What are trailers? In short, movie trailers are nothing but short film advertisements of the upcoming movies that are not yet in theatres. In fact, they happen to be the previews of the film and in general give mere hints of the story line of the said movie along with the introduction of the actors and the scenery. Why the term trailer is used when they are shown at the beginning of the film? Trailers are so named because in the early years of cinema, the advertisements for one film were shown after another film. Trailers are now shown at the beginning of movies so that people do not miss them. Even there are instances where the trailers happen to be the best shots selected from the most funny or exciting moments of the movie. While there are other trailers who carry special footage-scenes shot only for the purpose of advertisement comprised of the left out portion of the movie. For instance, in a trailer of the classic Casablanca, the character Rick Blaine says, " Ok, you asked for it!" just before he shoots Major Strasser. However, the scene is not present in the final film.
Again, to other school of thought, the trailers are nothing but highly condensed and polished advertisements. There have been several studies on trailers and their effects on the audience in general. Tone such study, there is the presence of some common elements of all trailers that include a green or red band graphic at the beginning of the trailer for the indication its certification by Motion picture Association Of America, or by others in the other countries. It is followed by the logos or symbols of the studio, production and distribution companies. As far as the music is concerned, it may be specially composed or it may consist of already popular themes.
Trailers