A trailer is an unpowered vehicle that attaches to a towing vehicle and hauls cargo. Typically, it consists of a frame with wheels, axles, and a cargo container. It may be open or enclosed, and it can be equipped with a ramp or a lift. It is used for commercial, recreational, and industrial purposes. It is also known as a semi-trailer, flatbed trailer, or utility trailer.
The primary function of a trailer is to promote a film by showing clips from the movie and highlighting its main characters and plot. The goal is to entice audiences into seeing the full movie. To accomplish this, the trailer must tell a compelling story in a short amount of time. Often, it is set to a piece of music that enhances the mood of the scene. In addition, the trailer must provide an accurate representation of the film’s content and style.
Whether the film is a comedy, drama, thriller, or action adventure, it must be marketed in a way that will appeal to a broad audience. As such, the most popular trailers feature a variety of recognizable actors and actresses. The use of star power helps draw attention to the film and increases its chance of achieving success at the box office.
In addition to using famous faces, trailers often contain a rundown of the cast and film’s directors. This allows audiences to research the film before they see it and makes them more likely to buy tickets.
Many trailers also incorporate a musical score, either by using a soundtrack that does not appear in the movie or by incorporating a theme song for the film. In the former case, the composer of the film’s score is usually asked to create a special track for the trailer.
Trailers can be very short or long, and they often feature an opening title card that identifies the film’s production company and distributor. The trailer can then begin with a brief narration that sets up the premise of the film and provides explanation in cases where the plot is difficult to discern. The voice-over cliches that are so popular in Hollywood trailers can sometimes be used to satirical effect in other trailers, such as the one for Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedian or Tenacious D’s Pick of Destiny.
The trailers for a movie can include different types of visual elements, including cutaway shots, action sequences, and special effects. Some feature the film’s stars as they perform a musical number or speak to the camera. Other trailers are a series of vignettes that give viewers a taste of the film’s various genres.
The best trailers are a balance of all the above, with a clear focus on the film’s main plot and character development. They are also visually interesting and aesthetically pleasing, with a clear style that reflects the overall tone of the movie. Moreover, they make the viewer feel like they are getting a sneak preview of what they will experience at the cinema.