A2 Media Studies

Q1: What is a trailer? What is its purpose?

Q2 : Where might a trailer been seen? How will different formats affect the viewing of the trailer?

Ellie New

What is a trailer and what is the purpose?

A trailer is a selection of shots and scenes that have been combined together from a film or a broadcast. Trailers are used to show a preview of a film or broadcast in order to grab the attention of the audience; without revealing the whole plot. The trailer usually includes key characters which are starring the film or broadcast which the target audience idolize, or are familiar with; they will also use the most dramatic or funny scenes, depending on the genre, to entice the audience to watch further or to indulge in the product. They are sometimes known as a ‘teaser trailer’, to add hype to the coming release of the production.

Where might a trailer be seen?

The images I have found are just a few examples of where trailers can be seen, such as directly looking for one on YouTube, or sometimes they can be shown before watching another video as an advertisement. Trailers can also be shown at the beginning of a DVD, especially if the producing companies are the same or similar to the DVD you are watching; often referenced to ‘from the creators of’, which establishes a clear link for the audience. Another key place they can be shown is in the cinema, before our chosen film is played we are bombarded with advertisement trailers of films that are due to be brought out. ITunes has also started to advertise film trailers on its programme, as there is now an option to download films straight to your phone. TV ad breaks are also a prime place to find trailers for films or broadcasts.

How will different formats affect the viewing of the trailer?

The way a trailer is presented is usually make or break, if the trailer isn’t appealing to the target audience it may not be as successful as the production team planned. The format in which the trailer is viewed is also key to this ‘make or break’ attitude; as technology advances it is becoming harder and harder to impress us as a society, when watching a trailer we as the audience want to see the best possible graphics and clear sound, however, this is not always achievable. Watching a trailer on a mobile phone can be frustrating, and may not create the desired effect that the trailer should have on the target audience, as it could become jumpy because of lack of reception and background noise may make it hard to hear what is going on. Which could result in the trailer not being watched fully and resulting in the target audience not seeing the film/ broadcast.

However, watching a trailer before the start of a film in the cinema can have a very positive effect, usually trailers are shown which have some relation in genre to the film that the audience has come to view, so it is clear the audience are interested in this genre. Also watching the trailer in a ‘film’ ( clear graphics, dark, heightened sound ) environment can create a sense of suspense and make the target audience want to view the film advertised in the trailer, as soon as they possibly can. Picking formats for the trailer can be key when designing it for the desired target audience.