Research and Planning: What is a Trailer?

A trailer is a short segment often shown before other films at the cinema, or on a television advert to introduce a film which is soon to be shown. It contains clips from the film, usually peaks, to entice viewers to go and watch the films.
The following features are used in many trailers:

• Montage: A series of scenes strung together by non-diegetic music playing over the top. They often show expansion of time.
• Peaks and Troughs: Peaks are elements of high action or exiting moments within the plot of a film, and troughs are more relaxed, less thrilling, often dialogue.
• Voice-over: Dialogue (Non-Diegetic) over the top of the 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: It's 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.