A trailer is a vehicle or container attached to another vehicle for carrying cargo such as furniture, automobiles, equipment or machinery. It may be either fixed or portable. A trailer may also refer to a vehicle for transporting an animal, such as a horse, dog or cat.
When a movie trailer hits the big screen, audiences are often mesmerized by its visuals and story. But behind every dazzling image is an equally impressive team of skilled professionals. These unsung heroes—akin to culinary alchemists—are responsible for crafting the cinematic appetizer that tantalizes viewers into buying a ticket.
The art of trailer creation is a complex blend of technical and creative skills, and it’s an ever-evolving science. In the past, trailers were simple, often featuring just the title of the film and its logo on a black background. However, over the years as film marketing has become a big industry, it has become important to set the tone for a film in its trailer.
This often involves establishing the genre of the film, such as drama, horror or comedy. For example, the iconic Jaws trailer builds suspense through a series of foreboding voiceovers over a montage of watery scenes that hint at a shark attack. Similarly, Alien’s trailer builds tension through a series of cryptic, suggestive visuals and an ominous sounding siren that culminates in a glimpse of the alien monster itself.
In addition to setting the tone, a trailer must establish key plot elements such as time and location, and it should introduce central characters. Ideally, the trailer should tease the audience without giving away too much, so that they feel they’re missing out on something important and will want to see the movie.
A trailer’s pulsating soundtrack and impactful sound design are also crucial to the experience, as they elevate and amplify the visuals. The trailer editor is always on the hunt for the perfect bass drop and ominous whisper to send shivers up spines. Likewise, well-timed, climactic dialogue and a catchy chorus can give an otherwise mundane scene a sense of grandeur.
Lastly, the trailer must convey the main emotional hook of the film—whether it’s excitement, fear, romance or anticipation. This is usually achieved through a combination of visuals and voiceover, with the latter being used to highlight important lines or to announce a new character.
The trailer landscape is a complex one, with each movie getting its own tailored version to appeal to different audiences and platforms. For example, a hardcore sci-fi movie might lean heavily into cryptic symbolism, while a family film might focus on heartwarming moments. Despite these differences, the core elements of a trailer remain the same.