Trailer Terminology

Plot Summary

A three-act structure is in most trailers and they are similar to a feature-length film. Trailers start with Act 1 which is the beginning  and this lays out the premise of the story line. Act 2 known as the middle is the act in the trailer that drives the trailer forward and Act 2 usually ends on a dramatic climax. Lastly Act 3 usually has a strong piece of "signature music". The music used is either a recognizable song or a powerful orchestral piece. And finally the ending of the trailer known as Act 3 is were the trailer often includes a visual montage emotional and powerful moments in the film and footage of actors who are in the film which are used as a selling point to help sell the film.

Voice Over

A voice over is a narration that is used to very briefly set up the premise of the film and gives the audience a brief explanation when necessary. Trailer's in the modern day are of a highy condensed format, so a voice over is a useful technique to use so that the audience get a better understanding of the plot.

Music

Music in film trailers help to set the tone and mood of a film trailer. Usually the music that is used within a film trailer may not be from the film itself. Music in film trailers may be:

• Music from other films
• Popular and well known music, the reason this can be chosen is because of the music's tone
• A type of music known as "Libary" music. This is music that is composed previously so that it is specifically used in advertising by an independent composer
• Music that is specifically composed for that film
• And finally songs that may include 'knock-offs' of songs that are recognisable to the audience, these are very expensive to be licenced

Cast, Crew and Studio Information

A list of the stars in the film is also known as the 'Cast Run'. Other important people involved in the film who also want a mention aswell are people like the director and producer if they are well known to the audience before the film is released. A 'Billing Block' is what most trailers conclude in. A 'Billing Block' is a list of the principal cast and crew memebers. They tend to appear on screen at the beginning or ending of the film.

• The logos of studio productions are usually featured near to th beginning of the trailer. Until the late 1970s these logos were moved so they were at the end of film trailers. The logos are usually from the production company and the film's distributor.

Technical Elements

• Sound Mix: Film trailers are mainly presented in Dolby Digital or any other form of multichannel sound mix. Sound effects and music are included within scenes so that they are enhanced by the stereophonic sound and the main focus of trailers in the modern day.
• Video Resolution: When film trailers are preceding feature films they are generally presented to the audience in the same format as the film. In general terms a 35mm film or digital format. The High Bandwidth internet connections allow for trailers to be distributed at any resolution on the internet of up to 1080p. Examples of this are on websites such as Youtube and iTunes Trailers.