Research and Planning - What is a Trailer?

A trailer is a movie teaser, short segments of the films often shown before other films in the cinema, or on a television advert as a method to introduce a film which is soon to be shown, Trailers are often used as a marketing technique. It often contains clips from the film, usually exciting parts of the movies or a hook used to entice viewers to go and watch the films.
The following features are used in many trailers:

• A Montage: A series of scenes strung together by non-diegetic music playing over the top. They often show expansions of time.

• Peaks and Troughs: Peaks are elements of high action or exiting moments within the plot of a film, Troughs are more relaxed, less thrilling, often dialogue.

• Voice-over: Dialogue (Non-Diegetic) over the top of most clips.

• Titles: Text appearing on the screen, usually over a plain single colour background.

• Film Title: The title of the film that the trailer is advertising.

• Release Date: Its essential that the audience are told from what date they can go and see the film.

• Certificate: The audience must be shown what rating the film has as it can affect whether they watch it and tells of things such as how violent a film will be.

• Studio Name: The company who created the film must be mentioned within the trailer.