Level 3
YEAR 1
Film & TV
Teaser Trailer
What is a teaser trailer?
A teaser trailer is a short video that is often used to help advertise an upcoming film or other media form. It can be released months before the due date of the official film to help create anticipation and interest from the target audience. A theatrical trailer is a much more in-depth longer trailer which tells us more about the plot of the film and gives us the exact dates when it will be out.
A teaser trailer is a lot shorter compared to a theatrical trailer. Usually 1:00 - 2:30 in duration. A teaser trailer's main purpose is to hook the audience with short exciting snippets from the movie and by not revealing too much of the plot.
Why are teaser trailers used?
The main purpose of a film trailer is to inform the audience and therefore potential customers, about the film. There are many ways in which they can do this depending on what type of film they are trying to promote. Films with different genres e.g. action, sci-fi, horror, comedy etc will each be portrayed and 'sold' to the audience in their unique ways as to entice their target audience.
Another main purpose in film trailers is to leave the viewer with a feeling of anticipation and the urge to want to see the film. Teaser trailers play on this principle the most, like in the Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring teaser trailer, a short camera shot of the main characters and an epic battle scene in a long shot is shown. The trailer doesn't inform the viewer about the plot or who plays the characters but leaves them with only a small amount of information. It also plays on the viewer's expectations of what the film ought to be like from how successful the books were and are still today.
What makes an effective teaser trailer?
Trailers consist of a series selected shots from the film being advertised. Since the purpose of the trailer is to attract an audience to the film, these usually contain parts of the film that are the most exciting or funny parts of the film keeping in mind that it does not spoil parts of the film. A trailer has to achieve that in less than 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Music is also an important part of the trailer experience. The music found in effective trailers incorporates a range of extreme dynamics including loud, crashing fast music for scenes of action and slower, more sedate music for dialogue. The music is very effective in establishing the most appropriate mood and tone for the genre. Even without visuals - a definite mood can be created through the choice of music types and instruments.