A trailer is a piece of film used to promote a movie. The trailer is often the first contact people have with a film and can make or break the movie’s reputation. It is important to use a trailer that accurately reflects the film while still drawing in viewers.
A great trailer will tell a story that gets the audience emotionally invested in the film. A three-act structure is often the best way to achieve this. The beginning will introduce the main characters and setting, the middle will heighten the conflict, and the end will feature a climax. The use of a cliffhanger at the end can also be effective. It will keep the audience waiting to see what happens next and will keep them coming back for more.
In addition to promoting movies, film trailers are often used for television programs, video games, music concerts, and other events. They can be viewed online and downloaded from websites. They are often shortened versions of the theatrical trailers and are usually only 30-60 seconds long.
Some trailers use a specific genre to sell the film. For example, action trailers often include a lot of fighting and explosions. Others will highlight the film’s star power to attract audiences. Others will try to create a sense of mystery about the film by using intriguing or unusual editing techniques.
Many trailers have been accused of misleading audiences. This may be done by implying that a celebrity who has a small role in the film is a major star, or it could be done by advertising a movie as being more action-packed than it actually is. Some trailers also contain material that does not appear in the film, for instance, when Alfred Hitchcock used a trailer to advertise his 1960 thriller Psycho that showed him giving viewers a tour of the Bates Motel, which included a shower scene with Vera Miles screaming.
A film crew that is creating a trailer can use a structure sheet to help them plan out the footage they need to include and how it will be edited together. They can then use this information to create a trailer that will be both exciting and accurate.
The word “trailer” can be found in the English dictionary under the entry for film. It is derived from the Greek term tauro, meaning “carrier”. In this case, the carrier would be a wagon or other vehicle that carried a heavy load. The term was also used for a type of camper or tent.
A trailer is also the name of a type of car that is used to haul a boat or other large object. The term is also used to refer to a person who is driving such a vehicle. This is a common activity in countries with large bodies of water, such as the United States, where lakes and rivers can require vehicles to transport them. Some companies manufacture trailers for boats and other vehicles that are intended to be towed behind cars.