A trailer is a nonmotorized freight transport vehicle designed to be pulled behind a motor vehicle, especially for hauling heavy or bulky loads. It is also used as a temporary dwelling or office, while a person travels or is stationed temporarily elsewhere, such as in the case of military personnel or law enforcement officers. In addition, a trailer may be a container on wheels that is attached to the back of a truck for carrying cargo or supplies.
The term trailer can also refer to the short filmed advertisement for a movie that is usually shown before a feature film in theaters and cinemas. A trailer is often referred to as a preview and is typically no longer than two or three minutes in length.
As a film production tool, the trailer has become more of an art form than ever before. This change was prompted by the rise of major directors during the 1970s and 1980s, such as George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg, who changed the way movies are made. In these years, trailers started to resemble mini-movies and generally included the story’s setup, confrontation, and climax. In addition, many trailers used a strong piece of music, either a popular song or a sweeping orchestral score.
These trends were strengthened as the Internet became a powerful marketing tool for films. The Internet allows studios to reach a much wider audience, distribute “red-band” trailers that cannot be broadcast on television, and develop extended marketing campaigns that include teasers and countdowns leading up to the release of the official trailer. YouTube in particular has become a virtual sandbox for editors, allowing them to create intriguing and sometimes disturbing recuts of film trailers.
The most recent trend in trailers has been a shift from a voiceover to a soundtrack. This is due in large part to the fact that most people go to see movies for the action and suspense, not the dialogue. A central soundtrack has replaced the voiceover in most modern trailers, though a narrator is still often present to provide context and to highlight key plot points.
Trailers are a critical aspect of any film’s promotional campaign and can make or break a movie’s box office success. This is particularly true for big-budget films, such as those in the superhero genre. In order to ensure that their trailers stand out from the crowd and capture the attention of audiences, filmmakers are constantly experimenting with new techniques and styles. A few key trends that have emerged recently include the use of suspense to hold the audience’s interest, a focus on the main characters and their relationships, and the incorporation of popular music into the trailer’s sound track. These trends will continue to evolve and change as technology advances and audiences demand more from their movie-going experience.