some people believe that movie trailers are misleading representations of films. They might advertise a film as more exciting and action-packed than it is, or they might portray a minor celebrity as a key character. While most movie trailers are edited to be as attractive as possible, they should not overtly spoil major plot points. To create a compelling trailer, the filmmakers should focus on the most important scenes in the movie.
A trailer is a great promotional tool, and even a bad movie can be presented in a way that is attractive. Film marketers have made trailers into a large industry. Thankfully, high bandwidth internet connections have enabled the distribution of trailers at any resolution. Also, film distributors reacted coolly to the announcement that they would provide no more than two minutes of trailers to theaters. Though the National Association of Theatre Owners issued a guideline in January 2014 recommending that all theaters provide no more than two minutes of trailers, they have allowed for some exceptions.