A trailer is a short film clip designed to advertise a movie or television show. Originally intended to draw people to cinemas, trailers have also been used to promote video games, books, theatrical events and concerts. They are often based on or feature actual footage from the featured film and can be edited and crafted using a variety of techniques.
The earliest trailers were often little more than silent black-and-white images that rolled before a movie. As the popularity of films grew, the trailer became a promotional tool in its own right and began to be produced and distributed independently of the film itself. By the mid-1930s, film studios had created trailers that were more like movie clips than traditional advertisements. The format was soon adopted by television and other media outlets.
Today, trailers are a ubiquitous part of the modern entertainment landscape. They are shown before movies at theaters and cinemas, on television, in video stores and on online platforms such as YouTube. They are also a major part of many film festivals.
In order to create a successful trailer, you need a few key elements. You need to have the video footage from your feature film, editing software and music (including a license to use it). The trailer should be no more than two minutes long. It is also important to have a script and storyboard that outlines the main points of your trailer and the sequence of shots.
The best trailers follow a three-act structure similar to a full film. Act 1 lays out the premise of the story, Act 2 drives the story forward and ends with a dramatic climax. The last act typically features a visual montage of powerful moments from the film. The end of a trailer usually includes the film’s signature music, a recognizable song or sweeping orchestral score.
Unlike film, TV shows and other forms of media, book trailers have not found widespread adoption. This is largely due to the nature of books as a personal and solitary experience. Books are not best suited for the kind of public discourse that takes place on social media or in public spaces and that is often required to create successful book trailers.
Book trailers are not without their critics, however. Some argue that the trailers are too short and that they do not provide enough information about the book or its characters. Others complain that they do not reflect the book’s literary style or tone. Still, other critics have praised the trailers as effective marketing tools.
When creating a trailer, it is important to consider your audience and the message you want to convey. Depending on your target market, you may need to adjust the length of your trailer or use different methods of distribution. For example, you may want to release a teaser version of your trailer for Facebook or Instagram Stories, which can be easily shared and clicked on. You might also decide to release the trailer on a number of platforms at once, or to release shorter cuts over time to build interest in your project.