A trailer is a piece of filmic material that presents a preview of an upcoming feature film. This movie advertising is designed to entice viewers to see the full film at theaters and cinemas. It is also used to promote television shows, video games and books. Movie trailers are usually one to three minutes in length and include key scenes from the feature film.
While some trailers provide only a snippet of the plot, others offer a more comprehensive overview. The first step in creating a trailer is to collect and collate all the necessary footage from your film. Then, the trailer is edited to arrange the clips in a non-consecutive fashion. Typically, a movie trailer follows a three-act structure. The beginning (Act 1) sets the premise of the story; Act 2 drives the plot forward and culminates in a dramatic climax; and the final act (Act 3) provides a visual montage of powerful moments in the film that build to a satisfying resolution.
Once the trailer is complete, it must be carefully timed to ensure maximum impact. For example, a teaser trailer, which offers only the most provocative and intriguing sequences, can create buzz for a film months before its release date.
The trailer is usually accompanied by music that enhances the visual elements. It is also a good idea to have a voice-over that is tone-appropriate and entices audiences to see the film. A voice-over can be a great way to communicate the crux of the story without spoiling any major surprises.
During the editing process, the trailer is tweaked to maximize its effectiveness for different platforms and screenings. For example, a trailer created for theatrical viewing should be optimized for screen size and contrast; a trailer designed for the internet may include a stronger focus on text and smaller images to ensure it displays well on small screens.
A good trailer can generate a lot of buzz, and it can even sell tickets. For this reason, studios invest massive amounts of money in the production and marketing of films. This is why it is important for filmmakers to take the time and effort needed to create a compelling trailer.
Students can watch a variety of movie trailers and discuss the typical characters, settings and plots associated with different genres. They can also explore the purpose and effect of the editing techniques used in each trailer to entice audiences. In addition, students can analyze the trailers for films of a particular genre to determine what types of shots, editing and music best suit that style of film. They can also use a website such as the Motion Picture Association’s (MPA) film rating system to compare ratings for various movie trailers. Finally, students can write an essay discussing their conclusions about the trailers they viewed.