Different Types of Trailer - Similarities and Differences - Conclusion

 

Having looked at teaser trailers, TV spots and theatrical trailers for two different films, I have noticed that they're are a number of similarities between these types of trailers. 

Each of there trailers include the following:

The title of the film - usually at the end of the trailer

Production company logos - towards the beginning of the trailer 

The billing block - often over two 'pages' and towards the end of the trailer 

Release date - though this may change depending on the type of trailer 

An indication of genre 

Music 

Images from the film ( though this is not the case with the teaser for 'No Way Home')

Alongside these similarities there were a number of noticeable differences between the types of trailers.

Theatrical trailers are generally much longer (roughly two and a half minuets) and contain far more narrative information that gives a clear indication of the film's storyline. Theatrical trailers also include much greater character development than the other two types of trailer and frequently have a specific release date ('December 10'). 

Theatrical trailers also have a particular style of editing - they tend to be relatively slow-paced to begin with before the pace quickens, in a montage style, toward the end of the trailer. 

Teaser trailers are much shorter than theatrical trailers and often give away very little information about the narrative, sometimes using barely any shots from the film. Characters are rarely developed and the release date is often vague ('Coming Soon' or 'Summer 2022'). 

TV spots are shorter still (roughly 30 seconds) and are the last type of trailer to be released coming out just before the film is released in cinemas. This type of trailer is almost a thirty second montage with quick editing that shows all the 'eye candy' - the most exciting bits from the film. 

The release date is often even more specific than the theatrical trailer ('In Cinemas Now' or 'This Friday'). Sometimes TV spots also include reviews and star ratings.

I feel that I need to look at each type of trailer in a bit more detail so that I can find out which types of trailers use conventions such as taglines, names of stars, reference to awards and social media links.

This will also help me decide which two types of trailer I will produce for my imaginary film.