A trailer is a clip of footage from a film that is used to advertise it and encourage people to see it in the cinema or on DVD. Trailers are highly condensed versions of the film and are often designed to show the film’s best aspects.
A good trailer will tell a story through its visuals as well as its writing or voice-over. It’s important to find a balance between the two and use footage that is high quality. Also, using the 3-act structure of storytelling can help to make your trailer feel more engrossing and engaging for your audience.
The first section of a trailer will usually contain shots of the film’s setting and introduce the main characters. This will set the scene for what the audience can expect from the film and help to create an emotional connection with the characters. The second part of the trailer will usually focus on the main plot point or conflict that the film is about. This will normally be shown in a sequence of short clips that build up to the dramatic moment. The final part of the trailer will usually end with a shot of the film’s title and the director and production company logos.
When creating a trailer for your film, it’s important to include enough key scenes to hook the viewer on the film and encourage them to want to see it in the cinema or on DVD. However, it’s also important not to give too much away and leave the audience wanting more. It’s also a good idea to try and incorporate some comedy into your trailer as this can be a great way of drawing the audience in and making them laugh.
The film trailer has become a significant cultural entity, with the cult of the movie trailer now transcending the confines of the movie theatre and expanding into a multitude of exterior media and cultural spheres. It is increasingly a mode of self-promotion, a means for the film to market itself to its target audience and compete in an ever-growing marketplace.
This is largely due to the growing popularity of online video streaming sites such as YouTube and services like Netflix that allow people to watch full movies from the comfort of their own homes. This has caused the movie industry to re-assess its marketing strategies and develop more innovative ways of promoting their films, including the creation of the movie trailer.
In January 2014, the National Association of Theater Owners issued a guideline asking that film distributors supply trailers that run no longer than two minutes, 30 seconds shorter than the previous norm. This has met with considerable resistance from the film industry, but the trailer is still an integral part of the marketing strategy for many films. In addition, the internet has made it easier for viewers to share and comment on the latest film trailers, helping them spread awareness of the films they are promoting.