‘Teaser Trailer’ Definition: A teaser trailer is a short series of film clips used to advertise an up and coming film, game or TV series.
The purpose of a trailer is to promote and inform audiences about a film to inspire interest before the film is released.
The use of the word ‘teaser’ reflects the amount of footage used, because little or no actual film footage is shown during its 30-60 second sequence. This is used to create narrative enigmas and inspires mystery to ‘tease’ the audience and make them want to see the film. These quick clips from some of the most exciting parts of the film are often the events building to the resolution but not necessarily in chronological order, this is to build tension.
The purpose of a trailer is to promote and inform audiences about a film to inspire interest before the film is released.
The use of the word ‘teaser’ reflects the amount of footage used, because little or no actual film footage is shown during its 30-60 second sequence. This is used to create narrative enigmas and inspires mystery to ‘tease’ the audience and make them want to see the film. These quick clips from some of the most exciting parts of the film are often the events building to the resolution but not necessarily in chronological order, this is to build tension.
Another teasing aspect of the trailer is that, unlike theatrical trailers, it is generally released long in advance of the film, sometimes up to a year and a half before, often while the film is still in production or editing.
Teaser trailers differ from theatrical trailers in that they are mainly shown/ viewed on websites such as YouTube, and film web pages preceding the theatrical trailer release. This subtle difference in viewing location and medium allows film companies to market their product from many different avenues to allow the widest range of possible consumers to see it or to target sell to a particular demographic. Another benefit of multi-medium marketing campaigns is that it generates hype around the film, increasing speculation and the ‘word of mouth’ effect long before the film is released.
Teaser trailers differ from theatrical trailers in that they are mainly shown/ viewed on websites such as YouTube, and film web pages preceding the theatrical trailer release. This subtle difference in viewing location and medium allows film companies to market their product from many different avenues to allow the widest range of possible consumers to see it or to target sell to a particular demographic. Another benefit of multi-medium marketing campaigns is that it generates hype around the film, increasing speculation and the ‘word of mouth’ effect long before the film is released.
Within a trailer an audience is supplied with information about the film production and distribution companies, release dates are shown several weeks in advance and the closer to the release date.
Teaser trailers do not reveal many or any significant plot details and are meant only to give a minor glimpse at what is to come, alluding to genre and creating mystery.
On how film narrative or ambience is condensed into such a short space of time the Russian theorist, Tzvetan Todorov, who suggested that all narratives have a four part structure, gives us a clue.
Therefore, in a trailer and also a teaser trailer, which many believe are often used as merely a truncated version of the theatrical trailer, the narrative should be broken down as such:
Therefore, in a trailer and also a teaser trailer, which many believe are often used as merely a truncated version of the theatrical trailer, the narrative should be broken down as such:
Editing techniques frequently used in teaser trailers:
> PACE = the pace of the cuts is usually fast or starts slow and builds in speed for dramatic effect. These quick cuts allow for only tantalising glimpses of the film.
>TRANSITIONS = fade to black is popular to use as boards for anchorage such as “This Year” . Fading between shots, so for a moment the two images are layered, allows movements to seem fluid or for moments to echo each other in composition or motion. Trailers also allow for more exciting transitions to be used, such as swipes and dissolves, to cut between unrelated scenes and represent time ellipses. The transitions and the sound bridges (if they are synchronous with the transition) imply the atmosphere and genre of the film being promoted. For example, comedies will have more unusual and fun transitions to highlight the fun within the film.
>SOUND = The sound bridges mentioned above are used to place significance on the text on screen and build tension. A common use of sound is to pick specific, crucial lines of dialogue from the film or voiceover. These introduce us to the catalyst or enigma of the narrative or the characters.
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