1) The purpose of a trailer is to introduce the main storyline without revealing too much, and to introduce characters.
2) Trailers are distributed on platforms like YouTube and social media, and sometimes on TV. Sharing on social media helps the trailer gain more publicity.
3) The type of trailer shown depends on the target audience - younger or older audiences. Trailers aim to engage audiences and encourage word-of-mouth promotion.
2. The main purpose of a trailer is to introduce the main story line without giving too much away to the audience.
There will also be some character introductions.
The audience can watch these trailers mostly on YouTube and via social media, such as Facebook and Twitter.
Sometimes they will come on TV between advert breaks. They can also share it with their friends which means the
trailer will be gaining more publicity.
Films that are targeted at the younger generation will usually be shown during the adverts of kids shows or on a
channel that mainly shows programs for the younger generation. Films that are targeted to the older generation
like teenagers and adults will be advertised on social media, or on the adverts of 12A, 15 and 18 movies.
3. Some trailers/films will hold competitions on the website which is advertised at the end of the trailer. This is
to engage the audience, as well as getting more publicity through the exchange from audience to audience.
A disadvantage of social media is that the trailer could receive criticism which will discourage the audience
from wanting to watch it. A good example would be YouTube comments and ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
The advantage of social media for trailers is so that it can be distributed to a mass audience, which will result
in more people going to watch it when it comes out. It also helps the institution interact with the audience so
they can learn more about the film.
4. If there was no social media to advertise on, then the institution wouldn’t be able to
reach a global audience, which means that in the long run, the won't make as much
profit as they should've done. This will also limit the exchange between audience and
audience as nowadays, people like to share things vis social media.
The exhibition of trailers has changed over time as before they would mainly be shown
on TV or during the adverts in the cinema. This is because there wasn’t social media to
share it on like today.
Trailers that are suitable for everyone would be advertised everywhere, where as if
they are only suitable for over 18's, then they will advertise places where children
won't be. They are rated using the ratings of BBFC.
5. Trailers are judged by ''The key to movie advertising is compatibility. With trailers, we
consider many factors to ensure their compatibility with the feature. Ultimately, we strive to
make sure that if parents are comfortable with the content of the feature, TV programming
or other media, then they will be comfortable with the trailers or other ads that go with
them.'' (MPAA)
Some audiences may not be 100% comfortable with the ratings that the institutions give
their films. For example, a film may be rated a 12, but contains some form of subtle sexual
acts, and some parents may not agree with that. Or even things like homosexuality could be
exposed in films for the younger generations.
Trailers can be leaked or hacked which means that countries can see them before the actual
release date. However, this can be good as it will create more buzz and hype about the film.