Trailer Terminology

Trailer: A composition of several clips from a film, often from key scenes, but that are not fully explained to entise the viewer to want to find out more. Trailers use a number of elements, such as music and jump cuts to emphasise and draw more attention to the footage being shown. They can be in the form of shorter, teaser trailers that reveals very little, normally about 30 seconds. Through to an extra-long featurette that is often more like a full scene from the production.

Plot summary: This sums up the story of the film, usually in around 3 stage structure. The premise will be shown, followed by a further explanation of the plot, which then usually ends in a climax that often incorporates notable scores of music to emphasise the events shown.

Voice-over: This technique is used when explanation is needed or to briefly set up the premise to the film. This helps the audience to expand their understanding of the plot.

Music: The music used in a trailer very rarely originates or appears from the film itself. It helps to set the tone of the trailer and indeed the film. Often, recognisible peices of existing music are used, called 'library music' but there are occassions where the peice is written specifically for the trailer. There are also examples of songs used that sound similar to the original but are too expensive to license.

Cast, crew and studio information: A cast run is a common feature of trailers, this is where the names of the stars appearing in the film are mentioned. Also, if the director/executive producer is well known or has made a blockbuster recently, they are often mentioned too. As well as this information, there is usually a billing block at the end of the trailer which is a list of top billing/ most important cast and crew. Since the seventies, studio production logos have featured at the beginning of most trailers, these are often accompanied by the logo of the distributing company too.

Technical elements: The sound mix to many trailers are presented in Dolby Digital, or other forms of multichannel sound mix. This has helped sound effects and music, that are often enhanced by stereophonic sound a main focus point of contemporary trailers. Trailers are usually presented in the same format as the final production, this includes 35mm film or a digital format. Internet capability has allowed trailers to be shown in resolutions up to and including 1080p.