History of film trailers

Film trailers have always been the main selling point of any new film that is to be released. Film trailers have undergone incredible changes over the years to get the audience always gripped and wanting to actually see the film. Trailers have also adapted in the technologies they use from simply the use of colour to now where the majority of the trailer is in CGI (computer generated imagery). There are two main types of film trailer, the promotional trailer which is often short and is simply used to sell the film or promote it, there is also a theatrical trailer which is usually longer and contains a lot more information and we can pick much more up from it.

One of the earliest trailers that was released was the 1937 Walt Disney film Snow White. Throughout this trailer there is a heavy use of large text put on screen which conforms to the stereotypical 'bigging up' of the film "nothing ever like it'. Also throughout the entirety of the trailer there is no use of any clips or segments of the film, but instead pictures and  clips of Walt Disney himself describing the film and why he is so happy with it. This style would never be used in the modern day film industry as company's now thrive of hinting story lines and showing clips of the film.

Another key trailer comes from 1977 which Star Wars: A new hope. This trailer was so important as it was one of the first trailers of its time that featured its special effects that were considered way ahead of its time in a major role as the vast majority of clips of the film were highlighting its technological capabilities. however by now its use of a voice over was now seen as common and it also still used large text to advertise the film further.

From here on out the main development in trailers since has been the use of music that is now seen as a necessity in film trailers as well as further use of CGI. Also in modern trailers there use of music that is fitting to the trailer and music that helps to create an atmosphere within the trailer, as well as small snippets of scenes to leave us wanting more, often the best scenes are shown in the trailer to make the audience want more.